The world of metal guitar is known for its speed, technical complexity, and crushing riffs. But writing brutal riffs on demand can be tough, especially when inspiration runs dry. That’s where AI riff generators for metal come in — they offer musicians and producers a fast way to generate fresh, royalty-free guitar riffs in seconds.
Whether you're a metalcore artist, a death metal producer, or just a solo guitarist looking to practice over heavy loops, AI-powered riff creators can give your workflow a serious edge. In this guide, we’ll explore the top AI riff generators for metal, break down how they work, and help you choose the best one for your sound.
Why Use an AI Riff Generator for Metal?
Metal is arguably one of the most complex genres in guitar music. From palm-muted chugs and tremolo picking to progressive rhythm shifts, it demands intricate composition skills. Here's why AI riff tools are a game-changer:
Speed up your creative workflow: Instantly generate riff ideas to overcome writer’s block.
Explore new subgenres: Want to go djent, doom, or thrash? AI can mix styles you wouldn't normally think of.
Practice tool: AI riffs can serve as backing tracks or soloing material.
Royalty-free content: Many generators offer downloadable MIDI or audio that’s free to use.
Top AI Riff Generators for Metal
1. Riffler by Songburst
Riffler is one of the most talked-about AI guitar riff generators for metal. Originally designed for rock and metal guitarists, this app uses a rule-based and randomization system to create endless riffs.
Customization options: Choose scale, tuning (drop C, D, etc.), time signature, and rhythm complexity.
Downloadable output: Save as MIDI or audio.
Realistic playback: Riffler integrates with virtual amp plugins like AmpliTube or Neural DSP for metal tone realism.
Best for: Metal guitarists who want tight control over rhythm and complexity.
2. Orb Producer Suite (Hexachords)
While not made just for riffs, Orb Producer Suite includes powerful AI melody and chord generators that can be adapted for metal riff creation, especially when paired with MIDI guitars or virtual instruments.
AI-powered pattern creation with extensive rhythmic options.
Works great for djent or progressive metal when using polyrhythmic grids.
Integrates with major DAWs like FL Studio, Ableton, and Logic Pro.
Best for: Metal producers who love experimental riff structures and full track integration.
3. Guitar ML: Deep Learning Riff Creator
This project by Guitar ML offers an AI trained on guitar audio and tablature, capable of generating realistic riffs in various styles, including metal.
Deep learning model trained on thousands of riff tabs.
Supports export to Guitar Pro or MIDI for further editing.
Often used in research, but evolving fast for real-world production use.
Best for: Developers or advanced users looking to create unique riffs with machine learning.
4. Riff Generator (Plugin Boutique)
This is a MIDI-based riff generation plugin that can be fine-tuned for metal chugs and fast-paced guitar phrases.
Syncs with DAWs to match BPM and time signature.
Lets users define note lengths, scales, and play styles.
Can be routed through virtual amp sims for realistic metal tones.
Best for: DAW users who want fast riff templates they can shape into full metal songs.
How to Use AI Riff Generators for Metal
Using these tools effectively requires knowing your workflow and tone preferences. Here’s a simple guide:
Choose your tuning and scale: Drop D or Drop C are popular in metal. Most tools let you set these.
Define the style: Do you want groove metal, black metal, or mathcore? Select rhythmic density and note grouping.
Export as MIDI: Send to a plugin like Shreddage 3 or TH-U Metal Edition.
Layer effects and drums: Add double kick drums and bass to complete the riff section.
Tweak in your DAW: Most AI-generated riffs need slight humanization or editing.
Limitations to Consider
While powerful, AI riff generators for metal aren't perfect:
May lack emotional nuance: AI doesn’t yet understand "feel" like a human guitarist.
Editing required: You’ll often need to fine-tune timing or expression.
Limited phrasing variety: Some generators can repeat patterns if you don’t manually adjust parameters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Are AI-generated metal riffs copyright-free?
Yes — most AI riff tools (like Riffler and Orb) generate royalty-free MIDI or audio. However, check the tool's license before commercial use.
Q2: Can I use these riffs in Spotify releases or albums?
Absolutely. As long as the tool provides royalty-free use, you can publish your tracks commercially.
Q3: Which genre of metal works best with AI generators?
Djent, deathcore, thrash, and groove metal tend to work well, especially when using tools with rhythmic control features.
Q4: Do these tools support 7- or 8-string guitars?
Riffler and some MIDI-based generators do offer lower tunings that mimic 7/8-string ranges.
Final Thoughts
AI riff generators for metal aren't here to replace shredding humans — they’re here to inspire. Whether you're jamming on ideas, building backing tracks, or creating commercial songs, these tools can help speed up your workflow and break creative blocks.
For the modern metal musician, embracing AI doesn’t mean selling out — it means leveling up your sound design and songwriting toolkit.
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