How Can Two Oscillators Create Counter-Melodies from One LFO?

One of the most interesting developments in the chapter extends the single-LFO counterpoint patch into a two-oscillator system.

The result is a musical… read more

How Can One LFO Generate Two Contrasting Melodies?

A single modulation source can often produce more musical material than expected.

The chapter demonstrates this principle by deriving two complementary pitch streams from different outputs of… read more

How Can Pitch Glitches Be Shorter Than the Main Melody?

Generative systems often focus on pitch selection.

Yet the duration of events can be equally important.

The chapter demonstrates a clever technique for… read more

How Can Quantized Notes and Pitch Glitches Have Different Dynamics?

Once quantized and non-quantized pitch streams exist, they do not need to share the same dynamic behaviour.

The chapter presents a technique… read more

How Can I Mix Quantized and Non-Quantized Notes in a Generative Melody?

Quantizers are among the most commonly used tools in generative modular synthesis. They transform continuously changing control voltages into… read more

How Do Bernoulli Gates Create Random Signal Routing?

A Bernoulli gate is one of the simplest probability devices in modular synthesis.

Each incoming clock pulse is routed to one of two possible outputs according to a probability… read more

What Are Probability Gates and How Can They Be Used in Generative Music?

Probability gates are among the simplest and most useful tools for introducing uncertainty into a modular patch.

Their operation is… read more

What Is a Stochastic Sequencer and How Does It Work?

Stochastic sequencers take the idea of adjustable randomness significantly further than ordinary random trigger sequencers.

Instead of influencing only rhythm, they can… read more

How Do Random Trigger Sequencers Control the Amount of Randomness?

Many modern trigger sequencers allow patterns to change automatically.

Instead of manually programming every event, the module generates new trigger distributions… read more

How Do Euclidean Sequencers Create Complex Rhythms?

Euclidean sequencers occupy an interesting position between order and apparent randomness.

They do not generate random patterns at all. Instead, they distribute events… read more