Soft Brew Mobile have released Pendulums Chaos Melody, available as a free download with an optional in-app purchase that unlocks AUv3 support.
Generative music engines often rely on random number generators, but Pendulums: Chaos Melody (by Soft Brew Mobile) grounds its sound generation in real physical motion. The iOS app utilizes a simulated twin double-pendulum rig—released from nearly identical starting angles—to organically generate melodic compositions. Because double pendulums exhibit chaotic motion, the physics simulation itself dictates the song’s evolving structural arrangement in real time without pre-recorded loops.
The musical structure is directly tied to physical divergence. When the twin pendulums are released, they initially move in sync, playing a single lead melody over a re-voiced arpeggio. As chaotic forces cause the two pendulums to drift apart, the twin line branches into distinct harmony notes while background chords swell. Once fully diverged, the full accompaniment suite—including basslines and mood engine dynamics—enters to complete the arrangement.
Musicians retain direct control over this physical engine by dragging and releasing the pendulum rig to set release angles. Releasing the pendulum under ~79 degrees keeps the motion predictable, keeping the melody in an infinite solo state, while releasing it further out introduces chaos over measurable time. To balance unpredictability with musicality, a Markov policy evaluates pitch regions suggested by the pendulum bobs, filtering outputs for harmonic consonance via an adjustable blend control.
Beyond its physical interface, Pendulums: Chaos Melody functions as a versatile composition tool with support for 26 musical scales, 8 style algorithms, and multiple sampled instruments like grand piano, koto, zither, and shakuhachi. Operating as both an AUv3 Instrument and MIDI Processor, it routes lead, twin, chord, and bass outputs across four separate MIDI channels directly into host iOS DAWs like GarageBand, Logic Pro, or AUM.
Features include:
- Generative Architecture & Physics Engine:
- Twin Double Pendulum Rig: Physics simulation drives all note timing and song structure; completely loop-free and un-sampled generation.
- Physical Arrangement Stages: Seamless transitions through In-Sync (unison melody), Drifting (harmony split and chords), and Diverged (full ensemble with bass) phases.
- Interactive Control: User-adjustable release angles and twin offsets; interactive scope visualizes predictable vs. chaotic regimes.
- Markov Policy Filter: Learns from output and filters raw physical positions toward consonant harmonic intervals with adjustable “Blend” control.
- Instruments, Scales & Styles:
- 26 Musical Scales: Major/minor modes, pentatonics, blues, whole tone, altered, octatonic, and world scales (Japan, China, Egypt, Spain, Arabia, Hungary).
- 8 Accompaniment Styles: Chaos grooves, jazz comping with walking bass, stride piano, Alberti bass, classical, arpeggios, oriental rolls, and ambient.
- Diverse Sound Engine: Sampled instruments (Grand Piano, Koto, Zither, Shakuhachi) alongside synthesized patches (Soft Piano, Glass, Strings, FM Bell, AM Organ, Fat Saw).
- 6-Zone Mood Engine: Plots arrangements on a valence/arousal matrix to control register, chord voicing, tempo, and note lengths dynamically.
- Performance & Dynamic Expression:
- Physics-Driven Dynamics: Automatic note bends, grace notes, ring, and octave-doubling triggered by pendulum bob positioning.
- Real-Time Visualizations: Includes live physical pendulum display, logarithmic divergence/Lyapunov exponent plot, note-probability distribution chart, and mood matrix pointer.
- DAW Integration & Export:
- AUv3 Compatibility: Functions as both an AUv3 Instrument and AUv3 MIDI Processor plugin with transport/tempo sync.
- Multichannel MIDI Output: Routes 4 separate MIDI channels (lead, twin, chords, bass) to sequence external software or hardware instruments.
- MIDI Export: One-touch recording and export of multitrack Standard MIDI Files (.mid) directly to the iOS Files app.
For more information on on Oendulums Chaos Melody, click here:
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