How many bars can I add to the step sequencer?

Now that I have a half decent understanding of how to work in the step sequencer I'm wondering if I can use it to just program whole songs like in PRV or at least create large sections of music. If I can actually add that many bars what are the downsides to working like this if any? Thanks.

Hiya, John. I created a basic drum track the other day using the track layer method and it really does seem like it will do most of what I'd want. I just don't know how far I can stretch it out for or if I add too many measures if it'll screw something up. The only thing I MAY not be able to accomplish are really fast and intricate fills but I'm not quite at that point yet. I guess I'll just mess with it and hope it doesn't crash or something. Even still I guess I could create as long of a sequence as it will allow me to and the just start a new one then paste that on the end of the first sequence. Eventually I'll dig into PRV but for now I'm pretty content with what the sequencer does and it's super easy. Just figured I'd ask in case I'm missing something obvious... which I usually am. lol

Convert it to MIDI and make that a groove loop and you can draw it out forever.

I thought you wanted to use the SS for non drum parts on the entire track. My mistake. 

Beepster


Cool. Seeing as how I'm using SD3 I'd imagine it's already MIDI. Thanks, John. I hope you are well.

No its not. It has to be converted. 



From the manual page 1723

Working with Step Sequencer clips
When you create a sequence in the Step Sequencer, SONAR creates a new Step Sequencer clip.
A Step Sequencer clip shows the first iteration of the sequence/pattern and all Step Sequencer clips
can be identified by a small Step Sequencer clip icon in the top left corner of the clip. Step
sequencer clips are somewhat similar to MIDI Groove clips; you can drag the left and right edges of
a Step Sequencer clip to show additional iterations of the sequence pattern.
To convert a MIDI clip(s) to a Step Sequencer clip(s)
You can convert any existing MIDI clip into a step sequencer clip:
1. Select the MIDI clip(s) you wish to convert to a step sequencer clip(s).
2. Right-click the selected clip and choose Convert MIDI Clip(s) to Step Sequencer from the Clips
pane context menu (hover the mouse over the bottom of the context menu in order to show any
“hidden” commands).
The Convert MIDI Clip(s) to Step Sequencer dialog appears.
3. If you want the Step Sequencer to preserve the original timing of the note events instead of
quantizing them to the nearest step, select Preserve original timing (using step offsets). The
notes will be adjusted to fit the steps, and per-step timing offsets will be created so that the result
has the same note times as the original MIDI clip. Any human feel in the part will be preserved.
If Preserve original timing (using step offsets) is not selected, the resulting clip will essentially
be a quantized version of the original clip. The start of the clips will be the same and the first notes
will be the same. The only thing that will possibly be different is the length of the clip (due to
quantizing) and the notes in it may be moved slightly so they fit into the steps
4. Specify the desired resolution value and click OK.
If a MIDI Groove clip contains any variations between different iterations, each unique iteration will
be converted to a separate Step Sequencer clip.

Beepster


???? But the way I did it the other day seemed to work fine. I loaded up a kit in SD3 and auto created all the needed tracks (which added a main MIDI track for them all as well) and a drum bus (exactly the way Seth does it in the Drum Production Master Class). Clicked the Step Sequencer button in the top right corner of the SD3 window which put a Step Sequencer tab in the Multi Dock. I punched in my pattern and it showed up in the MIDI track affiliated with SD3. It played fine without any other fiddle faddling. I guess I'll see what happens. I actually need to finish that video tut anyway so maybe he talks about what you are mentioning later on. Thanks, John.

You may be right. I always thought an SS clip was a one off thing but it appears that is not the case.