Cagire

A Forth-based live coding sequencer

Cagire

Website · GitHub · AGPL-3.0

Cagire is a terminal-based step sequencer for live coding music. Each step in a pattern contains a **Forth** script that gets evaluated at the right time, producing sound and events. It ships with a self-contained audio engine — no external software needed. ### Examples A filtered sawtooth with reverb: ```forth saw sound 200 199 freq 400 lpf .8 lpq .3 verb . ``` A generative pattern using randomness, scales, and effects: ```forth sine sound 2 fm 0.5 fmh 0 7 rand minor 50 + note .1 .8 rrand cutoff 1 4 irand 10 * delay .5 delayfb . ``` ### Features - **Cagire's Forth**: a stack-based DSL specialized for live coding - Concise and light syntax, every step is a short script. Forth has almost no syntax, only words and numbers. - Nondeterminism: randomness, probabilities, patterns as first-class operations. - Quotations: code blocks `( ... )` that compose with probability, cycling, euclidean, and conditional words. - User-defined words: extend the language on the fly with `:name ... ;` definitions. - Interactive documentation: built-in tutorials with runnable examples. - **Audio engine** (powered by [Doux](https://doux.livecoding.fr)): - Synthesis: classic waveforms (saw, pulse, tri, sine), additive, FM (2-op, 3 algorithms), additive synthesis, wavetables, 7-voice spread, Mutable Instruments Plaits models: modal, granular, waveshaping, chord, swarm, etc. - Drum models: kick, snare, hat, tom, rim, cowbell, cymbal with timbral morphing. - Sampling: disk-loaded samples with slicing, pitch tracking, wavetable mode, and live recording from engine output or line input. - Filters: biquad LP/HP/BP and ladder filters, each with independent envelope. - Effects: phaser, flanger, chorus, smear, distortion, wavefolder, wavewrapper, bitcrusher, sample-rate reduction, 3-band EQ, tilt EQ, Haas stereo. - Bus effects: delay (standard, ping-pong, tape, multitap), two reverb engines (Dattorro plate, Vital Space), comb filter, feedback delay with LFO, sidechain compressor. - Modulation: vibrato, AM, ring mod, pitch envelope, FM envelope, glide — all with selectable LFO shapes (sine, tri, saw, square, sample & hold). - **Sequencing**: probabilities, patterns, euclidean structures, sub-step timing, pattern chaining and a lot more. - **MIDI**: receive or send MIDI messages across up to 4 inputs and 4 outputs. - **Ableton Link**: tempo and phase sync with any Link-enabled software or hardware. - **Cross-platform**: terminal and desktop interfaces on macOS, Linux, and Windows. - **Plugins**: run Cagire as a CLAP or VST3 plugin inside your DAW (separate version). ### Getting started Download the latest release for your platform from the [website](https://cagire.raphaelforment.fr). To build from source instead, see [BUILDING.md](BUILDING.md). ### Documentation Cagire includes interactive documentation with runnable code examples. Press **F1** in the application to open it. - [Website](https://cagire.raphaelforment.fr) - [BUILDING.md](BUILDING.md) — build instructions and CLI flags - [CHANGELOG.md](CHANGELOG.md) ### Credits Cagire is developed by [BuboBubo](https://raphaelforment.fr) (Raphael Forment). - **[Doux](https://doux.livecoding.fr)** (audio engine) — Rust port of Dough, originally written in C by Felix Roos - **mi-plaits-dsp-rs** — Rust port of Mutable Instruments Plaits DSP by Oliver Rockstedt, original code by Emilie Gillet ### License [AGPL-3.0](LICENSE)