# Getting started

Open RUB, load a factory preset, and start the sequencer.

RUB is a monosynth with a sequencer built in. This page gets you sounding in under a minute.

## Open the instrument

- **Standalone** — launch RUB from Applications (or your DAW’s plugin folder for VST3 / AU / CLAP).
- **Plugin** — insert on a MIDI track. Turn **Follow Host** on to take tempo and play/stop from your DAW (the BPM field shows host tempo and locks); off uses RUB’s own Play button. Switch the sequencer card off with its LED and the window collapses to a slim keyboard strip. Automation lists use full names like **Filter Cut Off**, **Osc A x2**, **Delay Sync** — see [Parameters](/docs/parameters).

![Play control](figure:transport)

## Load a preset

Use the header preset well. Factory songs are 303-style starting points; User and Imported rows appear after you save or import `.rub` files.

![Preset picker](figure:preset)

![Preset menu open](figure:menu-preset)

Hover a User / Imported row to star it or delete it. **Save** writes the current song into User presets. Full detail: [Presets](/docs/presets) (sort, import, categories).

## Hit Play

Press **Space** or the Play button. Playback always restarts from step 0 of the current pattern (or chain head in Chain mode). Stop with Space again.

## First moves

1. Pick patterns **0–F** (number keys or the pattern strip).
2. Click the keyboard or drag the step grid to place notes.
3. Open the filter: **Cutoff** sets the corner; **Env Mod** decides how far the envelope opens it.

![Cutoff](figure:cutoff)

Open **TUNE** on the oscillator card for Tune A/B, Range, and sync — see [Oscillators](/docs/oscillators). When you want parameter automation per step, switch to **Param** (Tab, or the Param ear) and add a lane — see [Param sequencer](/docs/param-sequencer). For notes, accent, slide, and the chain, see [Sequencer](/docs/sequencer).