Rhythm generators are a type of music software that creates musical patterns and applies them to a virtual instrument. They typical rely on procedural rules or generative artificial intelligence to achieve this.
In this article, we'll share some of our favorite DAW plugins for creating rhythms across a variety of different use cases. From stutter effects to polyrhythms and arpeggiators, each plugin brings something unique to the table.
Readers who are specifically looking for percussion lines should check out our drum VST article instead. If you're just looking for a free website to practice site reading rhythms on your instrument, Rhythm Randomizer has you covered.
Continue reading if you're looking for DAW plugins that can help you create and apply rhythms to your own musical ideas.
Table of Contents
Cableguys ShaperBox: Stutter effect generator
Genres: Electronic, Hyperpop, Lo-fi Hip-Hop
Shaperbox is an all-in-one rhythm generator that lets you apply detailed, time-based modulation to any parameter. The suite includes multiple “Shapers” such as Time, Filter, Pan, and Volume, giving producers a wide range of rhythmic tools.
The TimeShaper module, in particular, is excellent for creating rhythmic stutters, tape stops, and glitch effects, often used in hyperpop and glitch-based electronic music.
Meanwhile, the VolumeShaper can be used for sidechaining or rhythmic gating, providing that iconic pumping effect commonly heard in genres like house or lo-fi hip-hop.
Stutter effects have become very popular over the past few years. Each plugin takes its own unique approach, so be sure to check out Shaperbox alternatives like Izotope's Stutter Effect and Glitch 2 by Illformed.
AudioCipher: Chord and Melody Rhythm Generator
AudioCipher is a text-to-MIDI plugin that turns words into melodies and chord progressions. The MIDI generator comes with several rhythm controls, including BPM controls, optional triplet notes, a sliding ruler for fixed note duration, and a randomize rhythm option for creating syncopated rhythms.
Switch on the rhythm randomizer in your MIDI generator and listen back using AudioCipher's playback controls. Each time you press play, a new rhythm will be applied to the melody or chord progression you've created.
When you hear something you like, simply drag it over from AudioCipher to a MIDI track in your DAW. Make updates in your piano roll and assign virtual instruments to bring the music to life.
How to generate chord comping rhythms with AudioCipher
Syncopated chords are a great way to spice up a track. Beginner musicians tend to use long sustained chords and rely on bass, percussion or melodic instruments for rhythmic flare. Try switching it up with the following techniques instead.
Open AudioCipher' MIDI generator and toggle over to chord mode. Pick a scale and chord extension if you have a particular key in mind. Type in any word that inspires you or feels related to the track.
Now switch on rhythm randomizer as shown above and rapidly drag 3-5 variants onto your audio timeline. The screenshot above highlights the key features and points to three rhythmic chord variants that were instantly generated in the DAW.
We started with an empty project at 120 BPM and created the chords. We thought they sounded better at 130 BPM, so we upped the project tempo. It helps to keep the metronome running so you can hear rhythmic syncopation.
Next we opened a sample marketplace (Splice) to hunt for sounds. I like to keep the DAW project looping in the background. I applied the 130 BPM filter and picked a bass line + drum loop. They were purchased, imported and stacked on two audio tracks under the AudioCipher MIDI chord rhythm track.
Creating MIDI melody polyrhythms with AudioCipher
Switch over to AudioCipher's melody mode and turn on rhythm randomization. Create 2-3 empty MIDI tracks and assign single-melody instruments. Drag and drop the melodies on your timeline, so that they're positioned in a vertical stack.
The syncopation between these patterns will create polyrhythms. Watch the beat making demo below to see this rhythm generation technique in real time.
AudioCipher can deliver great results when it's configured thoughtfully. Restore a sense of play to your DAW and create music in a new way. Visit the plugin website to watch more demos and learn about the new MIDI Vault system.
Captain Chords - Apply rhythms presets to chords
Captain Chords is an upmarket solution for composing music in a DAW. Their chord progression generator includes a large bank of rhythm presets users can apply to a sustained chord. Mark rhythms as favorites for quick access later.
The rhythm presets are categorized into three levels of complexity, allowing users to choose the appropriate rhythmic feel for their music. Act on individual sections of a chord progression to introduce variety, rather than getting stuck in a uniform pattern.
Captain Chords includes a "dice" button the will generate random rhythms for a chord and help kickstart the creative process. There are also humanization options that adjust timing slightly off the beat to achieve a more organic, swung feeling to the rhythm automation.
Harmony Bloom: Polyrhythm generator and sequencer
Harmony Bloom is a MIDI generator that creates complex and engaging rhythm sequences. Users select from over 50 pre-defined scales and use plugin's Circle Central interface to visualize or control the relationships between notes.
Make adjustments to timing, note intervals, and the overall structure of the generated patterns. Control the tempo and pattern lengths, with the option to silence individual notes for rhythmic variation.
The plugin excels at polyrhythm, or the creation of different rhythms that interlock and work together in a beautiful way. Adjust the offset parameters in real time to explore new syncopated feels and shape the character of your music.
Almost every parameter can be randomized, allowing for spontaneous creativity and exploration of unexpected musical ideas. The plugin also supports MIDI capture and export functionalities, making it easy to integrate generated sequences into any DAW setup.
Orb Producer Suite: Advanced Rhythm Generator
Orb Producer Suite is a MIDI generation app that generates rhythmic patterns based on a variety of preset rhythms. Digital audio composers who need quick access to dynamic and engaging rhythms can use Orb without getting bogged down in manual MIDI programming or trying to record live performance.
Users have access to special generative rhythm parameters like density—which controls how many notes are played within a given time frame—and complexity, which determines the number of different notes or chords used in a pattern.
The polyrhythm feature in Orb Producer could be compared to Harmony Bloom, in its use of syncopated, layered patterns. Swing and Strum help to humanize the performance and make it feel more organic.
Like Captain Chords, the Orb interface contains tabs for managing different song sections. A piano roll is available on the plugin interface, to help make edits and visualize the rhythms that you've generated.
Movement by Output: Sound Design Rhythm Automation
Genres: Ambient, Cinematic, Electronic
Movement is a powerful rhythm engine that applies rhythmic modulation to any sound in real-time. It features rhythmic LFOs, step sequencers, and sidechains that can be layered on top of your melodies and chords.
If you're trying to create rhythmic patterns for chords and melodic lines, this isn't for your. Output built this plugin for sound designers to create evolving, dynamic textures that fit perfectly into ambient, cinematic, and electronic genres. It’s ideal for adding rhythmic complexity without overwhelming the harmonic structure.
For ambient producers, the gentle modulation of reverb or delay can create immersive soundscapes, while electronic producers can also use it to add groove to synth lines.