Starts - Complete Guide
Master the workflow, understand the tools, and export production-ready MIDI in seconds.
⚡ Keyboard Shortcuts
Space → Play / Stop audition
Enter → Toggle master mute
Quick start
Make a loop you can export in about a few seconds.
1
Pick a key + scale
Sets the harmonic foundation. Try Major for pop, Minor for moody, Dorian for jazz vibes.
2
Choose or create a progression
Load a Template or use the step sequencer. Chords guide a lot of the process, so choose wisely.
3
Pick generator styles
Select algorithms for each instrument. Start simple, add complexity later.
4
Generate → Play → iterate
Hit Generate, audition the result. Lock what works, regenerate what doesn't.
5
Export MIDI
Download and import to your DAW. Assign sounds, arrange, produce.
💡 Quick Tips
• Progression Templates have a "surprise me" button, so it picks a random progression for you!
• Too busy? Mute some instruments and focus on what you want to hear.
• Use Lock on instruments you like, then regenerate the rest.
• Try Random a few times-sometimes the best ideas come from happy accidents.
Main Controls
These live at the top of Starts.
Generate
Creates a fresh loop using your current settings (key, scale, progression, algorithms).
Random
Randomizes all generator algorithms, then generates. Great for creative exploration.
Play / Stop
Auditions the current loop. Shortcut: Space toggles Play/Stop.
Mute
Mutes the audition output. Shortcut: Enter toggles Mute.
Volume
Adjusts audition loudness (in dB). Useful if your monitoring level varies.
BPM / Tempo
Sets the playback tempo for audition and export (40-200 BPM).
Key + Scale
Changes the musical "world" everything is generated in. Experiment with modes and exotic scales.
Templates
Loads curated starting settings (progression + generator choices). Fast way to get genre-appropriate results.
Seed
Set a Seed for repeatable randomness while you tweak. Use Reset to go back to fully random generation. -1 is the random seed.
Download
Exports your loop as MIDI. Options for complete pack or individual instruments.
Instrument Controls
Use the instrument tabs (Chord / Lead / Bass / Drums) to control each part.
M / S
Mute / Solo
Audition controls per instrument (M and S buttons on tabs). Solo to isolate, Mute to debug rhythm conflicts.
Sound
Changes the audition sound preset. Use this to hear how your MIDI translates to different timbres before export.
Lock
Locks an instrument so it won't change on generation. Essential for iterative workflow-lock what works, tweak the rest. Useful for when you like a specific element, as the others will change around what you have locked in.
Regenerate
Regenerates just that instrument (cube icon on the tab). Fast way to cycle through variations without rebuilding everything. Useful when an instrument just doesn't sound good, as the other instruments provide guidance when you regenerate.
Algorithm Selector
Pick the generator style for each instrument. Each algorithm creates different rhythmic and melodic patterns-detailed below.
Progression Editor
The step sequencer below the instrument panels lets you build custom chord progressions.
How it works
• Click any button in the grid to place a chord at that step.
• Each row represents a scale degree (I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, vii°).
• Click the chord name on the left to audition that scale degree.
• Switch between 4 Steps (simple) or 8 Steps (complex) at the top.
• Use Double to expand your progression to twice the length.
• Use Half to compress it to half the length.
• Clear wipes the progression so you can start fresh.
Progression Generators
• Click Generate to create a progression using music theory rules. This uses the same algorithm as Starts, but just for progressions.
• Click Templates to load common progressions (I-V-vi-IV, vi-IV-I-V, etc.).
• Generated progressions respect your chosen key and scale.
Generator Algorithms
Each generator has several algorithm styles. Choose based on your desired sound and complexity.
Chords
Strum - Alternates between arpeggiating up and down. Good for guitar-style patterns or rhythmic movement. → Works well with: Stepwise Motion lead
Split - Chords split into smaller note groups, played with timing offsets. Creates layered, syncopated feels. → Works well with: Riff bass
Rhythmic Stabs - Short, percussive chord hits with varying patterns. Great for EDM and danceable tracks. → Works well with: Hook lead
Arpeggiated - Individual notes played in sequence. Classic arpeggio patterns for trance, synthwave, or ambient. → Works well with: Walking bass
Pianish - Piano-style chord voicings and rhythms. Natural, musical, less mechanical. → Works well with: Call and Response lead
Lead
Stepwise Motion - Smooth melodic lines that move by small intervals. Natural-sounding, singable melodies. → Best for: Vocal-style leads, pop hooks
Riff - Polyphonic riffs with multiple notes playing together. Aggressive, rhythmic. → Best for: Rock, metal, funk
Call and Response - Musical "question" followed by an "answer." Creates conversational, dynamic phrasing. → Best for: Blues, jazz, gospel
Hook - Analyzes the arrangement and fills gaps between other instruments. Complementary, not overwhelming. → Best for: Dense arrangements, trap
Question-Answer - 2-bar question phrase ending on tension, then 2-bar answer resolving. Strong sense of completion. → Best for: Classical, cinematic
Bass
Chord Tones - Follows the root and chord notes. Simple, safe, locks in the harmony. → Best for: House, techno, minimal
Riff - Monophonic (single-note) riffs with rhythmic patterns. More melodic and interesting than Chord Tones. → Best for: Funk, disco, hip-hop
Walking - Smooth, stepwise movement through chord tones and scale notes. Classic jazz/blues feel. → Best for: Jazz, swing, lounge
Syncopated - Off-beat rhythms with unexpected timing. Groove-heavy, creates momentum. → Best for: Drum & bass, dubstep, trap
Drums
Four on the Floor - Kick on every beat, snare on 2 and 4. The backbone of house, techno, disco. → Best for: EDM, dance, pop
Drum N Bass - Fast breakbeat with delayed second kick. Signature DnB/jungle pattern with extra hi-hats. → Best for: Drum & bass, jungle
Break - Classic breakbeat patterns inspired by sample-based hip-hop. Raw, organic feel. → Best for: Hip-hop, trip-hop, breaks
Half-Time - Slowed-down feel with emphasis on beats 1 and 3. Creates space and weight. → Best for: Trap, dubstep, downtempo
Ostinato - Repeating groove pattern that locks into modern pop/EDM style. → Best for: Pop, EDM, dance
Drum Options
Flams - Adds quick double-hits before some notes for a more human, live-drummer feel.
More Kicks - Increases kick drum density for heavier, more aggressive patterns.
Sync - Aligns drum hits with chord changes and melodic accents for tighter arrangement cohesion.
Export & Workflow
Getting your MIDI into your DAW.
Download Options
• Complete Pack - All instruments in one MIDI file with separate tracks. Easiest for most DAWs.
• Individual Parts - Each instrument as its own MIDI file. Useful if you want to process them differently.
• Include BPM - Embeds tempo info in the MIDI. Your DAW will auto-set the correct tempo.
• ZIP file - Bundles everything into one download.
• Amount (coming soon) - Generate multiple variations in one export for quick A/B testing.
What to do in your DAW
1. Assign sounds - The MIDI is just note data. Load your own VSTs and samples.
2. Adjust velocities - Tweak dynamics for more expression and groove.
3. Quantize or humanize - Tighten timing or add imperfection depending on your style.
4. Extend/arrange - Loop it, add variations, build intro/outro, create a full track structure.
5. Write the song - This machine gives you midi, you build the song.
Production Tips
Real-world workflow advice from producers.
Start simple, add complexity
Begin with Chord Tones bass + Four on the Floor drums. Once that groove feels solid, add a simple lead. Then regenerate individual parts with more complex algorithms until you hit the sweet spot.
Lock what works
When you hear a chord progression or bassline you love, lock it immediately. Then iterate on the other instruments. This prevents you from losing good ideas while experimenting.
Theory matters (but not too much)
Try different scales and keys-Dorian and Mixolydian are great for modal vibes, Harmonic Minor for darker sounds. But trust your ears. If it sounds good, it is good, even if it breaks "rules."
Ready to create?
Head back to Starts and put these tips into practice.