Documentation

Pre-Flight Checklist

• Keep your purchase email and license key available before your first launch
• Close your DAW before running the installer so plugin scans refresh cleanly
• Store MIDI packs in one main folder so your first scan is easier to manage
• Use local or reliably mounted external drives for best scan performance

Recommended First Library Structure

A clear folder structure makes browsing dramatically faster once your library grows.

• MIDI/Chords/ for harmonic ideas
• MIDI/Melodies/ for lead and motif ideas
• MIDI/Basslines/ for low-end movement
• MIDI/Drums/ for rhythm and groove patterns
• MIDI/Favorites/ for handpicked top choices

Step 1: Download & Install

1. After purchase, download the installer from your confirmation email
2. Open the .pkg installer file
3. Follow the installation prompts
4. MIDI Xplorer will be installed as both AU and VST3 plugins

Step 2: Load in Your DAW

1. Open your DAW (Logic Pro, Ableton, FL Studio, etc.)
2. Create a new instrument track
3. Load MIDI Xplorer as an instrument plugin
4. The plugin window will appear

Step 3: Add Your MIDI Library

1. Click the "Add Library" button in MIDI Xplorer
2. Navigate to a folder containing your MIDI files
3. Click "Open" to scan the folder
4. MIDI Xplorer will analyze all MIDI files and detect scales

Step 4: Run a 60-Second Creative Test

1. Select any file and preview it in sync
2. Favorite 3 strong options immediately
3. Drag your top favorite into your DAW timeline
4. Duplicate and layer two alternatives to build quick variation

Main Window

The MIDI Xplorer interface consists of these main areas:

• Sidebar (Left): Navigate between Libraries, Favorites, and Recently Played
• File Browser (Center): View and browse your MIDI files with scale badges
• Preview Panel (Right): Piano roll preview of the selected MIDI file
• Transport Controls (Bottom): Play, stop, and adjust preview tempo

Scale Badges

Each MIDI file displays a colored badge indicating its detected scale:

• Chromatic - Contains notes from multiple scales
• Major - Major scale / Ionian mode
• Minor - Natural minor scale / Aeolian mode
• Dorian - Dorian mode
• Phrygian - Phrygian mode
• Lydian - Lydian mode
• Mixolydian - Mixolydian mode

What To Check Before Dragging

• Scale Badge: Quickly confirm harmonic fit against your current project key
• BPM Context: Preview at your session tempo before committing
• Arrangement Length: Check file length to avoid importing 64+ bars when you only need a loop

Browsing Your Library

• Click on a folder in the sidebar to view its contents
• Use the search bar to find specific MIDI files
• Filter by scale type using the filter dropdown
• Sort by name, date, or scale

Previewing MIDI Files

• Click on any MIDI file to select it
• Press the Play button or spacebar to preview
• The piano roll will show the notes visually
• Adjust tempo with the BPM slider to match your project

Drag & Drop

• Click and hold on a MIDI file
• Drag it to your DAW's arrangement view
• Drop it on a MIDI or instrument track
• The MIDI will be imported at the drop location

Favorites

• Click the heart icon on any MIDI file to add to favorites
• Access favorites from the sidebar
• Favorites persist across sessions
• Remove from favorites by clicking the heart again

Workflow Tips for Large Libraries

• Start with scale filter first, then search text to cut results faster
• Use Favorites as your "ready-to-use" crate for active projects
• Keep "Recently Played" clean by auditioning in focused batches
• Archive low-quality packs outside your main scan folder to reduce browsing noise

Start a Beat from Scratch (5-Minute Flow)

1. Set DAW tempo and key center first
2. Filter by matching scale in MIDI Xplorer
3. Preview 10 files quickly and favorite your top 3
4. Drag one chord file and one melody file to separate tracks
5. Mute/unmute favorites to decide final direction

Break Writer's Block Mid-Session

1. Duplicate your current section in the arrangement
2. Swap one harmonic or melodic MIDI region only
3. Preview alternatives in the same scale family
4. Commit the variation that changes energy, not structure

Create Variation Packs for Yourself

1. Build a "Project Favorites" folder per song
2. Save 5-10 alternates for chords, bass, and leads
3. Use those alternates to generate verse/chorus contrast fast
4. Keep winning combinations and discard weak candidates after each session

Logic Pro

1. Go to Logic Pro → Preferences → Plug-in Manager
2. Click "Reset & Rescan Selection" if MIDI Xplorer doesn't appear
3. Create a new Software Instrument track
4. Click the Instrument slot and select MIDI Xplorer

Ableton Live

1. Go to Preferences → Plug-ins
2. Ensure "Use VST3 Plug-in Custom Folder" is enabled
3. Click "Rescan" if needed
4. Find MIDI Xplorer in the Plug-ins browser and drag to a MIDI track

FL Studio

1. Go to Options → Manage Plugins
2. Click "Start Scan" to find new plugins
3. Add MIDI Xplorer to a Channel Rack slot

Other DAWs

MIDI Xplorer uses standard AU and VST3 installation locations. If your DAW doesn't find it:

• AU Location: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/
• VST3 Location: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/

Reaper, Cubase, Studio One, Bitwig Notes

• Force a manual plugin rescan after installation if the plugin list does not refresh automatically
• Verify your VST3 path includes /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/
• If drag-and-drop fails, test drop behavior directly in the arrangement/timeline area, not plugin browser panels
• Save a template project with MIDI Xplorer preloaded for faster session startup

Plugin Not Showing in DAW

• Rescan plugins in your DAW's preferences
• Restart your DAW after installation
• Verify the plugin files exist in the correct locations
• Check that your macOS version is 10.13 or later

No Sound When Previewing

• Ensure your DAW's audio engine is running
• Check that the plugin track is not muted
• Verify your audio interface is properly configured

Drag & Drop Not Working

• Make sure you're dropping on a MIDI-compatible track
• Some DAWs require specific track types for MIDI import
• Try dropping to the arrangement view instead of a clip slot

Scale Detection Looks Incorrect

• Some MIDI files are intentionally chromatic or heavily modulating
• Check whether the file includes passing tones or non-diatonic notes
• Trust your ears first, then use scale badges as guidance for faster filtering

Library Scan Is Slow

• Scan one main folder at a time instead of many nested roots
• Avoid sleeping or disconnecting external drives during first scan
• Remove duplicate or corrupted MIDI packs from your source folders
• Keep your primary active library on a local SSD when possible

Duplicate Results or Missing Files

• Duplicates often come from mirrored pack folders on multiple drives
• Use one canonical library root and archive backups outside it
• If files are missing, verify drive permissions and reconnect external media before rescanning

License Activation Problems

• Copy/paste your key directly from the purchase email
• Double-check for trailing spaces when entering the license
• If activation still fails, contact support with your purchase email and macOS version

Shortcut Reliability Tip

Keyboard behavior can vary depending on whether your DAW, plugin window, or text search field has focus. If a shortcut does not respond, click back inside MIDI Xplorer first.

Recommended Order

1. Complete this Quick Start section first
2. Follow the curated Tutorials
3. Use the FAQ for edge-case answers
4. Review Releases to track new features and fixes

When You Need Human Help

Include your DAW version, macOS version, and a brief description of what you expected versus what happened. This helps support resolve issues much faster.