How Does It Work?#

The Byte Oscillator generates sound by evaluating a small integer expression every sample (bytebeat style), then converting that integer into audio.

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How It Works#

• The formula outputs an integer.
• The oscillator applies bit slicing (Bits, Offs, Cnt) and output mapping (Sign, Unsign, Classic).
• Optional post processing (Smth, OS x2, Clip, DC) shapes the final output.

Formula Language#

Supported building blocks:

• Integers: 0, 1, 255, etc.
• Variables: t, p0, p1, p2, p3, sr, seed
• Arithmetic: + - * / %
• Bitwise: & | ^ ~ << >>
• Comparisons: < <= > >= == !=
• Logic: ! && ||
• Ternary: cond ? a : b
• Parentheses: ( ... )

Variables#

• t: time/index input (depends on Time mode and pitch)
• p0..p3: user parameters (P0..P3) with CV modulation
• sr: sample rate
• seed: deterministic pseudo-random value source (fast, changes every sample)
• rnd: deterministic pseudo-random value source held until t changes (stepped randomness)

Time + Pitch Behavior#

• Time = Count: classic bytebeat counter style (Rate-driven), pitch scales time speed.
• Time = Phase: phase-based mode with 1V/oct style pitch tracking.

Use Reset trigger to restart phase/counters/state for repeatable phrases.

Programming Tips#

• Keep formulas simple first, then add complexity.
• Use P0..P3 as macro controls instead of hardcoded constants.
• If output is harsh/noisy, try:
  • lower Bits / change output mode
  • increase Smth
  • enable DC and/or Clip
• If patch sounds unstable across restarts, use Reset for deterministic re-sync points.

Cool expression to try#

(((t >> 4) | (t >> 7) | (t >> (p0 & 15))) ^ (t * (p1 | 1))) & 255

(((t >> 12) & 3) == 0) ? (((t * 5) ^ (t >> 7)) & 255) : (((t * 3) + (t >> (p0 & 7))) & 255)

(((t * ((p0 & 31) + 1)) ^ (t >> ((p1 & 7) + 1))) + (t >> ((p2 & 15) + 1))) & 255

(((t * 9) & (t >> 4)) | ((t * 5) & (t >> 7)) | ((t * 3) & (t >> 10))) & 255

((t & (1 << ((p0 & 11) + 8))) != 0) ? (((t * 7) ^ (t >> 3)) & 255) : (((t * 2) + (t >> 5)) & 255)

(((t & 2047) < ((p0 & 2047) + 256)) ? (255) : (0)) ^ (((t >> 5) * 13) & 255)

(((t >> ((p0 & 7) + 3)) & 1) != 0) ? ((((t * 11) ^ (t >> 5)) + (t >> 8)) & 255) : ((((t * 7) ^ (t >> 3)) + (seed & 31)) & 255)

(((t * (p0 | 1)) & (t >> 6)) | ((t * (p1 | 1)) & (t >> 9)) | (t >> ((p2 & 7) + 4))) & 255

(((t * 7) ^ (t >> 2) ^ (sr >> 8)) + ((t >> 6) | (t >> 9))) & 255

(((t & 4096) != 0) && ((t & 1024) == 0)) ? (((t * 3) ^ (t >> 4)) & 255) : (((t >> 5) | (t >> 8)) & 255)

(((t * (((p0 & 15) + 1) * ((p1 & 7) + 1))) ^ (t >> ((p2 & 7) + 1))) + (t >> 9)) & 255

(((t >> ((t >> 11) & 7)) * ((p0 & 7) + 1)) ^ (t >> ((p1 & 7) + 1))) & 255

(((seed & 1023) < ((p0 & 1023) + 64)) ? (((t * 9) ^ (t >> 4)) & 255) : (0))

((((t >> 10) & 1) != 0) ? ((t * 5) & 255) : ((t * 3) & 255)) ^ ((((t >> 12) & 1) != 0) ? ((t >> 4) & 255) : ((t >> 5) & 255))

(((t * 13) ^ (t >> 2) ^ (t >> 6) ^ (t >> ((p0 & 7) + 1))) + ((seed >> 5) & 31)) & 255

(((t * 0x1F) ^ (t >> 3) ^ (t >> 7)) + ((t >> ((p0 & 15) + 1)) & 0xFF)) & 255

(((t * ((p0 & 63) + 1)) ^ (t >> ((p1 & 7) + 1))) + ((t >> ((p2 & 7) + 3)) * ((p3 & 7) + 1))) & 255