My MPC 2000 XL Mod Wheel is Causing Problems During Performa

First time MPC Forum user so I thought I'd just start by making the post and getting straight to the question I have.

I use my MPC 2kXL for live performance where I have an APS file with our set loaded up for the first 4 songs in the DRUMS 1-4. Then I load up an .ALL file that designates the sequences to the correct DRUM .pgms. Some .pgms have multiple .seqs. While I'm playing a sequence in a song (sometimes hitting play on the fly), I'll move the mod wheel to set up "next seq" so that it switches to the next upcoming sequence in the song, and while it's in the process of doing that, it seems like the mod wheel will inadvertently turn on accident (because I'm raging so hard) to the wrong sequence!!! and this is happening while I'm trying to play a show. Sounds terrible when it switches to a sequence that has a different program change and it begins playing a loop with patches from the next song or even worse, jumping 2-3 sequences away!! What should I do? Is my solution to delve into "song mode" and try to incorporate that into my APS as well? I've never used song mode any tips? Why is the mod wheel so damn loose? I hate how it doesn't click very well into a turn.... Well, that's it so far thanks!

DML

My xl does that sometimes when i am tapping out tracks. I would create a song, or just cursor off of your sequence to count on/off so it doesnt matter if the jog wheel moves.

Yeah, the thing is, I use "next sequence" to set up the change to the upcoming sequence. My sequences are usually no more than 16 - 24 bars with 5-6 tracks per SEQ. There are as many as 1-3 SEQ per song (one for verse, chorus, bridge etc.) and I rotate the mod wheel to switch between them LIVE. so if the mod wheel bumps during the "next sequence" and goes to the wrong sequence it turns into a BIG **** up because the verse wont come in when supposed to and complications ensue.... Is there a solution to this mechanically with a new part? Something to make my mod wheel "lock" more into the grooves as it turns or, is "song mode" a viable way to help organize these live sequence changes without having to rely on "next sequence" during playback? It's just too loose and moves too randomly while I'm playing to keep it working this way. Def don't need a new MPC like my bandmates are suggesting grrrr :#

can you not use the pads->sequence function?
you could also type in the numbers instead of using the wheel.

all song mode does is it lets you arrange the order you want sequences to play in... try it out.. you basically make a list of sequences to play.. then you push playstart and it plays the list.

The NEXT SEQ-PAD mode sounds like the best solution, if you do want to switch sequences live, and not be tied to a rigid structure in song mode.

What it needs is a way to increment tracks via MIDI, but it doesn't seem possible on a MPC2000XL. There are some MIDI Footswitch assignments in the MPC2000XL, but none seem to allow stepping through the sequences, beyond possibly using a MIDI Footswitch to trigger pads 1-4, which would only allow the selection of 4 different sequences in NEXT SEQ-PAD mode.

If the options on the MPC2000XL don't do it for you, maybe moving to an MPC2500 (or MPC1000) might help, as I think that there is a lot more MIDI functionality with the JJ OS, possibly the whole front panel mapped to MIDI messages, which might allow you to use a MIDI footswitch for sequence changes?

Thanks for the input here. I was not aware of the full functionality of the "next sequence" - pad option. I'll have to tinker around and see what both of those options can provide for me. I like the idea of song mode if I'm able to start and stop whenever I'd like to for any type of beat drops without it being too tough to simultaneously do that and play pads. I think the "next sequence - pad control" is something I'm rookie at but want to work with more. I didn't know you could type them in in that manner. Thanks again I'll look into these solutions guys.

DMLEE

if you are playing the pads at the same time, seq->pad might not work very well.

but you can still type in the seq number and not touch the data wheel.

learning to use that numpad can make you a wizard on the machine.

After a little more digging, you can change sequences with a MIDI program change message, I thought it was in there somewhere.

If the previously posted options do not work for you, this might be a solution, but might need some $ and/or effort to come up with a MIDI device to send program change messages to the MPC.

- move the cursor to the Track Type field (S:DRUM#/MIDI) on the main screen
- press Open Window button, to open the MIDI Input window
- turn Prog change>Seq from OFF to ON
- connect a MIDI foot pedal, or other MIDI device, that sends out an incremented MIDI program change message from each button press
- perform, play, rage so hard, while change sequences accurately


In terms of a MIDI device, it could be:

- some sort of programmable, or dedicated to the function, guitar type footswitch that sends out a program change message, that is incremented by 1 from the previous program change message, for each button press.

- some sort of tabletop, or MPC mounted, device that does the same thing.

- a MIDI keyboard/device that has a footswitch input for an incremented program change, and that sends that program change out it's MIDI port.

- a programmable microprocessor, with increment/decrement buttons, or multiple/individual buttons for each sequence change, sending MIDI program change messages into the MPC.

- a programmable MIDI control app on an iOS or Android phone or tablet, such as Liine Lemur (deep and "expensive"/$50), TouchOSC (less programmable and cheap), or something similar, with compatible MIDI interface. It could have a screen with dedicated buttons laid out for each program change for the whole set, or with tabbed pages for each song, so you just tap a large button for each of the 1-3 sequence changes in your set. It could be programmed with a large display for feedback of exactly what the last program change was sent out by the app. Lots of possibilities to set it up how you want, but not sure the phone/tablet would be 100% reliable in the heat of the moment if you have sweaty fingers from raging so hard.

Simon,

Duuuude! Thanks so much for your input on this I think I am going to have such a great time devising a way for this to be possible while decreasing our margin for error ever closer to 0! The tutorial on how to actually utilize the MPC MIDI drum change is helpful beyond description! We just picked up a SP 505 linear sequencer which i believe would work perfectly for what you are describing - I hope. And to everyone who looked at this post and gave me input as well, very much appreciated. I cannot do this without the help of this fab forum. The next post I will have will be sometime this weekend with an update on how this is working for me. Haha my keyboardist still has all the gear packed up with him from our show last weekend.

DMLEE - the MPC guy from the group Curtain Co. (check us out)

https://www.facebook.com/CurtainCo
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No probs, before finding the Prog Change>Seq function, I was thinking that your only option might be to duplicate the electronic functionality of the data wheel circuit, and hook up two external buttons that connect further into the circuit than the data wheel encoder itself (if required), and that might operate the same as a single data wheel increment/decrement.

There will be many ways to send MIDI program changes into the MPC, you just need to find one that fits your budget, provides the accuracy you need, and operates the way you want it to.

Good news everyone! So, I decided to go super simple on this one and fix the problem literally by increasing the friction of the mod wheel which keeps it from spinning while I'm raging. I used very small pieces of adhesive Velcro along the bottom of the mod wheel at each of its increments and this created enough friction against the felt under the wheel to hold the wheel in place but just little enough for me to still be able to turn it freely. A serious fix! I even karate chopped the MPC during "next sequence" and the wheel did not move HHIIIIIIIYYYYA!!! I'm dumb and can't get a picture on this post or else I could show you. Simon, I appreciate all the input and will consider your adjustments for the future!!


DMLEE

tapedeck wrote:After a little more digging, you can change sequences with a MIDI program change message, I thought it was in there somewhere.

If the previously posted options do not work for you, this might be a solution, but might need some $ and/or effort to come up with a MIDI device to send program change messages to the MPC.

- move the cursor to the Track Type field (S:DRUM#/MIDI) on the main screen
- press Open Window button, to open the MIDI Input window
- turn Prog change>Seq from OFF to ON
- connect a MIDI foot pedal, or other MIDI device, that sends out an incremented MIDI program change message from each button press
- perform, play, rage so hard, while change sequences accurately


In terms of a MIDI device, it could be:

- some sort of programmable, or dedicated to the function, guitar type footswitch that sends out a program change message, that is incremented by 1 from the previous program change message, for each button press.

- some sort of tabletop, or MPC mounted, device that does the same thing.

- a MIDI keyboard/device that has a footswitch input for an incremented program change, and that sends that program change out it's MIDI port.

- a programmable microprocessor, with increment/decrement buttons, or multiple/individual buttons for each sequence change, sending MIDI program change messages into the MPC.

- a programmable MIDI control app on an iOS or Android phone or tablet, such as Liine Lemur (deep and "expensive"/$50), TouchOSC (less programmable and cheap), or something similar, with compatible MIDI interface. It could have a screen with dedicated buttons laid out for each program change for the whole set, or with tabbed pages for each song, so you just tap a large button for each of the 1-3 sequence changes in your set. It could be programmed with a large display for feedback of exactly what the last program change was sent out by the app. Lots of possibilities to set it up how you want, but not sure the phone/tablet would be 100% reliable in the heat of the moment if you have sweaty fingers from raging so hard.

Thank you for your post, it's very useful to me!