Overview v0.6

TOMiC Groovebox v0.6 User Manual

Official technical documentation for TOMiC Groovebox v0.6: 16 channels, Mesh 2D FDTD plate modeling, continuous Dual Layer morphing, 64-step sequencer, and CLAP hosting.

Welcome to the official documentation for TOMiC Groovebox v0.6 — a professional, next-generation 16-channel groovebox DAW built in Rust and operating as a VST3, CLAP plugin, and Standalone application.

### 🎛️ Architectural Manifesto: What is TOMiC?

TOMiC is a complete 16-channel Groovebox DAW: Every channel is a self-contained instrument capable of percussive synthesis, deep sub-bass, cutting acid/synth leads, polyphonic chords, physical acoustic models, and multi-variant sample playback with 4-way Round-Robin and transient slicing. With dual layers (A/B), 12 synthesis architectures (Mesh 2D FDTD plate physical modeling, Virtual Analog, FM, Braids, Plaits, additive harmonics, granular), an 8-slot analogue filter chain, and an extensive 16-processor DSP FX rack mirrored on the master bus with a glue compressor and brickwall limiter, TOMiC gives you everything required to sculpt and arrange complete tracks.

The beating heart of its sound is continuous DSP Layer Morphing: Layer A and Layer B are two distinct sonic states of the exact same sound, between which the entire DSP state smoothly interpolates in real time — envelopes, FM ratios, filter cutoffs, and saturation drive — with Morph serving as a primary modulation target for 12 modulator classes (LFO, Marbles, Lorenz, Markov, Cellular, Chladni, XY pad, recorded HandMade gestures), sequencer parameter lanes, and DAW automation.

Tactile Composition in a Hardware Paradigm: Composition unfolds across a 64-step polymetric sequencer featuring 12 pattern bank slots plus a dedicated global FILL performance override, scale-quantized pitch drawing for basslines and melodies, conditional trigs, ratchets, Euclidean generator, and a comprehensive Song Mode with clip memory and live chain growth. The entire session — including integrated CLAP and Omniplugin WASM instrument hosting in Standalone — bounces directly to bit-accurate master WAV and multi-track MIDI.

TOMiC is a DAW in the truest sense of "I can compose, arrange, and render a finished master track", yet deliberately architected in the tactile, immediate paradigm of a hardware groovebox rather than a linear multitrack tape recorder.

📚 Table of Contents

Chapter	Title	Description
Chapter 01	Introduction & Architecture	Overview of capabilities, Groovebox DAW design philosophy, initial setup, and main interface.
Chapter 02	Synthesis Engine & Layer Morphing	Dual Layer (A/B) architecture, 12 synthesis architectures (inc. Mesh 2D FDTD plate physical modeling, FM, VA, Plaits, Braids), oscillators, and hosted instruments.
Chapter 03	Noise Generators & Sampler	12 noise types, Karplus-Strong physical modeling, sample player, Round Robin, and slicing editor.
Chapter 04	Modulation Matrix	LFO, ModEnv, Marbles, Markov, Lorenz, Cellular, Tidal, Orbital, Chladni, CvGranular, HandMade, XY Pad, and Macro Knobs.
Chapter 05	Per-Channel FX Chain	12 filter models, up to 8 filters per chain, 16 DSP FX processors (inc. Dual Resonant Delay), 8 distortion algorithms, Reverb, and more.
Chapter 06	Step Sequencer & Song Mode	13 pattern slots (A-L + FILL), Kit-Level Groove Generator (7 styles), Modular Pattern Chain Studio with follow actions, 64 steps, scale quantization, and Song Mode.
Chapter 07	Mixer Console, Master, AI & Artchemy	Mixer console, faders & meters, Pattern Lock (PAT), Master FX/Filter, Smart Random 2.0 with instrument archetypes, Presets, and Artchemy visual bridge.
Chapter 08	Specifications & MIDI Chart	MIDI note mapping, MIDI CC Learn, keyboard shortcuts, and technical specifications.

🎨 Main Interface Overview (GUI)

Zoom HD

TOMiC Interface Overview

Figure 0.1: Main user interface view of TOMiC Groovebox.

🔍 Instant Search (Cmd+K / /): Search topics across all chapters with live keyword highlights.

🖼️ HD Lightbox Viewer: Click any screenshot or diagram to view full high-resolution interface images.

🌐 Dual Language (EN / PL): Switch between English and Polish instantly using the header toggle.

📌 Interactive Sidebar & Progress: Auto-highlighted Table of Contents (ScrollSpy) and reading progress tracking.

📚 Table of Contents

Chapter	Title	Description
Chapter 01	Introduction & Architecture	Overview of capabilities, Groovebox DAW design philosophy, initial setup, and main interface.
Chapter 02	Synthesis Engine & Layer Morphing	Dual Layer (A/B) architecture, 12 synthesis architectures (inc. Mesh 2D FDTD plate physical modeling, FM, VA, Plaits, Braids), oscillators, and hosted instruments.
Chapter 03	Noise Generators & Sampler	12 noise types, Karplus-Strong physical modeling, sample player, Round Robin, and slicing editor.
Chapter 04	Modulation Matrix	LFO, ModEnv, Marbles, Markov, Lorenz, Cellular, Tidal, Orbital, Chladni, CvGranular, HandMade, XY Pad, and Macro Knobs.
Chapter 05	Per-Channel FX Chain	12 filter models, up to 8 filters per chain, 16 DSP FX processors (inc. Dual Resonant Delay), 8 distortion algorithms, Reverb, and more.
Chapter 06	Step Sequencer & Song Mode	13 pattern slots (A-L + FILL), Kit-Level Groove Generator (7 styles), Modular Pattern Chain Studio with follow actions, 64 steps, scale quantization, and Song Mode.
Chapter 07	Mixer Console, Master, AI & Artchemy	Mixer console, faders & meters, Pattern Lock (PAT), Master FX/Filter, Smart Random 2.0 with instrument archetypes, Presets, and Artchemy visual bridge.
Chapter 08	Specifications & MIDI Chart	MIDI note mapping, MIDI CC Learn, keyboard shortcuts, and technical specifications.

💡 Portal Features & Navigation

🔍 Instant Search (Cmd+K / /): Search topics across all chapters with live keyword highlights.

🖼️ HD Lightbox Viewer: Click any screenshot or diagram to view full high-resolution interface images.

🌐 Dual Language (EN / PL): Switch between English and Polish instantly using the header toggle.

📌 Interactive Sidebar & Progress: Auto-highlighted Table of Contents (ScrollSpy) and reading progress tracking.