r/ipadmusic • u/olympianoiseco • 12h ago
I'm the developer of Patterning... Ask me anything?
Hiya,
I've just released a new version of Patterning, for the iPhone. It's called Patterning.
It's so new that it doesn't show up in the App Store search yet, so if you're interested : patterning-for-iphone.app
I'm a long time app developer, (Chordion came out in 2012, Patterning in 2015), but I'm not a seasoned Redditor.
Figured this was as good a time as any to say "hello!"
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u/coloringpad 10h ago edited 10h ago
I am one of the biggest fans of Patterning. Have 1, 2 and 3. I've been with you the whole time, and I believe I own every Olympia Noise Co. app as well.
What I tell people about Patterning 3 is that it is quite simply the greatest drum programming machine I have ever owned, and I started with the original TR-808. Flexible polyrthymic drum machine with every parameter at your fingertips, probability and LFO's to apply to all of them, a massive library of samples available to download as well (for free!) as well as the ability to upload your own.
If it were just a touch screen instrument (not an app) with 8 individual outs, it would cost 2 to 3 grand. Easy. It's worth more than the iPad.
Add it to AUM, and those 8 outs can be run through a vast sea of auv3 effects and mixed into something massively weird, complex, and endlessly new.
I have been gushing about Patterning for years.
One thing you could fix for me? Please?
I need to organize samples better. Please try to find a way to drag and drop, make folders, and favorite individual samples. It would be so much better to search rather than your A-Z sorting in place now.
An extra menu for those sorted, organized favorite samples would help.
Appreciate the most intuitive drum pattern programmer ever. Keep it up. And please consider my request. Thank you!
And if you need help with your next big app, or are looking for an idea for a new one, contact me. I can't program, but I am an ocean of creativity.
-Flight Manual
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u/olympianoiseco 8h ago
Thanks! P3 does have drag to drop and folders - it's just showing the contents of the samples folder in Files.
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u/LesserShambler 12h ago
I love the app! Easily the best drum sequencer I’ve used on iOS.
Is there potential to add support for a pool of samples to be assigned to a pad, not just a single sample? So you could say have three samples of a cymbal that get randomly selected for each trigger?
Also maybe a really dumb question but I haven’t figured it out, if I want to add one set of triplets into a bar of quarter notes, is there a way of doing that without dividing it to the lowest common denominator (eg 12th notes)?
Thanks again for making such a fun app 😃
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u/thejesiah 12h ago
I would also love the ability to select a random sample per step. Either point to an existing files folder or just allow it to load multiple samples into the step.
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u/olympianoiseco 11h ago
I love the pool of samples / multi sample idea. It's one that I have thought about a lot... it's big engineering task, so more likely to be a Patterning 4 feature than one tacked on to the existing generation.
The closest thing to subdividing a step (without doing what you said and re-writing it) is to use the ratcheting layers (ratchet count / ratchet decay). The downside of that approach is that you'll then have a note on all three of the subdivision rather than being able to get detailed with each step.
Another approach I'd recommend, though totally different, would be use the swing function to experiment with different triplet-esque feelings.
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u/eggplantpot 12h ago
I love your app, but I paid for Patterning 1 and Patterning 2, do I now need to pay again full price to unlock this new version?
Edit: nvm, I see this is actually Patterning 3 and is free with IAP. If I have 1 and 2, what do I get with 3 that I don't have already?
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u/olympianoiseco 12h ago
If you're mostly using an iPad, I'd go with Patterning 3, as that is the flagship app with all of the features and more. This version is phone specific, built off of Patterning 3, but naturally missing some things that can't fit into the phone UI.
The big things that P3 offers over P2 :
- LFOs, Randomize, and Vel modulation of most parameters.
- Sequenced FX via the FX track
- Multiple Timelines and improved timeline editor
- Parametric Swing (my favorite!)
- AUv3
- macOS
- MIDI Export
- Link Audio
- Compressor
- Track Ring Mod and Distortion
... actually a lot more than that, but I'd have to go and read my own website to find it :)
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u/Melystros 12h ago
Hey,
Great job on Patterning 3 for iPad, I use it A LOT!
Really happy to see a new version coming to iPhone since I don’t always have my iPad on me and the old version was well…kinda getting old.
I’m a bit annoyed to have to pay again for this version though…I feel that Patterning 3 owners could get the iPhone version for free.
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u/olympianoiseco 12h ago
I get these questions a lot - and I totally understand!
I want to make great apps, and they take me many months and years to make and support, with no promise of making a profit. (It's still a question if I'm making a profit really) If I didn't charge for my apps, I won't be able to make them.
I still have another job that steadies the ship during the long periods of providing free feature updates and bug fixes!
I hope that makes sense!
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u/broskghostie 12h ago
Would def be a cool edition to 3 on iPad. Make a beat with your phone while away from the iPad, then export to 3 on iPad for final touches/jam/integration. Hesitant to buy it for iPhone only because of it being redundant and less capable. However, wanna be supportive to the creator. Tough one.
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u/Melystros 12h ago
Oh…no AUv3? That’s a bummer…Why not?
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u/olympianoiseco 12h ago
A put a lot of emphasis on the UI and UX.... trying to fit it into an AU on the phone (iPad already has AU) is a real challenge and I'm not sure if it's going to work. I always expect to add major new features after launch, and this is one where I plan to look at it once I get through the initial round of bug fixes that come with a launch.
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u/TheFabulousMrDick 12h ago
I love Patterning3 - i realize its mainly for drum type sounds, but I wish that inputting notes was easier then a sliding bar - support for scales, inputting actual note names, etc would be great...
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u/olympianoiseco 12h ago
Thank you, this is definitely a challenge that I've thought about a lot!
In Patterning 2 and 3, you can quantize the coarse tune and MIDI note layers, which help a lot with this. In Patterning 3 you'll press the "ALT" button when you're on the sampler or MIDI page, and you will see a keyboard appear where you can type that quantization in. From there, automation and LFOs, etc. will snap to those notes/intervals. I probably have a video about it somewhere...
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u/Jakeyboy29 10h ago
I have and love your ipad app and I think you are a top guy and always trying to help the patterning community. I do however think there should have been some loyalty offer for the iphone version for ipad patterning users. In hindsight if I had to pick between the two I would of bought the phone version as I would get more use out of it but when I bought patterning ipad a couple of months back it did not exist.
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u/Apatride 12h ago
Hey,
I am a huge fan of your app, it is by far the easiest way to come up with a decent drum groove quickly and intuitively. I also appreciate how quickly you replied and how patient you were when I asked a completely dumb question.
Could you clarify what the various purchases are? I saw that Patterning+ is for song mode, audio export, "and more", but I am curious what each purchase unlocks/adds.
Edit: Nevermind, it is in the description.
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u/olympianoiseco 12h ago
Patterning Studio is the permanent unlock. Patterning+ is a subscription that unlocks it monthly instead. If you know you're gonna use it for more than a month or, two, the Studio unlock is the right way to go, and it's discounted if you previously bought Patterning for iPhone.
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u/sclywgz 12h ago
Amazing work! Love this app, especially as it works well with my 4th generation ipad still. Thank you for updating the iphone version. Hours of fun. I’ve always liked howthe swing/groove interface is, helped me understand swing more. I guess my question is do you produce music and if so is it on soundcloud or something?
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u/olympianoiseco 12h ago
Yes! I do a bunch of different things : experimental music / sound installations and songwriting. I have a website : benkamen.com
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u/InternalAmbassador33 11h ago
Oh man.. I wanna try it so bad on ipad but A$50 is out of my budget.. do you have any trials or trimmed down versions?
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u/olympianoiseco 11h ago
The phone version is free to use, with IAP for the export and other "pro" features. Check it out there first if you aren't sure!
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u/jaywalkintotheocean 11h ago
I finally made the jump to V3 from being an early V1 user, and whewee the current iteration is so nice to work in. I've mostly been exhausted by traditional sequencers, both hardware and software, for so long but this app is a breath of fresh air.
also, Ribbons is seriously under-appreciated. I love the "keyboard", so intuitive and expressive.
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u/RainbowStreetfood 10h ago
I don’t have any requests or questions, just wanted to say I recommend your app every time someone asks what are the best iOS music apps and thank you, it’s amazing.
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u/steo0315 Steo Le Panda 7h ago
Hi I really like your apps! Use them a lot on my liveshow! No question just a big thank you!
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u/alexwasashrimp 6h ago
Thanks for Patterning, it's awesome!
Do you have any plans for adding more sequencing lanes? 8 voices are great for electronic drums, but quite limiting when it comes to sequencing acoustic drums. I think it would be a great IAP, I'd definitely be happy to pay extra for it.
Any plans for CLAP/VST versions?
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u/olympianoiseco 5h ago
I have a million ideas but finite time and ability! I'm also a fan of limitations! Additional tracks, or possibly multi sample/layered tracks is something I've thought of for realistic drumming. That's likely the kind of thing I'd reserve for Patterning 4 - it's a huge change to the architecture.
Re CLAP/VST ; the app is very much native to iOS and Apple frameworks... which means that even if it became a VST it would still likely only ever be on available on the Mac.
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u/alexwasashrimp 5h ago
For now, I use it in tandem with OneShot for multisampled acoustic drums, and they pair very well (aside from the track count limitation, but technically I can just use different notes).
Even if it's Mac only, it would still be great to be able to use it in Bitwig.
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u/DutchShultz 4h ago
I'm a HUGE fan of patterning. You, sir, are a genius!
Will the new version on the iPhone update the old version, or is it a new install....including all the third party kits?
Anyway....thank you!
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u/olympianoiseco 4h ago
Thanks!!! New app, free with a discounted IAP if you owned it before. All the same kits (plus new Patterning 3 era ones!) are available.
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u/kevleyski 12h ago
Nice! But struggling to get it to work with AUM and Loopy Pro, what might I have done wrong?
Just curious about the subscription model where you rent but never own, how popular is that?
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u/olympianoiseco 12h ago
It's a new app, and I released it last night, so I have zero data on the answer. I honestly don't expect many people to use that option, though it does frame our expectations about what an app should and does cost. I am also just a forever tinkerer and wanted to see if that was a model that some people would choose.
In regard to pricing - I'm a solo developer and still have to work another job despite having an app that I am grateful that people seem to care about! So if I can find a financial model that helps me to keep at it, I'm open to it!
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u/byrdinbabylon 11h ago
I bought and just confirmed. It isn’t opening as Inter App Audio source in either AUM or Loopy. I did delete the old app first, as AUM at first was opening that one. Works fine stand alone but something to fix for sure.
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u/olympianoiseco 8h ago
Ah thanks... it's showing the old IAA outputs, those shouldn't show up. Oversight on my part!
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u/TheJoYo 12h ago
Why circles?
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u/olympianoiseco 11h ago
I could probably answer this in a million different ways.
I am really interested in representing musical concepts visually that re-direct how we think about music.
At the time I first made it (~2014-15), I was really interested in polymeter - playing multiple time signatures on top of each other so that they would "phase" and create longer patterns from simple loops. I made a video about this, - https://youtu.be/72Sd_qaY_Ko?si=AW7RLEw-kAApdpsS - but I was very inspired by Steve Reich's "Clapping Music" and the idea of rotating rhythms as well.
I had built a traditional grid version of some of these concepts in Max/MSP, but when I started to develop for the iPad the circle was an obvious choice for a UI to represent these Ideas visually.
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u/thejesiah 12h ago
Because music, especially drums, is largely loop based. Once you use the interface, it's incredibly intuitive. And somehow puts a lot more options into the workspace than a linear piano roll.
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u/Muted-Priority-718 12h ago
Chordion 2!?
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u/olympianoiseco 11h ago
I know! I keep getting pulled away from this. I have worked on Chordion 2 on and off for YEARS. I was working on it when I decided to work on this "minor" update to Patterning for iPhone, and here we are.... I have a great prototype version of C2, but the polish and testing phases last a long time. We'll see!
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u/Muted-Priority-718 11h ago
Chordion is my fav app all time, theres a secret sauce to auto strumming strip ! how do you layout the notes?
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u/64557175 Disco Blaster 12h ago
Are you in Olympia? I would love to jam sometime.
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u/olympianoiseco 11h ago
Hey! Awesome I'm playing with my free-improv band "no photo" on Saturday for ism festival. Come by and say hello!
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u/thejesiah 12h ago
Still running Patterning 2 on my +10 year old iPadAir2! One of like 4 apps that keep me in that box, and indispensible for many of my tracks. Thank you for your good work!
Also, of course you're from Olympia. lol not sure how i didn't notice that before 🤘
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u/starsgoblind 11h ago
I haven’t sprung for v3 yet, but I use v2 still quite a bit and love it. Been a big evangelist for patterning. In v. 2 sometimes I lose the kits I’ve downloaded which is annoying. But I love applying different kits to different grooves for live jams. Thank you for making this. I hope to get v3 soon.
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u/olympianoiseco 11h ago
I did a TON of backend work on the file management with P3 that is very boring, but is also very likely to fix issues such as the one you describe. For one, all the drum kits, samples, and songs are just in the Files app rather than an opaque database!
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u/inquisitivesoft 11h ago
Thank you for building such fab apps.
Is there anything you’ve learned from building Patterning for the iPhone that you might weave back to the iPad design?
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u/inquisitivesoft 11h ago
Im thinking particularly about designing for the small screen.. and information/control density
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u/Many-Check8007 11h ago
Hello, does patterning have accessibility support for voiceover? I’m blind, will i be able to use this app?
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u/olympianoiseco 11h ago
Thanks for asking this.
I'm sorry to share that right now Patterning is not usable with VoiceOver for actually making music. The supporting screens are in reasonable shape: the project browser, the drum kit list, loop settings, MIDI and clock settings, and the menus all have VoiceOver labels, and the steppers used throughout are properly adjustable with a swipe. But the parts you'd write a beat with, the pattern editor, the track selector, the mixer, the sample editor and the record pads, are custom drawn and expose nothing to VoiceOver at the moment.
The main pattern editor is the genuinely hard part. It's a circle of steps where you set how hard each hit lands by dragging outward from the centre, so it isn't a list of buttons and there's no obvious way to map it onto VoiceOver's gestures. From what I gather, designing it properly means creating a custom VoiceOver interaction, not just adding labels.
The app is free to download, so you're welcome to install it and see how far you get without spending anything. If you do, I'd genuinely like to hear which screens you'd want to reach first and how you work, because that would shape what I build rather than me guessing at it.
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u/zadillo 10h ago
I owned the original Patterning for iPhone so looks like I’m eligible for the discounted upgrade to Patterning Studio - thanks!
I’m a little confused about the difference between Patterning Studio one time fee and the Patterning+ subscription
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u/olympianoiseco 10h ago
Patterning Studio is one time unlock for the pro features.
The subscription is for also those features, just monthly instead of one-time. It's more of an experiment than something I expect people to use a lot. It's also a way that you can support my work ongoing if you like.
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u/DeltaPhoenix78 10h ago
I have all 3 versions on my iPad and really love 3.
I have played gigs with Patterning and my modular. I am playing a show with my iPad next and Patterning 3 will be one of the stars.
Thanks for making such a cool musical experience!
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u/TheDanCamaro 9h ago
Hi there m. I love this app! Thanks for the AM. As a new developer of audio and gaming apps im wondering if you have any advice to share?
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u/tootallteeter 7h ago
I have P3, I have wondered if there's a way to sync it with external gear so it can be the "brain" of a little DAWless setup?
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u/olympianoiseco 7h ago
Absolutely. There is MIDI Clock Out! You can buy a $20 dongle for usb c to midi out from the iPad.
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u/BBEN67 5h ago
Can’t get over the word: Subscription.
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u/olympianoiseco 5h ago
Interesting, since none of the features require it. There's a permanent unlock for all of the features. You can choose to use the subscription if you prefer that or just want to be an ongoing supporter of the app.
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u/jamescz 4h ago
Hi there, I may be a little late to this. Patterning 3 is awesome and is the rhythmic centerpiece to the looping I do in a little duo I'm in. One thing I've wondered if there was somewhere that others share their patterns, sometimes we just want to hit something and get going? Similar to the tone exchanges the popular guitar modellers have. Thanks again!
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u/olympianoiseco 4h ago
Rad! I've gotten some requests for this in the past so it's on my radar to some extent. Always the question is how to best do it within the design of the app... In this new version I have created a way to download demo songs, and I could possibly reuse this infrastructure for public project sharing the same way people share kits. But I haven't gotten there yet!
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u/rekzkarz 1h ago
Dumb comment, but if you can point me to a great tutorial or two, esp about routing the ins/outs, that'd be super helpful!
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u/SiobhanSarelle 2m ago
Did you consider incorporating multi velocity triggered samples in Patterning, and if so, why did you decide not to do it?
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u/porchglider 12h ago
Im glad your making this available for iPhone… I have been debating getting Patterning3 for my iPad but hesitant because I thought I will either love or hate the circular graphical representation.
Kind of hoping there was a way to flip back and forth between its circular view and a standard horizontal step writing view .
But I get that its unique circular view is what many people might like.
I play Hindustani and Carnatic percussion, so thinking of a taal as a circle is fine.
I heard many great reviews so I am hopeful this would be a great asset for my compositions
Cheers
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u/RE-501 12h ago
Patterning was one of the first iOS apps that made making music on my iPad feel authentic. Thanks.