jtfmumm / aleat

algorithmic music generator

#aleat ###An algorithmic music generator

v0.01

To see aleat in action, visit http://jtfmumm.com/aleat.

This is an early stage of the project. The parameters for generation will be expanded to include:

• twelve tone compositions
• a broader selection of composition styles relying on Markov chains
• more intelligent generation and development of motifs
• in-depth structure
• analysis of input midi file and generation of songs with related characteristics
• etc.

##Instructions

aleat.genSong() will generate a song based on the current settings and return a string encoding that song. The parameter sent to aleat.genSong() specifies the algorithm to be used.

Currently, the string uses the musicpad notation developed by loic prot (http://l01c.ouvaton.org/musicpad-help.html). When this string is posted to his musicpad script, it will be converted into a MIDI file. His script is found at http://l01c.ouvaton.org/cgi-bin/musicpad.cgi.

Options for generation should be sent to the aleat.options object.

A test interface for aleat is provided in aleat-test-interface.js and index.html.

###Algorithms

aleat.genMarkov: Generates a song based on a Markov matrix and a scale.

aleat.genRep: Generates a song based on repeating a single note with varying note values.

###Settings

aleat global settings

These settings are applied to the current part during generation aleat.tempo: the tempo of the song.

aleat.duration: the length of the song (specified in algorithmic cycles). Will eventually be specified in measures.

aleat.scale: the current scale and related Markov grid. Current choices are mPenta, majPenta, and majorFolk.

aleat.style: the playing style. Currently changes the odds of a note taking a certain value. Current choices are lead, bass, and crazy.

aleat.parts: the number of parts to be generated for the song.

aleat.rootTone: the root tone. For transpositions.

aleat.instrument: the MIDI instrument specified by number.

aleat.range: the range of notes.

aleat.options object

This object consists of an array of values for each option. The array index corresponds to the part for which the option will be applied. Before a new part is added to the song, the aleat global settings are updated using aleat.options.