What is Strudel?

What is Strudel?

Strudel is a way to make music with code, right in your web browser.

It is an official port of the [Tidal Cycles](https://tidalcycles.org/) pattern language to JavaScript. You do not need to know JavaScript or Tidal Cycles to make music with Strudel.

The big idea

You describe rhythms, notes, and effects with tiny snippets of code. Strudel turns those snippets into actual sound, playing them in a loop while you type. Change the code, and the music changes instantly. This is called live coding.

What can you do with Strudel?

• Live code music - make music with code in real time
• Algorithmic composition - compose music using Tidal's unique approach to pattern manipulation
• Teach - low barrier of entry, great for learning music and code together
• Connect to your gear - use Strudel as a flexible sequencer via MIDI or OSC

Where do you run it?

The best place to make music with Strudel is the [Strudel REPL](https://strudel.cc/). In this course, every code block is interactive: click into it, press Ctrl+Enter to play, and Ctrl+. to stop.

A tiny taste

That one line plays a simple drum pattern - bass drum, hi-hat, snare, hi-hat - forever, until you stop it.

TL;DR

• Strudel = music + code in the browser.
• It's a JavaScript port of Tidal Cycles.
• Patterns are small code snippets that loop.
• You don't need to know JavaScript to start.
• Code runs live: edit, play, edit again.