AudioLab GUI Guide

How the editor canvas, cables, transport, mix console, and scene-state tools fit together for music and sound-design sessions. For per-module detail, see AudioLab Components (SITE-scoped ?c= pages).

Overview

AudioLab is a modular browser studio. Each box on the canvas is a component — a synth, drum voice, sequencer, effect, mixer, or CV utility. You connect them with cables that carry one of three signal kinds:

  • MIDI — note numbers, velocity, and timing events (triggers and pitch).
  • Audio — stereo or mono sound reaching the master bus.
  • CV — normalized control values (0–1) that modulate knobs and sliders on other modules.

Press Play on the transport to clock sequencers and tempo-synced effects. Adjust levels in the on-screen mix console before export. Save and load scenes from the transport bar so layout, cables, and control values persist.

MIDI, Audio, and CV Flow

A typical production patch flows in three layers:

  • Generation (MIDI) — Step sequencers, arpeggiators, keyboards, and random sources emit MIDI. MIDI processors ({{probal-1}}, {{midi-midx}}, {{pitch-quantize}}, delays) sit in series between source and instrument.
  • Sound (Audio) — Synths and samplers convert MIDI to audio. Insert FX (filter, delay, reverb, compressor) shape tone on the channel. Mixers such as {{mix8-s2}} sum multiple sources to stereo out.
  • Modulation (CV) — LFOs, external MIDI CC (via {{external-midi-1}}), and CV utilities drive parameters without replacing audio or note data. Pink dots on controls accept CV cables.

Visualizer and WireLab tiles consume MIDI for visuals; they do not replace your audio path — duplicate MIDI to both audible synths and visual sinks when needed.

Patching Modules

AudioLab uses a patching metaphor like a hardware modular rack:

  • Drag from an output port (right side of a module) to an input port (left). Port labels show kind: MIDI, AUDIO, or CV.
  • Only compatible kinds connect — you cannot cable audio into a MIDI input.
  • One output may fan out to several inputs (e.g. one sequencer driving bass and pad).
  • Order in the graph matters for FX inserts: filter before delay is a common starting point.
  • The transport palette lists SITE-configured components by category; pick an entry to place it on the canvas.

Use Save / Load / New on the transport for the scene library. Reloading a scene restores cables, control values, and module layout. Tidy, Tiny Tidy, and Minify rearrange or compress module footprints without changing the patch graph.

CV Modulation

  • CV carries floating values, not audio waveforms. Destinations scale CV to their control range (e.g. filter cutoff 0–100).
  • {{cv-lfo}} provides tempo-synced or free-running modulation. {{external-midi-1}} turns hardware knobs into CV sources.
  • {{multiply-cv}} and {{read-cv}} scale or monitor signals in longer chains.
  • Pink dots mark CV-enabled controls; cable into a pink target to modulate that parameter.

Group Faders

{{group-fader}} is a CV group bus: one Main fader drives many outbound lanes so related parameters move together.

  • Drag from Main's right CV out onto a control's CV in to spawn a lane for that destination.
  • Each lane has its own factor (scale) and offset (−100%…+100% of the target span); disconnect removes the lane.
  • Rename the centered module title (defaults to Group - N) and per-lane labels for clarity.
  • Use offset to bias related parameters (e.g. filter vs resonance) from one master gesture.

Group faders modulate control values; they do not mix audio. For channel level/pan/mute/solo, use the mix console.

State Management

{{state-manager}} is a singleton snapshot utility for the scene. It captures and recalls playback configuration (component control values and mixer pan/level/mute/solo), not audio buffers.

  • Save a snapshot before trying alternate mix balances or arrangement setups; recall or morph to restore.
  • Morph Time and Multiplier set how long a morph takes (fractional bars relative to transport BPM).
  • Run the playlist to step through snapshots with per-entry morph and hold timing (optional cycle).
  • One instance per scene — adding another is blocked while one already exists.
  • Performance Capture and WireLab hot-areas can drive morphs toward named snapshots; Create Embedded Performance can spawn a {{performance-player}} from the current snapshot list when available.

Snapshots store control and mixer settings for scene components. They do not store cable topology or module layout — those live in the saved scene JSON.

Transport and Mixing

  • BPM sets global tempo; sequencers and sync'd LFOs follow transport.
  • Play / Stop starts and stops the clock. Many sequencers only advance while playing.
  • Use the on-screen mix console for per-channel level, pan, solo and mute.
  • When a sole integrated mixer is present, the chrome Patch / Mix toggle switches the transport bench between the module palette and the channel strips.
  • Master root key and root scale on the chrome set global pitch context for modules that follow them.
  • Mono fold (when available) sums stereo paths for checking club translation.

Export Options

When the arrangement is ready, AudioLab offers several ways to print or share your work (availability may depend on your site plan):

  • Export WAV — Offline render of the full scene through the Web Audio graph. Chooses bar count from export settings; optional pre-roll before the first bar. 48 kHz bounce suitable for mastering or video sync.
  • Export WEBM — Similar offline render encoded as WEBM audio for quick sharing or web playback.
  • OneFile HTML — Self-contained HTML with embedded scene and runtime for playback in a browser without the full editor. Configure visible export controls in the export UI before generating.
  • Performance Capture / Live Capture — Live recording of transport-driven playback with state morphs; streams to your audio library for later replay via {{performance-player}}.
  • WireLab OneFile / Export MP4 — From WireLab (opened from an AudioLab scene): mapped controls plus VFX frames export to standalone HTML or stepped MP4 video with optional audio render.

Offline WAV/WEBM renders the current patch graph — mute or bypass modules you do not want in the print. Check export bar length and pre-roll preferences before bouncing.

Component reference: AudioLab Components · WireLab stage: WireLab GUI Guide