AKAI MPC LIVE II Advanced Song Mode, Arranging Beats, & Track Mutes Tips

[@ThinkerThunker]

Pressing record in song mode, then just hitting the different pads to add sequences was a great tip. Thanks man!

[@BrandonWhalen]

I just joined the MPC community after being a DAW producer my whole life. Thank you so much for providing resources like this.

[@jenumclucas7014]

welcome to da family 💪🏾

[@tomph3862]

Man, this makes so much sense. I've had the MPC One for 3-4 months and have fallen into the trap of creating crazy busy 8 bar loops without any real plan. You make it looks so simple!

[@BkuBrown]

Better to learn the shit out of our 4 bar loops in this stage brother we still learning 🤣🏆

[@itsananke2374]

that track mute tip was crazy dope, subscribed!

[@StarJFemaleProducer]

You have helped me a lot. I just bought a machine and your videos were really useful. I thank you.

[@derekbrown2911]

Just got an mpc, figured out track mutes were stored per sequence, had no idea you could record them so easily, this video will save me TONS of time thank you!

[@DSMetal14]

Honestly dude, I learned so much more from your videos than the Akai MPC beats Acadamy videos. 'preciate it, I subbed.

[@Daring2Win]

OMG! THAT BEAT!!!! Thank you. I've finally started using my MPC as more than a glorified metronome and these tutorials are my lifeline. I planned to read the manual, but it just seems less clinical/more natural to watch someone making music while teaching the process.

[@whereisko]

This video was the moment when I asked myself why I didn’t jump into the MPC wave years earlier. I’ve been a serial looper on Maschine for years and I think features on the MPC Live like mute and song mode will allow me to be much more productive

[@chriscarson6050]

I'm still thinking about MPC Live. I got Maschine and I really like the way you can work with clips, arrange patterns easily and to see all of it like in a DAW. I wish MPC had a similair intuitive interface. But I will watch this carefuly to judge what's better for the workflow.

[@sCealt]

@@chriscarson6050 do you have the Maschine Plus? im on the fence with MPC One and that.. is it stable for live performances? can you load up your own Reaktor ensembles without issues? sorry to hijack the thread haha

[@NafaelRadalBeats]

7:00 thank you so much I've been going nuts trying to figure out the mutes with the loop on haha I just got the live 2 and I've been using studio on the computer with the controller and it's a bit different editing track mutes in the software it shows up like the step sequencer automation or track automation in the live 2 but this is going to save me so much headache! 🙏

[@jdlady5822]

This tutorial on the MPC song mode is VERY user friendly.

[@AveMcree]

well thanks I tried my best

[@yodab.at1746]

One of the reasons I chose the mpc is to get away from a screen based workflow. The buttons and muscle memory combination rather than mouse and cursor bring back production to the ears and imagination like it used to be using tape and outboard. Having an arrange page would tip that fine balance too far to DAW territory again because as it's there, you'd find yourself using it. Having to use your brain for lateral creative thinking and problem solving is where great creative solutions are born. I say keep the arrange page for the Force. It's a different beast.

[@ricflomusic]

Great video man, I avoid track mutes cause I wanted to export song mode to sequence / arranger view and have full flexibility on Daw or controller mode but seeing the freedom of expression rather than clicking and deleting is refreshing. Looking forward to expertimenting tomorrow. Thank you!

[@Keemo727]

swear we had the same reaction "woohoohoohoohoohoohoo" on that drum mute. Great vid

[@tireewatson6737]

WOW Ave you make music fun again with the knowledge you share with the music community. Thanks alot

[@C4Vet]

Just got into the mpc community and man I wish I did a long time ago learned a lot from your videos

[@prod_by_slvg]

never stop uploading. this is only my second day watching, but YOU ARE AMAZING!!!

[@KongenBeats]

TRAPTENDO! Love my NES hoodie! Keep doing it, best tutorials on the MPC!

[@anthonyscott16]

I know I’m way late to the party, but damn bro. Excellent lesson! I started on an MPC3k back in the day, which was amazing for what it was. But this new MPC platform is crazy. Appreciate you

[@outtherebeyond]

My Live 2 is coming! This was a very useful video. Definitely something I was planning on using all the time. Thanks, bruh

[@OraceLakay-mx6xy]

Thank you very much. We truly appreciate your work. Very well done tutorial too, in each and every step! I remember learning how to make my first beat in one of your videos and the material included like always takes the producer straight to another level fron the start. Thank you!

[@huntergalloway3944]

That hand automation is where it’s at! I can tell you were having fun too. Thank you for the tutorials, you’re a rock star.

[@RasTuft]

Another great video. Thanks mate, your content is much appreciated. All the best.

[@the_dude2923]

Your a legend 🙌🏼

[@pdubsouthwest]

I really needed this. I was copping my sequences. Playing with track mutes. And deleting events in each sequence to match the sounds of the track mutes I was making! This cut my workload in half.

[@vashxxxarcane6584]

Thank you man for breaking this down for us, I’ve been struggling with my sequencing for a while now, video and beat well put together🚀

[@coffeeknuckles4802]

Great tip about overdubbing the track mutes. I guess you could do that for pad mutes too, going to try this tonight. Also, nice O'Reilly reference, we'll do it live!

[@gregyoung8178]

Your beats are getting better man...... a lot better. God Bless.

[@curtisdeberry40]

Thank you so much Ave, the MPC Live 2 is my very first MPC and you helped me out a lot. I appreciate you brother.

[@agguth7]

Excellent video! I'm thinking about jumping ship from Maschine Studio and seeing this workflow was really helpful. Plus the fact that I can convert all my Maschine kits to MPC format really makes it tempting. The only thing that has me hesitating is not really hearing any good demos of the onboard effects and instruments. I know AIR is a good company and I know I can export my VST's out to the MPC from the computer. Standalone MPC Live II is the dream. You really clarified some things for me. Plus, the beat is dope! Thanks bro. All subbed up. Looking forward to more

[@mastaboog749]

This was actually pretty helpful, I've been doing track mutes to switch shit up, but I've wanted to start chaining patterns to make it a little more complex.

[@jb8875]

I see and feel where you are going with it. You got skills for sure

[@HenF3]

I just got tye MPC KEY 61 and your videos as made it easy for me to make and arrange these beats! THANK YOU BROTHER 💪🏾💯

[@marcelocg]

This is one of the best (if not the best) MPC tutorials on the internet! Thank you, man!

[@Farmatique]

Thanks for sharing that knowledge! I'm new to MPC and used to work in Ableton for a decade. "Track mute" workflow really inspired me. Looks pretty simple, but fits into MPC-philosophy really good, IMO 👍

[@farrang]

Thanks so much! This just pushed me to the next level!

[@donjames1903]

I love it ! Learned a lot , your in my select few of tutorial bros I learn from . Thanks Holmes

[@genrethemusicgeek665]

I needed this. I was manually recreating my loop to turn it into 8 bars. You helped meeee

[@Philtho]

Top tier video. Pointing out all those little details and tricks make this a must watch and bookmarked. Great explanations WITH actual examples. Thanks!

[@88keyz]

I'm new to the MPC ecosystem I understand now fully the MPC song mode and arrangement its different from using the Daws I have been using over the many years I like the challenge of the MPC song mode once I get it down pack I can see it being more awesome and grate with the human interaction given the arrangement more of a human feel and spontaneity lol more relalict feel 👍🏾😷👍🏾🙏🏾👊🏽

[@paul_shuler]

Akai should have you on the payroll! Thanks for the knowledge. ✌🏻

[@TheRealCalijokes01]

Imma go play with my track mutes tonight you kranked that,love the history lesson too

[@hapexzm]

I finally just got one of these 🥰🔥

[@pcteentim]

Thanks, Ave! It helped a lot. Very well explained. I just would like to know how to mute_solo different parts of each sequence, use better “next sequence” feature, and put the sequences in order (pads in next sequence follow it) without just copying, which deletes the first one. So, I have to put the sequence to a not used one and then turn it back, but it was giving problems, like changing other order or disappearing…

[@herb39hs]

Bro thank you for your tutorials 🙏 cuz you dont have to do these for ppl like me much appreciated frfr⚜💯

[@Sinosure]

Great great video bruh!! I use various ways to do this but I normally do what you did at about 16:00 minutes. I create one whole sequence in song mode, then go back to the TRACK MUTE PAGE & record the whole session in one take!! Nice work!! Various ways to do it & get it done!! I'm definitely looking forward to ARRANGER MODE 3.0 as they're calling it!! If it's similar or the same as in the Force, we'll be golden!! Dope bruh!!👊🏾💯

[@krypt0knight68]

Thank you so much for creating this content! I have been creating beats since January 21 on my Live II, and could not figure out how to properly use the Sequencer feature to structure my beats. I used what you taught in this video and was able to get all my beats into songs. Again thank you so much for your time and wisdom! You are very much appreciated!

[@davidcooke779]

This is so handy. Even if it's just for make a rough arrangement in Song mode. Worth mentioning that you can remove unwanted track mutes by going into the List edit view for the appropriate track/sequence.

[@Syntox]

Coming up on a year with the MPC One and I do not understand why I haven't started working this way

[@lekanade8488]

Helpful tutorial.... got the mpc live 2 and I do use the mute mode too but didn't know about this mode. 💯💯

[@Kinglex-gg6vb]

Thanks my dude. Keep up the good work.

[@sylegg]

Fantastic video Ave. I always thought track mutes were global. This has opened up a world of possibilities. A great follow up to this would be great if you could do a video about how to track out songs with multiple bpms. I just discovered how to do it with loopback the Mpc software and Logic Pro. I’m sure others would be interested too. Excellent work as always

[@MrScrooge1980]

Double the length of the sequence and instantly muting on the fly has always been more organic, u just gotta know where to mute for the chorus, I've mastered it over the years since the Ren, I found out by accident, it definitely takes practice tho frfr

[@BLACKOUTONDABEAT]

This was 🔥🔥🔥 great work man !!!

[@_thevaporz]

Tight. The live track mutes so much fun.

[@AveMcree]

indeed

[@brendonwilson591]

Instant track mute and turning off loop before over dub 2 gems 💎 🙌🏽🙌🏽 good looks bro!

[@88keyz]

Thank much appreciated I had finally gotten to the point to understand how to arrange a song with my mpc live 2 this video will be very helpful I'll give it a try today 👍🏾🔥👍🏾

[@FadeEcomonics]

I bought the force as well. Shout out to bringing the force arranger mode to the mpc.. this process was cool and you did a great job presentation wise, but the force would knock this process out 50% faster.

[@WeFullTime]

DAM SON!!!!!!!!!! That REC button on song mode has me mind blown.. Track Mute VIBE is FIYAAAAA, that is a "Major Key". Song Mode Is All I Need

[@Philtho]

I face palmed when I saw that. I had no idea! I always just insert insert insert then change every one by hand like a dumbo. lol

[@WeFullTime]

@@Philtho ME TOO lol

[@Syntox]

@@Philtho HARD SAME

[@willjay6943]

@@Philtho i copy and paste never correctly then i reselect all and move them hand by hand lol

[@beatsforless8179]

That’s my work flow plus sum and I luv it. Good work.

[@Hawkwave721]

When I needed it the most, you come through.

[@LFiers]

Love your videos man. Just bought one of these bad boys recently and loving it. Keep up the good work! I'm saving this for future reference. Very helpful as always! - L.

[@denisonavemusic1311]

Thanks for the video. I needed that info.

[@Talentman18]

I appreciate you for this fam!!!!

[@Djrhayne]

This is the video I needed. Thanks homie

[@thomasusheriii971]

Very nice tutorial. So when you want to change a track within a copied over sequence you need to press "Record" not "overdub" in order to replace the melody or whatever with the new layout. I was trying to overdub and my whole song got sounded messed up after exporting. I'm real new to this all. Thanks for your help.

[@cheodelpino581]

Just learned something new. Should do more on this especially with the new firmware update

[@tiagosanches1317]

excellent video. is it possible to export the instrumental in live mode by tracks to mix in another daw?

[@sinkorswim2564]

Good stuff Ave. Thanks 🙏🏾

[@ApolloJetsonKND]

See that’s what i was trying to figure out 11:05 💯💯 still watching but is there a way to export stems in song mode with all those mutes. If not we need to bring that to their attention cuz i want full mpc song arrangements with all da mutes and fx includes

[@draedogglawson]

I usually would do on-the-fly beats in the clip mode. I never knew song mode did this as well. This opens up a whole new dimension. Dope lesson bro.

[@AveMcree]

well here I am lol

[@jrapheal1]

Great video. Question, why cant we see the sequences selected after #8 in song mode? I think you added about 11.

[@TraceurKRK]

Thanks a lot man! Helped me out to complete my beat. 💪🏼

[@jcsdmusic]

You da man big bro!

[@AveMcree]

thank you

[@shawndiggz8904]

I love the videos....keep them coming.

[@AveMcree]

thanks fam

[@HollidayProduction]

Great video thanks for the help!

[@ElanBrio]

Great video bro!!

[@safwanfallatah8611]

Coool bro! But how to change from 1 sequence to another 16:00 ?

[@Emily_M81]

...I had no idea I could record mutes like that, that's great, thanks for showing this! I guess it's one of those cases where you get used to working a certain way and don't mess with it. Every time I see your Live II retro, I have to force myself to look at my MPC and whisper "shh, shh, baby it's okay, I'm not replacing you" while totally wanting to replace it XD

[@AveMcree]

lol I talk to my MPC's everyday... It's normal

[@dermarco3933]

Great tutorial! Thanks mate!

[@bjamminsincebirth3494]

If you use the live recording feature can the MPC still split the tracks out separately?

[@travisgillison8574]

GREAT JOB BRUH!

[@Trinitéfilm]

Thx for explaining this !!!

[@bryantwalley]

good video. love to see stuff like this..

[@AveMcree]

my pleasure

[@robertroach7807]

sorry about this...i came in late to this information, I hope it still applies to 2.11.4. Thanks for the video.

[@shawndiggz8904]

Dope MPC! 🔥beat.

[@dbennett1199]

Dope video Ave. I wonder if you can freak the xyfx the same way?

[@deepvibez]

very nice man, thank you

[@stranj07]

Thanks brody. This is useful

[@fade2blak91]

What about recording in XY Fx for each sequence without that effect carrying over to your next sequence that has the same track? Also you may already have a video on it but i have the hardest time with my transitions from verse to hook and back without it sounding cluttered or like it doesn’t fit?

[@AveMcree]

we'll talk about it one day

[@revolutionaryusa]

That’s what I want to know. The xyfx that is

[@fade2blak91]

@@revolutionaryusa turn off the loop function under where it says start/end on the seq section of the main screen from the hardware. Then click the read/write at the top to set it to red(write) and then overdub + play start and do your thing and just turn that stuff back after you’re satisfied with what you’ve recorded.

[@revolutionaryusa]

@@fade2blak91 shiiiit that worked bro! Very much appreciated

[@fade2blak91]

@@revolutionaryusa no doubt man any time!

[@olesolja1407]

Grade A+ vid…🔥💯😎👍🏾

[@mikesin8790]

amazing!! thanx!!!!!!

[@marclemar]

Haven’t been on an MPC since 06 and my Live II is on the way… forgive me if I’m a little anxious and doing some homework in ya old videos Bruh!!!

[@ks91tk]

Very good video !!!!!!!!!!

[@samd79]

This looks like Crookedletta601 from Instagram workflow! Great video!!!!!

[@discowolf25]

Thank you sir🤌✊!!!!

[@Bricks_shakur]

Powerful lesson bro

[@elMaxx5]

Ex-so-lent content!!!

[@djsharpmclive1221]

I’m thinking they can make a mini arranger mode for mpc or a similar dumb down vertical view, nice bling mpc one ring... 4 show

[@AveMcree]

You'd still have to do certain thing to make it flow... You actually need more skills to use an Ableton Live like arranger vs both techniques shown in this video.

[@tiredghosts]

Always wanted to play with sequences and song mode but never have... (f-it, do it live, right?) Great tutorial, especially instant track mutes. Took me a while to get used to the delay, hopefully now it won't be there! Thanks