PatternMachine is a rhythm-focused software groovebox built around classic drum machines, synth patterns and song arranging. Runs in the browser, as a desktop app for macOS, Windows and Linux, and as a plug-in inside Logic Pro.
Website: patternmachine.tongatron.org · Desktop app · Logic plug-in · Guide · The machines
- Overview
- Features
- Desktop app
- Logic Pro plug-in
- MIDI and DAW integration
- Screenshots
- Repository layout
- Credits
PATTERN-MACHINE is a step drum machine styled after the front panel of the E-mu SP-1200. Pick a machine, generate a beat in the style you want, edit it step by step, chain patterns into a song and take it to your DAW as MIDI, WAV, MP3 or a ready-made project folder.
It comes in three forms that share the same interface:
| Runs on | Adds | |
|---|---|---|
| 🌐 Website / PWA | any modern browser, including phones | nothing to install; can be installed as a web app |
| 🖥️ Desktop app | macOS, Windows, Linux | virtual MIDI port, sync to the DAW's MIDI Clock, drag-and-drop into the DAW timeline, projects as files, offline use, custom sample kits |
| 🎛️ Logic plug-in | Logic Pro (AU) and other hosts (VST3) | plays inside an instrument track, sample-accurate with the host transport, state saved with the Logic project |
E-mu SP-1200 (16-bit and the original 12-bit samples), Yamaha RX-5, Roland TR-808, TR-909, TR-707, TR-727, TR-606, CR-78, CR-8000, Linn LinnDrum, Oberheim DMX, E-mu Drumulator, Sequential DrumTraks and Simmons SDS-V. Switching machine maps every row to the closest sound. Each machine shows its maker, year and specs, and the machines page covers the history of each one with photos and Wikipedia links.
- 67 styles in 10 families: punk, post-punk, classic drum machines, alternative, hip hop / dance / latin, reggae / dub, breakbeat / DnB, soul / disco / afro, heavy rock / metal, electronic / club.
- One-click variations, automatic fills and a library that suggests 8 patterns whenever you change style.
- Import patterns from text (PatternTXT format) or MIDI.
- 8, 16 or 32 steps, 40–240 BPM, swing, humanize, per-track nudge, polyrhythms, choke groups.
- Every hit can be normal, accent or ghost note.
- Per-step probability, ratchets, flam, pitch, decay and filter.
- Live recording from the pads or the keyboard (
1 2 3 4 · Q W E R · A S D F · Z X C V), 80 levels of undo. - Metronome that also runs with the transport stopped, so you can play along to a click without a beat.
Chain patterns into blocks (verse, chorus, fill…), each with its own repeats. Drag blocks to reorder them, start playback from any point on the timeline or solo a single block.
| Format | What you get |
|---|---|
| MIDI (pattern or song) | General MIDI (36 kick, 38 snare, 42/46 hi-hats) or the Logic SP-1200 kit mapping; tempo, swing and ratchets included |
| WAV and stems | full mix and separate tracks, aligned to bar 1 |
| MP3 | for listening and sharing, works in every browser |
| DAW package | a folder ready for Logic Pro, Ableton Live, REAPER and other DAWs |
| Project / link | project JSON and a shareable link |
Download it from the app page (requires a site account).
| In the browser | In the app |
|---|---|
| Export a zip, unzip it, import it into the DAW | Drag ⠿ MIDI or ⠿ WAV straight onto the DAW timeline |
| No live MIDI output | Virtual MIDI port "PatternMachine": patterns play Drum Kit Designer, Drum Machine Designer or any instrument, and pad hits can be recorded in the DAW |
| Play and tempo set by hand | Follows the DAW's MIDI Clock: play, stop, continue, cycles and tempo |
| Projects synced with your account (on the server, the same in every browser) | Projects as files in ~/Music/PatternMachine/Projects, synced with the same account after signing in; exports in ~/Music/PatternMachine/Export |
| Needs a network connection | Works fully offline, with all the sounds |
You can also import your own drum machines from a folder or zip of samples (WAV, AIFF, MP3, OGG, FLAC, M4A).
| Platform | Build | Status |
|---|---|---|
| macOS | Apple Silicon, macOS 12+ | tested |
| Windows | x64 installer | untested |
| Linux | x64 AppImage | untested |
The builds are not signed with a commercial certificate, so the first launch needs the usual confirmation
(right-click › Open on macOS, "More info › Run anyway" on Windows, chmod +x on Linux).
PATTERN-MACHINE on a Logic instrument track: press Play in Logic and the patterns play in time from the right bar, with no MIDI clock to set up.
- Sample-accurate sync with Logic's transport, tempo changes, cycles and jumps.
- Audio goes through the Logic channel strip, so effects, mixer and automation work, as do real-time and offline bounces.
- The project is saved inside the Logic project and plays even with the plug-in window closed.
- Incoming MIDI notes on the track trigger the rows (C1 = row 1, as on MPK pads).
- Several instances, one row each: duplicate the track and pick a single row (BD, SD, HH…) per instance to get each drum on its own mixer channel.
Download it from the plug-in page. To add it in Logic: new Software Instrument track › Instrument slot › AU Instruments › Tongatron › PatternMachine.
The desktop app's PatternMachine virtual port works with Logic Pro, Ableton Live, REAPER, FL Studio, Cubase, Bitwig, Studio One and any DAW that sees system MIDI ports.
| To… | Use |
|---|---|
| play the DAW's drum instruments | app › MIDI output (channel 10, or one channel per row) |
| follow the DAW's tempo and transport | DAW › send MIDI Clock (+ Start/Stop, Song Position) to PatternMachine, app › Follow DAW clock |
| play inside a track, sample-accurate | the AU / VST3 plug-in |
| work offline | export General MIDI, WAV or stems |
Quick settings for the most common DAWs:
| DAW | Setting |
|---|---|
| Logic Pro | Project Settings › Synchronization › MIDI: send MIDI Clock to PatternMachine |
| Ableton Live | Preferences › Link/Tempo/MIDI: enable Sync on the PatternMachine output |
| REAPER | enable PatternMachine as a MIDI device and select it as the MIDI Clock output |
| Cubase | Project Synchronization Setup › MIDI Clock destinations: enable PatternMachine |
| FL Studio | MIDI settings: enable the PatternMachine output and send master sync |
| Bitwig / Studio One | enable PatternMachine as a MIDI Clock and Start/Stop destination |
Step-by-step instructions are in the guide.
| Song arranger | Dark theme |
|---|---|
 |
 |
| The machines | Desktop app downloads |
|---|---|
 |
 |
| Path | Contents |
|---|---|
site/ |
the website: drum machine, pattern engine, guide, machines page, PWA, samples |
desktop/ |
desktop app for macOS, Windows and Linux (notes) |
plugin/ |
Logic Pro plug-in, AU / VST3 (notes) |
SP 1200/ |
original SP-1200 samples and pad mappings |
legacy/ |
early standalone pages: the first toolkit and the single-file SP-1200 |
tests/ |
engine and site checks |
To try the site locally, serve the site folder with any static server:
python3 -m http.server 8765 --directory site