I think to label as Atari might be a tad unfair. As Richard is saying, midi is what you make of it. When I sit down and audition I start with a simple chord structure, when I like what I hear I then begin to try different styles, once I find one that is fairly close I start exploring generation, until it get a set of tracks I like good enough for a scratch track bed. Then come adding better synths like Kontack, Sampletank, jamstix, EzDrummer. Next I tinker with real tracks, and sometimes real drums. When that process is complete I take a deep listen for sections that need re generation. Add any tracks I want to try to play, add vocals, lead and backing.

Then the magic begins. Mixing. Using volume envelopes, FX, and such I drop instruments in and out to taste. Lastly I edit with melodyne, and also edit out unwanted sounds and such.

What I started with become very different in the end. The original style really changes. The right piano, maybe a guitar track from a completely different style.
I remember many years ago a band I played in used to play an old Fleetwood Mac song, well old now anyway. We changed the guitar tracks to a calypso style and altered the drum beat a bit to enhance that and I always thought that was out best tune at that time. Mixing and matching is the key here.

If we could just puck a style and go it would be to easy.


HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB 2025, Realband, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 9 32c , Melodyne 5 editor, Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL, Presonus control app.