Drum schema (drum rhythm definition) for the AudioChain DrumAudioDevice

To use the drum computer of AudioChain you need some sample wave files and a drum schema definition. You can use any free or self recorded sample wave files. These files must be located on your local file system, so that AudioChain can read them. There are many free and open drum samples on the internet. AudioChain itself provides no samples explicitly.

The drum rhythm definition of AudioChain is a simple text file. A very simple drum schema file might contain this:

c=/my/cow-bell.wav
Bouncing Cow
1 | c . . . |
1

So what do these cryptic symbols stand for? Here is the full desription for each type of line.

 # Lines beginning with a hash (#) are comments
 #
 # At first is the definition of Clips. The clip keys (b, s, c, etc) must be unique. 
 # A clip is an instrument, normally a drum hit or a single tone with a
 # defined beginning and a soon ending. The durance of a clip should not be 
 # much longer than one or two beats. Here we define three clips named b, s and c
 # A clip's level can be modified with a factor as shown for the clip named 'c' below.
 # In this case the clip's amplitude will be multiplied by a factor of 0.75 (since v1.1.2).
 b=/lib/base.wav
 s=/lib/snare.wav
 c=/lib/cymbal.wav 0.75
 
 # The second step is the definition of a Rhythm 
 # A Rhythm consists of a name, sequence definitions and a rhythm sequence
 
 # Here is the rhytm name
 Rhytm One
 
 # Here is the sequences definition (a unique name for each sequence definition, 01, 02 etc)
 # and multiple patterns for each sequence divided by the pipe character
 # The Pattern 'b . s .' itself consists of four beats: each divided by a space. 
 # Each beat may have one or more clip keys (b, s or bs)
 # The special clip key '.' means no clip at the corresponding beat. 
 # So a beat is a 'slot' or a 'tick' that can be filled with a clip.
 01 | b . s . | b b s . |
 02 | b . b s | b b s . |
 03 | b b s . | b . s . |
 
 # Here is the rhythm sequence, by the above sequence definition names, divided by spaces 
 # This can be seen as the whole song. This whole rhythm sequence will be repeated if the
 # repeat setting is enabled at the DrumAudioDevice.
 01 01 02 02 03 03 02 02 01 
 
 
 # Here comes a next rhythm
 My Beat
 
 01 | b . . . s . . . | b . b . s . . . |
 02 | b . . b s . . . | b b . b s . . . |
 03 | b b b . s . . . | b . . b s . . . |
 
 02 01 01 02 03 02 03 
 

 # And a third example rhythm
 Funky Beat
 
 01 | b c . c s c . c | b bc b c s c . c |
 02 | b c b c s c . c | b bc . c s c . c |
 
 01 02 01 02 01 02 01 02

Metronome Example Drum Schema

Download and unpack the following metronome example ZIP file. The ZIP file contains a drum schema text file and one metronome click wave file.

metronome.zip

Once unpacked you can open the text file with the DrumAudioDevice. Make sure the wave file resides next to the metronome schema text file on your file system to be found by the drum computer.

Hydrogen File Support

There is an open source drum computer software named Hydrogen. Since AudioChain version 1.1.4 you can basically import these .h2song files into your AudioChain project by choosing the file with the drum audio device. The currently supported .h2song file version is 0.9.4 but other versions might also work.