Internet Makes Music

Product Introduction

1. Definition: Internet Makes Music is a web-based, real-time collaborative music platform where users generate sound by placing pixels on a shared grid. It operates as a browser-first audio-visual experiment using Web Audio API and Canvas technologies.
2. Core Value Proposition: It democratizes music creation by enabling anyone—regardless of technical skill—to co-compose melodies through collective pixel interactions, transforming visual inputs into audible outputs instantly.

Main Features

1. Pixel-to-Sound Synthesis:
   Each pixel on the interactive grid corresponds to a unique musical note. When users click a cell and confirm, it triggers Web Audio API oscillators to generate real-time sine-wave tones. The pitch is determined by vertical position (y-axis), while horizontal placement (x-axis) controls timing within the 100 BPM loop.
2. Real-Time Collaborative Canvas:
   Built on WebSockets, the grid synchronizes pixel placements globally. Users see live updates (e.g., "👥 2 online") and hear others’ contributions instantly. The interface supports zoom (mouse wheel), pan (click-drag), and cell selection across all devices.
3. Tempo-Synced Playback Engine:
   The ▶ Play button activates a scheduler that sequences pixel-triggered sounds at precise intervals based on the fixed 100 BPM tempo. ⏹ Stop halts audio rendering, conserving system resources during inactivity.

Problems Solved

1. Pain Point: Removes barriers to collaborative music production—no instruments, software downloads, or musical theory knowledge required.
2. Target Audience: Digital artists, educators teaching sound design, remote teams for creative icebreakers, and experimental musicians exploring emergent composition.
3. Use Cases:
   • Classrooms: Students learn pitch/timing relationships via visual-auditory feedback.
   • Social Experiments: Testing if decentralized strangers can create coherent music.
   • Prototyping: Rapid sonic idea generation for game designers or composers.

Unique Advantages

1. Differentiation: Unlike solo-centric DAWs (e.g., GarageBand) or static sequencers, this tool emphasizes real-time, anonymous co-creation with zero onboarding. Competitors lack its "visual piano roll" approach.
2. Key Innovation: Patented pixel-to-audio mapping algorithm that dynamically assigns pitch/rhythm values based on grid coordinates, enabling emergent melodies from unstructured collaboration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How does Internet Makes Music create sound from pixels?
   Each pixel’s vertical position maps to a specific musical note frequency, while horizontal placement determines when it plays within the 100 BPM loop, synthesized via Web Audio API.
2. Can I use Internet Makes Music on mobile devices?
   Yes, the responsive design supports touch controls for zooming, panning, and pixel placement on iOS/Android without app installation.
3. Is my audio contribution audible to others immediately?
   Absolutely—WebSocket technology synchronizes all pixel interactions in real-time, so every user hears changes instantly during playback.
4. Why does the playback require clicking ▶ Play?
   Modern browsers block autoplay audio; user-initiated playback ensures compliance while conserving device resources.
5. What collaborative potential does this tool offer musicians?
   It enables global, improvisational jam sessions where participants collectively build evolving soundscapes through visual input.