2025-05-30

pattern

defines reusable rhythmic motifs mapped onto a stream of triggers. patterns impose local structure and phrasing atop incoming onset lists, regardless of whether they are generated by grid (metrical) or field (non-metrical) domains.

families

  • id 0 fixed pattern

    • description: plays the same on/off or velocity sequence every cycle

    • real-world analogy: drum machine step sequence

    • notes:

      • a: pattern index or morph position in a preset bank

      • b: density trim (0 = mute, 1 = full pattern)

      • input: accepts any trigger stream, field or grid

  • id 1 rotating shift

    • description: circularly shifts the pattern each repetition

    • real-world analogy: rotating clave, staggered motif

    • notes:

      • a: shift length (scaled to trigger stream length)

      • b: shift direction (0 = left, 1 = right)

      • produces variation while preserving content

  • id 2 transforming

    • description: modifies the pattern using operations like reverse, invert, or retrograde

    • real-world analogy: classical variation technique

    • notes:

      • a: transformation type (from ops list)

      • b: transformation depth or mix

      • enables evolving phrasing from static seeds

why these were chosen

  • fixed: base unit of repetition and memory
  • rotating shift: variation through offset
  • transforming: generative expansion from single motifs

together they cover static repetition, controlled change, and structural transformation — applicable to any sequence of trigger times, metrical or not.

what’s not included

  • fully procedural pattern generation (handled by density or generative domains)
  • concatenation or chaining of patterns (handled at the structure layer)
  • pattern-reactive feedback (disallowed by the system’s static design)

conclusion

pattern brings modular phrasing to any onset stream — whether locked to a grid or distributed by a natural field. these three forms offer a minimal and powerful basis for local temporal structure, without violating the system's deterministic and parametric constraints.