01101001 01101110
fn init() -> Result<()>
for x in 0..buf.len()
load(addr, 0xFF)
sys.run(0x4A, flags)
if val > 0 { dispatch() }
>> 0x00: READY
loop { poll(); yield; }
stream.flush()
0xDEAD :: 0xBEEF
bind(sock, &addr, len)
pub fn connect(host: &str)
match state {
State::Init => boot(),
State::Run => tick(),
_ => halt(),
}
reg[0x3] = 0b11001010
clk.tick()
assert!(val != null)
>> SIGNAL RECEIVED
buf[i] ^= key[i % klen]
let n = read(fd, buf, 64)
while !done { step(); }
push(stack, frame)
0x7F :: OK
type Handler = fn(Ctx)
emit(Event::Data, payload)
select! { rx => handle(rx) }
spawn(async move { run() })
>> 0x01: PROCESSING
map.insert(k, v)
drain().collect::<Vec<_>>()
let _ = tx.send(msg)
timeout(Duration::ms(100))
>> CHECKSUM PASS
fn encode(src: &[u8]) -> Vec
pipe.write_all(&frame)
crc32(data, len)
>> 0x00FF: ACK
schedule(task, interval)
lock.acquire()
>> SYNC COMPLETE
release(ptr)
0x00 0x00 0x00 0x01
watchdog.reset()
>> LINK ESTABLISHED
fn poll(&mut self) -> Poll
waker.wake_by_ref()
cx.waker().clone()
01101001 01101110
fn init() -> Result<()>
for x in 0..buf.len()
load(addr, 0xFF)
sys.run(0x4A, flags)
if val > 0 { dispatch() }
>> 0x00: READY
loop { poll(); yield; }
stream.flush()
0xDEAD :: 0xBEEF
bind(sock, &addr, len)
pub fn connect(host: &str)
match state {
State::Init => boot(),
State::Run => tick(),
_ => halt(),
}
reg[0x3] = 0b11001010
clk.tick()
assert!(val != null)
>> SIGNAL RECEIVED
buf[i] ^= key[i % klen]
let n = read(fd, buf, 64)
while !done { step(); }
push(stack, frame)
0x7F :: OK
type Handler = fn(Ctx)
emit(Event::Data, payload)
select! { rx => handle(rx) }
spawn(async move { run() })
>> 0x01: PROCESSING
map.insert(k, v)
drain().collect::<Vec<_>>()
let _ = tx.send(msg)
timeout(Duration::ms(100))
>> CHECKSUM PASS
fn encode(src: &[u8]) -> Vec
pipe.write_all(&frame)
crc32(data, len)
>> 0x00FF: ACK
schedule(task, interval)
lock.acquire()
>> SYNC COMPLETE
release(ptr)
0x00 0x00 0x00 0x01
watchdog.reset()
>> LINK ESTABLISHED
fn poll(&mut self) -> Poll
waker.wake_by_ref()
cx.waker().clone()
stream.flush()
0xDEAD :: 0xBEEF
bind(sock, &addr, len)
pub fn connect(host: &str)
match state {
State::Init => boot(),
State::Run => tick(),
_ => halt(),
}
reg[0x3] = 0b11001010
clk.tick()
assert!(val != null)
>> SIGNAL RECEIVED
buf[i] ^= key[i % klen]
let n = read(fd, buf, 64)
while !done { step(); }
push(stack, frame)
0x7F :: OK
type Handler = fn(Ctx)
emit(Event::Data, payload)
select! { rx => handle(rx) }
spawn(async move { run() })
>> 0x01: PROCESSING
map.insert(k, v)
drain().collect::<Vec<_>>()
let _ = tx.send(msg)
timeout(Duration::ms(100))
>> CHECKSUM PASS
fn encode(src: &[u8]) -> Vec
pipe.write_all(&frame)
crc32(data, len)
>> 0x00FF: ACK
schedule(task, interval)
lock.acquire()
>> SYNC COMPLETE
release(ptr)
0x00 0x00 0x00 0x01
watchdog.reset()
>> LINK ESTABLISHED
fn poll(&mut self) -> Poll
waker.wake_by_ref()
cx.waker().clone()
01101001 01101110
fn init() -> Result<()>
for x in 0..buf.len()
load(addr, 0xFF)
sys.run(0x4A, flags)
if val > 0 { dispatch() }
>> 0x00: READY
loop { poll(); yield; }
stream.flush()
0xDEAD :: 0xBEEF
bind(sock, &addr, len)
pub fn connect(host: &str)
match state {
State::Init => boot(),
State::Run => tick(),
_ => halt(),
}
reg[0x3] = 0b11001010
clk.tick()
assert!(val != null)
>> SIGNAL RECEIVED
buf[i] ^= key[i % klen]
let n = read(fd, buf, 64)
while !done { step(); }
push(stack, frame)
0x7F :: OK
type Handler = fn(Ctx)
emit(Event::Data, payload)
select! { rx => handle(rx) }
spawn(async move { run() })
>> 0x01: PROCESSING
map.insert(k, v)
drain().collect::<Vec<_>>()
let _ = tx.send(msg)
timeout(Duration::ms(100))
>> CHECKSUM PASS
fn encode(src: &[u8]) -> Vec
pipe.write_all(&frame)
crc32(data, len)
>> 0x00FF: ACK
schedule(task, interval)
lock.acquire()
>> SYNC COMPLETE
release(ptr)
0x00 0x00 0x00 0x01
watchdog.reset()
>> LINK ESTABLISHED
fn poll(&mut self) -> Poll
waker.wake_by_ref()
cx.waker().clone()
01101001 01101110
fn init() -> Result<()>
for x in 0..buf.len()
load(addr, 0xFF)
sys.run(0x4A, flags)
if val > 0 { dispatch() }
>> 0x00: READY
loop { poll(); yield; }
}
reg[0x3] = 0b11001010
clk.tick()
assert!(val != null)
>> SIGNAL RECEIVED
buf[i] ^= key[i % klen]
let n = read(fd, buf, 64)
while !done { step(); }
push(stack, frame)
0x7F :: OK
type Handler = fn(Ctx)
emit(Event::Data, payload)
select! { rx => handle(rx) }
spawn(async move { run() })
>> 0x01: PROCESSING
map.insert(k, v)
drain().collect::<Vec<_>>()
let _ = tx.send(msg)
timeout(Duration::ms(100))
>> CHECKSUM PASS
fn encode(src: &[u8]) -> Vec
pipe.write_all(&frame)
crc32(data, len)
>> 0x00FF: ACK
schedule(task, interval)
lock.acquire()
>> SYNC COMPLETE
release(ptr)
0x00 0x00 0x00 0x01
watchdog.reset()
>> LINK ESTABLISHED
fn poll(&mut self) -> Poll
waker.wake_by_ref()
cx.waker().clone()
01101001 01101110
fn init() -> Result<()>
for x in 0..buf.len()
load(addr, 0xFF)
sys.run(0x4A, flags)
if val > 0 { dispatch() }
>> 0x00: READY
loop { poll(); yield; }
stream.flush()
0xDEAD :: 0xBEEF
bind(sock, &addr, len)
pub fn connect(host: &str)
match state {
State::Init => boot(),
State::Run => tick(),
_ => halt(),
}
reg[0x3] = 0b11001010
clk.tick()
assert!(val != null)
>> SIGNAL RECEIVED
buf[i] ^= key[i % klen]
let n = read(fd, buf, 64)
while !done { step(); }
push(stack, frame)
0x7F :: OK
type Handler = fn(Ctx)
emit(Event::Data, payload)
select! { rx => handle(rx) }
spawn(async move { run() })
>> 0x01: PROCESSING
map.insert(k, v)
drain().collect::<Vec<_>>()
let _ = tx.send(msg)
timeout(Duration::ms(100))
>> CHECKSUM PASS
fn encode(src: &[u8]) -> Vec
pipe.write_all(&frame)
crc32(data, len)
>> 0x00FF: ACK
schedule(task, interval)
lock.acquire()
>> SYNC COMPLETE
release(ptr)
0x00 0x00 0x00 0x01
watchdog.reset()
>> LINK ESTABLISHED
fn poll(&mut self) -> Poll
waker.wake_by_ref()
cx.waker().clone()
01101001 01101110
fn init() -> Result<()>
for x in 0..buf.len()
load(addr, 0xFF)
sys.run(0x4A, flags)
if val > 0 { dispatch() }
>> 0x00: READY
loop { poll(); yield; }
stream.flush()
0xDEAD :: 0xBEEF
bind(sock, &addr, len)
pub fn connect(host: &str)
match state {
State::Init => boot(),
State::Run => tick(),
_ => halt(),
push(stack, frame)
0x7F :: OK
type Handler = fn(Ctx)
emit(Event::Data, payload)
select! { rx => handle(rx) }
spawn(async move { run() })
>> 0x01: PROCESSING
map.insert(k, v)
drain().collect::<Vec<_>>()
let _ = tx.send(msg)
timeout(Duration::ms(100))
>> CHECKSUM PASS
fn encode(src: &[u8]) -> Vec
pipe.write_all(&frame)
crc32(data, len)
>> 0x00FF: ACK
schedule(task, interval)
lock.acquire()
>> SYNC COMPLETE
release(ptr)
0x00 0x00 0x00 0x01
watchdog.reset()
>> LINK ESTABLISHED
fn poll(&mut self) -> Poll
waker.wake_by_ref()
cx.waker().clone()
01101001 01101110
fn init() -> Result<()>
for x in 0..buf.len()
load(addr, 0xFF)
sys.run(0x4A, flags)
if val > 0 { dispatch() }
>> 0x00: READY
loop { poll(); yield; }
stream.flush()
0xDEAD :: 0xBEEF
bind(sock, &addr, len)
pub fn connect(host: &str)
match state {
State::Init => boot(),
State::Run => tick(),
_ => halt(),
}
reg[0x3] = 0b11001010
clk.tick()
assert!(val != null)
>> SIGNAL RECEIVED
buf[i] ^= key[i % klen]
let n = read(fd, buf, 64)
while !done { step(); }
push(stack, frame)
0x7F :: OK
type Handler = fn(Ctx)
emit(Event::Data, payload)
select! { rx => handle(rx) }
spawn(async move { run() })
>> 0x01: PROCESSING
map.insert(k, v)
drain().collect::<Vec<_>>()
let _ = tx.send(msg)
timeout(Duration::ms(100))
>> CHECKSUM PASS
fn encode(src: &[u8]) -> Vec
pipe.write_all(&frame)
crc32(data, len)
>> 0x00FF: ACK
schedule(task, interval)
lock.acquire()
>> SYNC COMPLETE
release(ptr)
0x00 0x00 0x00 0x01
watchdog.reset()
>> LINK ESTABLISHED
fn poll(&mut self) -> Poll
waker.wake_by_ref()
cx.waker().clone()
01101001 01101110
fn init() -> Result<()>
for x in 0..buf.len()
load(addr, 0xFF)
sys.run(0x4A, flags)
if val > 0 { dispatch() }
>> 0x00: READY
loop { poll(); yield; }
stream.flush()
0xDEAD :: 0xBEEF
bind(sock, &addr, len)
pub fn connect(host: &str)
match state {
State::Init => boot(),
State::Run => tick(),
_ => halt(),
}
reg[0x3] = 0b11001010
clk.tick()
assert!(val != null)
>> SIGNAL RECEIVED
buf[i] ^= key[i % klen]
let n = read(fd, buf, 64)
while !done { step(); }
drain().collect::<Vec<_>>()
let _ = tx.send(msg)
timeout(Duration::ms(100))
>> CHECKSUM PASS
fn encode(src: &[u8]) -> Vec
pipe.write_all(&frame)
crc32(data, len)
>> 0x00FF: ACK
schedule(task, interval)
lock.acquire()
>> SYNC COMPLETE
release(ptr)
0x00 0x00 0x00 0x01
watchdog.reset()
>> LINK ESTABLISHED
fn poll(&mut self) -> Poll
waker.wake_by_ref()
cx.waker().clone()
01101001 01101110
fn init() -> Result<()>
for x in 0..buf.len()
load(addr, 0xFF)
sys.run(0x4A, flags)
if val > 0 { dispatch() }
>> 0x00: READY
loop { poll(); yield; }
stream.flush()
0xDEAD :: 0xBEEF
bind(sock, &addr, len)
pub fn connect(host: &str)
match state {
State::Init => boot(),
State::Run => tick(),
_ => halt(),
}
reg[0x3] = 0b11001010
clk.tick()
assert!(val != null)
>> SIGNAL RECEIVED
buf[i] ^= key[i % klen]
let n = read(fd, buf, 64)
while !done { step(); }
push(stack, frame)
0x7F :: OK
type Handler = fn(Ctx)
emit(Event::Data, payload)
select! { rx => handle(rx) }
spawn(async move { run() })
>> 0x01: PROCESSING
map.insert(k, v)
drain().collect::<Vec<_>>()
let _ = tx.send(msg)
timeout(Duration::ms(100))
>> CHECKSUM PASS
fn encode(src: &[u8]) -> Vec
pipe.write_all(&frame)
crc32(data, len)
>> 0x00FF: ACK
schedule(task, interval)
lock.acquire()
>> SYNC COMPLETE
release(ptr)
0x00 0x00 0x00 0x01
watchdog.reset()
>> LINK ESTABLISHED
fn poll(&mut self) -> Poll
waker.wake_by_ref()
cx.waker().clone()
01101001 01101110
fn init() -> Result<()>
for x in 0..buf.len()
load(addr, 0xFF)
sys.run(0x4A, flags)
if val > 0 { dispatch() }
>> 0x00: READY
loop { poll(); yield; }
stream.flush()
0xDEAD :: 0xBEEF
bind(sock, &addr, len)
pub fn connect(host: &str)
match state {
State::Init => boot(),
State::Run => tick(),
_ => halt(),
}
reg[0x3] = 0b11001010
clk.tick()
assert!(val != null)
>> SIGNAL RECEIVED
buf[i] ^= key[i % klen]
let n = read(fd, buf, 64)
while !done { step(); }
push(stack, frame)
0x7F :: OK
type Handler = fn(Ctx)
emit(Event::Data, payload)
select! { rx => handle(rx) }
spawn(async move { run() })
>> 0x01: PROCESSING
map.insert(k, v)
bind(sock, &addr, len)
pub fn connect(host: &str)
match state {
State::Init => boot(),
State::Run => tick(),
_ => halt(),
}
reg[0x3] = 0b11001010
clk.tick()
assert!(val != null)
>> SIGNAL RECEIVED
buf[i] ^= key[i % klen]
let n = read(fd, buf, 64)
while !done { step(); }
push(stack, frame)
0x7F :: OK
type Handler = fn(Ctx)
emit(Event::Data, payload)
select! { rx => handle(rx) }
spawn(async move { run() })
>> 0x01: PROCESSING
map.insert(k, v)
drain().collect::<Vec<_>>()
let _ = tx.send(msg)
timeout(Duration::ms(100))
>> CHECKSUM PASS
fn encode(src: &[u8]) -> Vec
pipe.write_all(&frame)
crc32(data, len)
>> 0x00FF: ACK
schedule(task, interval)
lock.acquire()
>> SYNC COMPLETE
release(ptr)
0x00 0x00 0x00 0x01
watchdog.reset()
>> LINK ESTABLISHED
fn poll(&mut self) -> Poll
waker.wake_by_ref()
cx.waker().clone()
01101001 01101110
fn init() -> Result<()>
for x in 0..buf.len()
load(addr, 0xFF)
sys.run(0x4A, flags)
if val > 0 { dispatch() }
>> 0x00: READY
loop { poll(); yield; }
stream.flush()
0xDEAD :: 0xBEEF
bind(sock, &addr, len)
pub fn connect(host: &str)
match state {
State::Init => boot(),
State::Run => tick(),
_ => halt(),
}
reg[0x3] = 0b11001010
clk.tick()
assert!(val != null)
>> SIGNAL RECEIVED
buf[i] ^= key[i % klen]
let n = read(fd, buf, 64)
while !done { step(); }
push(stack, frame)
0x7F :: OK
type Handler = fn(Ctx)
emit(Event::Data, payload)
select! { rx => handle(rx) }
spawn(async move { run() })
>> 0x01: PROCESSING
map.insert(k, v)
drain().collect::<Vec<_>>()
let _ = tx.send(msg)
timeout(Duration::ms(100))
>> CHECKSUM PASS
fn encode(src: &[u8]) -> Vec
pipe.write_all(&frame)
crc32(data, len)
>> 0x00FF: ACK
schedule(task, interval)
lock.acquire()
>> SYNC COMPLETE
release(ptr)
0x00 0x00 0x00 0x01
watchdog.reset()
>> LINK ESTABLISHED
fn poll(&mut self) -> Poll
waker.wake_by_ref()
cx.waker().clone()
01101001 01101110
fn init() -> Result<()>
for x in 0..buf.len()
load(addr, 0xFF)
sys.run(0x4A, flags)
if val > 0 { dispatch() }
>> 0x00: READY
loop { poll(); yield; }
stream.flush()
0xDEAD :: 0xBEEF
>> SIGNAL RECEIVED
buf[i] ^= key[i % klen]
let n = read(fd, buf, 64)
while !done { step(); }
push(stack, frame)
0x7F :: OK
type Handler = fn(Ctx)
emit(Event::Data, payload)
select! { rx => handle(rx) }
spawn(async move { run() })
>> 0x01: PROCESSING
map.insert(k, v)
drain().collect::<Vec<_>>()
let _ = tx.send(msg)
timeout(Duration::ms(100))
>> CHECKSUM PASS
fn encode(src: &[u8]) -> Vec
pipe.write_all(&frame)
crc32(data, len)
>> 0x00FF: ACK
schedule(task, interval)
lock.acquire()
>> SYNC COMPLETE
release(ptr)
0x00 0x00 0x00 0x01
watchdog.reset()
>> LINK ESTABLISHED
fn poll(&mut self) -> Poll
waker.wake_by_ref()
cx.waker().clone()
01101001 01101110
fn init() -> Result<()>
for x in 0..buf.len()
load(addr, 0xFF)
sys.run(0x4A, flags)
if val > 0 { dispatch() }
>> 0x00: READY
loop { poll(); yield; }
stream.flush()
0xDEAD :: 0xBEEF
bind(sock, &addr, len)
pub fn connect(host: &str)
match state {
State::Init => boot(),
State::Run => tick(),
_ => halt(),
}
reg[0x3] = 0b11001010
clk.tick()
assert!(val != null)
>> SIGNAL RECEIVED
buf[i] ^= key[i % klen]
let n = read(fd, buf, 64)
while !done { step(); }
push(stack, frame)
0x7F :: OK
type Handler = fn(Ctx)
emit(Event::Data, payload)
select! { rx => handle(rx) }
spawn(async move { run() })
>> 0x01: PROCESSING
map.insert(k, v)
drain().collect::<Vec<_>>()
let _ = tx.send(msg)
timeout(Duration::ms(100))
>> CHECKSUM PASS
fn encode(src: &[u8]) -> Vec
pipe.write_all(&frame)
crc32(data, len)
>> 0x00FF: ACK
schedule(task, interval)
lock.acquire()
>> SYNC COMPLETE
release(ptr)
0x00 0x00 0x00 0x01
watchdog.reset()
>> LINK ESTABLISHED
fn poll(&mut self) -> Poll
waker.wake_by_ref()
cx.waker().clone()
01101001 01101110
fn init() -> Result<()>
for x in 0..buf.len()
load(addr, 0xFF)
sys.run(0x4A, flags)
if val > 0 { dispatch() }
>> 0x00: READY
loop { poll(); yield; }
stream.flush()
0xDEAD :: 0xBEEF
bind(sock, &addr, len)
pub fn connect(host: &str)
match state {
State::Init => boot(),
State::Run => tick(),
_ => halt(),
}
reg[0x3] = 0b11001010
clk.tick()
assert!(val != null)
crc32(data, len)
>> 0x00FF: ACK
schedule(task, interval)
lock.acquire()
>> SYNC COMPLETE
release(ptr)
0x00 0x00 0x00 0x01
watchdog.reset()
>> LINK ESTABLISHED
fn poll(&mut self) -> Poll
waker.wake_by_ref()
cx.waker().clone()
01101001 01101110
fn init() -> Result<()>
for x in 0..buf.len()
load(addr, 0xFF)
sys.run(0x4A, flags)
if val > 0 { dispatch() }
>> 0x00: READY
loop { poll(); yield; }
stream.flush()
0xDEAD :: 0xBEEF
bind(sock, &addr, len)
pub fn connect(host: &str)
match state {
State::Init => boot(),
State::Run => tick(),
_ => halt(),
}
reg[0x3] = 0b11001010
clk.tick()
assert!(val != null)
>> SIGNAL RECEIVED
buf[i] ^= key[i % klen]
let n = read(fd, buf, 64)
while !done { step(); }
push(stack, frame)
0x7F :: OK
type Handler = fn(Ctx)
emit(Event::Data, payload)
select! { rx => handle(rx) }
spawn(async move { run() })
>> 0x01: PROCESSING
map.insert(k, v)
drain().collect::<Vec<_>>()
let _ = tx.send(msg)
timeout(Duration::ms(100))
>> CHECKSUM PASS
fn encode(src: &[u8]) -> Vec
pipe.write_all(&frame)
crc32(data, len)
>> 0x00FF: ACK
schedule(task, interval)
lock.acquire()
>> SYNC COMPLETE
release(ptr)
0x00 0x00 0x00 0x01
watchdog.reset()
>> LINK ESTABLISHED
fn poll(&mut self) -> Poll
waker.wake_by_ref()
cx.waker().clone()
01101001 01101110
fn init() -> Result<()>
for x in 0..buf.len()
load(addr, 0xFF)
sys.run(0x4A, flags)
if val > 0 { dispatch() }
>> 0x00: READY
loop { poll(); yield; }
stream.flush()
0xDEAD :: 0xBEEF
bind(sock, &addr, len)
pub fn connect(host: &str)
match state {
State::Init => boot(),
State::Run => tick(),
_ => halt(),
}
reg[0x3] = 0b11001010
clk.tick()
assert!(val != null)
>> SIGNAL RECEIVED
buf[i] ^= key[i % klen]
let n = read(fd, buf, 64)
while !done { step(); }
push(stack, frame)
0x7F :: OK
type Handler = fn(Ctx)
emit(Event::Data, payload)
select! { rx => handle(rx) }
spawn(async move { run() })
>> 0x01: PROCESSING
map.insert(k, v)
drain().collect::<Vec<_>>()
let _ = tx.send(msg)
timeout(Duration::ms(100))
>> CHECKSUM PASS
fn encode(src: &[u8]) -> Vec
pipe.write_all(&frame)
INDIGO-NX// DEV LOG
← JOURNAL
PUBLIC4 min read

Soundscape: Reactive Audio for the Web

soundscapeaudiotone-jsgenerativeweb-audiomusic

The Idea

I've been thinking about ambient sound on the web. Not a Spotify embed or a looping MP3 — something that's alive. Something that generates music in real-time, reacts to what you're looking at, and never plays the same thing twice.

So I built the first version of Soundscape — a generative audio engine running entirely in the browser using Tone.js. No samples, no pre-recorded loops. Every note, every chord, every drum hit is synthesised on the fly.

How It Works

The engine has four layers that run simultaneously:

  • Pad — FM-synthesised chords cycling through jazz voicings (lo-fi) or power chords (punk/grunge)
  • Bass — Sub-bass following the chord roots, routed around the master filter so the low end stays full
  • Melody — Motif-based phrase generation with chord-tone targeting and velocity contouring
  • Drums — Style-specific patterns: swung lo-fi grooves, driving punk 16ths, or heavy grunge double-kicks
  • Texture — Brown noise filtered into vinyl crackle

Everything runs through an effects chain — low-pass filter, bitcrusher, reverb, feedback delay — and every parameter responds to the current mood.

Reactive Browsing

Each page on the site has a mood profile. Navigate to the journal and the tempo drops, the filter closes, reverb deepens — reading mode. Hit the store and it opens up, picks up energy. The soundscape page gives you full manual control.

The mood system uses four parameters — energy, brightness, density, and warmth — that map to real synth parameters:

| Parameter | Controls | |---|---| | Energy | Tempo, drum velocity, melodic intensity | | Brightness | Filter cutoff, reverb decay | | Density | Note probability, layer activity | | Warmth | Bitcrusher depth, delay feedback |

Transitions between moods are smoothed over 2.5 seconds with eased interpolation. No jarring jumps.

Three Styles

The engine doesn't just do lo-fi. There are three distinct musical styles, each with their own chord progressions, scales, drum patterns, and synth tones:

Lo-fi — Jazzy 7th chords, pentatonic melodies, swung drums, warm FM synthesis. The classic study-beats vibe.

Punk — Power chords in E, 150-195 BPM, relentless 16th-note hi-hats, sawtooth buzz, no swing. Fast ascending runs and hammered repeated notes.

Grunge — Heavy power chords with chromatic descent, blues scale, double-kick hits, square wave fuzz. Slow, sludgy, cavernous.

The Melody Problem

The first version sounded like a cat walking on a keyboard. Random walks on a pentatonic scale with dice-roll probability per beat — technically "generative", practically unlistenable.

The fix was to think about how melody actually works. Humans don't perceive random notes — they perceive patterns. So the engine now generates structured phrases:

  1. Pick a motif — a short melodic shape defined as scale-degree intervals
  2. Pick a rhythm cell — which beats in the bar actually get notes
  3. Play the motif, then rest, then play a variation (inverted or transposed)
  4. Resolve — step toward a chord tone and land on it
  5. Breathe — occasional rest bars between phrases

Each style has its own motif library. Lo-fi gets gentle stepwise motion and neighbor tones. Punk gets charging runs and aggressive stabs. Grunge gets slow bends and dramatic plunges.

The velocity follows a contour across the phrase — builds to a peak, then resolves softer. Combined with chord-tone targeting on strong beats, it sounds like someone is actually playing.

What's Next

This is a proof of concept. The interactive page is live at /soundscape — you can switch styles, adjust mood parameters, toggle layers, and watch the FFT visualiser react.

Things I want to explore:

  • Scroll reactivity — modulate filter cutoff and density based on scroll velocity
  • Time-of-day awareness — night mode auto-engages after dark
  • More styles — ambient, synthwave, metal
  • Motif memory — the engine remembers motifs it's played and brings them back later, building thematic coherence across a session
  • Per-post mood tags — blog posts could declare their own mood in frontmatter

The toggle is in the bottom-right corner of every page. It's off by default — click play and see what happens.

Try It

Head to /soundscape and hit START. Switch between lo-fi, punk, and grunge. Crank the energy slider. Kill the drums and just listen to the pad and melody. Then navigate to a different page and hear the mood shift.

Every session is unique. Nothing is pre-recorded. It's all just maths and oscillators.

// FEEDBACK

LEAVE A COMMENT

← BACK TO JOURNAL