5 Techniques for Generative & Ambient Music

[@RedMeansRecording]

i was worried when i saw this video pop up it was gonna be all in ableton and i was gonna have to shelve my generative video i had in the works, but luckily its just awesome tips in general! I'm gonna build on this soon with an ableton specific generative video. beautiful work on the patch, btw. i had it on for most of my day yesterday.

[@AnthonyBegleyCinematography]

+

[@nickfrazier8013]

YES PLEASE

[@B0rnT0L05e]

Can’t wait!!

[@Whenuknow]

If you haven’t yet, check out Mat Zo’s M4L random note generator midi effect it’s great for generative stuff in ableton

[@bigbyallsmay8992]

Please tell me you’re collabing with Ned Rush

[@robscallon]

This was fantastic

[@user-gu1il8dp7p]

Big man

[@paxenimzi]

rob moment

[@XiXora]

How is your modular journey going? Has it progressed from the jam on this system yet? How deep does your rabbit hole go?

[@_DRMR_]

@@XiXora Pedal-board modular patch challenge anyone?

[@spritely]

ok rob.

[@BennJordan]

I absolutely love seeing other musician's algorithms for writing deterministic random music. 😍 It needs to be a coffee table book at some point.

[@yokeshhsekoy]

If those guys at bjooks ever made one about Modular patches, I'd buy it on a heartbeat!

[@RedMeansRecording]

see now that would be a very, very good book project

[@J.T.mus1c]

I would buy that book in a heartbeat

[@abrakadeep8810]

Well guys I sincerely insist that this happens ! I would be down for illustrative work :)

[@NatePerdomo]

I would preorder this book.

[@dylanwyke]

This should become part of a gallery or musuem. Non-repeating beautiful ambient music would be really cool ambiance for a gallery.

[@Cyrax89721]

A common theme for ambient artists in large cities is for them to set up installations in a gallery. They're rare to come by though...I've always wanted to visit one.

[@billypilgrim1]

Brian Eno basically had the same idea 30 years ago and has been doing so for the same length.

[@Myinnernuk]

I feel like Arca did something like this some years ago

[@dwanger99]

Look up what Arca been doing

[@friesiamans1966]

@@billypilgrim1 brian eno is the one who seriously launched ambient music for the first time and as far as i know he also coined the term ambient music - the first of that kind i heard back then was "discreet music" and it´s still a kind of "holy" piece of music for me, haha... :-) i kind of lost his track after "onland" but then stumbled upon some interviews and lectures of him from some years ago - highly recommended! he is able to put difficult things in simple words and still has this humble, little humour that makes him a very pleasant person...

[@kalledk21]

I would love to see a 24/7 livestream of the modular synth, just streaming whatever pad is in there at the moment, like a lofi girl but electronic

[@ezrarichardson279]

That would be pretty cool!

[@Jmdeleeuw-]

Actually a great idea, and then every once in a while it will go silent because Andrew pulled out all the cables to start something new.

[@nickpalmen]

Yeah!

[@fallofmath]

The band 65daysofstatic have had something like this streaming on their channel for the last 9 months. It's a number of different generative systems that get swapped out every ~10 minutes. Each system has a different style so there might be some you like more than others but worth a try if you like this sort of thing. They call it 'Wreckage Systems'.

[@sandgaijin]

Months ago I taught my (middle school) students how to use VCV Rack and a handful of them loved it and made some really interesting stuff. Some didn't like the programming aspect and would rather use a tactile and tangible musical instruments. Regardless, they know how to use it now and I hope some of them go on to keep experimenting with modular synthesis when they grow up or at least remember it fondly when these videos pop up on their algorithm.

[@igorblex]

Hey, I'm actually planning to start teaching some basics of modular synthesis in VCV Rack for kids and teenagers, and sometimes I find myself thinking "no way, this thing is too hard for beginners" .. how did you approach this in your teaching process? And how did you manage this course in the school you work (I assume)? As part of a regular music curriculum? A crash course? Thanks!

[@sandgaijin]

@@igorblex Hi! I was using some aspects of @BoBeats youtube channel and explained what all the abbreviations are and tried to keep it pretty simple. It took about a month of teaching and assessing if they knew and they're final project was to sequence a drum machine using VCV rack.

[@tuxedo1557]

@@igorblex I know this is wayy late but since im a teen learning vcv rack what makes it fun for me is really just letting kids explore and helping out if they get stuck or have questions but really let their curiosities answer themselves

[@j3ffn4v4rr0]

One of my favorite generative techniques in Ableton is, to lay down several loops (on however many tracks/instruments you like) and then setup a random Follow Action on each clip, so that each time a clip ends, a new random one starts playing. I like to then combine this with long parameter changes using an LFO (within the synth/sampler, or M4L) or automation (not linked, so that the automation can be longer than the clip itself).

[@lunaeries8259]

could you explain further? i'm tryin to do something generative using just software (ableton) and i'm exploring different possibilities if you prefer to contact me privately pls go ahed!

[@j3ffn4v4rr0]

@@lunaeries8259 Sure! I used this exact technique on my album Dream Cluster, on my channel. It's all ambient electric guitar loops, generatively combined. You can do this with MIDI tracks, or recorded audio like i did. So first of all, this needs to happen in Session view. Make a separate track for one or more instruments playing each "part" in your generative composition. Put some clips in each track, and make sure all the clips are stacked together, with no line spaces in between scenes. Then, for each clip, add a Follow Action to it (the exact way to do this in the UI is different for various Live versions, so if you need info on that, it should be easy to find detailed tuts elsewhere). As part of the Follow Action, you specify what happens after X number of bars: play a random clip in the stack, go to the next/prev clip, go to the bottom/top of the stack, etc etc. ("Stop" is also an option, but less useful here.) There's also the ability to choose between 2 actions, with a probability between them, e.g., 75% chance=play a random one, 25% chance=play the same one again. After all your Follow Actions are added, you can start playing clips, and they will continuously play in random patterns, which you can record to an Arrangement if you like, so that everything will be "baked in" to a composition. Or, as Andrew said he likes to do with his modular setup, you can let the thing run by itself in Session view as background music. Then, adding long modulation helps keep things interesting over time. For my album, I used the Auto Filter a lot...as the filter gradually opens up, parts come to the fore, and recede as the LFO closes it back down. Please let me know if you want more details!

[@alice10888]

Thanks very much, I too am playing around with these ideas in software for now. I think I follow what you’ve explain, it still would be really awesome if you have a video of this so we can see and hear what you did.

[@j3ffn4v4rr0]

@@alice10888 Thank you for suggesting a video, I should probably make one! I don't know of any by anyone else, about this exact process. You can follow my other channel about Ableton, and I'll try to make a tutorial about it soon. kzbin.info

[@RickyTinez]

aaannnddd i'm looking at modules again.. thanks haha

[@JamesRamboPearce]

Oh god 🤣❤️

[@johncitizen8828]

😮 Ricky Tinez has entered the chat!

[@krysidian]

This kind of generative music always fascinated me. I love how ambient can keep my attention for a very long time but can also be put in the background without being distracting and rather often even improving whatever I'm doing. Also, a great free generative Sequencer VST is Stochas, from the team that made Surge. Both are open source a a whole load of fun!

[@greatwhitedonkey]

"Do clouds to it" is one of my favorite pieces of musical advice :) Thanks for the great video!

[@lalanotlistening]

I adore Bitwig. I learned production in FL 3, but Bitwig feels like home.

[@Simoneister]

I've been watching your videos for...a decade now maybe? And I think this is one of my favourites. It's a wonderful combination of beautiful music, technical details, and something you're clearly very passionate about. The care really shines through!

[@fray3dendsofsanity]

Max for Live’s “Inspired by Nature” Bouncy Notes MIDI effect is incredible for generating random melodic sequences. If you have Live 11 Suite this is a great tool I’ve been so surprised how great the melodies come out. Definitely check out a tutorial video though because some of the functions aren’t super intuitive at first glance

[@m1chacha]

Andrew Huang's personality is a mix of sparkly synth sounds and heartfelt apologies to patch cables

[@johncitizen8828]

LOL. 👌

[@MichaelVictory]

This patch is pure gold. I learned on a Roland System 100m and I can relate to the resistance to pulling a patch apart. Keep up the great work, and the middle stage of the hair is good!

[@HANGINGOUTWITHAUDIOPHILES]

Great timing! I’m a couple of days away from firing up my monster modular and there’s so much great advice in this as in all your videos. Thanks for taking time to share this with us. :)

[@andrewhuang]

Can’t wait to see what you get up to with your new case!

[@BudBonkerson]

hi jamie! love your podcast 💗

[@leif1075]

@@andrewhuang Thanks for sharing, Andrew. Happy New Year. I hope you can respond to my message about how you come up with new melodies when you can. Thanks very much.

[@mk-9282]

I really love how you enjoy music, I've been following you for many years and still opening KZbin only to see if there's any new video. You're cool, genuine and awesome in and out of music and I wish the very best wishes. Keep it up Andrew, we'll be here to keep enjoying music together.

[@Speechrezz]

Another granular/micro-looping plugin is Portal by Output. One of my favorite plugins to add a bit of extra atmosphere to a track!

[@euanmcelroy6092]

Hey Andrew! Long time fan but normally I don’t leave comments on vids. I just wanted to say thank you so much. I’ve been tinkering around in vcv rack trying to get this sorta sound but haven’t really found anything too useful myself. This video was super useful and inspired me to get back to the drawing board and hopefully make some beautiful patches. Thanks again! X

[@ilmstudios6531]

I was watching this while half asleep at night and these littel snippets of music in between your wornderful voice are just soooo relaxing! Also fell asleep while listening to that 2h "snapshot" of you just playing with the synth. Very relaxing!! Thank you for creating this sort of content and music.

[@canon5204]

I noticed in the scale you removed the leading tone AS WELL AS the opportunity for tritones. Both REALLY good decisions for removing the chance of stress in a harmony! Right on!!

[@seniorbeatbox]

Interesting, do you mean basically the 1 and 3?

[@BrendanHead]

This is now one of my favourite videos of yours, it’s so useful! Stellar work as always.

[@seedmole]

My favorite method is by layering loops of different lengths. Two stacked loops form one longer pattern that is the length of their lowest common multiple. Add a third that does not share that LCM and it very quickly reaches out into extremely long territories.

[@markmorgan5982]

This video is truly special. Makes me wonder what a Flume x Andrew Huang collab would look like. Thank you for talking about it in such a digestible way

[@whitesonar]

sat with a smile and a new technique to play with, thanks Andrew

[@Symmetriad]

Thanks for this video! It inspired me to try some new techniques and I patched up something that I also have a hard time thinking about taking down. You've been an integral part of my modular journey and I can't thank you enough!

[@johnhazlett3711]

Thanx for the tips! Ambient music is such a treat to listen to.

[@RobertDorschel]

I have to give big kudos to Mr. Huang for replicating a similar methodology in Ableton at the @3:13 mark. This is spot on knowledge, I hope others give it a go. I've used that exact combination soooo many times and had phenomenal results, especially with specific custom patches in Omnisphere and other softsynths.

[@RobertDorschel]

shameless self-promotion: I used that Ableton randomization combo here in this song, comes in at roughly the @4:04 mark. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZyXZoqjabp4Y6M

[@WAZXIII]

Saying "sorry" to the cable rack was the most Canadian thing I've ever seen. XD

[@stauride2793]

Never get me into your studio, i could stay there for month just to learn how to use all of ur stuff. You are just amazing, i dont understand anything but im loving it!

[@raphaelshklarek]

Best video yet. Beautiful piece.

[@sarahsounzcave]

Thank you for this video. I can relate to just piecing something together, letting it run, and just getting totally lost in the vibe. I started understanding VCV Rack finally last april and I'm growing all the time. Thank you for a look at your modular work flow and generative creative process. This has been such a help as a newer sonic creative.

[@ts1string]

Thanks for this, Andrew❗️I toyed with tape loops and analogue synths in art school in the mid ‘80’s … what I called ‘sound sculpture’ [deconstructed cassette decks] played through hand built motorized switch machines. Keep pulling from the cloud! Please! I’ve never had the language to speak of this. Ambient I knew of thanks to Brian Eno, however, 40 years ago no one even had the word ‘generative’. Playing with machines was like Kraftwerk or Krause Shultz.

[@martinthompson2584]

In recent weeks I started putting together a eurorack setup with generative music as one of the objectives. This video is perfectly timed. I'm currently working though Patch & Tweak, which even includes an interview with Andrew. I'm definitely planning to get a Sloths module for this sort of thing. Seems to be highly regarded and coming from my home town is a bonus (who else would have modules called Doof, Sly Grogan and Tracky Dacks!). Anyway, bye to 2021 and let's hope for a better 2022.

[@anthonywestbrook2155]

It's like a beautiful mix of wind-chimes and a music box, but with sounds I love.

[@richtoon]

I had my studio blow up with gear a few years back. Because of that, I have a lifetime ban on all things modular. I’ve since streamlined but still have an eye for a synth or two. I have no space though. So reality keeps me grounded. I honestly have barely scratched the surface of what I do own. One thing that I find helpful for GAS is to watch the KZbin videos of the gear you have already purchased. Gets you excited all over again. :)

[@jordangressman5164]

i heard blue dawn on my spotify the other day and wanted to find the video for it and i’m so glad i did

[@pesterenan]

Dude, that cloud metaphor... I would say that you've nailed it, but instead, you've made it rain! Hahaha

[@savnac]

dude. you are seriously generous for this video. thank you so much Andrew!

[@danielleohallisey4218]

I love the direction you’re taking with your channel, your music… and your hair.

[@jakehendriksen2841]

This was great! Thanks for the great insights as to how you keep something so "simple" from becoming boring/stale.

[@memeaccount1553]

thank you andrew, very excited to work on the next project with these new techniques

[@reillyspitzfaden]

I’ve been really enjoying using Markov chains in max msp to determine melodies/chord progressions. It lets me have variation but with a little less randomness than pure random

[@tonogram]

Bitwig content, yes please!!! I never thought I would see the day.

[@Youngkingkwan]

Andrew states that's some people just find ambient music "boring" which is fine. (To each their own) But the way he describes it fascinates me, the 2 hour version is insane. Hearing everything he just described in action!

[@OnTheWindowStill]

This was really inspiring.

[@benoftroy]

Your modular videos are now my favorite videos ❤️. Thank you for these great tips. Can’t wait to get out of quarantine (🙃) so I can go back home and try some of them out!

[@scandalousbeans2591]

I got my first modular synth rack because of you, thank you!

[@BeTheAeroplane]

Andrew looks so adorable with longer hair 🥺

[@rrr-studios3886]

In ableton there is a max for live module called LFO, you can take that and use it as a CV noise generator (or any basic waveform), modulate basically anything and step into modular territory. I like to use it to modulate the pitch of my synths and time of my delays a little bit with slow random waves to get kind of a fragile feel. Highly recommend to try that one!

[@hadedj]

I simply love every video you put out. Thank you!

[@theycallmegodkid]

Lately I've really been in to light wind and wind chimes. This reminds me of that. I'm also into whole tone stuff. I think a whole tone scale would be awesome here, too. I'd love to get into this but I can't imagine the time, cost, knowledge, and care that goes into this. Truly blessed to have heard this.

[@23Gears]

I just built a Micro Ornament and Crime, so these tips come with perfect timing as it is my first really useful tool for building generative music. Looking forward to working on those slow evolving patches, and I have a list of new projects (triple sloths, Erica synths Swamp) to add even more variation.

[@shadowwandererr]

This style works really well when you start to take these recordings and chop em apart for song ideas in other genres

[@Userminusone]

Thank you for this amazing video, Andrew. I can't wait to see what you have in store for 2022! (I'm hoping you'll experiment more in depth with microtones at some point)

[@tracktionwaveformtips]

I love all of this stuff, the generative stuff is like real-time jamming with a computer. I love granular stuff too. I first discovered it in Max/MSP and then over the years I loved seeing the different implementations of it in DAWs like Reason, Waveform etc. I love Bitwig too, so much creative freedom there!

[@Mk9909]

I really love you💗!!! You are my favourite music producer and my biggest idol man!!!!!

[@buildusarocket3410]

Andrew, I want you to know if you're reading this. Everytime I watch your videos I get inspired to make music. Thanks for that!

[@SynthAddict]

cool ideas here, thanks and by the way nice music you have on the micro video "This Ciliate Is About to Die" fits the mood very well

[@3xAudio]

Amazing. I am gonna work on this with my synths tonight.

[@declanbrown]

NLC triple Sloths is such a great slow chaos based modulator! Plus the designer, also called Andrew, is super awesome!

[@swampflux]

Great. I felt it, Andrew. It was like I was in the room, hanging out, back in old times, doing the damn thing with you right there. I like this relaxed mood you had while talking about something that was kind of complex in its execution. reminds me, again, of my younger days chilling with friends figuring this stuff out. About a year ago I was dreaming of a Eurorack to help me sleep so yeah were speaking the same language. Right now I'm a little too stressed out with other things going on so this was a nice escape. thank you.

[@violahero4life]

That was quite the journey. I am excited to explore modular when I've completed my studies.

[@westonkenyonmusic]

Pretty much all my music writes itself. It tells me what it needs and I give it to it.

[@pamdemonia]

Such a great explanation about ambient ("going on a journey"). Thanks!

[@Necrotoxin44]

Hey! Just want to say, like, thanks and stuff! Your positive vibes are very welcome, and I've learned so much from you ^^

[@broadcastbytes]

The surge synth team have a probalistic polyrhythmic sequencer plugin that’s free called stochas, it’s freakin cool.

[@bricelory9534]

it is a very good sequencer - a bit more controlled than the generative elements shown here - perfect for creating a layer of controlled mixture between randomness and sequence. I highly recommend it, and great for generating unique drum fills!

[@lulwutmusic]

Yes!! Andrew's finally on the vcv hype!

[@MKS21471]

Great sounds and really well explained. I’m hugely interested in capturing ambient & generative techniques and “recipes” or general principles to share with others. This video is a great starting place.

[@soejrd24978]

Glad to see more modular stuff

[@quantumcadillac4748]

Love these kind of vids. Keep it up. Thanks.

[@FrancisRobert]

Oh... This is amazing... I just gave it a try and I'm having so much fun!!! Thank you!

[@paxenimzi]

ambient music is such a mood 🥺

[@noafenton3117]

One of my favorite genres period is breakcore. The ideas of making it generative with it's chops are really cool.

[@xyzyzx1253]

Thanks for this, if I didn’t have exams in 4 days, I’d be at the computer, working on the exact idea that I want to make a thing. Thanks again :)

[@chambre466]

love you man, interesting to watch your musical transition

[@dkupka2]

Mammatus clouds! Seriously, though, great video - I'm wandering my way through modular on top of my Minibruite 2, and it's fun, challenging, and (sometimes) frustrating - but it's the process that is just as rewarding!

[@zero-k7466]

I have so much to say that wouldn't fit here, thank you for your work, we are very alike on a lot of points and I feel so soothed while listening to you

[@bernabesalvador260]

Very good ideas! I also find relaxing tweaking a synth for hours!

[@_alexxon]

Man I’m freaking love your videos. I’m also living in Toronto Canada, maybe one day I can encounter you in the streets lol. Really love your sounds!

[@richardwilliams4669]

Lol I have been growing my hair for a while as well. Glad to finally have length after 2 years. You’ll get there! Great video

[@Roses_R_redeR]

Rock the long hair Andrew 🤘 🥀🥀🥀🥀

[@octopusicroyaltyfreemusic6309]

One of the best videos in the "Huang Era"!

[@bloodyvengeance2584]

This patch reminds me so much of disasterpeace's music. I think you should definitely check him out

[@JeremyForTheWin]

Andrew, when you have a patch you don't want to take down, do you think to do an recording of each note for posterity? Seems like you could use the sequencer to play a chromatic scale with a long delay in between and hit record somewhere? I know it won't be comprehensive but it would make a good sample pack and reference. Seems to me that one of the downsides (and I suppose an emotional challenge) of analog and modular is the fleeting impermanence of anything you create.

[@armstrong.r]

Some people would argue that it isn't a downside at all

[@kevinmaas2992]

A workaround suggestion- I use my MPC to autosample modular patches. Not only do you save the patch, but can then play it polyphonically and further sculpt the sample afterward.

[@spinkler]

With respect, anything that isn't analog / modular is just as impermanent, it's just all taking a lot more time to seek its entropic end. The sun will explode, the heat death of the universe is coming. Absolutely nothing is permanent, it's just taking its sweet time to get there... At least from our perspective.

[@dm12e]

Honestly real cool for ambience synthwave

[@StephSancia]

0:53 that actually looks like the switchboard that my mum used to work at in the 1960s at the Home Office in London as a PBX Operator 😎

[@jonmackenzie]

that's where this all came from, check out the old moog modular systems

[@lalanotlistening]

I’m easing back into production after a home invasion interrupted a session and this kind of making-music-as-relaxation is exactly what I need rn. Thank you! 💜

[@lemonberries]

Hope you and your fam are doing well Andrew👋 thanks for making some of the best Electronic music content on the internet👍

[@roberthopper9721]

Hey Andrew you’re a huge inspiration. Also growing my hair and stuck in this seemingly forever awkward stage. Stay strong brother ✊🏻

[@ivanfaigenbom5300]

thanks for your micro masterclasses

[@thetomatoist1]

More of this please. Like, a lot more.

[@keithhays2837]

That is a beautiful patch you've got going there! I want to figure out how to do this in Logic...

[@Lewp77]

awesome thanks for the tips ! very inspirational !

[@mymockumentary9716]

before I listened to the music. at 0.28 I had to smash the like!

[@VictorLombardi]

Great tips! And love the hair progress.

[@e11e7en]

Thank you Andrew, I appreciate your videos! I will definitely check out VCV Rack

[@undulations]

Lots of great insight✨!

[@ChrisEchoesMusic]

Love the hair. No apologies needed. Here for the hair journey.

[@KidneysHurt]

This video was surprisingly interesting! I've never really enjoyed ambient music, however the first one you played was absolutely stunning 🤯