# BASS MACHINE
### Bassline Generator for Electronic Music
Create basslines in your browser, explore patterns in different keys and scales, and export the results as MIDI or WAV.
Generate an idea with AUTO, edit the notes in the grid, then shape its pace and feel with tempo, swing and density.
## Quick start
1. Choose a KEY, SCALE and OCT setting.
2. Select 16 steps for one bar or 32 steps for two bars.
3. Press AUTO to generate a bassline.
4. Press RUN/STOP to listen, then edit notes in the grid.
5. Export MIDI to play the pattern with your own instrument, or WAV to keep the machine’s audio.
## Controls
**Note grid**
Rows represent pitches and columns represent steps. The Bass Machine plays one note per step. Click the grid to add, remove or change notes.
**Key, scale and octave**
KEY sets the root note. SCALE selects the available notes. The OCT dropdown sets the register of the internal bass sound.
**Tempo, swing and density**
TEMPO sets the playback speed. SWING changes the rhythmic feel. DENSITY controls how busy the patterns generated by AUTO are.
**Pattern length and bar selection**
Select 16 for a one-bar pattern or 32 for two bars. Use BAR 1 and BAR 2 to view and edit each half of a two-bar pattern.
**Bar locks**
Use L1 or L2 to lock a bar when generating new material with AUTO. This lets you keep one part of a bassline while exploring alternatives for the other.
**Metronome, undo and clear**
Use the metronome to hear the beat while editing. The arrows beside UNDO move through your edits. CLR clears the pattern.
## Pattern memory
Use the four numbered slots to store and recall patterns. Select WRITE and choose a slot to store a pattern. Select PLAY and choose a slot to recall it.
Export any patterns you want to keep outside the machine.
## Export and use in your DAW
**MIDI** exports the bassline as note data. Import it into a MIDI track and load your preferred bass instrument.
**WAV** exports audio using the machine’s internal sound. Import it into an audio track to arrange or process it.
**MIDI OUT** (offline version only) sends notes to an available MIDI output and mutes the internal synth. Live MIDI requires a compatible browser and a configured MIDI destination.
The OCT −/+ controls beside MIDI OUT transpose live and exported MIDI by octaves without changing the internal sound.
The NUDGE −/+ controls shift live and exported MIDI timing in 5 ms steps. Use them to adjust timing against other material; they do not temporarily change the playback tempo.
## Keyboard shortcut
Press Spacebar to start or stop playback while the machine has keyboard focus.