Maker Music Festival: Tweakable

Tweakable is an alternative and fun way to make music in your browser.

Inspired by the idea of using code to create music, Tweakable provides an environment for interactive musical composition that does not require users to write any code.

You can build an interactive musical system by creating components that generate sequences (lists of numbers), and connecting them to other components that modify the initial sequences in real time.

Sequences are then transformed into events which can also be mapped and filtered, before being sent to MIDI output to control an external instrument or device, or make sound with the built-in synths.

What inspired you to do this?

I've always been excited about cross-overs of domains - in this case music and maths and code.

How long did it take to make it?

I've been working on it for over 5 years in gradually developing iterations

How long have you been doing things like this?

Over twenty years

How much did this cost to do?

Mainly the cost of my own time.

Have you done other things like this?

There were a few forerunners in terms of 'creative coding'.

What did you wish you knew before you started this?

How difficult it is to communicate ideas around making music with code, and how it's important to keep an eye on the scope of the project.

Are there plans available to make this? Do you sell this?

It's currently free to use at tweakable.org

I'm a painter/programmer/musician. I studied Fine Art painting at Glasgow School of Art before embarking on a career on software, which I've now been doing for over 20 years, whilst continuing to develop my painting practice. I've also been involved in many music projects over the years, including writing and performing pub sing-along songs, and organising a marching band.

How I can help you:
Tweakable can help people learn coding concepts through music, and music through coding concepts

How you can help me:
Try it out and give me some feedback