Drum Pattern Builder: Write a 16-Step Beat in Seconds
Sixteen steps make one bar, and placing kicks, snares, and hats on them is how beats are built. This builder writes the grid for you.
What is the Drum Pattern Builder?
Drum patterns are easiest to read as sixteen steps in a bar. Pick a style and tempo and this tool writes out kick, snare, and hi-hat steps, plus the step length in milliseconds. In the browser the pattern is shown as a playable grid description; outside the browser the same pattern text is given, so nothing depends on audio.
How to use it
- Enter your values in the fields provided.
- Click Build Drum Pattern.
- Read the result and adjust an input if you want a different outcome.
Worked example
A rock pattern at 120 BPM has 125 ms steps and a 2000 ms bar, with kick on steps 1, 5, 9, and 13.
What is the step length of a rock beat at 120 BPM?
One beat at 120 BPM is 500 ms, and a sixteenth-note step is a quarter of that, 125 ms, so a 16-step bar lasts 2000 ms.
Frequently asked questions
What do I enter to get a result?
Fill in every field with your own numbers or choices, then run the tool. Empty number fields count as zero, so check them before you trust the output.
Can I reuse this result elsewhere?
Yes. The result is calculated in your browser from the values you entered, so you can copy the numbers into your own notes or plan.