pattern

name	pattern
description	Strudel mini-notation and pattern quick reference. Use when writing or explaining music patterns.

Strudel Pattern Reference

Mini-Notation Basics

Mini-notation is the string DSL inside double quotes. One cycle = one musical loop.

Syntax	Meaning	Example
"a b c"	Sequence (evenly spaced in cycle)	"c3 e3 g3" = 3 notes per cycle
"[a b]"	Group (subdivide)	"c3 [e3 g3]" = c3 half, e3+g3 quarter each
"a*N"	Repeat N times	"hh*8" = 8 hi-hats per cycle
"a/N"	Slow down by N	"bd/2" = bass drum every 2 cycles
"a?"	Random removal (50%)	"hh?" = sometimes plays, sometimes silent
"a b , c d"	Stack (overlay/polyrhythm)	"bd sd , hh*4" = drums + hi-hat layer
"<a b c>"	Alternate per cycle	"<c3 e3 g3>" = different note each cycle
"a!N"	Replicate (same timing)	"c3!3" = c3 three times at same speed
"~"	Rest (silence)	"bd ~ sd ~" = kick, rest, snare, rest

Common Functions

// Basic sounds
sound("bd sd hh sd")           // drum pattern
note("c3 e3 g3 b3")           // melodic pattern

// Modifiers
.fast(2)                       // double speed
.slow(2)                       // half speed
.rev()                         // reverse pattern
.jux(rev)                      // stereo: original left, reversed right
.every(4, fast(2))             // every 4th cycle, double speed

// Effects
.cutoff(1000)                  // low-pass filter at 1000Hz
.resonance(10)                 // filter resonance
.delay(0.5)                    // delay effect
.room(0.8)                     // reverb
.gain(0.7)                     // volume

// Scales & chords
.scale("C:minor")              // map to C minor scale
n("0 2 4 6").scale("C:minor")  // scale degree pattern

// Stacking
stack(
  sound("bd sd"),
  note("c3 e3 g3").sound("sawtooth")
)

Starter Patterns (copy-paste ready)

Simple beat:

sound("bd sd:1 hh sd:2").bank("RolandTR808")

Ambient pad:

note("<c3 eb3 g3 bb3>")
  .sound("sawtooth")
  .cutoff(800)
  .room(0.9)
  .slow(2)

Layered groove:

stack(
  sound("bd*2 [~ bd] ~ bd").bank("RolandTR808"),
  sound("~ sd ~ sd:1").bank("RolandTR808"),
  sound("hh*8").gain(0.4),
  note("c2 [~ c2] eb2 [~ g1]").sound("sawtooth").cutoff(400)
)

When explaining patterns to the user, always describe the audible effect — e.g., "this creates a syncopated kick pattern with a filter sweep."