Hi folks,
 
Sorry in advance for the basic question, but I am new to session drummer.  I used the step sequencer to create and then save each of the patterns for the song I am working on.  I can load them each individually but I cannot for the life of me find the way to string them together in order to build out the entire song.  I even tried just building out the entire song in the step sequencer but it has a limit of 64 measures and that is not near enough.  Any help here much appreciated.

Step sequencer clips may be copied/pasted any where in the Session Drummer MIDI or instrument track to build up a song. They are also groove clips. To repeat a step sequencer clip, grab the end of the clip and drag it.
 
Here is a video using an older version of SONAR, Session Drummer and the Step Sequencer. The mechanics of the process are the same using current software. The step sequencer section starts around 13:46

 

Many thanks, I will check this out!

Okay I am still struggling with this.  I watched the video but I still do not see how to combine different patterns to create a complete drum take.  In the video he uses layers (which after some research I discovered was replaced with take lanes).  But even if I create multiple take lanes or even different tracks, every time I load the second drum pattern in the step sequencer, it replaces the first one.  It's as if Sonar will only allow one pattern to exist on the project at one time.  I am sure I am missing something obvious but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to put multiple patterns together in a sequence to make a complete track.

I've never used a step sequencer as I just play my drum parts live from my keyboard controller and edit the boo boos in PRV,,, you might want to try that, I play kick /snare first then add the Hi hats. fancy stuff I do in PRV
But even though I've never used it  it's as scook said,, copy and past the patterns from step sequencer on to a midi track in the place you want them to be. 
To me it's seems like a tediously slow process and takes me back to when I had to program my drum machine measure by measure. But that still the process. 
I think there's lots of tricks to making it easier, like the dragging out the clip if the pattern is repeated. 
 
Most drum VSTs have built in sequencers for playing patterns to create a song, I just bought Strike2 and I messed around with it's interface and it's pretty cool. It assigns patterns to your keyboard so you can play along and sort of like a mall organ idea, it plays fancy patterns till the cows come home.. I has a recorder to capture this. 
 
 
There are many better ways than step sequencing patterns.To me that's gotta be the slowest way. 

Thank you for the response.  I hear you on just playing it.  I have a nanokey that I can play and record with but the drums on this song are a bit complicated and I struggled to do it with my fingers if you know what I mean.  I was able to build all the parts manually in the step sequencer though.  Problem is, that even cut and paste does not seem to work.  Any time I load a new pattern in the step sequencer to add to the drum track, it replaces the one I have currently in the project.  Even if I create a totally new midi track and paste the first pattern there, as soon as I load the next pattern in the step sequencer it replaces the old one in that track.  I have found no way around this. Maybe I am missing something obvious but I have tried everything I can think of. At this point I am going to explore some VST plugins like Strike and see if they have a way to build it that isn't so insanely frustrating.

justsaymaybe
Okay I am still struggling with this.  I watched the video but I still do not see how to combine different patterns to create a complete drum take.  In the video he uses layers (which after some research I discovered was replaced with take lanes).  But even if I create multiple take lanes or even different tracks, every time I load the second drum pattern in the step sequencer, it replaces the first one.  It's as if Sonar will only allow one pattern to exist on the project at one time.  I am sure I am missing something obvious but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to put multiple patterns together in a sequence to make a complete track.

I think you need to unlink the clips.  This video has a better explanation on pattern arrangement using the clips, starting at 6:16.
 
SONAR: Master Class - Drum Production Episode II

I think you need to unlink the clips.  This video has a better explanation on pattern arrangement using the clips, starting at 6:16.
 
SONAR: Master Class - Drum Production Episode II




Thank you sir you are correct.  It still behaves really strangely but I am getting it to work by using two take lanes, unlinking each pattern and then dragging the new one to the place where it should be in alternating take lanes.  does not seem to work in a single track.  Well it is getting me there anyway, but I will have to play with it and see if I can make the process less clunky.  Thanks to all for the assistance.

justsaymaybe

Thank you sir you are correct.  It still behaves really strangely but I am getting it to work by using two take lanes, unlinking each pattern and then dragging the new one to the place where it should be in alternating take lanes.  does not seem to work in a single track.  Well it is getting me there anyway, but I will have to play with it and see if I can make the process less clunky.  Thanks to all for the assistance.

This example works here:
 
So I create a 4 bar clip, then ctrl-drag to the right in the MIDI track (to bars 4-8), then right-click "unlink step sequencer clips".
 
The next pattern I load in step sequencer overwrites bars 1-4, but 4-8 is untouched.  I can repeat with the new clip, and so on ...

 
This example works here:
 
So I create a 4 bar clip, then ctrl-drag to the right in the MIDI track (to bars 4-8), then right-click "unlink step sequencer clips".
 
The next pattern I load in step sequencer overwrites bars 1-4, but 4-8 is untouched.  I can repeat with the new clip, and so on ...

Yep, that is basically what I am doing as well.  It is weird that you have to move the clip ahead as it always overwrites the first one.  Even more confusing when you have clips of different lengths. I am powering through it but I am surprised they didn't make this easier and more logical.