Beyond the DAW
Designing a Procedural Sequencer Powered by Music-Theory
Most music composition tools originate from either traditional sequencing DAWs or purely procedural programming environments. While many have evolved into hybrid DAWs that incorporate elements of both approaches, they remain largely defined by their origins - addressing innovation through UI enhancements rather than rethinking core architecture.
This talk explores a DAW reimagined, merging clip-based sequencing with procedural programming principles and a graph-based framework. Our approach treats music theory not as an absolute truth, but as a set of human-created toolboxes - for jazz harmony, classical composition, microtonal musics, and more - that musicians can apply creatively and procedurally while maintaining full non-destructive control within a linear timeline.
This system lets musicians navigate by ear through theoretical possibilities — trying different tools, keeping what fits, and discarding the rest. Procedural generation becomes an optional co-pilot rather than a gatekeeper, helping musicians leverage complex theoretical concepts without formal training or simply step around them altogether.
The main focus will be on combining the immediacy of traditional sequencing with the flexibility of procedural systems, where theory can shape compositions - rather than merely sketching them out. We'll examine how to architect the sequencer as a directed graph of conventional DAW elements such as tracks and clips, and combine this with composable, non-destructive operations. It will be explained how such graph-based architectures enable complex node interdependencies that formally represent and manipulate various aspects of music theory.
Romy Dugue
I'm a JUCE developer who builds audio plugins for clients worldwide—everything from wild effects to expressive synths. When I'm not coding or out at concerts, you'll find me making music, from stoner rock to techno. I believe the best music technology doesn't get in your way or steal the fun parts of making music; instead, it becomes part of your creative flow. That's what drives my work: building tools that understand the joy of creation and amplify it rather than complicate it.