Randomisation tools require active curation — the producer remains responsible for every moment of the output

Randomisation plug-ins can generate material quickly but lack taste. The danger is that random output becomes accepted by default — notes or rhythms that a producer would immediately correct if played by hand pass unchallenged when generated by an algorithm. The solution: treat randomised output as raw material requiring full curation. Slow down, solo, and listen to each section critically. Bounce the output to MIDI or audio so it can be edited note by note. Use increasing amounts of randomisation until it is clearly excessive, then dial back to find the useful range. The producer’s name is on the music regardless of how it was made — curating results is the job.

Examples

Generate a random drum pattern with a randomisation plug-in. Listen at half speed. Solo each instrument. Identify every note that does not serve the groove. Fix or remove it. The act of fixing every note is the curatorial work.

Assessment

Use a randomisation tool to generate a 16-bar section of material. Before accepting any of it, solo each element, slow down, and identify five specific moments you would change. Make those changes. Evaluate whether the result is now usably ‘yours’.