Mpc 3.0 arranger is not song mode ?

Hi,

There is something I don't understand in the presentation of the new arranger coming in 3.0.
I've seen YouTubers arranging their beats with one sequence length doubled etc etc. But not with adding several sequences together. So I wonder how you add all your sequences in the arranger view. Do you have to still use the song mode, then export to one long sequence then use the arranger ?

The arranger is just a view of the current sequence, it's not a separate mode. It's simply a view of the sequence you are using, nothing more.

It's just that now you can see several tracks and their data at the same time, in the same screen, which was not possible BEFORE.

So........Is there SONG MODE?

MPD MPK RAY wrote:So........Is there SONG MODE?

Nothing has changed in that regard.

MPC Software 2 always had the arranger view, the MPC 2 standalone did not.

The next sequence and the song modes are still there in MPC 3.

So the ARRANGER view follows the SONG MODE if I change the order of the sequences?

EDIT

I get it! It is a DAW NOW also. You can loop within the sequence in ARRANGER MODE!

And you can initially treat arranger as just an extension view of your sequence. With added option to build your song in a single sequence more easily. But I would personally stick to the MPC song arranging method as per legacy which is to duplicate sequences, chain in song mode. However I have the option of then converting to a long arrangement and having significantly enhanced editing options for arrangement. It's a win win, think ppl just need to familiarise.

The only big departure from before is the handling of programs, that previously were shared across sequences but now need to be duplicated or alternatively involve setting up a master drum track and then subsequent midi tracks. The only negative of that alternative option is automation has to be handled on the master track for each drum lane.

robleighton22 wrote:The only big departure from before is the handling of programs, that previously were shared across sequences but now need to be duplicated or alternatively involve setting up a master drum track and then subsequent midi tracks. The only negative of that alternative option is automation has to be handled on the master track for each drum lane.

This format will be helpful for those who play live. Each "Sequence" could be a different track/song and when switching Sequences, you can switch you can switch to a different "song" that has different drum and instruments.

renegadebliss wrote:

robleighton22 wrote:The only big departure from before is the handling of programs, that previously were shared across sequences but now need to be duplicated or alternatively involve setting up a master drum track and then subsequent midi tracks. The only negative of that alternative option is automation has to be handled on the master track for each drum lane.

This format will be helpful for those who play live. Each "Sequence" could be a different track/song and when switching Sequences, you can switch you can switch to a different "song" that has different drum and instruments.

Which is what you could always do! But the optimised view/ arranger editing features will help inspire better workflows.

You could always have multiple sequences, which chain to a song which then convert to a big sequence and/or have multiple songs all in one project. My MPC 4k does this.

actually watching the Marlow Diggs video - looks like you can't do track mutes per sequencer, it's global track mutes only. that is a bummer if so .

song mode is still there and has in itself not changed at all. And if you have always built all your sequences with a consistent track order and program assignment using recorded track mutes (or erasing events etc), you will have little to no change in workflow in that respect as you were already effectively working within the confines of a 1-2-1 track system.

After converting a song to a sequence, open up in the arranger to view multiple tracks simutanelously, but editing is still done using grid/list view or audio edit (either in a little window at the bottom of arrange, or in the usual dedicated screens) or the via standard seq and track edit functions (copy events, double length, insert bars etc).

People who made songs with inconsistent track orders across sequences, or who used different programs on the same tracks across sequences will of course need to find an alternative workflow

Having made Force projects where the set of tracks gets awkward to handle, I can appreciate the concept of having a small set of tracks that use different sounds in different parts of a set. For example if it's meant for a live set longer than a few minutes. If it's like a 45 minute set, previously with MPC2 you could have each sequence use a slightly different set of programs, but now you'll be using lots of tracks for that. Do you spread the track space according to sections of the set? When you move to the next sequence, you scroll to the next set of tracks as well, or something. I think I've seen people do something like this with the Force - the launch matrix ends up looking like a long diagonally spread array of boxes.

Akai should have given the song mode screen a facelift .

For all of use who have used the song mode over the last 30 years, sure no problem, it functions.

I can see a brand new non MPC user, who fell in love with the MPC 3 marketing video, feel lost when they try to figure out how to not work in 1 sequence /arranger view.

It’s has to be pretty jarring for them to go from the daw screen to the MPC 90’s song list screen.

Maybe an insert sequence button on the arranger view. Pressing that will take you to a new song mode landing page or something …

kaydigi wrote:Akai should have given the song mode screen a facelift .

For all of use who have used the song mode over the last 30 years, sure no problem, it functions.

I can see a brand new non MPC user, who fell in love with the MPC 3 marketing video, feel lost when they try to figure out how to not work in 1 sequence /arranger view.

It’s has to be pretty jarring for them to go from the saw screen to the MPC 90’s song list screen.

Maybe an insert sequence button on the arranger view. Pressing that will take you to a new song mode landing page or something …

Making the arranger decoupled from the sequence and using it as song mode would be great. Insert sequences in order as needed. Click on an element and automatically taken to the correct sequence and track ready to edit.

Turn off song mode and ranger is per sequence.

This is the way I thought the arranger worked. Since it is per sequences is sort of useless to get several sequences . Except if we work with the old song mode with all it's limitations.