Beats in the Browser - Coding Music with JavaScript
summary
The browser generates playable music using the Web Audio API and loaded WAV samples, with a live 16-step drum sequencer that uses Tone.js for precise scheduling (Tone.Transport.scheduleRepeat) and per-track mute, pan and pitch. MIDI input maps note numbers (e.g. 54–117) to pads so a cheap controller can trigger samples; Web MIDI lacks Safari support. A Polar Bluetooth heart-rate monitor sets BPM in real time (Web Bluetooth), turning heartbeat into tempo — the TR-909 comparison notes originals now fetch roughly €8,000.
AI-written summary · about
chapters (13)
- 0:00Introduction and history
- 3:34Web Audio API basics
- 6:32Playing drum samples
- 9:00Using Tone.js library
- 10:27MIDI device integration
- 13:58Live MIDI demo
- 14:18Building a drum sequencer
- 17:34Live sequencer demo
- 21:15Recording and playback
- 21:37Web Bluetooth API
- 23:25Heart rate BPM control
- 24:08Faithless song demo
- 25:57Conclusion and resources
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