Quick answers to the questions beta users ask most. For hands-on help, see Getting Started; for problems, see Troubleshooting.
What operating systems are supported?
Windows ships first. macOS support is in active development and lands before the v1.0 public launch — both platforms ship together. The macOS build requires Apple Silicon (M1 or later); Intel Macs are not supported. Linux is not on the v1 roadmap.
Do I need an internet connection?
Only for the AI features and sign-in. The audio engine, looping, plugin hosting, and project save/load all run fully offline. AI features (chat, MIDI generation, audio generation) go through SmartGroove’s hosted service and consume credits from your monthly plan.
What plugin formats are supported?
VST3 and CLAP, alongside the built-in stock plugins. AU support for macOS is being evaluated. Open the Plugin Browser with B; manage scan folders in Settings → Plugins.
How does the AI assistant work?
It operates the DAW directly through a strict tool interface — it can create tracks, write MIDI notes, generate audio, edit clips, commit loops onto the arrangement timeline, and mix. It can also READ your project: ask it which notes or chords are on a track, layer or clip and it reads them from the engine and answers, rather than asking you to open the Piano Roll. Every action is verified against the audio engine’s actual state before the assistant reports back, so a failed request is reported as a failure, never as a false success.
Can I use SmartGroove without paying?
Yes. The Free tier gives you the full DAW — looper, arrangement, mixing, plugin hosting — with no time limit and no card required. Only the AI features are gated behind the Pro and Studio plans. The Free tier is the trial.
Where is my data stored?
Project files live on your local disk (JSON metadata plus audio), outside the app’s install folder — updates and reinstalls never touch your work. Your account profile and subscription state live on SmartGroove’s servers. Chat prompts, and the audio context needed to fulfil a generation request, are sent to SmartGroove’s service to process that request.
How do I cancel or change my subscription?
Settings → Account → Manage Subscription opens the billing portal, where you can cancel, pause, update your payment method, or download invoices. After cancelling you keep your paid plan until the end of the current billing period, then revert to Free.
Will a damaged or old project open?
SmartGroove loads what it can read and never silently overwrites a project it could not fully load — saving under a new name is offered instead, so the original file stays intact for recovery.
What is the Hardware Zone?
The pedal-style controls at the bottom of the Looper view, modeled on a hardware loop station. Record, play, overdub and stop each track hands-on — and right-click any control to map it to a MIDI pedal or pad via Learn MIDI Control.
Can I control SmartGroove with a MIDI controller?
Yes. Right-click a looper control (Record / Play / Overdub / Stop) and choose Learn MIDI Control, then press the pad, key or footswitch on your controller. The mapping applies instantly — ideal for footswitch-driven live looping.