tips on pattern based sequencing? / how to arrange?

[bassport]

I'm an old Reason user who just bought FL Studio and I think I get what it's all about. I've even been able to get some loops out of it. But that's exactly theproblem: I'm always making loops. With this strange pattern based sequencing in FL, I can't just insert a ryhtmic fill-in or a slight change in the bassline because I'd have to create a new pattern, copy all events into the new pattern, change the pattern accordingly and include it into the playlist......... In Reason it was MUCH easier, because you could group your "patterns" together and copy them and you could edit your arrangement afterwards, without all this hassling about with patterns...

I'm already using the Piano Roll etc., but it's still a pain in the arse.

Can someone please give me some tips on how to handle such things with pattern based sequencing? How do you arrange a track?

[ceenda]

I'm afraid that's really it.

This is the main reason why I flip between FL Studio and Orion.

FL Studio's sequencing _is_ very powerful. It just doesn't give you the most intuitive overview in the world. But there are people who swear by that kind of pattern sequencing.

eXT has probably the nicest arrangement I've come across. Pattern clips that you can adjust, cut, paste, ghost, slice and resize on the fly.

But stick with FL Studio, you might get into the swing of things after a while using it. Try opening the demo songs in the CoolStuff directory and look at how the songs are arranged.

[bassport]

I still can't believe the person who "invented" this kind of sequencing... it's so tedious and stupid, sorry.

Well, thanks for the reply! I'll hang in there.

[donkey tugger]

With this strange pattern based sequencing in FL, I can't just insert a ryhtmic fill-in or a slight change in the bassline because I'd have to create a new pattern, copy all events into the new pattern, change the pattern accordingly and include it into the playlist.........

In the playlist use Shift+Ctrl+C, copies the whole pattern to the next one down.

also, another handy tool is if you've got a load of the same patterns in a row and you just want to add a fill/variation use the 'flatten selected' command from the playlist menu; glues them all together.

[VitaminD]

I still can't believe the person who "invented" this kind of sequencing... it's so tedious and stupid, sorry.

Obviously you've never sequenced a song with a MOD Tracker

[donkey tugger]

I still can't believe the person who "invented" this kind of sequencing... it's so tedious and stupid, sorry.

Obviously you've never sequenced a song with a MOD Tracker

Pfft, mod tracker, girls stuff. You want to try doing a song with a Yamaha QY10.

[Kriminal]

I still can't believe the person who "invented" this kind of sequencing... it's so tedious and stupid, sorry.

Obviously you've never sequenced a song with a MOD Tracker

Pfft, mod tracker, girls stuff. You want to try doing a song with a Yamaha QY10.

Pfft, girls stuff, you should try a Cheetah seq

[spacefox]

Try "mix and matching" patterns. For example, when programming drums, make several kick-only patterns, several snare-only and some hat/cymbal ones. Then, in the mix-n-match: kick1+snare3+hats4. This will give you a lot of variety easily.

Or try this: write a basic pattern - programming only the 'up beats'.
e.g.
C---D#---C---G
(c) spacefox 2005


Then make several other pattern with fills. Again, mix and match the base pattern with the fills/ variations in the playlist.

[Rellik]

You know, there are plenty of tricks that you can use to make pattern sequencing a meaningful experience.

....buuuut, it's really pretty simple to get up and running sequencing in a quite linear fashion. Just use the afore-mentioned "Flatten patterns" and "Copy Pattern" commands and pretend the patterns just dont exist, if you like.

Most of my tracks end up looking like a diagonal stroke, upper-left to lower-right. As time goes on, I use more and different patterns, descending odwn the list. The beauty of pattern sequencing is that I can use the mixing-and-matching, the easy repetition, the easy-to-follow song layout WHEN I WANT TO, and ignore it when I don't. And that's the story of FL's sequencing.

[bassport]

Try "mix and matching" patterns. For example, when programming drums, make several kick-only patterns, several snare-only and some hat/cymbal ones. Then, in the mix-n-match: kick1+snare3+hats4. This will give you a lot of variety easily.

Or try this: write a basic pattern - programming only the 'up beats'.
e.g.
C---D#---C---G
(c) spacefox 2005


Then make several other pattern with fills. Again, mix and match the base pattern with the fills/ variations in the playlist.

I'm gonna try that. Thanks.

[Hunter]

You mean there is an alternative to sticking all my bits of tape together?

[bassport]

You mean there is an alternative to sticking all my bits of tape together?

I feel a bit stupid.

[boin]

I still can't believe the person who "invented" this kind of sequencing... it's so tedious and stupid, sorry.

Maybe I'm stupid myself, because I've been using it for years and I feel very confortable with it...

In the sequencer business there are some points to consider IMO:

1) There is no such thing as a perfect sequencer: all have strong and weak points. If it happens to be weak on something essential to your music style or workflow, get another one.

2) The best one is the one you know better: you need to invest time and effort to get to know your tools - any tool. For example: in general FL has a way to do what you need - although not always in a obvious or convenient way.

3) Go beyond the surface: these babies tend to be deep. A couple of hours messing with any of them won't probably do them justice.

A suggestion: listen to the demo songs included with FL. Regardless of musical taste they show something of FL's capabilities - much more than is possible to grasp in a few hours trying to find your way in something new.