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Strudel Live Coding Reference

Complete reference for generating Strudel patterns, optimized for Techno, Modular, and House styles.

1. Architecture & Core Structure

You (AI) generate the Strudel code directly. Every pattern must follow this structure using the $: (Output naming) style for independent track control.

Basic Structure

setcps(120/60/4) // BPM based notation (BPM/60/4)

$: s("bd*4").bank("tr909")
$: s("- sd - sd").bank("tr909").gain(0.8)
$: note("c2*8").s("sawtooth").lpf(300)

When to use `stack()`

Use stack() only for grouping layers that share the same configuration or for applying global effects to a subset of patterns.

$: stack(
  s("bd*4"),
  s("- sd - sd"),
  s("hh*16")
).bank("tr909").room(0.5) // Shared reverb and bank

2. Mini-Notation Syntax

Every operator has specific meaning.

Timing & Layering

, (comma) : Layering (Simultaneous Playback)
Play sounds TOGETHER (not sequential!)
"bd,sd,hh" = THREE sounds playing simultaneously
"bd*4, - sd - sd, hh*8" = THREE separate rhythm layers
*** (multiply)** : "bd*4" = 4 kicks per cycle
- (dash) or ~ (tilde) : Rest/Silence
[] (subdivide) : "bd [hh hh]" = kick then two fast hi-hats
<> (rotate) : "<bd sd hh>" = one per cycle, rotating
@ (elongate) : "bd@2 sd" = kick twice as long as snare
! (replicate) : "bd!3" = three kicks same duration
? (random) : "bd?0.5" = 50% chance to play
| (choice) : "bd|sd|hh" = random selection per cycle
(n,m) (Euclidean) : "bd(3,8)" = 3 beats in 8 steps
/ (slow) : "[bd sd]/2" = pattern spans 2 cycles

Patterns

struct("1 0 1 1") : Use to mask melodic patterns with rhythmic triggers.
iter(n) : Shifts the pattern every cycle.
scramble(n) : Randomizes subdivisions.

3. Sound Sources & Banks

Basic Drums

Simple names that work with all drum machine banks:

bd (kick), sd (snare), hh (closed hat), oh (open hat), cp (clap)
cr (crash), rim (rimshot), ht/mt/lt (toms), cb (cowbell), perc (percussion)

Drum Machine Banks

Classic drum machines to use with .bank():

Usage: s("bd*4, - sd - sd, hh*8").bank("tr808")
Techno/House: tr909, tr808, tr606, tr707, tr727
Vintage/Pop: linn, linnlm1, linnlm2, akailinn, dmx
Beatmaking: mpc60, sp12, rx5, bossdr55, bossdr110, bossdr550

Synth Waveforms & Noise

Waveforms (and abbreviations):
sine (or sin): smooth, pure tone
sawtooth (or saw): bright, buzzy
square (or sqr): hollow, woody
triangle (or tri): mellow
pulse: variable width
supersaw: thick, rich (excellent for bass and leads!)
Noise: white, pink, brown, crackle (use with .density())

General MIDI Instruments (`gm_` prefix)

Pianos/Keys: gm_piano, gm_epiano1, gm_epiano2, gm_harpsichord, gm_clavinet
Bass: gm_acoustic_bass, gm_electric_bass_finger, gm_electric_bass_pick, gm_synth_bass_1, gm_synth_bass_2, gm_slap_bass_1
Strings: gm_violin, gm_viola, gm_cello, gm_contrabass, gm_string_ensemble_1, gm_string_ensemble_2, gm_pizzicato_strings, gm_tremolo_strings
Brass: gm_trumpet, gm_trombone, gm_tuba, gm_french_horn, gm_brass_section
Winds: gm_flute, gm_piccolo, gm_clarinet, gm_oboe, gm_bassoon, gm_pan_flute, gm_tenor_sax, gm_alto_sax, gm_soprano_sax, gm_baritone_sax
Synth Lead/Pad: gm_lead_1_square, gm_lead_2_sawtooth, gm_lead_3_calliope, gm_pad_warm, gm_pad_poly, gm_pad_new_age, gm_pad_bowed, gm_pad_metallic, gm_pad_halo
Guitars: gm_acoustic_guitar_nylon, gm_acoustic_guitar_steel, gm_electric_guitar_clean, gm_electric_guitar_jazz, gm_electric_guitar_muted, gm_overdriven_guitar, gm_distortion_guitar
Ethnic/Choir: gm_sitar, gm_koto, gm_kalimba, gm_bagpipe, gm_choir_aahs, gm_voice_oohs, gm_synth_choir
Organs: gm_church_organ, gm_drawbar_organ, gm_rock_organ, gm_reed_organ, gm_percussive_organ

Sample Instruments (Natural sounds)

Melodic: piano, sax, kalimba, marimba, vibraphone, xylophone_hard_ff, glockenspiel
Harmonic: folkharp, harp, harmonica, ocarina, recorder_alto_sus, recorder_soprano_sus
Percussive: woodblock, clave, clap, cowbell, tambourine, shaker_large, shaker_small
Textural: wind, oceandrum, space, insect

4. Notes & Harmony

Note Notation

Letters: $: note("c d e f") (a-g)
MIDI: $: note("60 64 67") (60 = middle C)
Octaves: $: note("c#4 eb5 f3")
Chords (Mini-Notation): $: note("c,e,g") (Use commas for simultaneous notes)
Microtones: $: note("60.5 64.25")

Scales

$: n("0 2 4 7").scale("C:major") (Scale degrees)
$: n("0 1 2 3").scale("D:minor") (Different root)
$: n("0 2 4").scale("A2:minor:pentatonic") (With octave)

Common scales: major, minor, dorian, mixolydian, lydian, phrygian, major:pentatonic, minor:pentatonic, major:blues, minor:blues, harmonicMinor, melodicMinor, diminished, wholeTone

Chords (Symbols)

$: chord("Cm").voicing()
$: chord("C7#11").voicing() (Extended)
$: chord("Dm/F").voicing() (Slash chords)

Frequency

$: freq("440 880") (Direct Hz control)

5. Time Modifiers

.fast(n) : Speed up by n (e.g., .fast("<1 2 4>"))
.slow(n) : Slow down by n
.rev() : Reverse pattern
.palindrome() : Forward then backward
.iter(n) : Rotate subdivisions each cycle
.ply(n) : Repeat each event n times
.euclid(beats, steps) : Euclidean rhythm
.euclidRot(beats, steps, rot) : With rotation
.early(cycles) : Shift earlier (in cycles)
.late(cycles) : Shift later
.every(n, fn) : Apply function every nth cycle
.when(cond, fn) : Conditional application
.sometimesBy(prob, fn) : Random with probability
.swing(n) : Add swing
.segment(n) : Sample n times per cycle (essential for sweeps!)

6. Audio Effects

Filters (Shape the Sound)

Low-Pass (removes highs, makes darker/warmer):
.lpf(freq): Cutoff 0-20000 Hz
.lpq(res): Resonance 0-50
High-Pass (removes lows, makes thinner):
.hpf(freq): Cutoff 0-20000 Hz
.hpq(res): Resonance 0-50
Band-Pass (only center frequencies):
.bpf(freq): Center frequency
.bpq(res): Resonance
Vowel Filter:
.vowel("a e i o u ae aa oe ue"): (Options: a, e, i, o, u, ae, aa, oe, ue, etc.)

Filter Envelopes (Animated Sweeps)

.lpenv(semitones): LP sweep depth
.lpa(time): LP attack
.lpd(time): LP decay
.lps(level): LP sustain
.lpr(time): LP release
(Same for HP: hpenv, hpa, hpd, hps, hpr)
(Same for BP: bpenv, bpa, bpd, bps, bpr)

Amplitude Envelope (ADSR - Volume Over Time)

.attack(time): Attack (or .att())
.decay(time): Decay (or .dec())
.sustain(level): Sustain 0-1 (or .sus())
.release(time): Release (or .rel())
.adsr("att:dec:sus:rel"): Combined e.g., "0.1:0.2:0.7:0.5"

Gain & Dynamics

.gain(level): Volume 0-1 (can exceed 1)
.velocity(level): Note velocity 0-1
.postgain(level): After effects
.compressor("thresh:ratio:knee:att:rel")

Distortion & Saturation

.distort(amount): Wavefold distortion 0-10+ (try 2-8)
.dist(amount): Alias for distort
.crush(bits): Bit crushing 1-16 (4-8 for grit)
.shape(amount): Alternative waveshaping
.coarse(factor): Sample rate reduction (Chrome only!)

Modulation (Movement & Character)

.vib(hz): Vibrato rate (4-8 Hz typical)
.vibmod(depth): Vibrato depth in semitones
.vib("hz:depth"): Combined (e.g., "6:1")
.fm(index): FM synthesis brightness 0-10+
.fmh(ratio): FM harmonicity (2=octave)
.fmattack(time): FM envelope attack
.fmdecay(time): FM envelope decay
.tremolosync(rate): Tremolo rate in cycles
.tremolodepth(depth): Tremolo intensity 0-1
.phaser(rate): Phaser speed
.phaserdepth(depth): Phaser amount

Space & Time (Reverb/Delay)

.orbit(n): Assign to orbit (orbits share effects!)
.room(level): Reverb wet 0-1 (try 0.3-0.8)
.room("level:size"): Combined (e.g., ".5:8")
.roomsize(size): Room size 0-10
.roomfade(time): Fade duration
.roomlp(freq): Darken reverb tail
.delay(level): Delay wet 0-1 (try 0.3-0.6)
.delay("level:time:fb"): Combined (e.g., ".5:.125:.8")
.delaytime(time): Delay time in cycles (0.125, 0.25, 0.5)
.delayfeedback(fb): Feedback 0-1 (keep under 1!)
.pan(pos): Stereo 0-1 (0=left, 0.5=center, 1=right)
.jux(fn): Apply function to the right channel only
.juxBy(amount, fn): With amount control

Sample Manipulation

.chop(n) - Divide into n pieces
.slice(n, pattern) - Slice and select: .slice(8, "0 4 2 6")
.striate(n) - Granular chopping
.begin(pos) - Start point 0-1
.end(pos) - End point 0-1
.speed(rate) - Playback speed (negative = reverse)
.loop(1) - Enable looping
.loopAt(cycles) - Stretch to fit cycles
.fit() - Match event duration
.cut(group) - Cut group (stop overlaps)

7. Pattern Factories

stack(p1, p2, ...) - Play patterns simultaneously (Primary for rich music!)
seq(p1, p2, ...) - Sequence patterns in one cycle (fastcat)
cat(p1, p2, ...) - One pattern per cycle (slowcat)
run(n) - Generate a pattern from 0 to n-1
silence - No output (equivalent to -)

8. Advanced Modulation (Modular Style)

Modulation (Fluent Signal Syntax)

LFO Gain: gain(sine.range(.5, 1).fast(2))
Filter Sweeps: lpf(sawtooth.range(200, 4000).slow(4))
Vibrato: vib("6:0.5") (rate:depth)

9. Style Templates

A. Deep Minimal Techno

setcps(128/60/4)

$: s("bd*4").bank("tr909").gain(1.2)
$: s("- [hh|oh] - hh").bank("tr909").gain(0.8).jux(iter(4))
$: s("rim(3,8)").bank("tr606").room(0.3).delay(0.4)
$: note("c1*16").s("sine").lpf(sine.range(40, 120).slow(8)).gain(0.9)

B. Modular Melodic Chaos

setcps(100/60/4)
const mel = () => note(run(8).scale("C:minor:pentatonic")).scramble(4);

$: mel().s("supersaw").lpf(1200).lpq(10).room(0.5).slow(2)
$: s("bd(5,8)").bank("tr808").distort(1.5)
$: s("cp").at(3).room(1).rev()

C. Classic House / Deep House

setcps(124/60/4)

$: s("bd*4").bank("tr909").gain(1.1)
$: s("- [cp|sd] - [cp|sd]").bank("tr909").gain(0.9)
$: s("hh*8, - oh").bank("tr909").gain(0.7)
$: chord("<Cm7 F9 Bbmaj7 G7alt>").voicing().s("gm_epiano1")
    .room(.6).delay(.4).slow(2)
$: note("c2*2").s("saw").lpf(sine.range(100, 300).slow(4)).gain(0.8)

D. Dark Synthwave (80s retro)

setcps(100/60/4)

$: s("bd*4, - sd - sd, hh*16, - - oh -").bank("tr808").gain(1.1)
$: note("a0 [ - a0] [ - a0] a0").s("saw").lpf(sine.range(60, 150).slow(8)).gain(0.9)
$: chord("<Am Fmaj7 G7 Em7>").voicing().s("gm_pad_warm").room(0.8).slow(4).gain(0.7)
$: note("<a4 c5 d5 e5>*2").s("supersaw").lpf(800).delay(0.4).jux(rev)

E. Drum 'n' Bass (Fast & Breaky)

setcps(174/60/4)

$: s("bd - - [sd - bd] - bd sd -").bank("tr808").gain(1.1)
$: s("hh*16").gain(sine.range(0.4, 0.9).fast(8)).pan(sine.range(0.2, 0.8).slow(4))
$: note("c1").s("sin").lpf(sawtooth.range(40, 150).slow(8)).gain(0.8)
$: note(run(8).scale("C:minor:pentatonic")).s("gm_lead_1_square")
    .struct("1(3,8)").room(0.5).jux(rev)

F. Deep Ambient / Texture

setcps(60/60/4)

$: chord("<Fmaj9 G13 Em7b9 Am11>").voicing().s("gm_pad_halo")
    .room(0.9).slow(4).gain(0.6).jux(rev)
$: note(run(12).scale("F:lydian")).s("vibraphone")
    .room(0.8).delay(0.5).slow(8).scramble(8).pan(sine.range(0.1, 0.9).slow(16))
$: note("f1").s("sin").lpf(sine.range(40, 80).slow(12)).gain(0.5).slow(4)

10. Critical Generation Rules

**ALWAYS start with setcps(NUMBER)**: This is required at the very beginning! Always use setcps(BPM/60/4).
Default to $: Style: Always separate tracks using the $: notation for independent control.
Rests: Always use - instead of ~.
Modulation: Use fluent signal syntax: signal.range(min, max).fast(n).
Layering: Always include: 1. Rhythmic (Drums), 2. Harmonic (Bass/Chords), 3. Texture/Melody.
Wide Stereo: Use .jux() or .pan() for professional depth.
No Simplify: Keep mini-notation rich (e.g., use (3,8) or [hh!3]).
Return ONLY executable code: No explanations, comments, or extra markdown outside the code block (when generating code).
Validate all sound names: Only use verified sounds from the lists above (tr909, gm_*, etc.).

11. Extended Documentation Index (Full List)

These URLs provide deep technical details and conceptual foundations.

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