Interface Overview

There are 11 main parts to the LMMS interface. These are described in detail in the following chapter. This section gives a brief description of each part of the interface. It also lists the sections of this guide in which each part of the interface is explained in greater detail.

For information on the Settings window, refer to this page.

The Main Menu Bar serves as a general menu for LMMS.

Main Menu Bar

The Toolbar contains options for managing project files, showing/hiding interface windows, and altering master controls for projects.

Tool Bar

The Sidebar is used to introduce resources to a project.

Sidebar (Instrument Plugins tab)

Windows

Most of the work you do creating songs in LMMS will be done in the program's windowed GUI. Each type of window has a specific purpose.

The Instrument Window contains settings for an instrument.

Instrument Window (AudioFileProcessor)

The Song Editor contains all the different sound-generating elements and automation segments in a project file.

Song Editor

The Pattern Editor is where repetitive loops, such as drum or basslines, can be created and contained.

Beat+Baseline Editor

The Piano Roll allows you to create and edit note sequences.

Piano Roll

The Automation Editor allows you to control and change any connected parameter over time automatically.

The Mixer is where FX channel routing and manipulation takes place.

The Project Notes window allows you to create notes for yourself in a project file It is a simple text editor.

Project Notes

The Controller Rack is where controllers are added and configured. These controllers allow you to make alterations to connected parameters, much like an automation segment would.

Parameters

LMMS has many types of common parameters. Most parameters have a similar type of right-click context menu with some common options.

Parameter right-click context menu

Most parameters can be controlled by scrolling over them with the scroll wheel, and by double-clicking them to set their exact value.

Knob

A knob can also be controlled by holding down the left-mouse-button and dragging up and down.

Slider

A slider can also be controlled by holding down the left-mouse button and dragging in either direction along the slider groove.

Drop-down

A drop-down can also be controlled by right-clicking or left-clicking to go down or up the list of options. The entire drop-down itself can be accessed by clicking the ◁ (left-pointing triangle) symbol.

Spinbox / LCD Readout

A spinbox can also be controlled by holding down the left-mouse-button and dragging it up and down.

Toggle

A toggle can only be controlled by clicking it so it is in either of its two states.

Radio Toggle

A radio toggle can only be controlled by clicking on any of its tabs.

Most of the parameters in LMMS can be automated by dragging with Ctrl-drag. There are some more convenient shortcuts that can be used without the hassle of navigating through a right-click menu.

  • Double-click a parameter to edit its value

  • Middle-mouse click on a parameter to reset its value

  • Shift-drag one knob onto another to copy the value of the first knob to the second

  • Ctrl-scroll on a knob for more fine scrolling (minute changes, slower scroll)

  • Shift-scroll on a knob for more coarse scrolling (larger changes, faster scroll)

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