Strudel Maestro

Strudel Maestro — Process-Oriented Pattern Generation

This skill teaches you the process of creating Strudel patterns, not a library of templates. Learn to fish, don't memorize fish.

Core Principle

Don't generate patterns from memory — research, prototype, refine.

1. UNDERSTAND  → What does Strudel need to express this music?
2. FIND        → Search for similar Strudel patterns or TidalCycles examples
3. PROTOTYPE   → Write minimal pattern, test one layer at a time
4. LAYER       → Build up: drums → bass → chords → melody
5. REFINE      → Add dynamics, effects, humanization

Phase 1: UNDERSTAND — What Strudel Needs

What is Strudel?

Strudel is a browser-based music pattern language (TidalCycles port to JavaScript).

• Patterns describe cycles (1 cycle = 1 bar by default)
• Everything is a pattern: notes, sounds, effects, timing
• Patterns compose via stack() (simultaneous) and seq() (sequential)

How It Works in Our DAW

• Each track has a Strudel code editor
• evaluateStrudelCode(trackId, code) runs the pattern
• Audio via Superdough (built-in synths + sample banks)
• BPM synced to DAW transport
• Convertible to MIDI: strudelEventsToMidiNotes()
• MIDI importable: midiToStrudelCode(notes, options)

Minimum Syntax to Start

// Notes (sharps=s, flats=b): c4 cs4 db4 d4 eb4 e4 f4 fs4 g4 ab4 a4 bb4 b4
note("c4 e4 g4")                      // melody
s("bd sd hh").bank("RolandTR808")     // drums
stack(melody, bass, drums)             // layer parts
note("c4 [d4 e4] f4 g4")             // [x y] = subdivide one beat
note("c4@2 e4 g4")                    // @2 = hold 2 beats
note("c4 ~ e4 ~")                     // ~ = rest
note("[c3,e3,g3]")                    // comma = chord (simultaneous)
.velocity("0.7 0.5 0.8")             // dynamics
.s("piano")                           // sound source
.lpf(800).room(0.3)                   // effects

That's enough to start. Look up advanced features as needed.

Phase 2: FIND — Researching Strudel Patterns

How to Find Examples

When you need a pattern you haven't written before:

1. Search the Strudel docs and examples:

   • Search the web: site:strudel.cc {technique or genre}
   • Search the web: strudel.cc workshop {topic}
   • Search the web: strudel music pattern example {what you need}

2. Search TidalCycles community (syntax is very similar):

   • Search the web: TidalCycles "{pattern type}" example
   • Search the web: tidalcycles.org tutorial {technique}
   • TidalCycles patterns translate to Strudel with minor syntax changes

3. Search GitHub for real compositions:

   • Search the web: github strudel composition "{genre}"
   • Search the web: github tidalcycles live coding "{genre}"

4. Read the DAW's own Strudel integration for what's available:

   • src/engine/strudelEngine.ts — available functions
   • src/services/strudelConversion.ts — MIDI ↔ Strudel conversion

How to Adapt Found Examples

When you find a reference pattern:

1. Identify the core technique — what makes it sound good?
2. Extract the pattern structure — what's the rhythmic grid?
3. Adapt to the target key/scale — transpose note names
4. Adjust to target BPM — more/fewer subdivisions
5. Modify to taste — change notes, add variation

When Syntax is Unclear

Don't guess syntax. Instead:

• Search the web: strudel.cc documentation {function name}
• Search the web: strudel "{function}" example usage
• Read: src/engine/strudelEngine.ts for what's actually available

Phase 3: PROTOTYPE — Build Minimal First

The One-Layer-at-a-Time Rule

Never write a full multi-track pattern from scratch. Instead:

1. Start with drums — get the groove right alone
2. Add bass — make sure it locks with the kick
3. Add chords — verify harmonic fit
4. Add melody — last, because it sits on top of everything

Each layer should sound decent on its own before combining.

Prototyping Checklist

Before writing each layer, ask:

• What instrument/sound do I need? (set .s() or .bank())
• What's the rhythmic grid? (4 quarter notes? 8 eighths? triplets?)
• What notes/pitches? (from the key/scale established in music-theory-engine)
• What velocity range? (drums: 0.3-0.9, pads: 0.3-0.5, melody: 0.5-0.8)

Pattern Length Convention

• 1 cycle = 1 bar (Strudel default)
• For a 4-bar loop: write 1 bar of pattern (it cycles)
• For variation across bars: use seq() or cat() for multi-bar phrases
• For slow chords: use @ to extend notes across beats

Phase 4: LAYER — Building Up

Layering Structure

stack(
  // Layer 1: Drums (rhythmic foundation)
  stack(
    s("...").bank("..."),  // kick
    s("...").bank("..."),  // snare
    s("...").bank("...")   // hi-hat
  ),
  // Layer 2: Bass (harmonic + rhythmic anchor)
  note("...").s("...").lpf(...),
  // Layer 3: Chords (harmonic body)
  note("...").s("...").velocity(...),
  // Layer 4: Melody (top voice)
  note("...").s("...").velocity(...)
)

Layer-Specific Guidelines

Drums: Separate kick/snare/hh into individual lines for clarity. Bass: Keep in octave 1-2. Always specify .lpf() (bass shouldn't have bright harmonics). Chords: Use [note,note,note] for simultaneous voicings. Keep velocity lower than melody. Melody: Highest register. Most velocity variation. Most rests (space = musicality).

Phase 5: REFINE — Making It Musical

Humanization Techniques

// Velocity variation (most important)
.velocity("0.7 0.55 0.8 0.6")  // NOT .velocity(0.7) everywhere

// Subtle timing feel (ghost notes for drums)
s("hh [~ hh] hh [~ hh]").velocity("0.4 0.15 0.45 0.15")

// Filter movement (adds life to synths)
.lpf("400 600 800 600")  // filter sweep across beats

// Reverb/delay for space
.room(0.3).delay(0.15)   // subtle, not too wet

Common Refinements

When to Stop

A pattern is done when:

1. Each layer contributes something distinct
2. There's rhythmic interplay (not everything on the same beats)
3. There's dynamic range (soft and loud moments)
4. Removing any element would leave a gap
5. It serves the user's described intent

Anti-Patterns (What NOT to Do)

1. Don't dump 8 genre templates — research the specific genre needed
2. Don't write 50+ lines of Strudel — keep patterns concise (10-25 lines typical)
3. Don't use syntax you haven't verified — search docs first
4. Don't use # for sharps — Strudel uses s: cs4 not c#4
5. Don't make all layers equally loud — drums and melody louder, pads quieter
6. Don't skip rests — space is what makes music breathe
7. Don't generate all layers at once — build iteratively, one layer at a time

Error Handling

If evaluateStrudelCode() fails:

1. Read the error message from the Strudel engine (lastError in strudelEngine.ts)
2. Common causes: misspelled note names, missing .s(), invalid function call
3. Fix the syntax error and re-evaluate
4. If the error is unclear, search the web: strudel error "{error message}"

Related Skills

• music-theory-engine — How to research genre theory, analyze references, extract composition principles
• compose — Full song composition workflow that orchestrates this skill and music-theory-engine