1. Pick a track
Each row in the sequencer grid is an instrument (Kick, Snare, Hat, etc.).
The coloured Pads below the grid can also be clicked or tapped to play sounds live — great for freestyling.
Welcome to SDM
SDM is your in-browser drum machine. Build loops, tweak sounds, and freestyle live — everything saves automatically in your browser.
Your First Beat
2. Add steps to the grid
Click cells to light them up. A lit cell will play on each loop.
Try this classic 4/4 beat: Kick on 1 & 9, Snare on 5 & 13, Hats every 2 steps.
3. Play and Stop
Press the green Play button (or hit the Spacebar) to start the loop.
The playhead moves across the grid as your pattern plays.
Hit Stop (or Space again) to pause.
4. Bars & Length
By default, the grid loops 1 bar (16 steps).
Use the Bars dropdown to extend to 2, 4, or 8 bars.
For your first beat, stick with 1 bar.
Shape the Sound
Use the Mixer sliders to balance volume.
Click Change on a track to open the Instrument Picker:
- Swap instruments (e.g. Clap instead of Snare).
- Use the parameter sliders (tone, decay, snappy…) to fine-tune.
Extra Tools
- Random → instantly fills the grid with a random pattern for inspiration.
- Clear → wipes the grid back to empty.
- Swing → adds groove; try 10–20% for a shuffle feel.
- Metronome → toggle in the Audio panel for a timing guide.
Tips
- Pads are playable even when the loop is stopped (perfect for practice).
- Use keyboard keys (A, S, D, F…) to trigger pads live.
- Patterns auto-save in your browser.
- Use Export to save/share your beat, and Import to reload it.