Steinberg Groove Agent 2 Manual

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Using the automation in Cubase SX
This and the following section give step by step instructions describ-
ing how you create a drum track in Cubase SX. However, similar pro-
cedures apply to most host applications, and you should consult your 
host’s documentation if you need further help.
Working with automation is perhaps the most straightforward method. 
If you’re not used to this approach, here’s a helpful guide to get the 
job done in Cubase SX.
1.Open Groove Agent in...

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Composing with Groove Agent’s Memory slots 
in Cubase SX
For more drastic changes, i.e. if you want to change style, kit and sound 
in one go, the Memory buttons come into play. Proceed as follows.
1.Open Groove Agent in your VST instruments rack. Prepare settings 
for the various parts of your song in Groove Agent and save those 
“snapshots” in different memory locations. You may want to use one 
snapshot for the first verse and another snapshot for the chorus etc.
2.From Groove...

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About the styles
Here’s a short description of each style, as expressed by the musicians 
themselves. Those styles that are new to Groove Agent 2 are marked 
with an asterisk (*). Please note that while the original 54 Groove Agent 
styles were closely related to years and the timeline, the new styles are 
not related to any years in particular. Example: “Vintage FR-3” is a sub 
style to “1981 Elektro”, not because it has a particular 1981 flavour, 
but because those old...

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*Bop
This busy jazzy style could easily be used in a small jazz combo, like pi-
ano, bass, drums and a solo instrument. A good choice when you 
want to make your version of one of the many jazz standards out there. 
So open up Real Book, hit the Run-button and play. MEB
1953 Paint
Sometimes there’s no need for regular, rhythmic drum playing. If you 
tell a drummer to “do something”, he or she will probably get into 
some sort of creative mood and start producing wonderful noises....

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1955 3/4
Here are a number of different styles that have the 3/4 signature in 
common. The complexity doesn’t go from easy to wild in this one. It’s 
more like a journey through different attitudes and emotions, all in 
“three quarter time”. For best results, set your sequencer’s time signa-
ture to 3/4. SB
* 6/8
One silly omission in the original edition of Groove Agent was that the 
6/8 style was missing. There are many lovely songs that need this kind 
of rhythm, songs...

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1959 Tom-Toms
This style is used in many different situations. With it’s origin in the 
1920’s, when Duke Ellington played “jungle music” in Harlem and then 
made totally unforgettable by Gene Krupa with the Benny Goodman 
Orchestra at Carnegie Hall playing “Sing, Sing, Sing” in 1938, this 
type of drumming is heard in almost every movie made reflecting the 
30’s and 40’s. RB
1960 Bossa Nova
The traditional Bossa Nova style is played with the sidestick on the 
snare drum. Activate...

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1963 Train Beat
This is a style where the drummer has to work hard with the snare 
drum. It works well in country and rock’n’roll songs and will give your 
music a “busy” feeling. PS
1964 Tamla
For this style I was inspired by the rock classic “Pretty Woman”. This 
rhythm was also frequently used by artists on the legendary Tamla 
Motown label. There can’t be a better way to start an up-tempo song, 
than with a snare drum pounding the beat! PS
1965 Soul
This style is...

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1968 New Orleans Funk
In the winter of 1968-69, great drummer Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste 
recorded the classic New Orleans R’n’B style tune “Cissy Strut” with 
funk pioneers The Meters. Zigaboo invented the characteristic funk 
groove often referred to as “the second line” style, very typical for The 
Meters’ groove. The Zigaboo grooves are (together with James Brown’s 
“Funky Drummer”) among the most sampled and recycled grooves in 
the history of modern Afro-American music. This...

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1971 Cajun
You no longer need to go “Deep down in Louisiana close to New Or-
leans” to get that spicy cajun feeling. Just tune in to Groove Agent’s 
1971 Cajun style, set your VSTi host to preferred 86 degrees, or… 
BPM, and get cooking! Add a pinch of accordion and a bouncing 
bass to the busy snare, and you’re off. Bon appetite! MK
1972 Bonzo
This style is, as the name suggests, to some extent inspired by the late 
great John Bonham of Led Zeppelin, perhaps the most...

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* Bombay Dance Hall
It’s the third millennium global dance hall beat. Could be London, 
could be Bombay, could be Sollentuna. It doesn’t really matter, as 
long as everybody is having a good time. Some artists marry this style 
to Reggae, others to Hip Hop. It’s all around and it’s up to you. Try 
adding or subtracting ambience to the different instruments to vary 
the sense of space. NE
* Roots
Roots, rock, reggae. The percussionist – playing big bottles and a 
vibra-slap – is...