diff --git a/src/audio/adaptive-mixer.ts b/src/audio/adaptive-mixer.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5c5c243
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/audio/adaptive-mixer.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,231 @@
+import { MUSIC_BEAT_SECONDS, nextBeatTime } from '@/audio/soundtrack-transport';
+import type { ChapterIntent, DriveEnergySample, MusicMood } from '@/audio/types';
+
+const MOOD_RAMP_SECONDS = 1.4;
+const LIFT_ENTRY_ENERGY = 0.62;
+const LIFT_EXIT_ENERGY = 0.32;
+const LIFT_ENTRY_DWELL_SECONDS = 0.45;
+const LIFT_EXIT_DWELL_SECONDS = 0.8;
+
+interface MixProfile {
+  readonly bedGain: number;
+  readonly highShelfDb: number;
+  readonly textureSend: number;
+  readonly liftCap: number;
+}
+
+const MIX_PROFILES = Object.freeze({
+  open: { bedGain: 0.82, highShelfDb: 0, textureSend: 0.82, liftCap: 0.13 },
+  shadow: { bedGain: 0.81, highShelfDb: -0.75, textureSend: 0.9, liftCap: 0.1 },
+  lift: { bedGain: 0.82, highShelfDb: 0.65, textureSend: 0.9, liftCap: 0.17 },
+  resolve: { bedGain: 0.81, highShelfDb: -0.15, textureSend: 0.74, liftCap: 0.11 },
+} as const satisfies Readonly<Record<MusicMood, MixProfile>>);
+
+type LiftPhase = 'off' | 'entering' | 'on' | 'exiting';
+
+export interface AdaptiveMixer {
+  readonly bedInput: GainNode;
+  readonly driveLiftInput: GainNode;
+  readonly driveTextureInput: GainNode;
+  setChapterIntent(intent: ChapterIntent): void;
+  setDriveEnergy(sample: DriveEnergySample): void;
+  setTransportAnchor(anchorTime: number | null): void;
+  setDriveLiftAvailableAt(startTime: number | null): void;
+  dispose(): void;
+}
+
+export type AdaptiveMixerFactory = (
+  context: AudioContext,
+  destination: AudioNode,
+) => AdaptiveMixer;
+
+function holdParameter(parameter: AudioParam, atTime: number): void {
+  if (typeof parameter.cancelAndHoldAtTime === 'function') {
+    parameter.cancelAndHoldAtTime(atTime);
+    return;
+  }
+  parameter.cancelScheduledValues(atTime);
+  parameter.setValueAtTime(parameter.value, atTime);
+}
+
+export const createAdaptiveMixer: AdaptiveMixerFactory = (context, destination) => {
+  const bedInput = context.createGain();
+  const bedTrim = context.createGain();
+  const driveLiftInput = context.createGain();
+  const driveLiftGate = context.createGain();
+  const driveLiftCap = context.createGain();
+  const driveTextureInput = context.createGain();
+  const textureSend = context.createGain();
+  const sum = context.createGain();
+  const highShelf = context.createBiquadFilter();
+
+  const initialProfile = MIX_PROFILES.open;
+  bedTrim.gain.value = initialProfile.bedGain;
+  highShelf.type = 'highshelf';
+  highShelf.frequency.value = 5_200;
+  highShelf.Q.value = 0.55;
+  highShelf.gain.value = initialProfile.highShelfDb;
+  driveLiftGate.gain.value = 0;
+  driveLiftCap.gain.value = initialProfile.liftCap;
+  textureSend.gain.value = initialProfile.textureSend;
+
+  bedInput.connect(bedTrim);
+  bedTrim.connect(highShelf);
+  highShelf.connect(sum);
+  driveLiftInput.connect(driveLiftGate);
+  driveLiftGate.connect(driveLiftCap);
+  driveLiftCap.connect(sum);
+  driveTextureInput.connect(textureSend);
+  textureSend.connect(sum);
+  sum.connect(destination);
+
+  const ownedNodes: readonly AudioNode[] = [
+    bedInput,
+    bedTrim,
+    highShelf,
+    driveLiftInput,
+    driveLiftGate,
+    driveLiftCap,
+    driveTextureInput,
+    textureSend,
+    sum,
+  ];
+  let transportAnchor: number | null = null;
+  let driveLiftAvailableAt: number | null = null;
+  let latestDrive: DriveEnergySample = { energy: 0, source: 'idle' };
+  let liftPhase: LiftPhase = 'off';
+  let scheduledStart = 0;
+  let scheduledEnd = 0;
+  let disposed = false;
+
+  const ramp = (parameter: AudioParam, value: number, duration: number): void => {
+    const now = context.currentTime;
+    holdParameter(parameter, now);
+    parameter.linearRampToValueAtTime(value, now + duration);
+  };
+
+  const reconcileLift = (now: number): void => {
+    if (liftPhase === 'entering' && now >= scheduledEnd) liftPhase = 'on';
+    if (liftPhase === 'exiting' && now >= scheduledEnd) liftPhase = 'off';
+  };
+
+  const scheduleEntry = (now: number): void => {
+    if (
+      transportAnchor === null ||
+      driveLiftAvailableAt === null ||
+      liftPhase === 'entering' ||
+      liftPhase === 'on'
+    ) return;
+    scheduledStart = nextBeatTime(
+      Math.max(now, driveLiftAvailableAt) + LIFT_ENTRY_DWELL_SECONDS,
+      transportAnchor,
+    );
+    scheduledEnd = scheduledStart + MUSIC_BEAT_SECONDS;
+    holdParameter(driveLiftGate.gain, now);
+    driveLiftGate.gain.setValueAtTime(0, scheduledStart);
+    driveLiftGate.gain.linearRampToValueAtTime(1, scheduledEnd);
+    liftPhase = 'entering';
+  };
+
+  const cancelEntry = (now: number): void => {
+    if (liftPhase !== 'entering' || now >= scheduledStart) return;
+    holdParameter(driveLiftGate.gain, now);
+    driveLiftGate.gain.linearRampToValueAtTime(0, now + 0.05);
+    liftPhase = 'off';
+  };
+
+  const scheduleExit = (now: number): void => {
+    if (
+      transportAnchor === null ||
+      driveLiftAvailableAt === null ||
+      liftPhase === 'off' ||
+      liftPhase === 'exiting'
+    ) return;
+    scheduledStart = nextBeatTime(
+      now + LIFT_EXIT_DWELL_SECONDS,
+      transportAnchor,
+    );
+    scheduledEnd = scheduledStart + MUSIC_BEAT_SECONDS;
+    holdParameter(driveLiftGate.gain, now);
+    driveLiftGate.gain.setValueAtTime(1, scheduledStart);
+    driveLiftGate.gain.linearRampToValueAtTime(0, scheduledEnd);
+    liftPhase = 'exiting';
+  };
+
+  const cancelExit = (now: number): void => {
+    if (liftPhase !== 'exiting' || now >= scheduledStart) return;
+    holdParameter(driveLiftGate.gain, now);
+    driveLiftGate.gain.linearRampToValueAtTime(1, now + MUSIC_BEAT_SECONDS);
+    liftPhase = 'on';
+  };
+
+  const applyLatestDrive = (): void => {
+    if (transportAnchor === null || driveLiftAvailableAt === null) return;
+    const now = context.currentTime;
+    reconcileLift(now);
+    const physical = latestDrive.source === 'physical';
+    if (physical && latestDrive.energy > LIFT_ENTRY_ENERGY) {
+      if (liftPhase === 'exiting') {
+        holdParameter(driveLiftGate.gain, now);
+        driveLiftGate.gain.linearRampToValueAtTime(1, now + MUSIC_BEAT_SECONDS);
+        liftPhase = 'on';
+      } else {
+        scheduleEntry(now);
+      }
+      return;
+    }
+    if (physical && latestDrive.energy >= LIFT_EXIT_ENERGY) {
+      if (liftPhase === 'entering' && now < scheduledStart) cancelEntry(now);
+      if (liftPhase === 'exiting') cancelExit(now);
+      return;
+    }
+    if (liftPhase === 'entering' && now < scheduledStart) cancelEntry(now);
+    if (!physical || latestDrive.energy < LIFT_EXIT_ENERGY) scheduleExit(now);
+  };
+
+  const resetLiftGate = (): void => {
+    const now = context.currentTime;
+    holdParameter(driveLiftGate.gain, now);
+    driveLiftGate.gain.linearRampToValueAtTime(0, now + 0.05);
+    liftPhase = 'off';
+    scheduledStart = 0;
+    scheduledEnd = 0;
+  };
+
+  return {
+    bedInput,
+    driveLiftInput,
+    driveTextureInput,
+    setChapterIntent(intent) {
+      if (disposed) return;
+      const profile = MIX_PROFILES[intent.mood];
+      ramp(bedTrim.gain, profile.bedGain, MOOD_RAMP_SECONDS);
+      ramp(highShelf.gain, profile.highShelfDb, MOOD_RAMP_SECONDS);
+      ramp(textureSend.gain, profile.textureSend, MOOD_RAMP_SECONDS);
+      ramp(driveLiftCap.gain, profile.liftCap, MOOD_RAMP_SECONDS);
+    },
+    setDriveEnergy(sample) {
+      if (disposed) return;
+      latestDrive = sample;
+      applyLatestDrive();
+    },
+    setTransportAnchor(anchorTime) {
+      if (disposed) return;
+      transportAnchor = anchorTime;
+      if (anchorTime === null) resetLiftGate();
+      else applyLatestDrive();
+    },
+    setDriveLiftAvailableAt(startTime) {
+      if (disposed) return;
+      driveLiftAvailableAt = startTime;
+      if (startTime === null) resetLiftGate();
+      else applyLatestDrive();
+    },
+    dispose() {
+      if (disposed) return;
+      resetLiftGate();
+      disposed = true;
+      for (const node of ownedNodes) node.disconnect();
+    },
+  };
+};
diff --git a/src/audio/soundtrack-transport.ts b/src/audio/soundtrack-transport.ts
index b3f654e..b93baa9 100644
--- a/src/audio/soundtrack-transport.ts
+++ b/src/audio/soundtrack-transport.ts
@@ -2,9 +2,30 @@ import type { ChapterIntent } from '@/audio/types';
 
 export const SOUNDTRACK_SAMPLE_RATE = 48_000;
 export const MUSIC_BPM = 86;
+export const MUSIC_BEAT_SECONDS = 60 / MUSIC_BPM;
+export const MUSIC_BEAT_SAMPLES = Math.round(
+  SOUNDTRACK_SAMPLE_RATE * MUSIC_BEAT_SECONDS,
+);
 export const MUSIC_BAR_SECONDS = 4 * 60 / MUSIC_BPM;
+export const MUSIC_BAR_SAMPLES = 133_953;
 export const MAIN_PHRASE_BARS = 8;
 
+export const MAIN_DURATION_SAMPLES = 8_573_023;
+export const MAIN_DURATION_SECONDS = MAIN_DURATION_SAMPLES / SOUNDTRACK_SAMPLE_RATE;
+export const AFTERGLOW_TRANSITION_SAMPLES = MUSIC_BAR_SAMPLES;
+export const AFTERGLOW_TRANSITION_SECONDS = AFTERGLOW_TRANSITION_SAMPLES /
+  SOUNDTRACK_SAMPLE_RATE;
+export const AFTERGLOW_LOOP_START_SAMPLE = AFTERGLOW_TRANSITION_SAMPLES;
+export const AFTERGLOW_LOOP_SAMPLES = 1_071_628;
+export const AFTERGLOW_LOOP_END_SAMPLE = 1_205_581;
+export const AFTERGLOW_LOOP_START_SECONDS = AFTERGLOW_LOOP_START_SAMPLE /
+  SOUNDTRACK_SAMPLE_RATE;
+export const AFTERGLOW_LOOP_END_SECONDS = AFTERGLOW_LOOP_END_SAMPLE /
+  SOUNDTRACK_SAMPLE_RATE;
+export const DRIVE_LIFT_LOOP_SAMPLES = 535_814;
+export const DRIVE_LIFT_LOOP_SECONDS = DRIVE_LIFT_LOOP_SAMPLES /
+  SOUNDTRACK_SAMPLE_RATE;
+
 export const INTRO_IN_END_SAMPLE = 267_907;
 export const INTRO_FIRST_PASS_END_SAMPLE = 1_339_535;
 export const INTRO_LOOP_START_SAMPLE = INTRO_FIRST_PASS_END_SAMPLE;
@@ -51,3 +72,51 @@ export function nextSafeBarTime(
   const nextBar = Math.ceil(elapsedBars - oneSampleInBars);
   return anchorTime + nextBar * MUSIC_BAR_SECONDS;
 }
+
+export function nextBeatTime(earliest: number, anchorTime: number): number {
+  const elapsedBeats = (Math.max(anchorTime, earliest) - anchorTime) /
+    MUSIC_BEAT_SECONDS;
+  const oneSampleInBeats = 1 / SOUNDTRACK_SAMPLE_RATE / MUSIC_BEAT_SECONDS;
+  return anchorTime + Math.ceil(elapsedBeats - oneSampleInBeats) *
+    MUSIC_BEAT_SECONDS;
+}
+
+export function phaseAlignedLoopOffset(
+  when: number,
+  anchorTime: number,
+  loopDuration: number,
+): number {
+  if (!Number.isFinite(loopDuration) || loopDuration <= 0) return 0;
+  const elapsed = when - anchorTime;
+  return ((elapsed % loopDuration) + loopDuration) % loopDuration;
+}
+
+export interface MainScheduleInput {
+  readonly startTime: number;
+  readonly offsetSeconds: number;
+  readonly bufferDuration: number;
+}
+
+export interface MainSchedule {
+  readonly sourceStartTime: number;
+  readonly sourceOffsetSeconds: number;
+  readonly musicalAnchorTime: number;
+  readonly sourceEndTime: number;
+  readonly afterglowStartTime: number;
+}
+
+export function resolveMainSchedule(input: MainScheduleInput): MainSchedule {
+  const sourceOffsetSeconds = Math.min(
+    Math.max(0, input.offsetSeconds),
+    Math.max(0, input.bufferDuration - 0.05),
+  );
+  const sourceEndTime = input.startTime + input.bufferDuration -
+    sourceOffsetSeconds;
+  return {
+    sourceStartTime: input.startTime,
+    sourceOffsetSeconds,
+    musicalAnchorTime: input.startTime - sourceOffsetSeconds,
+    sourceEndTime,
+    afterglowStartTime: sourceEndTime - AFTERGLOW_TRANSITION_SECONDS,
+  };
+}
diff --git a/tests/helpers/fake-audio-context.ts b/tests/helpers/fake-audio-context.ts
index f10992c..39051d0 100644
--- a/tests/helpers/fake-audio-context.ts
+++ b/tests/helpers/fake-audio-context.ts
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ export interface FakeAudioHarness {
   readonly context: AudioContext;
   readonly params: FakeAudioParamRecord[];
   readonly sources: FakeSourceRecord[];
-  readonly gainNodes: GainNode[];
+  readonly gainNodes: readonly GainNode[];
   readonly buffers: AudioBuffer[];
   readonly destination: AudioNode;
   setCurrentTime(seconds: number): void;
diff --git a/tests/unit/adaptive-mixer.test.ts b/tests/unit/adaptive-mixer.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..af76820
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/unit/adaptive-mixer.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,112 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
+import { createAdaptiveMixer } from '@/audio/adaptive-mixer';
+import { MUSIC_BEAT_SECONDS } from '@/audio/soundtrack-transport';
+import {
+  createFakeAudioHarness,
+  type FakeAudioHarness,
+  type FakeAudioParamRecord,
+} from '../helpers/fake-audio-context';
+
+function recordFor(
+  harness: FakeAudioHarness,
+  parameter: AudioParam,
+): FakeAudioParamRecord {
+  const record = harness.params.find((candidate) => candidate.param === parameter);
+  if (record === undefined) throw new Error('Missing fake AudioParam record.');
+  return record;
+}
+
+describe('adaptive mixer', () => {
+  it('ramps only the four approved mood controls over 1.4 seconds', () => {
+    const harness = createFakeAudioHarness();
+    const mixer = createAdaptiveMixer(harness.context, harness.destination);
+    harness.setCurrentTime(2);
+    mixer.setChapterIntent({
+      sectionId: 'toolkit',
+      mood: 'resolve',
+      atStart: false,
+      entryPhrase: 6,
+      generation: 1,
+    });
+    const events = harness.params.flatMap((record) => record.events);
+    expect(events.filter((event) => event.kind === 'linear' && event.at === 3.4))
+      .toHaveLength(4);
+  });
+
+  it('arms lift after sustained physical input but never for navigation', () => {
+    const harness = createFakeAudioHarness();
+    const mixer = createAdaptiveMixer(harness.context, harness.destination);
+    const liftGate = harness.gainNodes[3]!.gain;
+    mixer.setTransportAnchor(0);
+    mixer.setDriveLiftAvailableAt(0);
+
+    harness.setCurrentTime(1);
+    mixer.setDriveEnergy({ energy: 1, source: 'navigation' });
+    expect(recordFor(harness, liftGate).events)
+      .not.toContainEqual(expect.objectContaining({ kind: 'linear', value: 1 }));
+
+    mixer.setDriveEnergy({ energy: 0.7, source: 'physical' });
+    expect(recordFor(harness, liftGate).events).toContainEqual({
+      kind: 'linear',
+      value: 1,
+      at: 4 * MUSIC_BEAT_SECONDS,
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('cancels an unsustained entry and schedules hysteretic exit', () => {
+    const harness = createFakeAudioHarness();
+    const mixer = createAdaptiveMixer(harness.context, harness.destination);
+    const liftGate = harness.gainNodes[3]!.gain;
+    mixer.setTransportAnchor(0);
+    mixer.setDriveLiftAvailableAt(0);
+    harness.setCurrentTime(1);
+    mixer.setDriveEnergy({ energy: 0.7, source: 'physical' });
+    harness.setCurrentTime(1.2);
+    mixer.setDriveEnergy({ energy: 0.5, source: 'physical' });
+    expect(recordFor(harness, liftGate).events)
+      .toContainEqual({ kind: 'hold', at: 1.2 });
+
+    harness.setCurrentTime(2);
+    mixer.setDriveEnergy({ energy: 0.7, source: 'physical' });
+    harness.setCurrentTime(5);
+    mixer.setDriveEnergy({ energy: 0.2, source: 'physical' });
+    expect(recordFor(harness, liftGate).events)
+      .toContainEqual(expect.objectContaining({ kind: 'linear', value: 0 }));
+  });
+
+  it('replays cached strong drive only after a late loop source is ready', () => {
+    const harness = createFakeAudioHarness();
+    const mixer = createAdaptiveMixer(harness.context, harness.destination);
+    const liftGate = harness.gainNodes[3]!.gain;
+    mixer.setDriveEnergy({ energy: 0.8, source: 'physical' });
+    mixer.setTransportAnchor(0);
+    expect(recordFor(harness, liftGate).events)
+      .not.toContainEqual(expect.objectContaining({ kind: 'linear', value: 1 }));
+
+    harness.setCurrentTime(5);
+    mixer.setDriveLiftAvailableAt(5.08);
+    const entryEnd = recordFor(harness, liftGate).events.findLast(
+      (event) => event.kind === 'linear' && event.value === 1,
+    );
+    expect(entryEnd).toBeDefined();
+    expect(entryEnd!.at).toBeGreaterThan(5.08 + 0.45);
+    expect(entryEnd!.at / MUSIC_BEAT_SECONDS).toBeCloseTo(
+      Math.round(entryEnd!.at / MUSIC_BEAT_SECONDS),
+      8,
+    );
+  });
+
+  it('disposes each owned mixer node once without disconnecting the destination', () => {
+    const harness = createFakeAudioHarness();
+    const mixer = createAdaptiveMixer(harness.context, harness.destination);
+    const destination = harness.destination as AudioNode & { disconnectCount: number };
+    mixer.dispose();
+    mixer.dispose();
+
+    expect(harness.gainNodes).toHaveLength(8);
+    for (const node of harness.gainNodes) {
+      expect((node as GainNode & { disconnectCount: number }).disconnectCount).toBe(1);
+    }
+    expect(destination.disconnectCount).toBe(0);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/tests/unit/soundtrack-transport.test.ts b/tests/unit/soundtrack-transport.test.ts
index d41f548..87e1ffd 100644
--- a/tests/unit/soundtrack-transport.test.ts
+++ b/tests/unit/soundtrack-transport.test.ts
@@ -1,11 +1,24 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
 import {
+  AFTERGLOW_LOOP_END_SAMPLE,
+  AFTERGLOW_LOOP_START_SAMPLE,
+  AFTERGLOW_TRANSITION_SECONDS,
+  DRIVE_LIFT_LOOP_SAMPLES,
+  DRIVE_LIFT_LOOP_SECONDS,
+  MAIN_DURATION_SAMPLES,
+  MAIN_DURATION_SECONDS,
   MAIN_PHRASE_BARS,
+  MUSIC_BAR_SAMPLES,
   MUSIC_BAR_SECONDS,
+  MUSIC_BEAT_SAMPLES,
+  MUSIC_BEAT_SECONDS,
   INTRO_IN_END_SECONDS,
   SOUNDTRACK_SAMPLE_RATE,
   mainPhraseOffsetSeconds,
+  nextBeatTime,
   nextSafeBarTime,
+  phaseAlignedLoopOffset,
+  resolveMainSchedule,
   resolveInitialPlayback,
 } from '@/audio/soundtrack-transport';
 
@@ -50,4 +63,44 @@ describe('soundtrack transport decisions', () => {
     );
     expect(earliestIntroExit).toBeCloseTo(anchorTime + MUSIC_BAR_SECONDS * 2, 8);
   });
+
+  it('pins the short adaptive regions to whole samples', () => {
+    expect(MUSIC_BEAT_SAMPLES).toBe(33_488);
+    expect(MUSIC_BAR_SAMPLES).toBe(133_953);
+    expect(DRIVE_LIFT_LOOP_SAMPLES).toBe(535_814);
+    expect(AFTERGLOW_LOOP_START_SAMPLE).toBe(133_953);
+    expect(AFTERGLOW_LOOP_END_SAMPLE).toBe(1_205_581);
+    expect(MAIN_DURATION_SAMPLES).toBe(8_573_023);
+  });
+
+  it('derives one immutable main anchor and the final-bar afterglow handoff', () => {
+    expect(resolveMainSchedule({
+      startTime: 10,
+      offsetSeconds: mainPhraseOffsetSeconds(6),
+      bufferDuration: MAIN_DURATION_SECONDS,
+    })).toEqual({
+      sourceStartTime: 10,
+      sourceOffsetSeconds: mainPhraseOffsetSeconds(6),
+      musicalAnchorTime: 10 - mainPhraseOffsetSeconds(6),
+      sourceEndTime: 10 + MAIN_DURATION_SECONDS - mainPhraseOffsetSeconds(6),
+      afterglowStartTime: 10 + MAIN_DURATION_SECONDS - mainPhraseOffsetSeconds(6) - AFTERGLOW_TRANSITION_SECONDS,
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('aligns a late loop source and sustained entry to the master beat', () => {
+    expect(phaseAlignedLoopOffset(13, 10, DRIVE_LIFT_LOOP_SECONDS))
+      .toBeCloseTo(3, 8);
+    expect(nextBeatTime(11.45, 10)).toBeCloseTo(
+      10 + 3 * MUSIC_BEAT_SECONDS,
+      8,
+    );
+  });
+
+  it('keeps one-sample-rounded beat and bar boundaries on the current boundary', () => {
+    const oneSample = 1 / SOUNDTRACK_SAMPLE_RATE;
+    expect(nextBeatTime(MUSIC_BEAT_SECONDS + oneSample, 0))
+      .toBeCloseTo(MUSIC_BEAT_SECONDS, 8);
+    expect(nextSafeBarTime(MUSIC_BAR_SECONDS + oneSample, 0, 0))
+      .toBeCloseTo(MUSIC_BAR_SECONDS, 8);
+  });
 });