Chain patterns in a sequence

Pyramid
1

Just bought a pyramid.
Is it possible to chain patterns inside the same sequence?
Thanks in advance
Alessandro

2

Are you using the terms "chain ", “pattern”, and "sequence " in the context of the information in the Pyramid manual or in the generally acceptable application of these terms as they relate to MIDI?

3

Different patterns in the same sequence.
Just that

4

https://squarp.net/modeseq

5

I WILL read that again.
Thanks

6

all you need to know is that a sequence is a collection of (1) mute states and (2) pattern choices for all the tracks in your project. so you cannot chain patterns within a sequence but you can arrange sequences to play in series, and each sequence can have a different pattern chosen per track

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7

The very first lines of the manual regarding Sequence Mode:

‘A sequence is a group of active tracks. A sequence saves each 64 tracks “mute state” and “pattern”.’

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8

honestly, I still don’t understand how to properly use sequence mode. its not like most sequencers. and I have 5 other complex sequencers whose pattern chaining feature is the easiest of all the features to use. something hasn’t clicked yet. and the manual hasn’t helped. simply not having “pattern chaining” in its most standard form is confusing.
if someone were to do a video tutorial of just this feature alone. a lot of us would be eternally grateful.
still my favorite sequencer in the bunch :smile:

9

Probably my biggest complaint with the Pyramid is using similar terminologies but implement them differently.

I think of a Sequence on the Pyramid as a Scene, or a snapshot: which Tracks are Muted and which Patterns are playing.

I think of Tracks as Output destinations. You can change patterns, but its still going to the same output. (Port, Channel)

And Patterns might be clips in Ableton, or even just patterns.

Terminology aside, it is extremely powerful. The only learning curve i had was getting that “map”/big picture in my head.

10

indeed. pyramids “sequence” to me is akin to ‘song’ mode on my other sequencers. what I’d love to be able to do is whilst on any track, when you enable patterns, is simply be able to make any number of pattern chains for that track. be it 32 steps or 64 steps for that track.

idea: while in Track mode, and on any active Track,
Press and Hold Step + Sequence, use master encoder to chose pattern chain length.
without having to enter into “sequence/Song” mode wherein you have laid out your “arrangement”.

also, can this thread be moved to the proper Pyramid thread?

11

As electronic musicians we have the painful duty to define and create our own workflows.

What you suggest does not work for mine. :wink:

I think where Squarp is at is an excellent place to try to be inclusive to as many workflows as possible, nomenclature notwithstanding.

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12

totally dig that :metal: I bought the pyramid for the advanced midi feature set.
aside from personal approaches to producing electronic music or any music for that matter.
pattern chaining at its most basic is an inherent workflow to any hardware sequencer, that’s what I’m getting at.
my machinedrum mk1 has awful seemingly ancient midi implementation in some areas, but what it does have is simple pattern chaining per track. and song … “sequence” mode, as a separate function.

13

Interesting you bring up an elektron device as support for documenting what you think midi sequencers “should” do. :wink:

But, would you be happy of you could enter a mode to create and/or play a series of sequences where each sequence was a selection of muted/unmuted tracks and a selection of patterns?

That is, given the nomenclature of “sequence” specific to the Pyramid being a snapshot of Mute /Unmute states and Pattern selections, you want to chain a series of these sequences (per pyramid definition) into a series for playback? And the Pyramid does not do this?

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14

exactly my point. you nailed it on the head :slight_smile: it does. but its different. and fun!
and maybe you’re missing my elektron point. the machinedrum is not what things “should do”. its an example of basic pattern chaining from a vintage machine.
the digitakt for instance doesn’t have “song” mode, aka “sequence” mode on the pyramid. what you can do simply & effortlessly is select track 1 and chain as few or many patterns together quite instantly and move to track 2 and do the same.
thats what i’m getting at. basic pattern chaining.
its simply not that straightforward on the pyramid. thats all.
if you can shoot a 30sec video of chaining patterns per track effortlessly on the pyramid i’d love to see that. then maybe it’ll click for me. word. i :heart: MIDI :control_knobs:

15

You’ll want to just forget that school of per-track pattern chaining, the Pyramid doesn’t work like that and trying to force it will only cause more pain.

Try thinking in terms of song sections instead: one sequence for the intro, one for verse, one for the chorus etc. Then you define which instruments are playing and what they are playing in each. Add more sequences as you need variation.

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16

totally into that idea. i need to revise my midi mind. like “sequence chaining” you mean :slight_smile:
i still don’t understand how to do that on the pyramid. desperately need a video tutorial on that focus feature

17

Check out “Play Project”

https://squarp.net/modeseq#ancre05

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18

The closest thing to the kind of pattern chaining that you have in mind boils down to simply: copy & paste. Directly modifying a track or pattern by extending its length and pasting the contents of another track/pattern at the end.

Obviously different in critical ways for a variety of reasons. But ultimately also quite effective, albeit via a very different workflow.

The other significant detail to keep in mind with sequence mode. You have a hard cap at 32 sequences in a project. So use them judiciously.

But a whole lot can be achieved with the 10,000 midi events in a project, even with 32 sequences max. Just have to spend some time working within the limitations of the device. It can be frustrating but it’s ultimately super powerful.

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19

I don’t have a step by step but I’m wondering about making shorter patterns, then chaining them, then using a loopback to bounce them to a longer sequence.

A bit more complex, but better for sticking bits together to make a longer phrase

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20

When I first got my Pyramid patterns were not yet implemented, and I did not much see the point of SEQ mode, because it literally was just mute states.
But since the addition of patterns SEQ mode is super useful, I do wish that we could decide on number of SEQ and patterns as 32 of each isn’t always what I want, but overall for most of my needs it works, so probably a good compromise.

I definitely recommend once you have created a few tracks with various patterns to experiment with SEQ mode, and its various play styles, perform is really flexible and fun especially when set to instant, and play mode is very simple to use yet still quite flexible, I do wish we could replay from any location and navigate around, but other than that it is fairly usable for laying out songs or chains.

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