Published: Tue 06 January 2026
By Brandon Shea
In Music .
Ensemble Updates: From Practice Tool to Virtual Bandmates
Since I first launched Ensemble, the goal has been to move beyond a simple metronome and create a truly reactive, intelligent accompaniment engine. Today, I'm excited to share a series of updates that transform the app into a full-scale suite of virtual bandmates.
Meet Your New Bandmates
The biggest shift is the addition of the Bassist and Soloist modules. These aren't just playing static loops; they are algorithmic engines that respond to your harmonic choices in real-time.
The Bassist: A sophisticated generator that uses chromatic enclosures and "dead-note" rakes to create authentic movement, ensuring it always lands on the root at measure boundaries.
The Soloist: This module generates melodic lines over your progression using rhythmic cells and harmonic targeting. Styles range from "Shreddy" arpeggio sweeps to "Blues" logic with authentic chromatic grace note slips.
Visualizing the Harmony
I've added a Unified Visualizer that acts as the brain of the app. It's a high-fidelity graph that superimposes the bass and soloist tracks over your chord progression.
Color-Coded Analysis: Real-time interval mapping (Blue for Roots, Green for 3rds, Orange for 5ths) helps you visualize melodic choices relative to the harmony.
Smart Wrapping: To keep things readable, the visualizer automatically shifts notes by an octave to stay within view while maintaining their functional harmonic position, all wrapped in a polished, neon-glow interface.
Professional Workflow and MIDI Export
To make Ensemble a viable tool for songwriters and producers, I've added several "pro" features:
MIDI Export: You can now export your entire session (drums, bass, and chords) as a multi-track MIDI file to drop into any DAW for further production.
Extended Form Support: The input now handles long, complex progressions (32+ bars), perfect for practicing full Jazz standards.
Advanced Drums: A 16-step sequencer with multi-level velocity (Off, Normal, Accented) and adjustable swing for a more human groove.
Genre Presets: A new color-coded library makes it easy to jump between Rock, Funk, Jazz, and Bossa Nova styles.
Technical Evolution
Building this with Gemini was instrumental in managing the complex shared state between engines. We worked together to architect a look-ahead scheduling system that ensures your bandmates anticipate chord changes before they happen, just like a real musician would.
Ensemble remains a Progressive Web App (PWA), meaning it's lightweight, works offline, and installs directly to your home screen.
Try the updates here: https://ensemble.brndn.zip
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