M8 Tracker Shortcuts, Tips & Tricks

What Is This Website

The Dirtywave M8 is a portable, yet very powerful tracker. This battery operated device is packed with amazing features in a very small footprint with only 8 buttons. If you’re not accustomed with the tracker workflow or if you’ve never used Little Sound DJ, then composing a song with only 8 buttons can be challenging at first.

In my opinion, the main challenge is memorising all the relevant shortcuts. You can compose a full song with the basic shortcuts, but if you want to save time and keep the creativity flowing, it helps learning more advanced shortcuts. That’s why I collected all the shortcuts from the operation manual and other tips from online forums to create this little website. I hope it helps you as much as it has been helping me!

If you appreciate this website and wish to support this project, feel free to make a donation using the below button.

How To Use This Website

Given the portability of the M8, which is an invitation to create songs away from the desk, this website was especially designed for mobile devices. You can use the navigation bar on the left to find the relevant section or, alternatively, you can search the entire website by clicking the magnifier icon on the top right.

I followed the same convention that is used in the operation manual. Therefore, you can expect to find the following format in this website:

[OPTION] + [EDIT]

Hold down the Option key and then press the Edit key, by this specific order.


[OPTION, then EDIT]

Press and release the Option key, then press and release the Edit key.


[SHIFT] + [OPTION, then EDIT]

While holding down the Shift key, press and release the Option key, then press and release the Edit key.


[SHIFT] + [UP or DOWN]

While holding down the Shift key, press and release the Up or Down keys.

Additional Notes

Despite being a complex song writing device, the M8 becomes simple to use once the muscle memory kicks in. It really helps to have a clear operation manual and fantastic support to get you started. Therefore, I would like to thank Timothy Lamb and all the gang at the Dirtywave Discord server for their support.

This website is a work in progress and can certainly be improved. Feel free to post your suggestions on the Dirtywave Discord server.

Lastly, if you like this website, feel free to check my other website with tips and tricks for the Roland MC-101.