Risset rhythms

Risset rhythms involve creating illusions of continuous, seamless movement through repeating rhythmic patterns that gradually change in speed or tempo. By carefully adjusting the timing of sounds, the listener perceives a fluid, ongoing pulse that appears to accelerate or slow down infinitely, even though each individual pattern repeats at a consistent tempo. This technique exploits the brain’s perception of sound and rhythm, producing an intriguing and mesmerizing experience where changes seem continuous rather than discontinuous. Risset rhythms are used in music, sound design, and experiments exploring auditory perception.