diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index d0fdf2a..7f28f5c 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ classifiers = [
 dependencies = [
     "sounddevice",
     "scipy",
+    "rich>=14.3.3",
 ]
 
 [project.optional-dependencies]
diff --git a/pytheory/live.py b/pytheory/live.py
index f1d593e..83885a9 100644
--- a/pytheory/live.py
+++ b/pytheory/live.py
@@ -74,6 +74,17 @@ class _Channel:
         self.lowpass_q = kwargs.get('lowpass_q', 0.707)
         self.reverb = kwargs.get('reverb', 0)
         self.volume = kwargs.get('volume', 0.5)
+        self.chorus = kwargs.get('chorus', 0)
+        self.detune = kwargs.get('detune', 0)
+        self.spread = kwargs.get('spread', 0)
+        self.analog = kwargs.get('analog', 0)
+        self.distortion = kwargs.get('distortion', 0)
+        self.delay = kwargs.get('delay', 0)
+        self.tremolo_depth = kwargs.get('tremolo_depth', 0)
+        self.saturation = kwargs.get('saturation', 0)
+        self.phaser = kwargs.get('phaser', 0)
+        self.sub_osc = kwargs.get('sub_osc', 0)
+        self.noise_mix = kwargs.get('noise_mix', 0)
 
         self.voices = []           # active _Voice objects
         self._cache = {}           # MIDI note -> pre-rendered wave
@@ -129,6 +140,30 @@ class _Channel:
                     fb_delay = int(fb_delay * 1.5)
             wave_f = wave_f * (1.0 - wet) + reverbed * wet
 
+        # Apply distortion/saturation
+        if self.distortion > 0:
+            drive = 3.0
+            wave_f = numpy.tanh(wave_f * drive * (1 + self.distortion * 3)) / drive
+        if self.saturation > 0:
+            wave_f = numpy.tanh(wave_f * (1 + self.saturation * 2))
+
+        # Apply tremolo
+        if self.tremolo_depth > 0:
+            t = numpy.arange(len(wave_f), dtype=numpy.float32) / SAMPLE_RATE
+            trem = 1.0 - self.tremolo_depth * 0.5 * (1 + numpy.sin(2 * numpy.pi * 5.0 * t))
+            wave_f *= trem
+
+        # Apply chorus (simple delay modulation)
+        if self.chorus > 0:
+            t = numpy.arange(len(wave_f), dtype=numpy.float32) / SAMPLE_RATE
+            mod = (numpy.sin(2 * numpy.pi * 1.5 * t) * 0.002 * SAMPLE_RATE).astype(int)
+            chorus_buf = numpy.zeros_like(wave_f)
+            for i in range(len(wave_f)):
+                idx = i - abs(mod[i]) - int(SAMPLE_RATE * 0.015)
+                if 0 <= idx < len(wave_f):
+                    chorus_buf[i] = wave_f[idx]
+            wave_f = wave_f * (1 - self.chorus * 0.5) + chorus_buf * self.chorus * 0.5
+
         self._cache[midi_note] = wave_f
         return wave_f
 
diff --git a/test_live.py b/test_live.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5c506fc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test_live.py
@@ -0,0 +1,451 @@
+"""PyTheory Live — interactive MIDI synthesizer with TUI."""
+
+import curses
+import random
+import sys
+import threading
+import time
+import os
+
+from pytheory.live import LiveEngine
+from pytheory.rhythm import INSTRUMENTS, Pattern
+
+
+NOTE_NAMES = ['C', 'C#', 'D', 'D#', 'E', 'F', 'F#', 'G', 'G#', 'A', 'A#', 'B']
+
+
+def note_name(midi):
+    return f"{NOTE_NAMES[midi % 12]}{midi // 12 - 1}"
+
+
+class LiveTUI:
+    def __init__(self, seed=None, port="OP-XY"):
+        self.seed = seed or random.randint(0, 9999)
+        self.port = port
+        self.engine = None
+        self.log_lines = []
+        self.max_log = 500
+        self.running = True
+        self.instruments = sorted([k for k in INSTRUMENTS.keys()
+                                   if k not in ("808_bass",)])
+        self.drum_patterns = sorted(Pattern.list_presets())
+        self.current_drum = "rock"
+        self.picks = []
+        self.bpm = "—"
+        self.status = "Init"
+        self.status_color = 3  # yellow
+        self._build_engine()
+
+    def _build_engine(self):
+        rng = random.Random(self.seed)
+        self.picks = rng.sample(self.instruments, 8)
+        self.engine = LiveEngine(buffer_size=128)
+        for i, inst in enumerate(self.picks, 1):
+            self.engine.channel(i, instrument=inst, reverb=0.3)
+        self.engine.drums(self.current_drum, volume=0.5)
+        self.engine.cc(0, "lowpass", min_val=300, max_val=8000)
+
+    def log(self, msg, color=0):
+        self.log_lines.append((time.time(), msg, color))
+        if len(self.log_lines) > self.max_log:
+            self.log_lines = self.log_lines[-self.max_log:]
+
+    def _patch_engine_logging(self):
+        original_cb = self.engine._midi_callback
+
+        def logging_cb(event, data=None):
+            msg, _ = event
+            if len(msg) == 0:
+                return
+            if msg[0] == 0xF8:
+                if self.engine._bpm > 10:
+                    self.bpm = f"{self.engine._bpm:.0f}"
+            elif msg[0] == 0xFA:
+                self.log("▶ Start", 5)
+                self.status = "Playing"
+                self.status_color = 1
+            elif msg[0] == 0xFC:
+                self.log("■ Stop", 4)
+                self.status = "Stopped"
+                self.status_color = 4
+            elif msg[0] == 0xFB:
+                self.log("▶ Continue", 5)
+                self.status = "Playing"
+                self.status_color = 1
+            elif len(msg) >= 3:
+                status = msg[0]
+                ch = (status & 0x0F) + 1
+                msg_type = status & 0xF0
+                if msg_type == 0x90 and msg[2] > 0:
+                    inst = self.picks[ch - 1] if 1 <= ch <= 8 else "?"
+                    self.log(f"♪ {ch}:{inst} {note_name(msg[1])} v={msg[2]}", 1)
+                elif msg_type == 0xB0:
+                    self.log(f"⚙ CC{msg[1]}={msg[2]}", 3)
+                elif msg_type == 0xE0:
+                    bend = ((msg[2] << 7) | msg[1]) - 8192
+                    self.log(f"↕ Bend ch{ch} {bend:+d}", 3)
+            original_cb(event, data)
+
+        self.engine._midi_callback = logging_cb
+
+    def run(self, stdscr):
+        curses.curs_set(0)
+        curses.use_default_colors()
+        curses.init_pair(1, curses.COLOR_GREEN, -1)
+        curses.init_pair(2, curses.COLOR_CYAN, -1)
+        curses.init_pair(3, curses.COLOR_YELLOW, -1)
+        curses.init_pair(4, curses.COLOR_RED, -1)
+        curses.init_pair(5, curses.COLOR_MAGENTA, -1)
+        curses.init_pair(6, curses.COLOR_BLACK, curses.COLOR_BLUE)
+        curses.init_pair(7, curses.COLOR_BLACK, curses.COLOR_GREEN)
+        curses.init_pair(8, curses.COLOR_BLACK, curses.COLOR_YELLOW)
+        curses.init_pair(9, curses.COLOR_BLACK, curses.COLOR_RED)
+        stdscr.nodelay(True)
+        stdscr.timeout(60)
+
+        self._patch_engine_logging()
+
+        # Pre-render with progress
+        self.status = "Rendering"
+        self.status_color = 3
+        stdscr.erase()
+        stdscr.addstr(1, 2, "PyTheory Live", curses.A_BOLD)
+        stdscr.addstr(2, 2, "Pre-rendering wavetables...", curses.color_pair(3))
+        stdscr.refresh()
+
+        n_samples = 44100 * 3
+        count = 0
+        for _, channel in self.engine.channels.items():
+            if channel.is_drums:
+                continue
+            for midi_note in range(36, 97):
+                channel._get_wave(midi_note, n_samples)
+                count += 1
+                if count % 50 == 0:
+                    stdscr.addstr(3, 2, f"  {count} wavetables...", curses.color_pair(2))
+                    stdscr.refresh()
+
+        self.log(f"Cached {count} wavetables", 1)
+        self.status = "Listening"
+        self.status_color = 2
+
+        # Start engine
+        def run_engine():
+            devnull = open(os.devnull, 'w')
+            old = sys.stdout
+            sys.stdout = devnull
+            try:
+                self.engine.start(port=self.port)
+            except Exception as e:
+                sys.stdout = old
+                self.log(f"Error: {e}", 4)
+            finally:
+                sys.stdout = old
+                devnull.close()
+
+        engine_thread = threading.Thread(target=run_engine, daemon=True)
+        engine_thread.start()
+
+        cmd_buf = ""
+        cmd_history = []
+        history_idx = -1
+
+        while self.running:
+            try:
+                h, w = stdscr.getmaxyx()
+                if h < 10 or w < 40:
+                    time.sleep(0.1)
+                    continue
+                stdscr.erase()
+
+                div = max(30, w * 3 // 5)
+                cfg_x = div + 2
+
+                # ═══ HEADER BAR ═══
+                header = f" PyTheory Live "
+                stdscr.addstr(0, 0, header, curses.color_pair(6) | curses.A_BOLD)
+
+                # Status badge
+                badge_colors = {1: 7, 2: 6, 3: 8, 4: 9}
+                badge_cp = badge_colors.get(self.status_color, 6)
+                badge = f" {self.status} "
+                x = len(header)
+                stdscr.addstr(0, x, badge, curses.color_pair(badge_cp) | curses.A_BOLD)
+                x += len(badge)
+
+                info = f"  BPM:{self.bpm}  drums:{self.current_drum}  seed:{self.seed}"
+                try:
+                    stdscr.addstr(0, x, info[:w - x], curses.color_pair(6))
+                    # Fill rest of header
+                    remaining = w - x - len(info)
+                    if remaining > 0:
+                        stdscr.addstr(0, x + len(info), " " * remaining, curses.color_pair(6))
+                except curses.error:
+                    pass
+
+                # ═══ DIVIDER ═══
+                for y in range(1, h - 2):
+                    try:
+                        stdscr.addch(y, div, '│', curses.color_pair(2) | curses.A_DIM)
+                    except curses.error:
+                        pass
+
+                # ═══ LEFT: EVENTS ═══
+                try:
+                    stdscr.addstr(1, 1, " Events ", curses.color_pair(2) | curses.A_BOLD)
+                except curses.error:
+                    pass
+
+                log_h = h - 5
+                visible = self.log_lines[-log_h:] if log_h > 0 else []
+                for i, (ts, msg, color) in enumerate(visible):
+                    ly = 2 + i
+                    if ly >= h - 3:
+                        break
+                    # Fade old messages
+                    age = time.time() - ts
+                    attr = curses.A_DIM if age > 8 else 0
+                    try:
+                        stdscr.addstr(ly, 1, msg[:div - 2],
+                                      curses.color_pair(color) | attr)
+                    except curses.error:
+                        pass
+
+                # ═══ RIGHT: CONFIG ═══
+                try:
+                    stdscr.addstr(1, cfg_x, " Config ",
+                                  curses.color_pair(2) | curses.A_BOLD)
+                except curses.error:
+                    pass
+
+                y = 3
+                rw = w - cfg_x - 1
+                for i, inst in enumerate(self.picks, 1):
+                    try:
+                        stdscr.addstr(y, cfg_x, f"{i}", curses.A_BOLD)
+                        stdscr.addstr(y, cfg_x + 1, ":", curses.A_DIM)
+                        stdscr.addstr(y, cfg_x + 2, inst[:rw - 2],
+                                      curses.color_pair(1))
+                    except curses.error:
+                        pass
+                    y += 1
+
+                y += 1
+                pairs = [
+                    ("Drums", self.current_drum, 5),
+                    ("BPM", str(self.bpm), 0),
+                    ("Latency", f"{self.engine.buffer_size / 44100 * 1000:.1f}ms", 0),
+                    ("MIDI", self.port, 0),
+                    ("Seed", str(self.seed), 2),
+                ]
+                for label, val, cp in pairs:
+                    try:
+                        stdscr.addstr(y, cfg_x, f"{label}:", curses.A_BOLD)
+                        stdscr.addstr(y, cfg_x + len(label) + 1, f" {val}"[:rw],
+                                      curses.color_pair(cp))
+                    except curses.error:
+                        pass
+                    y += 1
+
+                y += 1
+                cmds = [
+                    "ch <n> [inst]",
+                    "fx <n> <param> <val>",
+                    "drums [pattern|-]",
+                    "seed [n]",
+                    "list  patterns",
+                    "exit",
+                ]
+                try:
+                    stdscr.addstr(y, cfg_x, "Commands:", curses.color_pair(3))
+                except curses.error:
+                    pass
+                for i, c in enumerate(cmds):
+                    try:
+                        stdscr.addstr(y + 1 + i, cfg_x + 1, c[:rw],
+                                      curses.color_pair(2) | curses.A_DIM)
+                    except curses.error:
+                        pass
+
+                # ═══ INPUT BAR ═══
+                iy = h - 2
+                try:
+                    stdscr.addstr(iy - 1, 0, "─" * (w - 1), curses.A_DIM)
+                    stdscr.addstr(iy, 0, " $ ",
+                                  curses.color_pair(1) | curses.A_BOLD)
+                    stdscr.addstr(iy, 3, cmd_buf[:w - 5])
+                    # Cursor
+                    cx = 3 + len(cmd_buf)
+                    if cx < w - 1:
+                        stdscr.addstr(iy, cx, "█",
+                                      curses.color_pair(1) | curses.A_BOLD)
+                except curses.error:
+                    pass
+
+                stdscr.refresh()
+
+                # ═══ INPUT ═══
+                ch = stdscr.getch()
+                if ch == -1:
+                    continue
+                elif ch == 10 or ch == 13:
+                    if cmd_buf.strip():
+                        cmd_history.append(cmd_buf)
+                        self._handle_command(cmd_buf.strip())
+                        cmd_buf = ""
+                        history_idx = -1
+                elif ch == 27:
+                    cmd_buf = ""
+                elif ch == curses.KEY_BACKSPACE or ch == 127:
+                    cmd_buf = cmd_buf[:-1]
+                elif ch == curses.KEY_UP:
+                    if cmd_history and history_idx < len(cmd_history) - 1:
+                        history_idx += 1
+                        cmd_buf = cmd_history[-(history_idx + 1)]
+                elif ch == curses.KEY_DOWN:
+                    if history_idx > 0:
+                        history_idx -= 1
+                        cmd_buf = cmd_history[-(history_idx + 1)]
+                    else:
+                        history_idx = -1
+                        cmd_buf = ""
+                elif 32 <= ch < 127:
+                    cmd_buf += chr(ch)
+
+            except KeyboardInterrupt:
+                self.running = False
+
+        self.engine.stop()
+
+    def _handle_command(self, cmd):
+        parts = cmd.split()
+        if not parts:
+            return
+        verb = parts[0].lower()
+
+        if verb in ("quit", "q", "exit"):
+            self.running = False
+        elif verb in ("help", "h"):
+            self.log("ch <n> [inst] | fx <n> <param> <val> | drums [pat|-]", 2)
+            self.log("seed [n] | list | patterns | exit", 2)
+        elif verb == "ch" and len(parts) == 2:
+            try:
+                n = int(parts[1])
+                if 1 <= n <= 8:
+                    self.log(f"Ch {n}: {self.picks[n-1]}", 2)
+                else:
+                    self.log("Channel 1-8", 4)
+            except ValueError:
+                self.log("ch <1-8> [instrument]", 4)
+        elif verb == "ch" and len(parts) >= 3:
+            try:
+                n = int(parts[1])
+                inst = parts[2]
+                if inst not in INSTRUMENTS:
+                    self.log(f"Unknown: {inst}", 4)
+                    return
+                if not (1 <= n <= 8):
+                    self.log("Channel 1-8", 4)
+                    return
+                self.picks[n - 1] = inst
+                self.engine.channel(n, instrument=inst, reverb=0.3)
+                self.log(f"Ch {n} → {inst}", 1)
+            except (ValueError, IndexError):
+                self.log("ch <1-8> <instrument>", 4)
+        elif verb == "fx" and len(parts) >= 4:
+            try:
+                n = int(parts[1])
+                param = parts[2]
+                val = float(parts[3])
+                if not (1 <= n <= 8):
+                    self.log("Channel 1-8", 4)
+                    return
+                if n not in self.engine.channels:
+                    self.log(f"Channel {n} not active", 4)
+                    return
+                channel = self.engine.channels[n]
+                if param == "reverb":
+                    channel.reverb = val
+                    channel._cache.clear()
+                elif param == "lowpass":
+                    channel.lowpass = val
+                    channel._cache.clear()
+                elif param == "volume":
+                    channel.volume = val
+                elif hasattr(channel, param):
+                    setattr(channel, param, val)
+                    channel._cache.clear()
+                else:
+                    self.log(f"Unknown param: {param}", 4)
+                    return
+                self.log(f"Ch {n} {param}={val}", 1)
+            except (ValueError, IndexError):
+                self.log("fx <1-8> <param> <value>", 4)
+        elif verb == "fx" and len(parts) == 2:
+            try:
+                n = int(parts[1])
+                if n in self.engine.channels:
+                    ch = self.engine.channels[n]
+                    self.log(f"Ch {n}: vol={ch.volume} lp={ch.lowpass} rev={ch.reverb}", 2)
+                else:
+                    self.log(f"Channel {n} not active", 4)
+            except ValueError:
+                self.log("fx <ch> <param> <value>", 4)
+        elif verb == "fx" and len(parts) <= 1:
+            self.log("Params: volume lowpass reverb", 2)
+            self.log("  chorus detune spread analog", 2)
+            self.log("  distortion delay tremolo_depth", 2)
+            self.log("  saturation phaser sub_osc noise_mix", 2)
+            self.log("fx <ch> <param> <value>", 2)
+        elif verb == "drums" and len(parts) == 1:
+            self.log(f"Current: {self.current_drum}", 5)
+            for i in range(0, len(self.drum_patterns), 4):
+                row = " ".join(f"{x:17s}" for x in self.drum_patterns[i:i+4])
+                self.log(f" {row}", 2)
+        elif verb == "drums" and len(parts) >= 2:
+            pat = " ".join(parts[1:])
+            if pat in ("none", "off", "mute", "-"):
+                self.current_drum = "none"
+                self.engine._drum_pattern = None
+                self.engine._drum_channel = None
+                self.log("Drums off", 4)
+            else:
+                try:
+                    self.current_drum = pat
+                    self.engine.drums(pat, volume=0.5)
+                    self.log(f"Drums → {pat}", 5)
+                except Exception as e:
+                    self.log(f"Error: {e}", 4)
+        elif verb == "seed" and len(parts) == 1:
+            self.log(f"Seed: {self.seed}", 2)
+        elif verb == "seed" and len(parts) >= 2:
+            try:
+                self.seed = int(parts[1])
+                rng = random.Random(self.seed)
+                self.picks = rng.sample(self.instruments, 8)
+                for i, inst in enumerate(self.picks, 1):
+                    self.engine.channel(i, instrument=inst, reverb=0.3)
+                self.log(f"Seed → {self.seed}", 1)
+            except ValueError:
+                self.log("seed <number>", 4)
+        elif verb == "list":
+            for i in range(0, len(self.instruments), 3):
+                row = " ".join(f"{x:22s}" for x in self.instruments[i:i+3])
+                self.log(f" {row}", 2)
+        elif verb == "patterns":
+            for i in range(0, len(self.drum_patterns), 4):
+                row = " ".join(f"{x:17s}" for x in self.drum_patterns[i:i+4])
+                self.log(f" {row}", 2)
+        else:
+            self.log(f"? {cmd}", 4)
+
+
+def main():
+    seed = int(sys.argv[1]) if len(sys.argv) > 1 else None
+    port = sys.argv[2] if len(sys.argv) > 2 else "OP-XY"
+    tui = LiveTUI(seed=seed, port=port)
+    curses.wrapper(tui.run)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()
diff --git a/uv.lock b/uv.lock
index 53a4acc..6d04582 100644
--- a/uv.lock
+++ b/uv.lock
@@ -693,6 +693,7 @@ name = "pytheory"
 version = "0.40.0"
 source = { editable = "." }
 dependencies = [
+    { name = "rich" },
     { name = "scipy", version = "1.15.3", source = { registry = "https://pypi.org/simple" }, marker = "python_full_version < '3.11'" },
     { name = "scipy", version = "1.17.1", source = { registry = "https://pypi.org/simple" }, marker = "python_full_version >= '3.11'" },
     { name = "sounddevice" },
@@ -718,6 +719,7 @@ docs = [
 [package.metadata]
 requires-dist = [
     { name = "python-rtmidi", marker = "extra == 'live'", specifier = ">=1.5.8" },
+    { name = "rich", specifier = ">=14.3.3" },
     { name = "scipy" },
     { name = "sounddevice" },
 ]
@@ -832,6 +834,20 @@ wheels = [
     { url = "https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/1e/db/4254e3eabe8020b458f1a747140d32277ec7a271daf1d235b70dc0b4e6e3/requests-2.32.5-py3-none-any.whl", hash = "sha256:2462f94637a34fd532264295e186976db0f5d453d1cdd31473c85a6a161affb6", size = 64738, upload-time = "2025-08-18T20:46:00.542Z" },
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "rich"
+version = "14.3.3"
+source = { registry = "https://pypi.org/simple" }
+dependencies = [
+    { name = "markdown-it-py", version = "3.0.0", source = { registry = "https://pypi.org/simple" }, marker = "python_full_version < '3.11'" },
+    { name = "markdown-it-py", version = "4.0.0", source = { registry = "https://pypi.org/simple" }, marker = "python_full_version >= '3.11'" },
+    { name = "pygments" },
+]
+sdist = { url = "https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/b3/c6/f3b320c27991c46f43ee9d856302c70dc2d0fb2dba4842ff739d5f46b393/rich-14.3.3.tar.gz", hash = "sha256:b8daa0b9e4eef54dd8cf7c86c03713f53241884e814f4e2f5fb342fe520f639b", size = 230582, upload-time = "2026-02-19T17:23:12.474Z" }
+wheels = [
+    { url = "https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/14/25/b208c5683343959b670dc001595f2f3737e051da617f66c31f7c4fa93abc/rich-14.3.3-py3-none-any.whl", hash = "sha256:793431c1f8619afa7d3b52b2cdec859562b950ea0d4b6b505397612db8d5362d", size = 310458, upload-time = "2026-02-19T17:23:13.732Z" },
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "roman-numerals"
 version = "4.1.0"