MIDI patterns in version 2.9

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Support
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Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2004 2:17 pm

MIDI patterns in version 2.9

Post by Support »

Version 2.9 supports patterns in MIDI tracks.

This is what it looks like:
Image

A pattern is a small piece of MIDI music. It typically has a size that makes sense in musical terms (eg. a bar, two bars, or even a verse). The most important feature of the pattern editing concept is that there can be multiple instances of a pattern, and changing the pattern will change all instances. For example: you can change a pattern-based track's drum beat by changing just a few notes.

A plain MIDI track editor's MORE menu has an Enable Patterns options which turns the track into a pattern track. Alternatively, you can use the Add Track menu's Add MIDI Track option to create a new pattern-enabled MIDI track. A pattern-enabled MIDI track features a Pattern Bar above the track's MIDI editor.

To create a new pattern click the PATTERN button and choose New Pattern. If something is selected in the track editor the new pattern will match this area, and any selected notes will be moved to the new pattern. If nothing is selected a new pattern will be created at the current transport position. The PATTERN button also provides access to preset patterns. Clicking one adds it at the current transport position. Alternatively you can drag-and-drop presets to the Pattern Bar. You can create your own preset patterns using the Pattern Editor (see below).

Tip: you can create a new pattern by dropping MIDI or audio on the Pattern Bar.

You can press the Pattern Bar for a second and choose 'Add copy' to add a new instance of the selected pattern(s). Copy-and-paste or 'Repeat' create new instances too.

All editor buttons (Edit, Delete, Copy, Paste etc.) work as expected when one or more patterns are selected in the Pattern Bar. The track editor can be used as if it's an ordinary MIDI track. If a note that belongs to a pattern is modified the modifications will be remembered and they'll be applied again if the pattern itself is changed using the Pattern Editor. This works in an additive manner: the offsets will be added to the note's position, duration, pitch and velocity.

When a pattern is selected the EDIT button will invoke the Pattern Editor, which can be used to edit a pattern. Any edits will be applied to the track immediately. You can use the Play button to cycle the pattern, so you can hear the result of your edits immediately.

This is the Pattern Editor:
Image

The Name box contains the name of the pattern. All instances of the pattern share the same name. The 'Pattern Size' bar determines the size of the pattern as it will appear in the track's editor. 'Instance Transpose' can be used to transpose this instance by a number of semitones. If, for example, the pattern is in C, you can use this feature to transpose a couple of instances to F or G. Using Options button you can set the color of the pattern (applies to all instances) 'Clone' creates a new Pattern that is identical to this one. All other instances of the original pattern will remain untouched if you edit this one. 'Reset events for this instance' clears all changes that have been made to this instance's events using the track editor.


Giel Bremmers
Colrik
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Joined: Wed Dec 14, 2016 10:31 pm

Re: MIDI patterns in version 2.9

Post by Colrik »

Hello,
I've been experimenting for hours with patterns this week-end: brilliant!
Support
Posts: 1717
Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2004 2:17 pm

Re: MIDI patterns in version 2.9

Post by Support »

:D
uncle808us
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Joined: Sun Jul 28, 2013 2:35 am

Re: MIDI patterns in version 2.9

Post by uncle808us »

How do you share patterns?
Is it like importing exporting presets?
How is it done?
Support
Posts: 1717
Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2004 2:17 pm

Re: MIDI patterns in version 2.9

Post by Support »

They're exported and imported along with the presets (see Studio-->Preferences).

The exported presets are in a .zip file. You could open it and delete all presets except the one(s) you want. The import them.


Giel Bremmers
uncle808us
Posts: 448
Joined: Sun Jul 28, 2013 2:35 am

Re: MIDI patterns in version 2.9

Post by uncle808us »

Support wrote:They're exported and imported along with the presets (see Studio-->Preferences).

The exported presets are in a .zip file. You could open it and delete all presets except the one(s) you want. The import them.


Giel Bremmers
Thanks, I see them in there.
uncle808us
Posts: 448
Joined: Sun Jul 28, 2013 2:35 am

Re: MIDI patterns in version 2.9

Post by uncle808us »

In iOS how do you save a pattern track to a midi track?
Thanks
Support
Posts: 1717
Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2004 2:17 pm

Re: MIDI patterns in version 2.9

Post by Support »

uncle808us wrote:In iOS how do you save a pattern track to a midi track?
You can't. Why do you want to do that? The only reason I can think of is to save a bit of screen space.


Giel
uncle808us
Posts: 448
Joined: Sun Jul 28, 2013 2:35 am

Re: MIDI patterns in version 2.9

Post by uncle808us »

Yes save a bit of screen space. Thanks
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