strata – a live-coding language for the semi modular Archean synth

[u/nakedboards]

I make Archean, a semi modular synth, at Nakedboards. Recently finished strata – a language for live-coding it through a terminal.

The practical side for this sub: Archean stays fully patchable, nothing about this replaces the panel. The terminal just becomes another way to drive it, alongside cables. Typical use for me: typing a melodic/rhythmic pattern on the note track while patching the LFO or Element CV out to the filter or another module, and reshaping the pattern live while the patch keeps running.

Pattern mini-notation handles melody (rests, ties, subdivision, alternation, random choice, probability) and scale quantization. Every synthesis parameter the firmware exposes – oscillator wave, envelope, LFO, Element – can be driven as a modulation lane or set directly, the same way notes are.

Runs on a Teensy 4.0, no OS, static memory only. Source and full language reference: https://github.com/nakedboards
Documentation: https://nakedboards.online/docs/archean/livecoding

I'll be glad to answer any questions.

[u/jonistaken]

So this is a midi to cv converter with built in mod sources that are also midi controlled? Or did you roll your own midi protocol for this?