Playing phrase samples live.

Hi there- I'm sure the answer to this is out there somewhere but I just can't find just what I am looking for.

Here is what I want to do. I have an MPC 1000 running the Akai OS. I have not yet explored it fully as I have a lot of other gear- but now I have a need.

I want to have lots of phrase samples loaded. A selection of several say between 1-8 measures.

I want to start the first sample playing and looping- say 4 measures. I then want to select another sample in order that it will start to play/ loop at the same time as the first one stops-. BUT I want to have made this selection in advance (and 'live' as in I am free to choose whatever phrase I want next) in order that it happens automatically at the crucial time so that there is a seamless transition of these phrase samples without me having to mute/unmute at the precise time of the change (at the end of the loop). I would envisage that- the loop is playing whilst I am attending to other sequencers/ drum machines etc- I tap a pad on the MPC- happy in the knowledge that (shortly after and at the precise time at the end of the loop) the phrase changes whilst I am doing other things.
Now I realise that I can do this simply by changing programs- but it seems like such a waste to have to use one out of 64 tracks on each program in order to achieve it- and also considering that there are only (what is it 90+? something programs to have loaded at one time).
What I really want to do is emulate this in one program only. I am quite confused about whether or not it is possible (using mute groups or whatever). I am hoping that it is easy but I'm thinking it is probably not possible.
If it is not- are you aware of any other machines that can do this sort of thing?
Many thanks.

I'm pretty sure the normal behavior for switching sequences is it will wait until the sequence finishes before switching to the next. Either this or you might be able to work something out with mute groups?

yeah try track mutes, and alternating sequenced

Thanks folks- I was kind of hoping this sort of thing could be done conventionally within one sequence- but I guess not. Cheers

Yeah it can be done in one sequence. Set the bar to 999 and play through, you can switch programs on the fly but not sequences. But switching programs while playing live is just as good and with mute groups.

just use separate sequences - i dont see the problem in that?

you'd cue it up and it would play when the last one was over.

Thanks again- the problem with changing sequences would be that I use too many of them up at the one time- (I would only be using one track out of 64 in each sequence-which seems like a bit of a waste)
I am interested in the 'changing on the fly'. Can you tell me is it possible to mute a track- but for the mute only to take effect at the end of the sound- or does it always mute at the same time you press the button? Cheers.

robosardine wrote:Thanks again- the problem with changing sequences would be that I use too many of them up at the one time- (I would only be using one track out of 64 in each sequence-which seems like a bit of a waste)
I am interested in the 'changing on the fly'. Can you tell me is it possible to mute a track- but for the mute only to take effect at the end of the sound- or does it always mute at the same time you press the button? Cheers.

You can have up to 64 tracks on the 1000 and all can be muted by the pads.

For example Track 1 is on Pad 1, Track 2 on Pad 2 etc. And to access the other 17 to 64 tracks, switch the banks from A to B, C or D.

And yes, muting tracks happens as soon as you press a pad, no waits. So if Track 1 has a drum pattern and you wanted to mute the snare at a certain time, just time yourself and be ready.

Got it- thanks- one last question though. When using the mute groups- Will phrase/pad 1 be muted at exactly the same time as as phrase/pad 2 pad is played-- or is there some sort of quantize factor to it? If there is a quantize factor- what is the range? Thanks.

If pad 1 and pad 2 are in the same mute group, then pad 1's sound will get cut off as soon as pad 2 is pressed. I believe you can have 12 mute groups to prevent other sounds being muted by accident. Usually, I group patterns of kick and snare to Mute Group 1, then various hi hats to Mute Group 2, then various instrument pieces to Mute Group 3. But you can group how ever you like. No quantize factor unless you are recording it on the MPC. Live is all on the timing of the player.

Just play with it, after first use, you'll see how simple it is, which then goes into FUN TIME!!!

Yup- I've got it- thanks for all the replies- and I soon will be trying them out and am certain now that I will indeed be having fun.
I think I should explain. I am in the middle of deconstructing and rebuilding my entire studio- which is taking me a bit longer than I first anticipated. I am doing this because I am changing the way I write music. It is going to be sample manipulation based as opposed to synth based. At the heart of it will be the MPC 1000, aided by a Roland SP 505 and a Korg ESX and a ton of effects- mainly Kaoss Pads. I intend to write/ create more 'live' as opposed to composing by using samples created by myself using synths/grooveboxes/bass guitar/guitar.. and sample CD's too -(all destroyed to various degrees- I just love decimators ). All the old stuff I have done is now officially deadwood--the new experiments I have done tell me so-they sound so much better - thus the change.
Anyway in advance of the completion of my studio- my excitement and curiosity got the better of me.
Thanks again.

Wow bro, you sound like me 7 years ago. I too used to make synth based beats and sampling my own improv work (I call it improv because it was random keyboard playing of thousands of sounds, but sounded like something that can be built upon). It was good stuff and sounded like sampled records but I just don't have the talent for playing keys, I play with three fingers of each hand and practicing was killing time for other things. So I said **** that, I'm sticking to where I came from.

Enjoy those samplers, I have and ESX too. Its a poor-man's MPC. Operates like an MPC in an SP-303

Dammit! there was me thinking I was going to be ahead of my time..... only to discover I will be at least seven years out of date
I cannot this one escape though!- The Korg ESX is like a 'poor man's MPC'. You have got to be joking here surely. The ESX can do a TON of things that the MPC could never do...... 24 yes 24! motion (recordable) sequences on every pattern (including for a heap of effects)- a ribbon arpeggiator- real time control of the sample start point... and that's only for starters
I cannot ever think I would be without my ESX..... for me (with my limited knowledge) the MPC would have to go first. Someone once wrote on the Korg Forums that 2 EMX's would kill an MPC 1000. Since each option would cost roughly the same price (second hand) It could present an interesting dilemma for someone starting out.
Anyway it's all good fun for everyone