syncopython
Hey there, this was a fun project for intuitive rhythm production (basically a case study of an adapter design pattern). Read about the development process here.
Installation
Syncopython was developed and tested in Ubuntu 16.04 xenial. Getting required sound dependencies (kernel settings, softsynths, MIDI, etc.) is quite extensive and can be found here.
Install dependent python packages by running pip3 install -r requirements.txt from the top level directory.
Using the Shell Application.
Syncopython is an interactive shell application for creating and playing drum beats. The API gives the following commands
- Examples: Prints a sample input flow.
- Add Instrument: Prompts the user to add either a Kick, Snare, or Hi-Hat (with a rhythm)
- Delete Instrument: Prompts the user to delete an instrument from their kit.
- Change Instrument: Prompts the user to change the rhythm of an instrument on the kit.
- play: Plays the drumbeat through the speakers (or chosen MIDI port).
- exit: Exits syncopython
Feature Limitations
Each beat is limited to a single dynamic and a minimum subdivision of 16th notes (no triplets). Also the user is limited to the same instrumentation of Kick, Snare, and Hi-Hat. Different sets of patches are implemented internally, but cannot be accessed through the API. The sound difference with general MIDI was not enough to explore this further.
Notation
The user is only responsible for notating the rhythm - sound patches and instrument labels are handled internally. Rhythmic notation is simply the universal counting system, with each beat separated by a comma. For example, straight eighth notes would be:
1&,2&,3&,4&
And the following prompt would result in a basic drum beat (shown below):
Hi-Hat: 1&,2&,3&,4&
Snare: ,2 , ,4
Kick: 1 , ,3 ,
Sixteenth notes can also be notated with standard counting:
The prompt for that beat would be:
Hi-Hat: 1e&a,2e&a,3e&a,4e&a
Snare: ,2 , ,4
Kick: 1 , ,3 ,
Note syncopython ignores white space!