1010music Bento: Building Songs from the Ground Up—A Workflow Deep Dive

Bento’s project manager is more than just a file browser—it’s the nerve center for your session. Users can create new projects, assign names, and crucially, set the BPM and key for the song. This ensures that all note input on the pads is constrained to the chosen scale, making it easier to stay harmonically consistent while sketching ideas.

The video demonstrates how each of Bento’s eight tracks can be assigned its own instrument, mix level, and effects. Instrument assignment is streamlined: double-tap to load, with icons distinguishing one-shot, multi-sample, and other instrument types (though only the former are shown here). MIDI channel and audio routing are accessible via the config track menu, hinting at deeper integration potential for more complex setups. The process is quick and tactile, reflecting 1010music’s signature focus on touch-driven workflows.

The launch screen is where Bento’s sequencing engine comes alive. Each cell in the grid represents a sequence for a given instrument, and users can create, edit, and launch these sequences on the fly. The workflow is a hybrid of graphical note entry and real-time recording, with quantization available for tight timing.

Naming sequences and duplicating them for variations is straightforward, enabling rapid iteration. The video walks through building up drum parts—starting with an intro, then layering in hi-hats and snare hits via copy/paste and step editing. The same approach applies to melodic elements: bass, electric piano, and synth leads are added in their own slots, with octave shifting and sequence length adjustment available. The interface encourages experimentation, letting users try out ideas without breaking the creative flow.

Once a palette of sequences is assembled, Bento’s launch mode allows users to trigger and combine them in real time—ideal for auditioning different combinations and building up song sections. The transition from improvisation to structure happens in scene mode, where sequences are grouped into scenes, and scenes are then arranged in song mode to form a complete track.

The tutorial demonstrates creating multiple scenes, each with its own selection of sequences. Scenes are then chained together in song mode, with options to set repeat counts for each section. The process is visual and direct, supporting both spontaneous performance and deliberate arrangement. This modular approach to song-building is a hallmark of modern grooveboxes, and Bento’s implementation appears both accessible and flexible.