Euclidean Rhythm Studio

Build layered Euclidean drum patterns with rings, an editable step grid, scenes, MIDI and WAV export.

Build layered drum patterns from Euclidean rhythms: choose how many hits to spread across how many steps, and the studio spaces them as evenly as possible. Edit the grid or rotate the rings, stack up to eight lanes, and export the result.

Hear the difference

Both examples repeat every two seconds at 60 BPM. A 3+3+2 pattern has uneven gaps; a 3:2 polyrhythm layers two even pulses. Listen to each before you play it.

3+3+2 · syncopation

Three hits across eight equal slots: 1, 4 and 7. The gaps are three, three and two slots. Keep two steady foot taps underneath the uneven pattern.

Hear the 3+3+2 pattern

3:2 · polyrhythm

Three evenly spaced notes against two evenly spaced notes. Count six equal slots: the three plays on 1, 3 and 5; the two on 1 and 4.

Hear three against two

Learn how Euclidean rhythms work

What this tool includes

Pattern

Spread hits over a step cycle, then change the feel with rotation and direct edits.

Practice

Assign lanes to limbs, isolate parts, remove cues and build the tempo.

Export

Move the arrangement to a DAW or drum machine with MIDI, WAV stems or Web MIDI.

How to use this tool

Set the steps and hits for one lane. E(3,8), three hits over eight steps, gives the tresillo; E(5,8) gives the cinquillo; E(4,16) is four on the floor.
Rotate the ring until the pattern starts where you want the downbeat. The same hits in a different rotation are a different groove.
Add a second lane with a different step count so the two patterns interlock, then a hat lane that fills the gaps.
Press Play, set a tempo you can follow, and edit single steps on the grid where the maths is not quite what your ear wants.

Practice tips

Odd numbers of hits over even step counts produce the syncopated patterns; even over even tends to sit square on the beat.
Drummers: assign each lane to a limb and mute one at a time to practise independence, then remove the count cues.
Producers: export MIDI per lane, or WAV stems, and keep the versioned project link so you can come back to a scene.

Euclidean rhythm questions

What is a Euclidean rhythm?

A pattern that spreads a chosen number of hits as evenly as possible across a chosen number of steps. Bjorklund’s algorithm does the spreading, and many traditional rhythms, including the Cuban tresillo and cinquillo and several West African bell patterns, come out of it.

Is this a drum machine?

It is a pattern studio with playback: it builds and plays the rhythms with its own sounds and exports MIDI and WAV, but it is designed around evenly spaced patterns rather than free step programming. For a groove played by a sampled kit, use the drum beats pages or the metronome.

Is it free?

Yes. Playback, editing, scenes, MIDI, Web MIDI and WAV export all run in the browser without an account.