Definition
A groove template is a saved timing-and-velocity profile, extracted from a performance or a classic machine, that can be applied to other parts to give them the same feel.
Example
Extract a groove template from an old drum-machine pattern and it captures exactly how late each off-beat sits and how loud each step plays. Apply that template to a stiff hi-hat line and the line inherits the original's lope without you editing a single note.
Why it matters
Swing alone only delays off-beats by a uniform amount. Real grooves are uneven in more complex ways. Groove templates store that full fingerprint, letting you transfer the feel of a beloved record or drummer onto your own parts and keep an entire project rhythmically consistent.
How to play or configure
Most DAWs and grooveboxes can extract a template from a MIDI clip or audio loop, then offer it in the quantize menu. Apply it at partial strength so your part bends toward the groove without fully losing its own character. Build a small library of templates you trust and reuse them across tracks so the whole arrangement breathes together.
Related terms
Further reading
Why your drums sound robotic explains groove templates in context.