Embrace the Random (Algorithmic Synthesis Nuances)

by SimonPosted on No Comments

Composing small elements of randomness into your synths to add nuance, movement and human feel.

In this video, I “embrace the random” and show some ideas for adding dimension to your synths by passing off some parameters to randomness, exploring how introducing small elements of randomness to a synth in Native Instruments Reaktor. These kinds of details help synths feel less rigid and more expressive, especially when looping or playing repetitive patterns.

  • 0:00 Introduction
  • 1:25 Simple Sawtooth Synth
  • 2:36 Random Filter Cutoff
  • 8:31 Random Panning
  • 13:06 So What?
  • 13:40 Arpeggios in Logic Pro X
  • 15:23 Closing Thoughts, Next Steps

More Reaktor tutorials available here:

“Krell Muzak” Generator in Kyma 7

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Using Kyma 7 to create some generative Sci Fi music inspired by Todd Barton’s “Krell Music” patch on the Buchla Synthesizer.

Once again, I’m back with more ancient music of the Krell. As I mentioned previous weeks, in my regular journeys across the internet, I came across the concept of a “Krell Music” patch–a self-generating patch created by Todd Barton, inspired by Bebe and Louis Barron’s soundtrack to the 1956 film “Forbidden Planet.” The Barrons’ soundtrack to the film is amazing, and a bit beyond what I can get into here (see links below). Barton’s Buchla patch tries to capture some of the dynamic timbres of that score.

My oversimplification of the idea is this: a note has an amplitude envelope–attack and release–and when that amplitude envelope ends it triggers the next envelope. At the same time, that trigger selects a new (likely different) attack and decay time, as well as a new pitch and timbre for the next note. So we create a continuous series of musical tones, each distinct from the one before it.

So, this time, let’s make it in Kyma.