Generative music lab

See the
sound.

Six visual instruments where motion writes the melody. Press play, turn on sound, and download the result as an MP4.

Physics · rhythm · harmony
Six instruments

Pick a motion.
Make a song.

Simulator guide

How Generative Music Lab
actually works.

The Music Lab is a collection of visual instruments in which pendulums, ripples, orbits, gravity, spirals, and polyrhythms schedule synthesized notes. Motion is both the interface and the score.

Written by WeSimSims · Last meaningfully updated August 30, 2026

How to use it

  1. 1Choose an instrument by the kind of motion you want to explore.
  2. 2Enable sound, start playback, and identify the visual event that creates each note.
  3. 3Adjust timing when available or export the audiovisual result.

What the model demonstrates

Each instrument converts discrete simulation events—such as an endpoint, collision, orbit crossing, or ripple contact—into notes. A shared transport keeps visible motion and synthesized audio aligned.

Controls that matter

Instrument
Selects a distinct mapping between motion and musical events.
Playback and sound
Control the shared timeline and browser-generated audio.
Export
Records a supported canvas and audio stream into a downloadable video.

Experiments to try

  • Identify the event-to-note rule before reading the description.
  • Compare periodic pendulum motion with expanding ripple timing.
  • Listen for repetition, then watch which visible paths produce it.

How to read an outcome

Regular motion creates recognizable pulse, while overlapping cycles create denser patterns. The instrument stays coherent because notes remain attached to visible events.

Limitations and accessibility

Autoplay restrictions require user interaction before sound. Recording formats and audio timing vary by browser, and these instruments are intended for creative play rather than professional mastering.

Animations may include rapid motion, flashes, synthesized sound, and dense particle effects. Pause playback, mute sound, or reduce graphics quality whenever needed.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the music come from?

Notes are synthesized locally in the browser when simulation events occur.

Why is sound initially off?

Browsers generally require a user gesture before starting audio.