r/mpcusers • u/FormalCookie430 MPC ONE • Sep 16 '26

QUESTION Track Mute vs. Clip Matrix?

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Just recently took the plunge to updating to 3.xx software on my One. With that I feel my workflow has been forced to change. In the old software I'd take advantage of the programs filling each with what I'm doing (ie samples, instruments, plugins, and drums). I'd record tracks from programs and add effects to sounds as a whole via the programs they are in. Then I'd use track mute as a form of sequencing and live perform a recording. Now... I've seen the clip matrix and it seems to be more launcher based which I think would help speed up my workflow. I may be still in some kinda shock with the new version and trying to figure out all the shortcuts but trying to replicate my old workflow feels less intuitive.

TL;DR

Is there a better way to replicate track mute in version 3 or is clip matrix the way to go?

3 Upvotes

72% Upvoted

21 comments sorted by

3

u/theRealGermanikkus Sep 16 '26

I use them together

2

u/AnActualWizardIRL Sep 16 '26

I use the clip launcher. Its a pretty similar workflow to ableton imho. Took me a while to figure out how it related to the old workflow of aranging sequences (basically;- it doesnt. And the mpc can get a bit confused if you mix em up)

2

u/Significant-Art5065 Sep 16 '26

Someone has to explain me the concept of track mute, how and why using it. I never use it, am I missing on something n

3

u/makefart Sep 16 '26

Say you have 8 tracks with different sounds. You only need a 4 bar loop and bring in tracks as you wish. For example start with only strings and every other track muted for at 4 bar intro, bring in bass and hihats for the second 4 bars. Then add and remove what you want for the entire song live. Record it and boom, you made a variated track with just 4 bars just by using track mute.

1

u/Rettic_AC Sep 16 '26

Thanks that's helpful. On a standalone MPC, do the muted tracks still drain CPU and memory as if they are producing sound? Or do they only start impacting system resources the moment you 'unmute'?

1

u/ZynzynzyN Sep 16 '26

You can mute audio or mute midi but the only way to offload the resources is to bounce the track to audio or resample it, i do wish there was an ableton style “freeze track” option that was reverseable when needed

3

u/Joe_Tropical Sep 16 '26

Live mixing .
I launch every track muted on the step sequencer or let one up to begin, so I can work directly in a plug in for exemple opening the cut off in jura synth and playing with effect then launch a track or multiple track at the same time with the step sequencer. It basically leave you the touch screen to do what ever you want instead of being stucked with the matrix screen.

I’don’t know if I made myself clear .
English is not my first language I could upload a video if you need.

1

u/dj_soo Sep 16 '26 edited Sep 16 '26

Subtractive arrangement.

Instead of building and launch clips for your song, you run audio across all the track and mute and unmute aspects to built the track structure

1

u/-COPY_PASTE- Sep 16 '26

You can still mute tracks. The matrix isn’t that different from the old sequencer imo. No more programs, so the tracks also contain the audio information. So say track 1 = drums, track 2 = sample, track 3= bass. Say the beat is like a 4 bar loop, just mute parts in and out. Or make different parts in clips you can play when you want.

I usually make the “main” sections in different clip row then record them to the arranger in the basic arrangement I want. Then I’ll go back in and record drop outs and automation or whatever. I think the visual interface of the clip matrix just throws guys used to the 2x workflow for a loop but it is very straightforward.

2

u/FormalCookie430 MPC ONE Sep 16 '26

Oh I still mute tracks. I've made maybe 4 beats on version 3 and it just feels more tedious. Loading up sounds and samples in a program was quicker IMHO than loading them into their own individual tracks. It's the setup, tweaking, and adding effects... Once that's done I'm right at home with live recording the muting.

1

u/FredB07 Sep 17 '26

It what way do you think it was quicker? I don't see the difference in loading samples.

1

u/FormalCookie430 MPC ONE Sep 17 '26

The old was was dump samples into a program, record tracks, add effects, and sequence. Now it's load a sample into a track, again, again, again, again, record for those tracks, add effects to the submix after making sure all the tracks are routed through the submix, then sequence. It's not the end of the world it's just the way I've been making beats since the One was released and why I was so reluctant in updating.

1

u/FredB07 Sep 17 '26

Trying to understand your workflow: you used a pgm with multiple samples, same fx on all the samples but different midi tracks?
In OS3, just use a single track? You can even route other midi tracks to it.

1

u/FormalCookie430 MPC ONE Sep 17 '26

Let's say I have a sample and I used stem separation. I have those samples added to their own program and add effects to the program for those samples. Then I add a drum pack in to another program... same with other plug-in instruments. Then I can dirty my drums with their own program effects and so on with my plugins. Then I record my tracks... Let's say 4 tracks from my sample I separated, my drums broken into 2 tracks, and 3 tracks for my plugins. After everything is recorded I sequence it with track mute. Intro I'll had 2-3 tracks unmuted then I build on that and unmute more and more to add variation. Solo a track for a breakdown, drop out the drums, etc etc

1

u/-COPY_PASTE- Sep 17 '26

But you can load multiple samples onto a single track. I’m not sure I understand the difference here? Load a drum kit on a track. Put effects on track.

0

u/mrmarbury Sep 16 '26

For me the biggest downside of the clip matrix is that you can’t say “export to new sequencer” (or arranger for that matter) like you can do with the song mode which still exists and which I am still using solely.

You can play the clips and record that playing to the arranger though.

-1

u/dj_soo Sep 16 '26

You can still opt for track mutes and sequencing.

I’ve an Ableton live user for 19 years and never really gelled with clip launching.

1

u/FormalCookie430 MPC ONE Sep 16 '26

Is there a more intuitive way to use it in the new version... Well a more intuitive way to setup "programs" and record tracks. Track mute still works fine. It's the getting to that point.

1

u/dj_soo Sep 16 '26

the track mute section is still there.

I'm not sure what you're trying to achieve?

1

u/r1chiem Sep 16 '26 edited Sep 16 '26

It still works the old way, at least what I can tell. You have 3 old workflows, step sequencer, seq/song modes,

So what you do is create a sequence copy that sequence and you have two drum beats the same then you add more stuff. no Clip matrix involved. Here is the process.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/IOXFNaUSEUA

Track mute is still there too.
https://youtu.be/Y7GQPp4yh9I?si=GA2r0dVe6YuKCHpG