> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sampler.meiji.industries/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Build Your First Beat

> Walk through how to sample, chop, loop, sequence, and export your first song.

## What you'll build

By the end of this page, you will:

* load a few sounds onto pads
* record 2 loops
* organize them in scenes
* export that song as WAV

## What to load

Start with:

* one kick
* one snare
* one melodic loop to chop

## Steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Load sounds onto pads">
    In the `Create` tab, press `Enter` on track 1, press `p` to open Factory Packs, and load a kick sample. Repeat with a snare on track 2, and a melodic loop on track 3.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Trigger the pads once to confirm the kit">
    Press `1`, `2`, `3` to make sure each pad plays the expected sound.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Chop the melodic loop">
    On track 3, press `c` to enter chop mode. Press `1`–`9` to place chop markers as the sample plays, then `Esc` to exit.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Move to the loops row">
    Samples are ready to record. Use `Down` until the loops row (2nd row) is focused.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Arm the first loop">
    Press `[R]` on the selected loop slot. First Loop Setup opens before the first loop because this take will establish the project tempo.

    Leave **Fixed** selected for the guided default: `1 BAR` length, `90.00 BPM`, Quantize `OFF`, `4 BEATS` count-in, and `REC + PLAY` click. Highlight Tempo to type a BPM directly, or press `[SPACE]` anywhere in the dialog to tap tempo with an audible click, keep Fixed mode selected, and focus Tempo. Press `[ENTER]` to arm the loop. Press `[ESC]` to cancel if you opened the dialog by mistake.

    If you press a pad to start the count-in, you hear it immediately and see a centered beat countdown like `4`, `3`, `2`, `1`. Press `[SPACE]` instead when you want the count-in without an initial pad hit. Pad hits during the final count-in beat are recorded at `0:00`; earlier hits are only start-signal updates and stay out of the loop.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start recording by playing pads">
    Play your kick and snare with `1` and `2`. In Fixed mode, the selected Length defines the loop duration on the project BPM, and the loop details view shows that full length with a moving playhead while you record. The take stops automatically at that length, and pressing `[ENTER]` early queues the fixed-duration loop as `OVR+` so overdub starts on the next fixed interval. In Auto mode, the loop details view keeps expanding with elapsed time because the loop ending establishes the BPM.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Finish the loop">
    In Fixed mode, wait for the selected Length to complete or press `[ENTER]` early if you are done playing. The loop still repeats at the selected Length, and early commits wait in `OVR+` until the fixed interval arrives so you can keep overdubbing as the loop cycles. In Auto mode, press `[ENTER]` precisely when you want the loop to end; the completed take immediately enters overdub.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Listen back">
    Your loop should now repeat automatically.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Record some sample chops">
    Arm the second loop slot for recording with `r`. Focus on track 3 and press `c` to enter chop playback mode. Press `1`, `2`, `3`... to trigger the chop markers you placed earlier and record them into the new loop slot.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Stack loops in a Scene">
    Press `Down` to focus on the scenes row (3rd row). Hit `Enter` to define the scene, and press `Space` to select the loops you want to play together. Press `Esc` to close the scene details, then `Space` to play those loops together.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Bounce your new song">
    Press `b` to open the Bounce menu. Press `Enter` to begin rendering your song. Any pads you trigger — or mute with `m` — will be included in the recording.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What you learned

* pads are your playable sound layer
* loops capture performances from those pads
* session timing becomes meaningful after the first recorded loop

## Where to go next

From here, the next steps are:

* [Learn](/learn/index) for the full workflow
* [Scene](/learn/scene) when you want arrangement instead of a single loop
* [Mix](/learn/mix) when you want to shape the sound of each channel