There will be another release at some point. Not sure what form it will take or when it will be. I do have a working (if slightly buggy) version that works on OSX 10.5 and Intel machines, but I'm re-writing the composing algorithms and redesigning the UI. I'm also contemplating an online version. This sketch shows what It might look like. Check for updates on my blog.

Music through evolution. A few people liked it. Check out the extremely lame demo video. If you're running OSX 10.4 on a non-Intel Mac you can download an authorized version. During the development process I tend to record a lot of critters. Not as finished works, but as a recorded history of the development process. These were all made quickly and with very little mixing.

All roads lead to other roads
Beylix
Boodie Nen
Concord Dawn
Days of leisure

Our goal at grain-brain is to provide a versatile, easy-to-use tool that anyone can use to compose original music. No musical ability required. Listen to a batch of critters, rate them and create a new generation based on your preferences. Breed them repeatedly, 'steering' your critters towards your desired destination. Or, start over with a fresh litter of random critters. Critters is not a loop-based composer. There are an infinite number of potential compositions (Well actually only 2 to the 10,000th). Create endless subtle (or not) mutations of your favorite critters. If you know what you like you can compose.

If you're only using the DLS synth you're missing out on half the fun. There are several cool soft synths for free including Automat, Crystal, Buzzer2 and Zoyd There are also some free fx units like Model and More Feedback Machine.

If you've done a song you really like with Critters send it to us. Our bandwidth is limited, so we may not be able to use all of them. The compositions don't have to be exclusively Critters material. Use any tools you like to edit or modify the Critters MIDI tracks. Let us know a bit about what you did and what equipment you used.

Can they live on my iPod? Yes, they can. Name your critters, record them, and export them (via iTunes) to your iPod or other MP3 player. Or, burn them to CD. Create soundtracks for your iMovie, iPicture slide show or podcast. Compose your own party, chill-out, road-trip, or meditation mix.

Critters uses a synthesis of traditional, and experimental music theory along with some of grain-brains' own musical strategies. Critters also utilizes genetic algorithms, chaos theory, fractals, and noise generators (white, pink and brown) to generate its compositions.

No additional equipment required. If you want to dissect your critters, you can export them to your favorite sequencer. If you have a USB MIDI cable, Critters3.0 can use your hardware or software synthesizers and AUs (see your documentation).