Getting Started

If you are the super-impatient type, then you have probably already started Numerology, added some modules, and got it all going. But just in case you wanted a play-by-play on how to get going, here it is:

• Run The Installer

  After you download Numerology, you will have a disk-image file on your desktop (or in your "Downloads" folder). Double-click this to have the OS X Finder open it up. Inside there are two files: Numerology2.mpkg, which is the installer for Numerology, and a README file. To start the installer, double-click on it and follow the instructions. If you plan to use Numerology in ReWire mode, be sure to check that option. Also, when installing updates, alway be sure to re-install the ReWire driver if you plan to use it. It changes with every release!

• Run Numerology

  After the installer is done, there will be a folder in your Applications directory called "Numerology 2". Inside that folder you will find Numerology2, along with another copy of the README file, a copy of the software license, and the documentation and examples folder. Double-click the app to start it up.

• Get into Demo Mode

  The very first time you start Numerology, you are presented with the software license, and then a demo dialog. If you have already purchased Numerology you can enter the SerialNumber here. The easiest way to do that is to copy and paste it from your sales receipt. If you chose to type it in, you should know that there are no "capitol-O"s in the SN, on "zeroes".

  If you have not purchased Numerology yet, you can either click the demo button to jump to demo mode, or click the purchase button to begin that process.

• An Empty Project

  After you are done with the demo dialog, you will be presented with an empty Numerology project, it looks like this:

  
  
  
  
• Add a Note Sequencer

  At the top of the project window there is a transport bar, with the usual stuff you will see in any music application: transport & tempo controls, some status indicators and so on. Along the left of the project window is an expandable outline that contains the modules available for you to add to your project. The rest of the project window is taken over by an area called the Rack, which is where you will load-in your modules. There are three pseudo-modules already loaded, which are there just to give you some hints as to what to do next. The first one says "Drag a Note Sequencer Here".

  To do that, pick one from the "Note Sequencer" group in the Module Library (over on the left of the window). For this first go, we recommend you choose the MonoNote, which is great for building monophonic bass and melody lines. To add a MonoNote, drag it from the Module Library over to the rack -- your mouse should be hovering somewhere over the "Drag a Note Sequencer Here" text, and you should see a red box around it. Release the mouse, and you will get a somewhat busy-looking module with lots of sliders, buttons and so on, like this:

  
  

  Don't Panic! Yes, there are many controls, but they are all there for a reason. You do not have to learn all of them at once. In fact, you don't have to set anything at first, this sequencer module comes pre-configured to generate some notes, all you have to do is:

• Add an AudioUnit Synth

  You can do this by adding one from the Module Library (just click the triangle icon to open up the list). Any AU Synths you have installed on your computer will show up here. If you have none, you can use Apple's built-in "DLS Synth".

  

  If you have a MIDI Synthesizer connected to your computer, you can also feed notes from the MonoNote module to your external device by choosing the appropriate MIDI Output in the menu that appears on the Stack Output module at the bottom of the Rack.

• Hit "Play"

  To get some sound happening, just hit the play button, which is the third button from the left on the transport. Or, you can toggle play and stop using the spacebar on your Mac's keyboard. You should hear a steady stream of quarter notes.

• Experiment

  Now you are ready to have some fun. Think of the MonoNote as a playground for musical experimentation. You don't really have to know what anything does before you use it, you can just try out different controls, one by one, and see how they affect the sequence being played. The top row of sliders control the pitches in the sequence, the middle row controls the "gate" or on/off time of the notes, and the bottom row controls velocity, or accent. If the gate time for a step is at it's minimum value, it will be silent, so be sure to raise up those gate sliders if you want to hear more notes.

• Next Steps

  In addition to this manual, there are several example projects that come with Numerology, which you are welcome to try out. Each includes a "Commentary" module with some information on what the example demonstrates. In addition, there are tutorial videos that you can watch at the Five12 website.

Next : Overview