If I want to use song mode, I'm limited to 48 samples right?

I read in an old thread that if you use song mode to string sequences together, they're all at the mercy of the first sequence, meaning that every setting on every sample has to be in the first sequence even if its not playing. I'm just clarifying because if this is true, it drastically alters a project I'm working on at the moment.

Is there any way around this? Any tricks you guys can recommend?

You can change effects in the step edit of sequences, so those can be still be changed automatically.

What is it your trying to change/switch around?

this isn't true, is it?
i've never known this, and never noticed it.
i have different sounds going on in each sequence.

You can have more than 48 samples in the memory, but only have 48 samples assigned to level 1 on a pad, per program.
You can stack up more samples to the other 3 levels of a pad, but they will have to trigger simultaneously with everything on that pad.

But what I'm thinking your getting at is how to use more than 48 samples triggered individually, with individual settings within the same song, right?

I've got the same problem, and I've been told there is a solution.
I was told you can have more than one "program" of samples in memory at the same time.

I have no idea how its done, but supposedly it involves separate programs assigned to the separate tracks in the same sequence.
So I suppose this would be 48 pad assignments for track1, 48 for track2, etc up to 99 or however many tracks there are.

But I dont use tracks so its all legend to me.

If your chops are on time with the sequence you shouldn't have a problem.
What I've noticed in song mode, is that if the sample overlaps to the next sequence, then that sample turns off even though that sample was included with the 2nd sequence.

So learn the art of trimming perfectly. Bust that ass and learn how it is choppin' manually to step up your game.

Basically what I'm doing with this song is it's just gonna hopefully be a pretty layered BOC type thing. I've already started working on an intro part with a couple chords, a couple bass notes, basic drum beat and a heavily effected vocal sample, and I wanted to end that part with a four count at a faster tempo and the rest of the song is in that tempo with different chords, different drum sounds, lead lines and assorted noise samples. Does this sound reasonable for the 500?

Yeah it can be done

Lets say Sequence 1 is the intro with 87bpm and Sequence 2 is when that fire comes in at 102bpm.

These sequences can be connected in Song mode.

Yeah, and those sequences can use different programs.

48 pads (with up to 4 sounds on each) is the limit per program. You can use a different program on a new sequence.

And if you (for instance) want the same drums, put them on the new program, then add your other samples or whatever.

robthom wrote:I have no idea how its done, but supposedly it involves separate programs assigned to the separate tracks in the same sequence.
So I suppose this would be 48 pad assignments for track1, 48 for track2, etc up to 99 or however many tracks there are.

correct

robthom wrote:But I dont use tracks so its all legend to me.

Just hit the track page. U can scroll throuhg ur tracks there. U can assign a program to each track. Most of the time I work like this:

Let's say u have 4 bars chopped up, and assigned to a program.
Most of the time I start with the drums after chopping. So I get me a new program, and assign a few drumsounds to it.
Then I start with laying down a few snares. So I go to track 1, assign my drumprogram to it, and record the snares.
Move on to track 2, assign the same drumprogram to it and lay down the kick pattern.
Same for the hihats in track 3.

Then I'll go to track 4, and assign the program to this track which contains all the chops.

Add bass, load in a complete bassprogram, assign it to a new track and record bass. (the bass stock programs are chromaticly assigned, plug in a midi keyboard and u can really play bass)
Same for other instruments u'd like to add

It looks like more work, but this way u have a better view on what ur doing. It also enables u to use trackmutes. Now u can easily let the snares drop out by muting that track.
If ur not satisfied with the bass sound, just assign another bassprogram to that track. It will play the same pattern with another bass sound.

Hope u get a better idea on how to work with tracks

Menco wrote:

robthom wrote:I have no idea how its done, but supposedly it involves separate programs assigned to the separate tracks in the same sequence.
So I suppose this would be 48 pad assignments for track1, 48 for track2, etc up to 99 or however many tracks there are.

correct

robthom wrote:But I dont use tracks so its all legend to me.

Just hit the track page. U can scroll throuhg ur tracks there. U can assign a program to each track. Most of the time I work like this:

Let's say u have 4 bars chopped up, and assigned to a program.
Most of the time I start with the drums after chopping. So I get me a new program, and assign a few drumsounds to it.
Then I start with laying down a few snares. So I go to track 1, assign my drumprogram to it, and record the snares.
Move on to track 2, assign the same drumprogram to it and lay down the kick pattern.
Same for the hihats in track 3.

Then I'll go to track 4, and assign the program to this track which contains all the chops.

Add bass, load in a complete bassprogram, assign it to a new track and record bass. (the bass stock programs are chromaticly assigned, plug in a midi keyboard and u can really play bass)
Same for other instruments u'd like to add

It looks like more work, but this way u have a better view on what ur doing. It also enables u to use trackmutes. Now u can easily let the snares drop out by muting that track.
If ur not satisfied with the bass sound, just assign another bassprogram to that track. It will play the same pattern with another bass sound.

Hope u get a better idea on how to work with tracks

Cool method

Thanks menco, I'll give it a try.

Yo Menco, Thanks.

I knew you could do this, I just never made it part of my workflow.

BUT I was having like, polyphony problems or some weird glitch that wouldn't let me record tracks. It was doing crazy stuff.

I tried your method, recorded the same track I was having problems with, using the same samples on a new program and it worked.

If anyone is having the same problems, you should try that.
Or try it even if not. Good method. I would usually only make new programs for new sequences, and make different tracks out of Program1 (usually use up all 4 banks). This takes longer but gives me more banks/pads.
Thanks for the lightbulb over my head.

yeah menco thats actually really good..
i usually do it similar.. but what i would usually do is: if i wanted the different drum sounds (kick, snare, hat) to be on different tracks, i'd make different programs for each.
but now ill just do what you said and just assign the same program to more than one track
i should have known that!

Y'all welcome.

U really have to think of ur mp's sequencer as a multitrack recorder. That's why the sequencer on the mpc is so famous. It's all about stacking tracks. You should really make this part of ur working method, cause the mpc's are designed to work like that. It really improved my workflow when I started working with tracks. It's so nice to just delete or copy or move a complete track.
Plus it's the only way if u want to midi things up.

Peaz

I always did track it out, but normally only use one program. Samples on bank A, Drums on bank B, Bass on bank C, etc...

I like the idea of different programs.

But yeah, you guys gotta make individual tracks for each sound and get some track mutes going.