> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.baryon.live/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# First session guide

> A practical path for opening Baryon, connecting audio, framing the scene, and saving a useful setup.

Use this page when you want a fast, intentional setup before diving into the full control reference.

## Choose an audio source

Baryon can visualize an audio file, a microphone, a line input, or loopback audio from another app. To send sound from another app into Baryon, see [Routing system audio](/docs/public/guides/routing-system-audio).

For live microphone input, choose the profile that matches the material:

| Source                                          | Recommended profile | Why it helps                                                       |
| ----------------------------------------------- | ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| A voice, singer, or lead instrument             | **Voice**           | Tracks a dominant pitch and treats harmonics as supporting detail. |
| Music, a full mix, a live room, or system audio | **Ambient**         | Lets many simultaneous sources contribute instead of one driver.   |

If you are routing a clean recording or line feed, leave browser mic processing such as echo cancellation, noise suppression, and auto gain off unless you need it. Those tools can make a noisy room easier to capture, but they also change the spectrum Baryon receives.

## Frame the scene

Use the floating camera controls to set the view before adjusting the pattern itself:

* Drag to orbit the camera when the camera is unlocked.
* Use top, side, and reset controls for repeatable views.
* Lock the camera after framing so an accidental drag does not move the shot.

Camera movement and cymatic rotation are separate concepts. Camera controls change your point of view. **Rotation Mode** changes whether the rendered cymatic volume rotates.

<Tip>
  Version 1.2.0 starts with the **Max Quality** performance profile. If the
  scene does not hold the cadence you need, switch **Performance → Profile** to
  **Auto**, or choose **Custom** and set a target frame rate.
</Tip>

## Set rotation

Open the GUI in the top-right corner and use **Mode** and **Motion**:

| Goal                       | Setting                                                           |
| -------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Still scene                | Set **Rotation Mode** to `Off`.                                   |
| Scene moves with the audio | Set **Rotation Mode** to `Audio`, then tune **Motion Scale**.     |
| Fixed spin for capture     | Set **Rotation Mode** to `Manual`, then tune **Manual Rotation**. |
| Reverse the manual spin    | Use a negative **Manual Rotation** value.                         |

<Note>
  Baryon does not currently expose keyboard shortcuts for manually rotating the
  cymatic representation. Use **Rotation Mode** and **Manual Rotation** in the
  control panel.
</Note>

## Tune the pattern intentionally

Start with these controls before fine-tuning color or diagnostics:

| Control              | Use it for                                                                                          |
| -------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Material Density** | Uniform tracer concentration; changes scattering and absorption without changing pattern topology.  |
| **Laser Bending**    | Placement and concentration of laser caustics within the acoustic field.                            |
| **Caustic Strength** | Camera-visible gain applied only to focused laser energy.                                           |
| **Laser Focus**      | Finite-source focus; higher values produce narrower caustic folds.                                  |
| **Color Mode**       | `Static` for controlled color, `Spectral` when you want the audio spectrum to color promoted modes. |

For quiet or sparse material, start lower on **Material Density** and **Caustic Strength**. Audio-to-field response is calibrated automatically; **Motion Scale** only changes audio-driven rotation.

## Save a repeatable setup

Use **Presets** to save named snapshots of your controls. This is the quickest way to keep separate looks for a voice, a live set, or a particular track.

Baryon also auto-saves your latest control values in the browser so the next session opens close to where you left off.

## Capture stills and video

Baryon does not currently include a native still-image export button. For now, use your browser or operating system screenshot and screen-recording tools after the scene is framed.

For cleaner captures:

* Set **Rotation Mode** to `Off` for stills or `Manual` for a controlled spin.
* Lock the camera after framing.
* Baryon output is opaque. Use a black background with Add or Screen blending in
  the receiving tool when black should disappear.
* Save a preset once the look is stable.

For 3D printing, mesh export, point clouds, and coordinate questions, see [Creative workflows](/docs/public/guides/creative-workflows).