Rowdy Rabouw

Beats in the Browser: Coding Music with JavaScript

Can your browser talk to MIDI controllers and heart rate monitors? Learn how to build a JavaScript drum machine that bridges the physical and digital worlds.

Beats in the Browser: Coding Music with JavaScript
#1about 7 minutes

The history and cultural impact of Roland drum machines

Roland's TR-808 and TR-909 drum machines were commercial failures that later became iconic in hip-hop and dance music.

#2about 3 minutes

Generating basic sounds in the browser with Web Audio API

The Web Audio API allows for sound generation in the browser using an AudioContext and an oscillator node to create simple waveforms.

#3about 3 minutes

Simplifying audio playback in the browser with Tone.js

Instead of complex synthesis, use WAV files and the Tone.js library to easily load and play audio samples with minimal code.

#4about 6 minutes

Connecting physical MIDI controllers using the Web MIDI API

The Web MIDI API enables browsers to receive messages from physical hardware like keyboards and drum pads to trigger in-browser events.

#5about 7 minutes

How to build a step sequencer in JavaScript

A step sequencer can be built using HTML checkboxes for the interface and the Tone.js scheduling feature to loop through and play selected notes.

#6about 4 minutes

Controlling music tempo with the Web Bluetooth API

The Web Bluetooth API can connect to low-energy devices like a heart rate monitor to dynamically control application parameters like music tempo.

#7about 3 minutes

A live karaoke demo and concluding thoughts

A fun demonstration combines the browser-based drum machine with karaoke, followed by a look back at early DJing experiences.

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Matching moments

Building music sequencers with the Web Audio API
16:40 MIN

Building music sequencers with the Web Audio API

New Browser APIs, End of React Create App, Smuggling Data in Emoji and more with Rowdy Rabouw

Combining a drum machine with karaoke for a live performance
02:28 MIN

Combining a drum machine with karaoke for a live performance

Beats in the Browser: Coding Music with JavaScript

Building a step sequencer using Tone.js for looping beats
07:09 MIN

Building a step sequencer using Tone.js for looping beats

Beats in the Browser: Coding Music with JavaScript

Triggering browser audio with the Web MIDI API
06:13 MIN

Triggering browser audio with the Web MIDI API

Beats in the Browser: Coding Music with JavaScript

Creating basic sounds with the Web Audio API
02:47 MIN

Creating basic sounds with the Web Audio API

Beats in the Browser: Coding Music with JavaScript

Creative web tech for music notation and modern CSS
14:22 MIN

Creative web tech for music notation and modern CSS

WeAreDevelopers LIVE - Dapr / Pixels and Generative Art / Open Source and Communities / and more

Using the Web Bluetooth API to control music tempo
04:16 MIN

Using the Web Bluetooth API to control music tempo

Beats in the Browser: Coding Music with JavaScript

Connecting hardware prototypes to the browser
01:47 MIN

Connecting hardware prototypes to the browser

Prototyping with Hardware and the Web

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