What is the difference between pattern-based sequencing and linear sequencing on my AKAI MPC1000?

With linear sequencing, the whole song is seen as one long sequence which can be recorded continuously in real time (much like an audio recorder or tape machine). A linear sequence can also be edited by copying and pasting bars or sections of the song or sequence (such as the verse or chorus). This type of sequence is useful when recording/overdubbing tracks while playing live over the whole song.

With pattern-based sequencing, a song is made of multiple short sequences or patterns that can be re-arranged very quickly in “Song” mode or in real-time using the “Next Sequence” feature. However, unlike some “groove boxes” where patterns are only a couple of bars long, the MPC1000 can handle patterns/sequences of any length. You can work on each pattern in a loop and switch patterns; furthermore, in “Song” mode, you can specify the order in which the patterns play back and the number of repeats for each pattern to create an arrangement. You can change the arrangement at any time without tedious copying and pasting. Furthermore, if you decide you want to modify one of your patterns (the chorus, for example) after you’ve already created the song arrangement, all instances of that pattern in the arrangement will be changed (ie, each chorus in the song will reflect the change that was made to the chorus pattern). With linear sequencing, you would have to copy/paste the edited bars for each instance that you want to modify.

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