How to Create an Instrument Sequence on an MPC

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: • First

   (The Power button is located in the back left hand corner of device). ,,,, (The MPC does come preloaded with instruments so you can use these as well).,,,, (To make sure you are in the correct screen, you should see the track option, mute, solo, tempo speed counter, bar counter, etc) Change the program option to the folder we loaded the sounds on previously.
   
   Also, make sure the sequence is on number one and make sure there is nothing recorded on this sequence., Some instruments may sound louder or softer than others, if this does occur, press the menu button then program button to adjust the velocity, frequency and any other levels affiliated with that instrument. ,,,,,, This will start to record any pads you hit.,,, By selecting next track, this will make editing much easier since the instruments are being recorded in single tracks.,,,,,
2. 2

   Step 2: turn your production station on.

3. 3

   Step 3: Wait for the MPC to load the operating system and anything else saved to the compact disk (chops

4. 4

   Step 4: sounds

5. 5

   Step 5: instruments).

6. 6

   Step 6: After the machine has loaded

7. 7

   Step 7: navigate to the main menu by pushing the Mode and Window button.

8. 8

   Step 8: Here you will be able to find the "Load" option

9. 9

   Step 9: hit the menu button then pad #2.

10. 10

    Step 10: Once you have reached the load screen

11. 11

    Step 11: using the wheel on the MPC

12. 12

    Step 12: scroll through the different sounds that are saved onto the hard drive

13. 13

    Step 13: if any.

14. 14

    Step 14: Once you have found the sounds you would like to use

15. 15

    Step 15: highlight each one by moving the wheel and hit pad #2 to load each sound and to assign them to a pad.

16. 16

    Step 16: The MPC will ask you which pad you would like to assign with a particular instrument (you have four sound banks lettered A to D which has 16 pads for each bank).

17. 17

    Step 17: After you have assigned your pads

18. 18

    Step 18: you are now ready to start recording programs or sequences.

19. 19

    Step 19: Head back to the main screen where you will see the 1st empty sequence.

20. 20

    Step 20: Before you record anything

21. 21

    Step 21: take a few minutes to hear what the instruments sound like when tapping the pads.

22. 22

    Step 22: After you have done the proper editing

23. 23

    Step 23: go back to the sequence screen.

24. 24

    Step 24: Now that you are back on the sequence page

25. 25

    Step 25: you are ready to record.

26. 26

    Step 26: Make sure you set the tempo for your recording

27. 27

    Step 27: this control how fast or slow the bar counter will count.

28. 28

    Step 28: After that

29. 29

    Step 29: you will also need to set how many bars you want the sequence to record (a standard Hip-hop track will consist of 16 bars).

30. 30

    Step 30: After this is completed

31. 31

    Step 31: select the pad that has the instrument you want to record.

32. 32

    Step 32: Press the Play button

33. 33

    Step 33: while holding it; hit the Record button as well.

34. 34

    Step 34: Play the desired pattern of notes for the first track.

35. 35

    Step 35: Make sure you play the notes all the way to the end of the bar counter or there will be silence towards the end of the sequence.

36. 36

    Step 36: After the first sequence is recorded

37. 37

    Step 37: use the Wheel to select “Next Track “.

38. 38

    Step 38: Continue this until you have recorded a sequence you are happy with.

39. 39

    Step 39: If you make a mistake (whether you pressed the pad too many times or recorded off tempo) simply go back to the track you would to edit and delete and record the pattern on the instrument over again.

40. 40

    Step 40: Once you have recorded the instrument patterns

41. 41

    Step 41: you can now play the recording back by pressing the “Play” button.

42. 42

    Step 42: Pressing the Menu then save button can save all recordings or you can delete the sequence by using the wheel and highlighting the sequence and hitting the delete button.

43. 43

    Step 43: Once you get familiar with recording sequences

44. 44

    Step 44: you can venture off with recording other instrument samples into the MPC 1000.

Detailed Guide

About the Author