           whitenings[vertIndex] = pitches[i]
 
   kill: ->
-    @sizeOnBeat *= 4
+    new TWEEN.Tween(this)
+      .to({size: 0}, 0.6.ms)
+      .easing(TWEEN.Easing.Sinusoidal.In)
+      .start()
 
   alive: ->
-    @size > 0+    @size > 0.1
    )


  onBeat: ->
    @size = @sizeOnBeat

  onSegment: (segment) ->
    pitches = segment.pitches


  update: (elapsed) ->
    # update the particle size
    @particles.material.size = @size
    @chipLines.material.linewidth = @size * 0.15

    # add rotation speeds to to the torus rotation
    @particles.rotation.x += @rotationSpeedX * elapsed
