Tidal Cycles

Tidal Cycles (or 'Tidal' for short) is a free/open source live coding environment for algorithmic patterns, written in Haskell. Tidal is using SuperCollider, another open-source software, for synthesis and MIDI. Tidal has inspired a open source family of similar environments adopting its model of patterns of time known as Uzulangs, including the web-based Strudel environment.

Tidal Cycles allows you to make patterns with code. It includes language for describing flexible (e.g. polyphonic, polyrhythmic, generative) sequences of sounds, notes, parameters, and all kind of information.

Tidal is used by a diverse and vibrant community of musicians for composition, improvisation and exploration of algorithmic music. Make music with live coding at algoraves or use it to explore composing in the studio. It includes a simple and flexible notation for rhythmic sequences, and an extensive library of patterning functions for combining and transforming them. This allows you to quickly create complex patterns from simple ingredients.

By default, sound is made with the featureful SuperDirt synth/sampler, but you can control other synths using Open Sound Control (OSC) or MIDI. Whether you're using SuperDirt or a synth, every filter and effect can be manipulated independently with Tidal patterns. Tidal is embedded in the Haskell language, although you don't have to learn Haskell to learn Tidal.

You can learn Tidal through experimentation and play - most Tidal coders have little or no experience in software engineering.