Rapid Composer 3.8: The Missing Manual

6. Working with Phrases

Last Modified:14. November 2020

6.1 On-track placement

There are 7 methods:

  • Create phrases directly on the track (Note Edit Mode, see Chapter 5.2)
  • Paste phrases from the clipboard (source: Phrase Editor)
  • Drag phrases as MIDI files from your desktop or a directory onto the track (all events are inserted as absolute notes)
  • Insert phrases by key command (see ▹ Settings > Keyboard Shortcuts > Track Headers
  • Insert phrases from the Phrase Inspector (see Chapter 6.3.2)
  • Insert phrases from the Phrase Browser:
    – Drag&Drop or
    – selection in browser and double click on target position.
  • Insert phrases from the Rhythm Browser:
    Rhythm phrases are mainly used for percussion instruments. For more information see chapter 6.2.2.

6.2 Musical Elements for Harmony, Melody and Rhythm

Harmonic and melodic elements such as melody and chord patterns, bass figures, arpeggios etc. can be found in the Phrase Browser. The Rhythm Browser, on the other hand, is intended for rhythmic patterns, especially for percussion instruments.

6.2.1 Phrase Browser: Managing Generators and Custom Phrases

The phrase browser of a fresh installation contains the Generators and User folders, each with a series of phrases. Under User there are some pre-installed sample phrases. Groups (or directories) can be opened or closed by clicking on the blue arrow.
Self-created or imported Custom Phrases are also managed in the Phrase Browser (Tip: In the Rapidcomposer User Forum, countless custom phrases are available as ▹ free downloads!). The storage location of the custom phrases and generator presets can be set under “Settings > Locations”.

A look at the ▹ the corresponding directory in the file system (Finder or Explorer) shows a similar structure.
A selected phrase is inserted into the composition by Drag&Drop or by double-clicking on the target position.

Phrase Browser

Operation:

Sort:
Sorting options can be specified in a dialog.
Preview (One Click Preview):
If the color is blue, the preview function is active. I.e. if you single-click on a phrase, it will be played with the currently selected chord. It may be changed in the Chord Selector. Click on the chord in the master track, then switch to the Chord Selector (see chapter 7.3.4). There under “Palette” adjust the preview chord as desired.
Chain:
Allows you to replace several selected phrases with a new phrase from the browser.
Reload:
The data is read in again and the database is updated, e.g. if new custom phrases have been added via the file system (e.g. Finder).
Show folders only:
Close all groups/folders.
Show all contents:
Open all groups/folders and show content.
Filter:
Filter by phrase types (e.g. generators).
Search:
Search for specific phrases in the browser.
Right Click A right click on a phrase or generator opens the ▹ corresponding context menu. In addition to a rough graphical overview, it offers the following actions:

  • Edit
    Open phrase in Pattern Editor.
  • Insert
    Insert into the track.
  • Remove
    Delete. If there is only one phrase in the folder, it will also be deleted.
  • Open Chord Selector for Preview
    Applying the phrase to different chords.
  • Tags
    File markers for sorting purposes.

6.2.2 Rhythm Browser

Rhythm BrowserThe Custom Rhythm Patterns in the Rhythm Browser contain ▹ MIDI information about the time grid and volume of the note events. Their storage location can be set under “Settings > Locations”. The special data format makes it possible to apply individual patterns to selected notes of a percussion instrument track. A drumset groove is created by ▹ combining several Custom Rhythm Patterns, just for example. In addition to applying it to individual notes, it is also possible to ▹ drag a rhythm pattern onto a generator phrase, to influence its groove.
The musical elements can be edited in the Phrase Editor (right click). New items can easily be added by drag&drop. Most generators offer the possibility to save the rhythm in the Phrase Inspector (Chapter 6.3.2: Generator properties).

Tip: innumerable Custom Rhythm Patterns are available for free download in the Rapidcomposer User Forum.

> Youtube-Video: Working with the Phrase Browser

6.3 Phrases on an Instrument Track

6.3.1 Basic Settings

Phrase Editing Modus (F1)

To work with phrases on an instrument track, the phrase editing mode (F1) must be activated (this is usually the default). Arrangement and management of musical snippets on a track in RC is similar to working with MIDI sequences in a standard DAW.

Edit Modes

Snap, Grid, Preview, Phrase Transpose, Phrase Resize

Snap, Grid, Preview, Phrase

Snap Step size for automatic snapping in
Grid Step size for the rhythmic grid
Preview
  • On: Click on a phrase to play it once
  • Off: No sound output on click
Phrase Transpose

Note: The following functions are only applicable if the content of the phrases consists of relative notes!

  • ▹ Notes
    When moving vertically upwards, the lowest note is transposed one octave upwards. If you move it downwards, the highest note is transposed one octave downwards. This changes the tonal pattern.
  • ▹ Phrase
    When moving a phrase vertically on a track, the individual notes jump to the next correct inversion. The tonal pattern is retained.
    Note: The term “transpose” is not correct in this case, it should rather be called “phrase inversion”.
  • ▹ Octave
    When moving vertically, the phrase is transposed one octave up or down, depending on the direction.
Phrase Resize
  • ▹ Scale
    When a phrase is stretched or compressed horizontally, all note lengths and positions are rescaled, i.e. adapted to the changed total length.
  • ▹ Repeat
    When a phrase is stretched with the option “repeat”, it is repeated accordingly.
  • ▹ Sustain
    When stretching a phrase with the option “sustain”, the last note is extended to the end of the phrase.
  • Regenerate
    The mechanism corresponds to the “Repeat” function. Regenerate must be used if the phrase is a generator.

6.3.2 Phrase Inspector: Managing Generators and Custom Phrases

Phrase Inspector

The Phrase Inspector opens when right-clicking on a track or phrase.

▹ Phrase – Object Properties: General

  • Settings for name, status (active or mute), phrase transpose (see chapter 6.4.2), articulation.

▹ Phrase – Object Properties: Size

  • Controls the phrase length in beats.

▹ Phrase – Object Properties: Chord

  • Input of
    – chord settings (Use Chord, Use Scale),
    – Phrase Magnet settings,
    – scale settings,
    that differ from the master track.
▹ Phrase – Object Actions

  • Insert
  • Fill
  • Cut, copy, paste
  • Duplicate
  • Repeat
  • Remove
  • Select
  • Convert to generator
  • Harmonize melody
  • Tempo and timing
  • Convert to absolute notes
  • Variations and voicings
  • Regenerate selected generators
  • Save
▹ Phrase – Generator Properties

Note: Generators create MIDI notes in real time according to predefined rules. Any changes are usually not made at note level but by editing the control parameters.

If the selected phrase is a Phrase Generator, the corresponding generator control panel opens in the Phrase Inspector after clicking the magic wand. This dialog is the preferred place to set or change the musical rules for the automatically generated MIDI notes in the selected section.

However, it is also possible to edit single notes of a generator phrase as described in chapter 5.2 (Phrase Editor). But this step needs to be well considered, because the special generator properties are lost and only note-related editing options are available from now on. (In this case, the phrase must first be transformed into a generator again, but this is possible in principle – see above: Object Actions).

There is a ▹ considerable selection of generators available for creating melodies, accompaniments and rhythms (Note: The Markov Melody Generator has to be activated under Settings). Some are relatively easy to use, such as Chord Generator or Arpeggiator. Others require a lot of training time due to their extensive adjustment possibilities.

Each control panel offers the possibility to save your own generator presets. These can then be found as an entry in the Phrase Browser and as a file in the corresponding directory on the hard disk.
▹ Phrase – Variations

Variations are non-destructive transformations (e.g. Swing, Quantize, Humanize) with adjustable parameters that are applied to whole tracks or to selected phrases. The variation selection is available

Different types of variations are available:

  • Volume/Dynamics, e.g.
    – Accents
    – Expression
    – Limiter
    – Velocity
  • Timing, e.g.
    – Swing
    – Quantize
    – Staccato/Legato
    – Humanize
  • Note Event Operations, e.g.
    – Add Interval
    – Mirror
    – Monophonic
    – Remove
    – Rests

6.3.3 Managing Phrases On The Track

Select
  • One click selects a phrase and deselects all others.
Select multiple
  • rubber band or
  • Shift+Click
Select all
  • Cmd+A
Deselect for all phrases
  • Cmd+D
Mute
  • Click on the small m in the upper left corner
  • Phrase Inspector > Object Properties > General
Rename
  • Phrase Inspector > Object Properties > General
  • Phrase Editor > Rename and Apply or Save to Phrase in Composition
Delete
  • Select and Backspace or Delete
  • Phrase Inspector (Object Actions)
Create a copy
  • Ctrl and drag
Create a Ghost Copy
Cut, copy, paste
  • Cmd+X
  • Cmd+C
  • Cmd+V
Split
  • Timeline Inspector: Object Actions (see chapter 3.3.1)
Stretch, Shrink
  • Click and drag: Phrase Resize (See Chapter 6.3.1)
Move horizontally
  • Click and drag, considering “Snap” and “Grid” (see Chapter 6.3.1)
  • Arrow keys left or right
Move vertically
  • Click and drag: Phrase Transpose (See Chapter 6.3.1)
  • Arrow keys left or right
Open Phrase Editor
  • Double-click on phrase
Open Phrase Inspector
  • Right click
  • Cmd+Click
Phrase Local History
  • For all generator phrases, ▹ version numbers are displayed at the upper right edge. If there is a number higher than 1 to the right of the slash, this indicates that several phrase variants are available. The list can then be scrolled using the arrow keys.
  • Create and manage additional variants:
    – Phrase Inspector > ▹ Generator Properties (magic wand),
    – Change options as required,
    – Regenerate!
    – Apply To Selection.
  • “Clear Local History”clears the cache.
Additional keyboard shortcuts
  • Settings > Keyboard Shortcuts > Workspace

6.4 Phrase Magnets

Phrase magnets are used to automatically modify musical material (e.g. chords, arpeggios or accompanying patterns) with the aim of ensuring the most balanced transitions possible. Phrases linked to each other are based either on the harmonic structure of their respective predecessors or on a previously drawn graphic (Phrase Envelope).
Phrase magnets have no effect on absolute notes.

A magnet can have three properties:

Deactivated, the phrase is free to move.
Activated, the phrase is automatically linked to its predecessor.
Activated, the vertical position is oriented to a previously drawn line (Phrase Envelope).

There are four inspection points:

  • ▹ Right-click on a magnet (selection menu for magnet modes),
  • Phrase Inspector > Object Properties > Chord,
  • Track Inspector > Object Actions > Change Mangnet,
  • Master Track (Track Header).

6.4.1 Automatic Transformations in Chained Phrases

6.4.2 Transformations Along a Drawn Line (Phrase Envelope)

To draw lines, ▹ Phrase Envelope Editing must be activated. Start, angle and end points are inserted by double-clicking, the envelope lines extend between them.

Three modes are available for harmonic transformations along graphics:

6.5 Phrase Morphing

This procedure enables musically useful transitions between different phrases, e.g. from arpeggio to chord patterns. RC analyzes the source and target phrases and creates musical material for the gap between them. The larger the area to be filled, the smoother the transition.

RC offers two possible workflows.

6.5.1 Phrase Morphing via Phrase Inspector

6.5.2 Phrase Morphing via Phrase Browser