Now we have checked everything is working it’s time to add another drum sound. Simply recreate the process again but this time create your new part on track 2 and locate a different drum sound, such as a snare drum or hi hat. Also experiment by changing the amount of grid lines to help you create dif- ferent rhythms.
Fig. 5.11.10 – Example two-bar kick drum pattern.
Where you place a note on the grid will determine both the sound and the rhythm.
Use the pencil to create a note on each beat of the bar (usually there are four beats in each bar). Try and place the notes equally between bars 1 and 3.
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In the example in Fig. 5.11.11 we have changed the resolution to 16ths and entered a fast hi hat pattern on each line.
Fig. 5.11.11 – Example Hi hat pattern.
Use the other remaining tracks for the other drum sounds. For example, kick on track 1, hi hat on track 2, snare on track 3 and shaker on track 4.
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This method of sequencing allows you to create rhythms that would be very difficult to play in real time with the metronome. In many ways you will gain a better understanding of how rhythms work and what they ‘look like’ by working this way.
Fig. 5.11.12 – Example drum beat.
Remember to assign each new track to the same sound source and MIDI channel, but choose a different note and drum sound.
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In this task we have shown you how to build up a drum track by placing only one drum sound on each track. There is no reason why you couldn’t create a whole drum beat on one track inside one part. However, for editing and arrangement purposes, it is usually better practice to separate each drum sound onto different tracks.
Additional things to try
● Try changing the Snap value to create something a bit more interesting rhythmically.
● Use the same process to create a bass line.
● Try randomly entering notes to help you come up with ideas.
● Jump back and forth to see how your rhythms look in different edit windows, such as the Score editor or List editor.
● Now copy the whole section again to create an 8- or 16-bar drum track.
● Set a cycle around the drum sequence so you can practise playing another instrument along with the beat.
Exercise 5.12 Step time recording
This exercise will cover the following:
● Entering notes into a MIDI sequencer using step time
● Changing the edit resolution
● Entering rests.
The exercise …
Step time recording offers an alternative way of recording MIDI data into a sequencer. Instead of using a metronome and playing in real time, notes can be entered directly into an edit window using a MIDI keyboard.
In order to enter MIDI data this way you will need to enable the step input mode within your sequencer. Each time you enter a note or chord the sequencer will jump forward to the next step. The distance it jumps is determined by the Snap or edit resolution. If this is set to 8ths, for example, you will be able to enter 8 notes or chords in each bar.
This function is often overlooked and can provide the user with an effective way of recording very complex sequences that would be impossible to play in real time with the metronome.
1. Load your MIDI sequencing program. Make sure that you are viewing the main sequencing window for recording and arranging MIDI data.
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3. Assign a sound source. Route the selected track to a sound source such as a piano sound.
4. Enable the record ready switch. Make sure you can hear a sound when you play your controller keyboard (see Exercise 5.1).
5. Move the Song position marker to the beginning of bar 1 (or to the location where you want to enter the notes). This can usually be achieved by adjust- ing the song position value into the transport window or by dragging the Song position marker.
6. Create an empty object. On the main Arrange window use the pencil tool to create an empty MIDI object between bars 1 and 2. Usually, a MIDI object has to exist in order to open an edit window.
Fig. 5.12.1 – Empty object on the Arrange window.
7. Open the Piano-roll-style edit window. This is usually referred to as the Matrix or Key editor. Make sure you are viewing bars 1 and 2.
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2. Enter the amount of divisions or steps you want to use per bar. This value will determine the length of each note and the distance between each step. It can be adjusted at any stage, making it possible to switch between different note lengths in the same bar. Try selecting 8ths to start with. This value is usually located on the top or left-hand side of the window.
Entering notes into a MIDI sequencer using step time
1. Within the edit window locate and enable the step recording switch. This is usually a button that looks like a MIDI plug or a foot.
Fig. 5.12.3 – Step input switch in Logic.
Fig. 5.12.4 – Step input switch in Cubase.
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In Pro Tools the step write enable button and the division selections are located together in the MIDI operations window.
3. Press a single note or a chord. As you press a note on the keyboard you should see the notes appear on the screen and the Song position marker will move forward to the next step.
Fig. 5.12.6 – Step input window in Pro Tools.
Fig. 5.12.7 – Two 8th notes being entered in step time.
4. Now press another note. You will see the song position marker advance to the next step. Each time you press a note, the song position marker moves to the right.
The distance the song position marker jumps is determined by the Snap or edit resolution. For example, if this is set to 8ths then it will jump 8 steps in one bar.