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Build a 16-beat rhythm pattern as a chaser

Turn a pattern such as xxxxx--x--x--x-- (x on, - off, one character per beat) into a chaser that plays it on one group at the show's tempo, looped for the groove or once as a fill into the drop. Why a chaser, and when an effect with its own form is the better tool: Rhythm patterns over 16 beats.

Requirements:

  • a group for the fixtures that play the pattern (here Bars, group 3)
  • a speed master on Speed 1 that follows the DJ's tempo, with Learn on a button (see Playing in time)
  • a free executor (here 1.12)

The guide is a draft until tested on onPC.

1. Pick the grid

Write the pattern down and decide what a run of x means:

  • One long on (xxxxx = five beats of light): 16 steps, one per beat.
  • Separate hits (xxxxx = five pulses): 32 steps, two per beat. Each beat becomes an on step and an off step for an x, and two off steps for a -.

2. Store the steps

Store every step with the dimmer set explicitly, so a - is a real 0 and not a missing value.

  1. Clear the programmer and select the group: Group 3.
  2. Set the on value and store all x steps at once: At Full, then Store Cue 1 Thru 5 + 8 + 11 + 14 Executor 1.12. On an empty executor the console creates a new sequence and assigns it.
  3. Keep the group selected, set the off value and store the - steps: At 0, then Store Cue 6 Thru 7 + 9 + 10 + 12 + 13 + 15 + 16 Executor 1.12.
  4. Clear the programmer and label the executor (Fill A).

For the 32-step version, the x beats become cues 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 15, 21 and 27; all other cues from 1 to 32 store At 0.

3. Make it a chaser

  1. Press Assign and a key of executor 1.12; the Assign menu opens.
  2. Tap Options on the right, then Chaser under the Function tab. The mini executor turns cyan.

4. Put it on the tempo

  1. Press Edit and a key of the executor; the cyan chaser encoder toolbar opens. Tap Edit Chaser.
  2. Tap Speed Individual and choose Speed 1.
  3. Tap Speed and choose the factor: 1:1 for 16 steps (one step per beat), ×2 for the 32-step version.

5. Shape the feel

In the encoder toolbar:

  • Step fade at 0% for hard cuts on the beat.
  • For a hit with a tail, switch to Advanced 2 of 2 and set the in-fade to 0% and the out-fade to 30–60%.

6. Loop or once

In Edit Chaser, tap Loop Endless:

  • Endless for a pattern that runs through the groove.
  • Shoot-Off for a fill: it plays the 16 steps once and switches off.

7. Decide what a - does to other layers

Press Assign and an executor key, Options, then Priority:

  • LTP (default): a - cuts the group to dark even if an atmosphere executor holds it. The pattern takes light away as well as adding it.
  • HTP: the pattern only adds light; between hits the atmosphere stays.

Check it

  • Slow the speed master to about 30 BPM and press Go. The mini executor counts 1/16 to 16/16, and the bars follow the pattern.
  • At the DJ's tempo with Shoot-Off: press Go on the one of bar 13 of a 16-bar build-up. The last step plays on beat 16, and the chaser is off when the drop lands.
  • Run an atmosphere executor on the same bars and try both priorities.

Sources