I happened across a video yesterday of a guy messing around with stochastic sequencing. Since that time I've been doing some of my own experiments and I am really pleased with the results. The music produced is very hypnotic and captivating.
A stochastic music sequencer allows you to arrange a series of notes that have a weighted probability of playing. You can also chain the triggering of notes to create complex patterns.
The result is that the pieces you arrange are slightly unpredictable in how they play back. The music always morphing.
The monotony of electronic music can drive you crazy. This is a nice break from the same bass line droning over and over again.
I arranged a drum track, bass line, and melody in a stochastic music sequencer on my Linux box. I configured the system to output the midi data through a midi din adapter.
The midi is running into a Roland Sound Canvas and I set the melody to a harp and the bass line to warm pads.
The result is highly ambient music. Listening to the sweet innocent sounds of the Sound Canvas you are transported back to the point and click adventure games of the 90s.
I sat listening for almost half an hour. My brain never felt like the music was repeating. It never felt dull.