Using the "hidden" step sequencer on Akai MPC One

The standard step sequencer on MPC One is optimized for entering drum patterns quickly, but not-so-useful for melodies. For entering melodies, there's a better option that isn't quite so obvious, so if you don't know it yet, this video is for you.
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[@Fontayga]

1st of all, in list edit if you press next event, it'll skip to the next event in the current time division, effectively giving you a rest. Much faster than either thing you are showing.
2nd of all, the step sequencer is still awful. Why can you press record in list edit, press a note, it shows up, but if you try that in grid edit nothing happens. You can tell the new mpc software wasn't designed by musicians. The workflow is trash. I'm very disappointed with mine. I feel one more update focusing on the sequencer and workflow speed/short cuts will get it close to very good, but as of right now I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks for sharing your findings! Pinned.
I wouldn't go so far to call the MPC workflow trash - it's one of the few sequencers that allow you to create loops seamlessly, no pause in the audio whatever you to.
But I totally agree the sequencer could benefit from enhancements.

[@livestreamsuk6004]

Agree the dumbing down of musicians and producers, the interface is kinda toylike to top it off. The MPC4000 is by far the best MPC outside of people squabbling about sound!

[@yodab.at1746]

The depth of the mpc is astounding. Mine has been a game changer for my creativity along with watching videos such as this 💥💥💥💥💥💥

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks for watching! I agree, MPC is packed with functionality. Only thing I'd wish for at the moment are better mastering tools and a really good reverb. (Some of the fabric instruments have a very nice reverb as an internal effect, they should uncouple that and release as a normal plugin)

[@yodab.at1746]

@@mr_floydst and better automation!

[@livestreamsuk6004]

My goodness I was shocked to see this wasn't in the MPC I guess most people now just see it as a beat machine when it was once a very complex MIDI production center. Thanks

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks for watching!

[@ronperry3977]

Been trying so hard to step sequence! This adds a whole new element to our creation process!!! With this, the MPC One now does it all. Thanks for sharing!!! …and for ALL your vids - love your channel!

[@mr_floydst]

Thank you very much!

[@johngilbert184]

Brilliant! This is a standard Roland feature I have missed terribly in MPC. So glad you have found this work around and it might even prompt Akai to upgrade. Thank you.

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks for watching!

[@cleekersneaker]

Best MPC tutorial in a long time. Thanks

[@mr_floydst]

Thank you very much!

[@IrregularShed]

I can't believe I hadn't thought of this. Genius!

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks! Though I just spread the idea tbh. :-)

[@sundalo916]

best tutorial on the step sequencer by far. amazing. thank you for this.

[@mr_floydst]

Thank you very much!

[@DocTheopolis]

Definitely interesting, verging on genius. Suspected it was possible, but seeing someone else actually do it, kills the suspicion. You 'may' have sparked new interest with your video here. Appreciate you and your effort to get this out.

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks for watching!

[@Noise-Conductor]

Dope demo! I'll spread it around.

[@mr_floydst]

Thank you very much!

[@_-Marcel-_]

Super handy! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Thanks a lot for sharing!

[@mr_floydst]

You're welcome!

[@mjackson2004]

Mind blown! Thank you thank you!

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks for watching!

[@arp_78_62]

Yes mate! Thank you. Lack melodic step sequencer has been bugging the hell out of me. Cant wait to tey this method.

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks for watching! Glad this was helpful. Please read the pinned comment for a better way to enter pauses.

[@DawlessHouseMusic]

Great tip!

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks for watching!

[@paulhorsley8922]

Thanks for this great video 👍

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks for watching!

[@CrusaderGeneral]

great track bro!

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks!

[@pawnotdaw4559]

Wow. This is actually a step sequencer!thanks

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks for watching!

[@glenesis]

Thanks Floyd :)

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks for watching!

[@AudioSpaceGeek]

This just got a subscribe from me! You saved me buying a tracker. Thank you!!

[@mr_floydst]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@sagea1107]

Thank's 🤗

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks for watching!

[@powerfusion66]

Thanks a bunch!!

[@mr_floydst]

You're welcome!

[@sederquest]

Great tip
Set sequencing is something I’ve never used

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks for watching!
They this works prevents you from live looping, which is kind of the thing MPC does best. I wish they made a dedicated step sequencer that records the steps while the track is playing along. Would be great for people with a more methodical approach to music. ;-)

[@freezerman5871]

fun to see that this is nothing but the old "step record" mode of the MPC2000xl. The more I watch these 'new' MPC (i.e. any MPC with a touch screen) video tutorials I get the impression that basically AKAI has added a GUI on top of legacy functions, not necessarily making them more straightforward.

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks for pointing that out! I new to the MPC series, so I can't judge that. For me, MPC is in today's market a unique produkt, a DAW in a box, free of social media distractions, powerful enough to create good-sounding music from start to finish.

[@wiggesobk]

Nice video! 👍

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks!

[@unclemick-synths]

Cool way to use that feature 👍

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks! :-)

[@InkyDaCaT]

Ooo I did not know you could do this!😁

[@mr_floydst]

Glad this video was helpful, then. :)

[@mariomariocchi2908]

Grazie!

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks for watching!

[@bobclark5360]

Very cool Floyd! Well done and good info! I'm just learning all the hurdles to the MPC and the workflow..so they call it. have you any ideas how to navigate the library of Akai provided samples. Who makes a library and does not have tags or ID to help quickly find a horn, or a loop or melody.

[@mr_floydst]

Hi, thanks for watching! There is no keyboard database for the samples, but usually, Akai's commercial libraries have file and folder names that make finding them easier by using the search function (on top of the file dialog screen).

[@X-101]

jjos allow you to do it on it's version of the note edit screen, the jog wheel allow you to move the play head around

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks for pointing that out! JJOS is great.

[@elusivemite]

I miss entering notes on grid. And navigating grid with arrows and scroll wheel.

[@X-101]

@@mr_floydst Akai should do themselves a favour and look at JJOS, hell even (re)hire JJ at this point

[@retronftgroup4133]

nice

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks!

[@Gainn]

A simple step sequencer seems like something all these types of devices would have, but it's missing from a couple of the other recent boxes too.

[@mr_floydst]

Yes, I would have taken them for granted in a sequencer box - but I was wrong.

[@Brokeninc]

Kind of reminds me of a tracker synth on the one screen.

[@mr_floydst]

Yes, that's quite close to a tracker indeed.

[@InkyDaCaT]

😁😉🙌

[@wul01]

Thanks for the mention, strangely, it doesn’t appear to work on the software version though.

[@mr_floydst]

Perhaps they'll add it later - I think this feature is relatively new.

[@stuartmoxham5889]

yep software not working

[@clearplasticity]

I have to ask.. what's that 16x16 panel called?

[@mr_floydst]

The company that makes them is called Divoom. Google or Bing it :)

[@elusivemite]

Re step sequencer Hold shift. Press new pad. Can't demo sound but it does lose a few steps in the process.

[@SynthApprentice]

Does holding shift turn on pad select?

[@elusivemite]

@@SynthApprentice yes. Hold shift tap pad. But it won't audition the pad sound. Just switch it.

[@SynthApprentice]

@@elusivemite Just tried it out on my Live II. That's pretty neat! It does feel a little odd not getting the feedback from the audition, but it works pretty well with drum parts.

[@elusivemite]

@@SynthApprentice
I concur. Also the pads should light up to show as a pad is triggered like it does in main when shift or pad select is held

[@guysmiley7289]

When Benn Jordan did his spicy Akai video he did his programming this way but he didn't explain it.

[@mr_floydst]

There's nothing new under the sun, only things you were not yet aware of. :)