Live Guide

Setting up

Before a performance, prepare your composition with the clips and parameters you want available. Think of it like setting up a DJ’s crate. Pre-select what you’ll need so you can focus on performing.

Working with layers

Layers are your main mixing tool. Each layer holds one active clip. Stack multiple layers to composite visuals. A background shader, a foreground particle system, and a post-processing effect, all running simultaneously.

Using faders

Each track has a fader that controls the overall intensity of its layers. Use faders to bring elements in and out smoothly during a set.

BPM sync

Fantasynth locks visual timing to your BPM. There are two workflows to get there.

Upload your music (main workflow)

The main way to use Fantasynth is to upload an audio file and map it to the timeline. This gives you the full set of tools:

• Set the BPM for the track
• Place the grid marker to align the beat grid to the first downbeat
• Set the start time so playback begins where you want
• Map song patterns (kick, snare, bass) so beat-reactive shaders respond accurately
• Add lyrics as a timed overlay

Once mapped, the beat grid stays locked for the whole track and everything syncs during playback.

Beat match an external source

For live performance with an external sound source like a DJ mixer or a live band, set Fantasynth’s BPM to match the external audio and use the nudge pitch controls to stay aligned as the track drifts.

Setting the BPM

In both workflows, there are three ways to set the BPM:

• Plus and minus buttons to step the value up or down
• Click the BPM value and type a new number directly
• Tap tempo to set the BPM by tapping along to the beat

Use tap tempo to lock on quickly when you join a track already playing, then fine-tune with the nudge pitch controls.

View options

Toggle wireframe mode, fog, wrap, and post-processing on the fly. These are global switches that affect the entire scene. Useful for dramatic transitions between sections of a set.