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Working with Part Controls

Introduction​

Part Controls in Reactional Composer allow you to define musical changes and transitions that occur automatically when entering or leaving specific sections of your composition. These controls are tied to the structural parts of your piece, enabling dynamic adjustments to parameters and interactive blocks based on the current musical context.

The main use cases for Part Controls include:

  • Sequencing transitions between different musical sections
  • Modulating parameters to create evolving musical variations
  • Triggering interactive blocks that respond to section changes

To work with Part Controls, switch to the Part Controls tab in the main workspace. Part Controls are created automatically for each Part of your composition marked in your daw-project. In the Part Controls tab, for each Part you'll see:

  • ON START - Executes when entering a musical section
  • ON END - Executes when leaving a musical section
  • Control value and Deviation controls
  • A tray for interactive block chains within each Part Control

Creating and Configuring Part Controls​

Part Control Components​

Each Part Control contains:

Control Value Control​

  • Purpose: Sets a static parameter value for the Part control
  • Range: 0.0 to 1.0 (normalized value)
  • Usage: Set a base value for the control when entering or leaving a section, which is passed on to the interactive blocks.

Deviation Control​

  • Purpose: Adds randomization to the control value
  • Range: 0.0 to 1.0 (maximum deviation amount)
  • Usage: A Control Value of 0.5 with a Deviation of 0.2 can yield values between 0.3 and 0.7, introducing variability to the musical output.

Adding Interactive Blocks to Part Controls​

Part Controls can contain multiple Interactive Blocks with each having independent parameter configurations.

To add Interactive Blocks to a Part Control, drag and drop blocks from the Interactive Blocks panel into the desired Part Control's block tray.

Or, click on an empty slot within each Part Control to open a menu to select and add blocks directly.

See more information on adding Interactive Blocks in Macro Controls - Adding Interactive Blocks and details about each block in Interactive Blocks.

Common Interactive Blocks for Part Controls​

Jump To Section​

  • Purpose: Navigate to different sections of the composition
  • Usage: Create non-linear musical structures by jumping to specified/randomized parts
  • Configuration: Specify the target section to jump to when the Part Control is activated

Note Probability​

  • Purpose: Control note density and sparseness
  • Usage: Adjust musical complexity when entering/leaving sections
  • Application: Create build-ups or breakdowns between parts

Velocity Multiplier​

  • Purpose: Control musical intensity and energy
  • Usage: Fade in/out effects during part transitions
  • Range: Scales existing note velocities by the specified amount