Music
Machines

Generative music tools and sound experiments. Algorithmic composition, tone generators, rhythm machines, chord explorers — all built on the Web Audio API. Some working, most still building.

LAB-05 · Generative Audio In Development Web Audio API · No plugins
Status In development — Tone Machine and Chord Explorer working · Rhythm Grid and Ambient Generator in build

MM-01 /

The Machines

Four tools · Various states of completion

MM-001

Tone Machine

Working

A sine wave oscillator with frequency, volume, and waveform controls. The simplest possible sound — a pure tone. Start here before adding complexity. Click Play to hear it.

Freq 220Hz
Volume 40%
Wave
Web Audio API required

MM-002

Rhythm Grid

In Build

A 16-step sequencer for building rhythmic patterns. Click steps to toggle them on/off. Four tracks: kick, snare, hi-hat, and a free percussion layer. BPM-adjustable playback.

BPM: 120

MM-003

Chord Explorer

Working

Click a chord to hear and see its notes. Cycle through progressions, explore voicings, and find the shape of a song. All 12 root notes, major / minor / seventh / suspended chords.

Select a chord to see its notes

MM-004

Ambient Generator

In Build

Layered ambient pads generated algorithmically. Each layer is a filtered noise source, slow-moving oscillator, or pitch-shifted tone. Toggle layers on/off and adjust their volumes independently.

Layers mix in real-time

MM-02 /

About This Work

Why music machines

01

The Web as Instrument

Every modern browser ships with the Web Audio API — a complete synthesis and processing engine. Most people treat it as a player. These tools treat it as an instrument.

02

Algorithmic Composition

Generative music isn't random — it's rule-based. Each machine has a set of constraints that shape the output. The interesting part is finding constraints that produce something worth hearing.

03

Connecting to Canary Co

Shift Patterns — the Canary Co generative music project — will be built on these tools. The factory data feeds into the rhythm grid. The operational state shapes the ambient layers.

LAB-05 · Music Machines · The machine plays. You decide if it's music.