Work | studio:grid
User Interface
studio:grid is a grid-based multi-sequencer and composition tool designed for electronic musicians who encounter friction during composition or seek a tighter, more focused composition workflow. It works both with and without hardware grids, placing the grid interaction model at the forefront of the experience. This app is developed as a self-initiated product, covering the full path from concept and product design to a feature-complete application.
Contribution
Concept
Product Design
Software Development
Modern DAWs offer near-infinite flexibility, but that flexibility often comes at the cost of focus. Composition becomes fragmented across clips, devices, and parameters, pulling attention toward sound-shaping and micro-adjustments rather than musical structure and progression. studio:grid is strongly informed by long-term use of the monome grid as both a compositional tool and inspiration. The monome grid is the hardware counter-part to this software.
monome grid hardware
studio:grid software
studio:grid prioritises focus over flexibility. The system is built around 8 parallel devices with shared pattern and visual logic, allowing multiple instruments to run simultaneously while remaining accessible from a single interaction surface (grid or UI). The monome grid remains the primary interface and interface metaphor for the UI, ensuring consistent interaction rules across sequencers and devices. By constraining options and aligning interaction patterns, the system encourages constant forward momentum in composition rather than constant refinement. Decisions were shaped around reducing cognitive load and accelerating musical output. The experience is designed to support rapid idea development without breaking the flow, while remaining expressive enough to evolve into complete tracks.
studio:grid in use
Drum Sequencer
Empty Pattern
Modern LLM's were used as development support, assisting with architecture, iteration, and analysis while keeping design intent and system logic firmly in control.
Pattern Launcher
The application needed to support both grid and screen-based interaction without alienating the user. Tight MIDI timing, parallel device execution, and consistent visual feedback across different sequencing modes were treated as foundational constraints rather than optional enhancements.
studio.grid exists today as an actively developed, feature-complete application, representing a fully realised music sequencing system.