User Guide
Welcome to the RMT Compose User Guide. This comprehensive documentation covers all features of the application.
Interface
Learn about the main components of the RMT Compose interface:
- Workspace - The main canvas where you compose
- Module Bar - Browse and organize your module library
- Top Bar - Transport controls, volume, and menu
- Variable Widget - Edit note properties
- Keyboard Shortcuts - Speed up your workflow
Working with Notes
Master the fundamentals of creating and editing musical content:
- Creating Notes - Add new notes to your composition
- Editing Notes - Modify pitch, timing, and duration
- Expressions - The mathematical language behind notes
- Dependencies - How notes relate to each other
Tuning Systems
Explore different approaches to pitch relationships:
- Pure Ratios - Just intonation with exact fractions
- Equal Temperament - Overview of TET systems
- 12-TET - Standard Western tuning
- 19-TET - Better thirds, more notes
- 31-TET - High-resolution microtonal
- Bohlen-Pierce - Tritave-based alternative
- Custom TET - Create your own systems
Modules
Work with compositions as portable, shareable files:
- Loading Modules - Import from library or file
- Saving Modules - Export your work
- Creating Modules - Build from scratch
- Module Format - JSON schema reference
Playback
Control audio playback and instrument selection:
- Transport Controls - Play, pause, and stop
- Playhead Tracking - Follow along during playback
- Instruments - Available sounds and synthesis
Quick Reference
Common Ratios
| Interval | Ratio | Expression |
|---|---|---|
| Unison | 1/1 | new Fraction(1) |
| Octave | 2/1 | new Fraction(2) |
| Perfect fifth | 3/2 | new Fraction(3, 2) |
| Perfect fourth | 4/3 | new Fraction(4, 3) |
| Major third | 5/4 | new Fraction(5, 4) |
| Minor third | 6/5 | new Fraction(6, 5) |
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Undo | Ctrl/Cmd + Z |
| Redo | Ctrl/Cmd + Y |
TET Step Expressions
| System | Expression |
|---|---|
| 12-TET | new Fraction(2).pow(new Fraction(1, 12)) |
| 19-TET | new Fraction(2).pow(new Fraction(1, 19)) |
| 31-TET | new Fraction(2).pow(new Fraction(1, 31)) |
| BP-13 | new Fraction(3).pow(new Fraction(1, 13)) |