Random self generative compositions

wub · Post by **wub** » Sat Mar 22, 2014 5:45 pm

Have been messing with random generating music for a while now. A lot of the pieces I sketch with on the day to day are based on running random trigger VST effects over drum loops, maybe some automation, then arpeggiator and random tone granulizer triggers over basic synth patches to give some melody. Often I find myself just setting play on these and sitting back for 20mins to see what happens. Set some of the effects to be velocity driven from a certain input, the input itself randomised so that the effect trigger is in flux.

Are there any random sequence generating VSTs, techniques or otherwise that people are using?

The issue I'm finding is that stuff evolves too much. Once I get to a certain level of random, it'd be preferable to be able to lock off into a more consistent loop to give me something to work with. But that just seems to smack of laziness almost, and goes against what this concept is about. Concept or idea, I'm not sure which to use. Concept always seems pretentious, they're largely the same so we'll stick with idea.

The idea is that you have something in place with instruments and samples and VSTs and automation in place for a set number of bars (256 as an arbitary amount, so @ 140bpm that'd be 3.4seconds per bar, so 256 x 3.4 into base 60 would be 14...no that just doesn't look right, we'll deal with numbers later) and just press play. Something to capture the output the other side, Edison as standard, put a limiter on the master just in case some ping pong delay gets into the mix somehow and we have a risk of speaker damage, then sitting back and see what comes of it.

Not entirely leaving things alone though. A bank of effects (filter/delay/reverb/etc) are assigned and those can then be adjusted manually as the track plays to give it some semblance of rhythm. Again, does this detract from the self automating crux of the idea, I guess it might to an extent but for the purposes of what I'm trying to achieve here that's nominal.

This is really just thinking out loud, or at least putting my words down so I can put some things together a bit clearer. Examples to follow, probably more updates to this opening rant as well as the things develops.

outbound · Post by **outbound** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 6:58 am

This sounds interesting mate, look forward to hearing examples

SunkLo · Post by **SunkLo** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 12:08 pm

You can put your midi randomization devices on a separate track so you can record the midi before it goes into your sound generators. Then if you nail something good, you actually have midi data that you can tweak and duplicate instead of just a raw idiosyncratic audio clip.

karmacazee · Post by **karmacazee** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 3:20 pm

SunkLo wrote:You can put your midi randomization devices on a separate track so you can record the midi before it goes into your sound generators. Then if you nail something good, you actually have midi data that you can tweak and duplicate instead of just a raw idiosyncratic audio clip.

Great idea!

sunny_b_uk · Post by **sunny_b_uk** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 3:19 pm

Iv been working on a VSTi for a couple years, strongly to do with randomisation, allowing the person to randomise any section of the synth (waveforms, parameters etc) but lol tbf no idea when il finally finish, nearly here though.
For random sequencing try Sugarbytes Thesys or better yet the VFX key mapper in Patcher (or have you not upgraded to FL 11?)

wub · Post by **wub** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 3:20 pm

Nope, still on FL8.

Though having trouble getting it to load Valhalla Shimmer (it recognises the VST is there after a scan, but won't load it) so could well be time for a new computer and upgrade to 11

sunny_b_uk · Post by **sunny_b_uk** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 3:26 pm

Fair enough maybe try Sugarbytes Thesys, its decent and can spew out some catchy stuff. Most other things iv tried are a bit too random in the VST world
@Sunklo thats a neat idea, never thought of that

wub · Post by **wub** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 3:32 pm

99€ though, might review some videos online and think about it for next month. Like the possibilities of having it triggering MIDI off my outboard devices randomly though.

_ronzlo_ · Post by **_ronzlo_** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 5:36 pm

Mixtikl and Noatikl FTW.

intermorphic.com

I love aleatory music.

wub · Post by **wub** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 5:39 pm

_ronzlo_ wrote:Mixtikl and Noatikl FTW.

intermorphic.com

I love aleatory music.

Are there VSTs for these, or app form only?

_ronzlo_ · Post by **_ronzlo_** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 5:52 pm

VST & AU (not to mention intercompatible versions for Android and IOS.)

Seriously, it's the shit once you learn how to use it.

Random self generative compositions

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