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https://github.com/hundredrabbits/Orca

Esoteric Programming Language
https://github.com/hundredrabbits/Orca

esoteric-language livecoding midi osc programming-language udp

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Esoteric Programming Language

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README 

        
# ORCΛ






Orca is an [esoteric programming language](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esoteric_programming_language) designed to quickly create procedural sequencers, in which every letter of the alphabet is an operation, where lowercase letters operate on bang, uppercase letters operate each frame.



This application **is not a synthesizer, but a livecoding environment** capable of sending MIDI, OSC & UDP to your audio/visual interfaces, like Ableton, Renoise, VCV Rack or SuperCollider.



If you need **help**, visit the [chatroom](https://talk.lurk.org/channel/orca), join the [forum](https://llllllll.co/t/orca-live-coding-tool/17689) or watch a [tutorial](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktcWOLeWP-g).



- [Download builds](https://hundredrabbits.itch.io/orca), available for **Linux, Windows and OSX**.

- Use [in your browser](https://hundredrabbits.github.io/Orca/), requires **webMidi**.

- Use [in a terminal](https://git.sr.ht/~rabbits/orca), written in C.

- Use [on small computers](https://git.sr.ht/~rabbits/orca-toy), written in assembly.

- Use [on the Monome Norns](https://llllllll.co/t/orca/22492), written in Lua.



## Install & Run



If you wish to use Orca inside of [Electron](https://electronjs.org/), follow these steps:



```

git clone https://github.com/hundredrabbits/Orca.git

cd Orca/desktop/

npm install

npm start

```






## Operators



To display the list of operators inside of Orca, use `CmdOrCtrl+G`.



- `A` **add**(*a* b): Outputs sum of inputs.

- `B` **subtract**(*a* b): Outputs difference of inputs.

- `C` **clock**(*rate* mod): Outputs modulo of frame.

- `D` **delay**(*rate* mod): Bangs on modulo of frame.

- `E` **east**: Moves eastward, or bangs.

- `F` **if**(*a* b): Bangs if inputs are equal.

- `G` **generator**(*x* *y* *len*): Writes operands with offset.

- `H` **halt**: Halts southward operand.

- `I` **increment**(*step* mod): Increments southward operand.

- `J` **jumper**(*val*): Outputs northward operand.

- `K` **konkat**(*len*): Reads multiple variables.

- `L` **less**(*a* *b*): Outputs smallest of inputs.

- `M` **multiply**(*a* b): Outputs product of inputs.

- `N` **north**: Moves Northward, or bangs.

- `O` **read**(*x* *y* read): Reads operand with offset.

- `P` **push**(*len* *key* val): Writes eastward operand.

- `Q` **query**(*x* *y* *len*): Reads operands with offset.

- `R` **random**(*min* max): Outputs random value.

- `S` **south**: Moves southward, or bangs.

- `T` **track**(*key* *len* val): Reads eastward operand.

- `U` **uclid**(*step* max): Bangs on Euclidean rhythm.

- `V` **variable**(*write* read): Reads and writes variable.

- `W` **west**: Moves westward, or bangs.

- `X` **write**(*x* *y* val): Writes operand with offset.

- `Y` **jymper**(*val*): Outputs westward operand.

- `Z` **lerp**(*rate* target): Transitions operand to input.

- `*` **bang**: Bangs neighboring operands.

- `#` **comment**: Halts a line.



### IO



- `:` **midi**(channel octave note velocity length): Sends a MIDI note.

- `%` **mono**(channel octave note velocity length): Sends monophonic MIDI note.

- `!` **cc**(channel knob value): Sends MIDI control change.

- `?` **pb**(channel value): Sends MIDI pitch bench.

- `;` **udp**: Sends UDP message.

- `=` **osc**(*path*): Sends OSC message.

- `$` **self**: Sends [ORCA command](#Commands).



## MIDI



The [MIDI](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIDI) operator `:` takes up to 5 inputs('channel, 'octave, 'note, velocity, length). 



For example, `:25C`, is a **C note, on the 5th octave, through the 3rd MIDI channel**, `:04c`, is a **C# note, on the 4th octave, through the 1st MIDI channel**. Velocity is an optional value from `0`(0/127) to `g`(127/127). Note length is the number of frames during which a note remains active. See it in action with [midi.orca](https://git.sr.ht/~rabbits/orca-examples/tree/master/basics/_midi.orca).



## MIDI MONO



The [MONO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monophony) operator `%` takes up to 5 inputs('channel, 'octave, 'note, velocity, length). 



This operator is very similar to the default Midi operator, but **each new note will stop the previously playing note**, would its length overlap with the new one. Making certain that only a single note is ever played at once, this is ideal for monophonic analog synthesisers that might struggle to dealing with chords and note overlaps.



## MIDI CC



The [MIDI CC](https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/continuous-controller/) operator `!` takes 3 inputs('channel, 'knob, 'value).



It sends a value **between 0-127**, where the value is calculated as a ratio of 36, over a maximum of 127. For example, `!008`, is sending **28**, or `(8/36)*127` through the first channel, to the control mapped with `id0`. You can press **enter**, with the `!` operator selected, to assign it to a controller. By default, the operator sends to `CC64` [and up](https://nickfever.com/Music/midi-cc-list), the offset can be changed with the [command](#commands) `cc:0`, to set the offset to 0.



## MIDI PITCHBEND



The [MIDI PB](https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/pitch-bend/) operator `?` takes 3 inputs('channel, 'lsb, 'msb).



It sends two different values **between 0-127**, where the value is calculated as a ratio of 36, over a maximum of 127. For example, `?008`, is sending an MSB of **28**, or `(8/36)*127` and an LSB of 0 through the first midi channel.



## MIDI BANK SELECT / PROGRAM CHANGE



This is a command (see below) rather than an operator and it combines the [MIDI program change and bank select functions](https://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/6-what-msb-lsb-refer-for-changing-banks-andprograms/). 



The syntax is `pg:channel;msb;lsb;program`. Channel is 0-15, msb/lsb/program are 0-127, but program will automatically be translated to 1-128 by the MIDI driver. `program` typically corresponds to a "patch" selection on a synth. Note that `msb` may also be identified as "bank" and `lsb` as "sub" in some applications (like Ableton Live). 



`msb` and `lsb` can be left blank if you only want to send a simple program change. For example, `pg:0;;;63` will set the synth to patch number 64 (without changing the bank)



## UDP



The [UDP](https://nodejs.org/api/dgram.html#dgram_socket_send_msg_offset_length_port_address_callback) operator `;` locks each consecutive eastwardly ports. For example, `;hello`, will send the string "hello", on bang, to the port `49160` on `localhost`. In commander, use `udp:7777` to select the **custom UDP port 7777**, and `ip:127.0.0.12` to change the target IP. UDP is not available in the browser version of Orca.



You can use the [listener.js](https://github.com/hundredrabbits/Orca/blob/master/resources/listener.js) to test UDP messages. See it in action with [udp.orca](https://git.sr.ht/~rabbits/orca-examples/tree/master/basics/_udp.orca).



## OSC



The [OSC](https://github.com/MylesBorins/node-osc) operator `=` locks each consecutive eastwardly ports. The first character is used for the path, the following characters are sent as integers using the [base36 Table](https://github.com/hundredrabbits/Orca#base36-table). In commander, use `osc:7777` to select the **custom OSC port 7777**, and `ip:127.0.0.12` to change the target IP. OSC is not available in the browser version of Orca.



For example, `=1abc` will send `10`, `11` and `12` to `/1`, via the port `49162` on `localhost`; `=a123` will send `1`, `2` and `3`, to the path `/a`. You can use the [listener.js](https://github.com/hundredrabbits/Orca/blob/master/resources/listener.js) to test OSC messages. See it in action with [osc.orca](https://git.sr.ht/~rabbits/orca-examples/tree/master/basics/_osc.orca) or try it with [SonicPi](https://github.com/hundredrabbits/Orca/blob/master/resources/TUTORIAL.md#sonicpi).






## Advanced Controls



Some of Orca's features can be **controlled externally** via UDP though port `49160`, or via its own command-line interface. To activate the command-line prompt, press `CmdOrCtrl+K`. The prompt can also be used to inject patterns or change settings.



### Project Mode



You can **quickly inject orca files** into the currently active file, by using the command-line prompt — Allowing you to navigate across multiple files like you would a project. Press `CmdOrCtrl+L` to load multiple orca files, then press `CmdOrCtrl+B` and type the name of a loaded `.orca` file to inject it.



### Default Ports



| UDP Input  | OSC Input  | UDP Output | OSC Output |

| ---------- | ---------- | ---------- | -----------|

| 49160      | None       | 49161      | 49162



### Commands



All commands have a shorthand equivalent to their first two characters, for example, `write` can also be called using `wr`. You can see the full list of commands [here](https://github.com/hundredrabbits/Orca/blob/master/desktop/sources/scripts/commander.js).



- `play` Plays program.

- `stop` Stops program.

- `run` Runs current frame.

- `bpm:140` Sets bpm speed to `140`.

- `apm:160` Animates bpm speed to `160`.

- `frame:0` Sets the frame value to `0`.

- `skip:2` Adds `2`, to the current frame value.

- `rewind:2` Removes `2`, to the current frame value.

- `color:f00;0f0;00f` Colorizes the interface.

- `find:aV` Sends cursor to string `aV`.

- `select:3;4;5;6` Move cursor to position `3,4`, and select size `5:6`(optional).

- `inject:pattern;12;34` Inject the local file `pattern.orca`, at `12,34`(optional).

- `write:H;12;34` Writes glyph `H`, at `12,34`(optional).

- `time` Prints the time, in minutes seconds, since `0f`.

- `midi:1;2` Set Midi output device to `#1`, and input device to `#2`.

- `udp:1234;5678` Set UDP output port to `1234`, and input port to `5678`.

- `osc:1234` Set OSC output port to `1234`.



## Base36 Table



Orca operates on a base of **36 increments**. Operators using numeric values will typically also operate on letters and convert them into values as per the following table. For instance `Do` will bang every *24th frame*. 



| **0** | **1** | **2** | **3** | **4** | **5** | **6** | **7** | **8** | **9** | **A** | **B**  | 

| :-:   | :-:   | :-:   | :-:   | :-:   | :-:   | :-:   | :-:   | :-:   | :-:   | :-:   | :-:    | 

| 0     | 1     | 2     | 3     | 4     | 5     | 6     | 7     | 8     | 9     | 10    | 11     |

| **C** | **D** | **E** | **F** | **G** | **H** | **I** | **J** | **K** | **L** | **M** | **N**  |

| 12    | 13    | 14    | 15    | 16    | 17    | 18    | 19    | 20    | 21    | 22    | 23     |

| **O** | **P** | **Q** | **R** | **S** | **T** | **U** | **V** | **W** | **X** | **Y** | **Z**  | 

| 24    | 25    | 26    | 27    | 28    | 29    | 30    | 31    | 32    | 33    | 34    | 35     |



## Transpose Table



The midi operator interprets any letter above the chromatic scale as a transpose value, for instance `3H`, is equivalent to `4A`.



| **0** | **1** | **2** | **3** | **4** | **5** | **6** | **7** | **8** | **9** | **A** | **B**  | 

| :-:   | :-:   | :-:   | :-:   | :-:   | :-:   | :-:   | :-:   | :-:   | :-:   | :-:   | :-:    | 

| _     | _     | _     | _     | _     | _     | _     | _     | _     | _     | A0    | B0     |

| **C** | **D** | **E** | **F** | **G** | **H** | **I** | **J** | **K** | **L** | **M** | **N**  |

| C0    | D0    | E0    | F0    | G0    | A0    | B0    | C1    | D1    | E1    | F1    | G1     | 

| **O** | **P** | **Q** | **R** | **S** | **T** | **U** | **V** | **W** | **X** | **Y** | **Z**  | 

| A1    | B1    | C2    | D2    | E2    | F2    | G2    | A2    | B2    | C3    | D3    | E3     | 



## Companion Applications



- [Pilot](https://github.com/hundredrabbits/pilot), a companion synth tool.

- [Aioi](https://github.com/MAKIO135/aioi), a companion to send complex OSC messages.

- [Estra](https://github.com/kyleaedwards/estra), a companion sampler tool.

- [Gull](https://github.com/qleonetti/gull), a companion sampler, slicer and synth tool.

- [Sonic Pi](https://in-thread.sonic-pi.net/t/using-orca-to-control-sonic-pi-with-osc/2381/), a livecoding environment.

- [Remora](https://github.com/martinberlin/Remora), a ESP32 Led controller firmware.



## Links



- [Overview Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaI_TuISSJE)

- [Orca Podcast](https://futureofcoding.org/episodes/045)

- [Ableton & Unity3D](https://www.elizasj.com/unity_live_orca/)

- [Japanese Tutorial](https://qiita.com/rucochanman/items/98a4ea988ae99e04b333)

- [German Tutorial](http://tropone.de/2019/03/13/orca-ein-sequenzer-der-kryptischer-nicht-aussehen-kann-und-ein-versuch-einer-anleitung/)

- [French Tutorial](http://makingsound.fr/blog/orca-sequenceur-modulaire/)

- [Examples & Templates](https://git.sr.ht/~rabbits/orca-examples)



## Extras



- This application supports the [Ecosystem Theme](https://github.com/hundredrabbits/Themes).

- Download and share your patches on [PatchStorage](http://patchstorage.com/platform/orca/).

- Support this project through [Patreon](https://patreon.com/100).

- See the [License](LICENSE.md) file for license rights and limitations (MIT).

- Pull Requests are welcome!