How I create B sections in beats -- AKAI MPC 2000 workflow

You sample something. Program a groove. After a while, it feels repetitive. Here's a quick process breakdown of how I copy + paste sequences to create alternate baselines and variations of the samples I have in my mpc programs. It's a starting point for keeping your beats engaging & structuring songs.
0:00 - 0:55 - intro
0:56 - 2:37 - first jam on the mpc 2000
2:38 - 3:22 - midi with akai s3000xl
3:23 - 4:45 - muting & soloing tracks
4:46 - 7:28 - programming new bass lines
7:29 - 8:25 - replaying the bass again
8:26 - 9:48 - outro remix
ig:
_eddieleonard
tapes:
eddieleonard.bandcamp.com
secret releases:
patreon.com/eddieleonard

[@theymightbeuptown882]

Your not in the same place you were when I started listening a while back. Your ear is morphing. Your polyrhythms are different. Sensing more swing and pocket. I think you might be one of the few I've come across who's able to get so caught up in excavating that you may not even be aware when you strike a vein of gold. 'Appreciate your relentlessness and focus bro'. Don’t stop.

[@eddieleonard6925]

That means a lot. I'm always in search mode, trying to push and bend sound with these machines. Hardest part is slowing down, editing, sequencing, etc. I need help on this.

[@celestial5693]

Damn, I had KZbin on in the background and my ears perked up when I heard that first beat getting built! It had that sampled Chicago house vibe!!! Great stuff

[@jeejeeBlaps]

Ohhh yes. I love that you're not afraid to use super short portions of samples in your beats to form a melody and play the samples back in as an instrument. It really adds a lot of dynamics to your sound.

[@eddieleonard6925]

Yessir! I love one-shot samples. Gives these samplers life. Makes you really have to craft something from scratch.

[@johnpapania6273]

wowwww!!! it was amazing to see the sould behind the MPC. I'm blown away!

[@eddieleonard6925]

thanks for listening. MPCs are fun machines.

[@peaksandvalleys4217]

you just articulated what I always felt when working with the mpc, "getting trapped" in a sequence! Thanks for your inspiration!

[@eddieleonard6925]

As much as I love these machines, their workflow doesn't always encourage varying up your patterns. This has been a good habit for me to keep things fluid.

[@titanjake8640]

I really like your production. Very art like and soothing. From a vintage drum machine producer to another, I salute you (MPC 4k is my fav in my arsenal)

[@eddieleonard6925]

Much love! There's something about old drum machines that can't be replicated. Of all the MPCs, the 4000 is the only one I've never used. Always been curious. Spec wise, it has it all. Kind of an intimidating machine. Thanks for the support and checking out the productions and process. Cheers,

[@luisfernando4725]

Stoked to see you're back at it bro! Bay stuff all day.

[@eddieleonard6925]

appreciate that. it's an addiction. we always find a way.

[@luisfernando4725]

@@eddieleonard6925 letting them haters know ain't nothin can stop a real one!

[@kirkstate]

That’s a good exercise by going back over your own beats and rebuilding

[@eddieleonard6925]

Yep. I try to do this as much as I can. It's really fun too. Keeps you on your toes.

[@mgyb8269]

Love the workflow man, really creative layering! 🔥🔥🔥🔥as always!

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks for vibing and appreciating the process.

[@screamchand]

You're authentic af man. This was meditative, veering closer to electronica than to hip hop (something I've erroneously come to associate with MPCs). Thanks for these videos.

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks Aakash! I just make what feels good. But lately I've enjoyed the more uptempo grooves. Thanks for watching.

[@portasystemsound]

Agree this has heavy Mo wax vibes

[@screamchand]

@@portasystemsound Love Mo Wax! Realised it's Jonny Greenwood's favorite label

[@boombapjungle]

Funky .. jazzy… all at the same time , very nice

[@eddieleonard6925]

Appreciate that. Glad you dig the vibes.

[@cajmere808s]

this is smooth

[@eddieleonard6925]

appreciate that. thanks for listening.

[@forsale313]

It's always a pleasure (and Inspiring) to watch yu work. Thanks for Posting this one.

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks for the support and appreciating the process. Cheers,

[@noblewhitneyIII]

This was exactly the inspiration and motivation I need today thank you hope your doing well 🫶🏾

[@eddieleonard6925]

Glad this inspired! Stay creative!

[@ceciliafbrown373]

Wow! That final beat was pumping. Cheers Eddie!

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks! I'm glad you dig the sounds.

[@BLAZE_92]

Idk how I ended up on your channel but I'm glad I did. That was 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks for listening! Glad you dig the vibe. There's a lot of us in this hidden pockets of YT, showing process and making more underground beats. Stay creative,

[@phdirac]

Very dope, always cool to see/hear the process of exploration. Good point, trying out different flips with the same samples can help create a more dynamic listening experience and vibe if you find the right combos. Thanks for sharing ✨

[@eddieleonard6925]

Yes bro. There are so many ways to approach each of these puzzles.

[@TeddyRockSteady]

Nice groove Sir! You pick really good samples that compliment each other very well. Salute!

[@eddieleonard6925]

Appreciate that fam! Sample selection is a key part of this craft.

[@edittheworld3539]

Bro, that was some trip-hoppin technodelic robotica vibes! 🔥

[@eddieleonard6925]

haha...thanks. Well described. I like uptempo grooves at the moment.

[@burrabeats6036]

Like the vibe of this setup..glad u r already back ✌️

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks fam. Less space, but trying to make it shake. Cheers,

[@DavidC45]

Great stuff!

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks for listening!

[@eafloe]

Dope exploration bro! Respect!

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thank you. I always appreciate when folks respect the process.

[@user-xk3lf5wx1f]

love it keep going don't stop keep grinding

[@eddieleonard6925]

Always grinding. Never not working. Thanks for the support.

[@larrytan73]

outro remix was FIRE!!!!!

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks fam! I may clean that up and drop it on one of these tapes.

[@Fundaground]

Keeping it musically interesting. Salute

[@eddieleonard6925]

Trying to. This approach has helped me so far. Thanks for listening.

[@tomdunn6416]

Sweet funky groove. Play it up!

[@eddieleonard6925]

Glad you dig the groove.

[@ninetofiverecordings]

groovy as always

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks for vibing with me.

[@disxiple_113]

Dope beats today, Eddie! I sold my 3000 last year and the og 2000 feels so similar I don’t even miss it. I mean, you’re still making dope shit. :)

[@eddieleonard6925]

I'm getting more familiar with the 2000, but I still deeply miss working with the 3000. In the end, they're just machines and its about the mind of the maker.

[@delfiobacco7156]

fkin cool man! this sounds fantastic!

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks for listening. I'm glad you dig the vibes & the process.

[@lechesangre]

Thanks again master!!

[@eddieleonard6925]

Anytime. Im glad you dig the process.

[@FairchlldMusic1]

Dope!

[@eddieleonard6925]

Glad you dig it.

[@FairchlldMusic1]

@@eddieleonard6925 I don’t know if you’ve messed with the Zoom Sampletrak, but to me that is the vibest cheap sampler you can get right now. I’ve got two, and love them.

[@murat920]

When you come over to the "On:YES" part of the mixing section in the main screen and open window, you get to the track mute page, but mine has the os v1.72 if I am not mistaken.

[@eddieleonard6925]

Interesting. I'm new to the 2000, so there's a lot I don't know. But I think I have v.1.72 op also. The "open window" is crucial though. Great menu option.

[@sp12adam]

You still got your mixer 👍

[@eddieleonard6925]

I'm so grateful they didn't snatch that. I still miss my MPC.

[@TheRealGordonBlu]

Nice 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks for listening.

[@reginaldchapman4028]

headphone on the third eye at 8:42

[@eddieleonard6925]

Yessir that's when I get in my mode.

[@cdot803]

Dope production! I see all them books in the back. Any books you recommend for a music producer trying to grow?

[@eddieleonard6925]

Great question. I recommend any books on the artistic process. Letters to a Young Poet by Rilke. The Poetics of Music by Stravinksy. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. Anything that talks about creativity. If you make beats, Dillatime is a great start too, if you haven't read that already.

[@cdot803]

@@eddieleonard6925 thanks for sharing. I’ve read Dilla time and big magic. One of Rick Rubin’s books too. Imma get the letter to a young poet next. Ppreciate it!

[@marylewis3311]

🙏❤️🙏

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks!

[@B_R_U_C_3]

i’ve been subscribed for a while and these videos really inspire thanks, but i was wondering if you could maybe show or explain where you get the samples or maybe a video on you sampling cause i’m really intrigued

[@eddieleonard6925]

Of course. Thanks for following and supporting. I'll do something on sampling soon. It's a crucial part of the process.

[@B_R_U_C_3]

@@eddieleonard6925 :)

[@uriel-heavensguardian8949]

💯✊🏾💯✊🏾💯✊🏾💯✊🏾

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks fam.

[@OckwordProductions]

Track is dope. I normally get maybe two to three sections. I need to push forward

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks fam. 2 to 3 sections is enough to make a proper song. I'm trying to get in the habit of always making b sections like this, so I have options when it's time to sequence in Song mode.

[@stilltrippin6100]

✌🏽🫡🔥

[@eddieleonard6925]

Thanks fam!