Rhythm Engine
The Rhythm Engine determines when notes occur. It generates a stream of attack times and durations in real-time, synchronized to DAW transport via PPQ (pulses per quarter note) timing.
All 17 techniques are streaming — they maintain internal state and produce the next event on demand, enabling sub-10ms latency.
Rhythm Techniques
| Technique | What It Does |
|---|
| Random | Stochastic inter-onset intervals within the density range. No periodicity, no pattern — pure scattered time points. |
| Polyrhythm | Superimposes two periodic cycles at ratio A:B, producing composite resultants from their interference. Multiple modes including Major, Minor, Fractioned, and paired balance/expansion/contraction. Optional Phasing and Sync Detect toggles. |
| Grouping | Notes cluster into groups of varying sizes (e.g., 5-3-2), then disperse. Creates rhythmic cells with internal acceleration and deceleration. Multiple grouping modes including by-product, by-generator, and custom. |
| Cloud | Stochastic density field modulated by overlapping sine waves at incommensurate frequencies. Creates regions of rhythmic concentration and rarefaction — dense clusters dissolving into sparse scatter. |
| Euclidean | Distributes N pulses as evenly as possible across M steps. Produces maximally-even rhythmic patterns found across world music traditions. |
| Harmonic | Maintains multiple pulse streams at overtone-series ratios (1:2:3:…N). Events fire when any harmonic pulses, creating rhythms derived from the physics of vibrating bodies. |
| Multi-Generator | Combines three or more periodic generators. Modes include 3-Generator interference, Fibonacci series, and additional growth series. |
| Instrumental | Models classical and dance rhythmic templates — Polka, Fox-trot, Waltz, Rhumba, plus a fully editable Custom mode. Adjustable attack and rest place counts. |
| Coordination | Coordinates two generators across the time domain — PL distribution, attack synchronization, or full coordination. Configurable time and attack generators. |
| Permutation | Systematic reordering of rhythmic elements through duration, rest, accent, or circular permutation. Variation control adjusts how far the permutation strays from the source order. |
| Continuity | Recursive rhythmic subdivision — splits durations by divisor, by bar, or by attack to a configurable depth. |
| Power Series | Group sizes follow mathematical progressions — squares, powers of 2, triangular numbers, binomial expansions. Creates accelerating or decelerating rhythmic arcs. |
| Growth Series | Each duration is built from previous ones following a growth rule — Fibonacci, Series II, Series III, interference groups, or swing hybrid. |
| Acceleration | Tempo-curve generation with configurable rate, cycle length, and direction. Modes include harmonic, arithmetic, geometric, power, summation, primes, and rubato. |
| L-System | String rewriting generates fractal rhythmic sequences. Adjustable iteration depth and ratio. |
| Beat Grid | A 16-step binary seed pattern (drum machine style) is expanded by a probabilistic process each bar. Low density stays close to the seed; high density produces wilder variations. |
| Style Grid | A 4-axis pad (X / Y / Z / W) navigating thousands of percussion pattern clusters. Move the sliders to morph between feels. The Wander control adds slow autonomous drift. |
Global Parameters
| Parameter | Range | Default | Description |
|---|
| Density Min | 0.01–60 | 2.0 | Minimum attacks per beat across all layers |
| Density Max | 0.01–60 | 8.0 | Maximum attacks per beat across all layers |
| Note Len Min | 0.01–32 | 0.4 | Minimum note length (beats) |
| Note Len Max | 0.01–32 | 0.9 | Maximum note length (beats) |
| Rhythm Pattern | — | Random | Algorithm selection |
Engine-Specific Parameters
Each engine exposes its own dedicated controls when selected. A few of the most-used:
| Parameter | Applies To | Description |
|---|
| Polyrhythm Type | Polyrhythm | Major, Minor, Fractioned, paired modes |
| Ratio A / Ratio B | Polyrhythm | Generator periods (1–16 each) |
| Pulses / Steps | Euclidean | Number of pulses distributed across M steps |
| Group Pattern | Grouping | 5-3-2, 3-3-3, 4-3, 7-5-3, 2-3-5-8 |
| Multi-Gen Mode | Multi-Generator | 3-Generator, Fibonacci, Series II, Series III |
| Instrumental Mode | Instrumental | Polka, Fox-trot, Waltz, Rhumba, Custom |
| Iterations / L/S Ratio | L-System | Recursion depth and long/short ratio |
| Beat Grid Pattern | Beat Grid | 16-bit seed pattern (drum-machine grid) |
| Style X / Y / Z / W | Style Grid | 4D position in the percussion-pattern space |
| Style Wander | Style Grid | Autonomous drift speed |
| Accel Rate / Cycle | Acceleration | Speed-up/slow-down rate and cycle length |
Density values are attacks per beat — they scale with tempo automatically, so a setting of 4 attacks/beat stays at 4 attacks/beat whether the DAW is at 60 or 180 BPM.
