BreakPal (Breakbeat Palette) is a Renoise tool designed to transform a source phrase into a comprehensive library of chops and phrases, enabling rapid song construction through automated pattern generation and manipulation.

Special shout out to esaruoho(https://github.com/esaruoho) and erlsh(https://github.com/dethine) from the TRACKERCORPS and Renoise Discord servers for their inspiration and feedback!

1. Note Division Generation

   • Takes your source phrase and creates multiple versions at different note divisions
   • Automatically segments the source into halves, quarters, and eighths
   • Allows quick access to specific portions of your source phrase
   • Generated phrases maintain all sample and effect data from the source

2. Breakpoint Pattern Generation

   • Uses slices tagged with "Breakpoint" to reordered breaks
   • Automatically identifies and isolates sections between breakpoints
   • Creates all possible permutations of these breaks
   • Maintains timing relationships between breaks
   • Preserves groove and feel while reordering breaks
   • Supports complex arrangements by handling:
     • Timing transitions between sections
     • Delay value adjustments
     • Line number calculations
     • Volume relationships

3. Cycle-based Variations

   • Uses slices tagged with "Cycle" to create permutations
   • Rotates through all possible combinations of tagged slices
   • Creates variations for both the full source phrase and all note divisions
   • Maintains groove while providing rhythmic variations

4. Roll Pattern Generation

   • Works with pairs of similarly labeled slices (e.g., "Snare")
   • Requires one slice tagged as "Roll" (primary hit) and another as "Ghost Note" (secondary hit)
   • Generates multiple variations:
     • Volume curves (Linear, Logarithmic, Exponential)
     • Direction (Up/Down)
     • Effects (Upshift, Downshift, Staccato, Stretch, Backwards, Reversal)
   • Creates patterns at multiple timing divisions (1/2 to 1/64)

5. Shuffle Pattern Generation

   • Creates patterns using multiple pairs of labeled slices
   • Pairs must share the same label (e.g., "Snare", "Hi-Hat")
   • Combines slices tagged with "Shuffle" (primary) and "Ghost Note" (secondary)
   • Generates various shuffle patterns by combining multiple label pairs
   • Supports different time divisions and variations

6. Multi-Sample Roll Pattern Generation

   • Creates complex patterns using multiple samples of the same type
   • Supports roll and ghost note combinations
   • Includes templates for various rhythmic patterns
   • Generates timing variations for each pattern

7. Complex Roll Pattern Generation

   • Paradiddles and crossover patterns
   • Complex rolls and multi-instrument patterns
   • Templates for various drumming techniques
   • Supports inverted pattern variations

8. Beat Pattern Generation

   • Includes templates for various musical styles:
     • Latin (Samba, Afro-Cuban)
     • Afrobeat
     • Jazz
     • Funk
   • Creates patterns with multiple instruments
   • Supports complex rhythmic structures
   • Generates variations at different time divisions

9. Euclidean Rhythm Generation

   • Generates patterns based on the mathematical concept of Euclidean rhythms
   • Works with pairs of shuffle and ghost note slices
   • Includes templates for various Euclidean patterns:
     • Patterns from 2 to 11 pulses
     • Different step lengths (3 to 12 steps)
     • Multiple rotation variations for each pattern
   • Creates timing variations:
     • Normal speed
     • Half-speed versions
     • Double-speed versions
   • Automatically organizes patterns into separate instruments when needed
   • Maintains consistent naming conventions for easy navigation
   • Preserves volume relationships between shuffle and ghost hits

10. Break Pattern Symbol Editor

    • Provides a visual interface for creating complex break patterns using symbolic notation
    • Displays labeled sections of breaks with detailed timing information:
      • Line numbers and positions
      • Sample labels and types
      • Delay values in hexadecimal format
    • Supports flexible pattern creation through:
      • Base symbols (A-E) for direct break references
      • Composite symbols (U-Z) for pattern macros
      • Break string syntax for pattern sequencing
    • Features comprehensive syntax tools:
      • Pattern validation and error checking
      • Composite symbol resolution
      • Import/export of break patterns and macros
    • Maintains timing relationships:
      • Preserves original sample positions
      • Handles delay values between sections
      • Ensures smooth transitions between breaks
    • Streamlines break creation workflow:
      • Visual feedback for break composition
      • Real-time pattern validation
      • Direct phrase generation from break strings
    • Supports pattern reuse through:
      • Savable break string templates
      • Reusable composite symbol definitions
      • CSV import/export functionality

• Comprehensive tagging system with five main flags:
  • Breakpoint: Marks slices that define section boundaries for break pattern generation
  • Cycle: Marks slices for rotation in variation generation
  • Roll: Designates primary hits for roll patterns
  • Ghost Note: Marks secondary/quieter hits for both rolls and shuffles
  • Shuffle: Marks primary hits for shuffle patterns
• Supports standard drum labels (Kick, Snare, Hi-Hat, etc.)
• Labels are used to maintain logical pairing in pattern generation
• Import/Export functionality to save and reapply slice label data

1. Start with a source phrase in Renoise
2. Open BreakPal from the Tools menu
3. Label your slices:
   • Click "Label Slices"
   • Assign appropriate instrument labels to each slice
   • Set appropriate flags based on desired functions:
     • Use "Breakpoint" to mark section boundaries
     • Use "Cycle" for variation generation
     • Use "Roll" + "Ghost Note" pairs for roll patterns
     • Use "Shuffle" + "Ghost Note" pairs for shuffle and Euclidean patterns
   • Save your labels

After labeling, use the generation buttons in this recommended order:

1. Make Breaks:

   • Uses slices tagged with "Breakpoint"
   • Creates all possible break permutations
   • Maintains timing relationships

2. Create Phrases by Division:

   • Creates divisions of your source phrase
   • No labels required for this function
   • Forms the base for other generations

3. Modify Phrases with Labels:

   • Uses slices tagged with "Cycle"
   • Creates variations of both source and divided phrases

4. Make Rolls:

   • Works with "Roll" + "Ghost Note" pairs
   • Creates various roll patterns and variations

5. Make Shuffles:

   • Uses "Shuffle" + "Ghost Note" pairs
   • Combines multiple pairs for complex shuffle patterns

6. Make Complex Rolls:

   • Generates paradiddles and crossover patterns
   • Creates multi-sample roll variations
   • Includes multiple roll types and styles
   • Supports advanced rhythmic patterns

7. Make Beats:

   • Creates patterns for various musical styles
   • Generates multi-instrument patterns
   • Supports different time divisions

8. Make Euclidean Rhythms:

   • Uses "Shuffle" + "Ghost Note" pairs
   • Creates mathematically precise rhythmic patterns
   • Generates rotated variations
   • Includes timing variations (normal, half, double speed)

• Access generated patterns through the phrase editor
• Use the Z effect command in the pattern editor to trigger phrases
• Recall labels anytime using the "Recall Labels" button
• Import/Export labels for reuse across projects

The Symbol Editor provides a powerful interface for creating break patterns using a syntax inspired by L-Systems (Lindenmayer Systems). Just as L-Systems use simple rules to generate complex visual patterns, the Symbol Editor uses a simple string-based syntax to create intricate break patterns.

1. Base Symbols (A-E)

   • Each base symbol represents a labeled break section from your source material
   • Breaks are automatically identified using "Breakpoint" flags in the labeler
   • The editor displays the contents of each break using the format: [LINE]-[LABEL]-[DELAY]
   • Example: 04-KICK_-d00 represents a kick drum at line 4 with no delay

2. Composite Symbols (U-Z)

   • Function like production rules in L-Systems
   • Allow you to define reusable sequences of base symbols
   • Can contain any combination of base symbols (A-E)
   • Useful for creating recurring patterns or variations

3. Break String Syntax

   • Similar to L-System axioms and production rules
   • Combines base and composite symbols to define break patterns
   • Read left-to-right to determine break sequence
   • Examples:
     • ABCDE: Basic sequence of all breaks in order
     • AABAA: Repetition of first break with middle variation
     • UVWXY: Sequence using only composite symbols

1. Basic Patterns

Break String: ABCBA
Result: Palindrome pattern using breaks A through C

2. Composite Symbols

U = ABC
V = CBA
Break String: UVUV
Result: Alternating forward and reverse patterns

3. Complex Patterns

U = AABA
V = CCDC
Break String: UVVU
Result: Nested palindrome with variations

Just as L-Systems use:

• Axiom: Initial state
• Production Rules: Pattern generation rules
• Iterations: Rule application

The Symbol Editor uses:

• Break String: Initial pattern (like axiom)
• Composite Symbols: Reusable patterns (like production rules)
• Pattern Generation: Converting symbols to actual breaks

• Analyzes the currently selected phrase and displays detailed information:
  • Note data for each line
  • Instrument values
  • Distance between notes
  • Useful for understanding phrase structure before modification

• Available after pattern generation
• Displays a comprehensive list of created phrases with their:
  • Names
  • Index numbers
  • Pattern structure
• Helps navigate large sets of generated patterns
• Particularly useful when using the Z effect command in the pattern editor

• The roll and Euclidean pattern generation can be CPU-intensive
• On lower-end systems, you may need to:
  • Work with fewer samples
  • Dismiss any hanging or unresponsive dialogs during generation
  • Be patient during processing
• Consider generating one type of pattern at a time
• Large numbers of slices may affect UI responsiveness
• Limited to 4 breakpoints (5 breaks) per instrument and overflow not handled yet
• Euclidean patterns are automatically split across multiple instruments when they exceed 120 patterns

• Humanize notes toggle
• Refined note placement based on slice length
  • Option for best fit
  • Option for strict fit only
  • Option for trimmed fit
• Advanced menu for selecting which types to generate
• More Beat and Roll Types
• Additional Euclidean pattern templates
• Custom Euclidean pattern builder