diff --git a/crates/clitunes-engine/src/visualiser/bars_dot.rs b/crates/clitunes-engine/src/visualiser/bars_dot.rs
index 34b78bb..ec28f5c 100644
--- a/crates/clitunes-engine/src/visualiser/bars_dot.rs
+++ b/crates/clitunes-engine/src/visualiser/bars_dot.rs
@@ -150,13 +150,16 @@ impl Visualiser for BarsDot {
             }
         }
 
+        // Subtle warm gutter so empty air above the bars reads as a muted
+        // backdrop rather than a dead pane.
+        let gutter = Rgb::new(4, 2, 0);
         let grid_h = h;
         self.braille.compose(grid, |_cx, cy, dot_count| {
             if dot_count > 0 {
                 let fg = Self::color_for_row(cy, grid_h);
-                (fg, Rgb::BLACK)
+                (fg, gutter)
             } else {
-                (Rgb::BLACK, Rgb::BLACK)
+                (gutter, gutter)
             }
         });
     }
@@ -221,6 +224,37 @@ mod tests {
         );
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn gutter_is_tinted_not_black() {
+        // Even when the bars are short, the air above them must carry a
+        // palette-consistent tint rather than raw black.
+        let mut viz = BarsDot::new();
+        let fft = FftSnapshot::new(vec![0.0; 128], 48_000, 256);
+        let mut grid = CellGrid::new(120, 40);
+        {
+            let mut ctx = TuiContext { grid: &mut grid };
+            viz.render_tui(&mut ctx, &fft);
+        }
+
+        let edge_rows = [0u16, 39];
+        let edge_cols = [0u16, 119];
+
+        for row in edge_rows {
+            let any_tinted = (0..120u16).any(|x| {
+                let cell = grid.cells()[(row as usize) * 120 + x as usize];
+                cell.bg != Rgb::BLACK || cell.fg != Rgb::BLACK
+            });
+            assert!(any_tinted, "row {row} must have palette-tinted cells");
+        }
+        for col in edge_cols {
+            let any_tinted = (0..40u16).any(|y| {
+                let cell = grid.cells()[(y as usize) * 120 + col as usize];
+                cell.bg != Rgb::BLACK || cell.fg != Rgb::BLACK
+            });
+            assert!(any_tinted, "col {col} must have palette-tinted cells");
+        }
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn resize_no_panic() {
         let mut viz = BarsDot::new();
diff --git a/crates/clitunes-engine/src/visualiser/heartbeat.rs b/crates/clitunes-engine/src/visualiser/heartbeat.rs
index 5198ab8..81f1a8f 100644
--- a/crates/clitunes-engine/src/visualiser/heartbeat.rs
+++ b/crates/clitunes-engine/src/visualiser/heartbeat.rs
@@ -120,14 +120,17 @@ impl Visualiser for Heartbeat {
         let base = 0.3_f32;
         let brightness = (base + energy * 0.7).min(1.0);
 
+        // Muted hospital-monitor green so empty cells carry the palette
+        // rather than leave a raw black pane.
+        let gutter = Rgb::new(0, 6, 2);
         self.braille.compose(grid, |_cx, _cy, dot_count| {
             if dot_count > 0 {
                 let peak_boost = (dot_count as f32 / 8.0).min(1.0);
                 let green_val = brightness * (0.5 + 0.5 * peak_boost);
                 let fg = Rgb::new(0, f32_to_u8(green_val), 0);
-                (fg, Rgb::BLACK)
+                (fg, gutter)
             } else {
-                (Rgb::BLACK, Rgb::BLACK)
+                (gutter, gutter)
             }
         });
     }
@@ -209,6 +212,37 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(diff > 0, "different inputs should produce different output");
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn gutter_is_tinted_not_black() {
+        // Even with silent input the pane must carry the hospital-green
+        // gutter palette instead of collapsing to raw black.
+        let mut hb = Heartbeat::new();
+        let fft = fft_with_samples(vec![0.0; 1024]);
+        let mut grid = CellGrid::new(120, 40);
+        {
+            let mut ctx = TuiContext { grid: &mut grid };
+            hb.render_tui(&mut ctx, &fft);
+        }
+
+        let edge_rows = [0u16, 39];
+        let edge_cols = [0u16, 119];
+
+        for row in edge_rows {
+            let any_tinted = (0..120u16).any(|x| {
+                let cell = grid.cells()[(row as usize) * 120 + x as usize];
+                cell.bg != Rgb::BLACK || cell.fg != Rgb::BLACK
+            });
+            assert!(any_tinted, "row {row} must have palette-tinted cells");
+        }
+        for col in edge_cols {
+            let any_tinted = (0..40u16).any(|y| {
+                let cell = grid.cells()[(y as usize) * 120 + col as usize];
+                cell.bg != Rgb::BLACK || cell.fg != Rgb::BLACK
+            });
+            assert!(any_tinted, "col {col} must have palette-tinted cells");
+        }
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn resize_does_not_panic() {
         let mut hb = Heartbeat::new();
diff --git a/crates/clitunes-engine/src/visualiser/pulse.rs b/crates/clitunes-engine/src/visualiser/pulse.rs
index a9afd00..0b4844c 100644
--- a/crates/clitunes-engine/src/visualiser/pulse.rs
+++ b/crates/clitunes-engine/src/visualiser/pulse.rs
@@ -78,9 +78,11 @@ impl Visualiser for Pulse {
         let cx = bw / 2;
         let cy = bh / 2;
 
-        // Compute main circle radius based on energy.
-        let min_dim = cx.min(cy) as f32;
-        let base_radius = min_dim * 0.3 + energy * min_dim * 0.5;
+        // Scale the pulsing disc against the longer half-axis so the circle
+        // fills the pane even on wide terminals, rather than sitting as a
+        // small island in the middle with black gutters.
+        let max_dim = cx.max(cy) as f32;
+        let base_radius = max_dim * 0.35 + energy * max_dim * 0.65;
 
         // Detect transient and spawn shockwave ring.
         if energy - self.prev_energy > TRANSIENT_THRESHOLD {
@@ -230,6 +232,39 @@ mod tests {
         pulse.render_tui(&mut ctx, &fft);
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn fills_pane_at_120x40() {
+        let mut pulse = Pulse::new();
+        let fft = loud_fft();
+        let mut grid = CellGrid::new(120, 40);
+        // Drive energy high so the disc reaches its full radius.
+        for _ in 0..20 {
+            let mut ctx = TuiContext { grid: &mut grid };
+            pulse.render_tui(&mut ctx, &fft);
+        }
+
+        let has_dot = |row: u16, col_range: std::ops::Range<u16>| {
+            col_range.clone().any(|x| {
+                let cell = grid.cells()[(row as usize) * 120 + x as usize];
+                cell.ch != '\u{2800}' && cell.ch != ' '
+            })
+        };
+        let has_dot_col = |col: u16, row_range: std::ops::Range<u16>| {
+            row_range.clone().any(|y| {
+                let cell = grid.cells()[(y as usize) * 120 + col as usize];
+                cell.ch != '\u{2800}' && cell.ch != ' '
+            })
+        };
+
+        assert!(has_dot(0, 0..120), "top edge should have painted dots");
+        assert!(has_dot(39, 0..120), "bottom edge should have painted dots");
+        assert!(has_dot_col(0, 0..40), "left edge should have painted dots");
+        assert!(
+            has_dot_col(119, 0..40),
+            "right edge should have painted dots"
+        );
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn shockwave_spawns_on_transient() {
         let mut pulse = Pulse::new();
diff --git a/crates/clitunes-engine/src/visualiser/scope.rs b/crates/clitunes-engine/src/visualiser/scope.rs
index 09063c0..1d26304 100644
--- a/crates/clitunes-engine/src/visualiser/scope.rs
+++ b/crates/clitunes-engine/src/visualiser/scope.rs
@@ -62,49 +62,67 @@ impl Visualiser for Scope {
         self.ensure_buf(w, h);
         self.braille.clear();
 
-        let sub_w = self.braille.width() as f32;
-        let sub_h = self.braille.height() as f32;
+        // The Lissajous figure is intrinsically square in signal space.
+        // Letterbox on the longer axis (in braille sub-cell units — they
+        // are near-square on screen) and paint the surrounding gutter with
+        // a muted phosphor tint so the shape reads as deliberate rather
+        // than broken.
+        let buf_w = self.braille.width() as f32;
+        let buf_h = self.braille.height() as f32;
+        let square_side = buf_w.min(buf_h);
+        let sub_w = square_side;
+        let sub_h = square_side;
+        let x_margin = ((buf_w - sub_w) * 0.5).max(0.0);
+        let y_margin = ((buf_h - sub_h) * 0.5).max(0.0);
+        // Convert sub-cell margins to terminal-cell bounds for gutter paint.
+        let x_gutter_cells = (x_margin / 2.0).round() as u16;
+        let y_gutter_cells = (y_margin / 4.0).round() as u16;
 
         let samples = &fft.samples;
-        if samples.len() < 2 {
-            self.braille
-                .compose(grid, |_, _, _| (Rgb::BLACK, Rgb::BLACK));
-            return;
-        }
-
-        // Phase offset oscillates slowly for evolving Lissajous figures.
-        let phase_offset = (self.frame % 512) as usize;
-        let mut prev: Option<(i32, i32)> = None;
-        for i in 0..samples.len() {
-            let x_sample = samples[i];
-            let y_sample = samples[(i + phase_offset) % samples.len()];
-
-            // Map [-1, 1] to sub-pixel coords with a small margin.
-            let px = ((x_sample + 1.0) * 0.5 * (sub_w - 1.0))
-                .round()
-                .clamp(0.0, sub_w - 1.0) as i32;
-            let py = ((y_sample + 1.0) * 0.5 * (sub_h - 1.0))
-                .round()
-                .clamp(0.0, sub_h - 1.0) as i32;
-
-            if let Some((ppx, ppy)) = prev {
-                self.braille.line(ppx, ppy, px, py);
-            }
-            prev = Some((px, py));
-        }
-
         // Phosphor-green CRT colour, brightness modulated by energy.
         let base = 0.35_f32;
         let brightness = (base + energy * 0.65).min(1.0);
+        let gutter = Rgb::new(0, 4, 0);
+
+        if samples.len() >= 2 {
+            // Phase offset oscillates slowly for evolving Lissajous figures.
+            let phase_offset = (self.frame % 512) as usize;
+            let mut prev: Option<(i32, i32)> = None;
+            for i in 0..samples.len() {
+                let x_sample = samples[i];
+                let y_sample = samples[(i + phase_offset) % samples.len()];
+
+                let px = (x_margin + (x_sample + 1.0) * 0.5 * (sub_w - 1.0))
+                    .round()
+                    .clamp(0.0, buf_w - 1.0) as i32;
+                let py = (y_margin + (y_sample + 1.0) * 0.5 * (sub_h - 1.0))
+                    .round()
+                    .clamp(0.0, buf_h - 1.0) as i32;
+
+                if let Some((ppx, ppy)) = prev {
+                    self.braille.line(ppx, ppy, px, py);
+                }
+                prev = Some((px, py));
+            }
+        }
+
+        let x_lo = x_gutter_cells;
+        let x_hi = w.saturating_sub(x_gutter_cells);
+        let y_lo = y_gutter_cells;
+        let y_hi = h.saturating_sub(y_gutter_cells);
 
-        self.braille.compose(grid, |_cx, _cy, dot_count| {
+        self.braille.compose(grid, |cx, cy, dot_count| {
+            let in_frame = cx >= x_lo && cx < x_hi && cy >= y_lo && cy < y_hi;
             if dot_count > 0 {
                 let peak_boost = (dot_count as f32 / 8.0).min(1.0);
                 let green_val = brightness * (0.6 + 0.4 * peak_boost);
                 let fg = Rgb::new(0, f32_to_u8(green_val), 0);
-                (fg, Rgb::BLACK)
-            } else {
+                let bg = if in_frame { Rgb::BLACK } else { gutter };
+                (fg, bg)
+            } else if in_frame {
                 (Rgb::BLACK, Rgb::BLACK)
+            } else {
+                (gutter, gutter)
             }
         });
     }
@@ -180,6 +198,39 @@ mod tests {
         );
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn letterboxed_gutter_is_tinted() {
+        // Scope's Lissajous is intrinsically square; on a wide pane the
+        // left/right gutters must be painted with a muted phosphor tint,
+        // never pure black.
+        let mut scope = Scope::new();
+        let samples: Vec<f32> = (0..1024).map(|i| (i as f32 * 0.03).sin() * 0.6).collect();
+        let fft = fft_with_samples(samples);
+        let mut grid = CellGrid::new(120, 40);
+        {
+            let mut ctx = TuiContext { grid: &mut grid };
+            scope.render_tui(&mut ctx, &fft);
+        }
+
+        let edge_rows = [0u16, 39];
+        let edge_cols = [0u16, 119];
+
+        for row in edge_rows {
+            let any_tinted = (0..120u16).any(|x| {
+                let cell = grid.cells()[(row as usize) * 120 + x as usize];
+                cell.bg != Rgb::BLACK || cell.fg != Rgb::BLACK
+            });
+            assert!(any_tinted, "row {row} must have palette-tinted cells");
+        }
+        for col in edge_cols {
+            let any_tinted = (0..40u16).any(|y| {
+                let cell = grid.cells()[(y as usize) * 120 + col as usize];
+                cell.bg != Rgb::BLACK || cell.fg != Rgb::BLACK
+            });
+            assert!(any_tinted, "col {col} must have palette-tinted cells");
+        }
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn resize_does_not_panic() {
         let mut scope = Scope::new();
diff --git a/crates/clitunes-engine/src/visualiser/wave.rs b/crates/clitunes-engine/src/visualiser/wave.rs
index c159dd4..bcab5e2 100644
--- a/crates/clitunes-engine/src/visualiser/wave.rs
+++ b/crates/clitunes-engine/src/visualiser/wave.rs
@@ -95,6 +95,9 @@ impl Visualiser for Wave {
         let base = 0.3_f32;
         let brightness = (base + energy * 0.7).min(1.0);
 
+        // Muted oceanic gutter so empty cells read as palette-consistent
+        // background rather than broken screen.
+        let gutter = Rgb::new(1, 3, 6);
         self.braille.compose(grid, |_cx, _cy, dot_count| {
             if dot_count > 0 {
                 // Brighter where more dots (trace peaks).
@@ -103,9 +106,9 @@ impl Visualiser for Wave {
                 let r = f32_to_u8(val * 0.2);
                 let g = f32_to_u8(val * 0.7);
                 let b = f32_to_u8(val * 1.0);
-                (Rgb::new(r, g, b), Rgb::BLACK)
+                (Rgb::new(r, g, b), gutter)
             } else {
-                (Rgb::BLACK, Rgb::BLACK)
+                (gutter, gutter)
             }
         });
     }
@@ -175,6 +178,37 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(diff > 0, "different inputs should produce different output");
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn gutter_is_tinted_not_black() {
+        // With silent input the trace collapses to a baseline stripe; the
+        // rest of the pane must still carry the palette bg, not pure black.
+        let mut wave = Wave::new();
+        let fft = fft_with_samples(vec![0.0; 1024]);
+        let mut grid = CellGrid::new(120, 40);
+        {
+            let mut ctx = TuiContext { grid: &mut grid };
+            wave.render_tui(&mut ctx, &fft);
+        }
+
+        let edge_rows = [0u16, 39];
+        let edge_cols = [0u16, 119];
+
+        for row in edge_rows {
+            let any_tinted = (0..120u16).any(|x| {
+                let cell = grid.cells()[(row as usize) * 120 + x as usize];
+                cell.bg != Rgb::BLACK || cell.fg != Rgb::BLACK
+            });
+            assert!(any_tinted, "row {row} must have palette-tinted cells");
+        }
+        for col in edge_cols {
+            let any_tinted = (0..40u16).any(|y| {
+                let cell = grid.cells()[(y as usize) * 120 + col as usize];
+                cell.bg != Rgb::BLACK || cell.fg != Rgb::BLACK
+            });
+            assert!(any_tinted, "col {col} must have palette-tinted cells");
+        }
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn resize_does_not_panic() {
         let mut wave = Wave::new();