Getting Started with PixelBoop

PixelBoop is an interactive musical grid application (available for iOS and coming soon to Android). It features a unique 44x24 pixel grid that serves as your primary performance surface and sequencer.

The Interface

While PixelBoop is a digital app, it is designed with a tactile, physical feel. The main interface is a dense grid of 1,056 interactive virtual LEDs. Each LED can represent a musical step or a visual effect.

Interactive Grid Demonstration

Below is a live simulation of the PixelBoop grid. You can hover over the pixels to see them respond, simulating the physical touch interface.

PixelBoop 44×24 Grid

PixelBoop 44×24 Grid

Exact 1:1 representation - hover over any pixel to explore

Play/Stop (3px)

Cols 0-2: Tap to start/stop, hold 2s for WLED config

Undo

Col 4: Undo last action

Redo

Col 5: Redo action

Major Scale

Col 7: Select major scale

Minor Scale

Col 8: Select minor scale

Pentatonic

Col 9: Select pentatonic scale

Root Notes

Cols 11-22: Select key (C through B)

Ghost Notes

Col 24: Toggle ghost note display

BPM -

Col 26: Decrease tempo

BPM Display

Col 27: Shows current BPM, pulses with beat

BPM +

Col 28: Increase tempo

Length -

Col 30: Decrease pattern length

Length Display

Col 31: Shows pattern length (8-32 steps)

Length +

Col 32: Increase pattern length

Shake Indicator

Cols 34-35: Shows shake gesture detection

USB MIDI

Cols 36-37: USB MIDI connection indicator

Bluetooth MIDI

Cols 38-39: Bluetooth MIDI connection indicator

Clear Pattern

Cols 40-43: Clear all notes

Track Labels

Cols 0-3: Track control area

Bar Markers

Every 8 steps (beats 1, 9, 17, 25)

Beat Markers

Every 4 steps (beats 5, 13, 21, 29)

Step Grid

All other steps (dark gray)

Melody Mute

Col 0: Tap to mute melody

Melody Solo

Col 1: Tap to solo melody

Melody VU Meter

Col 2: Audio level indicator

Melody Notes

Col 3: Shows current scale notes

Melody Grid

Cols 4-35: 32-step sequencer (draw notes here)

Melody Sections

Cols 36-43: 8 song sections

Chords Mute

Col 0: Tap to mute chords

Chords Solo

Col 1: Tap to solo chords

Chords VU Meter

Col 2: Audio level indicator

Chords Notes

Col 3: Shows current scale notes

Chords Grid

Cols 4-35: 32-step sequencer

Chords Sections

Cols 36-43: 8 song sections

Bass Mute

Col 0: Tap to mute bass

Bass Solo

Col 1: Tap to solo bass

Bass VU Meter

Col 2: Audio level indicator

Bass Notes

Col 3: Shows current scale notes

Bass Grid

Cols 4-35: 32-step sequencer

Bass Sections

Cols 36-43: 8 song sections

Rhythm Mute

Col 0: Tap to mute drums

Rhythm Solo

Col 1: Tap to solo drums

Rhythm VU Meter

Col 2: Audio level indicator

Drum Banks

Col 3: Tap to switch drum banks (4 kits × 4 sounds)

Rhythm Grid

Cols 4-35: 32-step sequencer

Rhythm Sections

Cols 36-43: 8 song sections

Unused

Row 22: Reserved for future features

WLED Rainbow

Cols 0-3: External LED strip sync

Link Button

Cols 5-7: Ableton Link timing sync

Mode Button

Cols 8-9: Pattern/Song mode toggle

Sync Button

Cols 10-12: Multi-device sync, middle pixel gold when host

Device Indicators

Cols 13-20: Shows up to 8 connected devices with colors

Grid Zones

The 44x24 grid is divided into three vertical zones:

• Labels (Cols 0-3): Identify tracks and provide controls.
• Steps (Cols 4-35): The main 32-step sequencer area where you draw notes.
• Sections (Cols 36-43): Trigger different song sections (Intro, Verse, Chorus, etc.).

Basic Concepts

• Pixels as Steps: Each vertical column in the "Steps" zone represents a 1/16th note (usually), while horizontal rows represent pitch or drums.
• Multitouch: PixelBoop supports complex multitouch gestures for drawing patterns and manipulating sounds.
• Visual Feedback: Every interaction is met with vibrant glowing feedback.