2025-05-30

field

defines non-metrical onset distributions: stochastic clouds, chaotic intervals, continuous-time drifts. used for naturalistic textures (rain, fire, random impulses) and non-cyclic materials.

each form outputs an explicit list of onset timestamps (in beats) over a finite window, resolved entirely at compile time. this domain is complementary to grid; together they span the full onset space.

overview

  • 0 explicit list

    • description: user-supplied onset times, verbatim
    • real-world analogy: hand-annotated score, foley cue sheet
    • notes: reference / bypass form

  • 1 poisson cloud

    • description: random events with constant average density
    • real-world analogy: light rain, geiger counter clicks
    • notes: a controls rate, b controls window length normalisation

  • 2 logistic chaos

    • description: chaotic inter-event intervals derived from logistic map
    • real-world analogy: fluttering flames, unstable machinery
    • notes: a sets chaos parameter r, b scales average spacing

  • 3 gaussian density curve

    • description: dense centre tapering to sparse edges (bell-shaped density)
    • real-world analogy: thunder burst, crowd applause swell
    • notes: a peak position, b spread

  • 4 drift walk

    • description: random-walk deviations around a nominal period, accumulating drift

    • real-world analogy: human rubato, tape-loop wow & flutter

    • notes: a nominal period, b drift strength

parameter behavior summary

  • 0 explicit list

    • a (unused)
    • b (unused)

  • 1 poisson cloud

    • a mean rate λ (events per beat)
    • b window proportion (0 → short, 1 → full segment)

  • 2 logistic chaos

    • a chaos strength (r from 3.7 to 4.0)
    • b mean spacing scaler

  • 3 gaussian density curve

    • a centre position (0 = start, 1 = end)
    • b width (small → narrow burst, large → wide spread)

  • 4 drift walk

    • a base period (beats)

    • b drift coefficient (0 = stable, 1 = high drift) all parameters: a, b ∈ [0, 1].

why these were chosen

  • explicit list: passthrough for externally generated cues
  • poisson cloud: canonical memory-less random process
  • logistic chaos: deterministic yet aperiodic spacing
  • gaussian density: shaped bursts common in natural phenomena
  • drift walk: captures slow, accumulative timing variation

each form is perceptually distinct and cannot be reproduced by the others with only two parameters.

what is not included

  • continuous random noise at audio rate (belongs in synthesis layer)
  • feedback-responsive timing (forbidden by static-schedule rule)
  • infinite processes (all outputs are finite lists)

conclusion

field fills the onset gaps left by grid, providing deterministic but non-metrical timing generators. with both domains active, the composer can author anything from strict drum grooves to chaotic rainfall - all within the project's static, parametric framework.