dumb question about programs?

pg.7 of the manual states that:

"a set of 64 pads, each assigned samples, is called a program"

so i thought that if you changed the program all the samples would change? but, when i am playing the demo song that comes with the mpc (the first one called '01-DJ-Hip_Hop'), i change the program but nothing changes? from what it says on pg.7 i would have expected it to play the same sequence but different sounds cos you'd be playing a different program?

When your making a beat it would work like this. On track 1 your using a drum program. ONce you record the drums or whatever, you switch to track 2. On track 2 you would use a bass program.

Thats a super dumbed down explanation but you should get the jist of it

from what it says on pg.7 in the manual (see above) i thought a program was like a drum kit all mapped out on the pads ready to play, but it doesnt work like that and it cant be that cos programs are smaller (in memory) than samples so what is a program??

when you save a program you also have to save the samples that are used in that program.

ok thanks, so what is a program? what are you actually saving when you save a program?

mightydoosh wrote:ok thanks, so what is a program? what are you actually saving when you save a program?

as i said above my response was dumbed down. Of course your gonna separate your sounds per tracks.

A program is bassically different groups of different samples. It can be anything. you dont even need to switch programs if you have enough room on the pads. All having the ability of multiple programs does for you is gives you the option freeing up pad/bank space by being able to switch to a new program when you need room. OR if you have a sh!t load of different drum programs with different sounds you can use different programs. If you dont understand from this than I cant help you much further. Its alot easier than your making it out to be.

mightydoosh wrote:ok thanks, so what is a program? what are you actually saving when you save a program?

If you have a KIT of sounds and you place them in to record, when you SAVE you are creating a PROGRAM>

When you want to load sounds from your sample library, you place them in a folder that is automatically created when you power you machine up, you will then create a PROGRAM that has the samples you created inside.

When you save a beat, you can save it many ways, but the best to save ENTIRE MEMORY, once you do that look at the top of your newly saved folder, it will still be there before hitting the [main] button, you will see a .prg file. That file holds your sample sounds and whatever else was saved ie the placement of beat, tempo, filters and the like.

A program can be one that you created, one that you bought, or one that automatically loads when you power up you machine.


I hope this helps.


EDIT: ....But the homeboy Jacpot did a better job of explaining it....thanks Jacpot

hiphoppa wrote:EDIT: ....But the homeboy Jacpot did a better job of explaining it....thanks Jacpot

not really i didnt understand a word of what he said! im kind of gettin it from what you said, everything but the bit about the samples, cos the program does not contain the samples? so it just contains filter information and shit, but surely thats just your sequence?

mightydoosh wrote:

hiphoppa wrote:EDIT: ....But the homeboy Jacpot did a better job of explaining it....thanks Jacpot

not really i didnt understand a word of what he said! im kind of gettin it from what you said, everything but the bit about the samples, cos the program does not contain the samples? so it just contains filter information and ****, but surely thats just your sequence?

Right, the samples are what YOU place in them. When you hit [mode] + pad 5 to record something, you will finish the recording and then place it in the PROGRAM. Off the top of my head I forgot what it really says, you can call me if you need it tonight, PM me, but once you do that you can add to the program with other samples ie kick, hi hats, ects. then when you save its now a PROGRAM.

hiphoppa wrote:

mightydoosh wrote:

hiphoppa wrote:EDIT: ....But the homeboy Jacpot did a better job of explaining it....thanks Jacpot

not really i didnt understand a word of what he said! im kind of gettin it from what you said, everything but the bit about the samples, cos the program does not contain the samples? so it just contains filter information and ****, but surely thats just your sequence?

Right, the samples are what YOU place in them. When you hit [mode] + pad 5 to record something, you will finish the recording and then place it in the PROGRAM. Off the top of my head I forgot what it really says, you can call me if you need it tonight, PM me, but once you do that you can add to the program with other samples ie kick, hi hats, ects. then when you save its now a PROGRAM.

it breaks down like this

Sequences contain midi notes, tempo, and q-link information

Programs contain tune, filter, etc. information, and sample-to-midi notes assignments (but doesn't actually contain the samples)

Samples contain audio (obviously) and are saved separate of the program

mightydoosh wrote:so i thought that if you changed the program all the samples would change?

Programs are track specific. You should only hear a change in sample assignments if the program you changed is on the same pad/note track that you are listening to.

Try your experiment again but this time change the programs on every active track in the sequence and see what happens.

mightydoosh wrote:

hiphoppa wrote:EDIT: ....But the homeboy Jacpot did a better job of explaining it....thanks Jacpot

not really i didnt understand a word of what he said! im kind of gettin it from what you said, everything but the bit about the samples, cos the program does not contain the samples? so it just contains filter information and ****, but surely thats just your sequence?

Your just going to have to learn your machine a bit more before these answeres make sense. I tried to explain it as easy as possible without using technical terms because obviosly your new to the machine. Just use your mpc as much as possible and things will start to "click" more.

Let me try, a program is a drum/instrument kit, each program holds a different set of samples. Inside The program samples are assigned to the pads. 16pads across four banks makes 64 pads. follow me so far? ok, the program also contains specific sample information ie. tune or pitch, sample layers, sample velocity and so on. When you save a program you are saving that information as well as the samples if you choose to. Hope this helps
All programs don't have samples assigned to all pads, this may be why nothing plays when you switch programs

blahzay wrote:Let me try, a program is a drum/instrument kit, each program holds a different set of samples. Inside The program samples are assigned to the pads. 16pads across four banks makes 64 pads. follow me so far? ok, the program also contains specific sample information ie. tune or pitch, sample layers, sample velocity and so on. When you save a program you are saving that information as well as the samples if you choose to. Hope this helps
All programs don't have samples assigned to all pads, this may be why nothing plays when you switch programs

PERFECT explanation. Thanks BLAH!

firstly, wicked responses from you all! really appreciate everyones help, what a great forum.


but....

blahzay wrote:...each program holds a different set of samples...

this is the bit i dont get, cos the program doesnt contain the samples does it, you save the samples separately?