How to drum tracks, step sequencer is making my head hurt...

Hi,

Having some trouble trying to create a drum track.  Its a simple track with 2 main patterns (verse + chorus) and the occasional fill.

The problem is I program one into the step sequencer, drag out the clip for the verse which is great.  I'm stuck now on how to make a second pattern.  

The only way I can see is to close the sequencer, select the bar for the new pattern and open a new sequencer, it opens blank and then I can program in another.

I'm I doing something stupid or is it really this annoying?  Every time, I want a new pattern, the new sequencer means I have to reorder + clean up unwanted rows, its really difficult to understand and making changes the next day is hard as the patterns are not named / uniquely identifiable.

I've resorted to just programming tracks in on the piano roll and using marker, but its not as good as working with a sequencer.

Is there any way to define patterns and draw them out in the track/time line view? Fruity loops did that really well and I read reason did so also.  Looked on some tutorials and help, but all I seem to get is how to sequence an individual pattern rather than make a drum track of many combined patterns. 

Thanks for any help on the matter,
Jon

If you haven't already found out. You can copy the step sequencer clips and then select "Unlink Step sequencer clips" in the TV clips menu so that when you open the copy and make changes only that clip is changed.

It's a very quick way of working on different song sections, fills, etc.

Ah thats brilliant thanks, the 3rd one in that series simplifies it, certainly have to work with the synth pane more.  Kinda odd, but lloks like it'll work.

http://cakewalk.com/CakeT...m-Production-Episode-3

Thanks!
Jon

Bump

Unlink step sequencer clips is greyed out in menus needed.  When I try to paste the next clip it overwrites the first clip.  I'm using X2.  Help anybody?

The Step Sequencer is a sweet piece of software, especially once you figure out all it's nuances.

There's a setting you can choose so you can use the mouse wheel to scroll and preview the Velocity setting as the mouse wheel is spinning. I just found it the other day and it's really handy. It's under Preferences, Customization, Editing. Under the Midi section it's called Velocity Audition.

As for your clip being grayed out, the only thing I can think of is, it's not a step sequencer clip. Try right clicking on the clip and click on 'Convert Midi Clip to Step Sequencer' ... then hit Alt-4. That's the shortcut for the Step Sequencer.

Bub

Jlien X

I tried using Step Sequencer in X1, but after all you have to change the Step Sequencer clip into a regular MIDI clip to randomize/humanize the events, right?

You can do it in the Step Sequencer, but it has to be done for each individual note. It works better when you're working with drums. Click on the little play button icon to the left of a note (or drum), and it brings up a bunch of options.

Oh, really? Thanks. Then I think I'll give it another chance (this time seriously )

I probably am not giving enough information about my problem.  Don't like being toooo wordy, but here goes:

I create a  SD3 pattern in SS.  It shows up in track view in the MIDI track.  It works perfectly.  I can scroll it out for several bars and all is well.  I then start to work on a fill pattern so I can add that part.  However, any edits I make in the SS pattern are reflected in the first pattern.  I have searched and searched to find a solution.  When I use the menus, I found "unlink SS pattersn" command.  However, mine is grayed out.

I actually have the X1 user manual, some 1800 PDF pages.  I cannot find a solution.

Thanks for any help guys!

Thanks Bub, I believe it is starting to make sense now.

John

Bub, I'm impressed. Well done.  Now doesn't that feel great?

Thanks John.

I'm taking baby steps, but I'm getting there.