--- title: "Architecture & Audio Pipeline" created: "2026-11-05T23:00:00Z" updated: "2026-11-05T23:00:00Z" slug: "architecture" --- ## Architecture & Audio Pipeline Daw is built upon a 4-tier modular architecture designed for maximum performance, offline resilience, and seamless control by AI agents. ### Architectural Layers 1. **Pure Logic, Composition, Schemas & Codecs (`scdaw.js`, `scdaw-compose.js`, `scdaw-soundfont.js`, `scdaw-schema.js`, `scdaw-presets.js`, `scdaw-dsp.js`, `scdaw-midi.js`, `scdaw-dawproject.js`, `scdaw-zip.js`, `scdaw-signals.js`)**: - Zero DOM or browser dependencies. - High-level multi-bar arrangement compiler (`scdaw-compose.js`) with multi-chord bar parsing (`parseProgression`), rest parsing (`parseMotif`), custom signature motifs (`motifs: { bass, rhythm, lead }`), and genre feel templates (e.g., `blues-rock` eighth-note shuffle). - SoundFont 2 (SF2) RIFF parser, sample decoding, generator resolution, zone simplification, voice DSP (pitch-rate interpolation, linear ADSR, 3ms filter smoothing, pan), 128-instrument GM program map, and sample caching (`scdaw-soundfont.js`). - Exact Pulses Per Quarter Note (`PPQN = 960`) musical timebase math and 16th-note swing displacement. - Deterministic transaction reducers (`applyCommand` supporting note mutations, automation, audio clips, and `move_track`/`reorder_tracks`) and undo snapshot history. - 16-bit, 24-bit PCM, and 32-bit Float RIFF WAVE binary encoders, pure-JS ZIP archive codec with CRC-32 integrity, SMF Format 0/1 MIDI codec, and DAWproject v1.0 XML/ZIP interchange. - Microtask-batched reactive Signals for UI and engine state. 2. **Web Audio Synthesis, Scheduling & Storage (`scdaw-engine.js`, `scdaw-instruments.js`, `scdaw-fs.js`)**: - Non-blocking Web Worker clock tick (25ms) impervious to background tab throttling. - Lookahead event scheduler buffering audio nodes 100ms in advance with gapless loop wrap-around. - Polyphonic `Vaporisateur` dual-oscillator synthesizers, procedural 12-drum `Playfield` synthesizers, SoundFont 2 GM instrument engine (`A320U.sf2`, `gm-lofi.sf2`), and extended MIDI/Audio FX chains (equalizer, delay, reverb, bitcrusher, wavefolder, stereo tool, autotune, vocoder, maximizer limiter, transient shaper, guitar overdrive). - Dynamic audio node graph with track gain, stereo panning, real-time peak/RMS and mix analysis DSP (`analyzeAudioBuffer`), master bus safety limiter, offline WAV/stem rendering, and direct OPFS conversation file persistence. 3. **IPC Bridge & WebMCP Adapter (`scdaw-adapter.js`)**: - Web Locks leader election ensuring exactly one document holds the AudioContext and replies to agent tool dispatches. - Dual BroadcastChannel protocol (`scdaw-commands`, `scdaw-results`) providing sub-millisecond local RPC between the ShadowClaw agent worker and workbench. - `scdaw-state` event broadcasting keeping detached UI surfaces synchronized at 10 Hz. - Native ModelContext API registration for all 40 `scdaw_*` tools. 4. **Mobile-First Web Component Workbench (`scdaw-element.js`, `components/scdaw-*.js`)**: - 11 encapsulated Custom Elements (``, ``, ``, ``, ``, ``, ``, ``, ``, ``, ``). - Mobile-first responsive CSS Container Queries (`@container`), `@media` graceful degradation fallbacks, strict BEM naming, WCAG 2.1 AA ARIA landmarks, and Shadow DOM styling using `--shadow-claw-*` design tokens.

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