Generative Sequencer

Orbiter includes a built-in generative sequencer that creates evolving ambient music across all three instruments. Rather than looping a fixed pattern, it uses probability and seeded randomness to produce sequences that feel organic and never quite repeat.

Controls

  • Play / Pause — start or stop the sequence
  • Reseed (dice button) — generate a completely new sequence while keeping your current settings
  • BPM — adjust the tempo with up/down buttons or direct selection

Per-Instrument Probability

Each instrument has its own note probability slider:

  • Handpan probability — how likely the handpan is to play on each beat
  • Bowl probability — how likely the singing bowls are to play
  • Gong probability — how likely the gong is to play

Set any instrument's probability to zero to exclude it from the sequence entirely.

Burst Rate

The burst rate controls rhythmic density — how often notes cluster together into short phrases rather than appearing one at a time. Higher burst rates create more melodic, rhythmically varied sequences.

Input Quantize

When playing along with the sequencer via MIDI input, the Quantize setting in the SEQ tab snaps incoming notes to the nearest beat grid. Available grid sizes:

  • Off — notes play immediately with no quantization
  • 1/4 — snap to quarter-note boundaries
  • 1/8 — snap to eighth-note boundaries
  • 1/16 — snap to sixteenth-note boundaries
  • 1/32 — snap to thirty-second-note boundaries

This is useful for keeping played notes rhythmically aligned with the generative sequence.

Deterministic Seeding

Every sequence is generated from a numeric seed combined with wall-clock time. This means:

  • The same seed with the same settings always produces the same sequence
  • You can share a URL and the recipient hears exactly what you hear
  • Long-pressing a scene preset regenerates the sequence with a new seed

Automatic Modulation

When the sequencer is running with a scene preset active, instrument parameters are automatically modulated over time — brightness drifts, reverb swells, and decay lengths shift slowly, so the sound evolves without manual adjustment.