Besides being able to edit rhythm manually, there are some interesting tools to generate rhythm patterns using mathematical algorithms. The rhythm generators are available only in the phrase generator Rhythm menu.
The following rhythm generators are included:
There are a few rhythm settings (collapsed by default) that are common to all rhythm generators. You can see these controls under the rhythm generator UI, suggesting that these process the rhythm after rhythm generation. Please notice that note length is part of the rhythm in RapidComposer.
More detailed descriptions of the various rhythm generators are followed:
Modern Rhythm creates rhythm patterns used in modern EDM styles (trance, dubstep, trip-hop, DnB…). The rhythm is based on groups of three 16th notes with some 8th notes lead in. It is best to use with the Modern Chord Pattern Generator.
Modern Random Rhythm is a rhythm generator for EDM (trance, dubstep, trip-hop, DnB…) and other modern styles especially for chord patterns. It works by joining preset rhythm patterns used in EDM songs randomly.
Schillinger’s Interference (based on Joseph Schillinger's work) places pulses on every Nth position creating an interference pattern. You can achieve a lot of nice results using this rhythm type. Experimentation is the key!
The settings above show the defaults for the Schillinger’s Interference Rhythm (using the Generic Generator). All of these parameters can be changed and tweaked to your liking. Let’s run through what each setting for Schillinger’s Interference means.
Subdivision works by recursive slicing of a long note. It is especially useful for creating percussion phrases but it can also create some very melodic and quirky patterns, which can be perfect for “chiptune” music. You can achieve a lot of great results in this style by increasing the Number of Subdivisions slider above the default of 6 (13 to 16 is a great number), and also increasing the Full Polyphony slider to above 50%. Subdivision is useful in a lot of other ways.
The settings above show the defaults for the Subdivision Rhythm (using the Generic Generator). All of these parameters can be changed and tweaked to your liking. Let’s run through what each Subdivision setting means.
Polyrhythm allows a phrase to include notes that are off-beat or uncommonly-placed. You can achieve a human-like performance quality using this rhythm generator type. You can set a duration (e.g. 2/4) which is then divided into 'division' parts.
The settings above show the defaults for Polyrhythm (using the Generic Generator). All of these parameters can be changed and tweaked to your liking. Let’s run through what each Polyrhythm setting means.
Generic Rhythm (especially inside a Generic Generator) is one of the most useful ways to generate “piano-style” patterns. Don’t be fooled by the word “generic”, as it is anything but.
The settings above show the defaults for Generic Rhythm (using the Generic Generator). All of these parameters can be changed and tweaked to your liking. Let’s run through what each Generic Rhythm setting means.
This generator will place notes based on probabilities. The bigger divisions have higher probabilities, e.g. 1/1 will more likely contain a note than 1/4 and 1/4 will more likely contain a note than 1/8, etc.
The settings above show the defaults for a Generic Generator. Notice how the default Rhythm is “Probabilistic”, interval at “Half Beat”, etc. All of these parameters can be changed and tweaked to your liking. Let’s run through what each setting for Probabilistic Rhythm means.
The greatest common divisor of two numbers is used rhythmically giving the number of beats and silences, generating almost all of the most important World Music rhythms. The beats in the resulting rhythms are as equidistant as possible.
This generator creates a sequence where the neighboring note lengths are either the same, twice or half of the previous note.
Bass Rhythm places interesting rhythmic patterns one after the other. It suits monophonic sounds (obviously a bass guitar, and other instruments) best. If you play with the sliders a bit, you can achieve a lot of great dance/trance/techno-style piano patterns using this Rhythm type, with a Generic Generator.
The settings above show the defaults for Bass Rhythm (using the Generic Generator). All of these parameters can be changed and tweaked to your liking. Let’s run through what each Bass Rhythm setting means.
Simple Intervals are exactly that: simple rhythmic intervals. Sometimes you just need something simple and fast, that gets the harmonic job done, with a basic rhythm. NOTE: The Chord Generator uses the same type of simple rhythmic generation as Simple Intervals.
The settings above show the defaults for Simple Intervals (using the Generic Generator). All of these parameters can be changed and tweaked to your liking. Let’s run through what each Simple Intervals setting means.
Toggle Intervals, like Simple Intervals, toggle when certain MIDI notes are played and when and where they are not. You can create very useful Phrases with Toggle Intervals, if you have a certain “groove” in mind.
The settings above show the defaults for Toggle Intervals (using the Generic Generator). All of these parameters can be changed and tweaked to your liking. Let’s run through what each Toggle Intervals setting means.
It is possible to edit rhythm patterns using Manual Editing. When you like the results of a rhythm generator but want to modify the rhythm slightly, select Manual Editing.
Let’s assume you want to create a somewhat interesting rhythm for your phrase, such as:
1 and (2) and (3) and 4 and
Let’s change the Snap & Grid setting to 1/16, which gives us a 16th note Grid. Double-click to insert a note wherever you want, and right-click on the note to change velocity or erase it if you made a mistake. Right-click the note (once for medium, twice for light, and a third right-click erases the note). Keep this in mind, as this helps you create exactly the type of “feel” you want, as well as the exact rhythm you want.
So, assuming we want that rhythm above: [1 and (2) and (3) and 4 and], it will look like this. You can also hit the Preview button to hear how the rhythm sounds with a metronome click/cowbell-type sound (if you’re unsure if you placed the notes correctly):