This paper introduces Strudel, which faithfully ports the TidalCycles approach to live coding algorithmic patterns to native JavaScript and the web. We begin by giving a little background of the first year of development, before sharing some detail about its implementation and examples of use. We go on to outline the wide range of synthesis and other outputs available in Strudel, including WebAudio, MIDI, OSC (for SuperDirt), WebSerial and CSound, and introduce Strudel’s REPL live editor, including its built-in visualisations. We then compare Strudel with Tidal, the trade-offs involved between JavaScript and Haskell, and the unique capabilities offered by Strudel for aligning patterns, before concluding with some thoughts about the future.

Alex McLean's work on this project is supported by a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship [grant number MR/V025260/1].