Add multi-track playback with mute/solo support

Replaces the single-root-pattern sequencer with a Track[] array that allows multiple patterns to loop independently. Adds ADD_TRACK (0x0A), REMOVE_TRACK (0x0B), PLAY_TRACKS (0x0C), and SET_TRACK_MUTE (0x0D) protocol records. The C backend gains per-track pending_subs and a tracks_mutex. The Node server gains track-state APIs (/api/tracks/:id/ active, mute, solo) and the frontend shows per-pattern track/mute/solo buttons in the sidebar list. Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
2026-04-25 04:16:06 +00:00
parent a452477825
commit 9b45905d80
11 changed files with 599 additions and 141 deletions
--- a/c-backend/generated/protocol.c
+++ b/c-backend/generated/protocol.c
@@ -90,6 +90,29 @@ int proto_encode_preview_note(uint8_t *buf, const Msg_Preview_Note *r) {
 	return write_frame(buf, RT_PREVIEW_NOTE, 5);
 }

+int proto_encode_add_track(uint8_t *buf, const Msg_Add_Track *r) {
+	int off = FRAME_HEADER_SIZE;
+	put_u16(buf, &off, r->pattern_id);
+	return write_frame(buf, RT_ADD_TRACK, 2);
+}
+
+int proto_encode_remove_track(uint8_t *buf, const Msg_Remove_Track *r) {
+	int off = FRAME_HEADER_SIZE;
+	put_u16(buf, &off, r->pattern_id);
+	return write_frame(buf, RT_REMOVE_TRACK, 2);
+}
+
+int proto_encode_play_tracks(uint8_t *buf) {
+	return write_frame(buf, RT_PLAY_TRACKS, 0);
+}
+
+int proto_encode_set_track_mute(uint8_t *buf, const Msg_Set_Track_Mute *r) {
+	int off = FRAME_HEADER_SIZE;
+	put_u16(buf, &off, r->pattern_id);
+	put_u8(buf, &off, r->muted);
+	return write_frame(buf, RT_SET_TRACK_MUTE, 3);
+}
+
 int proto_encode_ack(uint8_t *buf, const Msg_Ack *r) {
 	int off = FRAME_HEADER_SIZE;
 	put_u8(buf, &off, r->acked_type);
@@ -199,6 +222,36 @@ int proto_decode_preview_note(const uint8_t *p, uint16_t len, Msg_Preview_Note *
 	return 0;
 }

+int proto_decode_add_track(const uint8_t *p, uint16_t len, Msg_Add_Track *r) {
+	if (len < 2) return -1;
+	int off = 0;
+	r->pattern_id = get_u16(p, &off);
+	(void)off;
+	return 0;
+}
+
+int proto_decode_remove_track(const uint8_t *p, uint16_t len, Msg_Remove_Track *r) {
+	if (len < 2) return -1;
+	int off = 0;
+	r->pattern_id = get_u16(p, &off);
+	(void)off;
+	return 0;
+}
+
+int proto_decode_play_tracks(const uint8_t *p, uint16_t len, Msg_Play_Tracks *r) {
+	(void)p; (void)len; (void)r;
+	return 0;
+}
+
+int proto_decode_set_track_mute(const uint8_t *p, uint16_t len, Msg_Set_Track_Mute *r) {
+	if (len < 3) return -1;
+	int off = 0;
+	r->pattern_id = get_u16(p, &off);
+	r->muted = get_u8(p, &off);
+	(void)off;
+	return 0;
+}
+
 int proto_decode_ack(const uint8_t *p, uint16_t len, Msg_Ack *r) {
 	if (len < 1) return -1;
 	int off = 0;
--- a/c-backend/generated/protocol.h
+++ b/c-backend/generated/protocol.h
@@ -19,6 +19,10 @@ typedef enum {
 	RT_STOP                  = 0x07,
 	RT_SET_TEMPO             = 0x08,
 	RT_PREVIEW_NOTE          = 0x09,
+	RT_ADD_TRACK             = 0x0A,
+	RT_REMOVE_TRACK          = 0x0B,
+	RT_PLAY_TRACKS           = 0x0C,
+	RT_SET_TRACK_MUTE        = 0x0D,
 	RT_ACK                   = 0x81,
 	RT_ERROR                 = 0x82,
 	RT_BEAT_TICK             = 0x83,
@@ -35,6 +39,10 @@ typedef enum {
 #define PAYLOAD_SIZE_STOP                0
 #define PAYLOAD_SIZE_SET_TEMPO           2
 #define PAYLOAD_SIZE_PREVIEW_NOTE        5
+#define PAYLOAD_SIZE_ADD_TRACK           2
+#define PAYLOAD_SIZE_REMOVE_TRACK        2
+#define PAYLOAD_SIZE_PLAY_TRACKS         0
+#define PAYLOAD_SIZE_SET_TRACK_MUTE      3
 #define PAYLOAD_SIZE_ACK                 1
 #define PAYLOAD_SIZE_ERROR               2
 #define PAYLOAD_SIZE_BEAT_TICK           4
@@ -79,6 +87,19 @@ typedef struct {
 	uint8_t    velocity;
 	uint16_t   duration_ms; /* Note-off will be sent after this many milliseconds */
 } Msg_Preview_Note;
+typedef struct {
+	uint16_t   pattern_id;
+} Msg_Add_Track;
+typedef struct {
+	uint16_t   pattern_id;
+} Msg_Remove_Track;
+typedef struct {
+	char _empty;
+} Msg_Play_Tracks;
+typedef struct {
+	uint16_t   pattern_id;
+	uint8_t    muted;
+} Msg_Set_Track_Mute;
 typedef struct {
 	uint8_t    acked_type; /* Record type being acknowledged */
 } Msg_Ack;
@@ -105,6 +126,10 @@ int proto_encode_play(uint8_t *buf, const Msg_Play *r);
 int proto_encode_stop(uint8_t *buf);
 int proto_encode_set_tempo(uint8_t *buf, const Msg_Set_Tempo *r);
 int proto_encode_preview_note(uint8_t *buf, const Msg_Preview_Note *r);
+int proto_encode_add_track(uint8_t *buf, const Msg_Add_Track *r);
+int proto_encode_remove_track(uint8_t *buf, const Msg_Remove_Track *r);
+int proto_encode_play_tracks(uint8_t *buf);
+int proto_encode_set_track_mute(uint8_t *buf, const Msg_Set_Track_Mute *r);
 int proto_encode_ack(uint8_t *buf, const Msg_Ack *r);
 int proto_encode_error(uint8_t *buf, const Msg_Error *r);
 int proto_encode_beat_tick(uint8_t *buf, const Msg_Beat_Tick *r);
@@ -120,6 +145,10 @@ int proto_decode_play(const uint8_t *payload, uint16_t len, Msg_Play *r);
 int proto_decode_stop(const uint8_t *payload, uint16_t len, Msg_Stop *r);
 int proto_decode_set_tempo(const uint8_t *payload, uint16_t len, Msg_Set_Tempo *r);
 int proto_decode_preview_note(const uint8_t *payload, uint16_t len, Msg_Preview_Note *r);
+int proto_decode_add_track(const uint8_t *payload, uint16_t len, Msg_Add_Track *r);
+int proto_decode_remove_track(const uint8_t *payload, uint16_t len, Msg_Remove_Track *r);
+int proto_decode_play_tracks(const uint8_t *payload, uint16_t len, Msg_Play_Tracks *r);
+int proto_decode_set_track_mute(const uint8_t *payload, uint16_t len, Msg_Set_Track_Mute *r);
 int proto_decode_ack(const uint8_t *payload, uint16_t len, Msg_Ack *r);
 int proto_decode_error(const uint8_t *payload, uint16_t len, Msg_Error *r);
 int proto_decode_beat_tick(const uint8_t *payload, uint16_t len, Msg_Beat_Tick *r);
--- a/c-backend/src/main.c
+++ b/c-backend/src/main.c
@@ -92,7 +92,9 @@ static void on_frame(uint8_t rt, const uint8_t *payload, uint16_t payload_len, v
 	case RT_PLAY: {
 		Msg_Play msg;
 		if (proto_decode_play(payload, payload_len, &msg) < 0) goto bad_payload;
-		sequencer_play(&app->seq, msg.pattern_id);
+		sequencer_stop(&app->seq);
+		sequencer_add_track(&app->seq, msg.pattern_id);
+		sequencer_play(&app->seq);
 		break;
 	}
 	case RT_STOP: {
@@ -111,6 +113,28 @@ static void on_frame(uint8_t rt, const uint8_t *payload, uint16_t payload_len, v
 		sequencer_preview_note(&app->seq, msg.channel, msg.note, msg.velocity, msg.duration_ms);
 		break;
 	}
+	case RT_ADD_TRACK: {
+		Msg_Add_Track msg;
+		if (proto_decode_add_track(payload, payload_len, &msg) < 0) goto bad_payload;
+		sequencer_add_track(&app->seq, msg.pattern_id);
+		break;
+	}
+	case RT_REMOVE_TRACK: {
+		Msg_Remove_Track msg;
+		if (proto_decode_remove_track(payload, payload_len, &msg) < 0) goto bad_payload;
+		sequencer_remove_track(&app->seq, msg.pattern_id);
+		break;
+	}
+	case RT_PLAY_TRACKS: {
+		sequencer_play(&app->seq);
+		break;
+	}
+	case RT_SET_TRACK_MUTE: {
+		Msg_Set_Track_Mute msg;
+		if (proto_decode_set_track_mute(payload, payload_len, &msg) < 0) goto bad_payload;
+		sequencer_set_track_mute(&app->seq, msg.pattern_id, msg.muted);
+		break;
+	}
 	default:
 		fprintf(stderr, "main: unknown record type 0x%02x\n", rt);
 		return;
--- a/c-backend/src/sequencer.c
+++ b/c-backend/src/sequencer.c
@@ -55,7 +55,6 @@ static void enqueue_note_off(Sequencer *seq, uint8_t ch, uint8_t note, uint64_t
 	pno->fire_at.tv_nsec = (long)(fire_ns % 1000000000ULL);
 }

-/* Fire any due note-offs; compact the queue. */
 static void drain_note_offs(Sequencer *seq) {
 	struct timespec now;
 	clock_gettime(CLOCK_MONOTONIC, &now);
@@ -77,11 +76,6 @@ static void drain_note_offs(Sequencer *seq) {

 /* ── Tempo helpers ────────────────────────────────────────────────── */

-/* Returns step duration in nanoseconds.
- * One step = one 16th note.
- * step_ns = 60,000,000,000 / (bpm_x10/10) / 4
- *         = 150,000,000,000 / bpm_x10
- * At 120.0 BPM (bpm_x10=1200): 125,000,000 ns = 125 ms */
 static uint64_t get_step_ns(Sequencer *seq) {
 	pthread_mutex_lock(&seq->tempo_mutex);
 	uint16_t bpm_x10 = seq->bpm_x10;
@@ -91,11 +85,8 @@ static uint64_t get_step_ns(Sequencer *seq) {

 /* ── Step processing ──────────────────────────────────────────────── */

-/* Process notes and sub-refs at a given step within a pattern.
- * is_sub: non-zero means this is a sub-pattern call (don't recurse sub-refs). */
-static void process_step(Sequencer *seq, Pattern *pat, uint8_t step,
-                         uint64_t step_ns, int is_sub) {
-	/* Fire notes */
+/* Process notes at a given step within a pattern; sub-ref activation uses track's pending_subs. */
+static void process_step(Sequencer *seq, Track *t, Pattern *pat, uint8_t step, uint64_t step_ns) {
 	for (int i = 0; i < pat->note_count; i++) {
 		Note_Event *ev = &pat->notes[i];
 		if (ev->step != step) continue;
@@ -104,25 +95,19 @@ static void process_step(Sequencer *seq, Pattern *pat, uint8_t step,
 		                 step_ns * (uint64_t)ev->duration_steps);
 	}

-	/* Start sub-patterns (root level only; subs don't nest further in this pass) */
-	if (!is_sub) {
 	for (int i = 0; i < pat->sub_ref_count; i++) {
 		Sub_Ref *ref = &pat->sub_refs[i];
 		if (ref->step != step) continue;
-			/* Find an empty slot */
-			for (int j = 0; j < MAX_PENDING_SUBS; j++) {
-				if (!seq->pending_subs[j].active) {
-					seq->pending_subs[j].pattern_id = ref->sub_pattern_id;
-					seq->pending_subs[j].local_step  = 0;
-					seq->pending_subs[j].active       = 1;
-					if (j >= seq->pending_sub_count) {
-						seq->pending_sub_count = j + 1;
-					}
+		for (int j = 0; j < MAX_SUBS_PER_TRACK; j++) {
+			if (!t->pending_subs[j].active) {
+				t->pending_subs[j].pattern_id = ref->sub_pattern_id;
+				t->pending_subs[j].local_step  = 0;
+				t->pending_subs[j].active       = 1;
+				if (j >= t->pending_sub_count) t->pending_sub_count = j + 1;
 				break;
 			}
 		}
 	}
-	}
 }

 /* ── Tick thread ──────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
@@ -136,93 +121,98 @@ static void *tick_fn(void *arg) {
 	while (atomic_load(&seq->running)) {
 		uint64_t sn = get_step_ns(seq);

-		/* Fire due note-offs */
 		drain_note_offs(seq);

-		/* Lock pattern store for the whole tick */
+		pthread_mutex_lock(&seq->tracks_mutex);
+
+		for (int ti = 0; ti < MAX_TRACKS; ti++) {
+			Track *t = &seq->tracks[ti];
+			if (!t->active) continue;
+
 			pattern_store_lock(seq->ps);
-
-		Pattern *root = pattern_store_get(seq->ps, seq->root_pattern_id);
-		if (!root) {
+			Pattern *pat = pattern_store_get(seq->ps, t->pattern_id);
+			if (!pat) {
 				pattern_store_unlock(seq->ps);
-			fprintf(stderr, "sequencer: root pattern %u not found, stopping\n",
-			        seq->root_pattern_id);
-			atomic_store(&seq->running, 0);
-			break;
-		}
-
-		uint8_t step = seq->current_step;
-
-		/* Process root */
-		process_step(seq, root, step, sn, 0);
-
-		/* Process active sub-patterns */
-		for (int i = 0; i < seq->pending_sub_count; i++) {
-			Pending_Sub *ps = &seq->pending_subs[i];
-			if (!ps->active) continue;
-
-			Pattern *subpat = pattern_store_get(seq->ps, ps->pattern_id);
-			if (!subpat) {
-				ps->active = 0;
+				t->active = 0;
 				continue;
 			}

-			process_step(seq, subpat, ps->local_step, sn, 1);
-			ps->local_step++;
+			uint8_t step = t->current_step;

+			if (!t->muted) {
+				process_step(seq, t, pat, step, sn);
+
+				/* Process sub-patterns for this track */
+				for (int si = 0; si < t->pending_sub_count; si++) {
+					Pending_Sub *ps = &t->pending_subs[si];
+					if (!ps->active) continue;
+
+					Pattern *subpat = pattern_store_get(seq->ps, ps->pattern_id);
+					if (!subpat) { ps->active = 0; continue; }
+
+					/* Fire sub-step notes (no further recursion) */
+					for (int ni = 0; ni < subpat->note_count; ni++) {
+						Note_Event *ev = &subpat->notes[ni];
+						if (ev->step != ps->local_step) continue;
+						alsa_note_on(seq, subpat->channel, ev->note, ev->velocity);
+						enqueue_note_off(seq, subpat->channel, ev->note,
+						                 sn * (uint64_t)ev->duration_steps);
+					}
+
+					ps->local_step++;
 					if (ps->local_step >= subpat->steps) {
 						ps->active = 0;
-				/* Notify sub-pattern end */
 						uint8_t buf[16];
-				Msg_Pattern_End msg = { .pattern_id = ps->pattern_id };
-				int len = proto_encode_pattern_end(buf, &msg);
+						Msg_Pattern_End end_msg = { .pattern_id = ps->pattern_id };
+						int elen = proto_encode_pattern_end(buf, &end_msg);
 						pattern_store_unlock(seq->ps);
-				seq->send_fn(seq->send_ctx, buf, len);
+						seq->send_fn(seq->send_ctx, buf, elen);
 						pattern_store_lock(seq->ps);
-				/* Re-fetch root after unlock */
-				root = pattern_store_get(seq->ps, seq->root_pattern_id);
-				if (!root) {
-					pattern_store_unlock(seq->ps);
-					atomic_store(&seq->running, 0);
-					return NULL;
-				}
+						pat = pattern_store_get(seq->ps, t->pattern_id);
+						if (!pat) { t->active = 0; break; }
 					}
 				}

-		/* Send BEAT_TICK */
+				if (!t->active) {
+					/* pat is NULL and ps is locked after failed re-fetch */
+					pattern_store_unlock(seq->ps);
+					continue;
+				}
+			}
+
+			/* Send BEAT_TICK for this track */
 			{
 				uint8_t buf[16];
 				Msg_Beat_Tick tick = {
-				.pattern_id = seq->root_pattern_id,
+					.pattern_id = t->pattern_id,
 					.step       = step,
-				.beat       = seq->current_beat,
+					.beat       = t->current_beat,
 				};
 				int len = proto_encode_beat_tick(buf, &tick);
 				pattern_store_unlock(seq->ps);
 				seq->send_fn(seq->send_ctx, buf, len);
 				pattern_store_lock(seq->ps);
-			root = pattern_store_get(seq->ps, seq->root_pattern_id);
-			if (!root) {
-				pattern_store_unlock(seq->ps);
-				atomic_store(&seq->running, 0);
-				return NULL;
-			}
+				pat = pattern_store_get(seq->ps, t->pattern_id);
+				if (!pat) { t->active = 0; continue; }
 			}

-		/* Advance step */
-		seq->current_step++;
-		if (seq->current_step >= root->steps) {
-			seq->current_step = 0;
-			seq->current_beat = (uint8_t)(seq->current_beat + 1);
+			/* Advance step, wrap independently per track */
+			t->current_step++;
+			if (t->current_step >= pat->steps) {
+				t->current_step = 0;
+				t->current_beat++;

 				uint8_t buf[16];
-			Msg_Pattern_End msg = { .pattern_id = seq->root_pattern_id };
+				Msg_Pattern_End msg = { .pattern_id = t->pattern_id };
 				int len = proto_encode_pattern_end(buf, &msg);
 				pattern_store_unlock(seq->ps);
 				seq->send_fn(seq->send_ctx, buf, len);
 			} else {
 				pattern_store_unlock(seq->ps);
 			}
+		}
+
+		pthread_mutex_unlock(&seq->tracks_mutex);

 		/* Advance absolute deadline — drift-free */
 		uint64_t next_abs = (uint64_t)next.tv_sec * 1000000000ULL
@@ -243,9 +233,10 @@ int sequencer_init(Sequencer *seq, Pattern_Store *ps, const char *alsa_name,
 	seq->ps       = ps;
 	seq->send_fn  = send_fn;
 	seq->send_ctx = send_ctx;
-	seq->bpm_x10  = 1200;  /* 120.0 BPM */
+	seq->bpm_x10  = 1200;
 	atomic_store(&seq->running, 0);
 	pthread_mutex_init(&seq->tempo_mutex, NULL);
+	pthread_mutex_init(&seq->tracks_mutex, NULL);

 	if (snd_seq_open(&seq->seq, "default", SND_SEQ_OPEN_OUTPUT, 0) < 0) {
 		fprintf(stderr, "sequencer: failed to open ALSA sequencer\n");
@@ -271,28 +262,76 @@ void sequencer_destroy(Sequencer *seq) {
 	sequencer_stop(seq);
 	snd_seq_close(seq->seq);
 	pthread_mutex_destroy(&seq->tempo_mutex);
+	pthread_mutex_destroy(&seq->tracks_mutex);
 }

-void sequencer_play(Sequencer *seq, uint16_t pattern_id) {
-	sequencer_stop(seq);
+void sequencer_add_track(Sequencer *seq, uint16_t pattern_id) {
+	pthread_mutex_lock(&seq->tracks_mutex);
+	/* Check if already active */
+	for (int i = 0; i < MAX_TRACKS; i++) {
+		if (seq->tracks[i].active && seq->tracks[i].pattern_id == pattern_id) {
+			pthread_mutex_unlock(&seq->tracks_mutex);
+			return;
+		}
+	}
+	/* Find first empty slot */
+	for (int i = 0; i < MAX_TRACKS; i++) {
+		if (!seq->tracks[i].active) {
+			memset(&seq->tracks[i], 0, sizeof(Track));
+			seq->tracks[i].pattern_id = pattern_id;
+			seq->tracks[i].active     = 1;
+			pthread_mutex_unlock(&seq->tracks_mutex);
+			return;
+		}
+	}
+	pthread_mutex_unlock(&seq->tracks_mutex);
+	fprintf(stderr, "sequencer: MAX_TRACKS reached, cannot add pattern %u\n", pattern_id);
+}

-	seq->root_pattern_id  = pattern_id;
-	seq->current_step     = 0;
-	seq->current_beat     = 0;
-	seq->note_off_count   = 0;
-	seq->pending_sub_count = 0;
-	memset(seq->pending_subs, 0, sizeof(seq->pending_subs));
+void sequencer_remove_track(Sequencer *seq, uint16_t pattern_id) {
+	pthread_mutex_lock(&seq->tracks_mutex);
+	for (int i = 0; i < MAX_TRACKS; i++) {
+		if (seq->tracks[i].active && seq->tracks[i].pattern_id == pattern_id) {
+			seq->tracks[i].active = 0;
+			break;
+		}
+	}
+	pthread_mutex_unlock(&seq->tracks_mutex);
+}

+void sequencer_set_track_mute(Sequencer *seq, uint16_t pattern_id, uint8_t muted) {
+	pthread_mutex_lock(&seq->tracks_mutex);
+	for (int i = 0; i < MAX_TRACKS; i++) {
+		if (seq->tracks[i].active && seq->tracks[i].pattern_id == pattern_id) {
+			seq->tracks[i].muted = muted;
+			break;
+		}
+	}
+	pthread_mutex_unlock(&seq->tracks_mutex);
+}
+
+void sequencer_clear_tracks(Sequencer *seq) {
+	pthread_mutex_lock(&seq->tracks_mutex);
+	memset(seq->tracks, 0, sizeof(seq->tracks));
+	pthread_mutex_unlock(&seq->tracks_mutex);
+}
+
+void sequencer_play(Sequencer *seq) {
+	if (atomic_load(&seq->running)) return;
 	atomic_store(&seq->running, 1);
 	pthread_create(&seq->tick_thread, NULL, tick_fn, seq);
 }

 void sequencer_stop(Sequencer *seq) {
-	if (!atomic_load(&seq->running)) return;
+	if (!atomic_load(&seq->running)) {
+		sequencer_clear_tracks(seq);
+		return;
+	}
 	atomic_store(&seq->running, 0);
 	pthread_join(seq->tick_thread, NULL);
 	alsa_all_notes_off(seq);
 	drain_note_offs(seq);
+	sequencer_clear_tracks(seq);
 }

 void sequencer_set_tempo(Sequencer *seq, uint16_t bpm_x10) {
--- a/c-backend/src/sequencer.h
+++ b/c-backend/src/sequencer.h
@@ -7,7 +7,8 @@
 #include "pattern_store.h"

 #define NOTE_OFF_QUEUE_SIZE  256
-#define MAX_PENDING_SUBS     64
+#define MAX_SUBS_PER_TRACK   16
+#define MAX_TRACKS           16

 typedef struct {
 	struct timespec fire_at;
@@ -21,6 +22,16 @@ typedef struct {
 	int      active;
 } Pending_Sub;

+typedef struct {
+	uint16_t    pattern_id;
+	uint8_t     current_step;
+	uint8_t     current_beat;
+	uint8_t     muted;
+	int         active;
+	Pending_Sub pending_subs[MAX_SUBS_PER_TRACK];
+	int         pending_sub_count;
+} Track;
+
 /* Function pointer used to write frames back to the Node client */
 typedef void (*Send_Fn)(void *ctx, const uint8_t *buf, int len);

@@ -37,19 +48,14 @@ typedef struct {
 	Send_Fn         send_fn;
 	void           *send_ctx;

-	/* Playback state — owned exclusively by tick thread when running */
-	uint16_t        root_pattern_id;
-	uint8_t         current_step;
-	uint8_t         current_beat;
+	/* Tracks — protected by tracks_mutex */
+	Track           tracks[MAX_TRACKS];
+	pthread_mutex_t tracks_mutex;

 	/* Note-off queue — tick thread only, no mutex needed */
 	Pending_Note_Off note_offs[NOTE_OFF_QUEUE_SIZE];
 	int              note_off_count;

-	/* Pending sub-patterns — tick thread only */
-	Pending_Sub      pending_subs[MAX_PENDING_SUBS];
-	int              pending_sub_count;
-
 	/* Tempo — protected by tempo_mutex */
 	uint16_t        bpm_x10;
 	pthread_mutex_t tempo_mutex;
@@ -62,7 +68,11 @@ typedef struct {
 int  sequencer_init(Sequencer *seq, Pattern_Store *ps, const char *alsa_name,
                    Send_Fn send_fn, void *send_ctx);
 void sequencer_destroy(Sequencer *seq);
-void sequencer_play(Sequencer *seq, uint16_t pattern_id);
+void sequencer_add_track(Sequencer *seq, uint16_t pattern_id);
+void sequencer_remove_track(Sequencer *seq, uint16_t pattern_id);
+void sequencer_set_track_mute(Sequencer *seq, uint16_t pattern_id, uint8_t muted);
+void sequencer_clear_tracks(Sequencer *seq);
+void sequencer_play(Sequencer *seq);
 void sequencer_stop(Sequencer *seq);
 void sequencer_set_tempo(Sequencer *seq, uint16_t bpm_x10);
 void sequencer_preview_note(Sequencer *seq, uint8_t channel, uint8_t note,
--- a/node-server/public/app.mjs
+++ b/node-server/public/app.mjs
@@ -64,6 +64,9 @@ class App_State {
 		this.current_step      = null;
 		this.bpm               = 120;
 		this.custom_labels     = new Map();  /* key: "patternId:note" → string */
+		this.active_tracks     = new Set();  /* pattern IDs */
+		this.muted_tracks      = new Set();  /* pattern IDs */
+		this.solo_id           = null;
 	}

 	get selected_pattern() {
@@ -117,13 +120,21 @@ function render_pattern_list() {
 	const list = document.getElementById('pattern-list');
 	list.innerHTML = '';
 	for (const p of state.patterns.values()) {
+		const is_active = state.active_tracks.has(p.id);
+		const is_muted  = state.muted_tracks.has(p.id);
+		const is_solo   = state.solo_id === p.id;
 		const div = document.createElement('div');
-		div.className = 'pattern-item' + (p.id === state.selected_id ? ' active' : '');
+		div.className = 'pattern-item' + (p.id === state.selected_id ? ' selected' : '');
+		div.dataset.id = p.id;
 		div.innerHTML = `
+			<button class="track-btn${is_active ? ' on' : ''}" title="${is_active ? 'Remove from playback' : 'Add to playback'}">&#11044;</button>
 			<span class="name">${escape_html(p.name)}</span>
 			<span class="steps">${p.steps}st</span>
+			<span class="track-ctl">
+				<button class="mute-btn${is_muted && !is_solo ? ' on' : ''}${!is_active ? ' dim' : ''}" title="Mute">M</button>
+				<button class="solo-btn${is_solo ? ' on' : ''}${!is_active ? ' dim' : ''}" title="Solo">S</button>
+			</span>
 		`;
-		div.addEventListener('click', () => select_pattern(p.id));
 		list.appendChild(div);
 	}
 }
@@ -315,6 +326,57 @@ function select_pattern(id) {
 	render_content();
 }

+/* ── Track interactions ──────────────────────────────────────────── */
+
+async function toggle_track_active(id) {
+	const active = !state.active_tracks.has(id);
+	if (active) {
+		state.active_tracks.add(id);
+	} else {
+		state.active_tracks.delete(id);
+		state.muted_tracks.delete(id);
+		if (state.solo_id === id) state.solo_id = null;
+	}
+	try {
+		await PUT(`/api/tracks/${id}/active`, { active });
+	} catch (err) { console.error(err); }
+	render_pattern_list();
+}
+
+async function toggle_mute(id) {
+	if (!state.active_tracks.has(id)) return;
+	const muted = !state.muted_tracks.has(id);
+	if (muted) state.muted_tracks.add(id);
+	else state.muted_tracks.delete(id);
+	try {
+		await PUT(`/api/tracks/${id}/mute`, { muted });
+	} catch (err) { console.error(err); }
+	render_pattern_list();
+}
+
+async function toggle_solo(id) {
+	if (!state.active_tracks.has(id)) return;
+	const new_solo = state.solo_id === id ? null : id;
+	state.solo_id = new_solo;
+	try {
+		await PUT('/api/solo', { id: new_solo });
+	} catch (err) { console.error(err); }
+	render_pattern_list();
+}
+
+/* Pattern list click delegation */
+document.getElementById('pattern-list').addEventListener('click', (e) => {
+	const item = e.target.closest('.pattern-item');
+	if (!item) return;
+	const id = parseInt(item.dataset.id, 10);
+
+	if (e.target.closest('.track-btn'))  { toggle_track_active(id); return; }
+	if (e.target.closest('.mute-btn'))   { toggle_mute(id);         return; }
+	if (e.target.closest('.solo-btn'))   { toggle_solo(id);         return; }
+
+	select_pattern(id);
+});
+
 function bind_content_events(pattern) {
 	/* Save settings */
 	document.getElementById('save-settings-btn')?.addEventListener('click', async () => {
@@ -389,10 +451,8 @@ document.getElementById('content').addEventListener('click', (e) => {
 /* ── Transport ───────────────────────────────────────────────────── */

 document.getElementById('play-btn').addEventListener('click', async () => {
-	const pattern = state.selected_pattern;
-	if (!pattern) return;
 	try {
-		await POST('/api/play', { pattern_id: pattern.id });
+		await POST('/api/play');
 	} catch (err) { console.error(err); }
 });

@@ -459,8 +519,13 @@ es.addEventListener('state', (e) => {
 	document.getElementById('bpm-input').value = data.bpm;
 	state.patterns.clear();
 	for (const p of data.patterns) state.patterns.set(p.id, p);
+	state.active_tracks = new Set(data.tracks?.active ?? []);
+	state.muted_tracks  = new Set(data.tracks?.muted  ?? []);
+	state.solo_id       = data.tracks?.solo_id ?? null;
+	state.playing       = data.is_playing ?? false;
 	render_pattern_list();
 	render_content();
+	update_status_ui();
 });

 es.addEventListener('backend_connect',    () => { state.backend_connected = true;  update_status_ui(); });
@@ -480,18 +545,26 @@ es.addEventListener('beat_tick', (e) => {
 	update_step_highlight(step, pattern_id);
 });

-es.addEventListener('play',  (e) => {
-	const { pattern_id } = JSON.parse(e.data);
-	state.playing = true; state.play_pattern_id = pattern_id;
+es.addEventListener('play', () => {
+	state.playing = true;
 	update_status_ui();
 });

 es.addEventListener('stop', () => {
-	state.playing = false; state.current_step = null;
+	state.playing = false;
+	state.current_step = null;
 	update_status_ui();
 	document.querySelectorAll('.step-indicator.current').forEach(b => b.classList.remove('current'));
 });

+es.addEventListener('tracks_updated', (e) => {
+	const { active, muted, solo_id } = JSON.parse(e.data);
+	state.active_tracks = new Set(active);
+	state.muted_tracks  = new Set(muted);
+	state.solo_id       = solo_id;
+	render_pattern_list();
+});
+
 es.addEventListener('pattern_created', (e) => {
 	const p = JSON.parse(e.data);
 	state.patterns.set(p.id, p);
--- a/node-server/public/index.html
+++ b/node-server/public/index.html
@@ -81,10 +81,44 @@
 			gap: 8px;
 		}
 		.pattern-item:hover    { background: var(--surface2); }
-		.pattern-item.active { border-color: var(--accent); background: var(--surface2); }
+		.pattern-item.selected { border-color: var(--accent); background: var(--surface2); }
 		.pattern-item .name    { flex: 1; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; }
 		.pattern-item .steps   { font-size: 11px; color: var(--text-dim); }

+		.track-btn {
+			width: 16px; height: 16px;
+			padding: 0;
+			font-size: 8px;
+			background: transparent;
+			border: none;
+			cursor: pointer;
+			color: var(--text-dim);
+			flex-shrink: 0;
+			line-height: 1;
+		}
+		.track-btn:hover { color: var(--text); }
+		.track-btn.on { color: #2ecc71; }
+
+		.track-ctl { display: flex; gap: 3px; margin-left: auto; }
+
+		.mute-btn, .solo-btn {
+			width: 18px; height: 18px;
+			padding: 0;
+			font-size: 10px;
+			font-weight: bold;
+			background: var(--surface2);
+			border: 1px solid var(--border);
+			border-radius: 3px;
+			cursor: pointer;
+			color: var(--text-dim);
+			flex-shrink: 0;
+			font-family: inherit;
+		}
+		.mute-btn:hover, .solo-btn:hover { border-color: var(--accent2); color: var(--text); }
+		.mute-btn.on { background: #7a3030; border-color: #c04040; color: #f08080; }
+		.solo-btn.on { background: #7a6000; border-color: #c0a000; color: #f0d060; }
+		.mute-btn.dim, .solo-btn.dim { opacity: 0.3; cursor: default; }
+
 		/* Transport */
 		.transport {
 			display: flex; gap: 8px; flex-wrap: wrap;
--- a/node-server/server.mjs
+++ b/node-server/server.mjs
@@ -12,6 +12,10 @@ import {
 	encode_stop,
 	encode_set_tempo,
 	encode_preview_note,
+	encode_add_track,
+	encode_remove_track,
+	encode_play_tracks,
+	encode_set_track_mute,
 } from './src/generated/protocol.mjs';

 const __dirname  = dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url));
@@ -23,6 +27,7 @@ const SOCK_PATH  = process.env.SOCKET_PATH || '/tmp/midi-sequencer.sock';
 const backend  = new Backend_Client();
 const state    = new Pattern_State();
 const sse_set  = new Set();  /* active SSE response objects */
+let is_playing = false;

 /* ── SSE broadcast ────────────────────────────────────────────────── */

@@ -41,6 +46,14 @@ backend.on('backend_error', data => broadcast('backend_error', data));
 backend.on('connect',    () => broadcast('backend_connect',    {}));
 backend.on('disconnect', () => broadcast('backend_disconnect', {}));

+/* Push current effective mutes to backend for all active tracks */
+function sync_mutes_to_backend() {
+	for (const id of state.active_tracks) {
+		const muted = state.effective_mute(id) ? 1 : 0;
+		backend.send(encode_set_track_mute({ pattern_id: id, muted }));
+	}
+}
+
 /* ── Sync a single pattern to backend ────────────────────────────── */

 function sync_pattern(pattern) {
@@ -85,7 +98,7 @@ app.get('/api/events', (req, res) => {
 	sse_set.add(res);

 	/* Send current state snapshot on connect */
-	res.write(`event: state\ndata: ${JSON.stringify(state.to_json())}\n\n`);
+	res.write(`event: state\ndata: ${JSON.stringify({ ...state.to_json(), is_playing })}\n\n`);
 	res.write(`event: backend_status\ndata: ${JSON.stringify({ connected: backend.is_connected })}\n\n`);

 	req.on('close', () => sse_set.delete(res));
@@ -155,18 +168,21 @@ app.post('/api/patterns/:id/sub-refs', (req, res) => {

 /* ── Transport routes ─────────────────────────────────────────────── */

-app.post('/api/play', (req, res) => {
-	const { pattern_id } = req.body;
-	if (!state.get_pattern(pattern_id)) {
-		return res.status(404).json({ error: 'pattern not found' });
+app.post('/api/play', (_req, res) => {
+	backend.send(encode_stop());
+	for (const id of state.active_tracks) {
+		backend.send(encode_add_track({ pattern_id: id }));
 	}
-	backend.send(encode_play({ pattern_id }));
-	broadcast('play', { pattern_id });
+	sync_mutes_to_backend();
+	backend.send(encode_play_tracks());
+	is_playing = true;
+	broadcast('play', { active_tracks: state.active_tracks });
 	res.json({ ok: true });
 });

 app.post('/api/stop', (_req, res) => {
 	backend.send(encode_stop());
+	is_playing = false;
 	broadcast('stop', {});
 	res.json({ ok: true });
 });
@@ -186,6 +202,50 @@ app.get('/api/tempo', (_req, res) => {
 	res.json({ bpm: state.bpm });
 });

+/* ── Track routes ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
+
+app.put('/api/tracks/:id/active', (req, res) => {
+	const id = parseInt(req.params.id, 10);
+	const { active } = req.body;
+	if (!state.get_pattern(id)) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not found' });
+	state.set_track_active(id, !!active);
+	if (is_playing) {
+		if (active) {
+			backend.send(encode_add_track({ pattern_id: id }));
+			const muted = state.effective_mute(id) ? 1 : 0;
+			backend.send(encode_set_track_mute({ pattern_id: id, muted }));
+		} else {
+			backend.send(encode_remove_track({ pattern_id: id }));
+		}
+	}
+	broadcast('tracks_updated', state.tracks_json());
+	res.json({ ok: true });
+});
+
+app.put('/api/tracks/:id/mute', (req, res) => {
+	const id = parseInt(req.params.id, 10);
+	const { muted } = req.body;
+	if (!state.get_pattern(id)) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not found' });
+	state.set_track_muted(id, !!muted);
+	if (is_playing && state.is_track_active(id)) {
+		sync_mutes_to_backend();
+	}
+	broadcast('tracks_updated', state.tracks_json());
+	res.json({ ok: true });
+});
+
+app.put('/api/solo', (req, res) => {
+	const { id } = req.body;  /* null to clear */
+	if (id !== null && id !== undefined) {
+		state.set_solo(id);
+	} else {
+		state.clear_solo();
+	}
+	if (is_playing) sync_mutes_to_backend();
+	broadcast('tracks_updated', state.tracks_json());
+	res.json({ ok: true });
+});
+
 /* ── Preview route ────────────────────────────────────────────────── */

 app.post('/api/preview', (req, res) => {
--- a/node-server/src/generated/protocol.mjs
+++ b/node-server/src/generated/protocol.mjs
@@ -14,6 +14,10 @@ export const RT = Object.freeze({
 	STOP                : 0x07,
 	SET_TEMPO           : 0x08,
 	PREVIEW_NOTE        : 0x09,
+	ADD_TRACK           : 0x0A,
+	REMOVE_TRACK        : 0x0B,
+	PLAY_TRACKS         : 0x0C,
+	SET_TRACK_MUTE      : 0x0D,
 	ACK                 : 0x81,
 	ERROR               : 0x82,
 	BEAT_TICK           : 0x83,
@@ -34,6 +38,10 @@ export const PAYLOAD_SIZE = Object.freeze({
 	STOP                : 0,
 	SET_TEMPO           : 2,
 	PREVIEW_NOTE        : 5,
+	ADD_TRACK           : 2,
+	REMOVE_TRACK        : 2,
+	PLAY_TRACKS         : 0,
+	SET_TRACK_MUTE      : 3,
 	ACK                 : 1,
 	ERROR               : 2,
 	BEAT_TICK           : 4,
@@ -113,6 +121,29 @@ export function encode_preview_note({ channel, note, velocity, duration_ms }) {
 	return write_frame(RT.PREVIEW_NOTE, buf);
 }

+export function encode_add_track({ pattern_id }) {
+	const buf = Buffer.alloc(2);
+	buf.writeUInt16LE(pattern_id, 0);
+	return write_frame(RT.ADD_TRACK, buf);
+}
+
+export function encode_remove_track({ pattern_id }) {
+	const buf = Buffer.alloc(2);
+	buf.writeUInt16LE(pattern_id, 0);
+	return write_frame(RT.REMOVE_TRACK, buf);
+}
+
+export function encode_play_tracks() {
+	return write_frame(RT.PLAY_TRACKS, Buffer.alloc(0));
+}
+
+export function encode_set_track_mute({ pattern_id, muted }) {
+	const buf = Buffer.alloc(3);
+	buf.writeUInt16LE(pattern_id, 0);
+	buf.writeUInt8(muted, 2);
+	return write_frame(RT.SET_TRACK_MUTE, buf);
+}
+
 export function encode_ack({ acked_type }) {
 	const buf = Buffer.alloc(1);
 	buf.writeUInt8(acked_type, 0);
@@ -186,6 +217,25 @@ export function decode_preview_note(payload) {
 	return { channel: payload.readUInt8(0), note: payload.readUInt8(1), velocity: payload.readUInt8(2), duration_ms: payload.readUInt16LE(3) };
 }

+export function decode_add_track(payload) {
+	if (payload.length < 2) throw new Error('ADD_TRACK payload too short');
+	return { pattern_id: payload.readUInt16LE(0) };
+}
+
+export function decode_remove_track(payload) {
+	if (payload.length < 2) throw new Error('REMOVE_TRACK payload too short');
+	return { pattern_id: payload.readUInt16LE(0) };
+}
+
+export function decode_play_tracks(payload) {
+	return {};
+}
+
+export function decode_set_track_mute(payload) {
+	if (payload.length < 3) throw new Error('SET_TRACK_MUTE payload too short');
+	return { pattern_id: payload.readUInt16LE(0), muted: payload.readUInt8(2) };
+}
+
 export function decode_ack(payload) {
 	if (payload.length < 1) throw new Error('ACK payload too short');
 	return { acked_type: payload.readUInt8(0) };
@@ -218,6 +268,10 @@ export function decode(record_type, payload) {
 		case RT.STOP: return decode_stop(payload);
 		case RT.SET_TEMPO: return decode_set_tempo(payload);
 		case RT.PREVIEW_NOTE: return decode_preview_note(payload);
+		case RT.ADD_TRACK: return decode_add_track(payload);
+		case RT.REMOVE_TRACK: return decode_remove_track(payload);
+		case RT.PLAY_TRACKS: return decode_play_tracks(payload);
+		case RT.SET_TRACK_MUTE: return decode_set_track_mute(payload);
 		case RT.ACK: return decode_ack(payload);
 		case RT.ERROR: return decode_error(payload);
 		case RT.BEAT_TICK: return decode_beat_tick(payload);
--- a/node-server/src/pattern_state.mjs
+++ b/node-server/src/pattern_state.mjs
@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@ export class Pattern_State {
 		this._patterns      = new Map();   /* id → pattern object */
 		this._next_id       = 1;
 		this._bpm_x10       = 1200;        /* 120.0 BPM */
+		this._active_tracks = new Set();   /* pattern_id Set */
+		this._muted_tracks  = new Set();   /* pattern_id Set */
+		this._solo_id       = null;        /* pattern_id or null */
 	}

 	/* ── Pattern CRUD ─────────────────────────────────────────────── */
@@ -110,12 +113,59 @@ export class Pattern_State {
 		return this._bpm_x10;
 	}

+	/* ── Track state ────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
+
+	set_track_active(id, active) {
+		if (active) {
+			this._active_tracks.add(id);
+		} else {
+			this._active_tracks.delete(id);
+			this._muted_tracks.delete(id);
+			if (this._solo_id === id) this._solo_id = null;
+		}
+	}
+
+	set_track_muted(id, muted) {
+		if (muted) this._muted_tracks.add(id);
+		else this._muted_tracks.delete(id);
+	}
+
+	set_solo(id) {
+		this._solo_id = id;
+	}
+
+	clear_solo() {
+		this._solo_id = null;
+	}
+
+	get active_tracks() { return [...this._active_tracks]; }
+	get muted_tracks()  { return [...this._muted_tracks]; }
+	get solo_id()       { return this._solo_id; }
+
+	is_track_active(id) { return this._active_tracks.has(id); }
+	is_track_muted(id)  { return this._muted_tracks.has(id); }
+
+	/* Effective mute accounting for solo */
+	effective_mute(id) {
+		if (this._solo_id !== null) return id !== this._solo_id;
+		return this._muted_tracks.has(id);
+	}
+
+	tracks_json() {
+		return {
+			active:  [...this._active_tracks],
+			muted:   [...this._muted_tracks],
+			solo_id: this._solo_id,
+		};
+	}
+
 	/* ── Serialization (for API responses) ───────────────────────── */

 	to_json() {
 		return {
 			bpm:      this.bpm,
 			patterns: this.list_patterns(),
+			tracks:   this.tracks_json(),
 		};
 	}
 }
--- a/protocol.yaml
+++ b/protocol.yaml
@@ -119,6 +119,38 @@ records:
        type: uint16
        note: Note-off will be sent after this many milliseconds

+  ADD_TRACK:
+    id: 0x0A
+    direction: node_to_c
+    description: Add a pattern as an independently-looping track
+    fields:
+      - name: pattern_id
+        type: uint16
+
+  REMOVE_TRACK:
+    id: 0x0B
+    direction: node_to_c
+    description: Remove a track and stop its playback
+    fields:
+      - name: pattern_id
+        type: uint16
+
+  PLAY_TRACKS:
+    id: 0x0C
+    direction: node_to_c
+    description: Start the multi-track engine with all added tracks
+    fields: []
+
+  SET_TRACK_MUTE:
+    id: 0x0D
+    direction: node_to_c
+    description: Mute or unmute a track without resetting its position
+    fields:
+      - name: pattern_id
+        type: uint16
+      - name: muted
+        type: uint8
+
  ACK:
    id: 0x81
    direction: c_to_node