Akai MPC 3.0 Public Beta. The Arranger Mode. Is it actually any good?

[@scott21113]

Thank you for taking time to do this series!

[@TheCratesMotel]

You’re welcome brother

[@Henry-to6yz]

I've been using the loop point in arranger to cut, delete, duplicate, copy etc specific regions of specific tracks... Just gotta select the loop point and hold down on the track you want to edit. It would be a LOT easier if it was more tactile and you could just drag your finger over and do it that way (as you mentioned) but it does give you the same outcome for editing on the timeline.

[@TheCratesMotel]

Yeh man, it's really handy using it like that, basically using it as a selection tool. Let's hope they update it so we can drag our finger over it. As you say, it would be WAY better!

[@BareRareBeats]

Thanks man, looking forward to this.

[@davidrausch861]

Yes:) I was waiting on your perspective and how you will use it 🎉

[@jjbing3]

You already know. I’ve been waiting for this 😬

[@DisraeliGears]

Nice man, been wiating for this.

[@Will4thapeople]

Great breakdown of the arranger and much needed to hear that honest opinion. You’ve said what was in my head lol

[@TheCratesMotel]

Yeh I get accused of that a lot haha

[@Will4thapeople]

@@TheCratesMotel lol 😂

[@KingHanma]

This was the best review on the use cases of the arranger. Also very honest summary as well and although I like 3.0 l agree with him whole heartedly. Excellent review \ overview 🙏🏾

[@TheCratesMotel]

Thanks for watching dude

[@roystroebel]

Thank you for the clear and precise analysis of this over-hyped feature. At its current stage, it is only a visual aid. Thanks for real-world examples from someone who really knows their stuff. Appreciated, as always!

[@TheCratesMotel]

Yes I am hoping it's the start of something, but for now, it looks nice. And that's it lol

[@Drrolfski]

Currently the Arrangement view only seems useful if you completely build your track from a single Sequence. Because only then can you see everything that's going on in your track. I was hoping the Arrangement view would allow you to mix and match multiple Sequences and its building blocks/tracks on a single time line, giving it proper DAW functionality.

[@TheCratesMotel]

Exactly. My thoughts entirely.

[@MarcusEDM]

What if you work like in 2.0 creating a sequence for each part of the song (intro, verse, etc.) Ignoring the arranger mode. Then once you are done you combine all sequences into a new sequence (the full song) and only then you use the arranger.

[@TheCratesMotel]

@@MarcusEDM Yes you can do that mate. You build each sequence. Then build in Song Mode, then convert to single sequence. It will then be available in Arranger Mode. But it is a workaround lol

[@MarcusEDM]

@@TheCratesMotel Yeah. Btw I use the opportunity to THANK YOU for your superb mpc tutorials. Some of the bests in YT. 👍👍👍

[@TheCratesMotel]

@@MarcusEDM You’re welcome mate. Thank you.

[@Lofyne]

Yes, you're right. It is great as an overview page! I arrange my songs as long sequences. I will duplicate the bars until the sequence is 64 bars or so, and then delete the parts I don't want. This arrangement overview makes the process so much easier. No more having to remember in my head where everything is, as now I can see it all. I love that audio tracks appear on there too. That said, a proper touch based arrangement page like iPad apps such as Xequence, NanoStudio or BeatMaker would be nice.

[@TheCratesMotel]

Yes if they add touch based arrangement it could be a game changer rather than a posh overview page.

[@Androsynth75]

I’ve messed with this a bit and I think what’s going on is that Akai is angling for the arranger mode to work like the arrange mode in the iPad version of Logic Pro where you can see the whole song and (hopefully in a later update) move things around but there’s a zoom window for actually editing notes and samples. This seems to be doing that, and I think it’s designed to do your whole song in a single sequence, you’re just able to do it the ‘old fashioned way’ because Akai isn’t going to alienate all its old time workflow fans. A couple of revisions in, I’m betting that’s how it’ll work

[@TheCratesMotel]

Yes exactly mate, I agree.

[@OTTAVIO_DJ]

Thanks for doing these videos!!

[@TheCratesMotel]

You’re welcome my friend. It’s a pleasure.

[@LeoColtrane]

In 2.15, it was possible to browse through the project folder to load individual programs. 3.0 hides those. Those files are visible in earlier projects, which is useful when starting something new with an existing program.

[@TheCratesMotel]

Yeh that is super annoying. I thought I was going nuts but when I bounced back to 2.15 all my programs were there again. If you save a program in 3.0 then it’s there, but not individual pgm files from 2.15.

[@LeoColtrane]

@@TheCratesMotel even the Key 37 on 2.15 has the same issue. Seems like they're fully nested in the project file now and xpm files are hidden.

[@TheCratesMotel]

@@LeoColtrane I hope they revert to the old process. Quite often I want to load a kit from a previous project. I can’t be the only one.

[@LeoColtrane]

@@TheCratesMotel is transpose working for you? On the main page I'm changing it to access different octaves on a keyboard that doesn't have octave buttons. Not working

[@TheCratesMotel]

@@LeoColtrane I haven't actually tried mate. I will check it out.

[@beatsandsamples]

Freshness cheers!!

[@billB101]

I'm going to deep dive the arranger today to have a proper look but my first impressions have been that the screen size is just way too small for this. Under studio lighting it's actually fatiguing after a few minutes. The loop/locator thing seems OK though.

[@TheCratesMotel]

Yeh it’s probably better on an X as the screen is a bit bigger.

[@pelvinsjamz]

Thanks 🙏 great your doing these helps massively.

[@TheCratesMotel]

@@pelvinsjamz You’re welcome dude 🙏🏼

[@Harlem-Instrumental]

It's great for after you converted a bunch of seqs as a song into a seq & want to add automations. You can even make multiple copies of the song & create different takes on with the automations until you find the version you like or take the best ideas from each & make one with all the best parts.

[@saintvoleur]

Boooooooom thank you

[@TheNathtube]

The mpc is now a daw in a box, preferred the simpler workflow, always enjoy your vids bro.

[@TheCratesMotel]

I guess everyone has their own workflow. We all have the option to stick with 2.15 as well.

[@MwahMwahProductions]

Brilliant work once again. I thought the arranger view was going to be more tactile, with the ability to move stuff around easily, so thanks for pointing out that isn't the case, at least for now...

[@TheCratesMotel]

Yeh mate, I’m hoping it’s coming. It would be a great addition.

[@LewhaMusic]

Back in 2.15 song mode and 2.15 track mute behaviour, we could have a few sequences with variations. Non-destructive and would be real quick to create interest , emotion and b sections, then when you have a arrangement you like in song mode you could convert to sequence to start mixing and automating effects, volumes, pans etc. This is my work flow and was looking forward to MPC3 arranger as it would give ability to see that converted sequence and the tracks all on one screen and then to be able to jump between tracks and use the new macro feature to create complex automation transitions etc. We can still do this in MPC3 with slow workarounds but we definitely need 2.15 track mutes behaviour back per sequence and a few other things that are missing from 2.15. I love this update but please Akai....... Do not take things away from us

[@LewhaMusic]

5 Mythos innnnn. I am sorry

[@TheCratesMotel]

I hear ya man. It’s a work in progress so hopefully they’ll sort these things out.

[@matthewgaines10]

Thanks. Once I have created a complete song using a converted sequence from Song mode, I may do tweaks here and there on the finished work. Maybe this will help but I can’t say it’s giving me something I never had before. Just a different view. But since it broke the track mutes in song mode, I never tested it in the “arranger”. I might take a finished project done in v2.15 and test drive it. I just haven’t been motivated because of the Song mode issue.

[@TheCratesMotel]

That is prety much what I say in teh video haha, it doesn't really give us anything new as such, just a new view of it and it's all in one place.

[@zanza_the_rewolverine]

On mpc X i really like the solo and Mute button

[@TheCratesMotel]

I’m contemplating an X, but I don’t really have the room.

[@FlyCasual1]

Hey Conan it’s Steve (Waxer), dans mate, hope your are well, I really appreciate all your work here as after producing since the late 80s I finally bought an MPC1 plus 2 weeks ago and I’m looking forward to going through all your videos and getting to learn this properly after being on Logic since version 4 when it was emagic! Thanks bro, peace!

[@TheCratesMotel]

Hey mate. Welcome to the community. 🙏🏼

[@ThaBeatBuffet]

Will it be possible to use a daw as a sound module if I worked entirely in standalone, I use Studio One? And Arranger is good like you said as an Overview. I think it will help me be more organized, it’s good for visual learners too. Thanks Conan

[@TheCratesMotel]

Yes, I’m pretty much use my DAW as a sound module when I write. I have it set up so I can sample directly to my MPC or S2400.

[@ThaBeatBuffet]

@@TheCratesMotelthank you, your videos are great. Probably the best on this type of content.

[@TheCratesMotel]

@@ThaBeatBuffet You’re welcome mate. Thank you for watching.

[@ThaBeatBuffet]

@@TheCratesMotel I actually get happy when I see you dropped a new video I don’t get that from the other MPC content channels. Your content seems to be more thorough and backed with loads of experience and knowledge, so thank you again, you are appreciated.

[@TheCratesMotel]

@@ThaBeatBuffet ah thanks man. I appreciate that. I just love spreading the knowledge. It’s very nice to know it’s appreciated and inspiring. 🙏🏼

[@BB69175]

I've always used the arranger in the MPC software so I'm not sure if I would use this on my MPC or not as it seems way easier with mouse and keyboard

[@TheCratesMotel]

Fair point dude. I guess it's for people who do not want to use a computer at all, or maybe if a person wants the option to use both standalone and computer. My biggest issue is the screen size. With so many options etc, there just doesn't seem to be enough real estate, but I guess I will get used to it.

[@leogolive]

First of all I love that beat! It’s got a great bounce! Anyway,man I went back to the old version 2.15 yesterday lol. For some reason the new GUI is sort of distracting to me, I prefer the old one for some reason. 3 has too much going on or something, I don’t know I’m a weirdo I guess! The way I work in MPC I don’t really need any of the new features honestly so I just went back 🤣

[@TheCratesMotel]

Fair enough dude. I think a lot of people have. At least it is easy to go back and forth between 3.0 and 2.15.

[@leogolive]

@@TheCratesMotel I’m sure I’ll end up with 3 at some point but for now I’ll just keep using it as is. But it’s just because at my stage of MPC skill I don’t even warrant having a whole slew of new features. Some people seem to want it to be perfect right out of the gate but it’s not gonna be. That’s why a lot of them went back.

[@nothingmemorable486]

Akai haven't given me access to V3 yet. Why would they, Im just a bedroom hobbyist. I am however mega excited about these visual workflow changes. As an old school Raver my brain took a bit of a hammering back in the day and I have struggled with the remembering where everything is convoluted MPC workflow outside of just making beats. To be honest sometimes I find there isnt much flow at all. I really think this new software is going to help me LOADS.

[@TheCratesMotel]

Anyone can have access to it mate, if you have an MPC and an account with Akai/In Music. Unless you mean the software? That is not available yet, although it might be in beta testing as we speak.

[@nothingmemorable486]

@@TheCratesMotel Hmm..Interesting. I signed up to it twice but didn't get an email yet.... Ill try em again.... And check my junk!!

[@SteveHorne]

Unrelated Question: if I create qlink macros, they may be affecting multiple parameters on multiple tracks. How can I record that automation? Or is it for performance only?

[@TheCratesMotel]

That's a good question dude, and I have to be honest, I do not know the answer. I am looking into the whole macro thing over the weekend hopefully so I may be able to shed light on it. Otherwise, hopefully somebody else will see your question and be able to help.

[@SteveHorne]

@@TheCratesMotel Figured it out- You have to enable automation "write" for each track that is part of the macro and it will record on all of them at the same time. 👌

[@TheCratesMotel]

@@SteveHorne ah nice I’ll have to try that out. Good shout.

[@ccmp23]

With the increased dependency on the touch screen, why wouldn’t you just use Logic for Ipad?? Has song mode gone now? You can go through Next Seqs? Or is that Arranger basically just one Seq with a different overview? (Maybe with audio track integration is good.)

[@TheCratesMotel]

For now it seems to be a nice coloured overview. I am hoping they will build on it. Logic for iPad doesn’t have rubber pads 😂. It’s good though.

[@markymark1644]

I have a question that I cannot find the answer for. maybe its a simple fix im struggling with 3.0 In 2.15, when you switch from home screen to grid, the program list is automatically selected. So if you moved the data wheel you would switch to the next program's grid view.... right? In 3. the thing that is automatically selected when switching from home to grid is the Location/playhead controls... this drives me nuts because if I move the data wheel the music stops and I know its just a habit from 2.0 but Im wondering if theres a preference to have something else be the default selection. Also, the timecode/playhead info becomes automatically selected after exiting the TC box, even when notes are selected. so every time you enter grid mode and leave the tc box and probably something else. I have a live set in a few weeks (my first one :0) and I honestly might downgrade back until after. Im seeing the benefits of 3.0 but im not getting the workflow yet. im focused on this live set right now and not necessarily production. so this, along with all the other bugs are really screwing with MY workflow lol. Long comment I know but ur the man and I know you read your comments maybe you know or you know where to find out. You're honestly the best mpc dude on youtube but you already know that. youve taught me a lot in the past few months so thanks again. Also, I know this "problem" might not have the solution I want but hopefully you can tell me somethings

[@TheCratesMotel]

Hey mate, yeh I hear you, I find it a bit annoying as well. I’m not sure there is a fix or a way to change it yet, but if enough people put it forward in the suggestions they might look at the option. It seems that Akai are genuinely listening to users on this beta so it’s worth suggesting it.

[@stevekirkby6570]

Love the arranger Conan, however, today as I sat down to do some actual work, I found that the pitch wheel and mod wheel on my key 61 do not work anymore (ok in 2.x). I have reported it. However, I have not seen any reports of this issue. I spent the entire afternoon going through every bloody menu to see if something was turned off. But after this and examining the midi monitor, there is no data from either of these (important) wheels. Darn. Looks like I will actually have to roll back, but I don't want to. Can anyone else with a key 61 verify my findings? All the best.

[@TheCratesMotel]

Oh wow, that’s pretty major. Well done for catching that and reporting.

[@DVE84CHS]

Yo Nice Video Conan, How To Bounce the komplett sequens to a Sample>? it only works on single tracks?

[@TheCratesMotel]

I guess you would have to use Audio Mixdown in the Save window. Bounce it down and then drag that file onto a pad. That's how I would do it.

[@wul01]

I couldn’t find it either despite it being present on previous versions, but if you go to the main screen and press the pencil icon you’ll find it there.

[@gregbigwood4532]

can we insert a sequence BEFORE/at the start of another sequence. ie to insert and intro sequence before the main sequence?

[@TheCratesMotel]

There maybe another way to do it, but I would go into song mode. Add the sequences in the order you want and then convert song to sequence. That’s how I would do it.

[@thecreepysilence4290]

Have you found an way to record an arrangement in realtiment in realtime? With Trackmutes etc

[@TheCratesMotel]

Not so far, it’s still early days for me.

[@robsanderson]

Without being an Ableton style arranger, which is what I & others requested from Akai, it's just window dressing. Whilst waiting around for Akai to implement these changes I've found workarounds that enable me to complete songs, & so I no longer think I would want an Ableton style arranger. MPC 3.0 has now pretty much broken my workflow though in terms of song arrangement, so its back to the drawing board. I can see the good side of 3.0 though. At least Akai are constantly trying to improve the platform & make it easier for beginners to master.

[@TheCratesMotel]

Exactly. That’s pretty much what I say in my video. It’s a pretty overview window as things stand.

[@robsanderson]

@@TheCratesMotel TBH I'm not sure that an Ableton style arranger would be much use to me these days anyway. As you say in the video, it would be great to be able to do more actual editing in arranger mode but in terms of song creation, for me at least, nothing beats creating a linear song, that you then humanize with stuff that is recorded in real time, be that extra notes or track mutes, etc. Building up a song using blocks, either in MPC Song mode or Ableton Arrangement mode, leads to songs that sound too rigid.

[@TheCratesMotel]

@@robsanderson Yup agreed

[@jjbing3]

That first tip happens when it switches banks on you. Users look out for that when switching windows.

[@TheCratesMotel]

Exactly mate. I’ve seen a ton of people thrown by it.

[@jjbing3]

@@TheCratesMotel Sometimes you just gotta click around.

[@JBWozEre96]

I just wish the mpc one was smaller for coffee shop times 😎.

[@TheCratesMotel]

A mini MPC would be ace

[@DABOOMBAPAUDIOSHOW]

i hope the software and the hardware does the samething this time

[@TheCratesMotel]

🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

[@theministryofsound7448]

The MPC Akai is like an expeiment or like a DJ machine an actual musicians wants to use by hacking or looking ways around its confined way of working, you cant even mute one single midi note without muting the whole track, like hats or kicks, in a daw or any groovebox you can mute anything and and unmute anytime you want, mute a single note from say the hi hat and leave the others to play, Akai cant do that? is really shocking becauae no one is complaining because most these guys just edit not create, they use samples or something like, dont create intricate complex rhythms or patterns, everything too straight and repetitive, so they dont need to mute anything other than mute the whole drums and bring it back, what a shame. Bro dont be shy to complain boldy about what is not right, people these days are so scared what people might says, Akai MPC bccame really nice with this DAW LIKE appraoch but my goodness still many simple things missing just like they were never they even before with any of the versions, but one said anything, I have friends who dont even use their Akai, its just kept somewhere because you only make one sequence and find yourself not finishing a full song. DJs style music making people made it seem some glorious things for music production, so annoying really, it could have been a game changer, but it seems Akai is just four five people who i really deciding the workflow.

[@TheCratesMotel]

I agree mate. It blows my mind sometimes that the MPC can do so much but is done missing fundamental basics for writing music. Thanks for your comment.

[@seeuatthetop-official]

First thing I did in arranger mode was try to grab a chuck of audio and it did not move 😂. Frustrating.

[@TheCratesMotel]

I would hazard a guess that every single one of us did that haha

[@philippebackprotips]

I want my notes in the editor the color scheme of my track. Yes, a glorified overview.

[@TheCratesMotel]

Hahaha you know what I mean though. That’s basically what it is isn’t it lol

[@philippebackprotips]

Yes, and automation should get more love. Definitely a super weak point atm. Editing automation is a pain unless using the step sequencer.

[@MyNameJeff..]

Arranger mode sucks. It’s not like a daw.

[@jostimix]

👍🫵

[@TheCratesMotel]

🙏🏼

[@manatee_flips6811]

As always.....great video. I had a feeling I could get the skinny from you, just waiting until they fix the bugs and I will absolutely be using it in 2025!!

[@TheCratesMotel]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 my brother

[@RobSozzese]

Akai had something that was outside other daws that was special. if you wanted to go into the daw for the final tweak then, we can because we have computers that can do that. I'm not upgrading.

[@TheCratesMotel]

Yes I think a little of people feel that way brother. Fair enough.