MF#K: Interactive rhythm-machines with Fry and FRP

... or: How to construct instruments of your instruments

Talk by Claes Worm

Fry is a new library of functional reactive (FRP) combinators for constructing interactive/generative rhythm-machines in OCaml. It has proven itself to be useful for several different domains - e.g. as a basis for the upcoming polyrhythmic modular-synth module pmmd, and for animations in UI programming.

It was initiated as an experimental repository to be used by the interns of Outreachy. Its based on my experience with FRP for generative client applications controlling the granular visual synthesizer niseq. Another factor was that I've been inspired by Erica Synths rhytmic-machine, Perkons HD-01 - but with a price of 18k dkk, and FRP being extremely expressive for programming with time, it felt obvious to create a set of FRP combinators to concisely express your own rhythm-machines.

Though - a rhythm-machine is just a domain-specific instance of an event-generating system; where Fry, as a set of library combinators, is useful for controlling anything you like. An example could be to orchestrate a heterogenous set systems for generative art installations: lights, sensors, synthesizers, actuators etc.

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