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Algorithm Reference

Quick reference for all algorithms across PERF’s three engine types. For detailed descriptions and lineage, see the individual interface pages.

Rhythm Engines (12)

#NameID in DAWCore Principle
0RandomRandomExponentially-distributed stochastic inter-onset intervals
1PolyrhythmPolyrhythmSchillinger resultant from two periodic generators at ratio A:B
2PhasingPhasingGradually shifting phase between two pulse streams
3GroupingGroupingVariable-size note clusters (e.g., 5-3-2 pattern)
4CloudCloudDensity field modulated by overlapping incommensurate sine waves
5EuclideanEuclideanBjorklund algorithm — N pulses distributed maximally-evenly over M steps
6HarmonicHarmonicOvertone-series pulse streams at ratios 1:2:3:…N
7Power SeqPower SeqGroup sizes from mathematical progressions (squares, powers, triangular)
8CounterpointCounterpointTwo independent generators with synchrony detection
9AdditiveAdditiveFibonacci-like: each duration = sum of two previous
10L-SystemL-SystemLindenmayer string rewriting → fractal rhythm sequences
11Beat GridBeat Grid16-step seed expanded by Markov chain each bar

Perforation Engines (7)

#NameID in DAWCore Principle
0EuclideanEuclideanMaximally-even gap distribution (Bjorklund)
1Prime SievePrime SieveSieve of Eratosthenes — remove at prime-divisible positions
2FibonacciFibonacciZeckendorf decomposition — fewer Fibonacci terms = more protected
3ModularModularKeep events at index mod N = offset
4Golden RatioGolden RatioQuasiperiodic phi-based lattice / golden angle phyllotaxis
5CellularCellularWolfram elementary cellular automaton (rules 0–255)
6Corpus DensityCorpus DensityMusicBERT-derived rest placement curves

Pitch Patterns (10)

#NameID in DAWCore Principle
0SequentialSequentialSerial exhaustion — all pitches before any repeat
1SpiralSpiralExpanding intervals outward from center pitch
2FibonacciFibonacciFibonacci interval sequence (1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21)
3RegisterRegisterSystematic octave-by-octave traversal
4ProbabilisticProbabilisticWeighted Markov transitions (close intervals favored)
5Golden RatioGolden RatioPitch set split at phi, alternating subsets
6BeatingBeatingInterference of two interval generators → resultant pitch set
7MirrorMirrorAlternating original and inverted pitches around axis
8PermutationPermutationCircular, retrograde, and retrograde-inversion orderings
9CorpusCorpusMusicBERT-derived pitch transition matrices

Layer Interaction Modes (4)

#NameBehavior
0IndependentNo inter-layer coordination
1InverseMore active when other layers are quiet
2ComplementaryFill gaps in other layers (hocket)
3SynchronizedGaps align across layers

Articulation Styles (5)

#NameDuration Multiplier
0Full Length1.0
1Legato0.80–0.95
2Staccato0.20–0.40
3Tenuto0.95–1.00
4Varying0.85→0.35 (progressive)

Color Modes (8)

#NameMaps To
0GreyscaleVelocity/dynamics only
1ChromaticPitch class (perceptually uniform palette)
2RegisterOctave register (dark = low, bright = high)
3IntervalInterval from lowest active pitch
4TensionConsonance-dissonance score
5Schillingerian12 saturated pitch-class colors
6ScriabinSynesthetic color-hearing associations
7Rimsky-KorsakovKey-color landscape associations

Combination Count

With 12 rhythm engines × 7 perforation methods × 10 pitch patterns × 4 layer interaction modes × 5 articulation styles = 16,800 unique algorithm combinations before considering parameter variations, scale selection, or state machine configuration.