User Interface Guide
This document describes the operation of the user interface. For more information about each module, refer to Modules Guide.
Project
The project file can be saved and contains all the preset and sound data. When the project file is opened, all the data is recalled. The file extension for the project file is .2020
.
Keyboard Interactions
Modifier | Event | Description |
---|---|---|
Command | N | Start a new project. |
Command | S | Save the project file. |
Command + Shift | S | Save the project file under a different name. |
Command | O | Open a project file. |
Preset Selector
Certain modules come equipped with a preset feature, which enables you to save and restore the state of all parameters within the module. These modules offer either 10 or 80 preset slots, which can be conveniently accessed through the keys displayed on the GUI. Specifically, the Q
W
E
R
T
Y
U
I
O
P
keys are designated for song presets, while the A
S
D
F
G
H
J
K
keys are designated for pattern presets.
Mouse and Keyboard Interactions
Modifier | Event | Description |
---|---|---|
- | Q W E R T Y U I O P | Restore the preset at the beginning of the next bar. |
Control | Q W E R T Y U I O P | Restore the preset immediately. |
Shift | Q W E R T Y U I O P | Save the preset. |
- | A S D F G H J K | Restore the preset at the beginning of the next bar. |
Control | A S D F G H J K | Restore the preset immediately. |
Shift | A S D F G H J K | Save the preset. |
Configuring Keyboard Layout
By default, it is designed for a QWERTY keyboard.
If you are using a non-QWERTY keyboard layout, you can change the keys that correspond to the Preset Selector by editing 2020.config
.
For example, to change from the Q
key to the L
key, edit as follows.
Before:
<value name="global-key-mappings">
<mappings>
<key key="q" parameter="/preset/q"/>
<key key="w" parameter="/preset/w"/>
~
~
</mappings>
</VALUE>
After:
<value name="global-key-mappings">
<mappings>
<key key="l" parameter="/preset/q"/>
<key key="w" parameter="/preset/w"/>
~
~
</mappings>
</VALUE>
Context Menu
The Context Menu provides a way to control the module or GUI located where you right-clicked.
Snapshots
The Snapshots feature allows you to save states of frequently used sounds and sequences for reuse. You can save snapshots for the entire app or for each module with a preset GUI. Snapshots can be saved from the context menu, and the files are saved to ~/Music/2020/Snapshots
.
Basic GUI components
These are basic GUI components for adjusting parameter values and toggling ON/OFF switches. The knobs included in modules capable of receiving trigger events are equipped with a randomize function. Randomizable knobs display the probability and range as red and yellow lines respectively.
Mouse and Keyboard Interactions
Modifier | Event | Description |
---|---|---|
- | Double Click a component | Resets value to default. |
- | Click a Toggle component | Toggles value ON/OFF. |
- | Drag a Knob or Number Box | Changes the value. |
Shift | Drag a Knob or Number Box | Changes the value faster. |
- | Drag a Slider | Changes the value. |
Alt | Drag a Randomizable Knob | Changes the randomizing range. |
Command | Drag a Randomizable Knob | Changes the randomizing probability. |
Sound File Menu
The Sound File Menu allows you to browse and load sound files. The sound files and folders located in ~/Music/2020/Sounds
can be browsed using the User Library
menu. You can also open sound files and folders by dragging and dropping them.
Transport Control
You can control the BPM, swing, play, and stop. Clicking the play button again while playing will rewind to the beginning of the bar. Clicking the stop button while stopped will kill all audio. When manually syncing with other music, the tap tempo and BPM adjustment buttons are handy.
Keyboard interactions
Modifier | Event | Description |
---|---|---|
- | SPACEBAR | Toggle play/stop. |
- | LEFT ARROW | Temporarily decrease BPM. |
- | RIGHT ARROW | Temporarily increase BPM. |
Grid Sequencer
The Grid Sequencer allows you to set and play trigger sequences. The sequence resolution can be set to each beat. Additionally, you can edit the sequence using the multiple buttons located in the upper right corner.
Mouse Interactions
Modifier | Event | Description |
---|---|---|
- | Click or Drag over cells | Toggle triggers. |
Command | Click or Drag over cells | Toggle accents. |
Shift | Drag over cells | Changes the volume sequence. |
Alt | Drag and drop | Copies sequences by beat unit. |
- | Execute Duplicate Sequence from the context menu | Duplicates the current sequence to the end position. |
- | Execute Double Tempo from the context menu | Rearrange grids to play the current sequence at double the speed. |
- | Execute Halve Tempo from the context menu | Rearrange grids to play the current sequence at half the speed. |
Envelope
The envelope can be edited to make changes to parameters such as volume, pitch, and granular parameters that correspond to the flow of time. If you’re using an FM synthesizer or granular sampler, you can select and edit specific envelopes from among multiple envelopes using the algorithm selector or tab. You can also randomize the coordinates of the envelope points.
Mouse Interactions
Modifier | Event | Description |
---|---|---|
- | Drag a point | Moves the envelope point. |
- | Drag a line between points up or down | Changes the curve of the envelope. |
Alt | Drag a point | Changes the range of randomization. |
Command | Mouse over | Switches to the pitch envelope. |
Audio Bus
The audio signal of the instrument module can be sent to any BUS. For example, if you want to send it directly to the mixer, you can enable BUS1. If you want to process it with an FX module, you can enable FX2.
FX Patcher
You can freely connect modules represented by nodes. The circular arc displayed on each node indicates the range for connecting it to another node.
Mouse Interactions
Modifier | Event | Description |
---|---|---|
- | Drag a node | Moves the node. |
Alt | Drag a node | Changes the connection range of the node. |
Trigger Events (CV)
When you enable any FX BUS (FX1
, FX2
, FX3
) and trigger it, you can control the FX module connected in the FX patcher with a CV signal. In the FX module, if the CV signal exceeds the threshold, parameter randomization and LFO reset are executed. If the CV signal falls below the threshold, the CV signal is not passed to the next module. In addition, the CV signals are added together.
Note that CV signals are designed for internal use only and cannot drive hardware synthesizers.
Mute
When MUTE GRP
is on, instruments within the same group that are using the same busses will mute each other when triggered.
FM Algorithm
You can switch algorithms and toggle the display of operator editors from 1 to 3.
Mouse Interactions
Modifier | Event | Description |
---|---|---|
- | Click a operator | Displays the clicked operator in the editor. |
- | Click outside of operators | Switchs algorithms. |
Equalizer
You can adjust the EQ points by moving them in any direction. Moving them left and right controls the frequency, while moving them up and down controls the volume. By changing the Q value, you can adjust the sharpness of the EQ.
Mouse Interactions
Modifier | Event | Description |
---|---|---|
- | Drag a point | Moves the EQ point. |
Alt | Drag a point | Changes the Q value of the EQ point. |
- | Right-click on a point and select a filter type from the context menu | Selects the EQ type. |
Learn Mode
In Learn mode, you can assign MIDI controllers or keys to the selected parameter. However, note that keys that are already assigned globally, such as those for presets or instruments, cannot be assigned.
To remove a mapping, press the Delete
key while in Learn mode.
Keyboard Interactions
Modifier | Event | Description |
---|---|---|
Command | L | Toggle LEARN mode. |
Recordings
Output Location
Recorded files are stored in ~/Music/2020/Recordings
.
Recording settings can be configured in Preferences.
File Format
Wav
or Aiff
can be selected as the file format.
BIT DEPTH
can be selected from 16-bit
, 24-bit
and 32-bit (Wav only)
.
Recording Channel Set
The channel set for recording can be selected from the following.
2 Ch Mix
: OUT1 + OUT24 Ch Stem
: MST1 / MST212 Ch Stem
: BUS1 / BUS2 / BUS3 / BUS4 / BUS5 / BUS6
If you want to record a stem and re-mix it completely in another DAW, please try the Wav
32-bit
format. It allows signals above 0 dB to be recorded correctly. Be careful not to damage your equipment or your ears.
Output File Name
Recording file names can be specified in NAME FORMAT
using {project}
, {bpm}
, {year}
, {month}
, {day}
, {hour}
, {minute}
, and {second}
as placeholders.
Sync with Ableton Link Integration
Ableton Link integration allows tight clock synchronization between devices on the same network.
It can be enabled via the Preferences window or the Options menu.
If you want to sync with MIDI clocks, use another utility app as a bridge.
MIDI
You can configure MIDI input settings in Preferences. Enabling
FEEDBACK
will transmit parameter changes within the app to the MIDI device.
OSC
You can send and receive parameters using Open Sound Control (OSC). Only the parameters belonging to the checked category among Clock, Parameter, Trigger, Sequence, and Preset will be sent. Please refer to the Parameter list for the OSC addresses that can be sent and received.
Color Themes
You have the option to customize the color scheme of the GUI. There are 11 colors available to set: Background, Base, Text, Blue, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, Teal, and Yellow. You can toggle between dark mode and light mode as well. Feel free to get creative with your own color combinations and share them if you come up with a good theme.