Developer Maxime Chevalier-Boisvert has released Zupiter, a new browser-based modular synthesizer.

Zupiter uses a visual programming language, inspired by Pure Data and Max/MSP. Instead of using a skeuomorphic approach – imitating the look of physical hardware – Zupiter lets you create patches by connecting building blocks, each representing a basic element of synthesizers.

Zupiter is written in JavaScript, using the web audio and web MIDI APIs. You can play notes using your computer keyboard (A to L keys), use a built-in sequencer node or connect an external MIDI keyboard.

Zupiter also lets you map physical knobs on an external MIDI controller to virtual knobs in the app, by double-clicking on a virtual knob and then moving the knob you want to map on your device.

“I created the app because I wanted to have a powerful tool that would allow me to experiment and understand exactly how specific sounds are made,” notes Chevalier-Boisvert.  “I also created it because, to my knowledge, there is nothing else quite like it. Yes, there are already other browser-based music apps, but to my knowledge, at this time, no other browser-based music app offers this degree of flexibility and power.”

You can get an example of what Zupiter can do with this acid-style patch (select play). You can also browse saved patches or create a new patch at the Zupiter site.