SYNCLAB — tools, scripts, and research materials for synchronous action scores & distributed performance

SYNCLAB is a meta-repository collecting code, patches, and experiments aimed at supporting synchronous action scores, distributed performance systems, and artistic research workflows. It unifies tools developed across projects, enabling reproducible and extensible practice-based research in networked artistic performance.

Modern artistic performance, especially in domains like distributed music, dance, and action scores, often relies on:

• Temporal alignment across machines, performers, and sensors.
• Experimental interaction affordances (e.g., patching, transformations, network sync).
• Reusable tools that bridge research concepts with live practice.

SYNCLAB exists to:

• Aggregate tools, servers, and interfaces used in SYNCLAB-related research.
• Provide a shared foundation for synchronous performance systems.
• Support distributed performance experiments with clear workflows and documentation.

At a glance — what you’ll find in this repo:

SYNCLAB/
├── FILES/               ← Core definitions & scripts
├── TIMEKEEP/            ← Temporal coordination tools
├── TransForms/          ← Transform frameworks for action scores
├── polyServer/          ← Server utilities for networked performance
├── polytempoWeb/        ← Browser interfaces & clients
├── tools/               ← Misc scripts and helpers
├── .gitmodules          ← Submodule pointers to linked repos
└── README.md            ← This file

Each subfolder is itself a (sub)project, often with its own internal structure, builds, or dependencies.

Action scores are procedural descriptions guiding real-time artistic actions. SYNCLAB’s focus is on synchronous scores — where performers coordinate in time across digital and physical boundaries.

Experiments where performers, systems, and environments interact over networks (e.g., Wi-Fi/LAN), requiring coordinated timing, messaging, and visual/audio feedback.

This repo bridges artistic research (working prototypes, experiments, papers) with tools that can be reused, extended, or adapted.

git clone --recursive https://github.com/AdrianArtacho/SYNCLAB.git

If you’ve already cloned without submodules:

git submodule init
git submodule update

Each directory includes its own README and usage notes — start with those that match your needs:

• TIMEKEEP/ for timing & sync tools
• polyServer/ for server infrastructure
• tools/ for utility scripts used across experiments

Depending on your project or experiment, you might use:

• Live-coding interfaces
• Browser clients (in polytempoWeb/)
• Networked messaging servers
• Time synchronization scripts
• Stand-alone performance patches

Refer to each subdirectory’s own docs for details.

This repo is a living lab. Contributions are welcome!

✔ Add or improve tools used in performance workflows ✔ Write or extend documentation for clarity ✔ Share experiments & results that depend on these tools ✔ Open issues to track ideas, bugs, or project planning

Guidelines

1. Fork the repo
2. Work in a feature branch
3. Open a PR with context & motivation
4. Link related issues for visibility

SYNCLAB supports research inquiries around:

• Temporal coordination in distributed performance
• Networked action scores
• Practice-based artistic research methods

It serves as a toolbox for experimental and exploratory systems — both for prototyping and for reproducible research dissemination.

This repository and its submodules are made available under terms defined in their respective folders — please check individual components for license details.

Maintained by Adrián Artacho, artist/researcher focused on action scores, distributed performance, and artistic research experiments. For questions, insights, or collaborations, use GitHub discussions or open an issue. [1]: "README Best Practices"