Setup Guide

Everything you need to install Chromola, configure Virtual MIDI, and route it to Ableton or Reaper — for both Standalone and VST/AU modes.

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Requirements Installation Virtual MIDI Standalone Mode VST / AU Mode

0. Requirements & Installation

0.1 Minimum System Requirements

0.2 Installation Instructions

Windows

  1. Download Chromola_Installer_Win.exe.
  2. Run the installer.
  3. Security Warning: If a blue screen says "Windows protected your PC":
    • Click More info.
    • Click Run anyway.
  4. Default install locations:
    • Standalone: C:\Program Files\Chromola
    • VST3: C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3

macOS

  1. Download the disk image (.dmg) or .zip.
  2. Locate Install Chromola.command or setup.
  3. Try to open the file. Click OK if blocked.
  4. Open System Settings › Privacy & Security.
  5. Scroll to the Security section.
  6. Find: "Chromola Installer was blocked from use..."
  7. Click Open Anyway.
  8. Enter your Mac password if prompted.

Why the security prompt? Chromola is currently unsigned beta software. The warnings are expected — the installer is safe. This will be resolved before the commercial release.

0.3 Virtual MIDI Setup

A Virtual MIDI Port is a software driver that routes MIDI data between applications — functioning as a virtual cable between Chromola and your DAW.

Windows — loopMIDI

  1. Download loopMIDI and install.
  2. Open loopMIDI and click + to create ports:
    • Standalone Mode: Create two ports — Chromola IN and Chromola OUT. Two ports prevent feedback loops.
    • VST Mode: One port is typically enough — Chromola OUT. The VST inside the DAW can route to this single port without a feedback risk.

macOS — IAC Driver

  1. Open Audio MIDI Setup (Applications › Utilities).
  2. Select Window › Show MIDI Studio.
  3. Double-click IAC Driver and check "Device is online".
  4. Click + to add buses:
    • Standalone: At least two buses (Bus 1 & Bus 2).
    • VST Mode: One bus (Bus 1) is sufficient.

1. Getting Started in Standalone Mode

1.1 Launching the Application

Navigate to your installation folder (Applications on Mac, Program Files on Windows) and run the application.

1.2 Options Menu

The Options menu is in the top-left corner (Windows) or the System Menu bar (Mac). Set the following:

1.3 Camera Setup

  1. Click the Input Settings button (dark blue circle) in the ribbon.
  2. Click the camera dropdown and select your webcam.
  3. The video feed should appear immediately.

Black screen? Ensure no other application (Zoom, Teams) is currently using the camera. Only one application can hold the camera resource at a time.

1.4 Connecting Standalone to Your DAW

The Standalone app runs outside your DAW. Configure your DAW to treat it as an external hardware controller using the dual ports from Section 0.3.

Ableton Live — Standalone Setup

  1. Open Preferences (Cmd+, / Ctrl+,) and go to the Link / Tempo / MIDI tab.
  2. Input — Chromola OUT:
    • Track: ON — to record notes from PixelPiano.
    • Remote: ON — to use SpectraLFO CC mappings.
  3. Output — Chromola IN:
    • Track: ON — to send MIDI notes from Ableton to trigger Video FX.
    • Remote: OFF (unless triggering specific app controls).

Reaper — Standalone Setup

  1. Open Preferences (Cmd+, / Ctrl+P) and go to Audio › MIDI Devices.
  2. MIDI Inputs:
    • Locate Chromola OUT.
    • Right-click → Enable Input AND Enable input for control messages.
  3. MIDI Outputs:
    • Locate Chromola IN.
    • Right-click → Enable Output.
  4. Routing in Project:
    • On your synth track, set the Input to Input: MIDI › Chromola OUT › All Channels.

2. DAW Integration (VST3 / AU)

Important: Chromola is a MIDI Generator, not an audio effect. It does not process sound — it outputs MIDI Notes and CC data to drive other plugins. Load it on a MIDI track, not an audio track.

2.1 Ableton Live Integration

A. PixelPiano — Note Routing

  1. Track 1 (Chromola): Load the Chromola VST/AU on a MIDI track.
  2. Track 2 (Synth): Load your target synthesizer (e.g., Wavetable, Serum).
  3. Routing on the Synth track:
    • Set MIDI From → 1-Chromola.
    • Set Monitor to In.

Result: The synth now plays notes generated by Chromola's PixelPiano.

B. SpectraLFO — CC Mapping (Ableton)

SpectraLFO outputs CC data on Channel 16. To map it to parameters inside Ableton you need a "Passthrough" routing — 3 tracks total:

Step 1 — Configure the Router track:

  1. Create a new MIDI Track (Cmd+Shift+T) and name it "Router".
  2. Set MIDI From → the Chromola Track.
  3. Set the second dropdown (Input Channel) to Chromola (the plugin, not the track input).
  4. Set Monitor to In.
  5. Set MIDI To → your Virtual Port (IAC Driver on Mac / Chromola OUT on Windows).

Step 2 — Map the controls:

  1. Disable Chromola's MIDI output: click the MIDI off button in the SpectraLFO panel corner.
  2. Enter Ableton MIDI Map Mode (Cmd+M / Ctrl+M).
  3. Click the parameter you want to control on your Target Track (e.g., Filter Freq).
  4. Click the Map button (Red / Green / Blue) in the Chromola histogram panel.
  5. Exit MIDI Map Mode. Re-enable Chromola's MIDI output.

The knob will now move with the light.

2.2 Reaper Integration

  1. Prerequisite: Enable your Virtual Port (Chromola OUT) as a Control Input in Reaper Preferences.
  2. Track Setup: Load Chromola on a track. Click the Route button and set MIDI Hardware Output → Chromola OUT.
  3. Mapping a parameter:
    • Load your synth on any track.
    • Turn Chromola's Global MIDI output OFF.
    • Right-click the synth's target knob → Param › Learn.
    • Click the Map button in Chromola.
    • Turn Global MIDI output back ON.

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