compose

name	compose
description	Create full arranged tracks with timeline structure. Use when user asks to "compose", "create a track", "make a song", or specifies a duration.
allowed-tools	Bash(curl *)
requires	strudel

Compose - Full Track Compositions

Requires: /strudel skill for syntax (notes, sounds, effects, patterns)

Use arrange() to create complete tracks with intro, build, drop, breakdown, outro.

---

IMPORTANT: Examples Are Inspiration Only

The genre examples below show what's possible, not what to copy.

Every track you create should be unique:

• Different chord progressions
• Different rhythms and patterns
• Different instrument choices
• Different arrangement structures
• Your own weird ideas

Study the techniques, then make something new.

---

The Formula

cps = BPM / 60 / 4
cycles = minutes × 60 × cps

Duration	90 BPM	110 BPM	120 BPM	128 BPM	140 BPM	160 BPM	174 BPM
cps	0.375	0.458	0.5	0.533	0.583	0.667	0.725
2 min	45	55	60	64	70	80	87
5 min	112	137	150	160	175	200	217
10 min	225	275	300	320	350	400	435

---

The Pattern

1. Define your elements - bass, drums, chords, leads, atmosphere
2. Calculate total cycles for target duration
3. Build the arrangement - distribute cycles across sections
4. Use stack() to layer elements in each section
5. Present it - show the journey with the output format below

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Output Format - The Presentation

After creating a track, ALWAYS present it with personality:

1. The Title

Creative, evocative, with emojis that match the vibe:

🎸 BASEMENT SHOW - FEEDBACK AND FURY 🎸
🌙 LATE NIGHT FREQUENCIES 🌙
🚨 SHIBUYA BASEMENT - 4AM - THEY'RE LOOKING FOR US 🚨
🎉 WAREHOUSE PARTY - NO PHONES 🎉

2. The Hook

One line that captures the feeling:

quiet... quiet... LOUD. quiet... LOUD. DESTROY.
3AM. Candles lit. Feeling every emotion.
You descend the stairs. The bass hits your chest. Everyone's eyes are black.
120 CYCLES OF PURE EMOTION

3. The Journey Table

Show the arrangement as a story - what happens when:

Moment	Cycles	What's Happening
INTRO	8	Feedback hums... clean arpeggios
VERSE 1	16	🌑 Quiet - clean guitar, soft drums
PRE-CHORUS	8	Tension... distortion creeping in
CHORUS	16	💥 EXPLODE - power chords, crash cymbal
BREAKDOWN	8	Double-time chaos → silence → feedback
SOLO	16	🔥 Raw screaming lead
FINAL CHORUS	16	💛 MAXIMUM - everything at once
OUTRO	12	Destroy everything... fade to feedback

Use emojis to mark the emotional peaks: 💥 🔥 💛 🌑 😭 🚨 💊 👁️ ✨

4. The Arsenal

List what makes this track special:

The formula:
- F minor - the saddest key
- F5 → Bb5 → Ab5 - power chord progression
- Clean verse → Distorted chorus - classic dynamics
- Contrasting drums - quiet kit vs explode kit
- Feedback always lurking in the background

The sound:
- Distorted kicks punching through walls
- 303 acid in E Phrygian (dark scale)
- 32nd hi-hats like a racing heartbeat
- Sirens sweeping in the distance

The arsenal:
- 6 vocal layers (oohs, aahs, choir, stutter, deep)
- Full UK garage kit with shakers
- 3 levels of supersaw (stab → big → MASSIVE)
- Halo pads floating above it all

5. The Closer

End with a memorable line that matches the vibe:

The bass hits your chest before you see the stage. 💀
3AM. Candles lit. Feeling every emotion. 🌙
We might get arrested but this moment is forever. 💊
You're not leaving this room the same person. 🎨

Full Example

🌧️ MIDNIGHT RAMEN SHOP - SHIBUYA 🍜

Rain outside, warm inside, 3am thoughts.

112 CYCLES OF LATE NIGHT CONTEMPLATION

| Moment | Cycles | The Vibe |
|--------|--------|----------|
| RAIN | 4 | Just rain... setting the scene |
| WARMTH | 4 | Pad fades in through the steam |
| KEYS ARRIVE | 8 | 🎹 Dusty electric piano through the window |
| SETTLING IN | 8 | Vinyl crackle joins... you're home |
| BEAT DROPS | 8 | 🥢 Gentle kick... hats like chopsticks |
| FULL GROOVE | 8 | Snare joins... head nodding |
| KOTO ENTERS | 8 | 🎎 Something unexpected... beautiful |
| MUSIC BOX | 8 | ✨ High keys sparkle above |
| BREAKDOWN | 8 | 🌧️ Rain gets louder... flute whispers |
| RETURN | 16 | Everything together... the full moment |
| PEAK | 12 | 💜 All layers... maximum coziness |
| FADE | 16 | 🌙 Elements leave one by one... just rain |

The ingredients:
- Gb minor - melancholic but warm
- gm_epiano1 - that dusty Rhodes sound
- gm_koto + gm_shakuhachi - Japanese 3am energy
- gm_music_box - childhood nostalgia
- Rain (filtered white noise) - always present
- Crunchy drums with shape(0.2) - SP-404 vibes

The rain never stops. Neither do your thoughts. 🍜

---

Examples

METAL (~2 min @ 140 BPM = 64 cycles)

setcps(0.55)

// === ELEMENTS ===

// Bass from hell
let bass = n("0 0 [0 3] 0 0 0 [0 5] 0").s("sawtooth").note("<e1 e1 d1 a0>").lpf(200).lpq(8).distort(0.8).gain(0.6).room(0.2)

// Drums
let kick = s("bd*2").distort(0.5).gain(0.9)
let snare = s("[~ sd:3]*2").distort(0.4).room(0.3).gain(0.85)
let hats = s("hh*8").gain("0.4 0.2 0.3 0.2").room(0.2)
let blast = s("bd*8, [~ sd:3]*4, hh*16").distort(0.5).gain(0.8)

// Guitars
let chug = note("e2*8").s("gm_electric_guitar_muted").gain("0.5 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.3").lpf(1500)
let powerchords = note("<[e2,b2,e3] ~ ~ ~ [d2,a2,d3] ~ [a1,e2,a2] ~>").s("gm_overdriven_guitar").gain(0.6).room(0.3)
let riff = note("e3 e3 [e3 g3] e3 d3 e3 [a3 g3] e3").s("gm_distortion_guitar").gain(0.7).room(0.25)

// The solo
let solo = n("<[0 2 4 7 9 11 14 16] [16 14 11 9 7 4 2 0] [0 4 7 11 14 11 7 4] [2 5 9 12 14 17 19 21]>").scale("E2:minor:pentatonic").s("gm_distortion_guitar").gain(0.85).room(0.4).delay(0.15).vib(6).vibmod(0.3)
let harmonics = n("[14 16 19 21]").scale("E4:minor:pentatonic").s("gm_guitar_harmonics").gain(0.7).room(0.5).delay(0.3)

// Atmosphere
let pad = note("<e2 d2 a1 b1>").s("gm_pad_metallic").attack(0.5).release(2).lpf(500).gain(0.2).room(0.8).size(0.9)
let noise = s("white").lpf(300).gain(0.1).room(0.9)
let industrial = s("metal:2*4").gain(0.2).speed("1 1.5 0.75 2").pan(rand).delay(0.3)

// === THE ARRANGEMENT ===
arrange(
  // INTRO - tension building
  [4, stack(noise, pad.lpf(200))],
  [4, stack(noise, pad, chug.lpf(400).gain(0.2))],

  // DRUMS ENTER
  [4, stack(kick, hats.lpf(1000), chug.lpf(600), pad)],
  [4, stack(kick, snare, hats, chug, bass.lpf(100))],

  // FIRST DROP
  [8, stack(kick, snare, hats, bass, chug, powerchords, industrial)],

  // RIFF ENTERS
  [8, stack(kick, snare, hats, bass, chug, riff, industrial)],

  // BREAKDOWN
  [2, stack(chug.slow(2).lpf(400), noise)],
  [2, stack(chug.fast(2).distort(0.9), kick)],
  [4, stack(bass.fast(2), kick.fast(2), industrial.fast(2))],

  // SOLO SECTION
  [8, stack(kick, snare, hats, bass, chug, solo, pad)],
  [4, stack(blast, bass.fast(2), solo, harmonics)],

  // FINAL DROP
  [8, stack(blast, bass, chug.distort(0.9), powerchords, riff, industrial)],

  // OUTRO
  [4, stack(pad.room(1), harmonics.slow(2), noise)],
)

---

MELODIC TECHNO (~3.3 min @ 115 BPM = 96 cycles)

setcps(0.48)

// === ELEMENTS ===

// Deep rolling bass
let bass = note("<c2 c2 ab1 bb1>").s("sawtooth").lpf(180).lpq(4).gain(0.6).room(0.15).attack(0.01).decay(0.2).sustain(0.7)
let bassArp = note("c2 ~ c2 ~ c2 ~ [c2 eb2] ~").s("sawtooth").lpf(200).gain(0.55).room(0.1)

// 909 groove
let kick = s("bd*4").bank("RolandTR909").gain(0.85)
let hat = s("hh*8").bank("RolandTR909").gain("0.35 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.35 0.2 0.3 0.25")
let oh = s("~ ~ ~ oh").bank("RolandTR909").gain(0.3)
let clap = s("~ cp ~ cp").bank("RolandTR909").gain(0.5).room(0.4)
let rim = s("~ [rim?] ~ [rim?] ~ [rim?] ~ rim").bank("RolandTR909").gain(0.25)
let perc = s("~ ~ cb ~").bank("RolandTR909").gain(0.2).delay(0.3).delaytime(0.375).delayfeedback(0.4)

// Emotional chords
let chords = chord("<Cm Cm Ab Bb>").voicing().s("gm_pad_warm").gain(0.3).attack(0.3).release(1.5).room(0.6).size(0.8).lpf(1200)
let chordsBright = chord("<Cm Cm Ab Bb>").voicing().s("supersaw").gain(0.25).attack(0.1).release(0.8).room(0.5).lpf(sine.range(800, 3000).slow(16))

// Hypnotic arpeggio
let arp = n("0 4 7 11 14 11 7 4").scale("C3:minor").s("triangle").gain(0.35).lpf(sine.range(600, 2500).slow(8)).room(0.5).delay(0.25).delaytime(0.1875).delayfeedback(0.5)
let arpHigh = n("<0 3 7 10> <7 10 14 17>/2").scale("C4:minor").s("sine").gain(0.3).room(0.6).delay(0.3).delayfeedback(0.45)

// Melody
let melody = n("<[~ 7 ~ 4] [~ 11 ~ 7] [~ 14 11 ~] [10 ~ 7 ~]>").scale("C4:minor").s("gm_pad_choir").gain(0.25).attack(0.2).release(1).room(0.7).delay(0.2)
let lead = n("<[14 ~ 11 ~] [~ 10 ~ 7] [11 ~ ~ 14] [~ 7 10 ~]>").scale("C4:minor").s("supersaw").gain(0.35).lpf(2000).room(0.5).attack(0.05).release(0.5).vib(4).vibmod(0.15)

// Atmosphere
let pad = chord("<Cm7 Abmaj7>").voicing().s("gm_pad_sweep").gain(0.15).attack(2).release(4).room(0.9).size(0.95).lpf(800)
let air = s("white").lpf(400).gain(0.04).room(1)
let vocal = n("<0 ~ 7 ~ 4 ~ 10 ~>/2").scale("C4:minor").s("gm_voice_oohs").gain(0.2).room(0.7).attack(0.3).release(1.5)

// === THE ARRANGEMENT ===
arrange(
  // Groove begins
  [4, stack(kick, air)],
  [4, stack(kick, hat.lpf(2000), air)],
  [4, stack(kick, hat, bassArp.lpf(100))],
  [4, stack(kick, hat, clap, bassArp.lpf(150), rim)],

  // Bass opens up
  [8, stack(kick, hat, clap, oh, bass, rim)],
  [8, stack(kick, hat, clap, oh, bass, perc, pad.lpf(400))],

  // Chords enter
  [8, stack(kick, hat, clap, bass, chords.lpf(600), arp.lpf(800))],
  [8, stack(kick, hat, clap, oh, bass, chords, arp, perc)],

  // BREAKDOWN
  [4, stack(hat.gain(0.15), chords, arp.slow(2), pad)],
  [4, stack(chords.gain(0.4), arp, melody, pad, air)],
  [4, stack(chords, melody, arpHigh, pad.lpf(1200), vocal)],

  // THE DROP
  [8, stack(kick, hat, clap, oh, bass, chords, arp, melody, perc)],
  [8, stack(kick, hat, clap, oh, bass, chordsBright, arp, lead, rim)],

  // Peak
  [8, stack(kick, hat, clap, oh, bass, chordsBright, arpHigh, lead, vocal.gain(0.15), perc)],

  // Second breakdown
  [4, stack(bass.slow(2), chords.room(1), melody.slow(2), pad)],
  [4, stack(kick.slow(2), chords, arpHigh.slow(2), vocal, pad)],

  // FINAL WAVE
  [8, stack(kick, hat, clap, oh, bass, chordsBright, arp, lead, melody.gain(0.2))],
  [8, stack(kick, hat, clap, oh, bass, chordsBright.gain(0.35), arpHigh, lead, vocal, perc)],

  // Outro
  [4, stack(kick, hat.gain(0.2), bass.lpf(120), chords, pad)],
  [4, stack(kick.mask("1 1 1 0"), chords.room(1), pad, vocal)],
  [4, stack(chords.room(1), pad, arpHigh.slow(2).room(1))],
  [4, pad.room(1).gain(0.3)],
)

---

UK GARAGE (~3.8 min @ 125 BPM = 120 cycles)

setcps(0.52)

// === VOCALS ===
let vox = n("0 ~ 4 ~ ~ 7 ~ 4").scale("G3:major").s("gm_voice_oohs").gain(0.4).room(0.5)
let voxChop = n("7 7 [7 4] ~ 4 4 [4 0] ~").scale("G3:major").s("gm_choir_aahs").gain(0.38).room(0.6).delay(0.15)
let voxHigh = n("11 ~ 9 ~ ~ 7 ~ 4").scale("G4:major").s("gm_voice_oohs").gain(0.32).room(0.7)
let voxStutter = n("4 4 4 4 7 7 0 0").scale("G3:major").s("gm_choir_aahs").gain(0.42).clip(0.1).room(0.5)
let voxDeep = n("0 ~ ~ 0 ~ ~ 4 ~").scale("G2:major").s("gm_voice_oohs").gain(0.25).room(0.6)
let choir = n("<0 4 7 11>").scale("G3:major").s("gm_synth_choir").gain(0.2).attack(0.3).release(1.5).room(0.8)

// === UK GARAGE DRUMS ===
let kick = s("bd ~ ~ bd ~ ~ bd ~").gain(0.92)
let snare = s("~ ~ sd ~ ~ ~ sd ~").gain(0.82).room(0.45)
let hat = s("hh*8").gain("0.42 0.22 0.38 0.25 0.42 0.22 0.38 0.28")
let oh = s("~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ oh").gain(0.25).room(0.4)
let perc = s("~ cp ~ ~ ~ cp ~ ~").gain(0.42).room(0.5).delay(0.12)
let rim = s("~ rim ~ rim ~ rim ~ rim").gain(0.22)
let shaker = s("shaker*16").gain(0.12)
let garage = stack(kick, snare, hat)
let fullKit = stack(kick, snare, hat, oh, perc, rim)
let maxKit = stack(kick, snare, hat, oh, perc, rim, shaker)

// === SUPERSAWS ===
let stab = note("<[g3,b3,d4] [g3,b3,d4] [c4,e4,g4] [d4,a4]>").s("supersaw").gain(0.42).struct("~ x ~ ~ ~ x ~ x").room(0.4).lpf(3200)
let stabBig = note("<[g3,b3,d4] [g3,b3,d4] [c4,e4,g4] [d4,a4]>").s("supersaw").gain(0.58).room(0.5).lpf(5000)
let stabMassive = note("<[g3,b3,d4,g4] [g3,b3,d4,g4] [c4,e4,g4,c5] [d4,a4,d5]>").s("supersaw").gain(0.62).room(0.55).lpf(6000)
let chords = note("<[g3,b3,d4] [g3,b3,d4] [c4,e4,g4] [d4,a4]>").s("gm_pad_warm").gain(0.28).room(0.6).attack(0.2).release(1.2)

// === ARPS ===
let arp = n("0 2 4 7 9 7 4 2").scale("G3:major").s("triangle").gain(0.32).lpf(sine.range(800,4000).slow(8)).room(0.4).delay(0.2)
let arpHigh = n("4 7 9 11 9 7 4 2").scale("G4:major").s("sine").gain(0.28).room(0.5).delay(0.25)
let arpFast = n("0 2 4 7 9 11 9 7").scale("G3:major").s("triangle").fast(2).gain(0.25).lpf(3000).room(0.4).delay(0.15)

// === BASS ===
let bass = note("g1 ~ ~ g1 ~ ~ g1 ~").s("sawtooth").lpf(220).gain(0.58)
let bassHard = note("g1 ~ g1 ~ g1 ~ g1 [g1 a1]").s("sawtooth").lpf(250).gain(0.6)
let subBass = note("g1 ~ g1 ~ c2 ~ d2 ~").s("sine").gain(0.52).lpf(80)

// === ATMOSPHERE ===
let pad = note("[g2,b2,d3]").s("gm_pad_sweep").gain(0.18).room(0.9).attack(1.5).release(3)
let padBig = note("[g2,b2,d3,g3]").s("gm_pad_halo").gain(0.15).room(0.95).attack(2).release(4)
let riser = s("white").lpf(sine.range(200,4000).slow(16)).gain(0.07)
let air = s("white").lpf(500).gain(0.04).room(1)

// === THE ARRANGEMENT ===
arrange(
  // INTRO
  [4, stack(vox.room(0.8), air)],
  [4, stack(vox, voxDeep, pad, air)],
  [4, stack(vox, voxChop.gain(0.2), hat.gain(0.12), pad)],
  [4, stack(vox, voxChop, hat.gain(0.2), kick.gain(0.5), pad)],

  // BUILD
  [4, stack(kick, hat, vox, chords.lpf(600))],
  [4, stack(garage, vox, voxChop, chords.lpf(900))],
  [8, stack(garage, bass, vox, voxChop, chords, arp.lpf(1200))],

  // PRE-DROP
  [4, stack(hat, voxStutter, stab.lpf(1500), riser)],
  [4, stack(voxStutter.fast(2), stab, arp, choir.gain(0.15), riser.gain(0.12))],

  // DROP 1
  [8, stack(fullKit, bass, stabBig, arp, voxChop, choir)],
  [8, stack(fullKit, bass, stabBig, arpHigh, vox, voxHigh, choir)],

  // BREAKDOWN 1
  [4, stack(hat.gain(0.12), chords, vox.slow(2), padBig)],
  [4, stack(chords.gain(0.4), arpHigh.slow(2), voxDeep, padBig, air)],

  // BUILD 2
  [4, stack(kick.gain(0.6), hat, chords, voxStutter, riser)],
  [4, stack(voxStutter.fast(2), stab.lpf(2500), arp, arpFast.gain(0.15), riser.gain(0.15))],

  // DROP 2
  [8, stack(fullKit, bass, subBass, stabBig, arp, voxChop, voxHigh)],
  [8, stack(maxKit, bassHard, subBass, stabBig, arpHigh, vox, voxStutter.gain(0.3), choir)],

  // BREAKDOWN 2
  [4, stack(bass.slow(2).lpf(100), chords.room(1), vox.slow(2), padBig)],
  [4, stack(kick.slow(2), chords, arpHigh.slow(2), voxDeep, choir.gain(0.25), padBig)],

  // FINAL BUILD
  [4, stack(hat, voxStutter, stab.lpf(2000), arpFast.gain(0.2), riser)],
  [4, stack(voxStutter.fast(2), stabBig.lpf(3500), arp, arpHigh, riser.gain(0.2))],

  // FINAL DROP
  [8, stack(maxKit, bassHard, subBass, stabMassive, arp, arpHigh, vox, voxChop)],
  [8, stack(maxKit, bassHard, subBass, stabMassive, arp, arpHigh, vox, voxHigh, voxChop.gain(0.3), choir)],

  // PEAK
  [8, stack(maxKit, bassHard, subBass, stabMassive, arp, arpFast, arpHigh, vox, voxHigh, voxChop, choir)],

  // OUTRO
  [4, stack(garage, bass.lpf(150), chords, vox, padBig)],
  [4, stack(kick, hat.gain(0.2), chords, voxChop.slow(2), padBig)],
  [4, stack(vox, voxDeep, chords.room(1), padBig, air)],
  [4, stack(padBig.room(1).gain(0.3), choir.slow(2).room(1), air)],
)

---

LO-FI (~5 min @ 90 BPM = 112 cycles)

setcps(0.375)  // 90 BPM

// === ELEMENTS ===

// Dusty keys - not your typical lo-fi chords
let keys = note("<[gb3,bb3,db4] [ab3,c4,eb4] [f3,ab3,c4] [gb3,bb3,eb4]>")
  .s("gm_epiano1").gain(0.45).lpf(1800).room(0.4)
  .color("#ff6b6b")

let keysHigh = note("<[gb4,bb4] ~ [ab4,c5] ~ [f4,ab4] ~ [gb4,bb4] ~>")
  .s("gm_music_box").gain(0.25).room(0.6).delay(0.3).delayfb(0.4)
  .color("#ffd93d")

// Warm bass - simple but deep
let bass = note("<gb2 ~ ~ gb2 ~ ab2 ~ ~> <ab2 ~ ~ ab2 ~ f2 ~ ~>")
  .s("gm_acoustic_bass").gain(0.55).lpf(400)
  .color("#6bcb77")

// Crunchy drums - that dusty SP-404 vibe
let kick = s("bd ~ ~ bd ~ ~ bd ~").gain(0.8).lpf(800).shape(0.2).color("#4d96ff")
let snare = s("~ ~ sd ~ ~ ~ sd ~").gain(0.6).room(0.5).lpf(3000).color("#ff922b")
let hat = s("hh*8").gain("0.3 0.15 0.25 0.2 0.3 0.12 0.28 0.18").lpf(4000).color("#adb5bd")
let vinyl = s("white").lpf(300).gain(0.03)

// The secret sauce - koto and shakuhachi for that 3am vibe
let koto = n("<0 ~ 3 ~ 5 ~ 3 ~>/2").scale("Gb3:minor:pentatonic")
  .s("gm_koto").gain(0.3).room(0.5).delay(0.25).delayfb(0.35)
  .color("#e599f7")

let flute = n("<~ 5 ~ 3 ~ 0 ~ ~>/4").scale("Gb4:minor:pentatonic")
  .s("gm_shakuhachi").gain(0.2).room(0.7).lpf(2500)
  .color("#66d9e8")

// Rain and atmosphere
let rain = s("white").lpf(600).hpf(200).gain(0.04).room(0.8)
let pad = note("[gb2,db3,ab3]").s("gm_pad_warm").gain(0.12).attack(2).release(4).room(0.9)
  .color("#845ef7")

// === THE ARRANGEMENT - 112 cycles = ~5 min ===
arrange(
  // Rain starts falling
  [4, stack(rain)],
  [4, stack(rain, pad.lpf(400))],

  // Keys fade in through the window
  [8, stack(rain, pad, keys.lpf(800).gain(0.25))],
  [8, stack(rain, pad, keys, vinyl)],

  // Beat drops soft
  [8, stack(kick, hat.lpf(2000), keys, bass.gain(0.3), vinyl, rain.gain(0.02))],
  [8, stack(kick, snare, hat, keys, bass, vinyl)],

  // Koto enters - something different
  [8, stack(kick, snare, hat, keys, bass, koto, vinyl)],
  [8, stack(kick, snare, hat, keys, keysHigh, bass, koto, vinyl)],

  // Breakdown - rain gets louder
  [4, stack(pad, keys.slow(2), rain.gain(0.06), flute)],
  [4, stack(pad, keysHigh.slow(2), koto.slow(2), rain.gain(0.05))],

  // Back in - full vibe
  [8, stack(kick, snare, hat, keys, keysHigh, bass, koto, vinyl)],
  [8, stack(kick, snare, hat, keys, keysHigh, bass, koto, flute.gain(0.15), vinyl)],

  // Peak - all together
  [12, stack(kick, snare, hat, keys, keysHigh, bass, koto, flute, pad.gain(0.08), vinyl)],

  // Outro - the rain continues
  [4, stack(kick.gain(0.5), hat.lpf(1500).gain(0.15), keys, bass.lpf(200), rain)],
  [4, stack(keys.lpf(1000), pad, koto.slow(2), rain)],
  [4, stack(pad, rain.gain(0.06))],
  [4, rain.gain(0.04)],
)._pianoroll({ labels: 1, fold: 0 })

---

SYNTHWAVE (~4.5 min @ 108 BPM = 120 cycles)

setcps(0.45)

// === THE PULSE - that iconic throbbing bass ===
let pulse = note("c2*8").s("sawtooth").lpf(sine.range(200,800).slow(4)).lpq(8).gain("0.6 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.6 0.4 0.5 0.45").room(0.2)
let pulseBig = note("c2*8").s("sawtooth").lpf(sine.range(300,1200).slow(8)).lpq(12).gain("0.7 0.45 0.55 0.45 0.7 0.45 0.55 0.5").room(0.3).distort(0.1)
let subPulse = note("c1*4").s("sine").gain(0.5)

// === ARPEGGIOS - that running synth ===
let arp = n("0 3 7 12 15 12 7 3").scale("C2:minor").s("square").lpf(sine.range(600,3000).slow(16)).gain(0.35).room(0.4).delay(0.2).delaytime(0.125).delayfeedback(0.4)
let arpHigh = n("0 3 7 12 15 19 15 12").scale("C3:minor").s("sawtooth").lpf(2500).gain(0.3).room(0.5).delay(0.25).delayfeedback(0.5)
let arpFast = n("0 3 7 10 12 10 7 3").scale("C3:minor").fast(2).s("triangle").lpf(sine.range(1000,4000).slow(8)).gain(0.25).room(0.4).delay(0.15)

// === PADS - dark atmosphere ===
let pad = note("<[c3,eb3,g3] [c3,eb3,g3] [ab2,c3,eb3] [bb2,d3,f3]>").s("sawtooth").lpf(800).attack(0.5).release(2).gain(0.25).room(0.8).size(0.9)
let padDark = note("[c2,g2,c3]").s("sawtooth").lpf(400).attack(1).release(3).gain(0.2).room(0.9).size(0.95)
let padMassive = note("<[c3,eb3,g3,c4] [c3,eb3,g3,c4] [ab2,c3,eb3,ab3] [bb2,d3,f3,bb3]>").s("supersaw").lpf(sine.range(1000,4000).slow(16)).attack(0.3).release(1.5).gain(0.4).room(0.6)

// === LEAD - that haunting melody ===
let lead = n("<[~ 7 ~ 5] [3 ~ 0 ~] [~ 7 ~ 10] [8 ~ 7 ~]>").scale("C4:minor").s("sawtooth").lpf(2000).gain(0.4).room(0.6).delay(0.3).delayfeedback(0.45).vib(5).vibmod(0.2)
let leadHigh = n("<[12 ~ 10 ~] [~ 8 ~ 7] [10 ~ 12 ~] [~ 15 12 ~]>").scale("C4:minor").s("square").lpf(3000).gain(0.35).room(0.7).delay(0.25)

// === 80s DRUMS ===
let kick = s("bd*4").gain(0.85).shape(0.2)
let snare = s("~ sd ~ sd").gain(0.75).room(0.5).size(0.8)
let snareGated = s("~ sd ~ sd").gain(0.8).room(0.6).size(0.9).shape(0.15)
let hat = s("hh*8").gain("0.35 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.35 0.2 0.3 0.25")
let hatOpen = s("~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ oh").gain(0.25).room(0.4)
let tom = s("~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ [mt lt] ~").gain(0.5).room(0.5)
let clap = s("~ [cp?] ~ cp").gain(0.4).room(0.6)
let drums = stack(kick, snare, hat)
let drumsFull = stack(kick, snareGated, hat, hatOpen, clap)
let drumsMax = stack(kick, snareGated, hat, hatOpen, tom, clap)

// === ATMOSPHERE ===
let noise = s("white").lpf(300).gain(0.03).room(1)
let riser = s("white").lpf(sine.range(100,6000).slow(8)).gain(0.08)
let hit = note("c2").s("gm_orchestra_hit").gain(0.6).room(0.7)
let strings = note("<[c3,g3] [eb3,bb3] [ab2,eb3] [bb2,f3]>").s("gm_string_ensemble_1").gain(0.2).attack(0.4).release(1.5).room(0.7)

// === THE ARRANGEMENT ===
arrange(
  // INTRO - darkness awakens
  [4, stack(noise, padDark.lpf(200))],
  [4, stack(noise, padDark, pulse.lpf(150).gain(0.2))],
  [4, stack(noise, padDark, pulse.lpf(300).gain(0.3), arp.lpf(400).gain(0.1))],
  [4, stack(padDark, pulse.lpf(500), arp.lpf(800).gain(0.2))],

  // THE PULSE BUILDS
  [4, stack(pulse, arp, pad.lpf(400))],
  [4, stack(pulse, arp, pad.lpf(600), hat.gain(0.15))],
  [8, stack(pulse, arp, pad, hat.gain(0.25), kick.gain(0.5))],

  // DRUMS ENTER
  [8, stack(drums, pulse, arp, pad)],
  [8, stack(drums, pulse, arp, arpHigh.gain(0.15), pad, strings.gain(0.1))],

  // PRE-DROP - tension
  [4, stack(hat, pulse.fast(2), arp, riser)],
  [4, stack(pulse.fast(2), arpFast, padMassive.lpf(1500), riser.gain(0.12))],

  // DROP 1 - the upside down opens
  [2, stack(hit, padMassive)],
  [6, stack(drumsFull, pulseBig, subPulse, arp, arpHigh, padMassive, lead)],
  [8, stack(drumsFull, pulseBig, subPulse, arp, arpHigh, padMassive, lead, strings)],

  // BREAKDOWN - into the void
  [4, stack(pulse.slow(2).lpf(300), pad.room(1), noise)],
  [4, stack(pulse.lpf(400), pad, arp.slow(2).lpf(600), leadHigh.slow(2).room(0.9))],

  // BUILD 2 - it's coming back
  [4, stack(kick.gain(0.6), pulse, arp, padMassive.lpf(800), riser)],
  [4, stack(kick, hat, pulse.fast(2), arpFast, padMassive.lpf(1500), riser.gain(0.15))],

  // DROP 2 - FULL POWER
  [2, stack(hit, padMassive.gain(0.5))],
  [6, stack(drumsMax, pulseBig, subPulse, arp, arpHigh, padMassive, lead, leadHigh.gain(0.25))],
  [8, stack(drumsMax, pulseBig, subPulse, arp, arpHigh, arpFast.gain(0.2), padMassive, lead, strings)],

  // PEAK - maximum 80s
  [8, stack(drumsMax, pulseBig, subPulse, arp, arpHigh, arpFast, padMassive, lead, leadHigh, strings)],

  // OUTRO - the gate closes
  [4, stack(drums, pulse, arp, pad, strings)],
  [4, stack(kick, pulse.lpf(400), pad, leadHigh.slow(2))],
  [4, stack(pulse.slow(2).lpf(200), padDark, noise)],
  [4, stack(padDark.room(1), noise)],
)._pianoroll({ cycles: 16 })

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Learn From These, Don't Copy

What to take from the examples:

• Structure: How to organize elements into variables
• Layering: How stack() builds complexity
• Pacing: How cycle counts create tension and release
• Movement: How filter/gain automation keeps it alive
• Contrast: How breakdowns make drops hit harder

What to change every time:

• Chord progressions - find your own harmony
• Rhythms - your own groove
• Instruments - mix unexpected sounds
• BPM - match the vibe you want
• Arrangement - your own journey

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Key Techniques

• Layered drum kits: Build garage, fullKit, maxKit variables for easy stacking
• Filter automation: .lpf(sine.range(800, 4000).slow(8)) for movement
• Gradual reveals: Open filters, add gain, introduce elements over phases
• Breakdowns: Strip to atmosphere, build tension with risers
• Stutter effects: .clip(0.1), .fast(2) on vocals for builds
• Room for emotion: .room(0.8+) on pads and vocals during breakdowns
• Key changes: .trans(3) to shift everything up a minor third