Current Project Samples

The following samples were generated using the system developed by the e.r.g.. Following each sample is a description of the algorithmic compositional and design processes informing it.

Filler Beat

A filler beat track with drums and bass which was made after the rests issue was resolved. It demonstrates better syncopation.

Hiphop Beat with Instruments

This file shows what one of our program's algorithmically generated pieces can sound like after choosing some better-sounding software instruments in a DAW. Everything was determined by the program other than the instrument selection; all that had to be done was tell it to construct a hip-hop beat and it produced a three track MIDI file with drums, melody, and a bass. This is an example of how good the algorithmic compositions can sound after just a few minutes of a user picking some instruments of better quality than the standard general MIDI.

Trance Beat with Instruments

Likewise, this is a backing beat for a trance song that is 100% algorithmic other than a human selection of software instruments in a DAW.

Alberti

This file is an example of what a piece of music sounds like when it first comes out of the algorithmic music program. It is using the general MIDI instruments for playback. However, this same file could easily be imported into a DAW or a sheet music editor and the same MIDI info could be used to control, say, a more realistic-sounding piano. Notice how this particular piece's melody's coincidental resemblance to the beginning of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." This shows how the note selection for the melody is working in a song-like way (mostly stepwise motion and notes on strong beats are almost always consonant).

Simple Keyboard

This is an algorithmically generated simple keyboard piece in the style of a piece that would be played by a beginning student of the piano. This example also uses the general MIDI piano.

Randomly Generated Instruments

This is another algorithmically generated simple song, but for this one the program chose its own general MIDI instruments completely at random. Often times, this leads to some very strange instrument combination choices. This is one of the best pieces that it came up with when all choices were randomized.

Oompah

This algorithmic track uses an oompah style accompaniment. This is a song that uses general MIDI and resembles retro game music.

Random Rock

Here is an example of a randomly generated song that uses the general MIDI drums. This was made before the drums could make fills, so it is just using a basic looped drum beat.

Drums and Bass

Here is an example of the drums when they are making drum fills as well. The note selection for the bass needs improvement, but it is mostly doing its job.

Drums and Bass with Instruments

This is the same piece as above only with actual acoustic drum and upright bass samples.

Early Demo

This file demonstrates a bit about how the algorithmic music program works. It begins by figuring out the chord progression. From there, it figures out what the rhythm of the melody line will be without figuring out the actual pitches that the notes will eventually have. This way we can figure out which notes fall on strong or weak beats, which is extremely important for crafting a natural sounding melody. This file was made back when the selection of pitches was sometimes very poor. You can hear the melody is on beat, but the pitch choices are strange.