mcp_opendaw_create_cross_rhythm
Create shifting cross-rhythms by defining multiple voices with independent period lengths, producing continuously changing alignment patterns common in African and minimalist music.
Instructions
Create a cross-rhythm — multiple voices with independent period lengths creating shifting alignment.
Unlike polyrhythm (which divides one bar into n and m equal parts), cross-rhythm gives each voice its own period length in beats. The voices cycle independently, creating continuously shifting alignment patterns that only realign after the LCM of all periods.
African cross-rhythms, Steve Reich, Talking Heads, minimalism.
voices: Comma-separated period lengths per voice. E.g., "5,7,3" creates 3 voices with period 5, 7, and 3 beats respectively. 2-6 voices supported. bars: Total length in bars (1-16). The pattern cycles until bars×4 beats is filled. unit_index: AU index. track_index: Note track index. start_beat: Starting beat position. duration: Note duration in beats. base_velocity: Base velocity 0-1. Each voice gets slightly attenuated (voice 0 = full).
Returns total notes created, voice periods, and alignment interval (LCM).
Common cross-rhythms: "5,7" — 5-beat vs 7-beat (African, shifts every 35 beats) "3,4,5" — triple cross-rhythm (minimalism) "4,5,6" — dense shifting pattern "3,5,7" — prime cross-rhythm (longest alignment cycle = 105 beats)
Example: create_cross_rhythm(voices="5,7", bars=8, track_index=0)
Input Schema
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| bars | No | ||
| voices | Yes | ||
| duration | No | ||
| start_beat | No | ||
| unit_index | No | ||
| track_index | No | ||
| base_velocity | No |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| result | Yes |