For example
Press Run to start the engine: its live metrics show here.
Sonic Pi is your free code-based music creation and performance tool.
Compose and perform using the incredible expressive power of algorithms and code
In Sonic Pi synths are code, giving you incredible algorithmic precision and control over the sound.
Every synth has its own page in the docs, to play from its keys and shape with its dials.
Rather than learning to code in a distant, abstract way, Sonic Pi lets you learn by making music.
Instead of sequencing, you write melodies. Instead of iteration, repeating rhythms. Instead of lists, bass lines and riffs.
Explore, experiment and have fun!
Sonic Pi lets you use simple code to turn your computer into a fully networked live coding music studio.
| Feature | App | Web |
|---|---|---|
| Gamepad input | yes | yes |
| Live audio in and out | yesmultichannel | yesstereo |
| Well-timed MIDI in and out | yes | yesnot Safari |
| Low-latency audio through your interface (ASIO, Core Audio, PipeWire) | yes | no |
| Well-timed OSC in and out | yes | no |
| Ableton Link and Link Audio | yes | no |
Sonic Pi is a new kind of musical instrument.
Watch how you can use it for live performances from ambient sets to
dance music in nightclubs....
Initially a Computer Lab research project at Cambridge University in collaboration with Raspberry Pi.
Now independent, open source and community supported, Sonic Pi has been seen from school assemblies to the Royal Albert Hall, and all the way up to the International Space Station.
Convo at the Royal Albert Hall
1,000 young musicians playing traditional instruments, accompanied by a Sonic Pi quartet.
Codebus Africa
Creative coding workshops for nearly 2,000 children across 10 African countries.
Rolling Stone at Moogfest
Sam Aaron's live coded set at Moogfest 2016 “transcended the present”.
BBC Newsround
Sonic Pi on the BBC's news programme for children.
Music Teacher Awards
A finalist for the Awards for Excellence, alongside Boss and Korg.
Music in Space
Students' Sonic Pi compositions played aboard the International Space Station by astronaut Tim Peake.
Sonic Pi has also won a Google Open Source award.
Launch Sonic Pi right now in your browser or download the app to run offline.
| Feature | App | Web |
|---|---|---|
| Live loops, synths, samples and FX | yes | yes |
| Deterministic randomness: a program plays exactly the same every time | yes | yes |
| Nothing to install | no | yes |
| Runs on a phone or tablet | no | yes |
| Works offline | yes | no |
App and Web differ in IO functionality (MIDI, OSC, Link) too.
Sonic Pi running in the browser on your computer, tablet or phone. Nothing to install.
Turn any PC into a full Sonic Pi workstation.
Which chip? Settings › System › About. Both are signed MSI installers.
Use the full power of your Mac to take Sonic Pi to the next level.
Which chip? Apple menu › About This Mac. On macOS 12 or earlier, an earlier release.
Live code everything from a Raspberry Pi to a powerful desktop.
No installing: make it executable and run it. chmod +x Sonic-Pi-*.AppImage then ./Sonic-Pi-*.AppImage
Sonic Pi is free and open source software made by over 200 contributors all over the world, in development since 2012.
Lowering the many barriers of entry for creative experiences with code.
For Windows, macOS and Linux.
Sonic Pi is free because it is supported by the community. Please consider helping from the price of a coffee a month.
The browser paused Sonic Pi's audio.
For the best experience on iPad, install Sonic Pi as an app. It runs full screen with no browser chrome.
Then open Sonic Pi from your Home Screen: it will launch full screen.
