grooveDNA applies mathematical precision to the problem of lifeless electronic grooves. Fuse hardware timing DNA. Create multidimensional swing. Generate grooves with measurable human appeal.
A bidirectional groove system that creates alternating rush/lag dynamics within each beat. Turn left for downbeat magnetism: the second sixteenth rushes forward while the fourth delays backward. Turn right for upbeat magnetism: both notes move toward the center upbeat. Combine with traditional swing to create hybrid grooves impossible with any other tool.
Electronic music production forces continuous human expression into discrete digital steps. The result: grooves that lack the microtiming variations that trigger physical and emotional responses in listeners.
Standard swing applies uniform timing offsets to all swung notes. This creates predictable, monotonous grooves that fail to generate the push-pull dynamics found in compelling rhythms.
Traditional groove templates are one-dimensional snapshots. They cannot adapt, combine, or evolve within a pattern, limiting producers to the groove characteristics of a single source.
Randomizing timing without musical intelligence produces sloppy results. Real groove comes from intentional, systematic variations that follow perceptual and physical principles.
Traditional swing delays all even sixteenths equally. Magnetism creates alternating timing within each beat. Turn the knob left: the second sixteenth rushes forward while the fourth delays backward (rush/lag dynamic). Turn it right: both the second and fourth sixteenths move toward the center upbeat (lag/rush dynamic). Layer magnetism with traditional swing to create hybrid grooves - the swing provides shuffle while magnetism adds internal tension.
Combine timing characteristics from different hardware sources. Example: Alternate between 52% and 54% swing every two steps, creating expansion and compression within each bar that's physically impossible with any single machine.
Group any selection of steps and subdivide them into complex microrhythms. Create quintuplets, septuplets, or any division up to 99 subdivisions. Apply tension curves to accelerate or decelerate the subdivisions. Rotate and fade grouped blocks for evolving patterns. Unlike closed systems, everything exports as MIDI - send your complex microrhythmic patterns to any hardware or software.
Every timing adjustment operates at the sample level. Drag individual steps to their ideal position, sample by sample. Visual feedback with color-coded timing indicators shows exactly how each note relates to the grid. Export as MIDI with all microtiming preserved for hardware sequencers.
Research-backed timing modifications based on studies of what makes humans rate grooves as more compelling. Gaussian-distributed timing offsets combined with hardware-modeled microtiming create grooves that trigger stronger physical responses than random humanization.
Bidirectional groove control creating alternating rush/lag dynamics within each beat. Combine with swing for unprecedented hybrid grooves.
Mix, alternate, or splice timing from multiple hardware sources. Create compound combinations using fused grooves as sources for new hybrids.
Manipulate groove timing at the sample level. Visual feedback shows exact timing relationships. Nudge controls provide sample-accurate adjustments.
70+ groove templates with sample-accurate timing preservation. Each template mirrors the microtiming fluctuations of its hardware inspiration.
Apply different hardware grooves and swing settings to each step in your pattern for unique timing combinations.
Group steps and subdivide for complex polyrhythms. Create 5-over-4 feels, odd subdivisions, and evolving rhythmic tension.
Export grooves as MIDI with all microtiming preserved. Build a library of your own groove templates for future projects.
Extract sample-accurate timing from audio or MIDI files. Modify and enhance existing grooves while preserving their character.
Problem: Mechanical-sounding 4-bar loops that lack hypnotic quality.
Apply alternating groove templates. Steps 1-4 use 52% swing, steps 5-8 use 51%. The 1% difference and timing characteristics of different machines creates subliminal push-pull maintaining interest.
Add 20% downbeat magnetism for rush/lag dynamics that maintain pocket while generating internal tension.
Problem: Quantized trap hi-hats lacking bounce and feel.
Combine templates from 12-bit and 16-bit samplers. Extract hi-hat rolls, subdivide them, apply tension envelopes for accelerating/decelerating rolls.
Use Infectify on main pattern while keeping rolls quantized for clarity in fast sections.
Problem: Classic breaks lose character when sequenced in DAW.
Parse original break audio for sample-accurate timing. Apply upbeat magnetism for lag/rush dynamics enhancing syncopation.
Combine parsed timing with 40% swing and 25% upbeat magnetism for hybrid grooves maintaining character while adding new dynamics.
Problem: Losing subtle timing when sending grooves to hardware sequencers.
Design grooves with visual feedback showing exact sample positions. Export as MIDI with all microtiming preserved.
Save groove variations as presets, automate between them during arrangement for evolving feels while maintaining sync.
Comparison of standard DAW swing versus grooveDNA's multidimensional groove fusion.
Alternating swing creates measurable push-pull dynamics within each bar.
grooveDNA is not free software. Download and evaluate the full version. If you find it useful, purchase a license. The evaluation version is fully functional with no limitations or time restrictions.
$59 USD per user. One license covers all your machines and operating systems. No DRM. No account required. No subscription. Email activation only.
macOS 10.11+, Windows 8+, VST3/AU
grooveDNA systematically addresses the groove problem in electronic music. By combining sample-accurate hardware templates with research on human groove perception, we've built a tool for generating unique and compelling rhythms easily.
Built by producers who needed better grooves.