write-ambient-album

# Write Ambient / Meditation / Drone Album Use this skill for ambient, meditation, drone, atmospheric, and space-themed albums. Characterized by ultra-low density (0.01–0.15), long durations (120–300 beats), slow BPM (40–65), and minimal harmonic motion. ## 1. When to Use - Ambient / drone / space music - Meditation / yoga / breathwork soundtracks - Atmospheric soundscapes - Tibetan bowl / singing bowl music - Overtone / acoustic resonance music - Dark ambient / void atmospheres ## 2. Required Imports ```python import random from pathlib import Path from melodica import types from melodica.types import Scale, Mode, Quality, ChordLabel, NoteInfo from melodica.generators import GeneratorParams from melodica.generators.melody import MelodyGenerator from melodica.generators.arpeggiator import ArpeggiatorGenerator from melodica.generators.drone import DroneGenerator from melodica.generators.ambient import AmbientPadGenerator from melodica.generators.rest import RestGenerator from melodica.generators.strings_ensemble import StringsEnsembleGenerator from melodica.generators import ( BassDrumGenerator, TamTamGenerator, GongGenerator, TriangleGenerator, CastanetsGenerator, WhipSlapstickGenerator, ) from melodica.composer import Motif, TempoMap, VelocityEnvelope, LeitmotifRegistry from melodica.composer.orchestration_rules import OrchestrationRules, INSTRUMENTS from melodica.form import FormSection, MusicalForm from melodica.engines.microtuning import MicrotuningEngine from melodica.generators.microtonal_melody import MicrotonalMelodyGenerator from melodica.generators.aleatoric import AleatoricGenerator from melodica.midi import export_multitrack_midi from melodica.shorts_mixing import MixingDesk from melodica.shorts_mastering import MasteringDesk ``` ## 3. Ambient Scales ```python # Meditation / overtone C_OVERTONE = Scale(root=0, mode=Mode.ACOUSTIC_MAJOR) # Natural resonance C_MAJOR = Scale(root=0, mode=Mode.MAJOR) # Peace, clarity G_LYDIAN = Scale(root=7, mode=Mode.LYDIAN) # Floating, bright F_LYDIAN = Scale(root=5, mode=Mode.LYDIAN) # Ethereal # Dark ambient D_PHRYGIAN = Scale(root=2, mode=Mode.PHRYGIAN) # Tension C_LOCRIAN = Scale(root=0, mode=Mode.LOCRIAN) # Unstable, haunted A_HARM_MIN = Scale(root=9, mode=Mode.HARM_MINOR) # Occult # Warm / healing D_DORIAN = Scale(root=2, mode=Mode.DORIAN) # Warm minor E_PHRYG_DOM = Scale(root=4, mode=Mode.PHRYGIAN_DOMINANT) # Energy ``` ## 4. Core Pattern Ambient albums use **manual mixing** (not `produce_track`) because tracks are long, sparse, and need precise gain control. ```python random.seed(108) OUT = Path("output/album_name") OUT.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True) def _off(notes, offset): """Shift notes by offset beats.""" return [ NoteInfo(pitch=n.pitch, start=n.start + offset, duration=n.duration, velocity=n.velocity) for n in notes ] def _master(raw: dict, bpm: float, lufs: float = -18.0): """Mix and master with soft ambient gains.""" desk = MixingDesk(niche_cfg={}) desk.track_gains.update({ "bowl": 0.8, "pad": 0.4, "flute": 0.7, "cello": 0.5, "sitar": 0.7, "voice": 0.6, "tanpura": 0.5, "harp": 0.65, "bass": 0.45, "piano": 0.7, "drone": 0.35, "bells": 0.4, "strings": 0.5, "choir": 0.55, "arp": 0.45, }) mixed = desk.apply_mixing(raw, [], int(bpm)) master = MasteringDesk(target_lufs=lufs) return master.apply_mastering(mixed) def _export(tracks: dict, path: Path, bpm: float, key: Scale, instruments: dict, lufs: float = -18.0): final_notes, cc_events = _master(tracks, bpm, lufs) export_multitrack_midi(final_notes, str(path), bpm=bpm, key=key, instruments=instruments, cc_events=cc_events) ``` ## 5. Static Harmony Pattern Most ambient tracks use a single chord for the entire duration: ```python dur = 200.0 chords = [ChordLabel(root=0, quality=Quality.MAJOR, start=0, duration=dur)] ``` For slow-moving harmony, use 2–4 chords over a very long duration: ```python chords = [ ChordLabel(root=0, quality=Quality.MAJOR, start=0, duration=64), ChordLabel(root=5, quality=Quality.MAJOR, start=64, duration=64), ChordLabel(root=7, quality=Quality.MINOR, start=128, duration=64), ChordLabel(root=0, quality=Quality.MAJOR, start=192, duration=64), ] ``` ## 6. Generator Configs for Ambient ### Drone (tanpura, bass pedal) ```python drone = DroneGenerator( GeneratorParams(density=0.01, key_range_low=36, key_range_high=37), velocity=35 ).render(chords, key, dur) ``` ### Ambient Pad (atmosphere) ```python pad = AmbientPadGenerator( GeneratorParams(density=0.08, key_range_low=48, key_range_high=72), voicing="spread", overlap=1.0 ).render(chords, key, dur) ``` ### Slow Melody (flute, vocal) ```python flute = MelodyGenerator( GeneratorParams(density=0.05, velocity_range=(40, 60)), phrase_length=16.0, harmony_note_probability=0.8, steps_probability=0.9, note_range_low=72, note_range_high=84, register_smoothness=0.9 ).render(chords, key, dur - 40.0) flute = _off(flute, 36.0) # Delayed entry ``` ### Sparse Arpeggio (harp, bells) ```python arp = ArpeggiatorGenerator( GeneratorParams(density=0.08), pattern="up", note_duration=2.0 ).render(chords, key, dur) ``` ### Rest (silence / space) ```python rest = RestGenerator( GeneratorParams(density=0.0) ).render(chords, key, dur) ``` ### Cello / Strings (support) ```python cello = DroneGenerator( GeneratorParams(density=0.01, key_range_low=36, key_range_high=37), velocity=30 ).render(chords, key, dur) ``` ## 7. Motif Transforms `Motif` provides 19 transforms — each returns a NEW Motif (immutability preserved). Chain transforms via `develop()`. ```python from melodica.composer import Motif from melodica.types import NoteInfo, Scale, Mode m = Motif.from_notes([ NoteInfo(pitch=72, start=0.0, duration=3.0, velocity=55), NoteInfo(pitch=70, start=3.0, duration=2.0, velocity=50), NoteInfo(pitch=67, start=5.0, duration=3.0, velocity=55), ]) sc = Scale(0, Mode.MAJOR) ``` ### Transform Reference | Method | Purpose | |---|---| | `transpose(semitones)` | Chromatic transposition | | `invert(center)` | Mirror pitches around center (default: average) | | `retrograde()` | Reverse note order with re-timed starts | | `augment(factor)` | Stretch durations and gaps (2.0 = twice as long) | | `diminish(factor)` | Compress durations and gaps | | `sequence(intervals, spacing)` | Repeat at pitch intervals | | `fragment(start_beat, end_beat)` | Extract notes in time window | | `transpose_diatonic(degrees, scale)` | Modal transpose by N scale degrees | | `invert_diatonic(scale, axis_degree)` | Scale-aware inversion (stays diatonic) | | `displace(beats)` | Rhythmic displacement — shift all start times | | `truncate_head(n)` | Remove first N notes | | `truncate_tail(n)` | Remove last N notes | | `expand(factor)` | Stretch gaps between notes, keep durations | | `apply_dynamics(envelope)` | Apply VelocityEnvelope | | `ornament(style, scale)` | Add grace/passing/neighbor/cambiata/spiceup | | `canon(voices, delay, intervals)` | Generate canon entries | | `with_pedal(pitch)` | Add sustained pedal note spanning motif | | `humanize(timing, velocity)` | Random timing/velocity variation | ### Chaining via `develop()` ```python # Chain multiple transforms in musical order developed = m.develop( retrograde=True, transpose=-3, augment_factor=2.0, humanize_timing=0.01, pedal_pitch=36, ) # Full develop() chain order: # fragment → truncate → retrograde → invert → invert_diatonic → # augment/diminish → expand → transpose → transpose_diatonic → # displace → ornament → apply_dynamics → humanize → canon → # with_pedal → sequence ``` ### develop() kwargs | Kwarg | Effect | |---|---| | `fragment_start`, `fragment_end` | Keep only notes in time window | | `truncate_head_n`, `truncate_tail_n` | Remove first/last N notes | | `retrograde` (bool) | Reverse note order | | `invert` (bool), `invert_center` | Chromatic inversion | | `invert_diatonic` (bool), `invert_diatonic_scale`, `invert_diatonic_axis` | Scale-aware inversion | | `augment_factor`, `diminish_factor` | Time stretching | | `expand_factor` | Stretch gaps only | | `transpose` | Semitone transposition | | `transpose_diatonic_degrees`, `transpose_diatonic_scale` | Modal transposition | | `displace_beats` | Shift all starts | | `ornament_style`, `ornament_scale` | Add ornamentation | | `dynamics_envelope` | Apply VelocityEnvelope | | `humanize_timing`, `humanize_velocity` | Random variation | | `canon_voices`, `canon_delay`, `canon_intervals` | Canon generation | | `pedal_pitch` | Add sustained bass note | | `sequence_intervals`, `sequence_spacing` | Sequence repetition | ## 8. Leitmotif Registry `LeitmotifRegistry` binds named motifs to characters, places, emotions via tags. Supports variants, evolution, mood-based rendering, layering, and counter-motif generation. ```python from melodica.composer import Motif, LeitmotifRegistry, MOOD_PRESETS from melodica.types import NoteInfo # Create and register motifs hero_motif = Motif.from_notes([ NoteInfo(pitch=72, start=0.0, duration=3.0, velocity=55), NoteInfo(pitch=70, start=3.0, duration=2.0, velocity=50), NoteInfo(pitch=67, start=5.0, duration=3.0, velocity=55), ]) registry = LeitmotifRegistry() registry.register("hero", hero_motif, tags=["protagonist", "brave"], instrument=73, velocity=55) registry.register("villain", hero_motif, tags=["antagonist", "dark"], instrument=68, velocity=45) # Basic rendering with transforms notes = registry.render("hero", offset=120.0) notes = registry.render("hero", offset=60.0, transpose=7) notes = registry.render("villain", offset=80.0, invert=True, transpose=-7) # Evolve — create named variants via transform chains registry.evolve("hero", "dark_version", transpose=-6, retrograde=True) registry.evolve("hero", "bright", transpose=12, augment_factor=1.5) # Render a specific variant notes = registry.render("hero", variant="dark_version", offset=40.0) # Mood-based rendering — 8 presets notes = registry.render_for("hero", "dark", offset=60.0) notes = registry.render_for("hero", "ethereal", offset=80.0, intensity=1.5) # Layer multiple motifs polyphonically notes = registry.layer( ["hero", "villain"], [0.0, 20.0], transpose=5, augment_factor=1.5 ) # Auto-generate contrasting counter-motif from melodica.types import Scale, Mode sc = Scale(0, Mode.MAJOR) counter = registry.counter_motif("hero", sc) counter_notes = counter.render(offset=50.0) # Query by tag all_hero = registry.render_all(tag="protagonist") ``` ### Mood Presets | Mood | Transforms | |---|---| | `"dark"` | invert + diminish x2 + transpose -6 | | `"triumphant"` | transpose +7 + augment x1.5 | | `"tender"` | augment x1.8 + fragment | | `"aggressive"` | diminish x2 + retrograde | | `"mysterious"` | invert + augment x2 + transpose +3 | | `"nostalgic"` | retrograde + augment x2 | | `"urgent"` | diminish x2.5 | | `"ethereal"` | augment x3 + transpose +12 | ### render() Transform Parameters | Parameter | Effect | |---|---| | `offset` | Time shift in beats | | `variant` | Use a named variant instead of default | | `transpose` | Semitone transposition (positive = up) | | `invert` | Mirror intervals | | `retrograde` | Reverse note order | | `augment_factor` | Stretch durations | | `diminish_factor` | Compress durations | | `fragment_start`, `fragment_end` | Keep only notes in time window |