HOW DO YOU WRITE YOUR SONGS?

Just want to peek in the the minds of all you mpc users. My question is how do you write your songs?What i mean is how do you save your parts,and later come back to the song, sync it all up-save it, come back to it and then finally record it.I'm using the mp to write my beats first, save that as a midi song file, and save all programs and sounds(drum hits) on the same zip disk.Later i load that up and write a synth part over that, save the synth midi info to zip and then type the synth preset # into the track its on in my pro tools el program.Then when i'm done i record it live(midi) into pro tools.This seems kind of old school,(unschooled) so i was wondering if anybody could brake down how they do things so maybe i could learn somthing(this is what its all about right?)I'm trying to find a easer way to work, but i don't want to sacrafice the mp's tight timming-lets hear from YOU----

Just as you stated record the tracks and save it to zip. However, before I save I name each track I use . Example: If all you use is one drum program I would put that info in the first drum track that I use. This allows for error proof program load ups. As for synth parts etc; I would label these tracks as well but with the synth module
preset (0072 Gtr slide) as the tracks name for reloading references.
Pending on the mood I'm in I may even put the song in song mode when I'm finished with it. That way I don't have to try arranging it everytime I load it up to rework it.

I make one patern with all the instruments and samples playing, record them into cubase on separate tracks, then cut and delete what I don't want in certain places. Simmer for 15 minutes. Voila.

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I label each track with the program, or the sound and number from my module, or the sound from my keyboard. I label my sequences as intro, verse, chorus, (chorus1&2 if necessary) breakdown, etc. I usually make my sequences 4 bars each that way I can set the reps to 2 for 8 bars or 4 for 16 bars in song mode. I convert to song but I save all of the sequences in the event that I want to make easy changes in the song structure. That's about it for me.

elmacaco wrote:I make one patern with all the instruments and samples playing, record them into cubase on separate tracks, then cut and delete what I don't want in certain places. Simmer for 15 minutes. Voila.

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seems like a waste of money for the mpc... if your using cubase as the sequencer

...i start with the basics...

kick...snare....hat....
and the sample as the main melody...
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i rehearse the samples before programming them in...
.i start witht the verse part.... vary it up with 2bar loops...changeups... 1bar loops.... etc.... then i move into hook... i sometimes try to make the hook better than the verse part... etc.............

Maybe,

I sequence all the parts in the MPC, I just don't use song mode, I arrange the audio, and cut out parts in cubase. I use the MPC to sequence all my other synths and samplers. I certainly don't consider it a waste. I've used song mode before, but I like the freedom to be able to rearrange without loadng up all the old sounds on my synths. Most of my synths are analog without patch storage, so if I like it, I gotta record it so I can use the synths for other songs.

But to each his own I suppose.

I use Cubase and an MPC too...

I don't think its a waste...I specifically got an MPC 'cause I like the fact that you can jam out with pre-programmed sequences...as well as Hit One off samples...One day I hope to take my stuff LIVE and I will probably use my MPC...Thats the good thing with the a MPC its versitile...

I usually program the drums first in the MPC then record them into CUBASE as AUDIO or MIDI depending on my mood....Then I will play some synth Parts from my MIDI module and record them as 1,2, 4, 8, or 16 bar loops Depends on what Im trying to achieve.......and give each one a seperate midi channel.

I will then record them into the MPC as parts to a SEQ then play them back through the MPC and MUTE them and Trigger them and record that into Cubase at the same time....Then I get a better Idea of how my song is gonna progress.... I will then chop them up into distinct Sequences and load them into the MPC again...some times as midi seq or even as audio loops and phrases if its a base line or hook or whatever...

Then I have all parts of my song which I can re-arrange for more hands on arrangement from the MPC or within cubase if Im feeling that way......If Im getting sick of staring at the radiation emiting computer monitor I will grab the headphones and take the MPC outside with an Extension cord and get some fresh air, and quite often some inspiration.....

Peace,
madness

i'll normally start off with a melody and try to set the feel of the song after i get that down i'll start layin the kick, snare and hhat parts then the bass. i'll build up everything else around the melody and bass parts so i wont have too much going on. i hate songs that are too busy. anyway i make sure that i'll name all my tracks after that.

after i've sequenced my drums and midi synths i'll use soundforge to record everything into my pc. from there i'll import the audio into reason so i can add effects and get a better mix. i don't have the eb16.

Just got my mp 2 days ago and got a couple songs done already usually if Im doing some melow beat I start with the melody and add the drums near the end of the whole process. If I want some hard core battle beat then I start with the drums and work from there I dont stick to this strict rule but this is how it usually goes.

First off, I lights up a "Nag Champa" insence (excellent brain tickler) just to set the mood in my room ...Then, I load up my drums and other sounds into the different banks, and then I tune up each sound with the MIXER funciotn (shift 7)...beat on the pads for a bit...my MPC is right next to my computer, (I can watch DVDs on my comp)so around this time I throw on a porno (yes, you heard it, a porno) this just puts my mind somewhere else LOL...then I program a sequence of hit hats, kicks, and snares...then I tweek the NOTE VARIATION to modify the sounds a bit...Ill hum a melody and memic it with the samples I got on the MPC...let it play for a bit...then figure out if I wanna add or delete sounds, then I decide where I want the breaks and how long I want the breaks to play for...depending on if Im gonna rhyme over the track or someone else, determines if I have my boys (DJ Myron, D-BOI, or DJ DVS) scratch on the track ...peace...

NOTE: This is not always the same formula, different formula for different moods...this is one formula that I do use though...

I load that **** up with hella samples, kill my fear of fukin with the samples and hope something cool comes out. Its all about the vinyl i got on the tables.

elliz wrote:
after i've sequenced my drums and midi synths i'll use soundforge to record everything into my pc. from there i'll import the audio into reason so i can add effects and get a better mix. i don't have the eb16.

I use my soundforge for fine tuning sample parts with compression, reverb limiting and etc;
Anyway, I just wanted to ask since you said that you import your sequences into reason for effects why not just do it from Soundforge. Aren't your plug ins available to you under your Soundforge's Dx favorites menu? That's how I use my Rennisance waves effects.

First off, I lights up a "Nag Champa" insence (excellent brain tickler) just to set the mood in my room

That's a trip, I do the same or use "Super Hit"......