Drumming with style: from user needs to a working prototype

Abstract

This paper documents and discusses the process of developing a generative drumming agent built from the results of an extensive survey carried out with electronic music producers. Following the techniques of user-centered interaction design, an international group of beat producers was reviewed on the possibility of using AI algorithms to help them in the beat production work-flow. The results of these tests were used as design requirements for constructing a system that would indeed perform some tasks alongside the producer. The first results of this working prototype, a stylistic drum generator that creates new rhythmic patterns after being trained with a collection of drum tracks, are presented with a description of the system. Further stages of development and potential algorithms are also discussed.