Rhythm & Bass Generators for Electronic Music – Create MIDI Drum Patterns Instantly

I’ve added two new tools to the site recently: Rhythm Machine and Bass Machine.

They weren’t planned as products or releases. They started as an experiment – a way to see whether a couple of simple, browser-based generators could actually be useful at the start of a track.

It turns out they are.

What they’re for

Both tools are sketchpads.

They’re about that moment at the start – when you want something musical to react to.

The Rhythm Machine focuses on rhythm, groove and timing.

The Bass Machine focuses on movement and note choice.

In both cases, the output is just MIDI. You take it wherever you want next.

The interesting bit (for me)

The real value in both tools is the auto generation.

I’ve used idea generators inside Ableton for years. I’ve always found them useful – not because they give you finished parts, but because they get you moving.

That’s exactly what these do well.

You can generate variations quickly, scroll back through previous ideas, keep the ones that feel right, and ignore the rest. There’s no setup cost, no commitment, and nothing lost by trying something.

People pay good money for drum MIDI packs and bassline ideas. Here, you’re effectively generating your own – shaped by the direction you’re already heading in.

Who this will click with

If you’re just starting out, these are a safe way to explore rhythm and bass without getting stuck in theory or endless choices.

If you’ve been producing for years, they work as quick sparks – especially when you want to break habits or arrive somewhere slightly unexpected without effort.

Worth a try

They’re both live on the site now:

• Rhythm Machine – a browser-based MIDI beat sketchpad

• Bass Machine – a scale-locked, monophonic bassline generator

They’re still evolving, but they’re already doing what I hoped they would.

If you enjoy using them – or if something doesn’t quite feel right – feedback is always welcome.

They exist to be played with.