JavaScript MOD Player
This article series contains 9 articles, written between 24 October 2022 and 30 January 2026.
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Generating sound in modern Web Audio API
My first steps in playing music in the browser using Web Audio API start with generating a simple sine wave in an Audio Worklet.
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Loading MOD files in the browser
The MOD file is a staple of the 90s demoscene. In this article, I'll read a MOD file in JavaScript, and learn a bit about the format along the way.
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Playing a full song, almost
My MOD player is finally able to play a full song, almost. It's still missing the effects, but it's a good start.
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Implementing looping and the first effects
Some of the effects needed to play some of the iconic demo tunes of the 1990s are now implemented, and samples can be looped correctly.
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Adding pitch-related effects
The MOD player is progressing nicely. Vibrato, portamento and arpeggio effects are now implemented and working correctly.
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Syncopation and a human touch
The final two effects are implemented, and they help demoscene musicians add some more feeling to their songs.
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Using music as a timing source for demos
In this article, I add a new feature to my JavaScript music player: the ability to subscribe to timing events based on the music.
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Making the MOD player available
After fighting CSP and the browser security model, the MOD player is now available for anyone to use, on any web site, to play any MOD file.
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Note events in the MOD player
One useful new feature is the ability to subscribe to events related to individual notes being played.