Loops and scratch
Repeat sections and beatgrid loops, hold rhythmic rolls, and play the waveform by hand or with scratch patterns.
On this page
Grit offers several ways to repeat or reshape a phrase. Section-end Loop repeats an entire section. Numbered loop pads repeat a beatgrid range. Roll repeats a short slice while the song continues underneath. Scratch lets your hand or a keyboard pattern move through the audio.
Loop a chosen number of bars#
The eight loop pads are labelled ⅛, ¼, ½, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16. Their values are bars, so ¼ means one beat in a four-beat bar.
- Start a prepared deck and move to the phrase you want to repeat.
- Click a pad to engage a loop at that length.
- Click a different pad to resize the loop around its existing anchor.
- Click the lit pad to exit the loop.
On a stopped deck, a pad preselects the length; it does not start playback. A queued loop change is shown before it becomes active. If a pad reports that the loop is unavailable, choose a shorter length or a position with a complete beatgrid. Review incorrect timing in Preparing tracks.
To repeat the whole launched section instead, choose the section-end Loop control or press B. This is useful for a chorus or instrumental passage whose length is already defined by the section boundaries.
Hold a roll#
Hold one of these shortcuts on the focused, playing deck:
| Shortcut | Roll length |
|---|---|
| Shift+A | 1 bar |
| Shift+S | ½ bar |
| Shift+D | ¼ bar |
| Shift+F | ⅛ bar |
| Shift+G | 1/16 bar |
| Shift+H | 1/32 bar |
| Shift+J | 1/64 bar |
Release the key to restore the mixer’s Roll setting. If the Roll knob is off, this returns to the track running underneath. Use progressively shorter lengths for a fill before the next phrase.
The mixer’s Roll knob stays engaged after you change it. Drag or scroll to choose a length, then Option-click or double-click to turn it off. Keep this distinction in mind when a repeated slice continues after you release the keyboard.
Scratch by hand#
Enable Scratch on a deck, then drag its waveform horizontally. Your direction and speed determine the sound. Holding the waveform still holds the audio; release it to hand playback back to the deck.
- Pin keeps the current audio excerpt and grab position for repeatable gestures.
- Slip returns you to the track running underneath when you release. With Slip off, playback resumes from the scratch cursor.
- 1×, 2×, and 4× change waveform zoom. Release the waveform before changing zoom.
In Perform, Space controls the deck’s transport. Hold Shift+Space for a momentary cut, with or without Scratch. Escape releases the scratch hand and cut. These shortcuts apply to performance controls; text fields and preparation editors retain their own keyboard behavior.
Play scratch patterns#
Hold Shift plus a key to play a built-in pattern:
| Key | Pattern | Key | Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q | Baby | T | Two-click Flare |
| W | Chirp | Y | Crab |
| E | Transformer | U | Tear |
| R | Flare | I | Scribble |
The first press enables Scratch and prepares its excerpt if needed. Release the pattern key to stop; pressing another pattern replaces the current one. Hold Shift+O for half speed or Shift+P for double speed. Release the rate key to return to normal, or hold it before the pattern key to start at that rate.
Try a short vocal syllable with Acap selected. Pin it, choose whether Slip should return to the underlying song, then alternate a pattern with the momentary cut. See Stems and mixer for choosing the audio parts you scratch.