Logic Pro 8 logic studio: create/edit random notes based on jazz harmony

treachercat

treachercat

Logician
hi gang,
does anybody know how I can do the following in logic.
History:
back in the mid 1990s!! i wrote a program in Cakewalk (now Sonar) that used the CAL language.
This program could read midi note data an alter it to fit harmony based on parameters I fed it.
example: I would say: measure 1 is CMA7, Measure 2 beats 1 & 2 is dm7, and beats 3 & 4 em7, measure Measure 3 C7b5, etc. etc. you get the idea (i hope).
I then would play randomly on the midi keyboard (but with respect to intervals, open chord voicings, number of notes, rhytmn, feel, etc. - but with little regard to actual pitch. - since I am primarily a guitar player and not a keyboard player.
I would then run my cute little program and it would analyze the notes and correct the justification up by a half step (in most cases, unless I programmed a request for a whole tone scale or something) and make the random notes fit the harmony. I chose to move the notes up because a) I had to make a choice and I was getting lazy as a programmer.
It worked brillantly and I used this to help inspire me to write, esp. when I was in a "rut".
- thanks for bearing with the long winded explanation....

Q: can this be done in logic 9?
Q: Is there any plug-in that can do this if logic can't or a freeware/shareware program for MAC?

the closest I've ever found was the RANDOM edit function in FLStudio. Which is pretty nice (but not quite the same)

I have long since abandoned the PC world for music creation (with no looking back).

I was playing with the random note / velocity midi transform window function and that works "pretty close" to the FLStudio ideas I mentioned above.

Anybody have any thoughts?
Once angain, please forgive the highly verbose, convoluted explaination...
Thanks
 
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Hi Treachercat,

treachercat said:
back in the mid 1990s!! i wrote a program in Cakewalk (now Sonar) that used the CAL language.
Click to expand...

Logic doesn't have a scripting language, but does have an Environment which lets you do much of what a scripting language would allow. In fact, you can think of the Environment as an object-oriented programming space, in which you link objects to each other, and then configure the objects.

Also, Logic offers "global tracks" which allow you to map things such as tempo, key signatures, markers, even chord transpositions for the entire song.


This program could read midi note data an alter it to fit harmony based on parameters I fed it.
example: I would say: measure 1 is CMA7, Measure 2 beats 1 & 2 is dm7, and beats 3 & 4 em7, measure Measure 3 C7b5, etc. etc. you get the idea (i hope).
Click to expand...

Sorta kinda. 🙂 But probably enough to start you off on your journey.

I would then run my cute little program and it would analyze the notes
Click to expand...

One of the neat things about Logic is that everything works in realtime. Which makes it far easier to get results, and also lets you manipulate your data during performance, and not have to wait to run a program! :thmbup:

Q: can this be done in logic 9?
Click to expand...

I believe so. I'm not going to "guarantee" anything because as I said, I'm not 100% sure what you want. But I think you can do it, and actually pretty easily, once you understand the concepts. I believe that you'll use one or a combination of both features I mention above:

Chord Track In the Global Tracks (they appear above the Arrange tracks when you activate them in Arrange > View), you will add a chord track to your song. Then you will add "events" in the chord track, mapping out the chords of your song (and you can set a key as well). This will transpose MIDI chords and notes into the key/chords in the Chord Track. Here's a place to start learning about the Chord Track:
http://documentation.apple.com/en/logicpro/usermanual/index.html#chapter=3&section=33

Chord Memorizer Object in the Environment The Chord Memorizer is an Environment object that takes the input MIDI notes and directly maps them to other notes. You can use this to turn a single note into a chord, to map away or transpose out of scale notes, etc. To use the Environment, you add an object (such as the Chord Memorizer) to the Environment window, and then cable it up to specific MIDI channel strips, or between the physical input or instrument object and the sequencer input. The Environment can be confusing, but if you're used to programming, it's a breeze. A place to get started on the Environment:
http://documentation.apple.com/en/logicpro/usermanual/index.html#chapter=36&section=2

Q: Is there any plug-in that can do this if logic can't or a freeware/shareware program for MAC?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, Logic doesn't support MIDI plug-ins, so the only MIDI processing that can be done within Logic is what is available in the Editors and the Environment. However, you'll see that if you're willing to get your head around the Environment, it can be an amazingly powerful tool.

Otherwise, you'd have to try something like the Numerology, which is a pretty amazing standalone MIDI sequencer, and use Rewire to connect it to Logic. http://www.five12.com/ I'm not familiar with Numerology, but a lot of people swear by it.

Once angain, please forgive the highly verbose, convoluted explaination...
Thanks
Click to expand...

Verbose is good! It helps us understand what you're trying to do. I hope some of my suggestions lead you in the right direction!

Orren
 
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logic already does this for you. Simply place the chords manually in the chord Global Track and play randomly - voila!- everything follows the sequence

Alternatively you can play in the chords as triads and the Global Track will learn them, then convert anything new to your chosen harmonic scheme

peter

peter
 
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peterlemer said:
logic already does this for you. Simply place the chords manually in the chord Global Track and play randomly - voila!- everything follows the sequence
Click to expand...
Can you explain this? My Logic plays and writes what I play. And what means random playing in this case?
 
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peterlemer said:
logic already does this for you. Simply place the chords manually in the chord Global Track and play randomly - voila!- everything follows the sequence
Click to expand...
Peter Ostry said:
Can you explain this? My Logic plays and writes what I play. And what means random playing in this case?
Click to expand...
peterlemer said:
In Global Tracks there's a chord option. Have you seen this yet?
Click to expand...
I know this but how do you play "randomly" and follow the chords? When I have a chord sequence like C-C7-F-Fm in the global track but play E-A-B-E on the keyboard I get the played notes, not notes that match the chords. What am I missing?
 
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i wanted to thank you guys for your help.
i utilized these techniques (somewhat) on Juleea and philharmonic up on:
http://www.reverbnation.com/davewhitepdx
Thanks for the tip on Numerology 2.0: fantastic software, i used it extensively on 'philharmonic' and i'm playing around with it to see about redoing the drums on 'queen of moms'.
i seems a little glicthy using it via rewire in logic 9, but i am having success. it's just that i have to be patient. a few lock ups here and there, one or two dumps with no saves, etc. but stunning software. i will buy it one day when my nose is above the waterline. thanks again, Orren.
 
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