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DawnamiteSkip to guideUser guide · macOS

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Your first project

Make a short piece, from an empty project to a saved mix.

In this guide
Dawnamite arrangement with an original drum pattern, a credited CC0 audio occurrence, Library and clip details
Arrange audio and MIDI tracks with the Library and clip editor close at hand. Select the image to view it full size.

Install on a Mac

For the disk-image (.dmg) download:

  1. Open the downloaded Dawnamite disk image.
  2. In its window, drag Dawnamite to the Applications folder.
  3. Wait for copying to finish, then eject the Dawnamite disk image in Finder.
  4. Open Dawnamite from Applications. Keep this installed copy for future sessions.

The product page lists the supported macOS version, installer checksum and matching source. Downloading the disk image alone does not install the app.

Before you start

Start with a short project and explore the workspace one step at a time. See Updates for changes to the app and guide.

A project holds your tracks, clips, instruments, effects and settings. A track is a horizontal lane. A region is a piece of audio or MIDI placed in that lane. The vertical playhead shows where playback is happening.

Make a small project

  1. Open Dawnamite and choose a new project from the project chooser.
  2. Set a comfortable tempo in the BPM field. Leave the meter at 4/4 for a first exercise.
  3. Add a MIDI track. Open MIDI Keyboard in the header and use Add Piano if you want the bundled piano.
  4. Select Pointer (1) and drag across empty space on the MIDI track. Release to create a region. Open Clip to draw or edit notes.
  5. Press Space to play. Press Space again to pause, or use Stop.
  6. Open Plugins on the selected track and add an effect. Adjust one control at a time and compare with the device bypassed.
  7. Save with Command+S. Make an independent Project Bundle through File → Export before experimenting further.

Choose your next step

For a microphone or guitar, start with Audio setup, then Recording. For a keyboard or pad controller, start with MIDI setup. You can also drag an audio file into the arrangement without recording.

Get help while you work

Turn on Info in the bottom panel, then hover or focus a control. You will see a short explanation and a few relevant commands. Read the full guide opens the website topic for that area. Help & Documentation in the app menu opens this guide, MIDI setup, audio setup, plug-ins, updates or licenses.

Explore the current instruments

Start with the 37 factory synth presets in the Library or installed instruments. Additional sampled sound packs are coming soon. Read Instruments and sound storage for installed sizes, removal and credits.

Keep your work

Use a small test project when learning a new input or processor. Save before changing the recording setup and keep an independent Project Bundle. Test recording, import, playback and reopening on your own setup before a long session.

Dawnamite user guide for macOS. For changes between versions, see update history.