Bingo User Manual

Bingo is a synthesized drum machine plugin by Okay Synthesizer. Inspired by modern groove boxes, Bingo combines deep synthesis engines with a step sequencer, per-track effects, modulation, and a fully customizable interface. Available as VST3, Audio Unit, and Standalone.

1. Getting Started

System Requirements

• *macOS 10.15 or later (Apple Silicon and Intel supported)
• *Windows 10 or later
• *A compatible DAW for plugin versions (Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio, Cubase, etc.)

Installation

Run the installer for your platform. You can choose which components to install:

• *Standalone Application — Run Bingo as a standalone app without a DAW
• *VST3 Plugin — For VST3-compatible DAWs
• *Audio Unit Plugin — For AU-compatible DAWs (Logic Pro, GarageBand, etc.)
• *Factory Presets — Essential preset library to get started

Loading the Plugin

In your DAW, add Bingo as an instrument plugin on a new track. In standalone mode, simply launch the Bingo application.

Licensing

On first launch, you will be asked to authorize with your email. Bingo supports offline use after initial activation.

2. Interface Overview

Bingo's interface is organized into several key areas:

Transport Header (Top Bar)

The top bar contains global controls:

• *Play / Stop — Start and stop the sequencer (Standalone: Spacebar)
• *Record — Enable recording mode to record step triggers in real-time
• *BPM — Adjustable tempo control via pill slider (drag to change)
• *Preset Display — Shows the current preset name; click to open the preset browser
• *Pattern Selector — Switch between 8 patterns; each pattern stores its own step triggers and automation
• *Scale & Tonic Selectors — Constrain pitched voices to a musical scale and root note
• *Export MIDI — Export the current pattern as a MIDI file (drag the generated file into your DAW)
• *Clear Triggers — Remove all step triggers from the current pattern
• *Settings — Open settings for theming, I/O configuration, and more

Step Sequencer (Center)

The sequencer grid is the heart of Bingo. Each row represents a track and each column represents a step (up to 64 steps per track).

Track Labels (Left Side)

Each track row shows:

• *The track/machine name
• *A color indicator
• *Click to select the track for editing

Parameter Controls (Bottom)

When a track is selected, the parameter panel shows all controls for that track's voice and effects. Parameters are organized into tabbed categories.

Left Panel (Track Options)

Toggle visibility with the "Track options" button. Provides additional track-level settings.

3. Tracks & Machines

Adding a Track

Click the + button (or press Cmd/Ctrl+T) to open the Machine Picker. Browse available machines by category and click to add one to your project.

Available Machines

Bingo includes a diverse library of synthesized drum machines:

Kicks

Snares

Hi-Hats & Metallic

Claps & Percussive

Synth & Tonal

Noise & Utility

Removing a Track

Right-click on a track label to access the context menu and select "Delete Track."

Reordering Tracks

Drag and drop tracks by their labels to rearrange the order.

4. Step Sequencer

Toggling Steps

Click on any cell in the sequencer grid to toggle a step on or off. Active steps are highlighted.

Track Length

Each track can have an independent length from 1 to 64 steps. Change the length from the track options. Tracks shorter than the master will loop independently, creating polymetric patterns.

Clock Divider

Each track has a clock divider setting. A divider of 1 plays at normal speed, 2 plays at half speed, etc. This allows tracks to run at different rates relative to the master tempo.

Swing

Swing shifts the timing of even-numbered steps. Set per-track using MPC-style values:

• *50% = Straight (no swing)
• *66% = Triplet feel
• *75% = Heavy swing

Humanize

Add subtle random timing variation (0–50ms) per track for a more organic, human feel.

Patterns

Bingo supports 8 patterns. Each pattern stores:

• *Per-track step triggers
• *Per-step parameter automation values

Switch patterns using the Pattern Selector in the transport header, or use the copy function to duplicate a pattern to another slot.

5. Parameter Controls

When a track is selected, the bottom panel shows all editable parameters organized by category tabs.

Parameter Categories

Each track's parameters are organized into tabs based on the voice and enabled effects:

1. Voice — Core synthesis parameters specific to each machine (pitch, decay, tone, etc.)
2. Filter — Low-pass/high-pass filter with cutoff, resonance, and envelope
3. Amplifier — Volume envelope and gain staging
4. Delay — Time-based echo effect with tempo sync
5. Reverb — Spatial ambience and room simulation
6. Distortion — Saturation, waveshaping, and bitcrushing

Press number keys 1–6 to quickly switch between tabs.

Adjusting Parameters

Parameters appear as knobs that you can adjust by:

• *Click and drag up/down to change the value
• *Double-click to reset to default
• *Right-click for the parameter context menu (reset, map LFO, map macro, etc.)

The Info Footer at the bottom of the screen shows the current parameter name, value, and description when hovering over any control.

Master Track

The Master Track (always at the top) has its own set of effects that process the combined output of all drum tracks. It does not have a voice tab.

6. Effects Chain

Every track (including the master) has a per-track effects chain. Effects can be enabled or disabled individually using Cmd/Ctrl + 1–6 to toggle the effect at each tab position.

Filter

A multi-mode filter with cutoff frequency and resonance controls. Includes a visual frequency response display.

Amplifier

Volume envelope controls for shaping the amplitude of each hit.

Delay

A tempo-synced delay effect with time, feedback, and mix controls. Features a visual display of the delay tap pattern.

Reverb

Spatial reverb with size, damping, and mix controls. Includes a visual representation of the reverb decay.

Distortion

Multiple distortion stages including:

• *Wavefolder — Harmonic waveshaping
• *Bitcrusher — Digital bit-reduction
• *Sample Rate Reducer — Lo-fi digital degradation
• *Clipper — Hard and soft clipping

7. Mixer

Each track has dedicated mixer controls:

• *Volume — Track level (0% to 200%)
• *Pan — Stereo position (hard left to hard right)
• *Mute — Silence a track (shortcut: M)
• *Solo — Solo a track, muting all others (shortcut: S)

The Mixer View provides a consolidated view of all track levels with RMS metering.

8. Step Automation (Parameter Locks)

Bingo supports per-step parameter automation, similar to "parameter locks" on hardware sequencers like the Elektron Digitakt.

How It Works

1. Select a track
2. Select a parameter (click its knob)
3. Enable specific steps in the automation lane below the sequencer
4. Set a unique value for each automated step

When the sequencer reaches an automated step, the parameter temporarily jumps to the locked value for that step, then returns to its base value.

Recording Automation

Enable Record mode (press Cmd/Ctrl+R) and adjust parameters while the sequencer plays. Your changes will be recorded to the current step.

9. Modulation

LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator)

Bingo features per-track LFOs that can modulate any parameter:

1. Right-click a parameter knob and select "Map LFO" (or press Cmd/Ctrl+L)
2. Configure the LFO waveform shape, rate, depth, and phase
3. The modulated value is shown as an animated ring around the knob

The LFO waveform visualizer shows the current LFO shape and position.

Macros

Macros allow you to control multiple parameters with a single knob:

1. Right-click a parameter and select "Map Macro" (or press Cmd/Ctrl+M)
2. The macro knob on the modulation bar can control all mapped parameters simultaneously

Modulation Matrix

The Modulation Matrix provides an overview of all modulation routings, allowing you to edit and manage LFO and macro assignments in one place.

Toggle panels with:

• *Q = Parameters
• *W = Modulation
• *E = Mod Matrix
• *R = Automation

10. Presets

Browsing Presets

Click the preset name in the transport header to open the Preset Browser. Browse through factory presets organized by category, or access your saved user presets.

Saving Presets

Save your current patch as a preset from the preset browser. Presets store:

• *All track configurations and machine selections
• *Parameter values for every track
• *Effects settings
• *Step patterns and automation
• *Modulation routings

DAW Integration

When used as a plugin, Bingo's state is saved with your DAW project. Your patch is automatically recalled when you reopen the project.

11. Sampler

The Sampler machine lets you load your own audio files:

1. Add a Sampler track from the Machine Picker
2. Drag and drop an audio file onto the track, or use the file browser to load a sample
3. Adjust pitch, start point, and envelope to shape the sound
4. Apply effects from the track's effect chain

Supported formats: WAV, AIFF, MP3, FLAC, and other common audio formats.

12. Bus Routing

The Bus track type allows you to group and process multiple drum tracks through a shared effects chain:

1. Add a Bus track from the Machine Picker
2. Route other tracks to the bus
3. Apply shared effects (filter, reverb, delay, distortion) to the entire group

This is useful for applying the same reverb to multiple percussive elements or creating unified processing groups.

13. Musical Scale & Tonic

For pitched machines (303, Simple Shapes, Karplus String, etc.), Bingo provides scale quantization:

Scale Selector

Choose from 15 built-in scales:

• *Chromatic, Major, Minor (Natural), Harmonic Minor, Melodic Minor
• *Pentatonic Major, Pentatonic Minor
• *Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Locrian
• *Whole Tone, Diminished (Octatonic), Blues

Tonic Selector

Set the root note (C through B) for the selected scale.

When scale lock is active, pitch parameters will snap to notes within the chosen scale, making it easy to stay in key.

14. MIDI Export

Export your patterns as MIDI files:

1. Click the Export MIDI button in the transport header
2. A MIDI file is generated with a random fun name
3. Drag the file directly into your DAW, or find it on disk

This lets you use Bingo patterns in any MIDI-capable instrument or DAW arrangement.

15. Customization

Themes

Open Settings (Cmd/Ctrl+K) to customize Bingo's appearance.

Preset Themes:

Custom Themes: Enter any hex color codes for primary and accent colors to create your own theme. The entire interface generates from your two-color palette.

Settings Tabs

• *Theme — Color customization with presets and custom colors
• *I/O — Audio input/output configuration (Standalone mode)
• *Contact — Support and feedback links
• *Tutorials — Video guides and learning resources

16. Keyboard Shortcuts

Transport & Global

Track Navigation

Parameter Tabs

Panels

Modulation

Live Drum Triggers

17. DAW Integration

Plugin Mode

When running as a VST3 or AU plugin:

• *Transport Sync — Bingo follows your DAW's play/stop and tempo
• *Parameter Automation — Automate Bingo's parameters from your DAW's automation lanes
• *Session Recall — All settings saved with your DAW project
• *Spacebar — Releases focus to the DAW for transport control

Standalone Mode

When running as a standalone application:

• *Internal Transport — Spacebar controls play/stop directly
• *Audio I/O — Configure input/output devices in Settings > I/O
• *Independent Operation — Full functionality without a DAW

18. Tips & Workflows

Creating a Basic Beat

1. Add a kick, snare, and hi-hat from the Machine Picker
2. Toggle steps in the sequencer to create your pattern
3. Adjust the BPM to taste
4. Tweak individual machine parameters for character
5. Add effects (reverb, delay) for space and depth

Polymetric Patterns

Set different track lengths to create evolving patterns. For example:

• *Kick: 16 steps
• *Hi-hat: 12 steps
• *Snare: 7 steps

The different lengths will cycle at different rates, creating complex rhythmic interplay.

Sound Design

• *Use step automation to create per-step pitch slides, filter sweeps, or decay variations
• *Map LFOs to filter cutoff or pitch for evolving textures
• *Combine the 303 voice with filter and distortion for acid bass lines
• *Layer the Bus track to group process related sounds through shared reverb or delay

Live Performance

• *Use keyboard triggers (Z–N) to play drums live
• *Switch between 8 patterns for arrangement variation
• *Mute/Solo tracks on the fly for breakdowns
• *Adjust macro knobs for mapped parameter sweeps

19. Troubleshooting

Plugin Not Appearing in DAW

Ensure the correct plugin format is installed (VST3 or AU). Rescan plugins in your DAW's preferences.

Audio Dropouts

Increase your DAW's audio buffer size. Bingo is optimized for real-time performance, but complex patches with many tracks and effects may require a larger buffer.

Preset Not Loading

Ensure factory presets were included during installation. Check the preset folder location in Settings.

20. Detailed Parameter Reference

This section provides a complete reference for every parameter on every machine and effect in Bingo. Use this alongside Section 5 (Parameter Controls) to understand exactly what each knob does.

Common Controls

Every drum voice shares these base parameters:

Every drum track also has these trigger parameters accessible from the step sequencer:

Kick Machines

Raf's Kick

A sine-based kick with pitch envelope and optional grit harmonics. Good for clean, punchy kicks or lo-fi textures with the grit controls.

RM Kick

Analog-inspired kick drum with pitch bend, FM synthesis, tone filtering, and analog distortion. Versatile from clean to aggressive.

DSP Synth Kick

DaisySP-based synthetic kick with tone, dirtiness, and FM envelope shaping. Covers a wide range from clean electronic kicks to gritty, textured sounds.

DSP Analog Kick

DaisySP analog-modeled kick with attack FM and self-modulation. Produces warm, analog-style kick sounds.

Plaits Perc

Mutable Instruments-based percussion engine. Highly versatile — can produce kicks, toms, metallic hits, and more depending on parameter settings.

Parameters vary based on Plaits engine mode — see the Plaits Hi-Hat entry below for the shared parameter structure.

Snare Machines

Basic Snare

A straightforward synthetic tonal snare voice. Simple controls for quick results.

Plaits Snare

Mutable Instruments-based snare with frequency, tone, snappy, and accent controls. Produces a wide range from tight electronic snares to loose, splashy sounds.

DSP Synthetic Snare

Two modulated oscillators with filtered noise in a 909-inspired design. Great for punchy electronic snares.

Hi-Hat & Metallic Machines

Plaits Hi-Hat

Mutable Instruments-based hi-hat with versatile tonal controls. From tight closed hats to splashy open hats.

Mango

Bright, friendly metallic hi-hat built with fixed-ratio resonator banks. Named for its warm, golden character.

Bingus

Dark and gritty hi-hat with a low, heavy character. Good for lo-fi and industrial textures.

Clap & Percussive Machines

Clap

Classic clap synthesis with feedback resonance for metallic or ringing clap variations.

Noise Burst

A burst generator with noise and envelope shaping. Useful for percussive transients, fills, and layering.

Resonant Clap

A very short, sharp snap or digital cowbell sound. Despite the name, it's more of a metallic percussive hit.

Synth & Tonal Machines

Simple Shapes

Versatile oscillator with crossfading between sine, triangle, saw, and square waves. Features pitch envelope, unison, and stereo spread for thick, layered tones.

303

TB-303 inspired acid synth voice. Designed for acid bass lines and melodic sequences, especially when combined with filter and distortion effects.

DaisyFM

2-operator FM synthesis engine for metallic sounds: cymbals, bells, and gongs. Also capable of bass and lead tones at lower ratios.

Karplus String

Physical modeling string synthesis with multiple excitation types. From plucked guitars to bowed strings and metallic textures.

Dub Siren

The greatest sound ever recorded. A sample-based dub siren voice with full sample playback controls.

Uses the same parameters as the Sampler — see below.

Noise & Utility Machines

Raf's Noise Machine

Versatile noise generator with crossfading between white, pink, and square waves, plus amplitude modulation (ring mod). Great for textured percussion, risers, and sound design.

Sampler

Load your own audio files and play them with classic sampler controls. Supports WAV, AIFF, MP3, FLAC, and other common formats.

Bus

Routes audio from multiple tracks with individual volume controls. Use for group processing — apply shared reverb, delay, or distortion to a set of related tracks.

The Bus has no voice parameters of its own. It receives audio from tracks routed to it and passes the mixed signal through its own effects chain.

Effects Parameters

Every track (including the Master) has a per-track effects chain. Each effect can be enabled or disabled independently using Cmd/Ctrl + 1–6.

Filter

Multi-mode filter with envelope modulation. The frequency response is shown as a visual curve above the controls.

Amplifier

Volume envelope and gain staging with built-in EQ shelves.

Delay

Tempo-synced echo effect with filtering and stereo widening. A visual display shows the delay tap pattern.

Reverb

Spatial ambience and room simulation. Includes a visual representation of the reverb decay envelope.

Distortion

Multi-stage distortion with four independent effects that can be used together or separately.

Wavefolder — Harmonic waveshaping that folds the signal back on itself for complex overtones.

Bitcrusher — Digital bit-reduction for lo-fi, retro digital sounds.

Sample Rate Reducer — Reduces the effective sample rate for aliased, lo-fi digital degradation.

Clipper — Hard and soft clipping for saturation and limiting.

Mixer Parameters

Every track has these mixer controls, accessible from the mixer view or track options:

For support, visit: okaysynthesizer.com

Bingo is made by Okay Synthesizer.