Random rhythm generator

This dialog generates rhythms from some kind of statistical specification. You define probabilties for timing, velocity and note-length and from these the rhythm is generated.

The three sliders you specify the meter and (with # Bars) how many probabilities you want to define. Next, you can add or remove instruments to the listbox. Then you specify the probabilities for rhythm, velocity and length for each instrument. Probabilities are set with the mouse where

• left button: draw some kind of curve
• right button: clear values to zero
• + shift: adjust all values simultanously
• + ctrl: adjust exactly one value

In the rhythm field you specify the probabilities for every time position. A high value means a high probability that the instrument is played definitely at that time. A low value means, that the instrument may be played at that time. By adjusting high values only, you can specify a definite rhythm without any randomization.

The velocity (and length) values are looked up by the generator, whenever it decides to play a beat. It chooses one value from 1..127 (x-axis, 1..8 for length) where positions with high probabilities are choosen more often.

If the choosen length is greater than 1 step, there are no more events generated until the note quits, even if there are high probabilities in the rhythm field. You can abuse this, to make shure that there are not too many events generated (example: you have rhythm probabilities at step 4 and 5, but you want exactly one beat to be played at either of these. Specifying a length of 2 will do this, if step 4 is choosen, there cannot be an event on step 5).

I had the best results with the following: I define every instrument twice. In the first definition, I select high probabilities on a few timing positions together with high velocities, this makes the base groove - it is loud and does not change very much. In the second definition, I have little probabilities on many timing positions with a low velocity, this makes randomized background fills, which make the whole thing more interesting and that do not override the base groove because of the low velocity.

Aside from drums there are some special 'Instruments' you can select:

Controller

opens another dialog to select a controller. Randomizing works the same like with drum keys except that instead of velocity the controller value is generated. With this, you may generate for example random panpot events that move the sound between left and right speaker or, in conjunction with the Parts Menu, you can generate many different randomized sound effects.

Pianowin Buffer

places the events currently in the pianowin cut/paste buffer. You could eg copy a chord into the buffer an then replicate it on random timing positions.

Harmony: chord, harmony: bass

only available, if the harmony browser is opened and a chord sequence is defined. Places the selected chords or bass note randomly.

To generate, you select some bars on one track in the trackwin and press the gen button.