This keeps coming up regularly so here is a graphic that shows how I approach pattern based production using the arranger track in Cubase. I treat it pretty much like FL Studio building my patterns down vertically top to bottom - with the top usually being drums - with midi and/or audio sections but of course here you can see all of the patterns at once.

http://dawsession.com/pics/Patterns.png

If you create a template with those first three tracks already setup (midi blocks for section names, arranger blocks, cycle markers), load the template and go.

The idea is to just forget all about any linear mindset beyond any one single pattern and just work vertically down building sections and stringing them together with the arranger. The horizontal spacing between the patterns makes things much more clear visually for me when doing that... especially when copying/pasting parts between sections.

House, hip-hop, D&B, whatever electronic genres that are pattern based like that. Make as many vertical patterns as you need. Try up to 16 different chains in the arranger once you start to build chains.

When you have a series of patterns playing in an order that you like, flatten it to a new project and go to work in a typical linear way while recording vocals, guitars, whatever contiguous live tracks you will overdub.

.. and then.. there's Live... i'm seriously considering selling my C5 lic....

Very clever, Lawrence. Sort of a poor man's LIVE.

Dan

Just a wee note to say that you don't need to put the midi track/events in there 'cause you just name the arranger events and you don't need the cycle markers cause you can do a "locators to selection" with selected arranger events if you drop out of Arranger mode.[/i]

Thanks CC. That was a template I had from some time ago and I'd never considered actually naming the arranger events. Duh! I do like the cycle markers though as I'm a mouser generally so the fewer keystrokes the better but good point there also.

The naming with a midi block thing is an old habit of mine.

Two (or three) heads are often better than one...

Thanks man.

Hi,

I'm somewhat late to the party, but nevertheless: Lawrence (and captain), thanks for another nice tip!


Cheers,
LiteOn