Developer Dreamwave (in collaboration with Cableguys) has released Bassliner (Beta), a free MIDI-generating plugin for macOS and Windows that generates MIDI patterns for modern dance music.
Bassliner beta is currently free to use, but that might change soon (more info below).
Given the recent influx of AI technology in our daily lives, it would be fair to assume Bassliner is the result of training an AI model with countless reference tracks.
However, Bassliner, instead, relies on algorithms developed through extensive research.
Alex, the man behind Dreamwave, began working on these bassline algorithms almost a decade ago, in 2016.
The appeal of any MIDI-generating plugin is that it might just get you out of a creative block, which is Bassline’s primary goal. It helps you lay some foundations quickly without relying on sample packs when inspiration is hard to come by.
You can use Bassliner to provide a finished bassline or a template you’ll tweak later.
Unlike some AI models with murky copyright guidelines, you can use and publish everything you create with Bassliner in your songs without restriction. You can’t use generated content to produce MIDI/audio libraries or competing products.
One potential copyright issue is that Bassliner may create basslines that unintentionally match copyrighted material. In this case, if you have any doubts, do your research before publishing.
In short, there are no copyright restrictions by default, but if something sounds like Seinfeld, think twice.
As a previous Cableguys intern, Cableguys supported Alex’s Bassliner project by helping with the basic GUI and communication between the plugin and the Dreamwave server.
There are a couple of options when generating patterns: Just For You or From The Pool. Choosing Just for You creates unique patterns and, From The Pool, generates patterns that Dreamwave may share with other users.
You’ll be asked to like/dislike patterns, and Dreamwave will use this data to improve algorithms. You need to be online to generate patterns.
We’ve had no shortage of bass-related freebies recently; there’s Roadsoul Bass lite for HALion Sonic, Audio Assault’s BassTR amp plugin, and throughout October 2024, you can collect four bass freebies for IK Multimedia’s AmpliTube 5 CS.
Bassliner, in its Beta stage, is subject to change but has already gained impressive feedback, not least from Grammy-winning producer Alex Metric.
The Beta stage won’t end before November 2024, but the free-to-use period may end at some point.
Additionally, Dreamwave may introduce a (high) upper limit on the number of patterns you can generate.
More info on the Cableguys website.
Download: Bassliner (Beta) (FREE, pricing may change in November)
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