Values

The data that flows between the various Units in Shaden can be grouped into three categories:

1. Floating-Point: These represent audio signals and control signals. These values are usually constrained to be in the range [-1,1], but can sometimes be higher.
2. Integer: Used to represent various modes in Unit inputs or scalar values.
3. Binary: Low and high signals which are represented by the bi-polar values -1 and 1.

Units

These functions help by taking a human-readable value and converting it to the appropriate real (float64) value that the engine can use.

(hz x)

Returns a frequency. x can be one of the following:

• Numeric frequency: (hz 100)
• Scientific pitch notation string: (hz "A4")
• Pitch using music theory transpositions:

  (define C3 (theory/pitch "C3"))
  
  (hz C3)
  ; 130.81  
  
  (hz (theory/transpose C3 (theory/interval :minor 2)))
  ; 138.59Hz
  

(ms x)

Returns a duration in milliseconds.

(bpm x)

Returns a frequency for beats-per-minute.

(db x)

Returns a level represented in dB.

Example:

(db -6)
; 0.5011872336272722

Music Theory

(theory/pitch pitch-notation)

Returns a pitch using scientific notation. This is different from hz in that its used for transposition.

Example:

(theory/pitch "C#4")
(theory/pitch "Eb2")

(theory/interval interval step)

Returns an interval at a specific integer step. interval can be a string or keyword.

Example:

(theory/interval :perfect 5)
(theory/interval :minor 7)

(theory/transpose pitch interval)

Return a new pitch that's transposed by a specific interval.

Example:

(theory/transpose (theory/pitch "C3") 
                  (theory/interval :minor 2))
; C#3

(theory/scale root-pitch name octaves)

Return a list of pitches containing the scale starting at a root pitch. Does not include the octave.

Example:

(theory/scale (theory/pitch "C3") "major" 1)
; (C3, D3, E3, F3, G3, A3, B3)

Scales:

• aeolian
• chromatic
• dominant-bebop
• dorian
• double-harmonic
• harmonic-minor
• in-sen
• ionian
• locrian
• lydian
• major-bebop
• major-pentatonic
• major
• melodic-minor-bebop
• minor-pentatonic
• minor
• mixolydian
• phrygian
• whole-tone

(theory/chord root-pitch name)

Return a list of pitches containing the chord starting at a root pitch. Does not include the octave.

Example:

(theory/chord (theory/pitch "C3") "major")
; (C3, E3, G3)

Chords:

• augmented-major-seventh
• augmented-seventh
• augmented-sixth
• augmented
• diminished-major-seventh
• diminished-seventh
• diminished
• dominant-seventh
• half-diminished-seventh
• major-seventh
• major-sixth
• major
• minor-seventh
• minor-sixth
• minor

Constants

General Modes

Symbol	Value
mode/on	1
mode/off	0
mode/high	1
mode/low	-1

Note Qualities

Symbol	Value
quality/perfect	0
quality/minor	1
quality/major	2
quality/diminished	3
quality/augmented	4

Stages Sequencer Modes

Movement

Symbol	Value
mode/forward	0
mode/reverse	1
mode/pingpong	2
mode/random	3

Gate

Symbol	Value
mode/rest	0
mode/first	1
mode/all	2
mode/last	3
mode/hold	4

Gate Modes

Symbol	Value
mode/lp	0
mode/both	1
mode/amp	2