Quick Start Guide

This chapter gets you making music in under five minutes. For full details on any topic, see the rest of the manual.

FIRST LAUNCH

The first time you open Noemi, a welcome dialog appears offering two ways to begin: pick a bundled demo project to see Noemi in motion, or start with an empty canvas. Untick "Show on startup" if you'd rather skip it next time. You can always reach the demos later via File > Demo Projects.

1. 1ADD A SOUND SOURCE

Click the Modules button (top-left) or right-click the canvas. Choose a source node:

• Pattern — Draw notes on a piano roll
• Generator - Let Noemi compose probabilistic melodies for you
• Rhythm — Program drum beats on a step grid
• Waveform — Play back and mangle audio samples

The node appears on the canvas. Most sources come with default content so you'll hear something right away.

1. 1ADD AN INSTRUMENT

Click Modules again and choose an instrument -- Chirusa (synth), Leeroy (drums), Cantia (voice), or any installed VST3/AU/CLAP/LV2 plugin. It appears as a second node on the canvas.

1. 1CONNECT THEM

Drag from the source node's output port (right side, orange dot) to the instrument's input port (left side, blue dot). A connection line appears. You can also select a node and press C, then click the target node.

1. 1CONNECT TO THE MIXER

Every project has a Mixer node on the right side of the canvas. Drag from your instrument's output port to one of the Mixer's input ports. This routes audio to the master output.

1. 1PRESS PLAY

Click the Play button in the transport bar (bottom-left) or press Space. You should hear your composition playing.

ADDING EFFECTS

Add an effect node (internal effects like Delay, Reverb, Filter, or any external audio plugin) and insert it between the instrument and the Mixer. Disconnect the instrument from the Mixer, then wire: Instrument -> Effect -> Mixer.

MODULATION

Open the Modulation panel (bottom bar). Add an LFO, Envelope, or Step Sequencer modulation source, then route it to any parameter. This adds movement and variation to your sound automatically.

SCENES

Save the current state of your entire project as a Scene with Cmd+Shift+1 (or any number 1-0). Recall it with Cmd+1. Scenes remember all node states, modulation, and mixer settings -- great for live performance.

SAVING YOUR WORK

Cmd+S saves the project. Cmd+Shift+S saves as a new file. Projects are saved as .nmi files that include all node data, connections, modulation, and embedded audio.

TIPS

• Right-click any node for context actions (duplicate, delete, rename, disconnect)
• Tab toggles the minimap for navigating large graphs
• Cmd+Z / Cmd+Shift+Z for undo/redo (100 levels)
• F1 opens this documentation inside the app
• Each source node has a Randomize button (!!!) to quickly generate new content
• Use the Sequencer node to automate state changes on Pattern/Generator/Rhythm for evolving arrangements