Write Music

Commands

• id synth pattern, params - define a player
• set id params - override player params
• set var=value - set global var
• preset name synth, params - create a synth preset
• include 'url' - include a limut source file

Multi-line commands

Commands can span multiple lines. A new command starts when the beginning of a line matches set , preset , or id type pattern.

Drum Patterns

Use play type with letter patterns. Each character is a 1-beat hit; . is rest.

Play Samples (full list)

Each letter maps to a sample folder. Multiple samples exist per letter (selected via sample=N).

Typical drum patterns

kd play X., room=0.1                           // four-on-floor kick
kd play (Xv)., room=0.1                        // kick with ghost note chord
kd play X..X.X.., room=0.1                     // syncopated kick
sd play ..O., room=0.1                         // backbeat snare
sd play ..(OH*)., room=0.2                     // snare with clap layer
hh play -, echo=1/4, amp=2                     // 8th note hats
hh play -[--]-[.-], fold, amp=2               // breakbeat-style hats
hh play .[::], echo=1/8                       // hat pattern with tight hats

Pattern Syntax

Brackets in patterns

• (...) = chord (play all simultaneously)
• [...] = subsequence (fit multiple events into one dur)
• <...> = supersequence (cycle through alternatives each pattern repeat)

Examples:

• X<...[.v]> = first time X then ..., second time X then .v
• [XX] = two kicks in one beat (double time)
• (OH) = snare and clap together

Pattern modifiers

• . = rest (silence)
• _ = continuation/tie (extends previous note, NOT rest)
• 0# = sharp
• 0b = flat
• 0= = extend duration by 50%
• 0! = shorten duration by 33%
• 0^ = 50% louder
• 0v = 33% quieter
• x^ = 50% louder (non-numeric, for play synth)
• 0a = other chars after digits become params; eg t tri 01g23, glide=this.g/2

Pattern literal

`01 23` = backtick pattern literal; whitespace is ignored, contents treated as literal

Pattern operators

• 01 loop 2 = play pattern only N times then stop
• 0123 crop 2 = crop pattern to N steps (repeats if needed)
• 1 + 2 = concatenate two patterns
• 1 * 2 = repeat pattern N times
• now 01 = play starting on next beat instead of from beat 0
• follow p1 = follow another player's pattern
• gamepad = generate notes from gamepad controller
• midi = generate notes from MIDI controller

Audio Synth Types

Basic oscillators

• play - sample player (letters/symbols for samples). Duration defaults to 1/2
• perc - sampled percussion. Duration defaults to 1/4, has choke group
• saw - sawtooth wave, oct=4
• sine - sine wave, oct=4
• square - square wave, oct=4
• tri - triangle wave, oct=4
• pulse - pulse wave, oct=3
• wave - waveform specified by wave param
• ping - sine wave ping, oct=5, simple envelope
• noise - white noise pad (AudioWorklet)

Detuned variants (thicker sound)

• dsaw - detuned sawtooth, oct=4
• dsine - detuned sine pad, oct=4
• dsquare - detuned square, oct=4
• dtri - detuned triangle, oct=4
• dbass - detuned sawtooth bass, oct=2
• dpulse - detuned pulse, oct=3
• dwave - detuned waveform specified by wave param
• swell - detuned triangle pad, oct=4

FM synthesis

• fm - FM base synth; configure operators with op1 to op6 params
  • op1={ratio:5.19,target:3,wave:'saw',depth:0.8,att:0.01,rel:0.1}
• fmbass - FM bass, oct=2
• bell - FM bell
• glock - FM glockenspiel, oct=4
• glass - FM glass/chime, oct=5
• xylo - FM xylophone, oct=4
• ethereal - FM pad, oct=5
• epiano - DX7-style electric piano

Complex synths

• audiosynth - base type; use play param for custom audio node graph
• piano - sampled piano
• pwm - pulse width modulation (AudioWorklet). pwm=1/2 for pulse width
• prophet - PWM with LFO pulse-width (AudioWorklet)
• supersaw - 7-oscillator supersaw lead, oct=4
• ambi - ambient drone, multiple sines
• multiwave - multiple oscillators: wave1={'saw',amp:[0:1]n,detune:wow}
• pitchedperc - synthesised percussion (click/hit/body/rattle components)
  • click={1}, hit={0,sample:'^',index:1,rate:3/2}
  • body={1,att:5ms,dec:400ms,freq:55hz,boost:150hz,wave:'sine',saturation:0}
  • rattle={1,att:0ms,dec:30ms,rate:1,filter:'lowpass',freq:55hz,boost:205hz,q:18}
• bd - preset kick drum based on pitchedperc. Params: accent, tone, tune=55
• io808 - TR-808 simulation. type='bd' selects sound. Params: level, tone, decay, snappy, tuning
• impulse - single pulse
• sample - pitched sample player. Use sample param for URL, start for playback offset
• external - microphone/line input. track=1, channel=1
• crackle - crackly sounds
• noisefloor - slowly varying noise floor
• bus - audio mix bus (plays continuously, all params per-frame). Implicit main bus exists

Special synths

• ! / stop / none - stop/remove a player

Melodic Patterns

Scale degrees (0-indexed): 0 = root, 1 = 2nd, 2 = 3rd, etc. Negative numbers go down.

// Melodic bass line
db dbass 0[.0][10]_, dur=1/2, lpf=[200:2000]s8, att=0, oct=(1,2)

// Arpeggio
arp dsaw 02435167, dur=1/2, sus=1/4, echo=3/4, lpf={[500:1500]l7,q:22}, att=0

// Chord stab
stab dsaw (0246), dur=[3,3,2]/4, att=0, sus=1/4, echo=3/4, lpf={[500:1700]l5,q:20}

// Pad
pad ethereal (024)(035), dur=4, room=0.7, oct=4

Value Syntax

Basic structure: value{modifiers}@interval

Numeric values

• 1 - constant number
• 0dB - decibel value (converted to gain; 0dB=1, +6dB2, -6dB0.5, -20dB~0.1)
• 100ms - milliseconds; 1s - seconds; 1Hz/1cps - Hertz; 1kHz = 1000Hz
• 1b - beats; 1cpb - cycles per beat; 1kcpb = 1000cpb; 1cpm - cycles per minute
• Missing value on param = 1 (eg monochrome same as monochrome=1)

Sequences and timevars

• [1,2] - sequence, one per event
• [] - equivalent to [0,1]
• [1,2]t3 - timed sequence, each value lasts 3 beats
• [1:12,2:4]t - timed sequence with variable timing per value
• [0:3]t1 - expanded timed sequence = [0,1,2,3]t1
• [1,2]l3 - linear interpolated sequence over 3 beats
• [1:12,2:4]l - linear interpolated with variable timing
• [1,2]s3 - smooth (S-curve) interpolated sequence over 3 beats
• [1,2]e - interpolated over event duration
• [1,2]e1 - interpolated starting at event start, 1 beat per value
• [0:!300ms,1:_[1/4b:1/2b]r,0]e - piecewise envelope with mixed timing
• [1:!200ms,0]e@s - segment-based (more accurate timing for envelopes)

Random and noise

• []r - random 0 to 1 each event
• [1,4,7]r - random choice from list
• [:9]r or [0:9]r - random float from range
• [0,1:7]r - weighted random (1 is 7x more likely than 0)
• [1,2]r4 - random, hold for 4 beats
• [1:3]r{seed:1,per:4} - deterministic seeded random
• []n - smooth Perlin noise 0 to 1
• [1:2]n4 - noise between 1-2, period ~4 beats
• []n{seed:1,per:4} - deterministic noise

Piecewise series

[v1:i1t1, v2:i2t2, ...]{p, repeat:0} - interpolate between values with custom control parameter

• Interpolation operators: :/ :\ linear, :_ const/step, :~ smooth bezier, :! exponential, :^4: power curve

Arithmetic

+, -, *, /, %, ^ (power), - (unary minus)

Chords

• (1,2,4) - play simultaneously
• | - concatenate chords: 1|2 = (1,2), (1,2)|(3,4) = (1,2,3,4)

Conditionals

• ?? - "if then": this.foo??5 returns 5 if foo is truthy, nothing if not (short circuits)
• ?: - "or else": this.foo?:5 returns foo if present, else 5 (short circuits)
• Ternary: this.foo>1 ?? 2 ?: 3

Comparisons

==, !=, <, >, <=, >=

Maps

• {x:0,y:1} - map with key-value pairs
• {2,y:1} - map with main value plus subparams (eg chop={2,wave:'tri'})
• Colours: {r:0,g:1,b:0,a:1} (RGBA), {h:1,s:1,v:1,a:1} (HSV), {labh:1,c:1,l:1} (LabLCH)
• Hex colours: #f00f (RGBA short), #ff0000ff (RGBA long), #f00 / #ff0000 (RGB, alpha=1)
• 'abc' - string value (single line; use \n for line breaks)

Lookups (dot operator)

• p1.amp - player param lookup (returns chord of all playing events)
• p1.amp.0 - chord index (wraps around)
• p1.pulse.max - chord aggregator: max, min, first, last, rand, count, sum, avg
• this.value - current event param
• this.freq - current note frequency
• {foo:2}.foo - map field lookup
• ([0,1]t1@f).accum - smoothly accumulate values

Modifiers

• {time:time*2+8} - modify the time expression
• {per:8} - repeat sequence every 8 beats
• {per:8,0:7,2:3} - force values at specific beat positions within repeat
• {step:1/2} - advance time in discrete steps
• Note: modifier and interval order can be swapped: []r@f{seed:1} = []r{seed:1}@f

Intervals

• @e - evaluate once per event
• @f - evaluate per frame (~60fps) for smooth animation
• Interval applies to nearest value: this.foo@e applies @e to foo only; use (this.foo)@e for the whole lookup

Variable lookup

• foo - lookup global var named foo; returns string 'foo' if no var exists
• foo{x:2} - call var as function with named params

Common Event Params

Timing

• dur=N - duration in beats (1/4=16th, 1/2=8th, 1=quarter, 2=half, 4=whole)
• dur=[3,3,2]/4 - common shuffle/swing pattern
• delay=N - event start time offset in beats
• delay={1/2,add:2} - delay with param overrides on delayed events
• stutter=N - split event into N evenly-spaced sub-events
• swing=N - swing amount (50=straight, 58-66=swung, 75=max dotted)
• swing={66,period:1/2} - swing with custom period (default 1/4)

Volume

• amp - player amplitude (defaults to event vel)
• vel - event velocity (default 3/4; controls amp and usually brightness)

READ ONLY params

• voice - voice index within a chord
• time - current time in beats this event has been playing
• idx - pattern index of this event
• exists - 1 if player is defined
• playing - 1 if player is currently sounding
• pulse - rise/fall value as note plays (pre-multiplied by vel)
• player - name of current player
• freq - note frequency in Hz (set by tonal synths)

Other

• rate - playback rate for samples, animation rate for visuals

Audio Params

Envelope

• att - attack time (default unit: beats). att=0 for sharp attack
• dec - decay time
• sus - sustain time. sus={level:0.5} for sustain level (default 0.8)
• rel - release time
• envelope - type: 'full' (ADSR), 'simple' (ADR), 'organ' (ASR), 'pad' (cosine crossfade), 'linpad' (linear crossfade), 'percussion' (R only). Or custom expression: envelope=[1:!300ms,0]e@s

Pitch & Tuning

• oct=N - octave (1=sub bass, 2=bass, 3=low, 4=mid, 5=high)
• oct=(2,3) - chord across octaves
• add=N - add scale degrees to pitch (per-event only)
• add={0,#:1} - sharpen; add={0,b:1} - flatten
• addc=N - add continuous semitones (per-frame, fractional). addc=wow for pitch drift
• detune=N - oscillator detuning in semitones
• vib=RATE - vibrato rate (default unit: cpb)
• vib={2,depth:1} - vibrato depth in semitones (default 0.4)
• vib={2,delay:1} - delay before vibrato starts (default 1/2 beat)
• glide=N - portamento time in beats. glide={1/3,curve:4} for curve shape (default curve:1)
• root=N - override root for this player only
• scale=NAME - override scale for this player

Filter

• lpf=FREQ - low pass filter. lpf={400,q:20} for resonance (default q:5). lpf={400,poles:4} for 24dB/oct
• hpf=FREQ - high pass filter. Same subparams as lpf
• bpf={FREQ,q:20} - band pass filter (default q:1). Multiple parallel: bpf1, bpf2 etc
• nf={FREQ,q:20} - notch filter (default q:1)
• apf1={FREQ,q:2} - allpass filter. Multiple apf1, apf2 etc (parallel, allowing phase cancellation)
• psf={f1:300,f2:2300,q:0.7} - phaser stage filter. Multiple psf1, psf2 etc (series)
• low=-6dB - low shelf EQ. low={-8db,freq:400} (default freq:200Hz)
• mid=-6dB - mid EQ. mid={-8db,freq:400,q:10} (default freq:600Hz, q:5)
• high=-6dB - high shelf EQ. high={-8db,freq:400} (default freq:1100Hz)
• Filter sweep: lpf={[200:2000]l8,q:15}

Effects

• room=N - freeverb (0.1-2). room={2,hpf:300,mix:1/4} (default mix:1/2)
• reverb=N - convolution reverb duration in beats. reverb={2,curve:3,hpf:300,mix:1/4} (default mix:1/2, curve:5)
• echo=TIME - echo delay. echo={1,feedback:0.8} (default feedback:0.35). Bus echo: echo={1,max:2}
• chorus=N - stereo chorus. chorus={1,mix:1/4}
• phaser=RATE - phaser (default unit: cpb). phaser={1/3,mix:1/4}
• flanger=RATE - flanger (default unit: cpb). flanger={1/3,mix:1/4}
• chop=N - tremolo/gating (default unit: cpb). chop={2,wave:'triangle',mix:1/4} (waves: sine, square, triangle, saw)
• ring=FREQ - ring modulation (default unit: Hz). ring={32,wave:'saw',mix:1/4} (default wave: triangle)
• drive=N - overdrive/soft clip (1/32=gentle, 1/4=distortion, 1=fuzz). drive={1,gain:2,mix:1/4}
• fold=N - wavefolder. fold={1,gain:2,mix:1/4}
• clip=N - hard clipping. clip={1,gain:2,mix:1/4}
• noisify=N - distort into noise. noisify={1,gain:2,mix:1/4}
• bits=N - bitcrusher (1=very distorted, 32=clean, 0=off). bits={4,gain:2,mix:1/4}
• suck=N - scale down small amplitudes (gated tail effect). suck={1,gain:2,mix:1/4}
• compress=RATIO - compression. compress={12,gain:2,threshold:-40dB,knee:10dB,att:0.1,rel:0.2}

Spatial

• pan=N - stereo position (-1 to 1)
• pan=(-1,1) - hard pan left and right
• mono - force signal to mono

Other audio params

• choke=GROUP - choke group (string); notes cut off others in same group across players
• sample=N - with play: choose sample set. With sample synth: URL of audio file
• sample={32,pitch:261.6} - specify original sample pitch (default 261.6Hz = C4)
• start=N - sample playback start time (default unit: seconds)
• wave=NAME - waveform: sine, square, sawtooth/saw, triangle/tri, pulse, plus many more: ah, bass, brass, buzzy, celeste, ethnic, organ, piano, trombone, wurlitzer, etc. (hyphenated names need quotes)
• bus=ID - mix to specified bus player (default: main)
• cutoff - filter cutoff 0-1 (for presets that support it)
• resonance - filter resonance (for presets that support it)

Visual Synths

• blank - solid colour
• clouds - moving clouds
• kal - kaleidoscope
• swirl - psychedelic swirl
• julia - Julia set fractal
• lines - twisting lines
• blob - morphing 3D blob
• streetlight - passing streetlights
• grid - square grid
• glow - additive glow
• stars - exploding stars
• bits - bitwise fractal patterns
• xor - bitwise xor patterns
• gradient - simple y gradient
• shadertoy - shadertoy shader (use id param; must be public+api)
• image - online image (use url param; must support CORS)
• webcam - webcam feed. device param for device index/label. width/height for resolution
• text - text display. text={'Hello',font:'times',size:'144',linesize:0.7,y:1/4,x:2/3,style:'bold italic'}
• buffer - render target. Other synths render into it with buffer=ID
• scope - audio waveform display
• scopefft - frequency spectrum display
• readout - digital value display
• dmx - DMX lighting output. channel, set, lights, addl, mul, min, max params

Visual Params

• add - add to pattern value
• zorder - draw order (default: line number / 1000)
• fade - brightness fadeout
• time - override shader time (default unit: beats; overrides rate and sway)
• rate - shader time progression rate
• pulse - audio signal effect on visual value
• sway - audio signal effect on visual time
• loc - position/size: {x:0,y:0,w:2,h:2} for fullscreen. Coords: (-1,-1) bottom-left to (1,1) top-right
• window - display only portion matching screen position
• scroll - scroll shader: {x:0,y:0}
• repeat - repeat shader section. repeat={1/2,x:0.1,y:-0.05}
• zoom - zoom: {x:1,y:1}
• rotate - rotation in full turns (1/2 = 180 degrees)
• mirror=N - number of mirror planes. mirror={10,rotate:1/4,fan:1}
• fore - foreground colour
• mid - middleground colour (defaults to midway between fore and back)
• back - background colour
• pixellate=N - pixellate to N pixels in x. pixellate={10,y:20}
• perspective=N - perspective warp (negative to invert). perspective={-1,shade:1/2}
• tunnel - tunnel/slitscan warp
• ripple - ripple distortion. ripple={1,scale:1/4}
• additive - additive blend
• blend - blend mode: additive, subtractive, average, multiply, invert, min, max
• monochrome - 0=normal, 1=monochrome
• vignette - edge fadeout. vignette={1/2,aspect:4/3,cutoff:0.95}
• vhs - VHS tape effect
• recol - recolour: oil, hue, fire, sunset, neon, titanium
• contrast - power contrast curve (0=none)
• buffer=ID - render to a buffer synth
• rez=N - buffer render target resolution scale (default 1/2)
• feedback - buffer video feedback. feedback={zoom:1.01,ripple:1/32,contrast:0.005}

Main Vars (set, not readable)

• bpm - beats per minute (resets unless set every update)
• scale - scale name (resets unless set every update)
• root - root pitch offset in semitones (fractional OK for tuning nudges)
• beat.readouts - beat counter display: beat.readouts=(3,12) (default: (12,16,32), max 3)

Predefined Vars

• time - current time in beats
• wow - smooth random pitch drift for analog feel; eg addc=wow
• tg - trance gate signal (flips on/off every quarter beat)
• drop6_2 through drop63_1 - predefined on/off drop patterns (eg [1,0]t[6,2])
• tile_full, tile_tl/tr/bl/br/m, tile_h1-h5, tile_v1-v5 - visual locations
• fullscreen - full screen tile
• tile_random/tile_rand - random location tile
• sparkle - small random location tile
• droplet - small tile falling down screen
• spark - small tile flying outwards
• gravity - accelerating downward motion (combine: spark+gravity)
• firefly - random insect-like motion
• Colours: transparent, black, darkgray, gray, lightgray, white, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, neonpink, neongreen
• random - random colour
• rainbow - colour cycling through rainbow

Functions

• abs{-1} - absolute value
• sign{-1} / sgn - sign (-1, 0, 1)
• pitch{1} - frequency for scale degree. pitch{4#} sharp. pitch{0,oct:3,scale:minor,root:2}
• eventpitch{} - frequency based on current event params
• floor{1.5} / ceil{1.2} / round{1.7} - rounding. floor{1.7,to:1/2} rounds to precision
• accum{1} - accumulate value over time (only rises)
• smooth{[]r@f} - smooth a value. smooth{x,att:4,dec:4} or smooth{x,2} combined rate
• rate{[0:1]l1@f} - rate of change in units per beat
• first{3,1,2} / last{3,1,2} - first/last argument
• min{3,1,2} / max{3,1,2} - min/max of arguments
• count{3,1,2} / sum{3,1,2} / avg{3,1,2} - count/sum/average
• rand{3,1,2} - random choice from arguments
• rand - pseudo-random 0-1 (time-hashed; respects step/per modifiers)
• euclid{3,from:8} - Euclidean rhythm generator. euclid{3,from:8,offset:1} for rotation
• sin{x} / cos{x} / tan{x} - trig functions (radians)
• time - current time in beats (respects modifiers)

Node Functions

For building custom audio graphs with >> connect operator and audiosynth:

• osc{'sawtooth',freq:440,phase:0} - oscillator node
• const{1} - constant value node
• gain{1} - gain node
• delay{1/4b,feedback:...,max:1b} - delay node
• panner{0} - stereo panner (-1 to 1)
• sample{sample:'url',start:0s,rate:1} - sample player. Also: sample{sample:{x}->...,length:0.2s} function-generated
• sample{sample:'url',loopstart:1,looplen:2} - looping sample
• biquad{'lowpass',freq:440Hz,q:5} - biquad filter (lowpass/highpass/bandpass/notch/lowshelf/highshelf/peaking)
• compress{ratio:0,threshold:1/316,knee:100,attack:0.01s,release:0.25s} - compressor
• convolver{env:{x}->...,length:1s} - convolver reverb. Stereo: convolver{env:{l:{x}->...,r:{x}->...},length:1s}
• shaper{{x}->...,samples:2,oversample:'2x'} - wave shaper ('2x', '4x', 'none')
• series{...,count:2} - repeat chain in series
• loop{...,feedback:...} - audio feedback loop (must contain delay)
• mix{...,mix:1/2} - dry/wet mix. Also mix3 through mix8 for fixed ratios
• stereo{l:...,r:...} - split/process/join stereo channels
• flipper - swap L/R channels
• idnode / dry / thru - pass-through node

Nodes Library (include 'lib/nodes.limut')

Helper functions wrapping node functions (all args can be positional):

• lpf{freq,q:5} / hpf{freq,q:5} / bpf{freq,q:5} / nf{freq,q:5} / apf{freq,q:5} - filters
• lpf4{freq,q:5} - 4-pole low pass
• lsf{gain,freq:1100Hz} / hsf{gain,freq:1100Hz} / pkf{gain,freq:1100Hz} - shelf/peak EQ
• lfo{freq,wave:'triangle',lo:0,hi:1,phase:0} - LFO (any frequency)
• osc.sin{freq} / osc.saw{freq} / osc.square{freq} / osc.tri{freq} / osc.pulse{freq} - typed oscillators
• drive{amount:1/2} - overdrive waveshaper
• stanh{gain:3/2} - tanh saturation (alias for shaper.tanh)
• shaper.tanh{gain} / shaper.atan{gain} / shaper.poly{gain} / shaper.pow{curve} / shaper.asym{gain,bias} / shaper.diode{gain,pos,neg} - waveshapers
• compressor{...} / limiter{...} - dynamics

Effects Library (include 'lib/effects.limut')

Wet-path effects (wrap in mix{} for dry signal):

• echo{time:1/8b,feedback:0.7,max} - echo with feedback and dry path
• pingpong{time:1/4b,feedback:0.7} - stereo ping-pong delay
• reverb{length:1b,curve:3} - convolution reverb
• flanger{control:[0,1]l8@f,feedback:0,lo:0.0005,hi:0.007} - flanger
• phaser{control:[0,1]l4@f,lo:300Hz,hi:2600Hz,stages:4,q:1/2} - phaser
• shifter{ratio,length:0.03} - pitch shifter
• shimmer{ratio:2,length:2s} - shimmer reverb
• tape{wow:1,cut:-10db} - cassette tape effect
• airverb{delay:1/2b} - airy reverb with flanger and stereo pingpong
• grain{ratio,length:0.03,phase:0} - granular resynthesis grain
• demon{} - demon voice effect (for vocals/mic)
• ultracomb{f:...,p:...,s:...,stages:6} - ultracomb filter (growling sounds)

User Input Functions

• slider{0.1} - on-screen slider. slider{name:'Foo',min:-5,max:5,curve:2}
• gamepad{1} - gamepad axis (-1 to 1). gamepad{button:0} (0-1). gamepad{'lsh'} left stick horizontal. gp is alias
• midi{70} - MIDI control/note (0-1). midi{36,9,1} (control 36, channel 9, port 1)
• midi{'bend'} - pitch bend (-1 to 1). midi{'notes'} - chord of playing notes. midi{'vel'} - velocity

Console Commands

• list - list all player base types including presets
• list audio - list filtered by string

Preset Libraries

Synthwave (include 'preset/synthwave.limut')

Audio: moroder, blade, laserharp, synlead, synpluck, synbass, chiparp, softpad, space, blues, basspluck, bloom, pick, softkeys, epiano, lushpad, stringpad, oxy, vambi, cybass, cydist, cyborg, hiss, blips, chime, play80s Visual: neongrid, neonbars, neonbits, neonlines, neonsine, neonheart, neonshapes, skybars, sun, sunsetsky, vhsbuffer Many support cutoff param (0-1, default 1/2). Some support decay param.

808 (include 'preset/808.limut')

Individual: bd808, sd808, oh808, ch808, cb808, cp808, ma808, ht808, mt808, lt808, hc808, mc808, lc808, cl808, rs808, cy808 Combined: tr808 (all-in-one; pattern chars select sound: x/v=bd, o/i/u=sd, h/*=cp, -/:/a=ch, ==oh, ~=cy, k=cl, m=mt, t=rs, s=ma, p=mc, e=cb; ^ flag for accent), h808 (hihats; o flag for open), t808 (toms; h/l flags), c808 (congas; h/l flags)

909 (include 'preset/909.limut')

Synthesized: bd909 (level, tune, attack, decay), sd909 (level, tune, tone, snappy), h909 (level, chdecay, ohdecay; o flag for open), cp909 (level), cc909 (level, tune), rc909 (level, tune), t909 (level, tune, decay; l/h flags), rs909 (level) Sampled (lighter CPU): bds909, sds909, hs909, cps909, ccs909, rcs909, ts909, rss909 All: event value gives accent.

TB-303 (include 'preset/303.limut')

tb303 - acid bass. Controls: wave ('saw'/'square'), cutoff, resonance, envmod, decay, accent (all 0-1, default 1/2). Pattern flags: a accent, u up octave, d down octave, s slide. Example: b tb303 `0a2u2b0d 0u0a2d3 00u0a0d 0da4ua5a6u`, cutoff=[1/4:1]n3, resonance=0.8, accent=1

Trance (include 'preset/trance.limut')

trance - classic supersaw lead (default add=(0,2)). Controls: cutoff, decay, detune (all 0-1).

Techno (include 'preset/techno.limut')

Includes 909, 303, trance libraries. Audio: hollow, tinbass (cutoff), sweep (cutoff), robot, techbass (cutoff, decay), growl

House (include 'preset/house.limut')

Includes 909, 303, trance libraries. Audio: m1organ (cutoff), reese (cutoff, detune), donk (cutoff, decay), didgeridoo

Available Scales

chromatic, major, minor, pentatonic/penta, minorpentatonic/minorpenta, mixolydian, dorian, phrygian, lydian, locrian, harmonicminor, harmonicmajor, melodicminor, melodicmajor, diminished, egyptian, blues, wholetone, chinese, hungarianminor, romanianminor, halfwhole, wholehalf, bebopmaj, bebopdorian, bebopdom, bebopmelmin, majorpentatonic, aeolian, dorian2, yu, zhi, prometheus, indian, locrianmajor, lydianminor, minmaj, susb9, lydianaug, lydiandom, melmin5th, halfdim, altered

Set for Groups

set (p1,p2,p3) room=0.7, echo=3/4    // apply params to multiple players
set p* amp=0                           // wildcard: all players starting with p
set !p* add+=7                         // all players NOT starting with p
set * swing=58                         // all players
set ch=[0,2,4,3]t8                     // define shared variable

Operator overrides

• add+=N - add to existing value
• amp*=N - multiply existing value
• oct+=N - shift octave

Bus Mixing

There is an implicit main bus. Players can route to named buses:

fx bus 0, echo=1/2, room=0.5
bass dbass 0, bus=fx

Override main bus: set main echo=1/2

Genre Recipes

Techno (120-140 bpm, minor/phrygian)

set bpm=130
set scale=phrygian
kd play X., room=0.1
hh play -, echo=1/4, amp=2
sd play ..(H*)., room=0.2
db dbass 0, dur=1/4, lpf={[150:800]r,q:12}, att=0, amp=2
pad dsaw (0246), dur=8, envelope=pad, lpf=[500:3000]l16@f, oct=(3,4), amp=1/2

House (120-128 bpm, minor/dorian)

set bpm=125
set scale=minor
kd play X., room=0.1
hh play .[::], echo=1/4
sd play ..O., room=0.3
bass fmbass 0[.0][.0][0.], dur=1/2, sus=1/2, lpf={[300:800]n4,q:8}, oct=(2,3), att=0, amp=0.8
pad prophet (0246), dur=8, oct=(2,3), amp=1/2, room=0.7

Ambient (60-90 bpm, major/lydian/penta)

set bpm=70
set scale=penta
pad ethereal (024)(035), dur=4, room=2, oct=(3,4), amp=1/3, pan=[-1:1]r
pi piano 0, dur=[2,4], add=[-2:3]n1/4, amp=[0:1]n6, room=0.7, oct=5
n noise 0, dur=8, amp=1/16, lpf=[800:1200]n4, pan=(-1,1), room=2

DnB (160-180 bpm, minor)

set bpm=170
set scale=minor
kd play X..X.X.., room=0.1
sd play ..O., room=0.1
hh play -[--]-[.-], amp=2, echo=1/4
db dbass 0, dur=1/4, lpf=[200:1000]l8, att=0, oct=(1,2), amp=2

Acid (125-135 bpm, phrygian)

set bpm=127
set scale=phrygian
kd play X., room=0.1
hh play -, amp=2
b saw 00[43]-707[-32]-4, dur=1/2, oct=2, amp=2, echo=3/4, lpf={this.freq*[2:50]n4,q:25}

Synthwave (80-120 bpm, minor/phrygian)

set bpm=100
set scale=minor
kd play X.v., room=0.2
sd play ..O., room=0.2
hh play -===---=, dur=1/4, amp=2
db dbass 0, dur=1/4, lpf={[200:1400]n8,q:15}, amp=1+wow, room=0.2
pad blade (024)(035), dur=4, oct=3, add=[0,4,5,6]t8
arp synpluck 02479742, dur=1/4, echo=3/4, lpf=[500:3000]l11

Breakbeat/IDM (120-140 bpm, minor/phrygian)

set bpm=132
set * swing=58
kd play V., room=0.1
hh play [.-]-[.-][--], fold, amp=2
sd play ..*., fold, room=0.1
b saw .0, dur=1/2, oct=2, lpf={[200:1500]l8,q:12}, flanger=1/7, amp=3/2

Tips for Good Music

1. Layer sparingly: 4-8 players is plenty. Too many = mud.
2. Use filter sweeps: lpf={[300:2000]l8,q:15} adds movement and interest.
3. Echo/delay: echo=3/4 (dotted quarter) or echo=1/2 creates rhythmic interest.
4. Shared chord progressions: Define set ch=[0,2,4,3]t8 and use add=ch on multiple players.
5. Pan for width: Spread elements with pan=(-1,1) or pan=[-1/2:1/2]r.
6. Room/reverb: Use sparingly on drums (0.1-0.3), more on pads/leads (0.5-2).
7. Sidechain-like pumping: amp=1-kd.pulse.min makes things duck with the kick.
8. Build/drop structure: Use set overrides and commented lines for live arrangement.
9. Octave layering: oct=(2,3) or oct=(3,4,5) for thickness.
10. wow for organic movement: addc=wow adds subtle pitch drift to pads/leads.
11. Swing: set * swing=58 gives a nice groove (50=straight, 66=heavy triplet swing).
12. Amp variation: amp=[0:1]n4 for perlin noise dynamics, amp=[]r for random.
13. Chop/gate: chop=2 or chop=4 for rhythmic gating on pads.
14. Follow: dsf dsquare follow ds - layer the same pattern with a different synth.

Production Idioms (from real pieces)

Mastering chain on main bus

Almost every finished piece ends with one of these on set main:

set main compress={2,gain:2}, drive=1/32                     // gentle glue + warmth
set main compress={2,gain:2}, drive=1/64, reverb={1,mix:1/4} // + tail
set main compress={3/2,gain:3/2}, drive=1/96, amp=3/2        // heavy techno glue

drive 1/96 → 1/16 trades subtle warmth for audible saturation. compress ratio 2-3 with gain:2-3 is the sweet spot.

Multi-bus organization (techno/house template)

Separate buses per stem so each can be shaped independently:

set p* bus='bp'                                 // all perc → bp
set !p* bus='blead'                              // everything else → blead
bp bus 0, compress={2,gain:2}, drive=1/32, amp=2/3
blead bus 0, compress={2,gain:2}, reverb={2,mix:1/3}, amp=1/2

Common bus names: bp/bperc, bb/bbass, blead/bl, be (external).

Sparse delay idiom (delay|=[...]t[N,M])

Adds occasional delay throws without changing every event:

set p* delay|=[(),[1,3]r/4]t[14,2]    // 14 bars dry, 2 bars random throws
set p* delay|=[(),[1,3,5]r/4]t[13,3]
delay=[0,(0,[1/4,3/4]r)]t[7,1]        // single-player form

|= (concat-assign) appends to existing delay rather than overwriting.

Pattern variation with crop and +

b reese 0_7 crop 14 + 89             // 14 beats of 0_7, then 89
ps sd909 ..0 crop 16
t trance 72. crop 14 + 89

Sidechain-style ducking via pulse

amp=2/3+kd.pulse.0/3                       // pad swells with kick
contrast=3-2*bs.pulse.max                   // visual reacts to bass
zoom=1+smooth{main.pulse,att:1/2,dec:1/2}   // smoothed pulse for visuals

Visual + buffer feedback (canonical setup)

vk kal 1, buffer='vb', blend=max, contrast=3, fore=neonpink
vb buffer 0, feedback={fore:0.95,zoom:1.01,rotate:0.001}

Common feedback knobs: fore:0.85-0.97 (decay), zoom:1.001-1.05, rotate, ripple, scroll, mirror. Reactive: feedback={fore:0.85+0.15*pk.pulse.0,zoom:1.02}.

Webcam + recolor

vw webcam 0, vignette=0, buffer='vb', recol=neon, blend=max
vb buffer 0, loc=tile_tr, feedback={fore:0.9,zoom:1.02}

VHS retro look

v kal 0, vhs, vignette={1/2,aspect:4/3}, contrast
vb vhsbuffer 0, feedback={fore:0.85}

Build/drop arrangement via riser

riser is typically a slider ramp. Pieces stash a "drop" block as comments:

// set (b*,p*) hpf=10000-10000*riser^3    // sweep filters open
// set t cutoff=riser^3                    // open lead filter
// f sd909 2, level=riser^6                 // snare roll fades in

Define with set riser=slider{0,name:'Riser'}.

Euclidean rhythms

ph h909 0, o=euclid{16,from:[19,23]t4}-1     // open-hat pattern
b tb303 0, amp=euclid{32,from:53}-7/8         // sparse 303 line
o m1organ 0, dur=euclid{7,from:16}/4          // polymeter via dur

One-shots with now ... loop 1

boom play now [(vx)(vX)(VXM)] loop 1, room=2, echo=0.46
whoosh dsaw now (047) loop 1, envelope=simple, att=1/2, rel=3

now starts on next beat (not beat 0); loop 1 plays once.

Layered delay copies via subparams

Layer a delayed copy with different params on the same event:

delay=(0,{1/4,oct:3})                     // dry + delayed-up-an-octave
delay=(0,{3/4,oct:2,addc:19})             // detuned/octave-shifted
delay=(0,{1/2,add:1,stutter:2})           // multiple overrides

Shared chord progressions via set ch=...

set ch=[(0,2,4,7),(0,3,5,7),(1,3,5b,7),(1,3,4,6#)]t4
p dsaw 0, add=ch, glide=2/3
l sine 0, add=ch.rand, oct=5      // .rand picks a voice
b bass 0, add=ch.0                 // .0 picks first voice

Non-percussion targeting with set !p*

set !p* add+=[2,-1,1,0]t4
set !p* bus='blead'

Drum preset notes

• 909 synth (bd909, sd909, h909, cp909, t909, rs909, cc909, rc909): pass attack flag to bd909 for pitch-envelope click. Params: level, tune, decay, tone, snappy.
• 909 sampled (bds909, sds909, hs909, cps909, ts909, rss909, ccs909, rcs909): much lighter CPU — prefer for dense patterns.
• h909/hs909: pattern char o = open hat. Drum char letters in patterns also pick variations.
• tb303 flags: a=accent, u=up oct, d=down oct, s=slide.

Live-coding scaffold

Typical improv file:

include 'preset/synthwave.limut'        // or techno/house
set scale=minor
set bpm=120
set main compress={2,gain:2}, drive=1/64

vk kal 0, buffer='vb', blend=max, contrast
vb buffer 0, feedback={fore:0.95,zoom:1.01}

pk bd909 0..., attack
ph h909 ..0, swing=54
ps sd909 ..0., swing=58

b tb303 0, cutoff=[0:1]n4, resonance=7/8

// l trance 0_7, decay=5, reverb=2          // bring in lead
// pad softpad (024), dur=4
// set (p*,b) amp=0                         // drop block
// set t cutoff=riser^3