MDBMSC Custom Guide

Hello Everyone! This website is a tutorial on the Game Muse Dash and specifically the Level Making, a guide treating my experience with charting.
Check MDMC website and MDMC Discord Server to discover those made by the community.

Programs Requirements

Muse Dash

MelonLoader

MDBMSC Editor

Audacity

7-Zip

Offset with Audacity

Download Audacity

Chart File with 7-Zip

Download 7-Zip You can also use WinRar but I don't recommend it cuz it has overcomplicated UI.

1. Batch Select

cover.png

info.json

map2 (1-4 if there is)

music.ogg

video.mp4 (if cinema)

cinema.json (if cinema)

2. Right-Click on them

3. Search for 7-Zip Options and "Add to archive"

4. Replace ".zip" to ".mdm" and Click Ok

Note Types Class

Normal Notes: Small & Mediums 1/2 [Monster Notes]
Emphasis Notes: Larges 1/2, Raider/Hammer, Gemini
Others: Hold, Gear, Masher, Ghost
Boss Notes: Boss Projectiles 1/2-3, Boss Gear, Boss Melees 1-2, Boss Mashers 1-2
Pickables: Heart, Beam Note(Blue Note)

Select Scene:

Lane	Small	Medium 1	Medium 2	Large 1	Large 2	Raider	Hammer	Boss Projectile 1	Boss Projectile 2	Boss Projectile 3	Boss
A I R
G R N D

Lane	Small	Medium 1	Medium 2	Large 1	Large 2	Raider	Hammer	Boss Projectile 1	Boss Projectile 2	Boss Projectile 3	Boss
A I R
G R N D

Lane	Small	Medium 1	Medium 2	Large 1	Large 2	Raider	Hammer	Boss Projectile 1	Boss Projectile 2	Boss Projectile 3	Boss
A I R
G R N D

Lane	Small	Medium 1	Medium 2	Large 1	Large 2	Raider	Hammer	Boss Projectile 1	Boss Projectile 2	Boss Projectile 3	Boss
A I R
G R N D

Lane	Small	Medium 1	Medium 2	Large 1	Large 2	Raider	Hammer	Boss Projectile 1	Boss Projectile 2	Boss Projectile 3	Boss
A I R
G R N D

Lane	Small	Medium 1	Medium 2	Large 1	Large 2	Raider	Hammer	Boss Projectile 1	Boss Projectile 2	Boss Projectile 3	Boss
A I R
G R N D

Lane	Small	Medium 1	Medium 2	Large 1	Large 2	Raider	Hammer	Boss Projectile 1	Boss Projectile 2	Boss Projectile 3	Boss
A I R
G R N D

Lane	Small	Medium 1	Medium 2	Large 1	Large 2	Raider	Hammer	Boss Projectile 1	Boss Projectile 2	Boss Projectile 3	Boss
A I R
G R N D

Lane	Small	Medium 1	Medium 2	Large 1	Large 2	Raider	Hammer	Boss Projectile 1	Boss Projectile 2	Boss Projectile 3	Boss
A I R
G R N D

Scenes/Stages

Space Station

Scene ID: 01
Genre: Electronic, EDM, Techno, Mix, Hardstyle, House
Energy: Twilight Inside
Difficulty Peak: 13
Tags: Machine, Industry, High Tech, Modern, Cybernetic, Device, Computer, Enginery, Mecha, Science, Automation

Retrocity

Scene ID: 02
Genre: Lofi, Future, Glitch
Energy: Twilight Outside
Difficulty Peak: 10
Tags: Street, Pixel, Relax, Regulated Mood, Sleep, Soft, Chill, Minimal, Nostalgic, Slow, Wavy, Smooth

Castle

Scene ID: 03
Genre: Rock, Metal, Gothic, Epic, Orchestral, Dubstep, Trance, Speedcore
Energy: Dark Inside
Difficulty Peak: 13
Tags: Death, Depression, Piano, Heroic, Mythical, Middle Age, Shadow, Devil, Demon, Flame, Brutal, Nightmare

Rainy Night

Scene ID: 04
Genre: Jazz, Rap, Acoustic
Energy: Dark Outside
Difficulty Peak: 11
Tags: Street, Piano, Urban, Sexual, Car, City, Walk, Loneliness, Erotic, Luxury,

Candyland

Scene ID: 05
Genre: Happy
Energy: Bright Outside
Difficulty Peak: 12
Tags: Cheering, Positive, Joyful, Utopia, Sugar, Smile, Pleasant, Sparkling, Sunny

Oriental

Scene ID: 06
Genre: Hogaku(Traditional Japanese)
Energy: Twilight Outside
Difficulty Peak: 12
Tags: Eastern, Japanese, Cultural, Architecture, Wood,

Let's Groove

Scene ID: 07
Genre: Video Game
Energy: Bright Outside
Difficulty Peak: 12
Tags: Collab, Futuristic, Park, Arcade

Touhou

Scene ID: 08
Genre: Touhou, Fantasy
Energy: Twilight Outside
Difficulty Peak: 12
Tags: Gensokyo, Forest, Magic, Nature, Eastern,

DJMAX

Scene ID: 09
Genre: Cartoon
Energy: Twilight Outside
Difficulty Peak: 12
Tags: Collab, Graveyard

Miku

Scene ID: 10
Genre: Vocaloid
Energy: Bright Inside
Difficulty Peak: 12
Tags: Collab, Idol, Show, Live, Fans, Action, Event, Virtual

Warriorland

Scene ID: 11?
Genre: Troll
Energy: -
Difficulty Peak: -
Tags: Unusable, Special, Uncommon

Chinese

Scene ID: 12?
Genre: Guoyue(Traditional Chinese)
Energy: Bright Outside
Difficulty Peak: ?
Tags: Eastern

Ranking

Lowest to Highest by Impact Power

Level X: Hold, Gear, Ghost
Level_X

Level 0: Heart, Beam Note
Level_0

Level 1: Small
Level_1

Level 2: Mediums, Projectiles
Level_2

Level 3: Larges
Level_3

Level 4: Raider(grnd)/Hammer(air)
Level_4

Level 5: Gemini, Raider(air)/Hammer(grnd), Masher, Boss Melees & Mashers
Level_6

Consider those Statements

{Medium 1} {Large 1} {Raider}(maybe) and {Projectile 2} as married couple Males ♂

{Medium 2} {Large 2} {Hammer}(maybe) and {Projectile 3} as married couple Females ♀

{Small} {Hold} {Projectile 1} {Ghost} {Gemini} {Masher} as assisted Kids Hermaphroditic or Transgender ⚧

1st and 2nd groups consist of note types Wombo Combos, it can progress at a different scale depending on the length, however they aren't stuck in prisonners walls

3rd group consist of miscellaneous useful types, lighten stream visually, slice as a mini part on its own, and also doing well a celibate

The ground lane should in most cases be a little bit more dominant than the air lane by like 10-15% in term of stuff

Ground and air Lanes are also available for effects perfect timestamp position, boss mashers and melees can as well be on boss lane but not air though

I’am gonna use the vertical view which was the only one at the old times from the genesis

Measure Scale

Here is the measure starting with 002 as a tradition when offset, it’s also called a rhythm unit section.
The real time value depends on the BPM like in equations you first need to tell X(BPM) to have Y(Real Time).
In music, the default structure time signature is 4/4.
In simple terms that's the timestamp consistency regarding the repeating cycle of patterns.

1/4 is the first bar (supposed to start at 0/4 and 4/4 to be a new measure but since it is counter-intuitive...)
2/4 is second bar
3/4 is the third bar also called half measure (there will be first and second half measure so)
4/4 is fourth bar
Then it repeats again and again
All of them are highlighted lines and will be called bold bars

Structural Organization

Pair [Linear Laning]

Description: Timestamped bold bars and stable participation of each lane.
Translation{8}: {4-4}(Passive) {2-2-2-2}(Dynamic) or {4-2-2}(Passive-Dynamic) {2-2-4}(Dynamic-Passive)
Notes Variety: 1 to 2Facultative Semi-Equal
Ground-Air Usage: Equal or Semi-Equal
Main Lane: Start Note

Passive

Difficulty: Easier
Lane Density: Higher, Assembled

Impair [Accent Laning]

Description: Heavier note is on 2nd and 4th bars and are put lonely.
Translation{8}: {2-1-3-1-1}(Passive) or {2-1-1-2-1-1}(Dynamic)
Note Variety: 2
Ground-Air Usage: Favorist on Passive - Equal on Dynamic
Main Lane: Lighter Notes

Dynamic

Difficulty: Harder
Lane Density: Lower, Scattered

Pair Passive

Pair Dynamic

Impair Passive

Impair Dynamic

Note that we are talking about the bars on when to change lane and not necessarely on actual beats We can also multiply the scale of those values by 2. For example {4-4} can be {8-8} in some extent so that litteraly mean each measure own completely the content. In the negative multiplication which imply streams impairs values are flawed. 1 can't be 0.5 since we always deal in integer numbers. the grid is supposed to be 16/4 but i'am talking like it's 8/4 which is more simpler to image lane swap. So i could write it that way {4-1-3 S} S for stream and {8-8} being {4-4 C} C for complete, entire measure so to speak.

Gemini at half are better fitting on passive pair and dynamic impair, not a random fact they exactly reverse mirror at middle which cover good symmetry. That's for the structure quadruples turning triples which for the most part are aligned or triangled (linear or accent).

Gemini Pair Passive

Linear Version

Gemini Impair Dynamic

Triangular Version

Most of the time holds works on Pairs arrangements

Hold Measure

Long Length

Hold Pair Passive

Medium Length

Hold Pair Dynamic

Short Legth

Lanes & Directions

Directions concern Smalls and Mediums,
As well as eventually [Raiders] and [Hammers] although they are fixed types.
[Raider] is animated down to up and [Hammer] up to down, reversal are a special case 97% not to be used.
Directions contain a difficulty value at reading!

Lane	No Direction	Ease	Cross	All Up	All Down	Creative
AIR	⇨	⇩	⇧	⇧	⇩	?
GRND	⇨	⇧	⇩	⇧	⇩	?

Mirroring

Ctrl+R is a shortcut to reverse the selected stuff [ground to air] and [air to ground].

An impair value lane use result to a lane swap for the next section.
The lane swap for Pair Passive Impair Dynamic is done 2 times earlier, 4 times for Pair Dynamic.
We can count {Impair Passive} and {Pair Passive-Dynamic/Dynamic-Passive} as having this property but we can also mix up to able a total of 4x4 options.

Basically it's one of the half measure consisting of a main lane and swapping to another with a balanced pair dynamic. If a measure main lane is A it goes like this:

1st Half Measure	2nd Half Measure
	BB
AAAA		AA
Passive Pair	Dynamic Pair

1st Half Measure			2nd Half Measure
	B		BB
AA		A		AA
Impair Dynamic			Dynamic Pair

The followed example consist of 3 or 5 lane variation units which cover a good proportion to be between zig zags and single laning.

Make sure the final note is at the same lane during the last section measure!

By the way, geminis are considered "laneless" for its undecisive lane favorism and can cover loners notes.

A long masher can personnally be considered as a full measure long.
I consider their ability to reset lane change making pure symmetry unconsequencial although that's only true if the next section isn't a repeating one.

Grids

In the process of beats placement, we encounter 4 grid values with each synchronizing perfectly with bold bars. We can double or quadruples even more but that's for effects, beside them no other grid is used.

Grid	Barpoints	Multiples	Usage Rate
12	{3}	24÷2	#2 Casual
16	{4}	32÷2	#1 Standard
24	{6}	12x2	#3 Rare
32	{8}	16x2	#4 Uncommon

Stack Triplets

Bold Triplet

Triangle offer an opportunity to swap lane this is especially true for holds.

Standard Triplet

Often as a section end signature on pair with a little breath or to feet with vocals lines.

Stream Triplet

Frequent when undercharting in order to nerf {4S} but also exist outside of bold bars.

Grid 12 Triplet(Streamable)

Handle 3 notes on a 4/4 composition.

Clip Triplet

Technical timing on a half measure section, possibly contain impair accent.

Latent Triplet

Double Scale of Clip Triplet in which we can combine standard triplet with linear or accent laning.

Some Others Stacks

Stream Grid 24 Solo/Duet/Triplet

Doubled grid 12, can be [solo {6}] [doubles {2-2-2}] and [triples {3-3}].

Stream Grid 32 Solo/Duet/Triplet

Doubled grid 16, can be [solo {8}] [quadruples {4-4}] [doubles {2-2-2-2}] and found mostly on Hardcore music.

Theme & Attributes

The theme is the scope of note types given to be used on a distinctive role.
The attributes are purposes given to each note type, the sort of place each has on the board.
The normal approach to a standard composition is to use mediums and larges.
Based on the [Ranking] smalls are a fair choice to get the role of streams for best visibility and clarity.

Gemini/Fakes [Note Type/Same Arrangement]

Gemini is a double tap from the 2 lanes [air] and [grnd] fractionner, a good way to imply a transitive mirror.
By Fake I mean the same double tap principle but with different note type which can be more wild, theses have different properties and may varies in positions.

Hold [Note Type]

The Hold in the air is the default lane for this note although this could be to debate with context.
Why ? Cuz the main lane is where it's the most active and the current tap notes would mean to be on the ground. An [air hold] end tail makes you fall instantly to the ground but with late click
With [grnd hold] end tail + [air ennemy] physics can makes you jump attack so placing a gear just after is issued.

Holds are versatiles and play a major role on each part being different from others as being one of the most creative note cuz they have a unique property. This note can signature pretty much all sections but not being mixed up with bad spacing, though they are many type of them. Normal holds are almost always followed by a tap note on the end tail at the opposite lane as a link between timings. There are several types of holds arrangements and those are under certains traits and looking.

Singular Hold

Fill the little blank, no inherent rules beside the equanimy of lane placement.

Short Hold

Complex tool, not easy to catch at high a BPM.

Connected Hold

Alternate main lane, most of the time with consistent length on bold bars but not all the time, the last one may be shorter.

Angular Hold

Emphasis arrangement, also substitute to single gemini at measure start.

Compact Hold

Tighten hold tails on the same lane that combo well with Angular hold.

Focus Hold

Keep dominance over a lane.

Tap Hold

Electronic lag sound or soft silence with a unique visual tap effect used mostly in transitions.

Sandwich Hold

A long one and 2 short ones.

Staircase Hold

Double hold equal in length but with a spicy timing difference, extremely situational and the rarest case.

Gemini Hold

On this arrangement, it adds separative distinction to patterns like geminis but even more with it's spacing.

Tap Holds hit effect go straight to the ground ultimately whatever stuff is putten in gemini addition.

Gear [Note Type]

Property/Use: Divider, Sudden Silence, Transition, Undefined Beat
Appearance Rate: Regular Frequency

Gears are mostly to use on first or half measures (1/4 & 3/4) so they signature a middle point or beginning point.
By the way if you can put one on one of these, you're probably right to do so on standards structures.
Gears can be put at the borders of notes to say simple it can be tight and that's no problem
Boss gears does have a summoning animation at the front which make them harder to read and dodge. Standards boss sections beginning using gear instantly may not be a right choice, the start might better with being if gear to technically be useful.
It is plausible to put one on the 2nd 3rd 4th as a gemini cutter like if possible. Gears are

Masher [Note Type]

Property/Use: Divider, Special Beat, Undercharting, Space Things Up
Appearance Rate: Transition

Masher on the ground lane is waiting for you.
Masher on the air lane is coming for you from the top.

Masher tail should be spaced by one bold bar long especially for high BPM
The max tap Counter might be oscillating in game cuz of FPS drops

Align Hit Count with song Meaning

Max Hit Count	1 Hit	2 Hits	3 Hits	4 Hits	5 Hits	6 Hits	7 Hits	8 Hits	9 Hits	10 Hits
Second Length	0.00 ~ 0.08	0.09 ~ 0.11	0.12 ~ 0.16	0.17 ~ 0.19	0.20 ~ 0.24	0.25 ~ 0.27	0.28 ~ 0.31	0.32 ~ 0.37	0.38 ~ 0.39	0.40 ~ 0.45

Journey

Section difficulties should feet the song intensity and the target difficulty.

The start of a chart shouldn't be the hardest part even if the opening of the song is rough.

If a transition part happen to be somewhere at a 4th measure, it's often subject to a pattern buff.

Example of Note Types and Difficulty Progression

Opening		Introduction	Middle	Transition	Ending
Nothing - Blue Note - Gear - Long Hold	Small - Mediums	Mediums - Larges	Projectiles - Mediums - Larges - Raider/Hammers - Gemini(Little)	Nothing - Blue Note - Small - Gear - Long Hold	Projectile - Small - Mediums - Larges - Raider - Hammer - Gemini	Nothing - Gear - Long Hold
Break	Easy	Normal	Hard (Boss Phase 2)	Break/Easy	Insane(Boss Phase 1)	Break/Easy

Polyrhythm

Polyrhythm consist of theming instruments beats with a specific lane and note type.
It's a sort of ruling structure following 2 to 4 tracks at the same time.
This type of charting imply a significant number of double taps.

Difficulty	1-8★	9★	10★	11-12★
Appearance	No	Minor	Average	Major

Boss

Last time we've seen that projectiles have a standardized coupling.
In specific times switching classical to special choices can improve a chart.
Now we will dive into the second grouping which is more complex.
This one function is to give a different feeling based on the movement and spawn position.
It's especially useful to know at moments you hesitate which phase or boss hide free sections.
Projectiles can be classified by their animatations and the stance the boss takes at its phase.
Based on the scene there are multiples setups to projectiles properties.

When the movement is strictly horizontal let's call it [Straight]
When it collide to the floor on the ground [Bounce]
When the bullets spawn by each lane for each hand [Corners]
When the bullets spawn from the same point whatever its lane [Origin]
One is either [Straight] or [Bounce] and [Corners] or [Origin]

Scene	Proj 1	Proj 2	Proj 3
Space Station	Straight Corners	Straight Origin	Bounce Origin
Retrocity	Straight Origin	Bounce Origin	Bounce Origin
Castle	Straight Origin	Bounce Origin	Straight Origin
Rainy Night	Straight Origin	Bounce Origin	Bounce Origin
Candyland	Straight Origin	Bounce Origin	Bounce Origin
Oriental	Straight Corners	Bounce Origin	Bounce Origin
Let's Groove	Straight Origin	Straight Origin	Bounce Origin
Touhou	Straight Corners	Straight Origin	Straight Origin
DJMAX	Straight Corners	Straight Origin	Straight Origin

Boss projectiles 1/2&3 are used separately unless its a special section.
Melee and Mashers have an implicit Forward animation.
It's same with projectiles because as they spawn and move until tap there is an interval.
They can conflict with each other and produce unreadable glitches.

Boss Animations Average Intervals Spacing

Boss Note	Entrance	Exit	[Ready/End] Phase [1/2]	Melee 1, Masher [1/2]	Melee 2
Max Second Length	Scene Dependance	Scene Dependance	~O.8-1~	~1.3-1.5~	0.3~0.5
Bars Values	2 Bold Bars(<140BPM~) 4 Bold Bars(>140BPM)	2/4 Bold Bars	2 Bold Bars(<140BPM~) 4 Bold Bars(>140BPM)	2 Bold Bars(<100BPM~) 4 Bold Bars	2 Bold Bars(<400BPM~)

Overlaps

Here are some ways to overlap:

Commons

Ghost + Monsters(direction)/Projectiles/Raider/Hammer

Tap Hold + Monsters/Larges/Projectiles/Raider/Hammer

Uncommons

Hold+Hold

Hold + Normal Pattern

Masher + Pattern

Monsters(double direction)

Larges + Monsters

Special Bug Fix

[Hold] + [grnd Masher] overlap need [Masher] to be moved a little earlier by Ctrl+Key direction

Motifs

a Motif is a stream mixing of normal notes types between smalls, mediums and/or projectiles.
You need to know the length of your stream to have a little idea on what mix is possible. Motifs contain a proportionality regarding its arrangement:

Motifs of 1 are used for extreme tension section, they are quite messy when put on 2 lanes simultaneously so more recommended for shorter sections.

Motifs of 2 are the most balanced compromise between too much and too less they fit the perfect balance.

Motifs of 3 are always free to use as long as the stream can fit a table of 6/12 and eventually progress to motifs of 2.

Motifs of 4 are the least common and require extreme long sections, they are kinda brain dead.

Trivia

The old method for tap hold and tap masher was grid 256 (max grid) from the beginning to February 2024
ubmplay got replaced by Clone Dash all credits to @march on February 2026