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Welcome to modulime, your gateway to the captivating realm of modular synthesis. This section is a reference on the fundamentals of modular synths, how to use the tool and understanding the array of modules at your disposal.

Modular synths 101

Modular synthesizers are electronic instruments that allow you to create and shape sounds by connecting a variety of modules to each other. Each module has a specific function, and they can be grouped into:

• Input modules capture signals from various sources, like MIDI controllers, your computer keyboard or sequencers.
• Oscillators generate basic sound waves, such as sine, square, triangle or sawtooth waves.
• Math modules perform operations on the signals like addition, multiplication, and comparison.
• Effects modify the generated sound by applying various processing techniques, such as filtering, distortion, or delay.
• Output let you visualize the sound or route it to your speakers or headphones.

Modular synthesis encourages experimentation, allowing you to craft unique sounds by connecting and tweaking modules. Modulime offers a wide range of modules to help you explore the fascinating world of modular synthesis. Whether you're a musician, a tech enthusiast, or simply curious about sound engineering, there's something for everyone.

The editor

Modulime's editor is the heart of the tool, where you'll connect and configure modules to create your desired soundscapes. Here's a quick rundown of how to use it:

• Adding modules is as easy as clicking on an empty space when nothing is selected. You will see a few categories from which you can pick up the module you want to add. In the Discover section you can also star modules from other people and they will show up in this menu.
• Connecting modules requires dragging from the output port of a module to the input of another, or vice versa. When two modules are connected, the output of the first one will be the input of the second one and you will hear it instantly if the project is playing.
• Configuring parameters can be done by clicking on a parameter that is not connected to another module, or by dragging up or down. The dragging value increase scales exponentially based on the initial value when you clicked, so it makes sense to release and click again some times to fine tune the values. This way is usually more immersive than typing numbers.
• Selecting modules involves clicking on their name or dragging from an empty area to choose more than one. After you select modules you can use delete or backspace to delete them, or copy/cut/paste them. You can also drag them to move them around, disabling the grid by pressing ctrl/cmd + G.
• Playing the project is initiated by clicking on the play button in the top right corner. You can also use space to play/pause the project.
• Saving and loading project is possible by clicking on the save button or using ctrl/cmd + s. Saved projects will show up in your library and in the Discover section for all users. You can add text nodes (in the input category) to explain stuff for people opening your projects for the first time.

Now that you have a grasp of the basics, it's time to dive in and start experimenting with modulime's modules. Remember, there's no right or wrong way to connect modules; it's all about exploring and discovering new sounds.