Start here
First Launch
Scan your plugins, bring in your samples and choose what syncs.
The Window
Timeline, track list, Inspector and transport bar: what each area is for.
Tracks, Clips and Sources
The few ideas that work differently from other DAWs.
Command Palette
Over 300 commands by name with
⌘K, and a key for any of them.What you can do
Focus Mode
Edit clips inline. Audio waveforms and the MIDI piano roll expand in place.
Play with the Keyboard
Play instruments from the computer keyboard in a Scale, Piano, Drums or Follow layout.
Plugin Strip
See and control the whole effects chain at a glance, with Gain Match and metering.
Sample Library
Your samples, patterns and presets, swapped in by ear while the song plays.
Automation
Automate mixer controls and plugin parameters with editable curves.
Groove & Swing
34 groove presets that shift the grid, snapping and playback, globally or per track.
Sidechain
Three modes: Audio, MIDI and Trigger Impulse. Zero latency.
Ducking
Duck any track from another’s events with a hand-drawn shape. No plugin, no latency.
Stem Separation
Split audio into vocals, drums, bass and more, all processed locally.
Versions
Save snapshots with audio previews. Compare by ear before restoring.
App Audio Capture
Record the audio output of any running app on your Mac.
iPhone and iPad
Listen to your projects, leave comments and sort samples away from the Mac.
Assistants
Let Claude or ChatGPT build, mix and sort in Gridshift for you.
Design principles
- Keyboard first. Play instruments, trigger samples, navigate, edit and mix from the keyboard.
- In the box. Built for computer-based production, with a focused feature set.
- Fast. Minimal clicks, instant feedback.
- No stock plugins. Gridshift hosts the Audio Units installed on your Mac instead of bundling its own.
- Native performance. Swift and Metal, tuned for modern Macs.
System requirements
- macOS 26 or later
- Apple Silicon or Intel Mac with a Metal-capable GPU
- Recommended: Apple Silicon (M1 or later)
Keyboard Shortcuts
Every key, by context.
Glossary
The terms these pages use.