Scene Nodes
Overview
Section titled “Overview”The scene is made of nodes connected by edges. Each node represents a musical event that plays when the scene engine reaches it.
Tool Palette
Section titled “Tool Palette”The tool palette at the top of the Scene view lets you add nodes to the canvas. Select a tool, then click the canvas to place it.
| Tool | Category | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transpose | Modifier | Shift pitch up/down | |
| Repeat | Modifier | Loop pattern N times | |
| Tempo | Modifier | Change BPM for this node | |
| FX | Modifier | Toggle effects per-node | |
| Sweep | Sweep | Paint automation curves | |
| Turing Machine | Generator | Pseudo-random sequences | |
| Quantizer | Generator | Snap notes to scale | |
| Tonnetz | Generator | Harmonic chord progressions | |
| Label | Visual | Text annotation | |
| Stamp | Visual | Decorative shape |
Node Shapes
Section titled “Node Shapes”Each node category has a distinct visual form in the canvas:
Node Types
Section titled “Node Types”Pattern Node
Section titled “Pattern Node”The most common node type. References one of your patterns from the Matrix. When playback reaches a pattern node, it plays that pattern from start to finish, then follows an outgoing edge.
Adding pattern nodes:
- Select a node type from the tool palette (circular buttons) and click the canvas
- Drag a pattern from the Matrix into the scene
Properties:
- Pattern reference — which pattern to play (tap to change)
- Position — drag to reposition in the canvas
- Root marker — the starting point for scene playback (one per scene)
Generator
Section titled “Generator”Creates musical material algorithmically in real-time. Add from the tool palette (circular buttons with colored accent rings) at the top of the scene, or double-click (long-press on mobile) empty space to open the bubble menu. Connecting a generator to a pattern auto-generates results immediately.
| Engine | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Turing Machine | Shift register with probability — generates pseudo-random sequences that evolve over time |
| Quantizer | Takes incoming note data and snaps to a scale — useful after a Turing Machine |
| Tonnetz | Navigates the tone network (a mathematical map of harmonic relationships) to generate chord progressions |
Generators have their own parameters editable in the Dock panel. They don’t reference a pattern — they create one on the fly.
See Generators for merge modes, seed, presets, and chaining details.
Sweep nodes paint parameter automation curves across a pattern’s playback. They use a faceplate display (like generators) and connect to patterns via edges. Double-tap to open the paint canvas.
See Sweep for drawing modes, shape presets, and parameter details.
Probability
Section titled “Probability”Probability nodes are fork nodes that let you control edge selection weights instead of equal random probability. Place a probability node between patterns to create weighted branching — each outgoing edge can have its own weight.
Stamps
Section titled “Stamps”Visual decorations placed on the canvas — geometric shapes chosen from a stamp library. Stamps have no effect on playback; they are purely for visual organization and aesthetics. Add from the toolbar stamp picker.
Labels
Section titled “Labels”Text annotations in the scene canvas. Use them to organize your graph: “Intro”, “Build”, “Drop”, etc. Labels have no effect on playback — they’re purely visual.
Add a label from the toolbar or the bubble menu (double-click empty space).
Edges are directed connections between nodes. They define the playback path.
| Property | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Direction | From → To (one-way) |
| Order | Display sequence at forks (reorder with Arrow Up/Down when selected) |
Fork Selection
Section titled “Fork Selection”When a node has multiple outgoing edges, the scene engine picks one randomly with equal probability. The order property controls visual display order but does not affect selection probability.
Terminal Nodes
Section titled “Terminal Nodes”A node with no outgoing edges is a terminal. Scene playback stops when it reaches a terminal. This is useful for creating definitive endings or one-shot arrangements.
The Root Node
Section titled “The Root Node”Every scene has one root node (marked with a dot). This is where scene playback begins. To change the root, select a pattern node and click ★ Root in the Dock panel.
Interaction
Section titled “Interaction”| Action | Result |
|---|---|
| Click node | Select it → shows details in Dock |
| Drag node | Reposition |
| Click edge | Select edge (Arrow Up/Down to reorder) |
| Drag node handle (right side) | Start edge-draw (drag to target) |
| Eraser tool (toolbar) | Toggle delete mode — click nodes to remove (Escape to exit) | | Double-click empty space | Open bubble menu (add generator or label) | | Delete key | Remove selected node or edge | | Scroll / pinch | Zoom | | Middle-drag / two-finger | Pan canvas |
Related
Section titled “Related”- Generators — Turing Machine, Quantizer, Tonnetz in detail
- Modifiers — per-node playback modifiers
- Sweep — parameter automation curves
- Playback — how the engine traverses the graph
- Build a Scene — tutorial walkthrough