Bird Notation

Bird is a musical notation designed for composition of modern electronic music. Think of it as Markdown for music.

File Structure

A .bird file has these sections, in order:

Signature — set BPM, key, and scale
Global track definitions — declare tracks with their instruments, effects, and channel strips
Motif definitions (optional) — reusable MIDI pattern fragments
Arrangement — define the section order and bar counts
Section definitions — write the musical content for each section

# 1. Signature
sig
  bpm 128
  scale A aeolian

# 2. Global track definitions
tracks
  1 kick
    plugin kick
    strip console1

  2 bass
    plugin mini
    fx delay

  3 lead
    plugin jup8

# 3. Arrangement
arr
  intro 4
  verse 8
  chorus 8

# 4. Section definitions
sec intro
  trk 1 kick
    p x _ x _ x _ x _
    v 100 - 80 - 90 - 85 -
    n C1

sec verse
  trk 2 bass
    p q q q q
    v 90 70 80 60
    n C2 - Eb2 G2

[!NOTE] The older ch and channels keywords are still accepted by the parser for backward compatibility, but new files should use trk and tracks.

Motif Definitions

Motifs are reusable MIDI pattern fragments defined at the top level of a bird file. They appear between track definitions and the arrangement. A motif is a named PatternGroup — it supports the full pattern vocabulary (p/v/n/t/sw/MPE/voice layers).

motif bass_lick 2
  p q q q q
  v 100 80 90 70
  n Eb2 Gb2 Ab2 Bb2

motif fill 1
  p xx xx xx xx
  v 80 60 70 50
  n C3 D3 Eb3 F3

motif chord_stab 1
  p x _ x _x _ x _
  v 80 . 70 60 . 90 .
  n C4
  .
  v 60
  n +3
  .
  v 40
  n +7

The header is motif <name> <length_beats>. The body uses the same 2-space indent as sections and tracks. All pattern features work inside motifs: bracket subdivisions, euclidean rhythms, dotted/triplet durations, voice layers, MPE, swing, groove.

Motif Operations

When referencing a motif with @name(ops), operations are applied left to right, comma-separated:

Operation	Syntax	Description
`transpose`	`transpose 7`	Shift all pitches by N semitones
`octave`	`octave -1`	Transpose by whole octaves
`invert`	`invert 60`	Mirror pitches around pivot (default 60)
`rev` / `reverse`	`rev`	Reverse note order in time
`stretch`	`stretch 0.5`	Scale durations by factor
`rotate`	`rotate 2`	Cyclic pitch rotation
`constrain`	`constrain 0 2 4 5 7 9 11`	Snap to scale pitch classes
`harmonize`	`harmonize 3 7`	Add parallel voices at intervals
`shift_vel`	`shift_vel -20`	Shift all velocities
`scale_vel`	`scale_vel 0.8`	Multiply all velocities
`quantize`	`quantize 0.25`	Snap note starts to grid
`humanize`	`humanize 0.05`	Add timing/velocity jitter
`swing`	`swing 0.6 0.5`	Apply swing (amount, grid)
`legato`	`legato`	Extend notes to next note start
`staccato`	`staccato 0.5`	Shorten notes by factor
`phase`	`phase 0.5`	Time-rotate within length
`degrade`	`degrade 0.3`	Randomly remove 30% of notes
`thin`	`thin 2`	Keep every Nth note
`truncate`	`truncate 2`	Cut to first N beats
`repeat`	`repeat 2`	Repeat the pattern N times
`offset`	`offset 0.5`	Shift all notes forward

# Chained transforms
p @bass_lick(rev, transpose 7, stretch 0.5)

# Motif with multiple operations
p @fill(degrade 0.3, humanize 0.02)

Tokens Reference

Structure

Token	Purpose	Syntax	Example
`sig`	Start signature block	`sig` then indented entries	see above
`tracks`	Start tracks block	`tracks` then indented entries	see above
`trk`	Define a track (in sections)	`trk <number> <name>`	`trk 1 kick`
`plugin`	Assign instrument plugin	`plugin <keyword>`	`plugin mini`
`fx`	Assign insert effect	`fx <keyword>`	`fx delay`
`strip`	Assign channel strip	`strip <keyword>`	`strip console1`
`type`	Set track type	`type midi` or `type audio`	`type audio`
`arr`	Start arrangement block	`arr` then indented entries	see below
`sec`	Start section definition	`sec <name>`	`sec verse`
`b`	Set global bar count	`b <bars>`	`b 4`
`key`	Set key signature	`key <root> [mode]`	`key Eb min`
`cont`	Continue pattern phase across section boundary	`cont`	`cont`

Arrangement

The arr block lists sections with their bar lengths, indented:

arr
  intro 4
  verse 8
  chorus 8
  verse 8
  chorus 8
  outro 4

Key Signature

Sets the musical key for the project. Supports all 12 roots with sharps/flats, major and minor:

key C            # C major
key Eb min       # Eb minor
key F# minor     # F# minor
key Bb           # Bb major

Pattern (`p`)

Defines the rhythmic grid. Each token is one note slot. Positive = note-on, _ = rest.

Duration Tokens

Token	Duration	Ticks
`ww`	Double whole note	768
`w`	Whole note (1 bar in 4/4)	384
`qq`	Half note	192
`q`	Quarter note (1 beat)	96
`xx`	Eighth note	48
`x`	Sixteenth note	24
`s`	Thirty-second note	12
`ss`	Sixty-fourth note	6

Dotted (1.5× duration) — append . or d:

Token	Alias	Duration	Ticks
`w.`	`wd`	Dotted whole	576
`q.`	`qd`	Dotted quarter	144
`xx.`	`xxd`	Dotted eighth	72
`x.`	`xd`	Dotted sixteenth	36
`s.`	`sd`	Dotted thirty-second	18

Double dotted: q.. = 1.75 beats (qdd). Triplet (⅔× duration) — append , or t:

Token	Alias	Duration	Ticks
`w,`	`wt`	Whole triplet	256
`q,`	`qt`	Quarter triplet	64
`xx,`	`xxt`	Eighth triplet	32
`x,`	`xt`	Sixteenth triplet	16
`s,`	`st`	Thirty-second triplet	8

Rests

. or _ — rest of the same length as the previous duration
_w, _q, _x, _xx, _s, _ss etc. — explicit rest durations (same naming as above, prefixed with _)

Note: . as a standalone token (space-separated) means rest. . immediately after a duration letter (no space) means dotted: q. = dotted quarter (1.5 beats), q . = quarter then rest.

Duration Multiplier

Append a number to any duration token to multiply its length. Works for both note-ons and rests:

Token	Meaning	Ticks
`w4`	Whole note × 4 = 4 bars	1536
`q2`	Quarter note × 2 = half note	192
`_w8`	8 bars of rest	3072
`_q4`	4 beats of rest	384
`qd2`	Dotted quarter × 2	288

This is useful for held notes that span multiple bars, or for compactly expressing long rests:

p w4 _w8              # 4-bar held note, then 8 bars of silence
p q2 _q q _q q _q     # half note, then alternating quarter rests and quarter notes

Timing Rule

All p lines in a section must sum to the same total bar length. A 4/4 bar = 384 ticks = 4 quarters = 8 eighths = 16 sixteenths. Mismatched lengths cause desync.

Examples

p q q q q          # 4 quarter notes = 1 bar
p x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x   # 16 sixteenths = 1 bar
p qq . qq .        # half note, rest, half note, rest = 1 bar
p q . q q          # quarter, rest, quarter, quarter
p q. xx q q        # dotted quarter + eighth + two quarters = 1 bar
p q, q, q,         # three quarter-note triplets = 2 beats

Ties

Combine durations with ~ (tilde) to express held notes that span standard note values — just like ties in sheet music:

p w~q          # whole tied to quarter = 5 beats
p w~qq         # whole tied to half = 6 beats
p qq~q         # half tied to quarter = 3 beats
p w~w          # 2 bars tied
p w~q~xx       # whole + quarter + eighth = 5.5 beats
p _w~q         # 5-beat rest

Ties are more musical than multipliers for note-on durations. Both can coexist — ties for composition, multipliers for mechanical rests.

Tuplets (Bracket Subdivision)

Divide any duration into N equal parts using bracket notation. Inside brackets, - (or x) marks a hit, . (or _) marks a rest:

# 5 notes in a quarter note (quintuplet)
p q[- - . - -] q q q
  v [80 70 . 60 50] 100 80 80
  n C2 [D2 E2 . G2 A2] C2 C2

# 7 notes evenly spaced within 1 quarter note
p q q[- - - - - - -] q q
  v 100 [80 90 100 90 80 70 60] 100 80

# 5 notes in a half note (quintuplet)
p qq[- - - - -] qq
  v [100 90 80 70 60] 80

# Nested: quarter split into 3, middle part split into 4
p q[- [- - - -] -] q q q
  v [60 [50 40 30 20] 80] 100 80 80

# Rests inside brackets
p q[- - . - -] q q q     # hit, hit, rest, hit, hit
p q[- . - . -] q q q     # alternating hit/rest

Brackets on v, n, and t lines are visual grouping only — the parser strips them. They keep tuplet values visually aligned with the p line.

Euclidean Rhythms

Distribute K hits evenly across N slots using the Bjorklund algorithm. Syntax: duration(k,n) or duration(k,n,r) where r is an optional rotation offset:

p q(3,8)               # quarter note: 3 hits in 8 slots (Bjorklund)
p w(5,16)              # whole bar: 5 hits in 16 slots
p w(3,8,1)             # with rotation: shift pattern 1 position right
p q q(3,8) q q         # mix euclidean with regular durations

The duration token sets the total time span. Each slot gets duration / n beats. Hits and rests are distributed as evenly as possible by the Bjorklund algorithm.

Motif References

Reference a named motif as a pattern token. The motif occupies its length_beats on the timeline and brings its own notes, velocities, and timing:

# Simple stamp
p @verse_bass @verse_bass(transpose 5)

# Mixed with regular pattern
p q q @fill(rev) q
  v 100 80 90 70         # values cycle through non-motif slots only
  n Eb2 Gb2 Ab2 Bb2

# After rests
p w . @bass_lick w

# Chained transforms
p @bass(rev, transpose 7, stretch 0.5)

Optional ... on v/n lines for visual alignment (no-op, purely cosmetic):

p q @bass_lick q q
  v 80 ... 90 70
  n Eb2 ... Ab2 Bb2

Velocity (`v`)

Sets the MIDI velocity (0–127) for each note slot. Cycles through values when the pattern repeats.

Syntax	Meaning	Example
`80`	Absolute velocity	`v 80`
`.`	Default velocity (80)	`v . 100 . 100`
`-`	Repeat previous velocity	`v 100 - 60 -` → 100, 100, 60, 60
`+N` / `-N`	Relative offset from previous	`v 80 +10 -20`

Values are clamped to 0–127. The velocity list cycles independently of the pattern length. Omitting the v line entirely also yields velocity 80 — the same value . produces.

v 100 60 80 40      # cycling 4 velocities
v 90 -               # alternating: 90, 90, 90, ...
v 80 +10 +10 -30    # 80, 90, 100, 70, 80, 90, ...

Notes (`n`)

Specifies pitches for each pattern slot. Supports multiple formats that can be mixed.

Formats

Format	Example	Description
MIDI number	`n 60`	Middle C
Note name	`n C4`	Middle C (with octave)
Chord name	`n @Cm7`	C minor 7th chord (all notes play simultaneously)
Repeat	`n 60 -`	Repeat previous pitch
Relative offset	`n 60 +7 +5`	Add/subtract semitones from previous
Simultaneous notes	`n 60 64 67`	All on one line = chord (C major triad)

Note Names

Standard note names with optional accidentals and octave:

C4  D4  E4  F4  G4  A4  B4     # naturals
C#4 D#4 F#4 G#4 A#4            # sharps
Db4 Eb4 Gb4 Ab4 Bb4            # flats

Octave 4 starts at MIDI 60 (Middle C). Omitting octave defaults to 4.

Chord Names

Prefix with @. Optionally prefix octave before root letter.

Chord	Syntax	Notes
Major	`@C`, `@Cmaj`, `@CM`	C E G
Minor	`@Cm`, `@Cmin`, `@C-`	C Eb G
Dominant 7th	`@C7`, `@Cdom7`	C E G Bb
Major 7th	`@Cmaj7`, `@CM7`	C E G B
Minor 7th	`@Cm7`, `@Cmin7`, `@C-7`	C Eb G Bb
Diminished	`@Cdim`, `@Co`	C Eb Gb
Diminished 7th	`@Cdim7`, `@Co7`	C Eb Gb A
Half-diminished	`@Cm7b5`, `@Cø`	C Eb Gb Bb
Augmented	`@Caug`, `@C+`	C E G#
Augmented 7th	`@Caug7`, `@C+7`	C E G# Bb
Suspended 2nd	`@Csus2`	C D G
Suspended 4th	`@Csus4`, `@Csus`	C F G
Dominant 9th	`@C9`	C E G Bb D
Minor 9th	`@Cm9`, `@Cmin9`	C Eb G Bb D
Major 9th	`@Cmaj9`, `@CM9`	C E G B D
Power chord	`@C5`, `@Cpower`	C G

Octave prefix: @3Cm7 = C minor 7th starting at octave 3.

Simultaneous Notes (Chords)

Multiple plain notes on one n line play simultaneously as a chord:

n 41 48 53 56       # MIDI numbers = chord
n E2 C3 F3 Ab3      # note names = chord

Bracket Chords (Explicit Voicings)

Use [note note note] on an n line for per-step chord voicings. Each bracketed group counts as one note step that cycles with the pattern:

p q q q q
  n [C4 Eb4 G4] [F4 Ab4 C5] C4 [G4 B4 D5]
  # step 1: C minor triad
  # step 2: F minor (1st inv)
  # step 3: single C4
  # step 4: G major

# Mix bracket chords with named chords
p w w
  n @Cm7 [F4 Ab4 C5 Eb5]

Sequential Notes

When using -, +N, or @chords, each token is a separate step that cycles with the pattern:

n C4 - Eb4 G4       # step 1: C4, step 2: C4, step 3: Eb4, step 4: G4
n 60 +7 +5 -12      # step 1: 60, step 2: 67, step 3: 72, step 4: 60
n @Cm7 @Fm7 @G7     # step 1: Cm7 chord, step 2: Fm7, step 3: G7

Layering

Multiple velocity + note groups can share one pattern (multi-layer voicings):

p w _ w _
  v 70 90 100
    n @Cm7 @Fm7 @G7
  v 60
    n +7 +7 +8        # second layer at different velocity
  v 30
    n +12              # third layer (higher octave, soft)

Swing (`sw`)

Adds groove by shifting every other note later. Applied per channel per section.

sw <percent> [~<humanize>]

Value	Feel
`50`	Perfectly straight (default)
`55`	Light swing
`60`	Medium swing
`67`	Triplet swing (classic MPC feel)
`75`	Heavy swing

The optional ~N adds random ±N ticks of jitter to all notes for extra humanization.

sw 60           # medium swing
sw 67 ~5        # triplet swing + ±5 tick humanize
sw 50 ~3        # straight timing + slight random jitter

Per-Note Timing (`t`)

Fine-grained timing offsets per pattern slot. Values are in ticks (1 tick ≈ 1/96 of a beat). Cycles like velocity.

t <start[/end]> <start[/end]> ...

Start offset — shifts the note-on position:
- Positive = late (behind the beat / laid back)
- Negative = early (ahead of the beat / pushing)
- 0 = on grid
End offset (optional, after /) — adjusts the note-off (release) by N ticks:
- Positive = longer held note
- Negative = shorter (more staccato)
- Defaults to 0 if omitted

# Start offsets only (backward compatible)
t 0  +5 -3  0       # C4 on grid, Eb4 late, G4 early, Bb4 on grid

# Start and end offsets
t 0/0  +5/-3  -3/+10  0/0   # Eb4 starts late and releases early, G4 starts early and holds 10 ticks longer

One tick = 1/24 of a sixteenth note = 1/96 of a quarter note.

CC Curves (`cc`)

Define MIDI continuous controller curves. Supports both multi-line (preferred) and single-line (legacy) formats.

Multi-line format (preferred)

Uses the same position/value/shape sub-lines as auto blocks:

cc <number>
  .  <bar:tick> <bar:tick> ...     # positions
  _  <value> <value> ...           # CC values (0–127)
  ~  <shape> <shape> ...           # curve shapes

# Filter cutoff (CC 74): sweep up then step back down
cc 74
  .  0:0 2:0 4:0 6:0
  _  0 64 127 0
  ~  lin exp stp lin

Single-line format (legacy, still supported)

cc <number> <value> [shape duration] <value> ...

cc 1 0 ramp q2 127 hold q ramp q 0
cc 74 20 ramp w4 127

Pitch Bend (`pb`)

Same multi-line format as cc but without a controller number. Values range from -8191 to +8191.

pb
  .  0:0 2:0
  _  0 8192
  ~  lin

Legacy single-line: pb 0 ramp q2 8191 ramp q2 0

Aftertouch (`at`)

Channel aftertouch (key pressure). Same format as pb. Values 0–127.

at
  .  0:0 2:0 4:0
  _  0 90 0
  ~  lin lin

Legacy single-line: at 0 ramp q2 90 hold q ramp q 0

Automation (`auto`)

Define automation curves using breakpoints with positions, values, and interpolation shapes. Each block has a header line and up to three sub-lines:

auto <param_name>
  .  <bar:tick> <bar:tick> ...     # positions (beat grid)
  _  <value> <value> ...           # values (normalized 0.0–1.0)
  ~  <shape> <shape> ...           # curve shape per segment

Sub-Lines

Prefix	Purpose	Example
`.`	Positions — beat locations in `bar:tick` format (96 ticks per beat)	`. 0:0 4:0 8:0`
`_`	Values — parameter values at each position (0.0–1.0 normalized)	`_ 0.2 0.8 1.0`
`~`	Shapes — interpolation curve from this point to the next	`~ lin exp smt`

Shape Keywords

Shape	Interpolation
`lin`	Linear (straight line between points)
`exp`	Exponential (fast start, slow end)
`log`	Logarithmic (slow start, fast end)
`stp`	Step/hold (constant until next point)
`smt`	Smooth (cubic Hermite interpolation)

Examples

# Filter cutoff: sweep up over 4 bars with exponential curve
auto cutoff
  .  0:0 4:0 8:0 12:0
  _  0.2 0.8 0.3 1.0
  ~  lin exp stp smt

# Multiple automation blocks on one track
auto cutoff
  .  0:0 4:0
  _  0.2 0.8
  ~  lin exp
auto resonance
  .  0:0 8:0
  _  0.5 1.0
  ~  stp smt

Sub-lines are optional — you can provide just positions and values without shapes (defaults to linear), or just a header with no sub-lines.

Automation Macro Names

Semantic macro names are mapped to real plugin parameter names automatically:

Macro	Controls
`brightness` / `cutoff`	Filter cutoff frequency
`resonance`	Filter resonance
`attack`	Amp/filter attack time
`decay`	Amp/filter decay time
`release`	Amp/filter release time
`pitch`	Oscillator/sound pitch
`drive`	Distortion/harmonics amount
`mix`	Wet/dry mix
`width`	Stereo width

Plugin Keywords

Instruments

Keyword	Plugin	Type
`synths`	Pigments	General synth
`mini`	Mini V3	Analog mono synth
`cs80`	CS-80 V4	Poly synth
`prophet`	Prophet-5 V	Poly synth
`jup8`	Jup-8 V4	Poly synth
`dx7`	DX7 V	FM synth
`buchla`	Buchla Easel V	West coast
`surge`	Surge XT	Open source synth
`kick`	Kick 3	Kick drum synth
`drums`	Heartbeat	Drum machine
`bass`	Mini V3	Bass (uses Mini V)
`sublab`	SubLabXL	Sub bass
`monoment`	Monoment Bass	Bass synth

Effects

Keyword	Plugin
`delay`	Tube Delay
`valhalla`	ValhallaRoom
`widener`	Softube Widener
`soothe`	soothe2
`tube`	Dist TUBE-CULTURE

Channel Strips

Keyword	Plugin
`console1`	Console 1

Automation Macro Names

Semantic macro names are mapped to real plugin parameter names automatically. Use these in step or ramp automation.

Synth Macros

Macro	Controls
`brightness` / `cutoff`	Filter cutoff frequency
`resonance`	Filter resonance
`attack`	Amp/filter attack time
`decay`	Amp/filter decay time
`release`	Amp/filter release time

Drum/Bass Macros

Macro	Controls
`pitch`	Oscillator/sound pitch
`decay`	Sound decay time
`volume`	Output level
`drive`	Distortion/harmonics amount

Effect Macros

Macro	Controls
`mix`	Wet/dry mix
`decay`	Reverb decay / delay feedback
`width`	Stereo width

Channel Strip Macros (Console 1)

Macro	Controls
`input_gain`	Input gain
`comp_thresh`	Compressor threshold
`comp_ratio`	Compressor ratio
`eq_mid_gain`	EQ mid band gain
`low_cut`	High-pass filter

`cont` — Pattern Continuity

Use cont in a section to continue a channel’s pattern phase from the previous section (rather than restarting from beat 1):

sec verse
  trk 1 arp
    cont
    p x x x x x x x x
    v 80 60 70 50
    n C4 E4 G4 C5

Without cont, each section resets the pattern/note/velocity counters to 0. With cont, the counters pick up where the previous section left off, creating seamless transitions.

Track Types

Type	Description
`midi`	MIDI track (default) — plays notes through instrument plugin
`audio`	Audio track — plays audio samples or Lyria-generated audio

trk 4 pad
  type audio

Complete Example

sig
  bpm 120
  key Eb min

tracks
  1 kick
    plugin kick
    strip console1

  2 hihat
    plugin drums

  3 bass
    plugin mini
    fx delay

  4 chords
    plugin jup8
    strip console1

arr
  intro 4
  verse 8
  chorus 8

sec intro
  trk 1 kick
    p q _ q _
    v 100 - 80 -
    n C1

  trk 2 hihat
    sw 60
    p x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
    v 60 40 80 40 60 40 80 40 60 40 80 40 60 40 80 40
    n F#2

sec verse
  trk 1 kick
    p q _ q q
    v 110 - 90 100
    n C1

  trk 2 hihat
    sw 60 ~3
    p x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
    v 70 40 90 40 70 40 90 50 70 40 90 40 70 40 90 50
    n F#2
    t 0 +3 -2 0 +1 +4 -1 0 0 +2 -3 0 +1 +3 -2 0

  trk 3 bass
    p xx xx _ xx xx xx _ xx
    v 100 80 - 90 85 100 - 70
    n Eb2 - - Gb2 Ab2 Bb2 - Eb2
    brightness ramp 0.3 0.8

  trk 4 chords
    p w _ w _
    v 70
    n @Ebm7 - @Abm7 @Bb7

sec chorus
  trk 1 kick
    p q q q q
    v 120
    n C1

  trk 3 bass
    cont
    p xx xx xx xx xx xx _ xx
    v 110 90 100 80 110 90 - 70
    n Eb2 Gb2 Ab2 Bb2 Eb3 Bb2 - Gb2

  trk 4 chords
    p qq qq qq qq
    v 85 75 90 80
    n @Ebm7 @Abm7 @Bb7 @Gbmaj7

Tick Reference

All timing in Bird is based on a 384-tick bar (96 ticks per beat in 4/4):

Unit	Ticks
Whole note (bar)	384
Half note	192
Quarter note (beat)	96
Eighth note	48
Sixteenth note	24
One `t` tick	1

The sw and t timing features operate in this tick space.

​Bird Notation

​File Structure

​Motif Definitions

​Motif Operations

​Tokens Reference

​Structure

​Arrangement

​Key Signature

​Pattern (p)

​Duration Tokens

​Rests

​Duration Multiplier

​Timing Rule

​Examples

​Ties

​Tuplets (Bracket Subdivision)

​Euclidean Rhythms

​Motif References

​Velocity (v)

​Notes (n)

​Formats

​Note Names

​Chord Names

​Simultaneous Notes (Chords)

​Bracket Chords (Explicit Voicings)

​Sequential Notes

​Layering

​Swing (sw)

​Per-Note Timing (t)

​CC Curves (cc)

​Multi-line format (preferred)

​Single-line format (legacy, still supported)

​Pitch Bend (pb)

​Aftertouch (at)

​Automation (auto)

​Sub-Lines

​Shape Keywords

​Examples

​Automation Macro Names

​Plugin Keywords

​Instruments

​Effects

​Channel Strips

​Automation Macro Names

​Synth Macros

​Drum/Bass Macros

​Effect Macros

​Channel Strip Macros (Console 1)

​cont — Pattern Continuity

​Track Types

​Complete Example

​Tick Reference

Bird Notation

File Structure

Motif Definitions

Motif Operations

Tokens Reference

Structure

Arrangement

Key Signature

Pattern (`p`)

Duration Tokens

Rests

Duration Multiplier

Timing Rule

Examples

Ties

Tuplets (Bracket Subdivision)

Euclidean Rhythms

Motif References

Velocity (`v`)

Notes (`n`)

Formats

Note Names

Chord Names

Simultaneous Notes (Chords)

Bracket Chords (Explicit Voicings)

Sequential Notes

Layering

Swing (`sw`)

Per-Note Timing (`t`)

CC Curves (`cc`)

Multi-line format (preferred)

Single-line format (legacy, still supported)

Pitch Bend (`pb`)

Aftertouch (`at`)

Automation (`auto`)

Sub-Lines

Shape Keywords

Examples

Automation Macro Names

Plugin Keywords

Instruments

Effects

Channel Strips

Automation Macro Names

Synth Macros

Drum/Bass Macros

Effect Macros

Channel Strip Macros (Console 1)

`cont` — Pattern Continuity

Track Types

Complete Example

Tick Reference