Feat: really good lookahead mechanism for scheduling

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -8,10 +8,10 @@ All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
 - TachyonFX based animations
 
 
-### Removed
-- Removed lookahead from sequencer; event timing now uses `engine_time + time_delta` directly.
-
 ### Changed
+- Sequencer rewritten with prospective lookahead scheduling. Instead of sleeping until a substep, waking late, and detecting past events, the sequencer now pre-computes all events within a ~20ms forward window. Events arrive at doux with positive time deltas, scheduled before they need to fire. Sleep+spin-wait replaced by `recv_timeout(3ms)` on the command channel. Timing no longer depends on OS sleep precision.
+- `audio_sample_pos` updated at buffer start instead of end, so `engine_time` reflects current playback position.
+- Doux grace period increased from 1ms to 50ms as a safety net (events should never be late with lookahead).
 - Flattened model re-export indirection; `script.rs` now exports only `ScriptEngine`.
 - Hue rotation step size increased from 1° to 5° for faster adjustment.
 - Moved catalog data (DOCS, CATEGORIES) from views to `src/model/`, eliminating state-to-view layer inversion.

src/engine/audio.rs

@@ -305,6 +305,8 @@ pub fn build_stream(
                 let buffer_samples = data.len() / channels;
                 let buffer_time_ns = (buffer_samples as f64 / sr as f64 * 1e9) as u64;
 
+                audio_sample_pos.fetch_add(buffer_samples as u64, Ordering::Release);
+
                 while let Ok(cmd) = audio_rx.try_recv() {
                     match cmd {
                         AudioCommand::Evaluate { cmd, time } => {
@@ -335,8 +337,6 @@ pub fn build_stream(
                 engine.process_block(data, &[], &[]);
                 scope_buffer.write(&engine.output);
 
-                audio_sample_pos.fetch_add(buffer_samples as u64, Ordering::Relaxed);
-
                 // Feed mono mix to analysis thread via ring buffer (non-blocking)
                 for chunk in engine.output.chunks(channels) {
                     let mono = chunk.iter().sum::<f32>() / channels as f32;

src/engine/mod.rs

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ pub mod realtime;
 pub mod sequencer;
 mod timing;
 
-pub use timing::{micros_until_next_substep, substeps_crossed, StepTiming, SyncTime};
+pub use timing::{substeps_in_window, StepTiming, SyncTime};
 
 // AnalysisHandle and SequencerHandle are used by src/bin/desktop.rs
 #[allow(unused_imports)]

src/engine/sequencer.rs

@@ -11,8 +11,8 @@ use std::sync::Arc;
 use std::thread::{self, JoinHandle};
 
 use super::dispatcher::{dispatcher_loop, MidiDispatch, TimedMidiCommand};
-use super::realtime::{precise_sleep_us, set_realtime_priority};
+use super::realtime::set_realtime_priority;
-use super::{micros_until_next_substep, substeps_crossed, LinkState, StepTiming, SyncTime};
+use super::{substeps_in_window, LinkState, StepTiming, SyncTime};
 use crate::model::{
     CcAccess, Dictionary, ExecutionTrace, Rng, ScriptEngine, StepContext, Value, Variables,
 };
@@ -450,6 +450,7 @@ pub(crate) struct TickInput {
     pub commands: Vec<SeqCommand>,
     pub playing: bool,
     pub beat: f64,
+    pub lookahead_end: f64,
     pub tempo: f64,
     pub quantum: f64,
     pub fill: bool,
@@ -682,15 +683,16 @@ impl SequencerState {
             return self.tick_paused();
         }
 
-        let beat = input.beat;
+        let frontier = self.audio_state.prev_beat;
-        let prev_beat = self.audio_state.prev_beat;
+        let lookahead_end = input.lookahead_end;
 
-        self.activate_pending(beat, prev_beat, input.quantum);
+        self.activate_pending(lookahead_end, frontier, input.quantum);
-        self.deactivate_pending(beat, prev_beat, input.quantum);
+        self.deactivate_pending(lookahead_end, frontier, input.quantum);
 
         let steps = self.execute_steps(
-            beat,
+            input.beat,
-            prev_beat,
+            frontier,
+            lookahead_end,
             input.tempo,
             input.quantum,
             input.fill,
@@ -708,7 +710,7 @@ impl SequencerState {
         let vars = self.read_variables(&self.buf_completed_iterations, steps.any_step_fired);
         self.apply_chain_transitions(vars.chain_transitions);
 
-        self.audio_state.prev_beat = beat;
+        self.audio_state.prev_beat = lookahead_end;
 
         let flush = std::mem::take(&mut self.audio_state.flush_midi_notes);
         TickOutput {
@@ -805,7 +807,8 @@ impl SequencerState {
     fn execute_steps(
         &mut self,
         beat: f64,
-        prev_beat: f64,
+        frontier: f64,
+        lookahead_end: f64,
         tempo: f64,
         quantum: f64,
         fill: bool,
@@ -843,17 +846,13 @@ impl SequencerState {
                 .get(&(active.bank, active.pattern))
                 .copied()
                 .unwrap_or_else(|| pattern.speed.multiplier());
-            let steps_to_fire = substeps_crossed(prev_beat, beat, speed_mult);
-            let substeps_per_beat = 4.0 * speed_mult;
-            let base_substep = (prev_beat * substeps_per_beat).floor() as i64;
 
-            for step_offset in 0..steps_to_fire {
+            let step_beats = substeps_in_window(frontier, lookahead_end, speed_mult);
+
+            for step_beat in step_beats {
                 result.any_step_fired = true;
                 let step_idx = active.step_index % pattern.length;
 
-                // Per-step timing: each step gets its exact beat position
-                let step_substep = base_substep + step_offset as i64 + 1;
-                let step_beat = step_substep as f64 / substeps_per_beat;
                 let beat_delta = step_beat - beat;
                 let time_delta = if tempo > 0.0 {
                     (beat_delta / tempo) * 60.0
@@ -882,11 +881,11 @@ impl SequencerState {
                             );
                             let ctx = StepContext {
                                 step: step_idx,
-                                beat,
+                                beat: step_beat,
                                 bank: active.bank,
                                 pattern: active.pattern,
                                 tempo,
-                                phase: beat % quantum,
+                                phase: step_beat % quantum,
                                 slot: 0,
                                 runs,
                                 iter: active.iter,
@@ -1077,26 +1076,31 @@ fn sequencer_loop(
 ) {
     use std::sync::atomic::Ordering;
 
-    let has_rt = set_realtime_priority();
+    set_realtime_priority();
-
-    #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
-    if !has_rt {
-        eprintln!("[cagire] Warning: Could not set realtime priority for sequencer thread.");
-        eprintln!("[cagire] For best performance on Linux, configure rtprio limits:");
-        eprintln!("[cagire]   Add your user to 'audio' group: sudo usermod -aG audio $USER");
-        eprintln!("[cagire]   Edit /etc/security/limits.conf and add:");
-        eprintln!("[cagire]     @audio   -  rtprio     95");
-        eprintln!("[cagire]     @audio   -  memlock    unlimited");
-        eprintln!("[cagire]   Then log out and back in.");
-    }
 
     let variables: Variables = Arc::new(ArcSwap::from_pointee(HashMap::new()));
     let dict: Dictionary = Arc::new(Mutex::new(HashMap::new()));
     let rng: Rng = Arc::new(Mutex::new(StdRng::seed_from_u64(0)));
     let mut seq_state = SequencerState::new(variables, dict, rng, cc_access);
 
+    // Lookahead window: ~20ms expressed in beats, recomputed each tick
+    const LOOKAHEAD_SECS: f64 = 0.02;
+    // Wake cadence: how long to sleep between scheduling passes
+    const WAKE_INTERVAL: std::time::Duration = std::time::Duration::from_millis(3);
+
     loop {
+        // Drain all pending commands, also serves as the sleep mechanism
         let mut commands = Vec::with_capacity(8);
+        match cmd_rx.recv_timeout(WAKE_INTERVAL) {
+            Ok(cmd) => {
+                if matches!(cmd, SeqCommand::Shutdown) {
+                    return;
+                }
+                commands.push(cmd);
+            }
+            Err(crossbeam_channel::RecvTimeoutError::Disconnected) => return,
+            Err(crossbeam_channel::RecvTimeoutError::Timeout) => {}
+        }
         while let Ok(cmd) = cmd_rx.try_recv() {
             if matches!(cmd, SeqCommand::Shutdown) {
                 return;
@@ -1109,6 +1113,13 @@ fn sequencer_loop(
         let beat = state.beat_at_time(current_time_us as i64, quantum);
         let tempo = state.tempo();
 
+        let lookahead_beats = if tempo > 0.0 {
+            LOOKAHEAD_SECS * tempo / 60.0
+        } else {
+            0.0
+        };
+        let lookahead_end = beat + lookahead_beats;
+
         let sr = sample_rate.load(Ordering::Relaxed) as f64;
         let audio_samples = audio_sample_pos.load(Ordering::Acquire);
         let engine_time = if sr > 0.0 {
@@ -1120,6 +1131,7 @@ fn sequencer_loop(
             commands,
             playing: playing.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
             beat,
+            lookahead_end,
             tempo,
             quantum,
             fill: live_keys.fill(),
@@ -1165,7 +1177,6 @@ fn sequencer_loop(
                     });
                 }
             } else {
-                // Audio direct to doux — sample-accurate scheduling via /time/ parameter
                 let _ = audio_tx.load().send(AudioCommand::Evaluate {
                     cmd: tsc.cmd,
                     time: tsc.time,
@@ -1185,63 +1196,6 @@ fn sequencer_loop(
         }
 
         shared_state.store(Arc::new(output.shared_state));
-
-        // Calculate time until next substep based on active patterns
-        let next_event_us = {
-            let mut min_micros = SyncTime::MAX;
-            for id in seq_state.audio_state.active_patterns.keys() {
-                let speed = seq_state
-                    .speed_overrides
-                    .get(&(id.bank, id.pattern))
-                    .copied()
-                    .or_else(|| {
-                        seq_state
-                            .pattern_cache
-                            .get(id.bank, id.pattern)
-                            .map(|p| p.speed.multiplier())
-                    })
-                    .unwrap_or(1.0);
-                let micros = micros_until_next_substep(beat, speed, tempo);
-                min_micros = min_micros.min(micros);
-            }
-            // If no active patterns, default to 1ms for command responsiveness
-            if min_micros == SyncTime::MAX {
-                1000
-            } else {
-                min_micros.max(50) // Minimum 50μs to prevent excessive CPU usage
-            }
-        };
-
-        let target_time_us = current_time_us + next_event_us;
-        wait_until(target_time_us, &link, has_rt);
-    }
-}
-
-/// Spin-wait threshold in microseconds. With RT priority, we sleep most of the
-/// wait time and spin-wait for the final portion for precision. Without RT priority,
-/// spinning is counterproductive and we sleep the entire duration.
-const SPIN_THRESHOLD_US: SyncTime = 100;
-
-/// Two-phase wait: sleep most of the time, optionally spin-wait for final precision.
-/// With RT priority: sleep + spin for precision
-/// Without RT priority: sleep only (spinning wastes CPU without benefit)
-fn wait_until(target_us: SyncTime, link: &LinkState, has_rt_priority: bool) {
-    let current = link.clock_micros() as SyncTime;
-    let remaining = target_us.saturating_sub(current);
-
-    if has_rt_priority {
-        // With RT priority: sleep most, spin for final precision
-        if remaining > SPIN_THRESHOLD_US {
-            precise_sleep_us(remaining - SPIN_THRESHOLD_US);
-        }
-        while (link.clock_micros() as SyncTime) < target_us {
-            std::hint::spin_loop();
-        }
-    } else {
-        // Without RT priority: sleep the entire time (spin-waiting is counterproductive)
-        if remaining > 0 {
-            precise_sleep_us(remaining);
-        }
     }
 }
 
@@ -1390,6 +1344,7 @@ mod tests {
             commands: Vec::new(),
             playing,
             beat,
+            lookahead_end: beat,
             tempo: 120.0,
             quantum: 4.0,
             fill: false,
@@ -1410,6 +1365,7 @@ mod tests {
             commands,
             playing: true,
             beat,
+            lookahead_end: beat,
             tempo: 120.0,
             quantum: 4.0,
             fill: false,

src/engine/timing.rs

@@ -1,14 +1,6 @@
 /// Microsecond-precision timestamp for audio synchronization.
 pub type SyncTime = u64;
 
-/// Convert beat duration to microseconds at given tempo.
-fn beats_to_micros(beats: f64, tempo: f64) -> SyncTime {
-    if tempo <= 0.0 {
-        return 0;
-    }
-    ((beats / tempo) * 60_000_000.0).round() as SyncTime
-}
-
 /// Timing boundary types for step and pattern scheduling.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
 pub enum StepTiming {
@@ -33,33 +25,55 @@ impl StepTiming {
     }
 }
 
-/// Calculate how many substeps were crossed between two beat positions.
+/// Return the beat positions of all substeps in the window [frontier, end).
-/// Speed multiplier affects the substep rate (2x speed = 2x substeps per beat).
+/// Each entry is the exact beat at which that substep fires.
-pub fn substeps_crossed(prev_beat: f64, curr_beat: f64, speed: f64) -> usize {
+/// Clamped to 64 results max to prevent runaway.
-    if prev_beat < 0.0 {
+pub fn substeps_in_window(frontier: f64, end: f64, speed: f64) -> Vec<f64> {
-        return 0;
+    if frontier < 0.0 || end <= frontier || speed <= 0.0 {
-    }
+        return Vec::new();
-    let prev_substep = (prev_beat * 4.0 * speed).floor() as i64;
-    let curr_substep = (curr_beat * 4.0 * speed).floor() as i64;
-    (curr_substep - prev_substep).clamp(0, 16) as usize
-}
-
-/// Calculate microseconds until the next substep boundary.
-pub fn micros_until_next_substep(current_beat: f64, speed: f64, tempo: f64) -> SyncTime {
-    if tempo <= 0.0 || speed <= 0.0 {
-        return 0;
     }
     let substeps_per_beat = 4.0 * speed;
-    let current_substep = (current_beat * substeps_per_beat).floor();
+    let first = (frontier * substeps_per_beat).floor() as i64 + 1;
-    let next_substep_beat = (current_substep + 1.0) / substeps_per_beat;
+    let last = (end * substeps_per_beat).floor() as i64;
-    let beats_until = next_substep_beat - current_beat;
+    let count = (last - first + 1).clamp(0, 64) as usize;
-    beats_to_micros(beats_until, tempo)
+    let mut result = Vec::with_capacity(count);
+    for i in 0..count as i64 {
+        result.push((first + i) as f64 / substeps_per_beat);
+    }
+    result
 }
 
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
     use super::*;
 
+    fn beats_to_micros(beats: f64, tempo: f64) -> SyncTime {
+        if tempo <= 0.0 {
+            return 0;
+        }
+        ((beats / tempo) * 60_000_000.0).round() as SyncTime
+    }
+
+    fn substeps_crossed(prev_beat: f64, curr_beat: f64, speed: f64) -> usize {
+        if prev_beat < 0.0 {
+            return 0;
+        }
+        let prev_substep = (prev_beat * 4.0 * speed).floor() as i64;
+        let curr_substep = (curr_beat * 4.0 * speed).floor() as i64;
+        (curr_substep - prev_substep).clamp(0, 16) as usize
+    }
+
+    fn micros_until_next_substep(current_beat: f64, speed: f64, tempo: f64) -> SyncTime {
+        if tempo <= 0.0 || speed <= 0.0 {
+            return 0;
+        }
+        let substeps_per_beat = 4.0 * speed;
+        let current_substep = (current_beat * substeps_per_beat).floor();
+        let next_substep_beat = (current_substep + 1.0) / substeps_per_beat;
+        let beats_until = next_substep_beat - current_beat;
+        beats_to_micros(beats_until, tempo)
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn test_beats_to_micros_at_120_bpm() {
         // At 120 BPM, one beat = 0.5 seconds = 500,000 microseconds
@@ -159,4 +173,40 @@ mod tests {
     fn test_micros_until_next_substep_zero_speed() {
         assert_eq!(micros_until_next_substep(0.0, 0.0, 120.0), 0);
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_substeps_in_window_basic() {
+        // At 1x speed, substeps at 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0...
+        // Window [0.0, 0.5) should contain 0.25 and 0.5
+        let result = substeps_in_window(0.0, 0.5, 1.0);
+        assert_eq!(result, vec![0.25, 0.5]);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_substeps_in_window_2x_speed() {
+        // At 2x speed, substeps at 0.125, 0.25, 0.375, 0.5...
+        // Window [0.0, 0.5) should contain 4 substeps
+        let result = substeps_in_window(0.0, 0.5, 2.0);
+        assert_eq!(result, vec![0.125, 0.25, 0.375, 0.5]);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_substeps_in_window_mid_beat() {
+        // Window [0.3, 0.6): should contain 0.5
+        let result = substeps_in_window(0.3, 0.6, 1.0);
+        assert_eq!(result, vec![0.5]);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_substeps_in_window_empty() {
+        // Window too small to contain any substep
+        let result = substeps_in_window(0.1, 0.2, 1.0);
+        assert!(result.is_empty());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_substeps_in_window_negative_frontier() {
+        let result = substeps_in_window(-1.0, 0.5, 1.0);
+        assert!(result.is_empty());
+    }
 }