I downloaded Pure Data - a free programming software for music - and decided to try to make a simple patch. I found it to be very similar to Max/MSP, only a lot of the features in Max/MSP which make it less confusing (colour, graphics) aren't present in PD. I decided to start with a patch similar to the first one I ever made, and try to develop the idea.
(click on the picture for bigger view) The idea, as seen in figure 1, was to randomly generate a note at a set tempo, and then when one particular note is hit, (after a random amount of time) the note-generator will stop and the next will begin. There are three, set to output left, middle and right. Left deals with the lowest frequencies and right dealing with the highest.
After some time messing with the settings I developed the idea. I wanted counterpoint between the three parts, where the three note-generators would start and stop, coming in and out of each other's parts; this proved difficult. I had to ensure that they would all turn off and on individually and randomly, but not all at once, which would make it completely stop. I realised that I had to be specifically about what message I was sending each toggle box. the message "bang" might turn it off or on, whereas "1" would definitely turn it on (or let it remain on) and an "0" would make it turn off (or remain off). Judging by this, a simultaneous "1" must be sent with every "0" message to ensure that they don't all turn off. I came up with a solution - figure 2. But realising already that my program looked too complex to make out I decided to tidy it up a bit - hence figure 3.
With figure 4 I tried to vary the rhythm of the outputted notes. In order to do this I had to be constantly changing the rate at which the metronome works. I came up with the idea of using another random number generator that picks a number between one and four, which would multiply the speed of the metronome by a number from 1 to 4, 1 being a minim, 2 a crotchet, 3 a quaver and 4 a semiquaver. I also realised that in order for it to work all the note-generators should be working at the same speed, so I created a universal dial, to change the speed of all the note-generators at once.
Below is a Video of the Patch as it stands right now (I'd suggest full-screen view). I'm going to make some more changes then Upload a new Video, probably using midi output in order to create notes, and possibly using a "drunk" box to create more of a melody line, as opposed to just random notes.
