Skip to content
Nimbus

Getting Started

Open the editor

Navigate to the Nimbus URL in your browser and press ▶ to start the audio engine. The editor loads with an example song ready to play.

Editor shortcuts

ShortcutAction
Cmd/Ctrl+EnterApply on next cycle
Cmd/Ctrl+.Stop
Esc (vim mode)Normal mode

Live mode

When the Live toggle is enabled, every keystroke is applied immediately — no need to press Cmd/Ctrl+Enter. Useful for fine-tuning values in real time.

Presets

The dropdown in the header loads example songs. Selecting a preset replaces the current code with the example and begins playing from cycle 0.

Share URL

The current code is encoded in the URL fragment (#...). Copy the browser URL to share your song — anyone who opens it sees and hears exactly what you wrote.

Song structure

Every Nimbus song is a JavaScript generator function named song:

function* song(ctx) {
  const key = scales(4, 'C4:major')
  const synth = vasynth({ wave: 'sawtooth', gain: 0.5 })
  yield cast(synth, key, seq(4, '0,2,4,~'), ctx)
}
  • scales() defines the pitch source.
  • vasynth() (or any machine) creates the instrument.
  • seq() defines the rhythmic/melodic sequence.
  • cast() combines them into a pattern and yield sends it to the engine.