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

Why Are Envelope Modulations Usually Subtle Instead of Dramatic?

Many synthesizer parameters can move freely in either direction.

Time-related parameters behave differently.

The chapter's discussion of envelopes reveals a… read more

How Do Attack, Decay and Release Modulations Affect Envelopes?

Envelopes are commonly viewed as modulation sources.

They can also become modulation targets.

This distinction is important because envelope parameters… read more

What Happens When Reverb Decay Time Is Modulated?

Reverb is often treated as a static environment surrounding a sound.

Generative music encourages a different perspective.

The acoustic space itself can evolve over time.

How Can Delay Time and Feedback Be Modulated in Generative Music?

Delay Modulation in Generative Music: Creating Evolving Rhythmic Accents

Delay effects are among the most common processing tools in electronic… read more

How Can Delayed Beats Create Evolving Polyrhythms?

Polyrhythms already create tension because multiple rhythmic cycles coexist.

Adding controlled beat delays introduces an additional layer of instability.

The… read more

How Can AND, OR, XOR and Other Logic Functions Generate Rhythms?

Logic modules are often overlooked as rhythmic tools.

Yet they can dramatically expand the possibilities of a generative patch.

Logic modules… read more

Should Rhythms Switch Abruptly or Blend Gradually?

Generative music is not always about continuously changing rhythms.

Sometimes two stable rhythms can create more interesting results than a constantly evolving one.