ByteLabs Docs
A compact guide to what ByteLabs is, how it fits into algorithmic audio, and how bytebeat-style formulas become sound.
Audio Lab
ByteLabs is for experimenting with algorithmic music, bytebeats, floatbeats, and compact sound formulas.
Formula Driven
Instead of placing notes on a timeline, you write expressions that generate sample values over time.
Developer Friendly
The current rewrite is Rust-focused, with source access and Nix support available while builds mature.
Current install path
ByteLabs is still in active development. The most useful path right now is Nix or source access while packaged Linux, macOS, and Windows builds are prepared.
nix run gitlab:bytelab-studio/ByteLab/reimplHow the sound is made
A bytebeat formula usually uses a steadily increasing counter, commonly named t. Each formula result becomes an audio sample, so bit shifts, multiplication, masks, and mixes turn into rhythm, pitch, grit, and texture.
Time moves forward as a stream of numbers.
t * ((t >> 5) | (t >> 8))The resulting values are heard as generated audio.
What to write first
Start with small formulas, then change one operator or shift amount at a time. Bytebeat changes can be dramatic, so tiny edits are easier to understand.
What is still changing
The app is being rewritten, so command names, packaged builds, and some workflow details may change as the first release settles.