Awesome Synthstrom Deluge

The community firmware is where active development happens: it adds features (extra mod destinations, FM, quality-of-life) and fixes ahead of official builds, and is widely considered stable. Official firmware is more conservative. Most engaged users run community firmware; just read the release notes and back up your SD card before flashing.

Feature availability and even where things live can shift between firmware versions (official vs community, and across community releases). If a mode "vanished," you likely changed firmware lines or the combo moved — check the release notes for your exact version and the Shortcut Finder. Reflash a known-good version if needed.

Set the input source to the built-in mic, arm an audio/sample track to record, set monitoring/threshold, and hit record. The usual snag is leaving the input set to line/USB or not arming an audio track — the mic won't capture into a synth track, only an audio/sample track.

Song mode is the live, loopable clip-launch view; the Arranger lets you lay clips out on a timeline for a fixed arrangement. You build/perform in Song mode and commit a structured arrangement in the Arranger. Many "how do I make a full track" questions are really "switch to the Arranger."

Map the controller to the Deluge and use note input into the sequencer; for true step entry, use the Deluge's grid for steps and the controller for pitch. Exact step-mode behavior depends on firmware — community firmware has improved external MIDI note/step handling, so check your version.