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Groove Track

As a style-based segment plays, the choice of patterns is determined, in part, by the current groove level and any embellishment commands in the groove track, as shown in the following figure:

Groove track

Every pattern is assigned a groove range consisting of a range of numbers between 1 and 100. For example, the groove range of a pattern might be 10 to 20. The pattern is a valid selection when the groove level, which can be set either by a marker in the groove track or by the application playing the segment, is within that range.

To summarize the meaning of these similar terms:

In addition to having groove levels, patterns can be designated as Embellishments. There are four standard embellishment types: Intro, Fill, Break, and End. You can also define up to 100 custom embellishment types. Patterns designated as embellishments are played only when the matching embellishment type is specified in the groove track, or by an application.

Each marker in the groove track can specify a groove level, an embellishment, or both. A marker also specifies how multiple matching patterns are to be selected as the segment loops.

In the previous figure, four markers are visible:

When a groove level is set, it remains in effect until the next marker that specifies a groove level. An embellishment command, however, only affects the pattern selected at that measure. After the embellishment has finished playing, normal patterns are selected until another embellishment marker is encountered.

If you do not include a groove track in a segment, or if you leave the groove track empty, the segment plays using a default groove level of 62, and no embellishments are played.

For information on entering and editing grooves and embellishments, see the following topics:

Properties Window

For more information on how to use groove levels in combination with groove ranges in patterns, see Groove Ranges.


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