PsychodeliGetting startedHelp

Getting started

Start with
a song.

Play music through speakers and turn on the microphone. Psychodeli keeps exploring and changing as it learns the music. You can steer it with the gestures below.

Get started

01 / Play some music

Put music
in the room.

Play a song through speakers, put on a record, or pick up an instrument. On Mac, you can also play from Apple Music inside Psychodeli.

  1. Put something on.

    Play music where your device can hear it. A nearby speaker, your stereo, or someone playing live all give the picture something to follow.

  2. Let the picture listen.

    Open Reactivity, turn on Audio and allow the microphone. Open Live EQ to check that the meters move with your music.

  3. Let it evolve.

    Keep Vibe → Evolve on and give it a song. Psychodeli explores new shapes, colours and movements while learning the music’s rhythms and returning patterns. Try a gesture whenever you want to steer it.

Microphone listening works on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Use speakers: music playing only through headphones won’t reach the microphone.

Or play from Apple Music.
On your Mac.

In the Mac app, open Tunes, choose an Apple Music playlist and press Play. Use the arrow beside Play for Shuffle. Keep the music on speakers and turn on Audio so the picture can listen.

In-app Apple Music playback requires macOS 26 or later. Catalog playback requires an Apple Music subscription.

02 / Touch the picture

Draw a circle.
Give it a spin.

Trace a circle with one finger. The whole pattern turns with you. Finish with a flick and let it coast.

Try both directions. On a Mac, click and drag in a circle, or use the left and right arrow keys.

The bright dot is your finger. Follow the circle, then lift to let the picture coast.

Drag to change shape and speed.

Drag up or down on the left for Spiral, in the middle for Speed, or on the right for Flow. Move sideways to change the colour.

← Colour →

Tap the visualA new colour.

Double-tapThe next preset.

Pinch or spreadPull back or dive in.

03 / iPhone & iPad · Gyroscope

Tilt your phone.
Turn your wrist.

In the app, turn on Reactivity → Motion. Start with gentle wrist movements; try them with the music off to feel your own input.

Lean to change the view.

Lean your device to either side and the view leans with you. Hold still and it settles back.

Turn your wrist to spin.

Keep the screen facing you. Give your wrist a short clockwise or anticlockwise turn, then stop. The turn gives the pattern a spin.

Watch the phone’s angle and the picture inside it. They make different movements.

First the device leans. Then a short wrist turn sends the picture spinning.

Try a circular tilt

Roll an
imaginary marble.

Imagine a marble rolling around a bowl. Tip your device so its lowest edge travels around the rim.

Use your wrist, with the screen facing you. A small tilt—about 10–15°—is enough. Make two or three steady turns, then stop and watch the picture coast.

The marble here shows the motion to imagine. Keep your arm fairly still and roll the tilt from edge to edge.

Follow the marble: right edge down, bottom edge down, left edge down, top edge down. Repeat, then settle.

05 / Explore the app

App at a glance.

Start at the main pie. Tap a menu inside a screenshot to follow it to the next screen. Hover or select a screen for a closer look.

Paid iOS menus.

Open the full map ↗

Troubleshooting

Check sound and motion.

The picture isn’t hearing my music

Check the input in Reactivity and the meters in Live EQ. For microphone listening, use speakers and check your volume. If you denied access, allow the microphone in your device or browser settings, then try again. You can still enjoy the visuals with audio off.

Moving my phone isn’t doing anything

Check that Motion is on in Reactivity and motion access is allowed. Start with a gentle lean while the music is off. For the marble move, change which edge is lowest; moving your whole arm in a circle doesn’t make the same gesture.

I’m using headphones on my Mac

The microphone can’t hear music that stays inside headphones. If your desktop version offers System audio in Reactivity, select it and follow the capture prompt. Otherwise, use speakers for microphone listening.

I want the keyboard shortcuts
Space
Open the menu.
← →
Spin; hold to keep turning.
↑ ↓
Speed up or slow down.
[ ]
Previous or next preset.
0–9
Jukebox: calm to intense.
Return
Stare: hold the look, or let it evolve again. Use Enter on other keyboards.
Esc
Go back in the menu; with it closed, clear effects.