Lead Generator

The Lead Generator is a Rhythm Explorer Algorithm that is incorporated into Metro. Settings for it can be found in the Rhythm Explorer Preferences Dialog, the Marker Edit Dialog, the Rhythm Explorer Window and the Manage Lead Presets Dialog.

The Lead Generator is different than other Rhythm Explorer algorithms in that it does not use currently entered notes as input, instead it uses the chord changes in markers. It is recommended to leave the variability slider at low when using the Lead Generator. When using pitch bend, the pitch bend range of the Metro Output must be set to the same as the output instrument for correct results. For Metro outputs, the pitchbend range or sensitivity can be set in the Define Output dialog. For multi-channel tracks or ports, the pitchbend sensitivity is set in the pitchbend dialog.

Lead Generator creates a Rhythm Explorer pattern by stringing together Lead Generator patterns (LG Patterns) or riffs. These riffs are limited to 64 steps, each containing a pitch, quantize, duration, etc. Pitch bends decrease the maximum number of steps. LG Patterns are created using the generation algorithms and internally created ones such as, fill ins and lead-ins.

The lead generator has the following features:

6 independent generation algorithms that can be specified by weight.
8 override scales that can be specified by weight with optional override at each chord change.
31 derivation algorithms specified via the derivation magic field.
Sync pitches and rhythm to MIDI track or sync just rhythm to MIDI drum track.
Motif setting can be specified at each chord change. This allows the user to repeat the generated motif at any chord change.
Derivation range is user specified.
Full support for pitch bend at the specified range, Support for tail bend up, tail bend down and head bend.
Note quantizes specified by percent.
Preset riffs with optional amalgamation extracted from user specified Artist Preset file.
Add riffs to the Artist Preset file.
Paste riffs from the Artist Preset file.
Polyrhythms specified by percent for each generation type.
Support for aftertouch, modulation wheel, volume, and breath controllers.
Support for blues turnarounds, include unique scale for turnaround.
Reduce velocities above a certain user specified note.
Prefer 7th chords.
Prefer chord root note.
Predominant scales.
Add chords notes to scale.
Velocity range.
Density range with optional override at each chord change.

Key to abbreviations shown in the lead generator help tag of each Rhythm Explorer pattern:

Abbreviation	Name	Description
"I.S.S"	Intelligent Scale Switching	Switch scales based on which scale has more notes in common with the current chord. The scales weight is also factored in.
"C.S.A"	Chord Scale Assignment	Each chord is assigned a particular scale.
"S.P.T"	Switch by Percent Threshold	Switch scales when a certain percent threshold is met.
"S.S.S"	Seldom Scale Switching by percent threshold	Switch scales when a certain threshold, that occurs seldomly, is met.
"E.P"	Every Pattern	Each Lead Generator pattern is assigned a random scale.
"E.P.S"	Every Pattern Shuffled	Each Lead Generator pattern is assigned a scale in order. The order of scales is initially shuffled.
"E.P.P"	Every Pattern Percents	Each Lead Generator pattern is assigned a scale based on the weighting. Only used if scales have weights.
"R.R.P"	Reduce Repeated Pitches	This indicates that the algorithm is reducing repeated pitches on this Rhythm Explorer pattern.