This week I decided to learn about creating generative music in Ableton Live.
Here is the finished project:
I started with the techniques from class, like the arpeggiator set on random. I wanted to see how far I could push creating an identity for a piece that had no set length while being non-linear.
I wanted to keep the bass going almost the entire time. I used a C minor triad with an additional C above. I selected the notes and changed the “Chance” value to 29%. This means that every time it loops there is a 29% chance that each note will play.
To give variety I set up a Drum Rack that played samples randomly. Using the same idea as the bass part I set all the drum pads to a 12% chance to play every loop.
For more variety, I made a few blank clips in the Session View utilising “interior pathing” between blocks within a track:
The main “melody” is interesting. I decided that to create theme and variations by manipulating the “Chance” value to allow notes to play or not.
I used another feature to generate more interest, this patch uses physics to generate keyboard presses. By adding this we created more interest outside of the main melody line.
I used randomness in the filtering and effects to create tension:
The LFO (set to random) controlled the feedback of the echo to create glitchy effects.
While I’ve used lots of randomisations, it is within a few defined rules, so it’s familiar yet different with each iteration. I can see value in creating versions with different start values.
I feel that this type of composition would be suited to RPGs because it can create an infinite track, and you never hear the same thing twice. Good for a genre of game that can have 80+ hours of gameplay.