Monday, January 8, 2024

Tutorial Part 13: How to produce a complete Techno track with ChatGPT in only 2 hours

Hello,
and welcome to a new part of the tutorial series - the 13th part already!
While the recent parts were about more general ways ChatGPT can help you with producing music - such as generating melodies, rhythms, mastering, etc, this one is finally about creating a whole track again. Creating a track from start to finish, to be exact!

(The other parts of the tutorials can be accessed here:
https://laibyrinth.blogspot.com/p/how-to-create-music-with-chatgpt.html
They are more or less essential for understanding this one, too.)

The idea was to show how easy and smooth it is to work on music, and produce tracks, together with ChatGPT.
And, I kid you not, the whole process really took only around 2 hours.
Uploading the track, formatting the chat transcript, posting the whole thing, took longer than the actual production process!

I still can't believe how smooth it all went. Really just like kicking back, "chillaxing", drinking a beverage, having a chat with ChatGPT about music production and - voila! - your track is finished.

Due to the nature of this tutorial, this is a pretty straight-forward and essentially "simple" track.
It would be easy to built on the draft ChatGPT provided, and create something much more complex and eclectic.
But this then might not take 2, but 3 hours, so be warned ;-)

(Btw: People who dislike AI music, and fear that "tons of AI music" will get "churned out", might not like this whole thing. Because if you can do a Techno track with ChatGPT in 2 hours, then everything will be possible in the future :-)

While this is an Oldschool Acid Trance Techno track at its core, I followed ChatGPT's instructions to add elements of modulation and change to it, too, so it get's quite disharmonious and strange at parts.
Here be dragons. Just so you know.

Also, as I worked with ChatGPT on this track, it of course spun it towards my own flavor. If there are elements or parts that you dislike about the track (e.g. "it could be faster", "it could be slower", "more distorted", "less distorted"...), then it would be very easy for *you* to collaborate with ChatGPT on a track that has exactly the elements and the style that *you* want!

The actual track can be heard here:

https://soundcloud.com/technodjai/the-advent-of-ai-extended-mix



But let's get ahead with that chat transcript.

[Note: the transcript was slightly edited for clarity.]

Begin of Chat Transcript


User
Dear ChatGPT,
I worked with you on music in the past. I want to work on a new track with you.
It should be a surreal and futuristic acid techno track.

I want it to have the following elements in the track:

1. An acid bassline
2. A 909 type bassdrum
3. A 808 type snare drum
4. A 808 type cowbell sound
5. A 808 type clap
6. A 808 type closed hihat
7. A 808 type open hihat
8. A 909 type ride cymbal
9. A 909 type crash cymbal
10.A futuristic synth melody

I will ask you to give me notes and pattern sequences for these elements step by step.

ChatGPT
Yo, what's up! Excited to work on a new track with you. Let's dive into the elements you want in this surreal and futuristic acid techno vibe.

1. Acid Bassline:
Start with a classic 303-style bassline. Let's keep it modulating, tweaking those resonance and cutoff knobs to get that hypnotic acid feel. Aim for a rolling, evolving groove.

2. 909 Type Bassdrum:
For that thumping low end, go for a 909 bassdrum. Crank up the attack to give it a punchy feel. Adjust decay and tune to taste, but keep it deep and driving.

3. 808 Type Snare Drum:
Bring in the 808 snare for that fat, snappy hit. Tweak the decay and snappiness to fit the pace. A bit of reverb could add some extra space.

4. 808 Type Cowbell Sound:
Let's get a bit funky with the 808 cowbell. Place it strategically to emphasize certain beats or transitions. Experiment with the pitch to find that sweet spot.

5. 808 Type Clap:
Drop in the 808 clap for some extra texture. Adjust the decay and maybe layer it subtly with the snare for a fuller sound.

6. 808 Type Closed Hihat:
Bring in the closed hi-hat on the off-beats, maintaining that relentless techno drive. Adjust the decay and maybe throw in some subtle velocity changes for a dynamic feel.

7. 808 Type Open Hihat:
Open hi-hat on the upbeat to add variation and intensity. Experiment with openness and decay to find the right vibe.

8. 909 Type Ride Cymbal:
Let's introduce the 909 ride cymbal for some high-frequency shimmer. Play with the decay to control its sustain.

9. 909 Type Crash Cymbal:
Use the 909 crash for impactful transitions. Place it strategically, maybe before a breakdown or a major shift in the track.

10. Futuristic Synth Melody:
This is where the magic happens. Craft a futuristic synth melody that complements the acid bassline. Experiment with unique sounds and effects, and don't be afraid to get experimental.

Once you've laid down these elements, we can fine-tune and add more layers to make it truly mind-bending. Let me know how this sounds and we'll keep the creative juices flowing!

[Note: ChatGPT's suggestions in this part are nice, but I already had made up my own mind, so I did not follow up on all of them.]

User
Thank you very much! I am looking forward to our new collaboration, too.
Let's go through it step by step now.

Step 1: please give me notes for a suitable acid bassline loop.

ChatGPT
Absolutely, let's kick things off with that infectious acid bassline! For a surreal and futuristic acid techno vibe, I suggest starting in the key of A minor. Here are some notes to get your bassline rolling:

  1. A (octave 2)
  2. C (octave 2)
  3. D (octave 2)
  4. E (octave 2)
  5. G (octave 1)
  6. A (octave 1)
  7. C (octave 1)
  8. D (octave 1)
Feel free to experiment with variations and slides between the notes to add that classic acid character. Play around with the resonance and cutoff to modulate the sound and create movement in your loop. Let me know how this foundation feels, and we can tweak it based on your preferences!

User
at what bpm do you suggest, should these notes be?

ChatGPT
For that proper acid techno groove, I recommend a BPM range of 130 to 140. Let's aim for a sweet spot around 135 BPM. This tempo provides a good balance between energy and danceability, giving your track that signature techno drive.

Feel free to adjust slightly based on your personal preference or the overall vibe you're going for. Once we lock in the BPM, we can fine-tune the acid bassline and start building the rest of the elements. Let me know if this works for you!

User
i tested the bass line and it sounds genius! well done. could you do another one, that i could use in the middle part of the track? to add a bit of variation.

ChatGPT
Glad to hear the first bassline is hitting the right notes! Let's cook up something fresh for the middle section to keep it interesting. I'll stick with A minor for continuity, but we can tweak it to add variation. Here's a different acid bassline for the middle part:
  1. A (octave 2)
  2. G (octave 1)
  3. E (octave 1)
  4. D (octave 1)
  5. C (octave 2)
  6. A (octave 2)
  7. G (octave 2)
  8. E (octave 2)
Feel free to experiment with the timing, slides, or any other tweaks you feel would fit the vibe of your track. Let me know how it meshes with the overall feel, and we can keep building from there!

User
alright! even though i listed the synth melody as "element number 10", i think it's more sensible to do the melody as the next step. so we have all melody stuff ready, before we go on to the percussion.

please craft a melody for use in this track. i will use the notes on my softsynth.

ChatGPT
Absolutely, let's shape up a futuristic and surreal melody to complement the acid bassline. Sticking to our A minor key, here's a synth melody that should vibe well with the acid techno atmosphere:
  1. A (octave 3)
  2. E (octave 3)
  3. G (octave 2)
  4. C (octave 3)
  5. D (octave 2)
  6. A (octave 2)
  7. E (octave 2)
  8. G (octave 2)
Feel free to experiment with the timing, articulation, and maybe throw in some pitch bends or modulation for that extra futuristic touch. Let me know how this melody resonates with you, and if you have any adjustments in mind!

User
this sounds great as well! I added a lofi degrader effect (that reduces the sample rate) to it to make it sounds more futuristic.

ChatGPT
Nice touch with the lofi degrader effect! That's a clever move to enhance the futuristic vibe. It can add some grit and character to the melody, fitting perfectly with the overall aesthetic of acid techno.

As we move forward, keep experimenting with effects and subtle tweaks to make the track uniquely yours. Now that we've got the melody and bassline in the bag, we can dive into the percussion elements. Ready to lay down some beats?

User
yes, but before we do that, i had another idea: i think some synth pads would be a nice addition to the bassline and the synth melody. i will use lots of reverb on them to create a feeling of space and futurism. they should run longer than the other melodies; for example, a loop that encompasses 32 beats (which does not mean there has to be a note on every beat!). do you think single notes, or chords would be preferable?

ChatGPT
Great call on adding synth pads to expand the sonic landscape! For a surreal and futuristic feel with lots of reverb, I'd suggest going with chords. They can create a more lush and atmospheric texture, fitting well with the space and futurism you're aiming for.

Let's keep it simple yet effective. Here's a suggestion for a synth pad loop spanning 32 beats:
  1. A minor chord (A, C, E) - Hold for 8 beats
  2. D minor chord (D, F, A) - Hold for 8 beats
  3. G major chord (G, B, D) - Hold for 8 beats
  4. E minor chord (E, G, B) - Hold for 8 beats
This progression complements the A minor key and gives a nice emotional arc over the 32 beats. Feel free to adjust the voicings or try different chord progressions that resonate with the overall mood you're aiming for.

After laying down these pads, play around with reverb settings to create that expansive and ethereal atmosphere. Let me know how it vibes with the rest of the elements!

User
this melody is awesome! it is soothing and relaxing.
please generate another synth pad melody that is a bit more "disharmonic", but it should still stay in tune, more or less. i want to use it as a variation in some parts of the tracks, to add some spice and thrill to it.

ChatGPT
I'm glad you enjoyed the first melody! Let's introduce a bit more edge with a "disharmonic" synth pad variation. We'll keep it within the A minor framework, but with a more unconventional twist. Here's a suggestion:
  1. A minor add9 chord (A, B, C, E) - Hold for 8 beats
  2. E diminished 7th chord (E, G, Bb, Db) - Hold for 8 beats
  3. D minor 7th chord (D, F, A, C) - Hold for 8 beats
  4. G minor add9 chord (G, A, Bb, D) - Hold for 8 beats
This progression introduces some dissonance and tension while still maintaining a connection to the A minor tonality. It should add that spice and thrill you're looking for. Experiment with different chord voicings or modify the progression as needed.

Feel free to play around with the reverb and other effects to enhance the atmospheric quality. Let me know how it fits into your track, and we can keep the creative flow going!

User
I notice it's a variation based on the first chord melody! nice idea. and it sounds really good again.
now let's move on to the percussion. i will give you detailed instructions in the next prompt.

ChatGPT
Sounds like a plan! Whenever you're ready with the detailed instructions for the percussion, hit me up, and we'll continue shaping up this track. Looking forward to it!

User
element 2 - the 909 type drum - will simply go at a 4-to-the-floor rhythm at 140 bpm. so i don't need any sequences for that.

but please give me a sequence for element 3 - 808 type snare drum. i'm interested in an "oldschool" acid / techno rhythm, when the percussive elements were often faster, more frantic, and chaotic than in more "modern" techno productions. but it doesn't have to be an exact copy of oldschool rhythms, feel free to generate what you think works best - let it roll!

and please give the sequence a drum roll format type output so i can add it easier to my daw.

ChatGPT
Absolutely, let's bring that oldschool acid/techno vibe to the 808 snare drum! Going for a more frantic and chaotic rhythm, here's a sequence that should get things grooving:
Here's the 808 snare drum sequence in a drum roll format for easier integration into your DAW:

1. [x---x---]
2. [----x---]
3. [x------x]
4. [----x---]
5. [--x-----]
6. [----x---]
7. [--x----x]
8. [----x---]

Each "x" represents a snare hit, and the dashes signify where there's no snare hit. Feel free to adjust the placement of hits or add/subtract elements based on your preferences. Let me know how this fits in your track!

[Note: I'm not certain what ChatGPT meant with this output format. Maybe it made a slight error, or I just did not understand it right. Maybe it crafted all percussive elements at once. But this "issue" was easily "solved".]

User
let's do it again. give a drum roll type output, but only in one row / channel, for the snare drum loop. the loop should run 4 beats (1 bar) in total.

ChatGPT
Certainly! Here's a simplified drum roll output for the 808 snare drum loop running 4 beats (1 bar) in one row/channel:

[x---x---x---x---]

This represents a continuous pattern where each "x" corresponds to a snare hit. Feel free to adjust the timing or add more complexity as needed. Let me know how this works for you!

User
already good, but make it more frantic / chaotic, like the oldschool etc. elements i mentioned above.

ChatGPT
Absolutely, let's crank up the chaos for that oldschool vibe. Here's a more frantic and chaotic drum roll for the 808 snare drum, running 4 beats (1 bar):

[x---x--x--x-x---]

Feel the madness! Adjustments are totally welcome, so let me know if you want more or less chaos in the mix.

User
sounds good! now the same for element 4. A 808 type cowbell sound

ChatGPT
Let's bring in the chaos for the 808 cowbell! Here's a more frantic and chaotic drum roll for the cowbell, running 4 beats (1 bar):

[x-x---x--x---x-]

Feel free to tweak it as needed. Let me know how this fits into the overall groove!

User
perfect! now the same for 5. A 808 type clap

ChatGPT
Let's keep the chaotic energy going with the 808 clap! Here's a more frantic and chaotic drum roll for the clap, running 4 beats (1 bar):

[x---x--x-x---x-]

Feel free to adjust or let me know if you'd like any changes. Ready to keep the rhythm flowing!

User
now 6. 6. A 808 type closed hihat

ChatGPT
Let's get that 808 closed hi-hat rolling with some chaos! Here's a more frantic and chaotic drum roll for the closed hi-hat, running 4 beats (1 bar):

[x-x--x-x--x--x-]

Feel free to tweak it to your liking or let me know if you have any specific adjustments in mind. Ready to keep building that groove!

User
now 7. A 808 type open hihat

ChatGPT
Let's add some chaos to the 808 open hi-hat! Here's a more frantic and chaotic drum roll for the open hi-hat, running 4 beats (1 bar):

[x---x---x---x-x]

Feel free to play around with it or let me know if you'd like any adjustments. Ready to keep the energy flowing in your track!

User
not bad! but please do a faster rhythm for the open hihat

ChatGPT
Certainly! Let's speed up the rhythm for the 808 open hi-hat. Here's a faster and more frantic drum roll, running 4 beats (1 bar):

[x-x-x-x--x--x-x]

Feel the acceleration! Adjustments are welcome, so let me know if this aligns with your vision or if you want any modifications. Ready to keep the momentum going!

User
great! now 8. A 909 type ride cymbal

ChatGPT
Let's bring in the intensity with a frantic drum roll for the 909 ride cymbal! Here's a more chaotic pattern, running 4 beats (1 bar):

[x---x-x--x---x-]

Feel free to adjust or let me know if you have specific changes in mind. Ready to keep the ride cymbal grooving in the mix!

User
and finally: 9. A 909 type crash cymbal

ChatGPT
Let's make an impact with the 909 crash cymbal! Here's a more frantic and chaotic drum roll for the crash cymbal, running 4 beats (1 bar):

[x--x---x--x--x-]

Feel free to tweak it as needed, or let me know if you have any specific adjustments in mind. Ready to add that explosive touch to your track!

User
thanks! everything finished now. i will start working on producing the track :)

ChatGPT
You're welcome! That sounds like an exciting journey ahead. Have a blast producing the track, and if you ever need more input, ideas, or just want to bounce thoughts around, feel free to hit me up. Looking forward to hearing the finished masterpiece! Let the music flow! πŸŽΆπŸ”Š

User
I finished recording the track and it sounds *awesome*. You did an outstanding work!

I added two further elements: a simple second bassline with just a bass sound inbetween the drumbeats (on every 3rd, 7th, 11th 1/16 note, and so on) and a 808 type cymbal running straight on every 16th note to add some extra groove and drive.

Plus I tweaked and twitched the basslines, pads, and drums in some parts of the track heavily, sometimes in a harmonious way, but also giving to a dose of weird and exciting modulation of the sounds :-)

ChatGPT
That's fantastic to hear! I'm thrilled you're happy with how the track turned out. It sounds like you've added some great elements to enhance the groove and drive. Embracing that harmonious modulation is a key ingredient for a unique and exciting track.

If there's anything else you need or if you want to share the final piece when it's ready, feel free to drop a line. Keep riding that creative wave, and I'm here whenever you're ready to chat or collaborate again! πŸŽ§πŸš€

User
I also added a short voice sample to it, that I created with an AI voice generator.
I feel everything is finished now.
I'm really happy. Well done!

ChatGPT
That's awesome to hear! The addition of a voice sample can bring a whole new dimension to the track, adding a personal touch and unique flavor. I'm thrilled to have been a part of this creative process with you. Congratulations on completing the track, and I'm genuinely happy that you're pleased with the outcome.

If you ever want to collaborate, brainstorm, or just share more music-related vibes, don't hesitate to reach out. Keep making great music, and enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done! πŸŽΆπŸ‘

End of chat transcript

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