loom: Open-Sourcing a Generative MIDI Instrument

stuff_thing · reddit · 2026-07-20

The author released loom: a free macOS generative MIDI instrument that can grow a full, continuously evolving electronic ambient track from a single seed. The project is open-source under the GPL-3.0 license.

It is MIDI-first: each part sends its virtual CoreMIDI port into your own sound source or DAW. The software only writes the notes, leaving the sound generation to your synthesizers. The author emphasizes that it is deterministic, developing long-term structures like builds, drops, breakdowns, and looping motifs over several minutes rather than just looping a simple bar. Additionally, a watchdog feature pulls the track back if it starts degrading into pure background wallpaper music.

The interface is designed as a "dashboard" with tracks and parameter controls. It supports Apple Silicon and macOS 14+, with both GitHub source code and downloadable builds available.

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