Live Coding Music

Write simple code patterns to generate music algorithmically, in real time. Edit the code and press Update to hear changes instantly, or load a built-in example for beats, melodies, and effects. Powered by Strudel; everything runs in your browser.

How It Works

Live coding music means describing music as code patterns instead of recording it note by note. You write a short expression, the engine turns it into a repeating cycle of events, and you can rewrite the code while it plays; the sound updates on the next cycle. This tool uses Strudel, a JavaScript port of the TidalCycles live coding language.

The core idea is mini-notation: a string like "bd hh sd hh" is split evenly across one cycle, so it plays four evenly spaced sounds. From there you layer and transform patterns:

Controls

Play: evaluate the current code and start the audio clock
Update: re-evaluate the code while it keeps playing (or press Ctrl+Enter)
Stop: silence everything (or press Ctrl+.)

Pattern Cheat Sheet

`sound("bd sd")`	play named samples (bd = kick, sd = snare, hh = hi-hat)
`note("c e g")`	play pitches by note name
`n("0 2 4").scale("C:major")`	play scale degrees mapped to a scale
`"bd*4"`	repeat: four kicks in the slot
`"bd ~ sd ~"`	`~` is a rest (silence)
`"[bd sd]"`	group events into one slot
`"<c e g>"`	alternate: one per cycle
`"bd(3,8)"`	Euclidean rhythm: 3 hits spread over 8 steps
`stack(a, b)`	play patterns a and b at the same time
`.fast(2)` / `.slow(2)`	speed up or slow down
`.lpf(800)`	low-pass filter (effect)
`.room(0.5)` / `.delay(0.4)`	reverb / echo (effects)
`setcps(0.5)`	set tempo in cycles per second

Tip: the first Play may take a moment while sample sounds are downloaded. Audio starts only after you interact with the page.

Embed This Util

You can embed this util on your own site as a widget. Adding ?embed=1 to the URL loads a compact version with just the tool itself; no header, menu, or documentation. Paste this snippet into your HTML:

Copy snippet Adjust the height to taste.

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