In this one-day intensive workshop participants will explore the web as a tool for interactive sound design and synthesis. Participants will build their own web-based sound pieces that draw on live web APIs, networking, and generative algorithms in the browser. A brief history of related technologies and landmark works will be discussed followed by a hands on demonstration of code samples and example projects.
The course will primarily be taught using the p5.sound.js library and the Web Audio API however other libraries and tools will also be explored. This workshop is geared towards web programmers and software engineers wanting to explore libraries for working with audio on the web. Musicians, composers, and electronic music practitioners are also strongly encouraged to participate.
Who Is This For
- Web developers & creative coders curious about real-time audio in the browser
- Musicians, composers, sound designers wanting generative or interactive outlets
- Installation & multimedia artists exploring networked, location-aware sound works
Some experience working with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is required.
No prior audio DSP experience required.
Materials
- Laptop with a modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Safari)
- Code editor (VS Code recommended)
- Headphones
- (Optional) Mobile device with sensors for experimentation
Workshop Schedule (7 Hours Total)
Session Highlights
10:00 – 10:15
Welcome & Intros
Goals, project ideas
10:15 – 11:15
History & Inspo
Evolution of web audio, seminal projects
11:15 – 12:15
Environment Setup & Demonstratio
p5.sound.js walkthrough, coding examples
12:15 – 12:45
Break
12:45 – 1:45
Generative Sound & Web/Device APIs
Algorithmic composition
1:45 – 2:45
Networking & Multichannel
WebSockets for networked experiences, multichannel and spatial audio routing
2:45 – 3:00
Break
3:00 – 4:30
Project Sprint
Build your own interactive sound page; instructor mentorship & debugging
4:30 – 5:00
Showcase & Closing
Demo projects, feedback, next-step resources
Covered Topics
- Generative sound algorithms & sequencing
- Mapping synthesis parameters to live Web-API or device data
- Real-time networking for collaborative or audience-driven sound pieces
- Browser-based multichannel and spatial audio techniques
Outcomes
By the end of the workshop you will:
- Configure a web-audio development environment with p5.sound.js and native Web Audio nodes.
- Build generative or data-driven sound engines that run directly in the browser.
- Connect audio parameters to live Web APIs, sensors, or network messages.
- Deploy a single-page interactive sound work you can share immediately.
Note: This one-day sprint focuses on core skills and rapid prototyping. Want deeper DSP, machine-learning audio, or large-scale multichannel setups? Bring your questions—advanced paths will be outlined for further exploration.
Instructor
Tommy Martinez is an artist and programmer working primarily through research, sound and code. He creates software and musical systems for the internet, embedded devices, and for live multichannel performance. Martinez has performed at MoMA PS1, The DiMenna Center for Classical Music, Fridman Gallery, and Pioneer Works. He has lectured on sound and electronic art at School for Poetic Computation, UC Berkeley, Stanford University, and Kunstakademie Düsseldorf.
As a programmer and systems designer Tommy has worked with artists such as Laurie Anderson, Toni Dove, Nicole Eisenman, Pierre Huyghe, Kristin Lucas, Florian Meisenberg, and Martine Syms. His work as a collaborator and engineer has been exhibited at Artists Space, Asia Society, Bridget Donahue Gallery, Carnegie Mellon University, Henie Onstad Kunstsenter, ICA at Virginia Commonwealth University, Kunsthalle Basel, The Shed, Simone Subal Gallery, and the 2019 Whitney Biennial.
Tommy was previously the Director of Technology at Pioneer Works where he led the Tech Residency and other initiatives at the space. He is currently an Adjunct Professor at NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP) and Integrated Design & Media (IDM) and currently teaching The Musical Web at School for Poetic Computation, a class exploring sound and composition on the internet. Tommy holds an MFA from the Sonic Arts program at CUNY Brooklyn College.
