Short patterns....or long patterns?

Ok, I'm just trying to work our the best methodology for using the arrangment tool in Maschine.


If I have lots of little two bar drum loops, I can mix and match them to create little fills, rolls and variations where I need them - this is great.

...BUT....

Because of the way the arrangment tool works, if I want say, an 8 bar bassline, pad, melody, or whatever to run concurrently to a little sequence of several 2 bar loops, then I would have to merge those 2 bar loops to create an 8 bar loop that equals the length of the 8 bar bassline loop (ie. the longest pattern dictates the length of the Scene)

Its really annoying to have to create a special 8 bar loop, if I just want to add a snare roll to the end of what is otherwise just a loop of a 2 bar pattern - and then do this for EVERY variation of this pattern.

I'm just wondering if there is a methodology that you guys have found that maximises the flexibility of your patterns, whilst not having to make a million different patterns just cause you want to remove a single snare on the 64th bar, or you want three kicks instead of one, on the 128th bar.

:|

 

I just copy my 2-4 bar patterns or variations of and work it from there, at the moment the only way around your problem above is to use a DAW or RESAMPLE (which isnt really a solution)

we all have the same prob as you here and we all feel the same, this has been addressed with NI a long time ago - hopefully we get a fix in 1.7 or afterwards.

 

..Or cut up your bassline into small 2 bar loops...Personally I like to start with 8 bars, record various 8 bar patterns etc...but then again i am doing electro pop songs with standard structure of intro, verse, pre, chorus, etc so 8 bars works fine.

I know a lot of people complain about the Scene arrangement - but I honestly have no issues with it at all. However, a 'master' arrangement screen, with proper channel mixer etc would be ace!

 

dont get me wrong, i am over the whole pattern thing and its really no problem for me but it would be great if we could have alternate lengths somehow.

 

Would be sweet to have open-ended pattern mode. Basically, this would be the same as recording into any other sequencer. Just jam along with your DAW without setting up pattern length in advance.

 

ONESHOT your bassline in the first pattern and omit it in the second. Done deal.

 

Brilliant!

So, I'd have to sample my midi as audio - make it into a sample, and then place it in my pattern as a one shot, right?

 

Yup! However you have the bass being played (whether sample, instrument etc.) just internally sample onto another pad for 8 bars (or whatever you need). Now your whole baseline is a sample in one pad. Just trigger it when you need it and repeat every 8 bars so you can make your scene changes and the bass will keep going

 

Oh thanks KDilla - this is big. This definately opens things up for me, and makes me view Maschine a little differently.

A gamechanger!
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Oh, then....as an extension to your technique - perhaps I could have a group that is ALL just resampled bassline phrases - all as one shots!

...and that way I can use lots of little 2 bar loops to make my drum variations, without having to always think 'now, what is the longest pattern in this Scene?'

Same procedure for pads - and any long sustained sounds.

I think if every scene is of equal length (2bars), it will make it easier for me.

 

Absolutely...resampling in Maschine is a must for me now. Especially with VST heavy projects, or situations like yours. Soon it becomes second nature! Glad it helped out man!

 

Awsomee!...thanks KDilla

 

Just tried the resampling/one shot solution now - works a treat!

Thanks once again KDilla!

This will change the whole way I work in Maschine now.