State Machine
The State Machine provides macro-level compositional form. It divides a performance into sections (states), each with its own parameter settings, and crossfades between them to create evolving compositional arcs.
When Auto-Evolve is enabled, RESERVOIR automatically progresses through the state sequence based on elapsed time, smoothly interpolating all parameters between adjacent states.
How It Works
- RESERVOIR generates a sequence of 2–8 sections, each with a randomized but musically coherent set of parameters (density, perforation, velocity, pitch range, etc.)
- The state sequencer progresses through these sections over time
- A configurable crossfade ratio determines how gradually parameters transition between sections
- The result is a composition that evolves — building, releasing, shifting character — without manual automation
Parameters
| Parameter | Range | Default | Description |
|---|
| Auto-Evolve | On/Off | Off | Enable automatic state progression |
| Sections | 2–8 | 4 | Number of sections in the sequence |
| Section Length | 15–180 sec | 60 sec | Average duration per section |
| Section Crossfade | 0–100% | 50% | How much of each section is spent transitioning |
| Arc Form | choice | Random | Overall shape of parameter evolution |
| Arc Position | 0.0–1.0 | 0.0 | Manual override for position in the arc |
| Auto Arc Progress | On/Off | On | Use time-based progression vs. manual position |
| Form | Description |
|---|
| Random | Each section’s parameters are independently randomized. Creates unpredictable, exploratory form. |
| Golden Section | Climax point placed near the golden ratio through the sequence. Parameters build toward this point, then recede. |
| Arch | Symmetric arch — parameters build to a midpoint climax, then mirror the descent. Classical ABA proportions. |
| Wedge | Continuous build from sparse to dense (or vice versa). One-directional parameter evolution. |
| Corpus | Section transitions shaped by a learned formal-proportions model. |
Manual Control
When Auto Arc Progress is off, the Arc Position parameter directly controls position in the state sequence. This is automatable from your DAW — draw automation curves to manually shape the macro form, or use MIDI CC to control it in real-time.
Echo State Network
Independent of the section-based state machine, RESERVOIR runs an Echo State Network — a recurrent layer that listens to the generator’s own output and feeds back time-decaying influence over density, pitch drift, and timbral shift.
| Parameter | Range | Default | Description |
|---|
| Meta-Gen On | On/Off | Off | Enable the ESN feedback layer |
| Evolution Rate | 0.0–1.0 | 0.5 | How fast the network responds |
| Pitch Depth | 0.0–1.0 | 0.5 | How much the network influences pitch drift |
| Rhythm Depth | 0.0–1.0 | 0.5 | How much the network influences density |
| Texture Depth | 0.0–1.0 | 0.5 | How much the network influences timbral shift |
| Variation | 0–9999 | random | Seeds the network — different seeds produce different evolution paths |
The State Machine and the ESN are complementary. The State Machine handles planned form — sections with deliberate character. The ESN handles organic drift within those sections. Use both together for compositions that have macro shape and moment-to-moment life.
