How Sequences, Tracks And Channels Are Organized - Akai MPC 60 Operator's Manual

3.2 How sequences, tracks and channels are
organized
Sequences:
The MPC60 holds 99 sequences in memory at one time. A sequence can be
thought of as a segment of mufti-track tape of variable length. Depending
on the sequence contents, it could be a 2 bar repeating drum pattern, an
eight bar verse, or a 200 bar song with time signature and tempo changes.
Normally, only one sequence may play at one time, unless the 2ND
SEQUENCE feature is on, allowing two sequences to play simultaneously.
A sequence has a format consisting of time signature and number of bars.
If no format is assigned to a sequence, it is automatically given a time
signature of two bars of 4/4. However, this default setting may be
changed by pressing the EDIT key, then selecting option 2: CREATE
SEQUENCE.
Tracks:
Within each of the 99 sequences are 99 tracks, which contain the actual midi
events. These may be thought of as the tracks on a mufti-track tape recorder
- they each contain a specific instrument or piece of the total arrangement,
but all play simultaneously. For example, track 1 could be drums, track 2
percussion, track 3 bass guitar, track 4 piano, track 5 horns, track 6 more
horns, etc. Each track may be either a "drums" track or a "non-drums" track,
but not both. This is explained further in the section "How to assign drums
and non-drums tracks".
Channels:
In order for the sequences to play external synthesizers, it must send its
notes out through midi on one of the 64 midi output channels (16 channels
for each of the 4 midi output jacks). On the MPC60, each track may be
independently assigned to output its notes through any one of these 64
output midi channels. It is also possible to send the output of any track
through two midi output channels simultaneously.
Exactly how tracks and channels are assigned is explained later in the next
section entitled "The PLAY/RECORD screen - the main operating mode
of the MPC60".
Section 3: Recording sequences
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