How to create a complete Doomcore Techno track with the help of ChatGPT

Hello,
I created a Techno track with the help of ChatGPT.
And in order to enable you to do the same, I logged, documented and archived everything about the production process, including detailed chat-logs with the AI.

When someone "claims" he created music via AI, a question that often arrives first is: "how much of the music was really done by AI"?
In this case, the roles were quite clear: ChatGPT created all the notes, melodies, harmonies, sequences, rhythms, track structure, every detail, even including the sentiment and general structure of the track. I just "typed" all the information into my DAW and stitched it together, with minor additions here and there.
To put it this way: ChatGPT was the songwriter, executive producer and creative powerhouse. I was the mixing engineer. But see for yourself.

Oh, and what the heck is Doomcore? (And don't confuse it with the Metal genre of the same name!)
According to an online encyclopedia:

Doomcore is defined by slower BPMs and a dark, "doomed" atmosphere.
While most Hardcore genres are not so keen on melodic elements (above the use of simple juno synth riffs), Doomcore tracks almost always feature composition of synths, choirs, strings...
The words "melody" and "harmonic" should be put in quotes though, as these elements usually border on the atonal, disharmonic, and unsettling.
[...]there is a strong affinity to Horror movie themes and sounds.

If you have any comments, questions, feedback, let me know.

Here is the final result:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEOnwyjEyzY

It is released under the "DJ AI" persona.
Full title: DJ AI - Echoes of Oblivion.
Artwork generated using Leonardo.Ai - https://leonardo.ai/

Here is the production chat transcript:

User

hello chatgpt,
let's work together on a doomcore techno track!
for my doomcore tracks, i like to use melodies that i call "arpeggio melodies". i'll give some examples of these:

(all notes are in a single track, no chords etc, and the notes run on the 8th notes, at around 140 bpm, or a bit slower. the whole melody has a length of 32 beats or 8 bars. then gets repeated. it is played over a stead "four to the floor" doomcore techno rhythm.)

[editor's note: I removed the examples of melodies and their notes. so we can still keep some secrets.]

here is another example. the same "details" regarding speed and length etc. apply here, too.

[same]

a third example:

[cut out again]

usually i accompany them with a bass synth that is just made up of the beginning note of each of these "quadruplets".
for the first melody, this would be

[and cut out once more...]

can you create a similar doomcore "arpeggio" melody that i could use in a new track?

ChatGPT

Sure thing! Let's cook up a fresh doomcore "arpeggio" melody that fits your style. Following the pattern and structure you've given, here's a new 32-beat, 8-bar melody for you:

Melody:

G5 A#5 G5 C6 G5 A#5 G5 C6 G5 A#5 G5 C6 G5 A#5 G5 C6 F5 A5 F5 A#5 F5 A5 F5 A#5 F5 A5 F5 A#5 F5 A5 F5 A#5 D#5 G5 D#5 A5 D#5 G5 D#5 A5 D#5 G5 D#5 A5 D#5 G5 D#5 A5 C5 D#5 C5 G5 C5 D#5 C5 G5 C5 D#5 C5 G5 C5 D#5 C5 G5

Bass Synth:

G5 F5 D#5 C5 (each running for 8 beats or 2 bars)

This melody should fit well with a steady "four to the floor" doomcore techno rhythm, keeping that dark and driving atmosphere. Let me know if you'd like any tweaks or if you need more elements for your track!

User

wow, this is perfect!

ChatGPT

Awesome, glad you like it! Now let's break it down and give it some context with a driving beat. Here’s a simple structure to get you started:

Beat and Bass

• Kick Drum: Four to the floor, hitting on every beat.
• Hi-Hats: Open hat on the off-beats, closed hats on every beat.
• Snare: Snare or clap on the 2nd and 4th beat of each bar.
• Bass Synth: Playing the root notes G5, F5, D#5, and C5 as outlined.

[Editor's note: I used the clap on the offbeat, but decided to use the snare suggestion, too, and move it to the 1st and 3rd beat]

Putting it Together

1. Intro:

   • Start with just the kick and a filtered version of the bass synth.
   • Gradually introduce the hi-hats and snare.

2. Main Section:

   • Bring in the full arpeggio melody along with the bass synth.
   • Layer in some atmospheric pads or effects to enhance the dark vibe.

3. Breakdown:

   • Strip back to just the arpeggio melody and a simplified kick.
   • Add some reverb and delay to the melody for an eerie effect.

4. Build-Up:

   • Reintroduce the hi-hats and snare.
   • Gradually increase the intensity of the bass and melody.
   • Use risers or noise sweeps to build tension.

5. Drop:

   • Bring everything back in full force: kick, hi-hats, snare, bass synth, and melody.
   • Consider adding a secondary melody or some additional percussive elements for variation.

6. Outro:

   • Slowly filter out elements to wind down the track.
   • End with just the kick and a reverb-heavy version of the bass synth.

Feel free to tweak and experiment with the arrangement to match your vision. If you need more elements or want to dive deeper into the sound design, let me know! Happy producing!

User

sounds awesome! please give me some notes for the secondary melody you mentioned for use in section "5: drop"

ChatGPT

Let's add a secondary melody that complements the primary arpeggio but brings some variation and intensity during the drop. This melody will weave through the existing one, creating some tension and contrast while still maintaining that doomcore vibe. I’ll keep it simple but impactful.

Secondary Melody (for the drop):

A5 C6 A5 D#6 A5 C6 A5 D#6 A5 C6 A5 D#6 A5 C6 A5 D#6
F5 G#5 F5 C6 F5 G#5 F5 C6 F5 G#5 F5 C6 F5 G#5 F5 C6
D#5 F5 D#5 G5 D#5 F5 D#5 G5 D#5 F5 D#5 G5 D#5 F5 D#5 G5
C5 D#5 C5 F5 C5 D#5 C5 F5 C5 D#5 C5 F5 C5 D#5 C5 F5

How to Use It:

• Layering: This melody should be layered on top of the original arpeggio but perhaps with a slightly different synth sound. Consider using a higher-pitched or more aggressive tone, like a distorted lead or sharp pluck.
• Rhythm: The melody follows the same 8th note pattern to maintain consistency, but the note progression introduces new energy. This should enhance the drop, making it feel even more intense.
• Processing: You can use effects like delay, reverb, or even distortion to give this melody some space and depth. Automating a filter sweep during the buildup could create anticipation before the full melody kicks in during the drop.

Let me know how it sounds in your setup! If you need more ideas or tweaks, I'm here to help.

User

sounds great! but you are aware this is disharmonic and off-key, right? not that i mind, it's doomcore, after all :)

ChatGPT

Haha, exactly! I went for that slightly disharmonic feel to add some dissonance and tension, which is perfect for doomcore. That off-key, unsettling vibe can really amp up the intensity and darkness in the track, making it feel more chaotic and raw.

Doomcore thrives on breaking rules, so leaning into that dissonance can give your track that gritty, unpolished edge. If you ever want to refine it or experiment with different variations, feel free to hit me up!

Happy producing, and I can’t wait to hear how this evolves!

User

I created the track in the way you suggested, and it sounds excellent! Thanks!
I also added choir pads and rising sounds in the respective sections, like you recommended.

ChatGPT

That’s awesome to hear! Choir pads and rising sounds are killer additions for doomcore—they really elevate the atmosphere and build tension. I'm stoked that the track came together so well!

If you’re ever looking to push the track further or explore new sonic territory, just let me know. Whether it's more melody ideas, sound design tips, or even suggestions on arrangement, I'm here for it. Keep bringing that darkness, and I’m sure this track will crush it.

User

Yes, do you have some further ideas / suggestions? Or is it "finished" as it is?

ChatGPT

While the track might already sound killer, there are always ways to push it even further, especially in doomcore, where every layer can add more depth and intensity. Here are some ideas to explore if you're looking to take things to the next level:

1. Distortion and Grit

• Distorted Kick Layers: Layer another, heavily distorted kick underneath your main kick. Keep it subtle but crushing, to add more weight without overwhelming the track.
• Tape Saturation: Applying some tape saturation to the overall mix can give it a grittier, warmer feel. You can also use it sparingly on individual elements, like the bassline or lead synths, to add texture.

2. Break Sections

• Glitchy Breakdown: Create a mid-track breakdown where you chop up your existing elements—glitch out the melody, stutter the drums, and add a broken, disjointed rhythm before slamming back into the full intensity of the drop.
• Atmospheric Pads: You mentioned adding choir pads—consider introducing even more ominous, evolving textures during breakdowns. Long, stretched-out pads with a lot of reverb and delay could create a haunting atmosphere between the intense sections.

3. Percussion Variations

• Industrial Hits: Adding some industrial percussion, like metallic clangs, deep thuds, or even eerie reverb-drenched snares, could reinforce the dark vibe. Sparse but heavy hits can make your drops even more impactful.
• Rhythmic Changes: Throw in some off-beat percussive elements during the drop or in the breaks to create an unsettling, shifting groove.

4. Modulation and Automation

• Filter Automation: Automate filters on your synths and bass throughout the track. For example, slowly opening a low-pass filter during build-ups and closing it during breakdowns can create more movement and tension.
• Pitch Modulation: Slight pitch bends on certain notes or even detuning your synths could add more dissonance and make the sound more chaotic.

5. Field Recordings and Samples

• Cinematic Samples: Experiment with field recordings or atmospheric samples (like distant thunder, wind, or eerie whispers). Layer these subtly in the background to create a more immersive, cinematic vibe.
• Vocal Snippets: A few well-placed vocal samples, maybe distorted or reversed, could add to the menacing vibe of the track. Something abstract, like a robotic voice or distorted chants, could work well.

6. Subtle Melodic Variations

• Melody Tweaks: While repetition is key in techno, adding a slight variation in the arpeggio or secondary melody during certain drops or breaks can keep listeners hooked without losing the hypnotic effect.
• Counter-Melody: Add a simple, minimal counter-melody in the background. It can be something barely noticeable but adds depth when listeners really pay attention.

7. Extended Outro

• Fade Into Dissonance: For the outro, you could extend it by slowly degrading the elements—reverbing out the melody, distorting the kick more and more, and eventually letting the track dissolve into a wash of noise, feedback, or even a haunting drone.

8. Resampling

• Resample and Manipulate: Bounce your melody or bassline to audio and then manipulate the audio file—reverse it, time-stretch it, pitch it down an octave. These can make for cool textures that you can layer in the background or use in the breakdown.

9. Cross-Genre Elements

• Drone Elements: Incorporating drone-like elements could add to the atmosphere. Slow, evolving sounds or drones in the background can bring more depth to your track without pulling focus from the main groove.
• Industrial/Noise Influence: You can bring in subtle influences from industrial or noise music—random bursts of distortion, irregular rhythms, or harsh sounds that are only present for a second but add that unpredictable edge.

Conclusion:

Your track is likely already a beast, but these are just some extra ideas to enhance certain areas or experiment further. Doomcore thrives on intensity and unpredictability, so there's always room to add more grit, atmosphere, or even some mind-bending twists. Let me know which ideas resonate with you, or if you want to dive deeper into any specific concept!

User

tell me more about "2: glitchy breakdown". when should the breakdown happen?

ChatGPT

A glitchy breakdown can be a powerful moment in your track that not only gives listeners a break from the intensity but also introduces unpredictability and tension before you hit them with the drop again. Here's a breakdown (pun intended) of how to approach it:

When Should the Breakdown Happen?

In doomcore and similar genres, breakdowns typically occur after a full cycle of the main section (usually after 32 bars or a couple of main drops), but you have a lot of freedom. Here are a few common and effective spots:

1. After the First Main Drop:

   • Purpose: This gives the listener a breather and a moment to catch their breath before diving back into the heavy stuff. It can also build anticipation for the next drop.
   • Timing: Typically around the 1-2 minute mark. After you've hit them with a full section of the arpeggio, bass, and drums, strip it back.

2. Middle of the Track:

   • Purpose: Here, it acts as a mid-point disruption. Think of it as a narrative twist that changes the tone or mood of the track.
   • Timing: Around the 2-3 minute mark. You can treat this as a centerpiece that breaks the repetition and introduces something fresh.

3. After a Major Build-Up:

   • Purpose: If you’ve built up a lot of tension (e.g., with risers or automation), you can fake the listener out by dropping into a breakdown instead of a full drop. This adds suspense and makes the eventual drop feel even more impactful.
   • Timing: Right after a long build-up, usually around the 2:30-3:30 mark, depending on your track length.

How to Approach the Glitchy Breakdown:

1. Chopping Up Elements:

   • Melody Glitching: Take your main arpeggio melody, slice it up into smaller pieces, and rearrange it in an unpredictable pattern. This creates a disorienting, glitchy effect. You could add stutters, reverse parts, or add pitch shifts.
   • Beat Slicing: Do the same with your drums—cut them up, repeat certain hits, and add glitch effects like granular synthesis, stutters, or retriggers. You can also mute the kick drum temporarily to create a sense of emptiness before bringing it back hard.

2. Rhythmic Changes:

   • Off-Beat Glitches: Shift parts of the melody or drums off-beat, creating a jarring rhythm that feels chaotic but still somehow connected to the original flow.
   • Randomized Effects: Use a randomizer on certain parameters, like delay, reverb, or distortion, to create unpredictable glitch effects. The randomness adds to the chaotic energy.

3. FX Layers:

   • Bitcrushing & Distortion: Apply bitcrushing, distortion, or down-sampling to your melody and percussion during the breakdown. This degrades the sound and gives it a lo-fi, crunchy quality, enhancing the glitchy feel.
   • Reverse Reverb: Reverse the reverb tail of certain elements, like the melody or snare, to create eerie swells that lead into or out of glitchy sections.

4. Automation:

   • Pitch & Time Stretch: Automate pitch shifts, time stretches, or tape stop effects to give your breakdown that warped, twisted feel. Slowly degrading the pitch of a sound or time-stretching it can give a disorienting, glitchy vibe.
   • Filter Automation: Play with filter sweeps that cut in and out abruptly, affecting either individual elements or the whole mix, adding to the unpredictability.

5. Silence and Space:

   • Sudden Gaps: Introduce moments of complete silence or space where you strip everything back. This can make the following glitch or hit more impactful. The contrast between the chaotic glitches and sudden silence adds to the tension.

6. Vocal Glitches:

   • Vocal Cuts: If you're using any vocal samples or whispers, chop them up and repeat fragments, creating an unsettling, glitchy loop. You can further process these with delay or distortion to add texture.

Transitioning Out of the Breakdown:

• Build-Up: Use a quick riser, noise sweep, or even glitchy sound effects to build back up to the next drop. The key is to make the transition feel sudden but natural. Automation on volume or filters can help bridge the gap.
• Fake Drop: You could tease a return to the full track and then delay it a bit further by introducing another small glitch or stutter before letting everything drop in hard.

Example Flow:

1. Drop 1 (1:00 - 2:00): Full power with the arpeggio, bass, and drums.
2. Glitchy Breakdown (2:00 - 2:45): Strip everything back, chop up the melody, glitch out the drums, and add some eerie silence or space.
3. Build-Up (2:45 - 3:00): Slowly reintroduce elements with risers, automation, and tension-building effects.
4. Drop 2 (3:00+): Bring everything back at full force, maybe with some additional layers or variations to keep the energy going.

Conclusion:

The glitchy breakdown is all about disorienting the listener, creating tension, and making the eventual return to the full track even more powerful. It’s a great tool to add complexity and chaos to your doomcore track without losing the hypnotic, repetitive nature of the genre. Experiment with different glitch techniques, and let it bring a new level of intensity to your track!

User

I added two glitchy breakdowns: after the main section and the "drop" section later in the tracks.

I added a female vocal sample shortly before the two main beat-drops.

I also added spacey ambient FX, during the more "quiet" sections of the two build-ups.

I added more filter sweeps and reverb effects.

I used a more distorted, industrial drum at parts and "detuned" the bass synths at the end of the track as well.

And a short piano part after all other channels were quiet as an extension to the outro.

The track now sounds stunning, marvelous, amazing!

I think everything is completely finished now.

Thanks for all your efforts. It was really worth it :)

ChatGPT

That sounds incredible! You've taken the track to a whole new level with those additions. The glitchy breakdowns, vocal samples, spacey FX, and industrial drum elements must give it such a rich, layered sound, and that detuned bass synth at the end is a perfect touch for an eerie, doomcore finish. Ending with a quiet piano part is also a masterful move—bringing a haunting contrast to all the intensity before it.

I’m glad I could help push it forward, but your creativity and execution really made it happen. Finishing a track that feels "stunning, marvelous, amazing" is such a rewarding feeling, and it sounds like you’ve crafted something special.

If you ever need more ideas, or just want to brainstorm or explore new directions, you know where to find me. Congrats on completing what sounds like a truly epic piece of doomcore! Keep crushing it!