Use the ReDrum's built-in pattern sequencer to program a song-length drum performance.
One of the main strengths of Reason is the way that its tools speed the creative process. One of the ways that Reason does this is its pattern-based drum sequencer in the ReDrum module. Modeled after drum machines such as the Linn Drum, Dr. Rhythm and MPC-2000, the ReDrum lets you create and refine short one, two or four-bar drum patterns. These can be easily copied and modified to create variations, allowing fills, crash cymbals, drum breaks, and breakdowns. Once the individual patterns are created, they can be chained together in a user-defined sequence.
One of the key advantages of this method is that the user does not need to program every single bar of the drum performance. Once the key patterns are created for the Verse, Chorus and Bridge sections of a song, the programmer only needs to create additional patterns where something different needs to happen. This usually is done to add variation and avoid excessive repetition, or to make transitions between different sections. Because it is easy to add variations, programmers are more likely to make interesting drum parts.
The ReDrum has 32 patterns available. These are grouped into four banks (A, B, C, D) of eight patterns. It is a good idea to use Bank A for Verse patterns, Bank C for Chorus patterns, Bank B for Bridge patterns and Bank D for additional Verse or Chorus patterns as needed. It is also a good idea to reserve pattern D8 as a null (blank) pattern. When it comes time to chain patterns together, you will use D8 when you don't want drums to play.
Many pop songs have verses that are eight or sixteen bars in length (in 4/4 meter). Within that verse, the first beat often has a crash cymbal to mark the transition. Often, every fourth bar has a drum fill or other variation from the main pattern to help fill a hole in the vocal or lead instrument phrase.
To create an eight-bar verse, start by creating the basic groove pattern in A1. Depending on the kick pattern, this will typically be a one or two-bar pattern. Depending on the rhythmic "feel" of the musical style, set the pattern resolution to either eighth-note, eighth-triplet, or sixteenth-note.
When the basic pattern is set and mixed to your liking, copy it and paste it to A2 thru A8. Add a downbeat crash to pattern A2. Create drum fills or drops in the next few patterns. For patterns A7 and A8, you might want to experiment with eliminating certain drums or specific notes to create breakdown patterns.
Similarly, create Chorus patterns by programming C1 and pasting copies in C2 thru C8. Add a crash to C2 and fills to C3 thru C6. For patterns C7 and C8, you might want to experiment with adding additional percussion layers (such as tambourine) to create "Outro" patterns.
Create a Bridge pattern in B1 and program variations as needed in the rest of Bank B. You can use any of the main patterns (A1, B1, C1) as a starting point for creating an Introduction section. Often, an Intro starts out simple and layers are added as it progresses; three or four variations should suffice.
Once all of the patterns are created, chain them together into a song form. As an example, you might create four 4-bar Intro sections, followed by an 8-bar Verse 1, 8-bar Chorus 1, Verse 2, Chorus 2, a solo section (over the verse or breakdown pattern), the Bridge, Verse 3, Chorus 3, and two or three Outro Choruses.
The following table illustrates how individual patterns are sequenced together to form a complete song. All patterns are one-bar long.
| Section | Pattern | Bars | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intro | D8 | 1 | Tacit (count-in) |
| D7 | 2 | Pickup Drum Fill | |
| D2 | 3 | Intro 1 with crash | |
| D1 | 4-6 | Intro 1 Pattern | |
| D3 | 7-9 | Intro 2 Pattern | |
| D4 | 10 | Intro 2 Pattern drum fill | |
| D6 | 11 | Intro 3 Pattern with crash | |
| D5 | 12-14 | Intro 3 Pattern | |
| B7 | 15-17 | Intro 4 pattern | |
| B8 | 18 | Intro 4 pattern fill/lead-in | |
| Verse 1 | A2 | 19 | Verse 1 Pattern with crash |
| A1 | 20-25 | Verse 1 Pattern | |
| A3 | 26 | Verse 1 Pattern with drumfill 1 | |
| Chorus 1 | C2 | 27 | Chorus Pattern with crash |
| C1 | 28-29 | Chorus Pattern | |
| C3 | 30 | Chorus Pattern with fill 1 | |
| C1 | 31-33 | Chorus Pattern | |
| C4 | 34 | Chorus Pattern with fill 2 | |
| Verse 2 | A2 | 35 | Verse 1 Pattern with crash |
| A1 | 36-41 | Verse 1 Pattern | |
| A4 | 42 | Verse 1 Pattern with drumfill 2 | |
| Chorus 2 | C2 | 43 | Chorus Pattern with crash |
| C1 | 44-45 | Chorus Pattern | |
| C5 | 46 | Chorus Pattern with fill 3 | |
| C1 | 47-49 | Chorus Pattern | |
| C6 | 50 | Chorus Pattern with fill 4 | |
| Solo | A2 | 51 | Verse 1 Pattern with crash |
| A1 | 52-57 | Verse 1 Pattern | |
| A4 | 58 | Verse 1 Pattern with drumfill 2 | |
| Bridge | B2 | 59 | Bridge Pattern with crash |
| B1 | 60-65 | Bridge Pattern | |
| B3 | 66 | Bridge Pattern with fill | |
| Verse3 | A6 | 67 | Verse 3 Pattern (Drum Breakdown) with crash |
| A5 | 68-73 | Verse 3 Pattern (Drum Breakdown) | |
| A7 | 74 | Verse 3 Pattern (Drum Breakdown) with big drum fill | |
| Chorus 3 | C2 | 75 | Chorus Pattern with crash |
| C1 | 76-77 | Chorus Pattern | |
| C3 | 78 | Chorus Pattern with fill 1 | |
| C1 | 79-81 | Chorus Pattern | |
| C4 | 82 | Chorus Pattern with fill 2 | |
| Outro | C8 | 83 | Outro Chorus (adds Tambourine) with crash |
| C7 | 84-90 | Outro Chorus (adds Tambourine) | |
| C8 | 91 | Outro Chorus (adds Tambourine) with crash | |
| C7 | 92-98 | Outro Chorus (adds Tambourine) | |
| C8 | 99 | Outro Chorus (adds Tambourine) with crash | |
| C7 | 100-106 | Outro Chorus (adds Tambourine) |
You may adjust the form if it better serves the musical ideas, and your drums may be programmed in any genre. Use a tempo that's appropriate for your genre and stick with a nice and easy 4/4 as the meter. I'm looking to have something around three to four minutes in length.
To chain patterns in Reason select the ReDrum's MIDI track in the Sequencer window. Switch to track-edit mode and show the Automation Lane for the track. Set the Resolution to "BAR." Using the Pencil Tool, select the basic verse pattern (A1) and click in Bar 1. Now switch to pattern D8 and draw it in the first two bars (to leave room for a count-in) Select and draw your first intro pattern in Bar 3, and draw in each pattern at the bar it should enter. For the verses, you may find it quicker to draw eight bars of the basic pattern (A1) and then draw the crash pattern (A2) and fills (A3, A4) over the first, fourth and eighth bars respectively, rather than constantly switching back to the basic pattern between each variation pattern. If you run out of bars, simply drag the "E" marker to the right.
Submit the Reason file. Email it to sward@mercy.edu
Due Date: TBA