MusicRadar

It might not look like it, but noatikl can be a lot of fun.

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• Review
• Manufacturer's Description

Back in the days of the Amiga and Atari ST, algorithmic compositional software was everywhere. Companies like Intelligent Music and Dr T's Music Software treated computer musicians to 'intelligent' tools that enabled them to define a specific set of parameters and limitations, and then sit back as the code wrought forth musical idea after musical idea.

More often than not, the results were entertaining, if esoteric; occasionally, they were magical.

Times have changed, and algorithmic tools are scarce, fighting for survival in a DAW-eat-DAW industry. Still some endure though, such as SSEYO Koan; embraced by Brian Eno (who cut an entire record with the thing), it left a lasting impression.

Two of the minds behind that particular bit of code have returned with a new company, intermorphic, and a pair of new products, one of which, noatikl (pronounced 'noh-tickle'), picks up where Captain Eno's beloved Koan left off (intermorphic's other app is the generative lyric program liptikl).

Overview

noatikl is a cross-platform 'instrument' that can be used as a VST or AU plug-in. There's also a standalone version that can be slaved to sequencers that don't support either of those formats, such as Pro Tools.

The non-commercial licence ($99) is for one platform and one format only (ie, Windows standalone, or Mac VSTi, etc), but for $189 you can get a commercial licence and the 'suite' for your chosen platform, containing all the plug-in formats and the standalone version.

Like most algorithmic composition programs, you can set noatikl up and then kick back while it does its thing, generating a stream of notes on various MIDI channels to be played back by your favourite synths, samplers and drum machines. You can record, capture and edit bits you like for further use, or simply let it meander on all by its own.

However, the real power of the application lies in the way it allows you to take a certain amount of control over the proceedings. noatikl offers the user the ability to define note ranges, rhythmic intervals and all the usual sorts of things one would expect, and quite a bit more besides.

In detail

As you can see, noatikl isn't about flashiness. The interface is plain and as simple to use as one could hope for.

You set up the most elementary functions on the Basics screen. You can configure how many voices you'll be using and which specific MIDI channels they'll control. You can also define the base notes and note ranges for Voices, along with phrase length and range and the Note Rest percentage.

Perhaps most importantly, you'll also find the Voice Type setting. This is where you tell noatikl whether a voice should be Rhythmic in nature; Ambient; a Fixed Pattern; if it should Repeat its previous output; or whether it Follows another voice, which is a little like 'call and response'.