Sampleson recently announced the release of Predictor, a creative plugin and standalone app that learns from MIDI files to produce unique harmonic and melodic content.
Predictor isn’t the developer’s first foray into machine learning; Sampleson released the AI-powered rePEDAL earlier this year.
Sampleson launched Predictor with a special introductory price of $29, but it will have a regular price of $49 when the limited-time offer expires.
Like many intro sales, I can’t tell you exactly when it will end, but reasonably soon, I’d imagine, so if you like the sound of Predictor, grab the discount while you can.
Predictor learns from any MIDI file you give it and then produces new content using characteristics it learned from the MIDI file.
For example, if you gave it a Claude Debussy MIDI file, you might generate something with that dreamy, whole-tone scale sound.
But Predictor learns more than just the key and scales used; it also picks up elements like velocity and feel, harmonic structure, intervals between melody notes, etc.
You can drag and drop any MIDI file directly into the plugin, but it has 600 MIDI files to get you started.
When the plugin is done learning, you can trigger the new sounds by clicking your mouse, using your QWERTY keyboard, or using any MIDI device.
Predictor generates harmonic and melodic content based on the rhythm of your triggers. So, you won’t know what note or chord is coming next, but you control when it comes.
While you won’t know exactly what’s coming next, you have some say in its nature because Predictor has distinct zones that allow you to trigger chords or melody notes.
These zones are really handy if you’re using a MIDI keyboard because the plugin supports multi-note playing, and you can get chords and melody going at the same time.
You have three sounds inside the plugin for sketching ideas: a piano, strings, and synth. You can adjust the mix when using multiple sounds together and add some reverb.
The piano and strings sound pretty good together for sketching Zimmeresque stuff. Once you have something you like, you can drag it straight into your DAW.
You can also transpose to any key and adjust the velocity if you want to change the feel of the notes slightly.
Not everything the plugin generates will be perfect, so there’s definitely an experimental element to it.
But, when you’re completely stuck for ideas, Predictor might give you something to drag right into your DAW, or it might give you something that sparks an entirely different idea.
Check out the deal: Predictor (Introductory price – $29 / Regular price – $49)
More:
Last Updated on May 8, 2025 by Tomislav Zlatic.
