Tutorial for Septabee, a free DAW in the making for over 20,000 hours

# Tutorial for Septabee: A Free DAW in Development for Over 20,000 Hours **TL;DR:** A walkthrough of Septabee, a highly experimental, free digital audio workstation (DAW) under active development, showcasing its unique interface, core modules, and advanced audio processing capabilities. ## Introduction and Development Background The creator has been developing Septabee in secret, working approximately 16 hours per day for several years. The current version began in January, with a planned release for early next year. The DAW is described as being in a state of extremely rapid development, which is why a built-in tutorial system is not yet feasible. Upon opening Septabee, the user is immediately taken into a default project. The interface includes text hints in the top-right corner for certain interactions, though these are a work in progress. ## Interface and Module System The workflow is primarily drag-and-drop. Modules are referred to as "Mango Scenes," a concept likened to plugins but designed to be more accessible. The module list can be accessed via the file browser, a hot-zone at the bottom, or the F1 key. Modules are generated using keyboard shortcuts corresponding to their first letter. For example, pressing 'W' creates a Wavetable module, and 'F' generates a Filter. This system allows for rapid workflow. Modules can be resized by holding 'S', and colors can be randomized with Ctrl+R. A core, unique feature is the **Granate module** (created with 'P' or 'Z'). It serves multiple purposes, most commonly as an amplitude control (volume) or a frequency-to-pitch converter for note input. Its "bubbles" can create mathematical operations or, crucially, link a note's frequency to a parameter. ## Audio Quality and Sample Accuracy Septabee achieves exceptionally high audio quality. Parameter movements made by the mouse are interpolated to avoid audible stepping, but all internal modulation (e.g., from LFOs or envelopes) is **100% sample-accurate**. This means the quality of automated or modulated parameters cannot be higher. The creator demonstrates perfect phase modulation as proof, with no audible clicks or artifacts. The program's architecture is built on a custom programming language called **B++**, claimed to be faster than C++. It uses a real-time code generator that rewrites its own code for the user's specific hardware, optimizing CPU usage for synthesis. This enables advanced, low-level processing that is typically avoided for performance reasons in other DAWs. ## Polyphony and Note Handling Septabee supports both monophonic and polyphonic modes, which can be switched within a "Mango Core" module. In polyphonic mode, all processing within that core—including effects—is applied per note. The creator highlights that this polyphonic distortion, for example, avoids the muddy intermodulation distortion that occurs when processing multiple notes together in standard, monophonic effect chains. Note input is handled via the computer keyboard (using caps lock). Initially, the pitch will be fixed. To map note frequency to the oscillator, the user drags a connection from the note input to the frequency endpoint of an oscillator and creates a Granate module with a "Note" bubble. By default, this includes a +110Hz offset which must be manually set to zero for standard twelve-tone equal temperament. ## Building a Synth and Advanced Modulation The video demonstrates building a basic synthesizer from scratch. Key concepts shown include: * **Phase Modulation:** The creator notes that while often called FM, most digital FM synths actually use phase modulation. Septabee provides a high-quality implementation. * **Audio Rate Modulation:** Almost every parameter in Septabee can be modulated at audio rates. The Granate module is often used to scale control signals to the required range. * **Envelope Shapers:** Envelopes can be created by holding 'E' and drawn freehand. Curve shapes can be adjusted by holding Alt while dragging. * **Filters:** The filter module can be created with 'F'. Double-clicking in different areas of its UI generates different filter types (lowpass, peak, allpass). It features saturation for a Moog-like sound and an HQ mode for sample-accurate audio-rate modulation. The creator demonstrates modulating an allpass filter's frequency at audio rates to create complex timbral effects. * **Performance System:** A quantization feature allows for easy octave changes by holding number keys (1, 2, 3...) while adjusting a parameter value, scaling it to integer, half, third, etc., multiples. ## Conclusion Septabee is presented as a highly flexible and powerful experimental tool for sound design and synthesis. Its strengths lie in its real-time code generation for performance, universal audio-rate modulation, true per-note polyphonic processing, and a modular interface designed for rapid patch creation. The creator emphasizes that while many modulation techniques are theoretically possible, they are rarely used because other DAWs and plugins do not support them—Septabee aims to change that. Source: [Tutorial for Septabee, a free DAW in the making for over 20,000 hours](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW8Z98pXuSE)