LiveCode

The LiveCode node is a text-based pattern generator inspired by TidalCycles and Strudel. Type patterns using a mini-notation syntax and hear them play back in real-time.

MINI-NOTATION BASICS

• Space-separated elements divide one cycle evenly:
• c e g -- 3 notes, each 1/3 of a cycle

• Square brackets subdivide a slot:
• c [e g] -- c gets half, e and g share the other half

• Tilde for rest:
• c ~ e ~ -- notes with rests between them

• Asterisk for repeat:
• c*4 -- c repeated 4 times

• Forward slash for stretch:
• c/2 -- c stretched over 2 cycles

OPERATORS

• <a b c> — Alternation: pick one element per cycle
• [a,b,c] — Stack: play simultaneously (chords)
• a(3,8) — Euclidean: 3 hits distributed over 8 steps
• a?0.5 — Probability: 50% chance of playing
• a|b|c — Random Choice: pick one randomly
• a:0.3 — Velocity: set velocity to 0.3 (0-1)
• a@2 — Elongation: 2 weighted time slots

PATTERN TRANSFORMATIONS

• rev — Reverse the pattern
• fast 2 — Double the speed
• slow 2 — Half the speed
• off 0.5 — Offset by half a cycle (creates echo/canon)
• degrade 0.3 - Randomly drop 30% of events
• every 4 rev - Apply reverse every 4th cycle

CONTINUOUS FUNCTIONS

• sine, saw, square, tri, rand, perlin

• These generate continuous value streams useful for modulating velocity or other parameters.

SLICER MODE

Toggle between Notes mode (MIDI pitches) and Slices mode (slice indices for triggering a connected Slicer node).

MULTI-STATE

LiveCode supports up to 8 states with the State Selector. Each state stores a different pattern text. Use a Sequencer to automate state switching.

PARAMETERS

• Cycle Length - Duration of one cycle in beats (0.25-16)
• Transpose — Pitch offset in semitones (-24 to +24)
• Velocity — Velocity scale (0.0-1.0)
• Swing — Swing amount (0.0-1.0)

SNIPPET LIBRARY

Click the book icon to access 80+ categorized pattern examples that you can insert into your code.