Tip: Learning using new MVAVE FM1 firmware fast way! (any firmware) with Sloop 2.5 example
If you found yourself that with each new firmware update you have to learn how to use its new features practically from the scratch, here is a personal tip how to do it much faster. For me the fastest way of learning is hands-on using the unit and making concrete beat/song on it. Prerequisite is that firmware of your choice comes with some manual (so far all of them that I checked have it).
Using AI chat of your choice, like ChatGPT for example, give it a prompt (this is example for the latest Sloop 2.5):
"Learn and understand features and functionality of my MVAVE FM1. Link to manual is here: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/isod89/sloop-fm1/refs/heads/main/GUIDE.md
Based on your learning give me step-by-step instruction how to make a nice R&B song."
It works unbelievably well!
Below you can find step-by-step instruction how to make a Soft House beat, using the latest features of Sloop 2.5 with accent on using web editor part (which is really great and becoming more and more and integral part of beat creation process in Sloop). You can accomplish it from start to finish in 10-15 minutes.
(Remark: see it as appendix to the manual to figure out faster how things work and what is possible. Not for cutting the corners on creativity and your creation process.)
Here it is ----->
I’ve read the updated SLOOP 2.5 manual. Let’s make a warm soft-house beat at 116 BPM, with Rhodes chords, a soft bass, and a subtle melody.
We’ll use the FM-1 and the web editor, because some new features are edited through the browser.
| New feature in 2.5 | How we’ll use it |
|---|---|
| PHYS engine | A gentle melody using MUTED GTR |
| Drum synth, SYN1–SYN4 | A custom, softer drum kit |
| Drum delay send | A subtle echo |
| Piano roll | Precise chord entry and note lengths |
| MIDI export/import | Exporting individual patterns for your DAW |
| Song page in the editor | Arranging sections into a song |
Other additions include the NOISE engine, 153 factory sounds, MIDI CC control, bulk DX7 patch import, and 48 kHz USB audio.
Correction to my earlier instructions: the current manual calls the scale button SEL, located between FX and ENV. SELECT is a separate knob.
1. Connect the device and prepare a project
- Connect the FM-1 to your Mac with a USB data cable.
- Open the SLOOP editor in Chrome or Edge.
- Click Connect and allow MIDI access.
- If you have work you want to keep, open Projects → Backup → Save a backup.
- Stop playback.
Create a new project on the FM-1:
- Tap GLO, then SAVE.
- Turn SELECT to find TOOLS.
- Turn KNOB 4 — NEW one click, then another within approximately 1.5 seconds.
Under Settings in the editor, set:
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| BPM | 116 |
| Global SWING | 0 |
| CLICK | OFF |
| SYNC | INT |
We’ll add swing only to the drums. Leave REC off: we’ll enter notes directly.
2. Create a softer custom kit — new in 2.5
Open Drum synth in the editor.
- Choose an available SYN slot, such as SYN1.
- Under Start from, select D.HOUSE, then click Copy.
- Name the kit SOFTHOUS — eight characters.
- Enable Play on change to hear your adjustments.
Start with small changes to the existing kit:
| Sound | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| KICK | Reduce CLICK slightly for a softer attack |
| KICK | Shorten Tone DECAY if the kick rings out too long |
| CLAP | Shorten Noise DECAY slightly |
| HAT | Lower Out LEVEL slightly |
| OPEN HAT | Shorten Noise DECAY so it doesn’t wash over the next beat |
These are suggestions to adjust by ear, rather than factory settings from the manual. Leave the other parameters unchanged for now.
Click Store on the FM-1, then Use on the drum track.
Saving your project and storing your SYN kit edits are separate actions.
3. Program the drums
In the editor, select track 4 → Sequencer → Grid.
Set:
- LEN: 16
- DIV: 1/16
- SWG: 12
- Roll: x1
Click the following cells in the grid. Select the appropriate Level before entering each instrument:
| Instrument | Steps | Level |
|---|---|---|
| KICK | 1, 5, 9, 13 | NORM |
| CLAP | 5, 13 | SOFT |
| HAT | 3, 7, 11 | SOFT |
| OPEN HAT | 15 | SOFT |
| SHAKER | 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 | GHOST |
| RIM | 12 | GHOST |
Press PLAY.
You should hear a steady kick, a clap on beats two and four, and a gently swinging shaker. In SLOOP, SWG 0 means straight timing; 12 gives a small amount of swing.
4. Enter Rhodes chords using the new piano roll
Stop playback. Select track 2 → Sound → Presets → RHODES.
Check these settings:
- VOICE / VCE: POLY
- CHORD: OFF
- ARP MODE: OFF
- Transpose / TRN: 0
We’ll enter the individual notes of each chord.
Open Sequencer and set:
- LEN: 64
- DIV: 1/16
- SWG: 0
- View: Piano roll
- Note length: 1/8 — two sixteenth-note steps
At each starting step below, enter all four notes from that row:
| Bar | Chord | Notes | Starting steps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Am7 | A3, C4, E4, G4 | 3 and 11 |
| 2 | Fmaj7 | A3, C4, E4, F4 | 19 and 27 |
| 3 | Cmaj7 | G3, B3, C4, E4 | 35 and 43 |
| 4 | G7 | G3, B3, D4, F4 | 51 and 59 |
For example, enter the first chord like this:
- At step 3, click the A3 row.
- At the same step, add C4, E4, and G4.
- Repeat at step 11.
Clicking at the starting step of a chord adds another note to that chord, up to four. Drag a note’s right edge to adjust its duration.
The result: two short, syncopated chords per bar. These chord voicings keep the notes close together for smooth changes.
5. Soften the Rhodes
On track 2 → Sound:
- Leave FX → DST at zero.
- Add a little CHO and REV.
- Move FILTER slightly toward the low-pass side, left of its neutral position.
- If the chords overlap too much, reduce ENV → REL.
Aim for a clear attack with rounded high frequencies. Keep the reverb in the background.
6. Add the bass
Select track 1 → Sound → SUB BASS.
Check CHORD OFF, ARP OFF, and TRN 0. In Sequencer, set LEN 64, DIV 1/16, and SWG 0, then open Piano roll.
Set note length to 1/8 and enter:
| Bar | Note to enter | Steps |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A3 | 3, 7, 11, 15 |
| 2 | F3 | 19, 23, 27, 31 |
| 3 | C4 | 35, 39, 43, 47 |
| 4 | G3 | 51, 55, 59, 63 |
According to the manual, SUB BASS already sounds two octaves below the notes you enter. Don’t transpose these notes down another two octaves.
The bass plays between the kicks. Leave its reverb and delay at zero for now.
7. Add a gentle PHYS melody — new in 2.5
Select track 3 → Sound → MUTED GTR. This preset uses the new PHYS engine.
Set CHORD OFF, ARP OFF, and TRN 0, then configure Sequencer:
- LEN: 64
- DIV: 1/16
- SWG: 0
- Note length: 1/8
Enter this sparse melody:
| Step | Note |
|---|---|
| 7 | E5 |
| 15 | G5 |
| 23 | A5 |
| 31 | G5 |
| 39 | E5 |
| 47 | D5 |
| 55 | B4 |
| 63 | D5 |
If it sounds too bright, reduce BRIT slightly on the PHYS BODY page. Add a little reverb and lower the track level so the melody sits subtly above the Rhodes.
8. Add delay, including the new drum send
Open Sound → FX → DLY, or tap FX on the device until you reach the DLY page.
Set:
- TIME: 1/8D
- FDBK: low, for a few quiet repeats
- COLR: toward a darker sound
- MIX: high enough to hear the echo when you raise a send
On track 3, raise FX → DLY send slightly.
Next, open Settings → DRUMS → DLY in the editor and raise it just above zero. On the device, this is GLO → DRUMS → KNOB 4.
This sends the entire drum track into the delay, including the kick. Keep it very quiet, adding just a little space around the rhythm.
9. Add house pumping and balance the mix
Under Settings → MASTER, start with:
| Parameter | Starting value |
|---|---|
| DUCK | 25% |
| DUST | 6% |
| FILT | Neutral / OFF |
DUCK lowers the synth tracks when the kick hits, then brings them back up, creating gentle house pumping.
Open Tracks in the editor:
- Use the drums as your foundation.
- Bring up the bass until it supports the kick clearly.
- Add the Rhodes until the chords fill the space.
- Keep the melody quieter than the other musical elements.
Use headphones or external speakers to judge the bass.
10. Save the beat and export MIDI — new in 2.5
Stop playback.
- On the FM-1, hold SAVE and press white key 5 to save to section A. If A is occupied, choose another slot or deliberately confirm the overwrite.
- Open Projects → Backup → Save a backup for a complete backup.
- In Sequencer, select each track separately and click Export MIDI.
You’ll get separate MIDI files for the bass, chords, melody, and drums. MIDI stores the notes, not the FM-1’s sound; record its USB audio output as well if you want to preserve the exact sound.I’ve read the updated SLOOP 2.5 manual. Let’s make a warm soft-house beat at 116 BPM, with Rhodes chords, a soft bass, and a subtle melody.We’ll use the FM-1 and the web editor, because some new features are edited through the browser.New feature in 2.5 How we’ll use it
PHYS engine A gentle melody using MUTED GTR
Drum synth, SYN1–SYN4 A custom, softer drum kit
Drum delay send A subtle echo
Piano roll Precise chord entry and note lengths
MIDI export/import Exporting individual patterns for your DAW
Song page in the editor Arranging sections into a songOther additions include the NOISE engine, 153 factory sounds, MIDI CC control, bulk DX7 patch import, and 48 kHz USB audio.Correction to my earlier instructions: the current manual calls the scale button SEL, located between FX and ENV. SELECT is a separate knob.1. Connect the device and prepare a projectConnect the FM-1 to your Mac with a USB data cable.
Open the SLOOP editor in Chrome or Edge.
Click Connect and allow MIDI access.
If you have work you want to keep, open Projects → Backup → Save a backup.
Stop playback.Create a new project on the FM-1:Tap GLO, then SAVE.
Turn SELECT to find TOOLS.
Turn KNOB 4 — NEW one click, then another within approximately 1.5 seconds.Under Settings in the editor, set:Setting Value
BPM 116
Global SWING 0
CLICK OFF
SYNC INTWe’ll add swing only to the drums. Leave REC off: we’ll enter notes directly.2. Create a softer custom kit — new in 2.5Open Drum synth in the editor.Choose an available SYN slot, such as SYN1.
Under Start from, select D.HOUSE, then click Copy.
Name the kit SOFTHOUS — eight characters.
Enable Play on change to hear your adjustments.Start with small changes to the existing kit:Sound Adjustment
KICK Reduce CLICK slightly for a softer attack
KICK Shorten Tone DECAY if the kick rings out too long
CLAP Shorten Noise DECAY slightly
HAT Lower Out LEVEL slightly
OPEN HAT Shorten Noise DECAY so it doesn’t wash over the next beatThese are suggestions to adjust by ear, rather than factory settings from the manual. Leave the other parameters unchanged for now.Click Store on the FM-1, then Use on the drum track.Saving your project and storing your SYN kit edits are separate actions.3. Program the drumsIn the editor, select track 4 → Sequencer → Grid.Set:LEN: 16
DIV: 1/16
SWG: 12
Roll: x1Click the following cells in the grid. Select the appropriate Level before entering each instrument:Instrument Steps Level
KICK 1, 5, 9, 13 NORM
CLAP 5, 13 SOFT
HAT 3, 7, 11 SOFT
OPEN HAT 15 SOFT
SHAKER 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 GHOST
RIM 12 GHOSTPress PLAY.You should hear a steady kick, a clap on beats two and four, and a gently swinging shaker. In SLOOP, SWG 0 means straight timing; 12 gives a small amount of swing.4. Enter Rhodes chords using the new piano rollStop playback. Select track 2 → Sound → Presets → RHODES.Check these settings:VOICE / VCE: POLY
CHORD: OFF
ARP MODE: OFF
Transpose / TRN: 0We’ll enter the individual notes of each chord.Open Sequencer and set:LEN: 64
DIV: 1/16
SWG: 0
View: Piano roll
Note length: 1/8 — two sixteenth-note stepsAt each starting step below, enter all four notes from that row:Bar Chord Notes Starting steps
1 Am7 A3, C4, E4, G4 3 and 11
2 Fmaj7 A3, C4, E4, F4 19 and 27
3 Cmaj7 G3, B3, C4, E4 35 and 43
4 G7 G3, B3, D4, F4 51 and 59For example, enter the first chord like this:At step 3, click the A3 row.
At the same step, add C4, E4, and G4.
Repeat at step 11.Clicking at the starting step of a chord adds another note to that chord, up to four. Drag a note’s right edge to adjust its duration.The result: two short, syncopated chords per bar. These chord voicings keep the notes close together for smooth changes.5. Soften the RhodesOn track 2 → Sound:Leave FX → DST at zero.
Add a little CHO and REV.
Move FILTER slightly toward the low-pass side, left of its neutral position.
If the chords overlap too much, reduce ENV → REL.Aim for a clear attack with rounded high frequencies. Keep the reverb in the background.6. Add the bassSelect track 1 → Sound → SUB BASS.Check CHORD OFF, ARP OFF, and TRN 0. In Sequencer, set LEN 64, DIV 1/16, and SWG 0, then open Piano roll.Set note length to 1/8 and enter:Bar Note to enter Steps
1 A3 3, 7, 11, 15
2 F3 19, 23, 27, 31
3 C4 35, 39, 43, 47
4 G3 51, 55, 59, 63According to the manual, SUB BASS already sounds two octaves below the notes you enter. Don’t transpose these notes down another two octaves.The bass plays between the kicks. Leave its reverb and delay at zero for now.7. Add a gentle PHYS melody — new in 2.5Select track 3 → Sound → MUTED GTR. This preset uses the new PHYS engine.Set CHORD OFF, ARP OFF, and TRN 0, then configure Sequencer:LEN: 64
DIV: 1/16
SWG: 0
Note length: 1/8Enter this sparse melody:Step Note
7 E5
15 G5
23 A5
31 G5
39 E5
47 D5
55 B4
63 D5If it sounds too bright, reduce BRIT slightly on the PHYS BODY page. Add a little reverb and lower the track level so the melody sits subtly above the Rhodes.8. Add delay, including the new drum sendOpen Sound → FX → DLY, or tap FX on the device until you reach the DLY page.Set:TIME: 1/8D
FDBK: low, for a few quiet repeats
COLR: toward a darker sound
MIX: high enough to hear the echo when you raise a sendOn track 3, raise FX → DLY send slightly.Next, open Settings → DRUMS → DLY in the editor and raise it just above zero. On the device, this is GLO → DRUMS → KNOB 4.This sends the entire drum track into the delay, including the kick. Keep it very quiet, adding just a little space around the rhythm.9. Add house pumping and balance the mixUnder Settings → MASTER, start with:Parameter Starting value
DUCK 25%
DUST 6%
FILT Neutral / OFFDUCK lowers the synth tracks when the kick hits, then brings them back up, creating gentle house pumping.Open Tracks in the editor:Use the drums as your foundation.
Bring up the bass until it supports the kick clearly.
Add the Rhodes until the chords fill the space.
Keep the melody quieter than the other musical elements.Use headphones or external speakers to judge the bass.10. Save the beat and export MIDI — new in 2.5Stop playback.On the FM-1, hold SAVE and press white key 5 to save to section A. If A is occupied, choose another slot or deliberately confirm the overwrite.
Open Projects → Backup → Save a backup for a complete backup.
In Sequencer, select each track separately and click Export MIDI.You’ll get separate MIDI files for the bass, chords, melody, and drums. MIDI stores the notes, not the FM-1’s sound; record its USB audio output as well if you want to preserve the exact sound.