Reviews and questions about the entry-level MPC500
By jkomp316 Thu Jun 18, 2009 7:16 pm
I'm trying to wrap my head around this. I'm more familiar with the sequencer on my MOTIF.

A sequence has 48 tracks (why would you need 48?)
A song contains a chain of sequences

Can I layer sequences?

I want to make a 2 bar repeating drum track. Then I want to put a 4 bar repeating phrase over it.

I can't change the bar length per track, it changes all 48 tracks for the whole sequence. Song mode appears to be just a chain of sequences, I can't layer them?

The manual hasn't really helped me on this.
By Emilie Thu Jun 18, 2009 8:15 pm
jkomp316 wrote:I'm trying to wrap my head around this. I'm more familiar with the sequencer on my MOTIF.

A sequence has 48 tracks (why would you need 48?)

Then you can layer them.
jkomp316 wrote:A song contains a chain of sequences

Can I layer sequences?

Nope, use tracks instead

jkomp316 wrote:I want to make a 2 bar repeating drum track. Then I want to put a 4 bar repeating phrase over it.

Make it 4 bar and copy the first 2 bars to 3 and 4 then the phrase will fit.

jkomp316 wrote:I can't change the bar length per track, it changes all 48 tracks for the whole sequence. Song mode appears to be just a chain of sequences, I can't layer them?

Why would you change the bar length per track? And again, layer tracks.

jkomp316 wrote:The manual hasn't really helped me on this.


I think you have misunderstood the machine.
By jkomp316 Fri Jun 19, 2009 4:51 am
eimer wrote:Why would you change the bar length per track? And again, layer tracks.


Well, my first sequencer experience was a MOTIF. I guess its sequencer is a bit more powerful. If track 1 is 2 bars and track 2 is 4 bars, it would automatically loop track 1 twice while track 2 plays once. This is my first MPC, the way you described it works as well. Its just a longer approach to the same conclusion. Maybe the higher end models do this? Thanks for the info.