Drummer-1 ← Back to Docs

Advanced Features

Master groove, dynamics, micro-timing, and pattern building.

Velocity Curves

Velocity curves shape how dynamics are applied across your pattern, giving you control over the feel and energy.

Linear

Even velocity distribution. What you draw is what you get. Best for precise, consistent patterns.

Exponential

Emphasizes louder hits. Soft hits get softer, loud hits punch harder. Great for aggressive patterns.

Logarithmic

Emphasizes softer hits. Creates a more compressed, consistent feel. Good for subtle, nuanced patterns.

S-Curve

Boosts both extremes. Quiet hits become quieter, loud hits become louder. Maximum dynamic contrast.

Tip: Apply different velocity curves per track to create layered dynamics—e.g., punchy kicks with soft ghost snares.

Groove Templates

Groove templates apply micro-timing shifts that give patterns their characteristic feel. Access via the Track Editor's Groove tab.

Swing (Light)

Subtle shuffle feel. Delays off-beat notes slightly. Good for jazz, soul, and lo-fi hip-hop.

Swing (Medium)

Classic swing feel. Noticeable but natural shuffle timing. Works well for hip-hop and house.

Swing (Hard)

Heavy shuffle with pronounced off-beat delays. Creates a strong, bouncy feel.

Triplet

Triplet-based groove. Perfect for trap, R&B, and any track that needs that rolling triplet feel.

UK Garage 2-Step

Signature UK Garage timing with syncopated kicks and skippy hi-hat patterns. Essential for authentic garage and 2-step tracks.

Micro-Timing

Fine-tune individual hit timing for subtle humanization or intentional placement.

Per-Step Adjustment

Hold Option/Alt and drag a step left or right to shift its timing. Range is ±50ms from the grid position.

Per-Track Offset

Shift an entire track earlier or later relative to the grid. Use this to push kicks slightly ahead or pull snares back.

Humanize

Adds random timing variation within a defined range. Low values (5-10ms) add subtle life. Higher values (20-30ms) create a loose, human feel.

Tip: Try pushing your kick 5-10ms early while keeping snare on grid. This creates forward momentum without losing the pocket.

Euclidean Patterns

Generate mathematically-distributed rhythms based on Euclidean algorithms. Perfect for creating polyrhythmic textures.

How It Works

Euclidean rhythms distribute a number of hits as evenly as possible across a number of steps. For example:

  • • E(3,8) = 3 hits over 8 steps = Cuban tresillo rhythm
  • • E(5,8) = 5 hits over 8 steps = West African bell pattern
  • • E(7,16) = 7 hits over 16 steps = Complex polyrhythm

Hits

Number of active steps in the pattern. More hits = denser rhythm.

Steps

Total steps in the cycle. Can be different from the pattern length for polymetric effects.

Rotation

Shifts the pattern start point. Same rhythm, different downbeat. Great for finding variations.

Loading Custom Samples

Replace any sound in Drummer-1 with your own samples via the Track Editor's Sample tab.

Drag & Drop

Drag any WAV or AIFF file directly onto a track. The sample loads instantly with a visual waveform display.

Sample Lock

Enable the Lock toggle in the Sample tab to preserve your custom sample during pattern generation.

Sample FX

Each loaded sample has editable parameters:

  • • Gain: Volume level (-24 dB to +24 dB)
  • • Pitch: Pitch shift (-12 to +12 semitones)
  • • Low-cut: High-pass filter to remove low frequencies
  • • High-cut: Low-pass filter to remove high frequencies
  • • Saturation: Analog-style warmth and drive

MIDI Output

Route Drummer-1's patterns to other instruments or external hardware.

Enable MIDI Out

In Settings, enable "MIDI Output". Drummer-1 will send note data on the selected MIDI channel.

Note Mapping

By default, Drummer-1 uses General MIDI drum mapping. You can customize the note number for each track in Settings → MIDI → Note Map.

Use Cases

  • • Trigger external drum machines or modules
  • • Layer with other drum plugins
  • • Record patterns as MIDI in your DAW
  • • Process with different effects per sound

Ratchets & Probability

Add rhythmic complexity to individual steps with ratchets and probability controls. Right-click any active step to access these options.

Probability

Set per-step trigger probability to 100%, 75%, 50%, or 25%. Steps with reduced probability show a partial overlay, giving you visual feedback on which steps may be skipped during playback.

Ratchets

Set 1x (normal), 2x, 3x, or 4x subdivisions within a single step. Ratchet hits decrease in velocity for a natural roll effect. Active ratchets show small dots at the bottom of the step.

Tip: Use 2x or 3x ratchets on hi-hats for classic trap rolls, or set snare probability to 50% for ghost note variations.

Per-Step Lock

Lock individual steps to preserve them during pattern generation and randomization, giving you fine-grained control over which parts of a pattern are regenerated.

Locking Steps

Shift+Click any step to toggle its lock state. Locked steps display a purple border.

How It Works

Locked steps are preserved when generating new patterns, using the per-lane dice, or any operation that modifies steps. Lock state is saved with the session and works independently from per-track lock.

Tip: Lock your favorite kick and snare placements, then regenerate to find complementary hi-hat and percussion patterns.

Save & Load Drum Kits

Manage sample sets independently from patterns. Save your favorite sample and FX combinations as reusable kits.

Save Kit

Exports all 7 track samples and their FX settings (gain, pitch, EQ, saturation, attack, decay) as a .drumkit file. Kits are saved to ~/Library/DrummerOne/Kits/ by default.

Load Kit

Imports a .drumkit file, loading all samples and restoring FX settings. Kit files are portable and can be shared between users.

Stem Export

Export individual tracks as separate files for maximum mixing flexibility.

Export as Separate Stems

Enable the "Export as separate stems" toggle in the export panel. Each selected track is exported as an individual file (e.g., pattern_Kick.wav, pattern_Snare.wav). Works with both MIDI and audio formats. When disabled, exports a single mixed file as before.

Pattern Management

Save, organize, and recall your patterns efficiently.

Save Preset

Press ⌘S or use File → Save to save your current pattern. Name it something memorable.

Preset Folders

Organize presets into folders by project, genre, or style. Create folders in the preset browser.

Export MIDI

Use File → Export MIDI to save the current pattern as a .mid file. Includes all velocity and timing data.

Drag to DAW

Click and drag from the pattern display directly onto a MIDI track in your DAW. Instant export.

Need Help?

If you have questions or run into issues, we're here to help.

Email us at info@drummer-1.com