I just noticed again how much I miss something like Reason’s Block Mode in Renoise. In Reason I really liked building a loop inside a Block, then using that Block later on to structure the whole song. The nice part was being able to draw variations right on top of existing Block MIDI clips. With that workflow I could move from a loop to a finished track really fast.
You can get somewhat close in Renoise by building a loop from patterns 0 and 1, then repeating them a few times (0,1,0,1,0,1,…). From there you mute most of the tracks in the early repetitions and unmute them depending on whether it should be intro, main loop, and so on. The only thing I feel is missing is the ability to actively draw over certain tracks the way you can in Reason. Maybe something can be added as feature in the future here?
I know i could use aliases, but it feels a bit clunky to me.
Edit:
Hmm, maybe I should just get used to working with aliases after all. I just realized that I can’t really keep automations independent of the pattern when I reuse them, so aliases are pretty much my only option here.
Can you use a dedicated separate track to store automation? I don’t really use vsti, but with sample based instruments, the instrument macros device can be put on any track to control any instrument. Sometimes I will create a blank track within a group with the instrument track if I want to reuse or copy paste automation independent of note data.
Also, in regards to block like behavior, adding a pattern header in the pattern arranger allows you to select all the patterns underneath it before the next header with one click (I usually use a center mouse click to also simultaneously focus the pattern arranger) which then can be duplicated, copy pasted, cut, etc. it makes working with sections of patterns a breeze for song arrangement.
Maybe you know all this already, but perhaps this workflow might be useful to you
Yeah, could be possible, but I noticed I can get at least something similar with aliases anyway. I just have to setup aliases everywhere and remove them whenever I want variations. Gonna see if that actually has any real benefits in the end.
Right on. Post how it goes. I’ve tried using aliases in the past, but I always forget to unalias them when I want variations and it ends up being more of a chore than just duplicating pattern sections, especially when I want evolving automation across many patterns
It’s easier to follow up and know where you are, imho
You can Loop a whole Group, and also Copy whole Group - that helps with organising and logistics of pattern blocks.
I make basic beat idea in first 16x4 group - then copy/clone the whole thing, make variations, bridges, etc. Till it kinda feels like something complete.
