How Can a Generative Piece Be Structured?

Generative compositions can develop in very different ways.

Three structural models appear frequently.

The music evolves gradually.

Parameters change… read more

What Is a Sonic Spline in Generative Composition?

Before building a generative patch, a composer may ask a fundamental question:

What gives this piece its identity?

One useful answer is the concept of a sonic spline.

Is Generative Music Still Composed Music?

One of the most common misunderstandings about generative music is the belief that it is not composed.

Some listeners imagine generative music as a process that runs entirely on… read more

What Should Be Modulated in a Generative Music Patch?

A common question among musicians exploring generative techniques is simple:

What should I modulate?

The answer is equally simple:

Almost everything.… read more

How Can Pitch Shifters Add Variation to Recorded Sounds?

Pitch shifters are commonly used to correct tuning problems or adjust the relationship between audio sources.

In generative music they can become tools for controlled… read more

How Can Comparators Be Used Beyond Simple Voltage Comparison?

Comparators are among the most versatile utility modules in modular synthesis.

Although their primary task is simple, comparing voltage levels, their creative… read more

What Happens When Slew Limiter Parameters Are Modulated?

Slew limiters are often viewed as utility modules.

Yet they can become surprisingly expressive modulation targets.

A slew limiter controls… read more

How Can Samples Interrupt and Transform a Generative Patch?

Sample playback is often associated with triggering pre-recorded sounds.

In generative music, sample players can serve a different purpose: interrupting and… read more

Which Granular Parameters Should Be Modulated in Generative Music?

Granular synthesis is one of the deepest fields in electronic sound design. A single granular processor may offer dozens of parameters, and many… read more

How Can Quantizers Change Scale and Key Automatically?

Many musicians think of quantizers as simple pitch-correction devices.

In generative music they can become active harmonic processors.

Modern quantizers often allow scale and key… read more