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PERF: Neural Texture Orchestrator

PERF is a real-time polyphonic MIDI composition engine that generates, perforates, and shapes musical texture through a pipeline of mathematically-grounded algorithms. Where most generative tools produce monophonic sequences or rely on randomness alone, PERF operates as a 12-layer polyphonic orchestrator — generating up to 12 simultaneous voices of rhythmically independent, pitch-coherent MIDI, with each layer’s output shaped by a distinct combination of rhythm generation, perforation filtering, pitch logic, and expression control.

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The Compositional Pipeline

Every note PERF produces passes through four stages:
  1. Rhythm Engine — Determines when notes occur, using 12 rhythm generation techniques drawn from Schillinger’s resultant rhythms, Xenakis’ stochastic processes, Euclidean distribution, Fibonacci sequences, L-system rewriting, and more.
  2. Perforation Engine — Determines which notes are removed, creating gaps and texture through 7 mathematical filtering methods including prime sieves, cellular automata, golden ratio lattices, and corpus-learned density curves.
  3. Pitch Logic — Determines what notes play, selecting from 112+ scales using 10 pitch selection algorithms rooted in serial technique, Markov chains, spectral interference, and combinatorial permutation.
  4. Expression Control — Determines how notes are articulated, with velocity shaping, 5 articulation styles, 10 continuous CC controllers, micro-timing humanization, and phrase structure.

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Why PERF Exists

Algorithmic composition has a deep lineage — from Schillinger’s systematization of musical elements in the 1940s, through Xenakis’ stochastic music and Hiller’s computer-generated string quartets in the 1950s, to the spectral techniques of Grisey and Murail. These ideas have remained largely confined to academic software and offline rendering. PERF brings this tradition into a real-time DAW-integrated plugin. Every algorithm runs in streaming mode with sub-10ms latency, synchronized to DAW transport via PPQ-based timing. The output is standard MIDI — route it to any instrument.

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Key Capabilities

  • 12 independent layers with 4 family coordination behaviors
  • 12 rhythm techniques, 7 perforation methods, 10 pitch patterns
  • 112+ scales spanning Western modes, Japanese koto tunings, Indian ragas, Yusef Lateef’s synthetic formations, and microtonal systems
  • State sequencer for macro-level compositional arc with crossfading sections
  • 8 color visualization modes including Scriabin synesthetic mapping, Schillinger color system, and Rimsky-Korsakov orchestral colors
  • Preset morphing with automatable crossfade between any two presets
  • Audio gating mode for applying perforation patterns to live audio
  • MIDI export for capturing generated output
  • VST3, Audio Unit, and Standalone formats on macOS