Sting User Manual

Sting is an expressive, algorithmic improvisational acid line performance system, available as VST3, AU MIDI FX and CLAP, for macOS, Windows and Linux.

System overview

Sting is an expressive, algorithmic improvisational acid line performance system. It relies strictly on algorithmic rule sets and does not use AI or machine learning to generate anything. It runs as a VST3, AU or CLAP plug-in in any compatible DAW or plug-in host on macOS, Windows and Linux.

Alongside DAW operation, Sting includes hardware support that turns a Novation Launchpad or a monome into a dedicated hands-on performance and composition system.

Four generation engines: Algo, Arp, Bass, and a multi-voice Counterpoint mode capable of generating two lines, chords and bass to drive a full hardware or software setup.
MIDI file import: A statistical analysis engine that uses imported MIDI files as jumping-off points for new pattern variations.
Modulation section: Two LFOs, a modulation matrix, and non-linear clock shaping.
Themes: Fifteen colour themes, including options designed for colour blindness, alongside custom theme creation.
Built-in accessibility: A native interface communicating directly with screen readers, including VoiceOver, NVDA and Narrator, and with DAW tools such as REAPER's OSARA. Sting is usable by blind, visually impaired and sighted people alike.

History

Sting was born on a low-key afternoon during a residency in Reykjavik in 2013. It started as a joke, asking whether it was possible to build something that would generate acid, and turned out to be pretty useful.

Over the years Sting went through several private, public and hardware iterations. The 2025 Max for Live device, Sting 2, expanded the concept into a full performance platform with Push integration, bass modes and dedicated arpeggiation tools. The standalone plug-in version opens Sting up to any DAW host for the first time, while unlocking deeper sequencing and modulation.

DAW setup and routing

Sting outputs MIDI data rather than audio, so host setup varies with your DAW's routing architecture.

Ableton Live: Route Sting's MIDI output directly to a second MIDI track hosting your target synth plug-in.
Bitwig and REAPER: Insert Sting directly on the track, before your instrument.
Logic Pro: Load Sting as an AU MIDI FX plug-in directly on the instrument channel.
FL Studio: Set matching MIDI port numbers inside the plug-in wrapper settings, or connect nodes inside Patcher.

For step-by-step routing diagrams, there is a separate DAW integration guide on the Sting page.

Accessibility interface

Accessibility is built into Sting's core interface. Every parameter reports its name and current value to screen readers, announcing changes continuously as controls are adjusted.

Every parameter is exposed for full screen reader navigation, with VoiceOver, NVDA and Narrator, and for DAW parameter tracking through tools such as REAPER's OSARA.

For the navigation shortcuts themselves, see Using Sting with a screen reader.

Algo engine

Sting has four generation engines: Algo, Arp, Bass and Counterpoint. This section covers Algo, the default.

Activating the Generate control, the smiley face at the centre of the interface, calculates a complete sixteen-step sequence built from sixteen note patterns and sixteen matching velocity, gate and octave patterns. Because those sets are musically related, layering them yields 256 unique pattern combinations per generation.

Generate: A button. Calculates a fresh set of note, velocity, gate and octave patterns.
Type, 1 to 16: Morphs the sequence notes from randomised intervals into classic acid-style phrasing.
Density, 1 to 16: Controls the overall note activity and busyness of the pattern.
Steps, 1 to 16: Sets the loop length.
Offset, 0 to 15: Shifts the sequence starting point across the grid.
Accent, 0 to 100: Scales output dynamics across the off, low and high velocity layers. At 0 the velocity is flat; at 100 the dynamic contrast between notes is at its maximum.
Gate, 1 to 200: Scales the durations of the three generated note length values.
Root, C to B: Sets the key centre. Turning MIDI on allows incoming notes to update the root in real time.
Transpose, minus 36 to plus 48 semitones: Pitches the entire sequence globally.
Scale, off or one of 35 scales: Turning Scale on forces all generated pitches to conform strictly to the chosen scale.
Clock mode: Pattern, Song, LFO1 or Gate: Pattern restarts the playhead on transport start. Song tracks the DAW song position. LFO1 uses LFO 1 as the clock source. Gate plays the pattern only while incoming MIDI notes are held.
Polymeter reset, 0 to 16 bars: Sets the bar interval at which odd-stepped patterns reset. A seven-step sequence set to a one-bar reset plays as seven, then seven, then two.
Direction: Forward, Backward or Pendulum: Sets the playback direction across the pattern.
Swing, 0 to 100: Adds swing to the sequence.
Jitter, 0 to 100 per cent: Introduces timing fluctuations, causing the sequencer to skip, repeat or jump backward across steps.

Editor section

Expanding the Editor panel gives access to lock toggles for Note, Accent, Gate and Octave. Disabling a toggle locks that element, preventing it from changing when you activate Generate. This lets you keep a rhythmic structure while generating new notes, or the other way round.

Manual step adjustments are available within the Note, Accent, Gate and Octave tabs.

Randomize toggles, one per element: The tabs above the sequencer select which element you are editing, and each label carries its own randomize toggle. On means the element is regenerated when you activate Generate. Locked means it is left alone.

Arp and Bass engines

Arp engine, requires MIDI input: Incoming MIDI notes define the pitch content of the generated sequence, and a fresh set of pattern variations is generated whenever new notes are received. Combining Arp mode with the Editor toggles offers controlled randomness that keeps a clear musical intent.
Bass engine, requires chord input: Requires polyphonic chord MIDI input. Sting detects the root note automatically and builds an accompanying bassline around it. Lower Type settings integrate additional notes drawn from the chord alongside the root; higher Type settings narrow the pitch selection, sticking strictly to the root note at maximum values.

Counterpoint engine

Counterpoint mode turns Sting into a four-part multi-voice generator driven by polyphonic MIDI input. It produces two distinct Sting lines, a chord part and a bassline, across four separate MIDI channels: Sting A on channel 1, Sting B on channel 2, chords on channel 3 and bass on channel 4.

Rather than generating two separate lines, Sting shares a single melodic idea across Sting A and Sting B, which preserves clarity and focus. Chords and bass fill out the harmony behind the main line.

Weight, 1 to 16: Controls how melody notes are split between Sting A and Sting B, from routing the line entirely to one channel, to passing it back and forth note by note.
Harmonic density, 1 to 16: Attenuates note playback for the chord and bass channels only, removing active notes while preserving the underlying progression, to create extra space.
Voice selection: Sting, Chords or Bass: In Counterpoint mode the controls below the sequencer switch which voice you are editing, and selecting one shows that voice's steps in the editor. Each carries its own randomize toggle, so any voice can be excluded from randomization: you can roll a new bassline while the chords and the melody stay exactly as they are.

MIDI file import and export

Dragging any MIDI file onto Sting's window processes external MIDI through the Algo engine.

One-bar MIDI files: Retain the original notes, velocities, gates and octaves as an editable base template for new variations.
Longer MIDI files: Are analysed statistically, based on step and pitch frequency. No AI or machine learning is used, and no data is stored.
Import processing: The original character is kept by emphasising the elements that repeat most often. Type controls the pitch variations drawn from the file, and Density determines how much imported material is present.
MIDI clip drag: Dragging the MIDI Clip control into your DAW exports the sequence as an editable clip. This produces one clip in Algo, Arp and Bass modes, or four separate clips in Counterpoint mode. This is the one feature that needs Sting's own interface, since it is a drag rather than a parameter.

Modulation section

Expanding the Modulation panel allows sixteen-step patterns to be combined into evolving, long-form sequences, using two LFOs and a modulation matrix.

The matrix has ten targets: Type, Density, Steps, Offset, Accent, Gate, Root, Scale, Weight and Harmonic Density. Each can be driven by any of four sources: LFO 1, LFO 2, aftertouch and velocity.

Bipolar depth, minus 100 to plus 100: Modulation operates around the current dial position rather than from zero. To sweep Type linearly across its range, set the Saw Up waveform, set the Type dial to its centre, and set the depth to plus 16.
LFO waveform, seven shapes plus a step sequencer: Sine, ramp up, ramp down, triangle, square, random, drunk, or a step sequencer. Shape adjusts the step count. A right-click loads presets.
Step sequencer, 16 steps: Draws your own modulation shape across sixteen steps instead of using a waveform. Shape sets how long the sequence runs before it loops, and a right-click anywhere in the sequencer opens a menu of presets.
Sync and rate: Each LFO runs either tempo-synced or free, in Hertz.
Phase reset, off or on: Turning it on syncs the LFO restart with the DAW transport.

LFO1 clock engine

When the clock source is set to LFO1, Sting uses the waveform to drive the sequencer, which can produce non-linear rhythms. Shaping a saw-up ramp, for instance, results in accelerating patterns.

Fixed mode: Step durations stay constant. Reducing the step count shortens the total sequence duration relative to the LFO cycle, generating polymetric structures.
Poly mode: Locks the sequence duration to one complete LFO cycle. Adjusting the step count distributes those steps evenly across the bar, generating instant polyrhythms, for example eleven steps spread across a bar.
Euclidean patterns: Independent step lengths and LFO sequence counts let Sting distribute notes as evenly as possible across varying cycle lengths. Combining this with LFO 2 modulating the global step length produces evolving Euclidean structures.
Auto generate, off, on, or with a division: Triggers new sequence generation automatically at set intervals.

Slots and pattern memory

The Slots panel holds a 128-slot memory, organised into eight banks of sixteen.

Storing data: Each slot saves a complete sequence state, including active parameters, variations and modulation routing.
Slot management: Right-clicking any slot offers Store, Copy, Paste and Delete.
Automation and chaining: Slot parameters are exposed for DAW automation and remote MIDI triggering. With Launchpad or monome hardware, slots can be chained sequentially to build complete pattern arrangements.

Settings

The Settings panel gathers everything that shapes Sting's output without being part of the pattern itself: the look of the interface, the octave range, articulation, the connected hardware, and where the MIDI goes.

Colour theme, 15 themes plus custom: Fifteen colour themes ship with Sting, including options designed for colour blindness. Custom themes can be created alongside them.
Pattern character, minus 1 to plus 2, low and high: Sets the overall octave boundary, constraining generated lines to a single octave or spreading them across a wider range.
Tie mode, off or on: Generates patterns using tied note lengths.
Control surface: Launchpad or monome: Connects a Novation Launchpad or a monome grid for hands-on control. Mapping details are in the separate hardware reference guides.
Grid rotation, four orientations: Rotates the monome grid in ninety-degree steps so the layout follows the device however it sits on your desk. Each option is identified by the edge the USB cable leaves from. A wide 128 grid has its cable on the side, so only the left and right orientations are offered.
MIDI output, port and channel 1 to 16: Sting can send to the host or straight out of a hardware MIDI port. These settings are deliberately kept out of host automation, so recalling a session cannot reconfigure your hardware.
CC on slide, off or on, CC 0 to 127: Transmits the supplementary CC message required to trigger slides on hardware synths such as the Roland TB-03.
Counterpoint channels, transposition and mutes: Each of the four Counterpoint voices has its own MIDI output channel, its own transposition, and its own mute. By default Sting A is on channel 1 with no transposition, Sting B on channel 2 down an octave, chords on channel 3 with no transposition, and bass on channel 4 up an octave.

Parameter reference

Sting exposes 126 parameters, 121 of which your DAW can automate. Every one of them is readable by a screen reader, and every one is listed here. The 5 that cannot be automated are hardware settings, kept out of host automation so that recalling a session cannot reconfigure your gear.

Pattern

Generate: Range off or on. Default off. Can be automated by your DAW.
Type: Range 1 to 16. Default 11. Can be automated by your DAW.
Density: Range 1 to 16. Default 14. Can be automated by your DAW.
Step Count: Range 1 to 16. Default 16. Can be automated by your DAW.
Offset: Range 0 to 15. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Accent: Range 0 to 100. Default 50. Can be automated by your DAW.
Gate: Range 1 to 200. Default 100. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mode: Range Algo, Arp, Bass or Counterpoint. Default Algo. Can be automated by your DAW.
Randomize Notes: Range off or on. Default on. Can be automated by your DAW.
Randomize Velocity: Range off or on. Default on. Can be automated by your DAW.
Randomize Gate: Range off or on. Default on. Can be automated by your DAW.
Randomize Octave: Range off or on. Default on. Can be automated by your DAW.

Pitch

Root Note: Range C to B. Default C. Can be automated by your DAW.
Scale Enabled: Range off or on. Default off. Can be automated by your DAW.
Scale: Range 35 scales, Major to Messiaen 7. Default Major. Can be automated by your DAW.
Transpose: Range minus 36 to 48. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Octave Low: Range minus 1 to 2. Default minus 1. Can be automated by your DAW.
Octave High: Range minus 1 to 2. Default 2. Can be automated by your DAW.

Timing

Clock Mode: Range Pattern, Song, LFO1 or Gate. Default Pattern. Can be automated by your DAW.
Beat Division: Range one sixty-fourth to 32 bars. Default one sixteenth. Can be automated by your DAW.
Polymeter Reset: Range 0 to 16. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Direction: Range Forward, Backward or Pendulum. Default Forward. Can be automated by your DAW.
Swing: Range 0 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Step Jitter: Range 0 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Tie Mode: Range off or on. Default off. Can be automated by your DAW.
LFO Step Mode: Range Fixed or Poly. Default Fixed. Can be automated by your DAW.
Auto Generate: Range off or on. Default off. Can be automated by your DAW.
Auto Gen Div: Range one sixty-fourth to 32 bars. Default 1 bar. Can be automated by your DAW.

Step editor

Seq Step Select: Range 1 to 16. Default 1. Can be automated by your DAW.
Seq Selected Note: Range the twelve semitones, C to B. Default C. Can be automated by your DAW.
Seq Selected Accent: Range low, mid or high. Default low. Can be automated by your DAW.
Seq Selected Gate: Range short, medium or long. Default medium. Can be automated by your DAW.
Seq Selected Octave: Range minus 1, 0, plus 1 or plus 2. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.

Counterpoint

Weight: Range 1 to 16. Default 8. Can be automated by your DAW.
Harmonic Density: Range 1 to 16. Default 16. Can be automated by your DAW.
Counterpoint Voice: Range Sting, Chords or Bass. Default Sting. Can be automated by your DAW.
Randomize Sting Voice: Range off or on. Default on. Can be automated by your DAW.
Randomize Chords Voice: Range off or on. Default on. Can be automated by your DAW.
Randomize Bass Voice: Range off or on. Default on. Can be automated by your DAW.
Sting A Output Channel: Range 1 to 16. Default 1. Can be automated by your DAW.
Sting B Output Channel: Range 1 to 16. Default 2. Can be automated by your DAW.
Chords Output Channel: Range 1 to 16. Default 3. Can be automated by your DAW.
Bass Output Channel: Range 1 to 16. Default 4. Can be automated by your DAW.
Sting A Transpose: Range minus 36 to 36. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Sting B Transpose: Range minus 36 to 36. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Chords Transpose: Range minus 36 to 36. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Bass Transpose: Range minus 36 to 36. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Sting A Mute: Range off or on. Default off. Can be automated by your DAW.
Sting B Mute: Range off or on. Default off. Can be automated by your DAW.
Chords Mute: Range off or on. Default off. Can be automated by your DAW.
Bass Mute: Range off or on. Default off. Can be automated by your DAW.

Modulation

Mod Target Select: Range Type, Density, Steps, Offset, Accent, Gate, Root, Scale, Weight or Harmonic Density. Default Type. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Source Select: Range LFO 1, LFO 2, Aftertouch or Velocity. Default LFO 1. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Selected Amount: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Type LFO1: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Type LFO2: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Type Aftertouch: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Type Velocity: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Density LFO1: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Density LFO2: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Density Aftertouch: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Density Velocity: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Steps LFO1: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Steps LFO2: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Steps Aftertouch: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Steps Velocity: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Offset LFO1: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Offset LFO2: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Offset Aftertouch: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Offset Velocity: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Accent LFO1: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Accent LFO2: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Accent Aftertouch: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Accent Velocity: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Gate LFO1: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Gate LFO2: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Gate Aftertouch: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Gate Velocity: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Root LFO1: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Root LFO2: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Root Aftertouch: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Root Velocity: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Scale LFO1: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Scale LFO2: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Scale Aftertouch: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Scale Velocity: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Weight LFO1: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Weight LFO2: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Weight Aftertouch: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Weight Velocity: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Harm Dens LFO1: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Harm Dens LFO2: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Harm Dens Aftertouch: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Mod Harm Dens Velocity: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.

LFO 1

LFO1 Wave: Range Sine, Ramp Up, Ramp Down, Triangle, Square, Random, Drunk or Sequencer. Default Sine. Can be automated by your DAW.
LFO1 Sync: Range Sync or Free. Default Sync. Can be automated by your DAW.
LFO1 Div: Range one sixty-fourth to 32 bars. Default 1 bar. Can be automated by your DAW.
LFO1 Rate Hz: Range 0.01 to 30 Hertz. Default 1 Hertz. Can be automated by your DAW.
LFO1 Depth: Range 0 to 100 per cent. Default 100 per cent. Can be automated by your DAW.
LFO1 Shape: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
LFO1 Retrigger: Range off or on. Default on. Can be automated by your DAW.
LFO1 Step Select: Range 1 to 16. Default 1. Can be automated by your DAW.
LFO1 Step Value: Range minus 100 to 100. Default minus 100. Can be automated by your DAW.

LFO 2

LFO2 Wave: Range Sine, Ramp Up, Ramp Down, Triangle, Square, Random, Drunk or Sequencer. Default Sine. Can be automated by your DAW.
LFO2 Sync: Range Sync or Free. Default Free. Can be automated by your DAW.
LFO2 Div: Range one sixty-fourth to 32 bars. Default 1 bar. Can be automated by your DAW.
LFO2 Rate Hz: Range 0.01 to 30 Hertz. Default 0.25 Hertz. Can be automated by your DAW.
LFO2 Depth: Range 0 to 100 per cent. Default 100 per cent. Can be automated by your DAW.
LFO2 Shape: Range minus 100 to 100. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
LFO2 Retrigger: Range off or on. Default off. Can be automated by your DAW.
LFO2 Step Select: Range 1 to 16. Default 1. Can be automated by your DAW.
LFO2 Step Value: Range minus 100 to 100. Default minus 100. Can be automated by your DAW.

Slots

Slot Bank: Range 1 to 8. Default 1. Can be automated by your DAW.
Slot Recall: Range 1 to 16. Default 1. Can be automated by your DAW.
Store Slot: Range off or on. Default off. Can be automated by your DAW.

Output and hardware

MIDI Input: Range off or on. Default off. Can be automated by your DAW.
MIDI Output Channel: Range 1 to 16. Default 1. Not available to DAW automation.
MIDI Output Device: Range 0 to 16. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
CC on Slide: Range off or on. Default off. Can be automated by your DAW.
Slide CC Number: Range 0 to 127. Default 102. Not available to DAW automation.
Control Surface Type: Range 0. Default 0. Not available to DAW automation.
Control Surface Device: Range 0 to 16. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Control Surface Connect: Range off or on. Default off. Not available to DAW automation.
Grid Rotation: Range 0, 90, 180 or 270 degrees. Default 0. Can be automated by your DAW.
Grid Variable Brightness: Range off or on. Default off. Not available to DAW automation.
Grid Background Level: Range 1 to 14. Default 7. Can be automated by your DAW.