I'm making an algorithmic based program and I just thought of a new way that I'd like to generate length of notes. I'm still new to pd and programming in general, so I was wondering what the best and easiest way would be to go about making something like my chart below:

4 = note lengths of 4000ms (4 seconds), 2 = 2 seconds, 1 = 1 second, 1/2 = half second. So similar to whole, half, quarter, and eight notes. If the first note (when banged from a random 50/50 chance) is a 4, then the second note can be a 1 or a 2. If the second note is a 1, the third note must be a 2 and so on. I hope the diagram explains what I am trying to accomplish. The goal in doing this is so that on every 4 and 8 notes, the notes line up again (since I have 4 parts to this music generation).

I originally was doing something else to get note lengths, using a route 8 and a random note was triggered by a metronome, and then the metronome (received this length and) didn't choose another until the length of the first note finished. I'm having a hard time switching over to this new concept.

This notelength, is passed to a random note chooser using route 8.

Any help would be great! =)

moses and counting are one good approach to this, for each range the sum of all steps is a constant and moses moves the divide/split point. Every length is a simple fraction so multiply each of the reults of a moses tree (as 1, 2, 3, 4 - you will need selects) by your unit step length. I don't quite understand your diagram and what is the exact relationship between step and note length?

Another way to deal with sequences is with lists. If you have a list that represents all the steps in the sequence with length (time delays) elements, and a list sequencer that outputs them in a loop or something, then you can build sequences algorithmiclly by operating on them. See the

helpfile for an example.

Thanks obiwannabe. Before you posted, I had just found a way to get things working. It's messy and probably not the most efficient way of doing things though, but again it works how I need it. Right now, I'm using routeing, moses, and some send/receives. I'll take a look at lists since they seem like that may have been a better route to go.

I'm sorry, I probably didn't explain well what I am trying to achieve. Every 8 notes, I wanted a pattern (algorithmic) to go back to Note 1 and find a new pattern (which may be the same as the previous one). Looking at the diagram, each box is the option(s) that can be chosen by the random generator. A 1/2 = 500ms, 1 = 1000ms, 2 = 2000ms, and 4 = 4000ms. At note 1, if a 2 is chosen, the next one can only be a 2, and the next only a 1, next a 3, next a 4, 3, or 1. If a 1 is chosen for note 5, then the next note must be a 4, next a 1/2, and last a 1/2, then back to note 1 again ( 4 or 2). There is no direct link between step and note length other then the fact that the order of note lengths reach an even point at the end of every 4 and 8 notes.

Basically, I originally had an algorithmic note generator, where the notes were picked from moses divide/split points. The problem is, with 4 instruments playing simultaneously, the rhythms were too random. So, I wanted to line them up every 4 and 8 notes. With the diagram setup, every 4 notes and 8 notes, the notes start together, while in between they can deviate randomly in their rhythm (note length).

I hope that makes more sense. I'm a student, and learning PD for the first time. So I'm sure my way isn't the most efficient, but it's all I could think of. =) The patch is almost completed, and I can upload it once finished if interested.

my friend coded something like this(not in pd, but in C++ i think)

i always meant to do a pd version, so please uplaod your patch!

ps. why do the last notes have to line up?

Well, I'm trying to create a 3 part generated piece that uses, violin, viola, cello, and bass (doubles cello part). So I wanted it to sound semi traditional, but can still deviate to give interesting sounds. When the rhythms didn't line up ever, it really made the random harmony completely off. I'm thinking of making it line up every 8 notes (or 16 counts) instead of 4, to give more time for deviation.

The whole patch, first picks a random note length, then picks a random note value (weighted), and then based on the note-length a articulation (using samples) is chosen based on the note-length and then sent to output.

If I were doing some electronic sounding piece, then I wouldn't worry so much that parts don't move together.

I should have an almost finished (not quite) patch that I can post later today.