Cadence: The Browser-Based Backing Track Player That Rivals Ableton

For this video, I actually got to sit down and chat with the creator, Jeff, and have my own personalized lesson on this software—which is not something you get often. And wow, do I wish I had that with Ableton. But what Jeff has created here is amazing. So let’s take a look.

What is Cadence?

The software is called Cadence (C-A-E-D-E-N-C-E). The premise is to create an accessible backing track player that is as powerful as Ableton without any downloads—all within a browser. The features are honestly ridiculous.

Getting Started

When you log in, you’ll see demo songs ready to explore. As a quick note, I’m not sponsored for this video. Jeff reached out, and I thought what he built was incredible—so I offered to create a video about it.

Main Features

The main hub of Cadence feels like a DAW in your browser. You get normal controls like play, rewind, song title, BPM, key, and bar/beat position. Then comes the mixer, and that’s where things get interesting.

• Lyrics & Chords: Display scrolling lyrics and chord charts right in the player.
• MIDI Support: Send MIDI input and output to external software or instruments.
• Sheet Music: View notation such as bass charts directly inside the platform.
• DAW-Like Mixer: Mute, solo, pan, adjust levels, and route to buses just like in Ableton or Logic.
• Collaboration: Share project links with your band, and control what each member sees—like lyrics for vocalists or charts for bass players.

Building a Backing Track

I walked through building a backing track step by step. Importing audio is simple—add a track, choose audio, and rename it. You can zoom into waveforms, align parts, and customize clicks. It’s all fast and intuitive.

Adding Lyrics and Chords

Double-click inside blocks to add lyrics or chord charts. Lyrics can scroll, extend, and be formatted with line breaks. Chords work the same way—drop them into the timeline wherever needed.

Personal Notes

You can even add private notes that only you can see—perfect for live gigs when you need quick reminders without other band members seeing them.

Advanced Features

Cadence doesn’t stop at audio and MIDI. You can also add video and images. Imagine running a live show where your band sees lyrics and chords on their tablets while the audience sees synced visuals on a big screen. All from a browser.

Why Cadence is a Game-Changer

I can’t get over the fact that all of this runs in a browser. From MIDI routing to full band collaboration, it feels like Ableton—but shareable, lightweight, and online.

Final Thoughts

This software is crazy powerful and still growing. Huge thanks to Jeff for sharing it with me. If you’re a musician or band leader, I highly recommend checking it out. For more, visit drumelectric.co.uk.