Looking to build a drum/step sequencer

[illumin]

Hey guys....first post as semi-new M53 user. I got M53 earlier in the year as a new toy and really love the structure of it. It really makes sense to me. Shortly after I got Komplete 8 mostly for Kontakt to play some 3rd party libraries since there really aren't any orchestral ones yet for M5, but now I'm back to fiddling inside of M5.

I'm decent with building synths in here from the ground up, but I'd like to explore a little more now using the included scripts. I have no idea how to write scripts from scratch though I might dive into that soon to have learning as I understand some basic programming in general.

As a first project, I'd like to build a drum machine inside of M5 with its drum synth, pretty much like the UES DrumShaper but again, just using the drum synth as the sound generator rather than samples, but I haven't a clue really how to go about other than the following:

- how or what do I use for the sequencer part? (so part I've used the arpeggiator and I think that might work to but as a drum sequencer, I think the arpeggiator is easier for the steps)
- how do I create a start/stop play button that will launch the sequencer without needing to actually hit a key on the keyboard? and additionally how to start play so that a note is already playing when each step of the arpeggiator is on?
- I've figured creating a keygroup and assigning its key range to a single note, ie. C1 for Kick, C2 for Snare, etc.
- also, how would I go about creating pattern banks?

Is this something I can achieve with just the tools in M5, or do I actually need to do some actual script writing? I've been slowly referring to the machfivescript page from the uvi and motu links. I'm just wondering if this is going to require far more time and experience than I'm assuming, because if so, I really won't go that far into. Just wanted to try something new with the tools I already have. Any info or referring in a good direction would be awesome. I know there is BPM, but I was hoping do something basic like the UES DrumShaper for fun. Thanks!

- Tim