Patterns changing gradually

[Gisbert]

This time I´m not actually seeking help, but want to post a new approach to the same question - generating patterns that slowly evolve over time. This version is partly inspired by the App Nodebeat and the concept of having one sender triggering multiple ‘sound satellites’.

Also, the whole topic is in context of my research on forms of ‘Minimal Improvisation’.
http://www.phyla.info/?portfolio=minimal-improvisation

Thanks to @Martin for bringing up an elegant solution to create indeterminism in this thread:

More real randomization

Hi, I have opened an issue ticket in Github, and only later discovered this forum. My ticket is rather a question, so admins, please feel free to just close it on github if you will. Here I paste what I wrote there: I have read documentation and tutorials on random methods. I do understand that reproducible behavior is in the philosophy of Sonic pi. However I am trying to come up with a way to get random number on each run. It does not have to be random per se, I only want it appear random, i…

I like it so much when I do NOT know what pattern will come up when I press start.

I´m very happy with this code as is, but I´m also interested in your feedback.

#Evolving Patterns
t = Time.now.to_i
use_random_seed t
puts rand

use_synth :sine

in_thread do
  loop do
    set :teim, (ring 0.125, 0.25, 0.375).choose
    sleep rrand_i(64, 256)
  end
end

in_thread do
  loop do
    set :taim, (ring 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2).choose
    sleep rrand_i(64, 256)
  end
end

#Sending out regular cues
in_thread do
  loop do
    cue :zakkk
    cue :pakkk
    cue :rakkk
    cue :rikkk
    sleep get[:taim]
  end
end


#Adding individual delay to be applied to each sound creates a rhythmic pattern
in_thread do
  loop do
    #Choosing the delay which is actually applied below
    set :wa, (ring 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7).choose*get[:teim]
    #After some time, the delay is changed, thus the pattern changes
    sleep rrand_i(16, 256)
  end
end

in_thread do
  loop do
    set :wo, (ring 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7).choose*get[:teim]
    sleep rrand_i(16, 256)
  end
end

in_thread do
  loop do
    set :wu, (ring 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7).choose*get[:teim]
    sleep rrand_i(16, 256)
  end
end

in_thread do
  loop do
    set :wi, (ring 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7).choose*get[:teim]
    sleep rrand_i(16, 256)
  end
end


in_thread do
  loop do
    sync :zakkk
    #The choosen amount of delay is applied
    wait get[:wa]
    #The sound is played
    play 66, amp: rrand(0.1, 1), release: rrand(0.1, 1)
  end
end


in_thread do
  loop do
    sync :pakkk
    wait get[:wo]
    play 68, amp: rrand(0.1, 1), release: rrand(0.1, 1)
  end
end



in_thread do
  loop do
    sync :rakkk
    wait get[:wu]
    play 59, amp: rrand(0.1, 1), release: rrand(0.1, 1)
  end
end

in_thread do
  loop do
    sync :rikkk
    wait get[:wi]
    play 61, amp: rrand(0.1, 1), release: rrand(0.1, 1)
  end
end

Some things I have in mind to add in the future:

• Change not only rhythm over time but also pitch
• Refine the variations of dynamics, these might also be subject to long-term changes or to patterns of accent
• Combine this way to create change with ways to create large scale form, that is mechanisms that cause repetion of certain developements
• Combine this with interactive mechanisms, for example have the tempo of movements influence the tempo of pattern changes

Also, instead of pitches, it is interesting to use drum samples or send midi to another device. I had some fun tweaking sounds in Ableton live while Sonic Pi served as the sequencer.