Random generation tools make me sad...

[ROTMetro]

Random generation tools in music make me sad. I want someone to bounce ideas off of and vice versa. Instead I click a button on a machine. And even when it gives me something good it's nothing and has no value to me, and I click again because what if the next click is something better.

[gaf_thit]

Sounds like when one keep scrolling on a TV, the next channel may be better...

I like generative sequencing though, where you set a probability for each note. Adding different sounds to the randomness.

[recmix]

Using AI for music feels like picking a WP template - clean, functional, but soulless. Even when it spits out something decent, there's no connection, just the urge to click again for something “better.” It skips the messy, human part where meaning actually comes from.

[skarvika]

what if the next click is something better.

You have so many samples, what if there's a better snare than the one you're using? You have so many patches on your synths, what if there's a better one? What if there's better pickups on your guitar? What if there's a better bass player than the guy in your band? What if there's better shoes than the ones you're wearing? And so on...well of course there's always better! You'll get stuck in song development hell if you hold onto that mindset that you need to find the absolute best of everything for your song. Eventually you learn to just go "This sounds good" and stick with it. You can use that 'better' idea, sample, patch, whatever for your next song!

[Gamma-UT]

The solution would seem to be to find someone to collaborate with.

[koalaboy]

I love random generation tools. They're inspiration, in the same way randomly listening to other music is.

Sometimes it's just noise, sometimes it clicks and sets me down a path.

[BertKoor]

It's a load of "Whatever".
Full rant: https://eev.ee/blog/2025/07/03/the-rise-of-whatever/
(not me, coube be though)

[koalaboy]

It's a load of "Whatever".
Full rant: https://eev.ee/blog/2025/07/03/the-rise-of-whatever/
(not me, coube be though)

That article (quick skim) is missing some of the point I think. Sure, there is a lot of 'whatever' in that many people who don't enjoy doing things will just bypass as much as possible. That's always been the case.

However, almost everyone likes convenience and those who love creating and 'doing' also bypass a lot of things they thing aren't important. Saying "Don't use AI" across the board is like saying "Don't use a DAW", or "Don't play an instrument you haven't made"...

Yeah, extremes, but it goes both ways. I'm a software developer and I would be stupid to not use AI *in some ways* in the same way I'd be stupid to not speak with other developers or read books about code, or look at anything that's gone before.

Now I'm not going to use AI to write the code for me, but to give me a basic example, or some inspiration, or summarise something to help me along ? Sure !

The same with random tools. If you just take their output and call it 'art'... well, okay. If that's what floats your boat. But if it's a *part* of the process, that helps inspire/uplift someone to be creative, that's all good in my book.

Very few people are completely innovative - most just build on what they have experienced. If random noise is part of that experience (hey modular fans ) then that's all good.

[Constructed Identity]

Then don't use them. Problem solved.

[ROTMetro]

Then don't use them. Problem solved.

OK. Good talk.

[ROTMetro]

I love random generation tools. They're inspiration, in the same way randomly listening to other music is.

Sometimes it's just noise, sometimes it clicks and sets me down a path.

But in the past this was done with collaboration with other artists. Or spending hours building up tricks, little bits, unfinished song parts, you could add to a song. Those all had value. They all were intentionally/intelligently added. Clicking a button and just hoping doesn't seem like it takes you anywhere as a musician that you can grow from/recreate in the future.

Even for some effects you have to freeze multiple times because what they do can very so much that from playback to playback of a track they can be good or not really add much. I like how Arturia's effects such as EFX Fragments do interesting things, but are deterministic so I knew each time the track is played, I'll get that good thing it did last time, not hope 'it kind of works'.

[Michael L]

What you like or don’t like, what makes you happy or sad, is what defines you as an artist. It’s called “taste,” a good word for what you choose to eat.

[ROTMetro]

What you like or don’t like, what makes you happy or sad, is what defines you as an artist. It’s called “taste.”

Plenty of people have great taste in music/art/theater/etc but aren't artists. If you're just curating random stuff from pushing a button, it could make for an interesting art installation piece to comment on the modern world but I'm not sure curator = artist. Putting together a good playlist isn't 'creating art'.

[Michael L]

If you're just curating random stuff from pushing a button

...you could become Brian Eno, IF you had good taste.
.

[ROTMetro]

Old boy has scripts applying algorithms he specified, that incorporate his taste and style, that he has probably defined and refined over hours and hours of actually applying his rhythmic knowledge. His algo's actually contain his music knowledge and understanding, that he developed over time.

Not clicking buttons that have zero of him or his personal musicality behind them that are a one time use, not an expanding on hours and hours of your personal taste exploration, just 'next' 'next' 'next' 'next'.

That you think the two are the same is wild.