AudioCipher's word-to-MIDI melody generator is a neat way to beat creative block

AudioCipher is a curious plugin that we're filing in our "inspiration-generators" folder. The tool instantly produces MIDI data within your DAW, allowing you to drag and drop melodies and chord progressions from the plugin into any other instrument track. 

The melodies and chords AudioCipher generates aren't completely random, though. The unique thing about this plugin is that it uses text as the basis for the MIDI data, so you can type in words and phrases that are translated directly into musical output. You're able to specify key centre, scale type, and chord type, while selecting note duration from a slider within the plugin will modify the melodic phrasing. 

We initially assumed that AudioCipher was essentially a randomized chord and melody generator, but the developers have since been in touch to let us know that the process behind the plugin's operation is a little more complex. 

AudioCipher tells us that "each word is translated, letter by letter, into a core MIDI sequence", using what's called a musical cryptogram. "We use a substitution cipher for the melody, according to the scale the user selects," they continued. "The chord generator builds up vertically and then rhythm is controlled by the slider. The random chord and random rhythm features introduce unlimited variation but it’s always based on the seed melody, so it’s not purely random."

AudioCipher's Version 3.0 was released last month, and bolsters the plugin with a host of new features, including an expanded scale library, and triplet subdivisions for the rhythm controls. 

The plugin's available for Mac and Windows in AU and VST formats, and it's priced at $29.99.

Find out more at AudioCipher's website.