Bytebeat

An 8-bit bytebeat generator: a stream of raw bytes computed from a single integer formula, sent straight out as sound. Pick one of nine equations and it churns out complex, often surprising glitch tones, melodic fragments, and shifting rhythms from almost nothing.

How it works

Bytebeat runs a free-running time counter through a short integer-and-bitwise equation, truncates the result to 8 bits, and sends that byte out as audio. Because the math overflows and wraps, tiny formulas unfold into long, evolving patterns that never quite repeat the way you'd expect. The clock divider sets how fast the counter advances — effectively the speed and pitch — while three parameters feed constants into the equation to reshape it.

Controls

  • Equation — choose one of nine algorithms: Exploratorium, Toner, Widerange, Landing Gear, Rampcode, Unnamed, Silent Treatment, BitWiz Transplant, Decoherence. Each is a different formula with its own character, from droning tones to chaotic rhythmic noise.
  • P1, P2, P3 — three constants fed into the equation; nudging them re-routes the math, sometimes subtly, sometimes into a completely different texture. Only the lower half of each knob's travel changes the sound — the value is clamped internally.
  • Clk Div — the clock divider. Lower values advance time faster (brighter, higher); higher values slow it to a crawl.
  • Byte-scope — the display traces the equation as it plays. Drag to scrub along the timeline; double-click to snap back to live playback.

Inputs & outputs

  • EQ — CV to sweep between equations; even a slow voltage here jumps you across radically different algorithms.
  • P1, P2, P3 — CV modulation for the three parameters; patch LFOs or envelopes to keep the texture moving.
  • Rate — CV over the clock divider, for pitch sweeps and glitch dives.
  • Out — the audio output.

Tips

  • Patch a slow LFO into Rate for sirens and tape-stop-style pitch drops.
  • Each equation hides a few sweet spots in the P1–P3 knobs — a small move can flip a drone into a beat, so explore gently.
  • Sweeping EQ with stepped CV from a sequencer hard-cuts between algorithms — great for sudden scene changes.