2025-05-30

minimal viable song engine

required domain generators

timbre layer: minimal sound requires a spectral shape (amplitudes), spectral layout (frequencies), and amplitude envelope (envelope). onset layer: onset structure is necessary to generate multiple sounds in time, not just a static texture. pitch layer: without pitch domains, all notes would be spectrally shaped noise at fixed frequencies. tonal + tuning give musical identity. structure layer: essential to escape the loop - these allow for evolution, form, and larger-scale behavior.

minimal viable song engine includes:

timbre.amplitudes
timbre.frequencies
timbre.envelope
onset.grid
onset.density
onset.voicing
pitch.tonal
pitch.tuning
structure.segmentation
structure.ordering

what is not critical path

these add expressivity, realism, or complexity, but are not strictly required:

decorators, dynamics, envelopes - enhance timbre expressivity
offset, pattern - improve rhythm, but not required to place notes
generative, atonal - expand pitch sources
hierarchy - adds complex structure
interplay. - defines voice interactions, not needed for solo behavior
spatial. - purely perceptual spatialization; optional for musical structure

summary

a complete parametric song can be generated using 10 core domains across 5 layers. these provide static structure, rhythm, pitch, spectrum, and form - everything needed to produce standalone music. all other domains can be added incrementally to expand the expressivity space.