SFX Editor: Allow pattern repeats of x number of times

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:54:29 UTC

Forgive me if this suggestion isn't applicable, I'm new to music creation in Picotron and still learning what can be done with it in general. I realise what I'm suggesting could probably be achieved with code, too.

Could we have a repeat counter so we may repeat patterns a certain amount of times and break out to the next pattern number? Perhaps like this:

Right now we have to copy/paste patterns that we want repeating a few times but not infinitely, which creates pattern duplicates and wastes pattern slots.

To keep backwards compatibility the repeat counter can default to empty (infinite) but when you add a number it counts down when played, eventually breaking out to the next pattern when it hits zero.

That way we can carry out this kind of example:
Intro (Pattern 00), verse (pattern 01), chorus (pattern 02), verse (pattern 01), chorus (pattern 02), outro (pattern 03)

For simplicity, the repeat point should go only to the most recent repeat start point. I realise this may still require some pattern duplication, but at least keeps things backwards compatible and simple.

I realise this may be moot now that we can open and jump to multiple sfx files with the recent update. If I'm understanding the changelog correctly, that effectively makes "infinite" song lengths possible? Though at least with these repeats users can have more wiggle room before going down the path of multiple sfx files.

@May Be A Cat's suggestion below of allowing full control of pattern order on a "song" creation screen is even better, if a little more extensive. I do remember such tools on the trackers of old on my Amiga. If I had to choose between shorter dev time to add my suggestion, or waiting even longer for @May Be A Cat's suggestion, I'd choose Cat's.

Diablothe2nd [Lexaloffle Blog Feed]

SFX Editor: Allow pattern repeats of x number of times