SnappySnap User Guide

🚀 The First Steps

Before you start morphing, you need to set up your library.

1 Set Presets
                    Folder
Click the Presets Folder button.
                Select a folder on your hard
                drive where you want to store your SnappySnap presets. This is a global setting. 

2 Scan Your
                    Plugins
Click the "Load Plugin" (or +) button. In the file dialog,
                select your entire VST3 or Components folder and click "Open".
                SnappySnap will recursively scan the folder and safeguard all compatible plugins into its internal
                database for quick access. 

1. Plugin and Preset Managing

Plugin Controls

Control	What It Does
Load Plugin (+)	Opens the Plugin Browser overlay. Shows categories (Synths/Effects), Favorites, and a Search bar. Effects are marked with a Greenbadge.
Show Plugin	Opens the graphical interface (GUI) of the hosted plugin.
Bypass	Bypasses the hosted plugin's processing. Useful for A/B checking.

Preset System

Control	What It Does
Load Preset	Opens the Preset Browser. The Left column shows Banks (folders), Right column shows Presets.
Save Preset	Saves the Entire Chain: The hosted Plugin itself, its internal state, and all SnappySnap snapshots.
Reset All	CAUTION: Completely wipes the current patch. Clears all snapshots, unbinds all macros, and resets learning. Use this to start from scratch.

                💡 The "Meta-Preset" Workflow

                Because SnappySnap presets store the application inside them, you can build a Universal
                    Sound Wall.

                Instead of browsing 10 different synths for a "Bass", just save your favorite basses from Serum, Diva,
                and
                Vital as SnappySnap presets.


                Cool Move: You can load a SnappySnap preset (e.g., "MegaReese.snappy") and it will
                automatically launch Diva and load the patch. You don't even need to remember which
                plugin
                made the sound!
            

2. Fast, Sanity and Drift Modes

These toggles change how SnappySnap interacts with the hosted plugin's state.

Mode	How It Works
Fast Mode	ON: Recalls only parameter values (0.0 - 1.0). This is instant and perfect for performance/modulation. OFF: Recalls the full VST3 "state chunk". Use this for complex samplers (Kontakt) or Wavetable synths where internal data needs to reload.
Sanity Mode	ON: Protects "danger" parameters from Randomization and Breeding. This includes Master Volume, Pitch/Tune, Bypass, and Output Gain. OFF: "True Random". Anything goes. Watch your ears!
Drift Mode	ON: Enables autonomous wandering through parameter space using Perlin noise. The morph cursor moves organically on its own, creating evolving textures without any input. OFF: Manual control only. The cursor stays where you place it.

Drift Settings

Drift Mode offers extensive control over autonomous movement behavior.

                Accessing Drift Settings

                Right-click anywhere on the XY Pad to open the Drift Settings overlay.
                The overlay is draggable - click and drag it anywhere on the interface.
                Close it with the small × button in the top-right corner.
            

Drift Modes

Mode	Behavior
Free	The cursor wanders freely across the entire XY pad with no destination. Perfect for ambient textures and unpredictable evolution.
Anchored	The cursor wanders but is pulled back toward an anchor point (the position where you enabled Drift). Use Gravity to control the pull strength. Great for subtle variations around a sweet spot.
Orbit	The cursor orbits in a circle around the center of the pad. Distance sets the orbit radius. Perfect for rhythmic, cyclical modulation.

Drift Parameters

Parameter	Effect
Speed	How fast the cursor moves (0 - 10). Uses exponential scaling: 0-2: Slow, glacial movement 3-5: Moderate wandering 6-10: Fast, energetic motion
Distance	How far the cursor can travel from its anchor (0 - 100%). In Orbit mode, this sets the orbit radius.
Chaos	Complexity of the movement pattern (0 - 100%). Low = smooth, predictable curves. High = erratic, jittery motion.
Gravity	(Anchored mode only) Pull strength toward the anchor point. High gravity = stays close to anchor. Low = wanders further away.
Smooth	Movement smoothness (0 - 100%). Low = responsive, snappy. High = gradual, flowing transitions.

Drift Controls

Button	Action
Drift Toggle	Master on/off for drift. When re-enabled, drift starts from the current cursor position (not the old position).
Freeze	Temporarily pauses drift movement. The cursor stops where it is. Unfreeze to resume from the same position.
Nudge	Gives the cursor a random push in a random direction. Great for breaking out of repetitive patterns.
Reset	Returns the cursor to the current morph position and re-anchors there. Use this to "re-center" after drifting too far.

                Creative Drift Techniques

                Ambient Pads: Set Mode to Free, Speed to 1-2,
                Distance to 50%, and Smooth to 80%. Your pad will slowly
                evolve through all your snapshots over time.

                Controlled Variation: Use Anchored mode with high
                Gravity (70%+) to stay near your favorite sound while adding subtle movement.

                Rhythmic Cycling: Set Mode to Orbit, adjust Speed
                to match your tempo, and use Distance to control how dramatic the changes are.

3. Exclusive Randomization & MIDI Triggers

Targeted Randomization

You can choose exactly which parameters to randomize using "Learn" logic.

Control	Description
Target Mode	Toggles between All (randomizes everything) and Learned (randomizes only touched parameters).
Listen Button	When enabled, any parameter you touch on the hosted plugin is added to the "Learned Set" .
Clear Learned	Forgets all learned parameters, resetting the list to empty.

MIDI Snapshot Triggers

Trigger snapshots using your MIDI keyboard.

Control	Description
MIDI Trig	Enables the MIDI triggering system.
Octave	Selects the "Trigger Octave" (e.g., C3). C triggers Snapshot 1 C# triggers Snapshot 2 ...up to Snapshot 12 Note: These notes are filtered out and will NOT play sound on the hosted synth.
Recall	Controls how MIDI triggers affect the hosted plugin. ON (default): MIDI triggers perform a full snapshot recall — the same as clicking the snapshot button directly. All saved parameters are restored instantly. OFF: MIDI triggers blend via the morph fader instead. The fader jumps (or glides, if Elastic mode is enabled) to the triggered snapshot's position, smoothly interpolating between snapshots. Tip: Pair Recall OFF with Elastic mode* for smooth, physics-based transitions between snapshots triggered by MIDI.*

                🎹 Live Performance Tip

                This feature works brilliantly with Hardware Keyboards. Assign the trigger octave to
                the
                lowest octave of your keyboard (e.g., C-2).

                You can play chords/melodies with your right hand while using your left hand to "play" the snapshots
                rhythmically.
                


                🥁 Rhythmic Effects: Try sending a Drum Pattern sequence on the
                trigger
                octave. This allows you to "sequence" the plugin state in perfect sync with your drums, creating complex
                glitches or chord changes that lock to the groove!
            

4. Randomization Controls

The heart of generative sound design.

Behavior: SnappySnap uses "Drift"
                randomization. Instead of generating purely random static,
                it pushes the current values by an amount. 

Control	How It Works
Randomize	Applies the randomization algorithm to the target parameters.
Amount Slider	(Vertical slider next to button) 0 - 99%: Applies weighted drift. Higher values = further deviation from current sound. 100% (Top): Chaos Mode! Allows values to jump completely randomly across the entire range.

5. Morphing and Elastic Modes

Morphing blends between your saved snapshots.

Control	Description
Morph Slider	Linear morphing. Travels from Snapshot 1 → 2 → 3... → 12. Ideal for sequenced progression.
XY Pad	2D Vector morphing. Your sound is a blend of all 12 snapshots weighted by your distance to them on the circle.
Elastic Mode	Enables physics simulation (mass/spring) for the morph cursor. The cursor "chases" your mouse.
Elasticity	Controls the "mass" of the cursor: Low: Fast, tight response. High: Heavy, slow oversizing. Creates "bouncing" modulation.

6. Snapshot System

You have 12 slots arranged in a clock face.

Action	How to Use
Save (+)	Stores the current state of the plugin into this slot.
Recall (#)	Instantly loads the saved state.
Clear (-)	Erases the snapshot data from this slot.
Rename	Right-Click the snapshot button to rename it. Select "Clear Name" to reset to "Snap X" .

7. Macro Controls

8 Global knobs (M1 - M8) that can override any parameter. Macros persist while morphing.

Assignments: Macros are
                "One-Way" . The Macro drives the plugin knob. Moving the plugin knob
                manually does NOT update the Macro. 

Control	Description
Learn	Enables Macro Learning.
Assigning	1. Enable Learn. 2. Touch a Macro Knob (M1-M8). 3. Touch a parameter on the hosted plugin. Done ! The name updates automatically.
Unbind (x)	Click the small 'x' button below a macro knob to clear its assignment.

                🔒 Automation Safe Mode

                When a parameter is assigned to a Macro, SnappySnap excludes it from all Randomization
                and
                Morphing.

                This ensures you have total control: You can draw automation curves for your Macros in your DAW without
                the
                internal engine "fighting" you or overwriting your values!
            

8. Breeding (Genetic Engine)

Create new "Child" presets by combining the DNA of two "Parents" .

Control	What It Does
Parent A / B	Select the two source snapshots you want to combine.
Crossover	Determines the mix ratio. 0% = Pure Parent A, 100% = Pure Parent B, 50% = Equal mix of parameters.
Mutation	Adds randomness to the child. High mutation = extreme variations (errors) in the DNA.
BREED !	Generates the new sound instantly. If you like it, save it to a new Empty Snapshot (+) slot !

9. Link-Lead (Multi-Instance Sync)

The Link-Lead feature enables real-time synchronization between multiple SnappySnap instances running in the same DAW project. One instance acts as the Leader, broadcasting its state, while all other linked instances act as Followers, receiving and applying those updates automatically.

Controls

Control	Description
Link	Toggle in the bottom bar. When enabled, this instance joins the linked group and will receive synchronized updates from the Leader instance. Enabling Link makes the instance ready to follow.
Lead	Toggle that appears when Link is ON. Activating Lead makes this instance the controller — all other linked instances will mirror its state. Only one instance can be Leader at a time; setting a new Leader automatically releases the previous one.

What Gets Synchronized

When Link-Lead is active, the Leader broadcasts the following parameters 60 times per second to all Followers:

Parameter	Description
XY Morph Position	The puck position on the XY pad (Morph X and Morph Y)
1D Morph Value	The linear morph slider position (Snappy knob)
Drift Settings	All drift parameters: Enabled, Mode (Free/Anchored/Orbit), Speed, Depth, Chaos, Gravity, Smoothness, and Frozen state
MIDI Trigger Settings	MIDI snapshot triggering on/off and base octave selection
Snapshot Triggers	When the Leader triggers a snapshot (via MIDI or UI), all Followers recall their own snapshot at the same index

                Important: Snapshot data is not shared between instances — only the snapshot
                index is synchronized.
                Each instance maintains its own separate snapshots. This means you can have different sounds on each
                instance that morph together in perfect sync.
            

Use Cases

Multi-Layer Sound Design: Load the same synth in multiple instances with different snapshots. Link them and morph all layers simultaneously from one XY pad.
Parallel Processing: Create linked effect chains that morph together for cohesive sound design.
Stereo Effects: Run separate left/right channel processing with perfectly synchronized modulation.
Live Performance: Control multiple instruments from a single controller by designating one instance as Leader.
MIDI Sequencing: Program snapshot triggers on the Leader, and all linked instances will change sounds together.

                Pro Tip: Drift + Link-Lead

                Enable Drift Mode on the Leader instance, and all linked Followers will follow the autonomous movement
                pattern.
                This creates evolving, synchronized textures across multiple instruments with zero effort.
            

                State Persistence: Link and Lead toggle states are saved with your DAW project.
                When you reload the project, each instance remembers whether it was linked and whether it was the
                Leader.
            

10. AI Bridge (MCP Integration)

SnappySnap is the world's first audio plugin with native AI agent connectivity. Using the Model Context Protocol (MCP), any compatible AI assistant can directly control your plugin through natural conversation.

                What does this mean? Instead of hunting through menus and parameters,
                just tell the AI what you want: "Make this sound warmer" or "Save this as a snapshot called Heavy Bass" — and it happens.
            

Getting Started

▼

Step 1: Enable MCP Server

Open SnappySnap (standalone or in your DAW)
Toggle Enable MCP Server ON in the bottom-left corner
A port number will appear (like 52001)

Step 2: Copy Your Security Token

Click the "i" icon (info panel) to see your token
This token is your password — keep it private
Also found in: ~/Library/Application Support/SnappySnap/settings.xml

Step 3: Connect Your AI Assistant

Claude Desktop: Add SnappySnap in MCP servers settings with your port and token
Other AI Tools: Use http://127.0.0.1:<PORT> with bearer token authentication

What Can the AI Do?

▼

View & Analyze

See which plugin is loaded and all its parameters
View saved snapshots and current morph position
List all your installed plugins

Change Parameters

Adjust any parameter by name ("turn up the drive")
Set exact values ("set reverb to 75%")
Fuzzy matching: "cut the highs" finds "High Cut Frequency"

Snapshots & Morphing

Save/load snapshots to any of 12 slots
Name your snapshots ("save this as Heavy Bass")
Control morph position in 1D or 2D mode

Randomize & Explore

Randomize parameters for happy accidents
Exclude specific parameters from randomization
Filter to only "sound design" parameters

Example Conversations

▼

You: "I want this synth to sound more aggressive"

AI: I've increased the drive to 70%, added some saturation, and boosted the filter resonance. How does that sound?

You: "Save what we have now as 'Warm Pad' in slot 1"

AI: Done! I've saved the current settings as 'Warm Pad' in snapshot slot 1.

You: "Blend between slot 1 and slot 2, about 30% towards slot 2"

AI: I've set the morph to 30% toward slot 2. You'll hear mostly the slot 1 sound with some slot 2 mixed in.

You: "Randomize everything but keep the volume where it is"

AI: I've randomized 245 parameters while keeping volume unchanged.

Tips for Best Results

▼

Be Specific

Instead of "make it better" → "make the bass fuller and reduce harshness"
Instead of "change the sound" → "add more movement and modulation"

Use Musical Terms — the AI understands:

"Warmer" / "Brighter" / "Darker"
"More attack" / "Softer transients"
"Tighter bass" / "More presence"
"Wet" / "Dry" / "Blend"

Save Before Experimenting

Ask: "Save this to slot 0 as 'Starting Point', then try making it more aggressive"
You can always go back if you don't like the changes

Troubleshooting

▼

"Connection Refused"

Make sure SnappySnap is running
Check MCP Server is enabled
Verify the port number matches

"Unauthorized"

Copy a fresh token from SnappySnap settings
Make sure you're using the complete token
Check for extra spaces when pasting

"No Plugin Loaded"

Load a plugin in SnappySnap first
Wait for the plugin to fully initialize

Privacy Note: MCP runs on localhost only. The AI can only see plugin parameters — not your audio, files, or other applications.

Full MCP Reference Guide

11. DAW Integration & Exposed Parameters

SnappySnap is designed to be completely controlled by your host. We expose key parameters to the DAW, allowing you to use automation, LFOs, and Sidechain modulators to drive the morphing engine.

Exposed Parameters

DAW Parameter Name	Function	Best Use Case
`Snappy`	The Main Morph Knob (0.0 - 1.0). Sweeps through all 12 snapshots linearly.	Automate this for long, evolving builds or rhythmic gating effects.
`Morph X` / `Morph Y`	Controls the puck position on the XY Pad.	Map to a hardware joystick or chaos LFOs for unpredictable textures.
`Macro 1 - 8`	Direct control over the 8 global macros.	The primary targets for Envelope Followers and Sidechain routing.
`Save X` / `Recall X`	Trigger buttons for specific slots.	Programmatic state changes via MIDI clips or step sequencers.
`Drift Enabled`	Master on/off for autonomous drift.	Toggle drift at specific points in your arrangement.
`Drift Speed` / `Distance` / `Chaos`	Controls drift movement parameters.	Automate to change drift behavior over time (slow intro → fast climax).

MIDI CC & Program Change Integration

SnappySnap responds to standard MIDI Control Change and Program Change messages, giving you full control over bank/preset switching, snapshot saves, and morph triggering directly from your MIDI controller or DAW MIDI clips.

MIDI Channel

By default, SnappySnap listens on Omni (all channels). You can restrict it to a specific channel (1–16) in the plugin's MIDI settings. All CC, PC, and note-based triggers respect this channel filter.

Bank & Preset Switching

MIDI Message	Value Range	Function
`CC #0` (Bank Select MSB)	1 – 16	Selects the active preset bank. Send this before a Program Change or CC #1.
`Program Change`	0 – 127	Loads the preset at that index within the currently selected bank.
`CC #1` (Mod Wheel)	0 – 127	Alternative preset select (same as PC) — useful in DAWs that don't easily send Program Changes.

                How to Switch Banks & Presets via MIDI

                1. Send CC #0 with a value of 1–16 to select the desired bank.

                2. Send a Program Change (0–127) or CC #1 (0–127) to load the preset.

                Example: To load Preset 42 from Bank 3:

                  → CC #0, Value: 3 (selects Bank 3)

                  → Program Change 42 (loads preset 42)

                The bank selection is remembered — subsequent Program Changes will stay on the same bank until you send
                    a new CC #0.

Snapshot Save via MIDI

MIDI Message	Trigger Condition	Function
`CC #110`	Value > 64	Save current state to Snapshot Slot 1
`CC #111`	Value > 64	Save to Snapshot Slot 2
`CC #112`	Value > 64	Save to Snapshot Slot 3
`CC #113`	Value > 64	Save to Snapshot Slot 4
`CC #114`	Value > 64	Save to Snapshot Slot 5
`CC #115`	Value > 64	Save to Snapshot Slot 6
`CC #116`	Value > 64	Save to Snapshot Slot 7
`CC #117`	Value > 64	Save to Snapshot Slot 8
`CC #118`	Value > 64	Save to Snapshot Slot 9
`CC #119`	Value > 64	Save to Snapshot Slot 10
`CC #120`	Value > 64	Save to Snapshot Slot 11
`CC #121`	Value > 64	Save to Snapshot Slot 12

Send any value above 64 (e.g., 127) to trigger the save. Values 0–64 are ignored, so you can safely use momentary buttons or automation without accidental triggers.

Snapshot Erase via MIDI

MIDI Message	Value	Function
`CC #109`	1–12	Erase Snapshot Slot 1–12 (value selects slot)

Send the slot number (1–12) as the CC value to erase that snapshot. Value 0 is ignored.

MIDI Note Snapshot Trigger (Morph via Notes)

When MIDI Snap Trigger is enabled, playing notes in a designated octave will instantly jump (or elastically morph) to the corresponding snapshot position:

Note	Snapshot Slot	Morph Position
C	1	0.0 (start)
C#	2	~0.09
D	3	~0.18
D#	4	~0.27
E	5	~0.36
F	6	~0.45
F#	7	~0.55
G	8	~0.64
G#	9	~0.73
A	10	~0.82
A#	11	~0.91
B	12	1.0 (end)

                Setting Up MIDI Note Trigger

                1. Enable MIDI Snap Trigger in SnappySnap's settings.

                2. Choose a Trigger Octave (C-2 through C8) — notes in that octave control morphing.

                3. Triggered notes are filtered out and won't reach the hosted plugin, so they act purely as
                    remote control.

                4. If Elastic Mode is enabled, transitions between snapshots will glide smoothly rather than
                    jumping instantly.

MIDI CC Quick Reference

CC #	Name	Action
`0`	Bank Select MSB	Set active bank (1–16)
`1`	Mod Wheel / Preset Select	Load preset (0–127) from current bank
`109`	Snapshot Erase	Erase slot 1–12 (value = slot number)
`110–121`	Snapshot Save	Save to slots 1–12 (value > 64 to trigger)

🔥 Creative Tip: Audio Sidechain Morphing

Want your synth to "duck" or "morph" every time the Kick drum hits? You can use SnappySnap as a destination for your DAW's Envelope Follower.

                The "Ghost Kick" Technique


                1. In your DAW: Place a Kick Drum on a separate track.

                2. Add an Envelope Follower (e.g., Ableton "Envelope", Bitwig "Audio Sidechain") to the
                Kick track.

                3. Map the Envelope Follower to the Snappy parameter of SnappySnap.

                4. In SnappySnap: Set Snapshot 1 as your "Dry" sound and
                Snapshot
                    6 (approx 50%) as your "Wet/Morphed" sound.

                5. Result: Every kick hit pushes the parameter from 0.0 → 0.5, temporarily morphing
                your
                sound into a completely different texture on the beat!
            

                Use Envelope Followers on Macros

                Instead of morphing the whole plugin, map a sidechain signal to Macro 1. Then, assign
                Macro
                1 to just the Filter Cutoff and Drive inside SnappySnap. Now your external audio
                signal
                drives a specific, multi-parameter modulation inside the hosted plugin!
            

12. Safety & Performance Guide

SnappySnap pushes the limits of what audio plugins are designed to do. Please keep the following performance tips in mind.

⚠️ CPU Overload Warning
Modern powerhouse synths (like Serum 2, Phase Plant, or Pigments) often have others of thousands of parameters. Morphing ALL of them simultaneously effectively forces the plugin to recalculate its entire DSP engine 60 times a second.

The Fix: Avoid morphing the "entire" plugin if it is CPU-heavy. Instead, use Exclusive Randomization / Lock Mode to select only the parameters you truly want to morph (e.g., Filters, Macros, OSC params) and exclude the rest.

                Compatibility Disclaimer

                VST3 and AU are complex standards, and not every developer implements them identically. While SnappySnap
                works with the vast majority of plugins, there is a chance some rare plugins may behave weirdly when
                morphed
                aggressively.

                If a specific plugin crashes or artifacts during morphing, try enabling Sanity Mode or
                reducing the Elasticity setting.
            

13. Theme Switcher

SnappySnap features two visual themes to match your preference and studio environment.

Theme	Description
Violet Dreams	The original purple/violet color scheme. Deep space aesthetic with violet accents and purple glow effects.
Electric Smudge	A modern teal/cyan color scheme. Cooler tones with electric teal accents and cyan glow effects.

                How to Switch Themes

                Use the dropdown menu in the bottom-right corner of the plugin
                interface.
                The theme change applies immediately to all UI elements including buttons, overlays, the plugin browser,
                drift settings, and shader effects. The logo also changes color to match the selected theme.
            

14. UI Scale Controls

SnappySnap includes built-in UI scaling to adapt to different screen sizes and workflow preferences.

Button	Description
S	Small scale - Compact view for smaller screens or when you need more screen real estate.
M	Medium scale - Default balanced size suitable for most workflows.
L	Large scale - Expanded view for larger displays or when you need better visibility.

                Note: All UI elements scale proportionally, maintaining the same layout and
                functionality
                at any size. The scale buttons are located in the bottom bar of the plugin interface.
            