The I2C8 project started from the successful research carried out during the FP7-ICT project Lrn2Cre8 under grant number 610859. It brings parts of that research closer to market by exploiting results related to creativity and automatic music generation technologies. I2C8 has dealt with the development of a new product for music chord generation with intelligent and automatic features, aimed at the music production market.
The Lrn2Cre8 FET base project led to new ways to generate coherent chord sequences based on machine learning and musical semiotics. I2C8 is a spinoff project derived from Lrn2Cre8 dealing with the theory and implementation of a digital audio workstation plug-in for chord sequence generation. The plug-in is intended to encourage and inspire composers to explore loops through pattern definition, position locking, and generation into unlocked positions. Degrees of “diatonicity” of generated sequences can be explored and parameters for voicing the sequences manipulated.
The method implemented by the plug-in clearly separates it from other tools that are already on the market. Most of these tools could be described as chord recommendation engines or chord sequence builders, whereas we generate a set of full chord sequences that satisfy a given structural pattern. The USP of our approach is (1) the use of a machine-learning model as the foundation for the chord generation and (2) user-communication through an idiosyncratic pattern language conveyed by the user interface — not through more or less explicit implementations of music theory. Simplicity and ease of use are paramount. I2C8 was designed with quick results in mind. Our aim is to “inspire” for composing, not to deliver complete compositions.
We are not aware of another application/plug-in which uses a UI concept like I2C8. For the structural representation of chord sequences, a simple graphical, idiosyncratic pattern language was used which allows for results to be immediately viewed and listened to. This fostered an explorative and playful approach when looking for and finding new and interesting chord progressions.
We regard I2C8 as being a commendable result of applied research with the ultimate goal of successful commercialization. The principal requirements lie in the workflow optimization and not in the automated creation of complex musical patterns. I2C8 is a combination of a powerful music engine reduced to useful functionalities, with regard to specific workflow problems. Product-readiness of I2C8 could be reached within the funding period by the EU. However, it is a work in progress as ongoing user testing has been producing valuable feedback for further advancements.
I2C8 does not claim to generate long and musically complex chord progressions but predominantly short sequences of up to eight chords, or sequences within longer progressions. So the software caters to producers of loop-based, electronic genres for which the creative process is different in comparison to the ones for more traditional forms of music.
For the immediate next product iteration, we are currently evaluating the concept of extending I2C8 into a powerful arpeggiator by a flexible rhythm logic building on presets of a magnitude of musical styles. Creating arpeggiated chord progressions, i.e. successions of many notes in musically logical order, is a tedious and time-consuming process. The extended version of I2C8 could drastically simplify and shortcut laborious music production steps. This is a clear workflow benefit in addition to the assistance in the creative idea-finding process.
Considering the resources provided, we believe to have reached the utmost positive result with the I2C8 project in terms of technology transfer from an abstract, fundamental method to a tangible application, product-readiness of the software, and efficiency of project execution. With the right market preparation work, the I2C8 software is an application with commercial potential in its niche.
