diff --git a/crates/synthizer/src/chain_mathops.rs b/crates/synthizer/src/chain_mathops.rs
index eb1cec4..6bbbd92 100644
--- a/crates/synthizer/src/chain_mathops.rs
+++ b/crates/synthizer/src/chain_mathops.rs
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ use std::ops::*;
 use std::sync::Arc;
 
 use crate::chain::Chain;
-use crate::config;
 use crate::context::SignalExecutionContext;
 use crate::core_traits::*;
 use crate::unique_id::UniqueId;
@@ -49,10 +48,11 @@ macro_rules! impl_mathop {
                 S2::on_block_start(&mut ctx.wrap(|s| &mut s.1, |p| &p.1));
             }
 
-            fn tick_block<
+            fn tick<
                 'a,
                 I: FnMut(usize) -> &'a Self::Input,
                 D: ReusableSignalDestination<Self::Output>,
+                const N: usize,
             >(
                 ctx: &'_ mut SignalExecutionContext<'_, '_, Self::State, Self::Parameters>,
                 mut input: I,
@@ -63,20 +63,20 @@ macro_rules! impl_mathop {
                 // When we perform the binary operation, left and right fold into each other and the drop is handled
                 // because either the operation dropped the values itself or the final value holds them.  Dropping these
                 // would thus be a double drop.
-                let mut left: [MaybeUninit<SignalOutput<S1>>; config::BLOCK_SIZE] =
-                    [const { MaybeUninit::uninit() }; config::BLOCK_SIZE];
-                let mut right: [MaybeUninit<SignalOutput<S2>>; config::BLOCK_SIZE] =
-                    [const { MaybeUninit::uninit() }; config::BLOCK_SIZE];
+                let mut left: [MaybeUninit<SignalOutput<S1>>; N] =
+                    [const { MaybeUninit::uninit() }; N];
+                let mut right: [MaybeUninit<SignalOutput<S2>>; N] =
+                    [const { MaybeUninit::uninit() }; N];
                 let mut i = 0usize;
 
-                S1::tick_block(&mut ctx.wrap(|s| &mut s.0, |p| &p.0), &mut input, |val| {
+                S1::tick::<_, _, N>(&mut ctx.wrap(|s| &mut s.0, |p| &p.0), &mut input, |val| {
                     left[i].write(val);
                     i += 1;
                 });
 
                 i = 0;
 
-                S2::tick_block(&mut ctx.wrap(|s| &mut s.1, |p| &p.1), &mut input, |val| {
+                S2::tick::<_, _, N>(&mut ctx.wrap(|s| &mut s.1, |p| &p.1), &mut input, |val| {
                     right[i].write(val);
                     i += 1;
                 });
diff --git a/crates/synthizer/src/core_traits.rs b/crates/synthizer/src/core_traits.rs
index 508dc10..1f91177 100644
--- a/crates/synthizer/src/core_traits.rs
+++ b/crates/synthizer/src/core_traits.rs
@@ -21,22 +21,23 @@ pub(crate) mod sealed {
         type State: Sized + Send + Sync;
         type Parameters: Sized + Send + Sync;
 
-        /// Tick this signal [config::BLOCK_SIZE] times.  Implemented via `tick1` by default.
+        /// Tick this signal.
         ///
-        /// The default implementation is only suitable for signals which are "endpoints" e.g. signals that produce
-        /// values from nothing.  Combinators must implement this in terms of their combined signals.  Signals which are
-        /// not combinators may ignore this if they are wrapping a signal, but cannot meaningfully benefit from or store
-        /// output data.  The complexity here, though: when reading from files and external sources, we are not able to
-        /// do so efficiently sample by sample.  Anywhere which does not forward block-based calls to their parent
-        /// de-optimizes this path.
+        /// Exactly `BLOCK_SIZE` ticks will occur between calls to `on_block_start`.  They may be broken up into smaller
+        /// blocks, possibly down to 1 sample (for example, in recursive structures).
         ///
-        /// Callers will choose to use tick1 or to use tick_block, and will not mix them for the duration of a block.
-        /// Callers may change their mind between blocks.  Wrapper signals should also preserve this property, though
-        /// since this is an entire block of data, it's hard to break this rule.
-        fn tick_block<
+        /// This method must uphold two important invariants:
+        ///
+        /// - `input(i)` must be called at minimum once on each input index in the range `0..N`.
+        /// - Exactly `N` outputs are sent to the destination.
+        ///
+        /// Signals may choose to do work in either of those points instead, so they must be used to drive dependent
+        /// signals.
+        fn tick<
             'a,
             I: FnMut(usize) -> &'a Self::Input,
             D: ReusableSignalDestination<Self::Output>,
+            const N: usize,
         >(
             ctx: &'_ mut SignalExecutionContext<'_, '_, Self::State, Self::Parameters>,
             input: I,
diff --git a/crates/synthizer/src/mount_point.rs b/crates/synthizer/src/mount_point.rs
index 9840d46..dec92ee 100644
--- a/crates/synthizer/src/mount_point.rs
+++ b/crates/synthizer/src/mount_point.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 use std::sync::Arc;
 
+use crate::config;
 use crate::context::*;
 use crate::core_traits::*;
 use crate::synthesizer::SynthesizerState;
@@ -45,6 +46,6 @@ impl<S: Mountable> ErasedMountPoint for MountPoint<S> {
         };
 
         S::on_block_start(&mut ctx);
-        S::tick_block(&mut ctx, |_| &(), |_| {});
+        S::tick::<_, _, { config::BLOCK_SIZE }>(&mut ctx, |_| &(), |_| {});
     }
 }
diff --git a/crates/synthizer/src/signals/and_then.rs b/crates/synthizer/src/signals/and_then.rs
index ee47dab..7020e42 100644
--- a/crates/synthizer/src/signals/and_then.rs
+++ b/crates/synthizer/src/signals/and_then.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 use std::mem::MaybeUninit;
 
-use crate::config;
 use crate::context::*;
 use crate::core_traits::*;
 
@@ -27,10 +26,11 @@ where
         S2::on_block_start(&mut ctx.wrap(|s| &mut s.1, |p| &p.1));
     }
 
-    fn tick_block<
+    fn tick<
         'a,
         I: FnMut(usize) -> &'a Self::Input,
         D: ReusableSignalDestination<Self::Output>,
+        const N: usize,
     >(
         ctx: &'_ mut SignalExecutionContext<'_, '_, Self::State, Self::Parameters>,
         input: I,
@@ -38,15 +38,14 @@ where
     ) where
         Self::Input: 'a,
     {
-        let mut left_out: [MaybeUninit<SignalOutput<S1>>; config::BLOCK_SIZE] =
-            [const { MaybeUninit::uninit() }; config::BLOCK_SIZE];
+        let mut left_out: [MaybeUninit<SignalOutput<S1>>; N] = [const { MaybeUninit::uninit() }; N];
         let mut i = 0;
-        S1::tick_block(&mut ctx.wrap(|s| &mut s.0, |p| &p.0), input, |val| {
+        S1::tick::<_, _, N>(&mut ctx.wrap(|s| &mut s.0, |p| &p.0), input, |val| {
             left_out[i].write(val);
             i += 1;
         });
 
-        S2::tick_block(
+        S2::tick::<_, _, N>(
             &mut ctx.wrap(|s| &mut s.1, |p| &p.1),
             |ind| unsafe { left_out[ind].assume_init_ref() },
             destination,
diff --git a/crates/synthizer/src/signals/audio_io.rs b/crates/synthizer/src/signals/audio_io.rs
index 70a6d7c..a88cc0e 100644
--- a/crates/synthizer/src/signals/audio_io.rs
+++ b/crates/synthizer/src/signals/audio_io.rs
@@ -22,10 +22,11 @@ where
         ctx.state.1 = 0;
     }
 
-    fn tick_block<
+    fn tick<
         'a,
         I: FnMut(usize) -> &'a Self::Input,
         D: ReusableSignalDestination<Self::Output>,
+        const N: usize,
     >(
         ctx: &'_ mut SignalExecutionContext<'_, '_, Self::State, Self::Parameters>,
         input: I,
@@ -36,7 +37,7 @@ where
         let mut block: [f64; config::BLOCK_SIZE] = [0.0f64; config::BLOCK_SIZE];
 
         let mut i = 0;
-        S::tick_block(&mut ctx.wrap(|s| &mut s.0, |p| p), input, |x| {
+        S::tick::<_, _, N>(&mut ctx.wrap(|s| &mut s.0, |p| p), input, |x| {
             block[i] = x;
             i += 1;
         });
diff --git a/crates/synthizer/src/signals/consume_input.rs b/crates/synthizer/src/signals/consume_input.rs
index 9d026c6..22425e4 100644
--- a/crates/synthizer/src/signals/consume_input.rs
+++ b/crates/synthizer/src/signals/consume_input.rs
@@ -36,10 +36,11 @@ where
         S::on_block_start(ctx);
     }
 
-    fn tick_block<
+    fn tick<
         'a,
         SigI: FnMut(usize) -> &'a Self::Input,
         D: ReusableSignalDestination<Self::Output>,
+        const N: usize,
     >(
         ctx: &'_ mut SignalExecutionContext<'_, '_, Self::State, Self::Parameters>,
         _input: SigI,
@@ -48,7 +49,7 @@ where
         Self::Input: 'a,
     {
         let ni = Default::default();
-        S::tick_block(
+        S::tick::<_, _, N>(
             ctx,
             |_| &ni,
             |v| {
diff --git a/crates/synthizer/src/signals/conversion.rs b/crates/synthizer/src/signals/conversion.rs
index 733fb5b..552ea54 100644
--- a/crates/synthizer/src/signals/conversion.rs
+++ b/crates/synthizer/src/signals/conversion.rs
@@ -36,10 +36,11 @@ where
         Sig::on_block_start(ctx);
     }
 
-    fn tick_block<
+    fn tick<
         'a,
         I: FnMut(usize) -> &'a Self::Input,
         D: ReusableSignalDestination<Self::Output>,
+        const N: usize,
     >(
         ctx: &'_ mut SignalExecutionContext<'_, '_, Self::State, Self::Parameters>,
         input: I,
@@ -47,7 +48,7 @@ where
     ) where
         Self::Input: 'a,
     {
-        Sig::tick_block(ctx, input, |x: Sig::Output| {
+        Sig::tick::<_, _, N>(ctx, input, |x: Sig::Output| {
             destination.send_reusable(x.into())
         });
     }
diff --git a/crates/synthizer/src/signals/map.rs b/crates/synthizer/src/signals/map.rs
index 53cc7dc..63ab9cb 100644
--- a/crates/synthizer/src/signals/map.rs
+++ b/crates/synthizer/src/signals/map.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 use std::marker::PhantomData as PD;
 use std::mem::MaybeUninit;
 
-use crate::config;
 use crate::core_traits::*;
 
 pub struct MapSignal<ParSig, F, O>(PD<*const (ParSig, F, O)>);
@@ -37,10 +36,11 @@ where
         ParSig::on_block_start(&mut ctx.wrap(|s| &mut s.parent_state, |p| p));
     }
 
-    fn tick_block<
+    fn tick<
         'a,
         I: FnMut(usize) -> &'a Self::Input,
         D: ReusableSignalDestination<Self::Output>,
+        const N: usize,
     >(
         ctx: &'_ mut crate::context::SignalExecutionContext<'_, '_, Self::State, Self::Parameters>,
         input: I,
@@ -48,10 +48,9 @@ where
     ) where
         Self::Input: 'a,
     {
-        let mut outs: [MaybeUninit<SignalOutput<ParSig>>; config::BLOCK_SIZE] =
-            [const { MaybeUninit::uninit() }; config::BLOCK_SIZE];
+        let mut outs: [MaybeUninit<SignalOutput<ParSig>>; N] = [const { MaybeUninit::uninit() }; N];
         let mut i = 0;
-        ParSig::tick_block(&mut ctx.wrap(|s| &mut s.parent_state, |p| p), input, |x| {
+        ParSig::tick::<_, _, N>(&mut ctx.wrap(|s| &mut s.parent_state, |p| p), input, |x| {
             outs[i].write(x);
             i += 1;
         });
diff --git a/crates/synthizer/src/signals/null.rs b/crates/synthizer/src/signals/null.rs
index b206ace..6cfa148 100644
--- a/crates/synthizer/src/signals/null.rs
+++ b/crates/synthizer/src/signals/null.rs
@@ -13,10 +13,11 @@ unsafe impl Signal for NullSignal {
     type State = ();
     type Parameters = ();
 
-    fn tick_block<
+    fn tick<
         'a,
         I: FnMut(usize) -> &'a Self::Input,
         D: ReusableSignalDestination<Self::Output>,
+        const N: usize,
     >(
         _ctx: &'_ mut SignalExecutionContext<'_, '_, Self::State, Self::Parameters>,
         mut input: I,
@@ -24,7 +25,7 @@ unsafe impl Signal for NullSignal {
     ) where
         Self::Input: 'a,
     {
-        for i in 0..crate::config::BLOCK_SIZE {
+        for i in 0..N {
             input(i);
             destination.send_reusable(());
         }
diff --git a/crates/synthizer/src/signals/periodic_f64.rs b/crates/synthizer/src/signals/periodic_f64.rs
index 6ad634f..9ffcd65 100644
--- a/crates/synthizer/src/signals/periodic_f64.rs
+++ b/crates/synthizer/src/signals/periodic_f64.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-use crate::config;
 use crate::context::*;
 use crate::core_traits::*;
 
@@ -49,10 +48,11 @@ where
         SIncr::on_block_start(&mut ctx.wrap(|s| &mut s.freq_state, |p| &p.freq_params));
     }
 
-    fn tick_block<
+    fn tick<
         'a,
         I: FnMut(usize) -> &'a Self::Input,
         D: ReusableSignalDestination<Self::Output>,
+        const N: usize,
     >(
         ctx: &'_ mut SignalExecutionContext<'_, '_, Self::State, Self::Parameters>,
         input: I,
@@ -60,9 +60,9 @@ where
     ) where
         Self::Input: 'a,
     {
-        let mut increments: [f64; config::BLOCK_SIZE] = [0.0; config::BLOCK_SIZE];
+        let mut increments: [f64; N] = [0.0; N];
         let mut i = 0;
-        SIncr::tick_block(
+        SIncr::tick::<_, _, N>(
             &mut ctx.wrap(|s| &mut s.freq_state, |p| &p.freq_params),
             input,
             |x| {
diff --git a/crates/synthizer/src/signals/scalars.rs b/crates/synthizer/src/signals/scalars.rs
index e36fa3d..fa4a0a1 100644
--- a/crates/synthizer/src/signals/scalars.rs
+++ b/crates/synthizer/src/signals/scalars.rs
@@ -14,17 +14,18 @@ macro_rules! impl_scalar {
             type State = ();
             type Parameters = $t;
 
-            fn tick_block<
+            fn tick<
             'a,
             I: FnMut(usize) -> &'a Self::Input,
             D: ReusableSignalDestination<Self::Output>,
+            const N: usize,
         >(
             ctx: &'_ mut SignalExecutionContext<'_, '_, Self::State, Self::Parameters>,
             mut input: I,
 mut             destination: D,
         ) where
             Self::Input: 'a {
-                for i in 0..crate::config::BLOCK_SIZE {
+                for i in 0..N {
                     input(i);
                     destination.send_reusable(*ctx.parameters);
                 }
diff --git a/crates/synthizer/src/signals/slots.rs b/crates/synthizer/src/signals/slots.rs
index 651dbfc..f86728a 100644
--- a/crates/synthizer/src/signals/slots.rs
+++ b/crates/synthizer/src/signals/slots.rs
@@ -2,10 +2,9 @@ use std::any::Any;
 use std::marker::PhantomData as PD;
 use std::sync::Arc;
 
+use crate::core_traits::*;
 use rpds::HashTrieMapSync;
 
-use crate::config;
-use crate::core_traits::*;
 use crate::unique_id::UniqueId;
 
 pub(crate) type SlotMap<K, V> = HashTrieMapSync<K, V>;
@@ -151,10 +150,11 @@ where
         ctx.state.changed_this_block = true;
     }
 
-    fn tick_block<
+    fn tick<
         'a,
         I: FnMut(usize) -> &'a Self::Input,
         D: ReusableSignalDestination<Self::Output>,
+        const N: usize,
     >(
         ctx: &'_ mut crate::context::SignalExecutionContext<'_, '_, Self::State, Self::Parameters>,
         _input: I,
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ where
             changed_this_block: ctx.state.changed_this_block,
         };
 
-        for _ in 0..config::BLOCK_SIZE {
+        for _ in 0..N {
             destination.send_reusable(val.clone());
         }
     }
diff --git a/crates/synthizer/src/signals/trig.rs b/crates/synthizer/src/signals/trig.rs
index 75551c7..624a981 100644
--- a/crates/synthizer/src/signals/trig.rs
+++ b/crates/synthizer/src/signals/trig.rs
@@ -20,10 +20,11 @@ where
         S::on_block_start(ctx);
     }
 
-    fn tick_block<
+    fn tick<
         'a,
         I: FnMut(usize) -> &'a Self::Input,
         D: ReusableSignalDestination<Self::Output>,
+        const N: usize,
     >(
         ctx: &'_ mut SignalExecutionContext<'_, '_, Self::State, Self::Parameters>,
         input: I,
@@ -31,7 +32,7 @@ where
     ) where
         Self::Input: 'a,
     {
-        S::tick_block(ctx, input, |x: f64| destination.send_reusable(x.sin()));
+        S::tick::<_, _, N>(ctx, input, |x: f64| destination.send_reusable(x.sin()));
     }
 
     fn trace_slots<