It also includes presets for chord progressions, allowing you to generate random chords and sequences inside a set progression. It automatically generates unpredictable but always musical variations by randomly assigning parameters based on the restrictions that you program in. This tool builds chord progressions and chord progression patterns using user-triggered randomization, just like the other two Audiomodern plugins. The sequences can also be infinite as well, allowing for intricate jam sessions. You can set the quantization settings and even quickly transpose the whole sequence. It allows for easy MIDI export as well, allowing you to take your patterns to trigger any MIDI-capable device or plugin you own. You can have it modulate and generate different pitches, volume, velocities, and note duration. It has 53 different Eastern and Western scales that it will generate depending on the key of your song, and you can set the number of root notes to hone in the theme of the pattern. Riffer is like Playbeat, except it does it with melody and basslines. Then you can go in and add or subtract whatever elements you want to get it sounding fresh. There are also no limits to the length of the sequences – you can make an infinitely long sequence and write an entire generated percussion section. No problem, you can randomize only the velocity. So let’s say you’re happy with the steps on it, but want a little more variation on the velocity of the drum hits. What’s great about Playbeat is that you can randomize any aspect individually, not all at once. You can import your own sounds, and use its capabilities to generate some patterns that have never existed before. Instead of drawing in your notes (which you can do too), it generates patterns using algorithms and randomization that modulate its steps, pitch, volume, and more. Playbeat isn’t a normal drum step sequencer. I use these plugins in over 90% of my pieces ever since I got it. They have one specific to melody and basslines (Riffer), one for percussion (Playbeat), and one for chords (Chordjam). Then if you add some effects to it, and randomize the parameters on the MIDI clip, you will have one of the best generative sequencers, especially for the price.Īudiomodern creates excellent sequencer plugins that focus on algorithmic generation. While not a pure generative sequencer, Ableton’s MIDI clip has evolved into allowing for other functions, like complex automation, expression, generation, transposition, and other features that were more difficult to program on hardware sequencers. Sure, on many of the machines, you can use these features, but not after pressing a set of keys and processes to open up the interface, which often wasn’t graphically represented in an obvious way – well, at least not as obvious as Ableton’s. It came about as a representation of its hardware predecessors, which sometimes were cumbersome in their programming of multi-note, polyrhythmic sequences, with varying velocities, volumes, and other dynamics such as the sample’s envelope.
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My Favorite Sequencers For Electronic MusicĪbleton’s MIDI clip is the sequencer that we are all the most familiar with. That’s because sequenced sounds, despite being programmatic, can be diverse, lively, and unpredictable in a way that mimics a human. Popp, jazz, avant-garde and electronic music have a good ratio of elements that are repetitive and sequenced, despite them sounding different from one another. If you want to stay fresh and keep having new ideas, it’s important that you start digging into sequencing, especially the ones that I consider the best generative sequencers. Sequencers Provide Ideas And Keep Things Fresh And the best generative sequencers provide this sort of freedom and inspiration. My favorite sequencers for electronic music are virtual session musicians, at their core. Or they function in a more generative way by mimicking a living instrumentalist that improvises and has its own input on the music. They’re used for notation, where you use them as a robot to play the digital “sheet music” you write.
![favorite step sequencer ableton favorite step sequencer ableton](https://ableton-production.imgix.net/tours/push/header-making-beats.jpg)
To compensate for these shortcomings, we have tools at our disposal. It’s irrational for us to be able to play every instrument that goes into our track or even have all the ideas for the said instrument. In electronic music, we’re responsible for many aspects of a song. They are often being able to think of the idea in their head long before they are able to manifest it on their instrument.
![favorite step sequencer ableton favorite step sequencer ableton](https://musictech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Granulator-II-Main-Instrument@1400x337.jpg)
They practice for years to fill one aspect of the mix. These individuals are responsible for the melody, the harmony, the rhythm, and their timbral aspects.Ĭompare this to a band where you have individuals taking on each one of these rolls. One thing that distinguishes electronic music from other genres of music is that it’s a full-spectrum composition that’s usually done by one, or two people.