Switching SEQ in SIMUL PLAY

I can't seem to select which SEQUENCE to play in SIMUL PLAY, while the MPC4000 is running. For my live performance I wanted to mix sequences in this way...is there a trick?

Any other templates for playing live with the MPC4k are also welcome!

One way to bypass the issue all together is by keeping your sequences the same length of bars and stacking all your sequences on top of eachother. What I mean by stacking is copying all the tracks from Sequence 2 and placing them into new tracks in Sequence 1. Make sure you label properly so you dont get lost. Another way to keep order in this method is to keep the tracks for each sequence in a different pad banks or by grouping tracks together based on sound type (drum etc). The purpose of the stacking method is so you can do everything in the track mute section and not have to go back and forth between track mute and next sequence to perform of layout a whole track. One helpfull tip when using this method is to lay out your drums first and then go back over with your other tracks. But play around with it and see if it suits you. If not you can always use the same method in the opposite stance. The combo method. Placing all the different or choice combonations of tracks in their own sequence and then just play with the order that they are played in next sequence (this gives you the oportunity to play with your qlink shioat or other external filters). I say use stacking to come up with choice combos and then use them in the combo method (or go between both in live perfomance to go between your focus of composition or filter). After you get that all done lay it all out into one sequences and play with your track mutes again for small edits and choice cuts. After you get that done, go over it again with a kit of singe shots to fill here and there so it sounds nice any dynamic to keep the listeners attention. And above all else start preplaning your ideas as you make your sample selection for your songs and go as far as writing it down and making layouts of your track/performance on graph paper. Get to it!

Thanks! Any other ideas?

Jeroen wrote:I can't seem to select which SEQUENCE to play in SIMUL PLAY, while the MPC4000 is running. For my live performance I wanted to mix sequences in this way...is there a trick?

Any other templates for playing live with the MPC4k are also welcome!

It's a bug, it's been that way since OS 1.60. I've reported to Akai, but they haven't touched it in that the last 3 OS', so I have a feeling it will be something that we have to live with.... Kind of sucks, but what can you do... rewrite the OS... (where's Sean W... )

MMMH....I've tried OS 1.51, but it still doesn't work...

Are you sure it was possible before?

Jeroen wrote:MMMH....I've tried OS 1.51, but it still doesn't work...

Are you sure it was possible before?

Yes, because that used to be the only way that one could play loops
that were a different length. I can take Sequence 1 which is 4 bars and take Sequence 2 which was 7 bars and have them both play at the same time.

I would also use it in a live situation when I wanted to Segue between 2 songs, I would bring in a 3rd track that had elements of both songs, so the
transition wouldn't be so sudden.

I purchased my MPC 4000 the day that OS 1.60 came out, so I'm guessing
it was that OS that it was possible. But then I remember after either 1.61 or 1.70 it didn't work.


Another bug about the Simul Play that came when this issue of not being
able to switch seq's is that you also can not turn it off. Once you've enabled it, NOW you have to press stop to get the Simul Play to turn off.


Below is the actual bug report that I sent into Akai on Feb 22, 2005 of this year. Looks like the bug showed up in OS 1.70. So I would try OS 1.60 and see if you get that feature....


***

When you turn Simul Play on and select a sequence, it is "locked".

When you turn Simul Play on and select a sequence, it is "locked", and you
can not change the sequence to another sequence or turn off the Simul Play
field, without first stopping the MPC. This is a new issue as of OS 1.70.

I never knew it was possible to do this. I remember when the 4000 manual was first released I read through the entire thing and was hoping it had the ability, but did not appear to. I was (and still am) using a 2kxl and actually bought a second one as a means to overcome this. It ended up just making things more complicated (because I chain up lots of other gear). It turned out to be easier making transitions from sequence to sequence by using it in conjunction with the other gear that has loop based sequencing.

I used to and sometimes still use a method similar to what threshed mentioned. I'd lay out my sequences on lets say odd numbered tracks, then on the even ones, I'd make transitions by merging the begining and end of each sequence into different tracks so I could mute and unmute each part to make a smooth transition. The only problem is that it is real time consuming and then you have a very "preset" performance since you have to play the tracks in that order.

Can anyone let me know if the 'simul play' of sequences actually works fine on MPC4000 ?

this thread is old, but i would like to know if this simu play thing is resolved in 1.5.
Im still unable to switch sequence in simu play which is extremely annoying

Simul play was never meant for mixing, it just allows you to play 2 sequences, it would be amazing if this was possible, but it's not. I have raised this issue in earlier threads, with some other dude called 'cat' something..