How to make Brian Eno style Generative Music // 20 ideas & tools // Ableton, Eurorack, Modular, VCV

This video is part of a series - see below for other Generative Music videos.
"Generative Music" is a term coined by Brian Eno to describe music that is always different and changing, generated by a system but led by creative guidelines, rather than typical music which follows a set of predetermined notes intended to be played the same way every time.
This video includes 20 ideas and even more tools for creating generative music inspired by Brian Eno's generative work. It's focused on ideas rather than one platform, and covers eurorack, iOS, VCV and Ableton tools for creating generative and probability based music.
Want to get ALL my tips in one convenient place including those to come in the future? Check out my In-Complete Book of Electronic Music Ideas, Tips and Tricks (hint: it's in-complete because it's always being updated…):
► Patreon: / loopop
Previous videos in my generative series:
► Part 1: Phased loops inspired by Steve Reich: • Sampler trick: Steve R...
► Part 3: Generative MIDI effects chains inspired by Ólafur Arnalds: • Generative MIDI Effect...
► Part 4: Push a button and get a melody and rhythm using "Analog RAM" (sample and hold modules and a sequential switch)
Other places I hang out:
► Instagram: / loopopmusic
► Web: loopopmusic.com
► Facebook: / loopopmusic
► Twitter: / loopopmusic
My music:
► Bandcamp: loopop.bandcamp.com
► Spotify: bit.ly/LoopopOnSpotify
► Apple Music:bit.ly/LoopopOnAppleMusic
Check out Omri's awesome channel here: / @omricohen-music
TIMELINE OF IDEAS AND TOOLS:
0:00 Defining Generative
1:05 Simple randomization - Ableton MIDI LFO Max4Live device
2:10 Scaling random pitch - Ableton Random and Scale MIDI effects
2:50 Pitch to modal chords - Harmonaig from Instruo, with arpeggiation by Quaid Megaslope and Boss Bow Tie from ALM playing Rings from Mutable Instruments
4:10 Scaling emotion - KeyStep Arpeggiator and Ableton Scaler playing Piano V2 from Arturia
5:20 LFO to melody - ADDAC506 cycling a generative AD LFO quantized by Harmonaig, into rings
7:00 Turing machines explained with Pigments by Arturia. Modules mentioned are Turing Machine by Music Thing Modular, Ornament and Crime, Marbles, Disting. Other software versions are a Max4Live Turing machine by Encoder Audio and one for Native Instrument’s Reaktor as well.
10:10 Turing to params - shown on Pigments by Arturia
11:15 Combining mod sources - MixVert8r from Voicas combining ADDAC 506 stochastic envelopes with an LFO from Hermod.
13:15 CV/Sequential switch - Boss Bow Tie from ALM receiving a combined LFO and stochastic envelope from ADDAC506 - see patch walk-through for more details.
13:40 Making modes count - Harmonaig from Instruo, NDLR from Conductive Labs, PolyPhase for the iPad
15:50 Rhythmic variation - NDLR from Conductive Labs
16:20 Adding the predictable - Marbles from Mutable Instruments and VCV Drum Kit from Autodafe , Step Divider from Ableton’s Probability pack.
17:40 BPM sync/clock div - VCV Clock divider from Synth Kit, Hermod from Squarp
18:25 Probability gates - Marbles from Mutable Instruments and Ableton Follow Actions
19:50 Merging sequences - Patterning iOS app, Ableton track MIDI assignment
21:35 Logic modules - Rene 2 from Make Noise feeding a Mixer. Logic gates also mentioned are Deopffer A-166 and Disting from Expert Sleepers
22:55 Making safe bets - Melodic Probabiliy from Ableton’s Probability pack
24:20 Omitting notes - Model:Samples from Elektron
24:40 Gate/event variation - MicroFreak from Arturia
25:45 VCV modules - NoteSeq from JW Modules, Gray Code from Squinky Labs, Generative from Amalgamated harmonics, and of course there are VCV versions of Marbles and Music Thing’s Turing Machine.
27:35 Eurorack patch walkthru - ADDAC506, Harmonaig from Instruo, Hermod from Quarp, PanMix from Happy Nerding, 248 VCA and LedRover from Voicas, QPAS and STO from Make Noise, Rings and Plaits from Mutable Instruments, MCO, Boss Bow Tie and Quaid Megaslope from ALM, Ornament and Crime, RackBrute 3U and 6U from Arturia
Want to email me personally?
► Ziv (at) loopopmusic.com
NOTE: Occasionally I’ll try out affiliate marketing and include affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links. The content of this clip is entirely my opinion, and was not paid for or dictated in any way by the company creating the gear. Without addressing the particulars of products shown here as they might be under NDA, gear shown on this channel may be either sent by the manufacturer, on loan for review or bought at a discount.
​

[@MatheusLeston]

After many many years trying completely different approaches in electronic music production, I finally feel that I arrived at something I'm truly happy: last year I started building my modular system and I have no sequencers, lfos or any kind of "cv generator". Everything is controlled by Max/Msp via a bunch of very weird sequencers I programmed. And for me the most inspiring thing to do is to generate everything by controlled randomness: looped sequencers that change length, speed and notes randomly. As an old time generative / ambient music lover and programmer, it has being a truly amazing journey and I finally feel that I got something special and inspiring (at least to myself).

[@Michael-vd2tv]

“unless you speak droid” had me weak

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Oh man, there are so many things to explore now... Great video!

[@wimwijn1]

VCV guru, well done Omri

[@loopop]

Thanks sooo much for contributing!

[@blakejaeger154]

This video is the culmination of basically everything I've been looking for in the past week, well organized and explained as usual. Love this channel

[@loopop]

Great to hear!

[@Fedor_Tkachev_Music]

+1 for part 2, 3, 4 and so on))

[@Gruftgrabbler]

+1 Part 2

[@pawnotdaw4559]

What they said, please

[@loopop]

Mr. Fedor I got to 4! See description

[@Fedor_Tkachev_Music]

@@loopop my man!

[@fingerstylefunkable]

The fluency in multiple paradigms is astounding. Great video.

[@storkystork7262]

I really appreciate you showing some things in ableton, as I work out of ableton, but derive a lot of inspiration from modular-style music production.

[@loopop]

Thanks! Yes it’s really great that tools like Ableton and Bitwig are increasingly implementing modular style tools

[@ConwayBob]

One of the things that attracted me to Cakewalk nearly 30 years ago was its inclusion of a scripting system and language (CAL). You could use it to program generative (or, as people back then tended to call it, parametric) music, and you could include random elements via the Random function.

[@ebrainv]

That's a great video, Can't wait for part 2...

[@danglover4603]

This is one of my favourite videos of yours ever, definitely need a part 2!!

[@ClayF403]

I absolutely love the details in your videos, like the timestamps and the glossary on the left side. So perfect!!

[@fakshen1973]

This is like the Rosetta Stone between the DAW and Eurorack. We are not worthy.

[@ferment4life]

Part 2 would be amazing! I really love your videos and am always up for new generative ideas - it's one of my favourite things to do with modular. Thank you for the wonderful insights!

[@DrVagoLoco]

Out of a lot of videos, this one really is a mind opener. Can’t wait for more :)

[@GuitarManiac1975]

Once again the full load of inspiring creative ideas (and even a little bit of iOS apps) in a definitely NOT too long video 😉! Thanks, Ziv!

[@jeffersonyahir6507]

Instablaster.

[@AaronHuslage]

Phenomenal! I love the discussion of generative techniques.

[@DanielDaniel-ql6oq]

Love love love that you’re relating these concepts. Need to sit down with my synthesizer and explore more generative stuff!

[@winddealer1]

Consistent purposeful quality and value again and again!

[@octanehead]

This is the best and most interesting modular tutorial I’ve seen. Thanks for sharing this!

[@thetonynealproject7400]

This is sooo great! I’d love to see another video of making Generative music just using ableton! You are awesome!!

[@rochefsky]

that patch walkthrough was hiding well in here.... Wow - thank you once again!

[@Larry30102]

Being a few years old, these concept are still valid most helpful. You’re a great teacher, and much appreciated!

[@dlanier2622]

Absolutely brilliant - lots of great ideas clearly communicated. Terrific channel!

[@infn8loopmusic]

This is my new favorite channel. Great tutorials, great sounds, great patches and awesome production value. Thanks for putting time and effort into these videos and this channel.

[@SynthSoundscapes]

Thanks for this, has really inspired me to explore that Eno-esque approach. You really nailed sharing the philosophy, the results and the practical ideas.

[@SteveMc870]

Great stuff, as always. Would definitely be interested in a part two on this topic!

[@garaughty]

Awesome tutorial... love the Turing machine concept used in music !

[@NeekoTheFreeko]

Great stuff. Laughed with love at 2:18! Thumbs up Bud. Generative is what drew me to modular and I appreciate your teaching style. Lay on

[@tennhard]

Fantastic work. I love the back and forth between DAW and Modular. Very inspiring all around.

[@freeelectron8261]

The U2 Sunday bloody example was so clever!

[@bgebhard]

This is a very well done video! I'd love a part 2!

[@vitmedia]

Fantastic video. Worthy of Eno :-)

[@manniejof4670]

Loopop , u never cease to Amaze me with your creative thought process mixed with ingenious ingenuity ! Thanks for sharing 😌

[@dormaettu302]

the way this is teach is amazing, from the resume to the visuals, instructions... thanks

[@somegeezer]

Big love for some Omri appreciation.

[@loopop]

Yesss!

[@moosgummi4480]

Wouldn´t it have been great to put a link somewhere? You told me to check out their channel, and I only had to browse some comments to find out how their name is written, but it should be easier...

[@loopop]

Added!

[@moosgummi4480]

Nice!

[@accidentaltrigger]

Always like your modular chats, thanks for this one on generative.

[@theboytheycalljonny1]

Thanks for another fantastic video. Really well put together and easy (as it can be) to understand. Please keep these coming. Thank you.

[@cesarreula]

So instructive, original and reusable! Please, yes, make a second part. Your whole channel is great.

[@loopop]

Thanks! See link in description for at least 3 more as of now

[@erikpiehl1764]

Very interesting video - as always! Looking forward to part 2!

[@daveclark4204]

I can’t like this enough and I don’t even have Ableton or a modular set-up! I love your videos in general and this one is very fascinating. The problem is that I’m afraid of generative music and modular stuff because I would never leave the house and be poor as can be, hahaha! Yes, I would love to see a part 2 video! Keep up the great work!

[@rayderrich]

This video opened my eyes and ears to some many possibilities. I am very grateful!

[@Dayglodaydreams]

I'm only into the 1st 6 minutes of this, and I'm loving it.

[@seanrubin2897]

You are so awesome, man. Thank you for all of your hard work on these videos.

[@briannolan]

Another vote for "more of this type of thing"!

[@mckrisbo]

+1

[@PeterJoslynHarris]

Amazed at the beauty that can come out of these tools. Thanks so much for this video. Would love to see another one too.

[@loopop]

Thanks! Links to 3 more (as of the time of this comment) in the description

[@munkejens]

Oh yes please! Part two! Very very nice video.

[@theorist5497]

Would love to see a follow up to this video and more videos like the tape loop sampler trick. I love these kinds of things from the slightly more experimental or left-field of music production. Regardless, I love your videos. The ones on the Deluge helped me out especially well when first getting my hands on it. Thanks for all you do!

[@hmosc]

Your videos are brilliant. They are more than demos or tutorials. Thanks.

[@CodyDeMatteis]

this is why i back you on kickstarter. comprehensive ideas not just locked to a module or platform.

[@djpeterso23662]

+1 for part 2. It would be lovely to hear about some Cubase options similar to the Live options. Great video!

[@filipriha2584]

This is an awesome video, need a part 2!

[@jimmy_jamesjams_a_lot4171]

SO MANY videos featuring the modular gear are tagged with the word ‘ambient’, until I’ve grown ashamed that this word could be applied to music at all! But this last patch of yours, with the pentatonic minor quantizing on the O and C! That is the MOST ambient patch that I’ve ever heard! It’s so beautiful that I’ll be playing with these principles that you’ve shared here until I’ve got a fairly close example of a patch that sounds close enough to it! I’m reminded, though, of the 4ms Multi Spectral Band Resonator(?!) because that module seems to me to be a great way to play with harmonic components and timbres of a sound, and get these generative sine waves to sing out at random. I want that spectral resonator module, I’ll buy it soon as I can afford it. Thanks for sharing, you have great insight and have strong vocabulary that’s well suited to your topics! Great job again!

[@McN4styFilth]

This is one of your best videos yet. Really informative and helpful for a lot of different types of production.

[@loopop]

Thanks!

[@scottmetoyermusic8449]

Fantastic - got a month's worth of ideas in the first 5 minutes!

[@valk_real]

Thank you so much for all the information Loopop!

[@raytbrown2]

The U2 reference melted me. Thank you!

[@raytbrown2]

I just sent this link & timestamp to a friend. We saw them open with this song in MIA a few years ago. Both awesome & unexpected; just as this was a Christmas gift from you to us; as I have been watching & learning from you for years and only this once have I spotted an actual song. Thank you for the unexpected gift! @loopop

[@RasTuft]

Awesome!! I’m gonna have to watch this several times. Thanks. Can’t wait for part 2

[@loopop]

Thanks! See description for parts 1-4!

[@SimoneDMarques]

Very useful tips, thank you for this video! It contains almost everything you need to create a lovely generative song.

[@toxto]

I might have missed it but since I don't have a quantizer I use Keystep to give me random quantized notes. In Arp mode I select random pattern, press the hold button and hold the notes/scales/chords I want in my set of random notes. I set the rate really fast and then sample and hold with a module in my modular the pitch CV at a lower, musical rate.

[@unsaame9505]

That’s it, have my money then ;-) Seriously, many thanks for sharing these videos. they are immensely helpful. And of course we want a part 2!

[@loopop]

My pleasure - thanks for your support - it’s what keeps these coming ;)

[@vladimirponikarovsky2097]

This video is just marvelous! Thank you very much, I am a fan of your work and style.

[@shaft9000]

@ 4:25 the first sequence was more interesting than the later scaled notes. As soon as I heard it, it evoked a heightened sense of urgency, as in a chase or psychodrama. As soon as you forced it to scale it lost this character, and was yanked into shape by the quantizer to sound like a warm-up at the start of a piano lesson.

[@drewburke6371]

I actually found myself liking the totally randomized sequences more at times too

[@AlejandroGuerrero]

I just put an NI TR-01 9-step bass cycling pattern in a 4/4 trance theme and only that changed the whole and made the track unique... I started digging and landed in your video! This is incredible! I'll give it a try with the Max for Live randomizer devices. Thanks!!!

[@smacksalad]

Thank you. I learned a lot from this video. I definitely would like a part 2 and more. An ongoing series would be marvelous. Personally I'm using Reaper DAW and a load of software, but also a beatstep pro, softpop, field kit + fx, and a reface cs. I havent quite cracked how to get it all doing what I want, generatively speaking :) This video has helped a lot, thanks!

[@adamalthus]

One of your best vids yet. Yes to parts 2,3,...

[@robertsyrett1992]

I would definitely love to hear some more of your generative patching ideas! Especially on iPad and Digitakt (maybe those two together?).

[@dr.strangevelo6031]

New to the channel. This was gorgeous. Great stuff, I loved this even though it really drove home how little I know. Thank you for taking the time to talk these things through.

[@SuperPedalhead]

Lots of valuable information here. Thanks for sharing.

[@f_stop]

Fascinating. Part 2, please!

[@frowinberger]

Pure Joy to watch! thank you for your Work!!!

[@paulisound]

Nice ideas here thanks for that! And waiting the Part II. ! 🙂

[@isaac.anthony]

You just taught me what a quantizer was in eurorack, thanks!

[@taurean904]

Yes, please do a part 2 (if you already haven’t). So useful to get this info in video form vs. written!

[@loopop]

Thanks! Yes, hopefully in a couple of weeks...

[@VincentFliniaux]

Amazing video. Amazing patch.

[@douglasl2409]

This video is so incredibly useful! I do hope you decide to make that follow up. Thanks for making this and all your other videos.

[@loopop]

Thanks! I have - see description for 3 more episodes!

[@LiamFlanagan-dd9wb]

Hi loopop, great video would love to see a part 2 or more if possible.

[@snoopyoverthehills]

what a great and inspriring video! it definitely needs a part 2! also it's great to see you team up with omri cohen!

[@squoblat]

Would absolutely love a part 2

[@HiItsCal]

part 2 please, amazing video as per usual!

[@ninakramer1047]

That's fantastic! Thank you very much and yes, please for part 2.

[@loopop]

Thanks! Already released it - see description

[@lorinatzen]

Love this one! Please more! Episode 2, 3, 5, [Rnd] -> Out

[@loopop]

Others in the description!

[@RikMaxSpeed]

Fantastic video: really appreciate how many ideas & approaches you’ve covered - I’m sure i could lose days evolving patterns and patches!

[@loopop]

Thanks - Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Elizabeth-vh6il]

Interesting video. Thanks. Most generative videos I've seen tend to focus solely on the "out of control" stuff rather than the more subtle things.

[@dr1059]

Maaaan, this is just great!

[@DisintegrationZerfall]

I found your channel as I was looking for demos of microfreak and I stumbled upon this video. Instant sub!! Please make a part 2 of this and upload the generative eurorack patch as a seperate 10 minute video just for listening purposes.

[@loopop]

Thanks! there's a 30 minute version on Patreon and a 9 minute on my Facebook for free ;)

[@lfarrolas]

This video is a must.

[@prentissriddle]

Yes! Thank you! Part 2 plz.

[@JosefK93]

Very inspiring video, thanks! Generative music is interesting but very challenging, it's often tempting to throw away all the cables after a few hours and just multitrack a monosynth with the keyboard :p

[@lince4824]

A definitive way to put an end to boredom forever lol, thank you!

[@stairway999]

Great video! Would love to see a part 2 :)

[@DMT1985]

I looooooooove this! Been following you for a while. Thanks for sharing and helping

[@loopop]

Thanks for your comment ;)

[@ryebread532]

Great vid! Love your ideas, very helpful, plz make more vids!!!

[@gattifusi]

great explanation, thank you for this video

[@qbicalvideo]

Very cool video, thanks for the tips!!

[@denovaire]

wonderful generative solution for arturia's matrixbrute is putting in a scale and "empty" steps into the sequencer and randomizing it! good thing: already quantized and in sync :)

[@gebhardmeilinger8578]

best tutorial voice ! loopop sounds good!!

[@simonzinc-trumpetharris852]

Fascinating stuff!

[@johnfowlertrailrunning]

You sir are a genius! Loving this video!

[@lalolanda2239]

this is so crazy , i love it

[@donaldpfotenhauer8517]

Would love to see a part 2.

[@erynwells4606]

Would love to see a part 2. This was great!