Install Instructions

If you are updating just replace the files with the new ones, your persistent data like recordings/exports and settings will be saved.

• Mac
  1. Download the zip file.
  2. Unzip the file.
  3. Move the application to the Applications folder.
  4. Double-click the application to run it.
• Windows
  1. Download the zip file.
  2. Unzip the file.
  3. Leave the .exe file in the folder.
  4. Double-click the .exe file to run it.
• Linux
  1. Download the zip file.
  2. Open the file manager and navigate to the Downloads folder.
  3. Right-click on the zip file and select "Extract Here".
  4. Open the extracted folder.
  5. Right-click on the main executable file and select "Properties".
  6. Go to the "Permissions" tab and check the box that says "Allow executing file as program".
  7. Close the properties window.
  8. Double-click the main executable file to run the program.

Basic Usage

Run the `s` command to load random samples! Run `s kick` to load a kick sample etc.

Run the `cs` command to load random samples from our cloud sample library! Run `cs synth` to load a synth sample etc.

Run the `help` command to learn other commands!

Beat DJ now comes with a sample database in the cloud so you can download samples on the fly. Run the `cs` (cloudSplitter) command to create sounds from the cloud. Samples will be saved in the BeatDJ application Downloads folder. Run `fil` to view them. Run the `cloud` command to manage your cloud files.

The key is tied to the BPM. For example to have a fundamental that is equal to C you would need the BPM to be 122.637. This will be more flexible in new versions. The idea is that if the fundamental oscillates at the rate of the tempo its more harmonic. Run the `fun` command to set the fundamental frequency.

Scales are microtonal but can be 12TET. There is a scale building command for just intonation and equal divisions of the octave. You can also import/export .scl files.

Most number inputs go from 0 to 9. For example max volume is 9, silence is 0.

Example Commands:

• help (shows all other commands)
• s (loads random sample)
• cs (loads random sample from the cloud)
• s clap (loads a clap sample by searching the file paths)
• s hat (loads a hat sample by searching the files paths)
• cs kick (loads a kick sample from the cloud)
• bpm 180 0 (sets the bpm to 180 instantly)
• 0 d (deletes sound zero)
• 0,3,4 d (deletes sounds 0,3,4)
• a d (deletes all sounds)
• o d (deletes the oldest 3 sounds)
• ai `how does beat dj work?` (asks the AI for help)
• ai `make a techno beat` (the AI will respond with help then use the `run` command to run the suggested commands)
• snare d (deletes snares)
• kick,snare,12 d (deletes kicks, snares, and sound 12)
• h ve 900 (sets a shorter decay on high frequency sounds)
• m mel (changes the melody of mid frequency sounds)
• l,3 mut (mutes all low frequency sounds and sound 3)
• a mut off (unmutes all)
• stop (stop playback)
• play (start playback)
• sc r (create a random just intonation scale)
• sc re (create a random edo scale)
• sc j (build a just intonation scale)
• sc e (build an edo scale)
• sc scl /filepathToSclFile (imports a .scl file)
• a exp j (export all sounds joined together, effects not included)
• a exp s (export all sounds separately, effects not included)
• rec & rec stop (record and stop recording, effects included)
• tts `hello world` (speaks hello world)
• feedback (request features or improvements)
• cloud (manage cloud files)
• mic (record with the microphone)
• a hum 9 (sets the humanize level to the max for all sounds, it will sound drunk :))
• signUp (links your anonymous account to an email so you can use your account on other devices)
• added "choose->" text to make it easier to see when input is required

Live Performance

There are 4 large spheres on Beat DJ. The bottom left one is the left headphone channel, the bottom right is the right headphone channel. The top ones represent the speakers left and right channels. When performing live you will need an audio interface and you will need to create an aggregated sound output device so you can preview the sounds on your headphones.

Mac setup instructions

Windows setup instructions

Linux setup instructions coming soon. Email us if you need help or figure it out! dev@soniare.net

How do the microtonal scales work?

We plan to make Beat DJ a super flexible solution for microtonality. Currently in the beta the fundamental frequency is always linked with the BPM and the way the microtonality works is via the scale command like so:

• when the program starts it will generate a random justly tuned microtonal scale
• run `fun` to set the fundamental frequency (which will change the bpm)
• run the `sc p` command to play the current scale
• run `sc r` to generate a new random sca
• run `sc j` to build a just intonation scale
• run `sc e` to build an edo scale
• run `sc m 1-1.25-1.5-1.75-2` to manually enter specific ratios
• run `sc scl` to import .scl files
• run `sc exp` to export the scale
• run `sc s` to stop the playback of the scale
• run `sc pri` to print the scale
• run `sc ch r` to play a random chord
• all new sounds will be in the current scale, to modify a sound to use the current scale use the melody command `mel`
• run `help mel` or `ai how does mel work?` to learn more

Music made with Beat DJ

Change Log

Contact

Still have questions or suggestions? Email me at nes@soniare.net

Thank you!

- Nes