| name | Pattern Design |
| description | Use this skill when structuring tracker songs - pattern layout, song structure, efficiency, and loop design.
**Trigger phrases:** "song structure", "pattern layout", "order table", "loop point", "how many patterns", "verse chorus", "song form"
**Load references when:**
- Genre-specific templates → `references/genre-templates.md`
- Loop point techniques → `references/loop-techniques.md`
For effect usage, use `tracker-fundamentals`.
For format-specific details, use `xm-format` or `it-format`.
|
| version | 1.1.0 |
Pattern Design
Core Concepts
Pattern vs Order Table
Patterns: Unique musical content (A, B, C, D)
Order Table: Sequence of pattern playback
Order: [0, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 2, 3, 0]
[A, B, B, C, B, B, C, D, A] ← Song structure
Result: A plays once, B twice, C once, B twice again, etc.
Key insight: Reuse patterns via order table. Never duplicate pattern content.
Standard Lengths
| Length | Rows | Use Case |
|---|
| Short | 32 | Fills, transitions |
| Standard | 64 | Verses, choruses (default) |
| Extended | 128 | Long sections (rare) |
Rows per beat: At speed 6, BPM 125: 4 rows = 1 beat, 16 rows = 1 bar
Song Structures
Loop-Based (Game Background Music)
Order: [0, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 2, 3]
↓ ↓←loop back←←←←↓
Pattern 0: Intro (plays once)
Pattern 1: Main A (verse)
Pattern 2: Main B (chorus/variation)
Pattern 3: Transition (leads back to 1)
Restart Position: 1 (skip intro on loop)
Linear (Cutscenes, Jingles)
Order: [0, 1, 2] (End command at pattern 2's end)
No restart - one-shot playback
Pattern Budget
| Song Length | Patterns | Order Length |
|---|
| 30s loop | 2-3 | 4-6 |
| 1min loop | 4-5 | 8-12 |
| 2min loop | 6-8 | 16-24 |
The 4-Pattern Song: Most simple tracks need only 4 patterns:
- Pattern 0: Intro
- Pattern 1: Verse/Main
- Pattern 2: Chorus/Variation
- Pattern 3: Bridge/Breakdown
Section Templates
Intro Pattern
Rows 0-15: Sparse (drums only, or ambient pad)
Rows 16-31: Add bass
Rows 32-47: Add melody fragment
Rows 48-63: Build to full groove
Main/Verse Pattern
Rows 0-15: Full groove established
Rows 16-31: Groove continues
Rows 32-47: Melodic content
Rows 48-63: Lead into next section
Chorus Pattern
Rows 0-15: Impact! Full energy
Rows 16-31: Hook melody prominent
Rows 32-47: Hook develops
Rows 48-63: Prepare transition
Loop Point Design
Seamless Loop Requirements
- Harmonic continuity - Last chord leads to first
- Rhythmic continuity - Beat doesn't skip
- Timbral continuity - Same instruments active
- Dynamic continuity - Similar volume levels
Last 8 Rows Preparation
Row 56: Start volume fades (A08)
Row 58: Drum fill or transition start
Row 60: Clear held notes
Row 63: Clean state for loop
Setting Restart Position
module = XmModule(
restart_position=1,
)
64-Row Grid Reference
Rows | Bar | Beat | Content
--------|-----|------|--------
0-15 | 1 | 1-4 | Phrase A
16-31 | 2 | 1-4 | Phrase A (variation)
32-47 | 3 | 1-4 | Phrase B
48-63 | 4 | 1-4 | Phrase B + transition
Drum Grid (4-on-floor)
Row | Beat | Kick | Snare | HH
----|------|------|-------|----
0 | 1.1 | X | | X
4 | 1.2 | | | X
8 | 1.3 | | X | X
12 | 1.4 | | | X
16 | 2.1 | X | | X
...
Anti-Patterns
| Bad | Good |
|---|
| 20 near-identical patterns | 5 patterns with order repetition |
| Duplicate pattern to change 2 notes | Use sub-patterns or effects |
| Song just cuts and restarts | Fade out, fill, harmonic resolution |
| 256-row sparse patterns | 64-row patterns, order for length |
Reference Files
references/genre-templates.md - Complete templates for dance, ambient, boss battle, etc.references/loop-techniques.md - Advanced loop point techniques, fills, transitions
