BUILDING A SONG using Song Mode MPC ONE LIVE X and sequence workflow

[@KurtzVintageVibes]

Just came across ths video in a search. A year later it is still giving value to the community. Thank you!!!

[@tenthousandhustlesempire855]

This helped me out tremendously, I just recently brought a MPC X. And didn’t know how to sequence. But I do now. Thanks for the help.💯💪🏽

[@sampoetry]

I cook the beat up in standalone. I do a simple arrangement in song mode then export the stems into Logic. In the daw I arrange and mix the final beat. I use to swear by song mode in the MPC but nowadays I like to linear view in the daw. I edit a lot faster that way.

[@malobeats]

Hey Sam, thank you so much for sharing this valuable information and I’m glad you mentioned this as this is also my preferred way of working. I just feel those last few touches could be very complex trying to do them within the grid editor so I also stem out might be to finish up in my DAW. Much love and blessings to you my brother.

[@sampoetry]

@@malobeats I did learn from watching this video when you’re in grid mode to press shift & you can cut notes out the beat. I normally would highlight the notes & use the erase tool by touching the screen but it’s a bit laggy doing that way. Thanks for sharing the knowledge bro 👊🏽

[@kvnklbngr4801]

@@sampoetry I wonder, I use the MPC Live II, do you have your MPC effects in the master output section set to "on" while you export your stems? I've noticed that when I export to stems, it wont use effecs such as Mother Ducker, which kills the whole idea of using it in the first place,! In my DAW (Cubase) I plan on adding some final breaks and arrangement to the beat, mixing my volumes for a final gain stage, EQ a bit and finalize the whole thing with a Maximizer and Limiter on it at the end for Loudness. Is that what you guys do @Malo Beats? I also plan on resampling with some of those awesome SP404 MK II Effects as well. Any suggestions? And thanks for the advice with the export songmode to sequence idea, Malo! It'll be helpful for a live performance too!

[@LeonidAntonia]

Does that export to DAW, export the efx en EQ on your samples too? For example, your EQ on your drums or compressions. I am curious about that!

[@sampoetry]

@@LeonidAntonia there's an option to leave them on or export them dry without FX. You could do either or.

[@digibeatle]

Malo, This was a great video! Your detailing each step for taking the sequences and putting the together to make a song was one of the only places that I was able to find out how this is done So thanks again and keep up your great work!

[@hataproofrecords]

I quit making beats when I switched from my MPC 2500 and outboard gear to Logic and Reason in a MacBook. Over the past 4 years I have gotten back into accumulating outboard gear and have gone back to making beats 100% DAWless.

[@TheCliffhukstabal]

Dope ass video. Not only showing the technicals of using the sampler, but essentially offering a solution for creating more variation in beats as well. 10/10

[@malobeats]

Thank you so much for taking the time and sharing this input with me as it helps me so much to better understand the direction I should take these videos. Blessings to you. 🙏🏽

[@MrInhumantv]

I'd like to thank you alot you've got me to bring my mpc out my closet and actually dig into learning it after a couple years of dust build up

[@kevinanderson519]

You’ve got a really brilliant approach to delivering these tutorials. Seriously man, I’ve learned so much from you. As to your question - I’m an all-in stand-alone guy. I started my DAW-less approach with a couple of Volcas and the Circuit Tracks then the Rhythm. At the time I was also learning to use Logic. But, I work on a computer all day, so I really wanted less screen time. Enjoyed my setup but it felt very limiting. Lusted after the MPC One then pulled the trigger in March. Still learning, but my word, I love it. It’s the centrepiece now. Got a pair of studio monitors this week and now have a setup I really like. I watch all your videos Malo. Big fan. Much love from Scotland. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@AGN_Customs_LLC]

Bro, you have no idea how much you help. I was literally trying to figure out how to copy a sequence and I came on KZbin and went straight to your channel and searched and you answered all my questions. Salute to you! BTW, you always have some sick samples.

[@malobeats]

Yo, these are the type of comments that really give purpose to what I do. I’m so glad you took the time to share this feedback with me, brother it really means a lot 🫡🤜🏼🤛🏼

[@fredflintstone2527]

Playing sequence 5 , seeing the timeline, inspired me to hear an instrument playing over it, like a trumpet sample for example. This sequence trick is very simple but extremely useful, it helps to create fills, add shots, new tracks etc. Brilliant cool as video.

[@malobeats]

Hey man, thank you so much for taking the time to share these and put with us. This is very helpful. I’m glad you enjoyed the video and once again thank you so much for this valuable information brother. 🫡

[@whereisko]

This video right here is hella valuable for me going from song mode to grid editor changes everything. The variations in sequences are gonna be a madting!!!! I’m a serial looper who’s trying to transform into actual songs. My workflow is mainly standalone but also at times hybrid with MPC Beats in controller mode.

[@malobeats]

Hey Khalid, I appreciate you taking the time and sharing this valuable input. And yes I know what you mean, I’ve been there where I get stuck in a loop but this method has been very helpful for me as of lately while I’m building my beats. Hopefully this is helpful in your workflow. Blessings to you and thank you so much.

[@Erreaka]

Esto es lo que estaba buscando, siempre me quedaba solo en una secuencia y no sabia como hacer mas partes. Voy a intentarlo!

[@asihiphop]

Just got a mpc, I'm thinking I'll record a stereo signal into FL studio and structure it out on the fly with the xyz efx, track mutes, and changing the sequences. If I make a mistake I should be able to just cut it out and I feel like that will create a more natural arrangement. As far as mixing, there's a lot than can be done with duplicating, Eqing and adding efx to the layer to add depth or bring up volume. I feel like exporting everything into stems will be too much like the work flow I'm trying to get away from.

[@malobeats]

Yo, your spot on brother and that is exactly my workflow as well. Just wanted to show how people can steam out if it is more convenient for them but in my personal workflow, I’m very similar as you. just tracking everything out piece by piece works out a lot better for me. Thank you so much for taking the time and sharing your workflow with us. This really is dope.

[@Tenkenzu]

Just the video I needed. All I see are people doing sample track videos and just an ongoing beat with no structure. Thank you

[@zapatatheghost90026]

Dope good stuff always

[@milescaines5941]

Fantastic. Not long had the MPC, went from Cubase to dawless. This really helps. Such an amazing machine

[@markstreeter6147]

Hey man - this clip is absolutely incredible! Thanks

[@malobeats]

Thank you so much for this, really means a lot

[@moniak59000]

All in standalone! no computer! and the result is great. This machine is awesome! Many thanks for the video! very great as usual!

[@jonesc400]

Thank you Malo you break it down making it so simple

[@GeeDunkin]

Firstly, that is a dope ass beat!! This is exactly the tutorial I’ve been looking for. I’ve owned samplers before but mainly create on a PC. Just ordered the MPC One and have been trying to get my head around workflow for sequencing/ arranging etc. Liked and subbed 👊

[@neil19781978]

This video was so helpful. I just put pieced a song together for the first time since I got my mpc....its not very good but now I know how to do it 😂 👍

[@donjames1903]

I absorb , you the man, usually I get the basics on the stand alone then jump into the computer and go from there , but with my new mpc live 2 I want to challenge myself to go as far as I can in the stand alone .

[@malobeats]

Hey Don James, Man I really appreciate you taking the time out of your day and sharing his input with me. It’s funny because when I go on the software I get extremely lost but I feel comfortable and stand alone. Hopefully these videos continue to be of value as you’re trying to be a bit more standalone. Always feel free to reach out to me via Instagram if you ever have any questions brother.

[@donjames1903]

@@malobeats word ! Right back at you , for me the computer is like a cheat , it’s easier for me to whip up whatever I want to on it but at the same time that’s keeping me from knowing the complete power of the Akai , so In the 2020s I’m learning more about making quality sounding beats , as in the past id make funky ish to bang but it was always lacking the quality . Your videos help and I like your style , it’s funky and to me that’s what a lot of people have forgotten.

[@SMEL]

I can see how the mpc is designed for such a workflow. This inspires me to tap into that a little more creatively. Its should be said two bar beats are can be layered and un layerd to overcome boredom, but then again some 2 bar or 4bar loops are so dope w/ a dope emcee like benny the butcher and you can't get enough of it. When using the MPC (which becoming more often these days), i use the stand alone for the creation and sound of the box then export to sd card into a daw for more arrangement and little extras and mixingn and mastering. However, on occasion I will go do everything in stand alone, mix as well and go straight in from the mpc in real time, hit the daw record, giving a live feel performance. Sometimes the stand alone sound can not be dulpicated, even with mpc2 software, in my opinion of course.

[@cdot803]

I had to come back to this for the new 3.0 2 beta. Thanks again bro 💯

[@malobeats]

🙏

[@TheOfficialBlvckSpider]

Now that i have the mpc i dont know if ima go back into how i use to make beats using a daw software. When i would make beats on fl studio i would spend hours and days and make decent beats but now im not sure what ill end up doing. i might do all my work on the mpc live 2 then export and structure or do other things on the daw or the other way around

[@malobeats]

That’s exactly how I’m doing my beats and it’s been the most convenient. Doing all my creative work in the MPC then stemming out for mixing and mastering in my Daw

[@TheOfficialBlvckSpider]

@@malobeats thats dope man💪🏽💯 i gotta still learn to use the mpc a little more but im getting the hang of it

[@jaymanidiu7739]

I'm new to your channel..At this point its stand alone. But this vid made my journey breezy.

[@malobeats]

Hey man, thank you so much for taking the time and sharing your feedback. Welcome to the channel and I hope it’s not the last time. Nothing but love and blessings to you, Jay.. 🫡❤️

[@LaGla7]

Great explanation thank you!

[@frazierboi77]

Man the way you explain how to do things really helps me because your not being over technical and you just get straight to it thank you

[@MS-1]

Wow Malo the song mode on the new MPCs is dope and, much more usable than on previous generations of MPCs. As always another great video.

[@henryskillz1090]

Another one… my bother is really educating the masses look at these comments… keep killing it

[@exodusgrindtimerecordings1778]

It’s crazy because I’ve had an mpc for years and when I got my live 2 I was just making beats from scratch and that was because I just couldn’t understand the whole concept of sampling or even getting my 808s to sound right by getting them in the correct key and then one day I swear everything just made sense but then I was at this weird spot we’re I made a beat I finally sampled and then I couldn’t add variation to my beat and I was pissed to say the least so to see how stupidly easy it is makes me so mad I have mad equipment and everything has a bunch of steps this is why I stick with my mpc lol native instruments is amazing but this is just my baby thank u God for letting me enjoy this because stuff like this saves my life

[@ming-artoflight2761]

You can also do as you said, and if you like, go to Controller Mode. You than can do your detailed edits in MPC software if you like (bigger screen etc). There is actually no need for any other DAW . Akai made it easy for us to switch back and forth from standalone to controller . I remember 25 years ago I did all this on my MPC 60 and 3000 😂 a lot of work back than…Greetings from Germany

[@oracularmusic]

Standalone 💯 here.. don’t need a thing more

[@allgonewrongful]

Just bought a used mpc live, i've only ever used daws and hard/soft synths before. This is a great overview of a way of working i think i like, and am glad to have learned it. I'm scratching about for info and tutorials, and i found yours very useful mate, cheers.

[@malobeats]

Hey brother, congrats on your new live I’m sure you’re going to fall in love with it more and more as you get familiar with it. I’m glad these videos could be of help and thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to share his input. Blessings my brother

[@allgonewrongful]

@@malobeats right back at you mate 👍 I'm really enjoying it, appreciate the content, and hope your channel goes from strength to strength.

[@HansKarlsson1971]

Thanks to you i ordered the Akai MPC 37👍🙌

[@KayakCampingOffGrid]

P Hey Mario Bates, I just wanted to say thank you for all the great videos you put together and I'm just starting out on my MPC journey so thank you again!🎉🎉

[@AndreBarbozki]

Loving your tuts man. Could you make one teaching in depth on sampling, chopping and creating kits for later use?

[@malobeats]

I’ll be doing this video shortly . Tha k you for this request

[@MegaKali72]

I’m learning through u standalone right now thank you I’m just doing loops but I start off with drums first! But keep teaching us beginners we love you 🙏🏿❤️

[@malobeats]

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽thank you so much for your suport brother

[@Bmorewize-b3n]

Fam, every time I watch one of your videos, I learn something, I get motivated to be creative. And top of that the beats are 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Big shout out to you 🫡🫡🫡🫡

[@miltoncosta4337]

Thanks for you help your video is really helpful and you explained really well the entire process of building a song by pressing pads which is a really quick way to do it and the sequence ideas to build a song is something cool to explore.

[@johnnysanders7816]

Thanks Malo! I always start my loops and songs in standalone then transfer it into Logic Pro

[@malobeats]

Very similar workflow as mine, I love getting the main idea in my machine then transferring it over to my DAW. Blessings brother and thank you for taking the time and sharing this input.

[@txfaulk795]

I do both at times but mainly now straight from the mpc c one but I do the master on the PC

[@dillipphunbar7924]

Your video tutorials really help. Thankyou. I used to mess around in DAWs before I had hardware, but now I just want to use the hands-on gear. When I can navigate around the MPC one like you (high expectations), I will probably incorporate the DAW for mastering or mixing and creation. My loops aren't good, so I end up just recording a "jam" onto a cheap looper pedal. Got so many jams (most are terrible, with the odd one being mildly interesting). You do encourage me to switch the mpc back on, and try again.

[@henryskillz1090]

Switch on the MPC & work in ya daw best of both worlds

[@richcomin87]

Is there a way to be able to use track mute feature to mute parts of a sequence, to drop the drums out or drop the hi hats out for a second or two (for example),,, and have it show up that way in song mode, instead of having to go though the grid on a sequence and delete sections that way.... it just seem like it would be easier to record the track mutes to drop stuff out

[@thedemegawd]

Yesssir I do everything in standalone mixing mastering included works so far👌, thanks for the videos bro I've been watching you for a minute now. Keep it up

[@beatrocka5]

I was looking for the way to add the sequences in. I knew it was something simple, but I couldn't seem to get it. Just needed to press record. Simple!! Thanks for posting; I've got a Live 2, but the operating systems are the same.

[@gillespieadam]

Such a great way of explaining things. Really simple to follow. Thank you 👍🏻

[@lex34]

Malo, Dope workflow video...incorporating loading...

[@landrum182]

That's a dope ass track used for demonstration.. I hope you reap true blessings from it..

[@jaysiemens5126]

These videos couldn’t be more helpful. So we’ll made abs edited aswell. Thank you for your time!

[@malobeats]

Thank you so much for this 🙏🏽

[@donpetruzzi4386]

I create all my songs in standalone. I actually never used ableton before. The only daw I’ve used in the past was Fl studio for about 12 years before I decided to try hybrid setups like the akai mpd 32, then a mpc 500, maschine mk3, Roland tr8, Roland MV1 and then I traded that for my MPC One and that was the best trade I ever made. I love my mpc

[@NeuStarProductions]

Just bought an MPC One… this is the video I needed. Very well explained!!! Thank you very much! #Subscribed

[@defjustice5144]

This really did help. Appreciate this man!

[@cluelesstrainer]

Not a bad walkthrough. Came here looking to automate pad mutes in song mode

[@montrealchillpanic]

Thanks for all you share my dude. I'm slowly moving away from the computer to create my tracks. My objective before the end of summer is doing everything in standalone hardware (MPC and blackbox), except maybe for final mastering.

[@malobeats]

Thank you so much for sharing his input, and you’re more than capable Finishing most of your track in standalone. Man how do you like that black box? I’ve heard some great things about it and I’ve looked into it lately it looks very interesting.

[@montrealchillpanic]

@@malobeats yes it's very promising. I'm just barely starting to learn how to use it, it's pretty deep for such a small machine. I love that you can just pick it up with a power bank and a pair of headphones and you're set up to create something on the go anywhere

[@rensx4952]

Check out the YA Mastering Template, so you can master in Standalone as well.

[@West1Think]

I do 100 % stand alone on my mpc x . I have loaded the finished wav into Ableton to see if it needs a mastering plug in , but it was only on one occasion that a plug in enhanced the finished product.

[@darthknowl9222]

When I get to song mode, I do it a bit differently. I don’t play the sequences. You can tap the left hand column, and use the data wheel to insert your sequence in order to build your song.

[@renzorenique9158]

Your a great teacher.. and that beat 🔥

[@MrAntonioCarrera]

Thanks for the video man, Very helpful!

[@CoolCalmMaurice]

I'm completely standalone. Don't enjoy using the computer since I'm on a computer all day for work. I can see where using Ableton for arranging/mixing would be helpful. I just copped a SP 404 MK2 and I differently want to start using it as an audio interface to record my beats through Ableton with MFX.

[@HansKarlsson1971]

So if you put down all sequenses into one new, then you could use that one to do final touch like adding vocals? Instead of going trough sequense 1, stop, sequense 2, stop you can sing over the linked sequenses or?

[@malobeats]

@@HansKarlsson1971 you nailed it. Yes

[@HansKarlsson1971]

@@malobeats great. Im soon to get my MPC 37 and preparing to take the leap from DAW to workstation. And wow…. Thanks for quick answer and really good channel👌🎶🙏

[@saumitbanerjee2984]

Awesome vid mate. I don't own an MPC and I'm doing everything within Ableton but I've been thinking about getting one and this is the part which I had my doubts on. Thanks for the clarity.

[@lazyriver3160]

mannnn i really like your videos! thank you for all the MPC help

[@cruepprich]

Excellent info. I've been stuck with these short loops. This inspires me to explore song mode.

[@malobeats]

Hey brother, I know that feeling trust me it happens to me and this has been an awesome technique to get me out of that creative rut. Thank you so much for taking the time to share his input brother.

[@yvesdropBeats]

Dope beat. Thanks for the tips

[@almadixon-cider31]

Beat Is Dope!

[@frankenmint]

I only use my NPC because I don't have a way to process stuff with any powerful computers. I use the song mode and insert a bunch of sequences sometimes I like sport the sequence into a big sequence like showed and overlay that

[@malobeats]

I’m so glad you mentioned this. I have a computer, but it frustrates me having to run updates every other month to get all my plug-ins to work, most of the time it’s just a pain in the back, so I rather stay and stand alone and focus on creativity.

[@originalmanoriginalman9865]

Bro.the video is Dope!!!!... but how did you get to that screen you started the tracks on? Thanks bro

[@Themadvillian2001]

This is really helpful thanks gonna try this later 👍

[@ItsReezun]

I been using DAWs (Fruity Loops and Reason) since the the 90s then I moved to Native Instruments maschine mk 1 (2011) then to hardware about a year now and never looked back. I just had to find my workflow. Using so 404mk2, mpc live 2, and a soundcraft mtk 22 mixer. Only use Ipad air 2020 or MacBook early 2011 for sampling or social media postings.

[@jamainebrown]

Just in time nice video bro 😎 it’s a big help thanks 🙏🏾 my work flow is going to be just stand alone 😊

[@djdel1122]

Fantastic content and I am really learning a lot about how to produce songs and Beats on the MPC one! Thanks 😊

[@malobeats]

Thank you for taking the time and sharing this input it really means a lot. I’m glad this was helpful. Much love and blessings to you 🙏🏽

[@SonicVibe]

Your vids been very helpful thank you 🙏

[@malobeats]

Thank you my brother I really means a lot appreciate you taking the time.

[@MushyBrainBeats]

I do everything in standalone mode.. it works for me :D sometimes I like to track out the beat and let it run through some devices for"mastering"

[@bogard08]

You video editing skills is becoming more lustrous. Blessings

[@Jeka18137]

Thank you so much for this video! 👍

[@RegalToneT]

Love it man!!! ❤

[@malobeats]

🙏🏽

[@LoyalT401]

Thanks man! This helped me out tremendously.

[@Theemilz]

very useful ❣❣❣

[@malobeats]

🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@XDanimalzX]

This helped a lot man thanks for uploading.

[@salix5380]

Hi Malo good sampling

[@FunkyTherapy]

Thanks for helpful tutorial. Right on time

[@9londoncalling]

Another quality video and beat ( top sample on this by the way) answer to your question, I take a track as far as I can in the Mpc then I export all stems to Studio one for the final tweaks, arrangement and mix. Keep those beats coming Malo your tracks are always rocking my car speakers.

[@malobeats]

Hey brother, exactly Word for Word on your workflow is the way I do it as well. Pushing my bed as far as I can on the MPC then mixing in mastering and a DAW. I really appreciate the support brother it means a lot and most definitely we’re gonna keep pushing through with these beats and videos. Blessings to you my brother

[@VIRALBEATS360]

Dope as always! Still haven't had enough time to dig into my MPC yet (next week, finally) but to answer your question, stemming, 100%. I did this with the Fantom and was very pleased with the results.

[@stevesample]

Love your videos man. Another great one ☝🏻. The MPC is so fkn dope 🔥

[@darthknowl9222]

Peace!!! When I use my One in standalone mode, I like to do everything in the MPC One. From chop to export

[@NME_REK]

Man I wish you could color the blocks /bar section for easy work recognizing which section your working on or picking and pulling from

[@DanNautiMusic]

I'm straight up standalone on the one.. my workflow is similar except I do the whole beat on sequence 1 and then copy n mute bout 10 times n then use mute for each part n then piece together in song mode..

[@malobeats]

Hey brother, this is the third time I hear somebody using this method which gets me very curious and it totally makes sense now that I read your message. It seems like it would be much faster and especially playing with the mutes as you can perform them instead of putting in numbers. Thank you so much for this input it means a lot.

[@DarVisDar]

Thanks man. Is it possible to jam with sequences, like assign them to pads, so you don't have to put everything to song mode, but to play live, like launching sequence clips?

[@FKU7777]

great explanation, thanks!

[@douggeikie99]

Dope content bro!

[@Nuku01]

I work with the Mpc hardware and software in controller mode not stand alone mode, I left studioone months ago..

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

I dont have an MPC but I'll probably end up getting one at some point but your tips work for DAWs to as I have hundreds of 4 bar ideas in Reason. I did however make a decent catchy beats from a loop I originally made over 10 years ago, so time is almost irrelevant when making beats.

[@malobeats]

You have no idea how glad this makes me feel as some of these workflow techniques may translate to anybody else using something other than an MPC. Don’t give me wrong I love and prefer to use an MPC but if we have to use something else it is more than capable to use some of these workflow ideas. Much love to you my brother and thank you so much for dropping by and sharing this with me. Blessings to you

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

@@malobeats I do a similar thing to what you describe, I'll make several versions of a loop feature the same sounds and export those and then stick them all together until they reach 3 or 4 minuts length. Your videos are well put together, I respect that.

[@simonsenoner3541]

Is it possible to do the opposite step? Dividing long sequences into many short ones and place them as sequence 1, 2 and so on?

[@jerzboybeats]

So when you export to Ableton do export as stems or ALS files? Should you explode your drums before you export or is that a personal preference??

[@malobeats]

Hey brother, that’s a great question as you’re mentioning the ALS files which I have not explored yet but I’m curious on how they work with Ableton. At the moment I’m just exporting my audio stems and yes I am exploding my Drums before I export just so I can have separation of each individual drum hits while I am mixing. Of course that is a personal option you do not have to do that if you feel comfortable with your drums all together but I usually like to separate them. Hope this was helpful and thank you so much for taking the time brother.

[@PabloDeModeOfficial]

Great video! Me, personally like building everything on the MPC. However, because I record vocals somewhere else, I need to export the stems in order to mix it propertly in a DAW, in this case, logic pro x (I don’t do it by myself but with a fellow producer). However, for live performances I like to use it as it is. It is possible to make a full song, mixed and mastered on this device without having to use a computer if you work entirely with samples, loops, vocal chops and the built in synths. For further elements (unless you have a good soundcard and a condenser mic to record and know how to) you’ll need the computer most of the times. My current song (already published on my channel) is made entirely using the MPC One.

[@angelogutierrez3172]

Hi Malo! Awesome beat and video again, u don’t miss! I got a question if that’s cool. Do you use the plugins from the MPC then send the stems with the plugins to ur Ableton or Logic pro to do some mixing? Or do u just send the stems to Ableton or Logic to do your mixing without the MPC plugins? Because idk if it will ruin the plugins from that’s applied from the MPC. Thanks!

[@mareklawera5411]

Such a helpful video

[@malobeats]

🙏🙏

[@jbrown2311]

Great video 👍👍

[@malobeats]

Thank you brother appreciate you taking the time.

[@lordjugaknot]

Dope tutorial! I just use Standalone, I never used Song mode because I never learned. Watching this, dope! However, I still have Questions because I am still learning and I feel like I am going to mess up and eff up my creation, just being honest.