✨ Core Functionality

The tool is designed as a sequence generator. While it includes a basic internal synth for monitoring and previewing patterns, its primary purpose is to generate MIDI data. The actual sound design and final music production are intended to take place within a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) or with external hardware via the MIDI export function.

The tool uses a Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG) to create sequences based on musical constraints. Users can either generate random patterns or use fixed seeds to recreate specific results.

 ✨ Composition Modes

Classic: A “Random Walk” within the selected scale, creating fluid and grounded melodies.
Klaus Schulze: Focuses on sparse, long-held notes and drones for a meditative atmosphere.
Offbeat Anchor: Locks specific steps (usually offbeats) to a fixed pedal point while the rest of the melody varies.
Arpeggiator: Cycles through chord tones; these can be mutated over time to evolve the rhythmic pattern.
Motivic: Generates a 4-note “DNA motif” and applies classical transformations (Inversion, Retrograde).

 ✨ Harmonic Palette (Scales)

The mood of the sequence is determined by the selected scale:
Dorian: Sophisticated, slightly melancholic but open.
Phrygian: Dark, tense, and exotic; typical for “dark cosmic” sounds.
Aeolian (Natural Minor): Classic sad or dramatic tone.
Mixolydian: Brighter, more dominant and open.
Minor/Major Pentatonic: Simplified scales that always sound harmonious and fluid.
Plus four dystopic modes. Locrian, Whole Tone, Half-Whole Diminished, Chromatic.

 ✨ Evolutionary Export (🧬)

Beyond standard MIDI loops, the sequencer features an evolutionary chain generator that creates long-form compositions by mutating a sequence across multiple blocks:

• Iterations: Number of mutation blocks (1–64).
• Mutation: How many notes change per block — controls speed of divergence from the original.
• Drift: Probability of a sudden octave jump between blocks.
• Oct Drift: Gradual octave drift that accumulates across blocks, distinct from the sudden jumps of Drift.
• Grip: How strongly the evolution is pulled back toward the original theme.
• Chaos: Same chromatic contamination as the main sequencer, applied independently to the evolution chain.
• Evolution Curve: Shapes mutation intensity over time — Linear, Ramp Up, Arch, Valley, Ease In/Out.
• Mutation Style: Palette Walk (adjacent steps), Palette Random (any tone), or Mix.
• Root Mode: Controls whether and how the tonal centre shifts across blocks. Includes static, free/random, interval-based (Thirds, 4ths/5ths, Cycle of Fifths), Berliner Schule/Ambient (Modal, Circulating Fifths, Slow Oscillation), and Pop/Rock/Standards presets (50s, Andalusian, Jazz Standard, Pachelbel, etc.).
• Evo Seed Mode: Fixed (reproducible) or Random (fresh chain on each refresh).

A live preview canvas shows the full evolutionary arc before export.

📥 Installation & Usage

No installation is required. It is a browser tool. Simply download or open `berliner-schule-sequencer.html` in any modern web browser.

🚀 Operation Guide

Parameter Behavior

Live Parameters (Green Labels): These affect the playback engine in real-time (e.g., BPM, Swing). Changes are audible immediately.
Generative Parameters (Amber Labels): These define the blueprint of the sequence. Changing these values triggers an automatic regeneration of the pattern upon releasing the slider or changing the selection. The “↻ Generate” button can also be used to manually trigger a new seed.

Key Settings

Timing & Rhythm: Adjust BPM, Swing, and Steps per Beat (resolution).
Phrase & Notes:
– `Scale & Root`: Defines the harmonic palette.
– `Steps`: Length of one musical idea before it repeats.
– `Density`: Probability of a note occurring on any given step.
– `Interval`: Limits the “jump” between consecutive notes to control melodic smoothness.
Variation: Controls how much each repeat of a phrase differs from the original, preventing robotic repetition.

Visual Legend

Blue cell: Standard generated note.
Pink cell: Anchor note (fixed pitch).
Dark/empty cell: A rest.
Semi-transparent blue: A tie (held note).
Blue height bar: Relative pitch indicator.