# 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.

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For information on the Settings window, refer to [this page](https://docs.lmms.io/user-manual/getting-started/setup).
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## Menus

The [**Main Menu Bar**](https://docs.lmms.io/user-manual/navigating-lmms/menu-bar) serves as a general menu for LMMS.

![Main Menu Bar](https://content.gitbook.com/content/sOyi2widgEtSqcjOGVN2/blobs/1pi2ocUtRh1t5OtuCFGk/image.png)

The [**Toolbar**](https://docs.lmms.io/user-manual/navigating-lmms/toolbar) contains options for managing project files, showing/hiding interface windows, and altering master controls for projects.

![Tool Bar](https://content.gitbook.com/content/sOyi2widgEtSqcjOGVN2/blobs/XltmnsDtjSlIh9mJD8fy/image.png)

The [**Sidebar**](https://docs.lmms.io/user-manual/navigating-lmms/sidebar) is used to introduce resources to a project.

![Sidebar (Instrument Plugins tab)](https://content.gitbook.com/content/sOyi2widgEtSqcjOGVN2/blobs/6twKc7oRalV6y5UFbkOW/image.png)

## 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**](https://docs.lmms.io/user-manual/navigating-lmms/instrument-window) contains settings for an instrument.

![Instrument Window (AudioFileProcessor)](https://content.gitbook.com/content/sOyi2widgEtSqcjOGVN2/blobs/nonerSs0ZR6SPon8tGdZ/image.png)

The [**Song Editor**](https://docs.lmms.io/user-manual/navigating-lmms/song-editor) contains all the different sound-generating elements and automation clips in a project file.

![Song Editor](https://content.gitbook.com/content/sOyi2widgEtSqcjOGVN2/blobs/FDh4jF3B3dQ1j04AQQbw/image.png)

The [**Beat+Bassline Editor**](https://docs.lmms.io/user-manual/navigating-lmms/3.8) is where repetitive loops, such as drum or basslines, can be created and contained. It is explained in.

![Beat+Baseline Editor](https://content.gitbook.com/content/sOyi2widgEtSqcjOGVN2/blobs/QFAFqaG8SU0TZHJZIGVP/image.png)

The [**Piano Roll**](https://docs.lmms.io/user-manual/navigating-lmms/piano-roll) allows you to create and edit note sequences.

![Piano Roll](https://content.gitbook.com/content/sOyi2widgEtSqcjOGVN2/blobs/zoSu0i0Y1Q40srK4uuMp/image.png)

The **Automation Editor** allows you to create a profile that any connected parameter can follow. It is explained in [section 3.9](https://docs.lmms.io/user-manual/navigating-lmms/automation).

![Automation Editor](https://content.gitbook.com/content/sOyi2widgEtSqcjOGVN2/blobs/mzpTZQr6S4r2vPpJuxKm/image.png)

The **FX-Mixer** is where FX channel routing and manipulation takes place. It is explained in [section 3.10](https://docs.lmms.io/user-manual/navigating-lmms/fx-mixer).

![FX-Mixer](https://content.gitbook.com/content/sOyi2widgEtSqcjOGVN2/blobs/z2LNKRwuOfIlP4FFlKJU/image.png)

The [**Project Notes**](https://docs.lmms.io/user-manual/navigating-lmms/project-notes) window allows you to create notes for yourself in a project file It is a simple text editor.

![Project Notes](https://content.gitbook.com/content/sOyi2widgEtSqcjOGVN2/blobs/UNHie5hxAnaijpYvkEvQ/image.png)

The [**Controller Rack**](https://docs.lmms.io/user-manual/navigating-lmms/controller-rack) is where controllers are added and configured. These controllers allow you to make alterations to connected parameters, much like an Automation Clip would.

![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/sOyi2widgEtSqcjOGVN2/blobs/XqxIG8Ns5Q8EITHVIMjD/image.png)
