Cat Hill , Barnet , Herts , EN 4 8 HT UNITED KINGDOM

Algorithmic composition methods are applied to the generation and manipulation of beats for dance music. The goal is to create an output beat in a consistent style with continuous subtle variation rather than stale repetition. In particular two tasks are studied in depth. The first is the generation of a beat itself using algorithmic composition methods to maintain variation. Examples are given in the context of UK garage/two step. The second is an automation of breakbeat cutting, as primarily found in drum and bass, though the model and its generalisations can be applied to any music and source audio segment. A side effect of attempting to create these procedures is an enhanced modelling of the styles and therefore a contribution to analysis of the genre. Keywordsalgorithmic composition, breakbeat