diff --git a/samplebrain/interface/samplebrain.ui b/samplebrain/interface/samplebrain.ui
index 0f6807d..ea36146 100644
Binary files a/samplebrain/interface/samplebrain.ui and b/samplebrain/interface/samplebrain.ui differ
diff --git a/samplebrain/qt/MainWindow.cpp b/samplebrain/qt/MainWindow.cpp
index 07736aa..34de1a6 100644
--- a/samplebrain/qt/MainWindow.cpp
+++ b/samplebrain/qt/MainWindow.cpp
@@ -16,9 +16,11 @@
 
 #include <QtGui>
 #include <iostream>
+#include <list>
 
 #include "MainWindow.h"
 #include "feedback.h"
+#include "renderer.h"
 
 using namespace std;
 
@@ -40,3 +42,116 @@ MainWindow::MainWindow() :
     m_save_wav="";
     m_record_id=0;
 }
+
+void MainWindow::init_from_session(const string &filename) {
+  // pull the bits out of the file to set the interface...
+  // is this easier than direct access? no idea??
+  ifstream ifs(filename.c_str(),ios::binary);
+
+  brain s,t;
+
+  renderer r(s,t);
+  ifs||r;
+
+  u32 target_windowsize;
+  u32 source_windowsize;
+  window::type target_window;
+  window::type source_window;
+  float target_overlap;
+  float source_overlap;
+  int t_int;
+  // skip this...
+  ifs||target_windowsize||target_overlap;
+  ifs||source_windowsize||source_overlap;
+  ifs||target_window||source_window;
+  // todo: probably don't need to load all the sample data too :/
+  ifs||s;
+  ifs||t;
+
+  // brain tweaks
+  search_params * p = r.get_params();
+
+  m_Ui.sliderRatio->setValue(p->m_ratio*100);
+  m_Ui.doubleSpinBoxRatio->setValue(p->m_ratio);
+  m_Ui.sliderNRatio->setValue(p->m_n_ratio*100);
+  m_Ui.doubleSpinBoxNRatio->setValue(p->m_n_ratio);
+  m_Ui.spinBoxFFT1Start->setValue(p->m_fft1_start);
+  m_Ui.spinBoxFFT1End->setValue(p->m_fft1_end);
+  m_Ui.sliderNovelty->setValue(p->m_usage_importance*100);
+  m_Ui.doubleSpinBoxNovelty->setValue(p->m_usage_importance);
+  m_Ui.sliderBoredom->setValue(s.get_usage_falloff()*100);
+  m_Ui.doubleSpinBoxBoredom->setValue(s.get_usage_falloff());
+  m_Ui.sliderStickyness->setValue(p->m_stickyness*100);
+  m_Ui.doubleSpinBoxStickyness->setValue(p->m_stickyness);
+  m_Ui.sliderSearchStretch->setValue(r.get_stretch());
+  m_Ui.spinBoxSearchStretch->setValue(r.get_stretch());
+
+  switch(r.get_search_algo()) {
+  case renderer::BASIC: m_Ui.radioButtonAlgoBasic->setChecked(true); break;
+  case renderer::REV_BASIC: m_Ui.radioButtonAlgoRevBasic->setChecked(true); break;
+  case renderer::SYNAPTIC: m_Ui.radioButtonSynaptic->setChecked(true); break;
+  case renderer::SYNAPTIC_SLIDE: m_Ui.radioButtonSynapticSlide->setChecked(true); break;
+  };
+
+  m_Ui.sliderSynapses->setValue(p->m_num_synapses);
+  m_Ui.spinBoxSynapses->setValue(p->m_num_synapses);
+  m_Ui.sliderSlideError->setValue(r.get_slide_error());
+  m_Ui.spinBoxSlideError->setValue(r.get_slide_error());
+
+  // target
+  m_Ui.spinBoxBlockSizeTarget->setValue(t.get_block_size());
+  m_Ui.doubleSpinBoxBlockOverlapTarget->setValue(t.get_overlap()/(float)t.get_block_size());
+
+  m_Ui.radioButton_dodgyTarget->setChecked(false);
+  m_Ui.radioButton_bartlettTarget->setChecked(false);
+  m_Ui.radioButton_blackmanTarget->setChecked(false);
+  m_Ui.radioButton_flattopTarget->setChecked(false);
+  m_Ui.radioButton_gaussianTarget->setChecked(false);
+  m_Ui.radioButton_hammingTarget->setChecked(false);
+  m_Ui.radioButton_hannTarget->setChecked(false);
+  m_Ui.radioButton_rectangleTarget->setChecked(false);
+
+  switch(target_window) {
+  case window::DODGY: m_Ui.radioButton_dodgyTarget->setChecked(true); break;
+  case window::BARTLETT: m_Ui.radioButton_bartlettTarget->setChecked(true); break;
+  case window::BLACKMAN: m_Ui.radioButton_blackmanTarget->setChecked(true); break;
+  case window::FLAT_TOP: m_Ui.radioButton_flattopTarget->setChecked(true); break;
+  case window::GAUSSIAN: m_Ui.radioButton_gaussianTarget->setChecked(true); break;
+  case window::HAMMING: m_Ui.radioButton_hammingTarget->setChecked(true); break;
+  case window::HANN: m_Ui.radioButton_hannTarget->setChecked(true); break;
+  case window::RECTANGLE:  m_Ui.radioButton_rectangleTarget->setChecked(true); break;
+  };
+
+  // source
+  m_Ui.spinBoxBlockSize->setValue(s.get_block_size());
+  m_Ui.doubleSpinBoxBlockOverlap->setValue(s.get_overlap()/(float)s.get_block_size());
+  switch(source_window) {
+  case window::DODGY: m_Ui.radioButton_dodgy->setChecked(true); break;
+  case window::BARTLETT: m_Ui.radioButton_bartlett->setChecked(true); break;
+  case window::BLACKMAN: m_Ui.radioButton_blackman->setChecked(true); break;
+  case window::FLAT_TOP: m_Ui.radioButton_flattop->setChecked(true); break;
+  case window::GAUSSIAN: m_Ui.radioButton_gaussian->setChecked(true); break;
+  case window::HAMMING: m_Ui.radioButton_hamming->setChecked(true); break;
+  case window::HANN: m_Ui.radioButton_hann->setChecked(true); break;
+  case window::RECTANGLE:  m_Ui.radioButton_rectagle->setChecked(true); break;
+  };
+
+  // brain samples
+  m_Ui.listWidgetSounds->clear();
+  const std::list<brain::sound> samples = s.get_samples();
+  for (std::list<brain::sound>::const_iterator i=samples.begin();
+       i!=samples.end(); ++i) {
+    m_Ui.listWidgetSounds->addItem(QString::fromStdString(i->m_filename));
+  }
+
+  // mix
+  m_Ui.sliderTargetMix->setValue(r.get_target_mix()*100);
+  m_Ui.doubleSpinBoxTargetMix->setValue(r.get_target_mix());
+  m_Ui.sliderNMix->setValue(r.get_n_mix()*100);
+  m_Ui.doubleSpinBoxNMix->setValue(r.get_n_mix());
+  m_Ui.sliderAutotune->setValue(r.get_autotune()*100);
+  m_Ui.doubleSpinBoxAutotune->setValue(r.get_autotune());
+
+
+
+}
diff --git a/samplebrain/qt/MainWindow.h b/samplebrain/qt/MainWindow.h
index 5080f3b..390e2e7 100644
--- a/samplebrain/qt/MainWindow.h
+++ b/samplebrain/qt/MainWindow.h
@@ -69,7 +69,6 @@ private slots:
         m_Ui.sliderAutotune->setValue(s*100);
     }
 
-
     void fft1_start_slot(int s) { lo_send(m_audio_address,"/fft1_start","i",s); }
     void fft1_end_slot(int s) { lo_send(m_audio_address,"/fft1_end","i",s); }
     void fft2_start_slot(int s){} // { m_renderer->get_params()->m_fft2_start=s; }
@@ -200,7 +199,7 @@ private slots:
         if (m_save_wav=="") {
             m_last_file=QFileDialog::getSaveFileName(
                 this,
-                QString("Select an wav file"),
+                QString("Select a wav file"),
                 m_last_file,
                 QString("Sounds (*.wav)"));
             m_save_wav = m_last_file.toStdString();
@@ -242,12 +241,35 @@ private slots:
         lo_send(m_process_address,"/save_brain","s",m_last_file.toStdString().c_str());
     }
 
+    void load_session() {
+        m_last_file=QFileDialog::getOpenFileName(
+            this,
+            QString("Select a session file"),
+            m_last_file,
+            QString("Sessions (*.samplebrain)"));
+
+        lo_send(m_process_address,"/load_session","s",m_last_file.toStdString().c_str());
+        init_from_session(m_last_file.toStdString());
+    }
+
+    void save_session() {
+        m_last_file=QFileDialog::getSaveFileName(
+            this,
+            QString("Select a session file"),
+            m_last_file,
+            QString("Sessions (*.samplebrain)"));
+
+        lo_send(m_process_address,"/save_session","s",m_last_file.toStdString().c_str());
+    }
 
     void update_status() {
         m_feedback.poll(m_Ui.statusbar);
     }
 
 private:
+
+    void init_from_session(const string &filename);
+
     string m_save_wav;
     QString m_last_file;
     u32 m_record_id;
diff --git a/samplebrain/qt/generated/ui_samplebrain.h b/samplebrain/qt/generated/ui_samplebrain.h
index 088642b..6f85f8c 100644
--- a/samplebrain/qt/generated/ui_samplebrain.h
+++ b/samplebrain/qt/generated/ui_samplebrain.h
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 /********************************************************************************
-** Form generated from reading UI file 'samplebrainPm4153.ui'
+** Form generated from reading UI file 'samplebraing13021.ui'
 **
 ** Created by: Qt User Interface Compiler version 4.8.6
 **
 ** WARNING! All changes made in this file will be lost when recompiling UI file!
 ********************************************************************************/
 
-#ifndef SAMPLEBRAINPM4153_H
-#define SAMPLEBRAINPM4153_H
+#ifndef SAMPLEBRAING13021_H
+#define SAMPLEBRAING13021_H
 
 #include <QtCore/QVariant>
 #include <QtGui/QAction>
@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@ public:
     QLabel *label_29;
     QSlider *sliderSlideError;
     QSpinBox *spinBoxSlideError;
+    QSpacerItem *horizontalSpacer_2;
     QVBoxLayout *verticalLayout_6;
     QLabel *label_16;
     QPushButton *pushButtonLoadTarget;
@@ -122,7 +123,7 @@ public:
     QSlider *sliderTargetMix;
     QDoubleSpinBox *doubleSpinBoxTargetMix;
     QSpacerItem *verticalSpacer;
-    QVBoxLayout *verticalLayout;
+    QVBoxLayout *verticalLayout_2;
     QLabel *label_3;
     QListWidget *listWidgetSounds;
     QHBoxLayout *horizontalLayout_2;
@@ -136,8 +137,8 @@ public:
     QLabel *label_2;
     QDoubleSpinBox *doubleSpinBoxBlockOverlap;
     QGridLayout *gridLayout;
-    QRadioButton *radioButton_hamming;
     QRadioButton *radioButton_gaussian;
+    QRadioButton *radioButton_hamming;
     QRadioButton *radioButton_dodgy;
     QRadioButton *radioButton_blackman;
     QRadioButton *radioButton_rectagle;
@@ -149,6 +150,7 @@ public:
     QHBoxLayout *horizontalLayout_7;
     QPushButton *pushButtonLoadBrain;
     QPushButton *pushButtonSaveBrain;
+    QSpacerItem *verticalSpacer_2;
     QWidget *logTab;
     QHBoxLayout *horizontalLayout_15;
     QPlainTextEdit *plainTextEdit;
@@ -158,6 +160,9 @@ public:
     QPushButton *pushButtonRecord;
     QPushButton *pushButtonStopRecord;
     QDial *dialVolume;
+    QVBoxLayout *verticalLayout;
+    QPushButton *pushButtonLoadSession;
+    QPushButton *pushButtonSaveSession;
     QSpacerItem *horizontalSpacer;
     QLabel *label_13;
     QStatusBar *statusbar;
@@ -169,7 +174,7 @@ public:
     {
         if (MainWindow->objectName().isEmpty())
             MainWindow->setObjectName(QString::fromUtf8("MainWindow"));
-        MainWindow->resize(1012, 707);
+        MainWindow->resize(910, 795);
         centralwidget = new QWidget(MainWindow);
         centralwidget->setObjectName(QString::fromUtf8("centralwidget"));
         verticalLayout_4 = new QVBoxLayout(centralwidget);
@@ -545,6 +550,10 @@ public:
 
         verticalLayout_3->addLayout(horizontalLayout_20);
 
+        horizontalSpacer_2 = new QSpacerItem(21, 20, QSizePolicy::Expanding, QSizePolicy::Minimum);
+
+        verticalLayout_3->addItem(horizontalSpacer_2);
+
 
         horizontalLayout_5->addLayout(verticalLayout_3);
 
@@ -685,7 +694,6 @@ public:
         sizePolicy.setHeightForWidth(sliderAutotune->sizePolicy().hasHeightForWidth());
         sliderAutotune->setSizePolicy(sizePolicy);
         sliderAutotune->setValue(0);
-        sliderAutotune->setSliderPosition(0);
         sliderAutotune->setOrientation(Qt::Horizontal);
 
         horizontalLayout_22->addWidget(sliderAutotune);
@@ -771,18 +779,18 @@ public:
 
         horizontalLayout_5->addLayout(verticalLayout_6);
 
-        verticalLayout = new QVBoxLayout();
-        verticalLayout->setObjectName(QString::fromUtf8("verticalLayout"));
+        verticalLayout_2 = new QVBoxLayout();
+        verticalLayout_2->setObjectName(QString::fromUtf8("verticalLayout_2"));
         label_3 = new QLabel(controlTab);
         label_3->setObjectName(QString::fromUtf8("label_3"));
         label_3->setFont(font1);
 
-        verticalLayout->addWidget(label_3);
+        verticalLayout_2->addWidget(label_3);
 
         listWidgetSounds = new QListWidget(controlTab);
         listWidgetSounds->setObjectName(QString::fromUtf8("listWidgetSounds"));
 
-        verticalLayout->addWidget(listWidgetSounds);
+        verticalLayout_2->addWidget(listWidgetSounds);
 
         horizontalLayout_2 = new QHBoxLayout();
         horizontalLayout_2->setObjectName(QString::fromUtf8("horizontalLayout_2"));
@@ -799,13 +807,13 @@ public:
         horizontalLayout_2->addWidget(pushButtonDeleteSound);
 
 
-        verticalLayout->addLayout(horizontalLayout_2);
+        verticalLayout_2->addLayout(horizontalLayout_2);
 
         pushButtonClearBrain = new QPushButton(controlTab);
         pushButtonClearBrain->setObjectName(QString::fromUtf8("pushButtonClearBrain"));
         pushButtonClearBrain->setFont(font);
 
-        verticalLayout->addWidget(pushButtonClearBrain);
+        verticalLayout_2->addWidget(pushButtonClearBrain);
 
         horizontalLayout_4 = new QHBoxLayout();
         horizontalLayout_4->setObjectName(QString::fromUtf8("horizontalLayout_4"));
@@ -823,7 +831,7 @@ public:
         horizontalLayout_4->addWidget(spinBoxBlockSize);
 
 
-        verticalLayout->addLayout(horizontalLayout_4);
+        verticalLayout_2->addLayout(horizontalLayout_4);
 
         horizontalLayout_6 = new QHBoxLayout();
         horizontalLayout_6->setObjectName(QString::fromUtf8("horizontalLayout_6"));
@@ -842,24 +850,24 @@ public:
         horizontalLayout_6->addWidget(doubleSpinBoxBlockOverlap);
 
 
-        verticalLayout->addLayout(horizontalLayout_6);
+        verticalLayout_2->addLayout(horizontalLayout_6);
 
         gridLayout = new QGridLayout();
         gridLayout->setObjectName(QString::fromUtf8("gridLayout"));
-        radioButton_hamming = new QRadioButton(controlTab);
+        radioButton_gaussian = new QRadioButton(controlTab);
         buttonGroup = new QButtonGroup(MainWindow);
         buttonGroup->setObjectName(QString::fromUtf8("buttonGroup"));
-        buttonGroup->addButton(radioButton_hamming);
-        radioButton_hamming->setObjectName(QString::fromUtf8("radioButton_hamming"));
-
-        gridLayout->addWidget(radioButton_hamming, 4, 1, 1, 1);
-
-        radioButton_gaussian = new QRadioButton(controlTab);
         buttonGroup->addButton(radioButton_gaussian);
         radioButton_gaussian->setObjectName(QString::fromUtf8("radioButton_gaussian"));
 
         gridLayout->addWidget(radioButton_gaussian, 3, 1, 1, 1);
 
+        radioButton_hamming = new QRadioButton(controlTab);
+        buttonGroup->addButton(radioButton_hamming);
+        radioButton_hamming->setObjectName(QString::fromUtf8("radioButton_hamming"));
+
+        gridLayout->addWidget(radioButton_hamming, 4, 1, 1, 1);
+
         radioButton_dodgy = new QRadioButton(controlTab);
         buttonGroup->addButton(radioButton_dodgy);
         radioButton_dodgy->setObjectName(QString::fromUtf8("radioButton_dodgy"));
@@ -903,13 +911,13 @@ public:
         gridLayout->addWidget(label_4, 2, 0, 1, 1);
 
 
-        verticalLayout->addLayout(gridLayout);
+        verticalLayout_2->addLayout(gridLayout);
 
         pushButtonGenerate = new QPushButton(controlTab);
         pushButtonGenerate->setObjectName(QString::fromUtf8("pushButtonGenerate"));
         pushButtonGenerate->setFont(font);
 
-        verticalLayout->addWidget(pushButtonGenerate);
+        verticalLayout_2->addWidget(pushButtonGenerate);
 
         horizontalLayout_7 = new QHBoxLayout();
         horizontalLayout_7->setObjectName(QString::fromUtf8("horizontalLayout_7"));
@@ -926,10 +934,14 @@ public:
         horizontalLayout_7->addWidget(pushButtonSaveBrain);
 
 
-        verticalLayout->addLayout(horizontalLayout_7);
+        verticalLayout_2->addLayout(horizontalLayout_7);
+
+        verticalSpacer_2 = new QSpacerItem(20, 508, QSizePolicy::Minimum, QSizePolicy::Expanding);
+
+        verticalLayout_2->addItem(verticalSpacer_2);
 
 
-        horizontalLayout_5->addLayout(verticalLayout);
+        horizontalLayout_5->addLayout(verticalLayout_2);
 
         tabWidget->addTab(controlTab, QString());
         logTab = new QWidget();
@@ -995,6 +1007,21 @@ public:
 
         horizontalLayout_12->addWidget(dialVolume);
 
+        verticalLayout = new QVBoxLayout();
+        verticalLayout->setObjectName(QString::fromUtf8("verticalLayout"));
+        pushButtonLoadSession = new QPushButton(centralwidget);
+        pushButtonLoadSession->setObjectName(QString::fromUtf8("pushButtonLoadSession"));
+
+        verticalLayout->addWidget(pushButtonLoadSession);
+
+        pushButtonSaveSession = new QPushButton(centralwidget);
+        pushButtonSaveSession->setObjectName(QString::fromUtf8("pushButtonSaveSession"));
+
+        verticalLayout->addWidget(pushButtonSaveSession);
+
+
+        horizontalLayout_12->addLayout(verticalLayout);
+
         horizontalSpacer = new QSpacerItem(40, 20, QSizePolicy::Expanding, QSizePolicy::Minimum);
 
         horizontalLayout_12->addItem(horizontalSpacer);
@@ -1077,8 +1104,10 @@ public:
         QObject::connect(sliderSlideError, SIGNAL(valueChanged(int)), MainWindow, SLOT(slide_error(int)));
         QObject::connect(doubleSpinBoxStickyness, SIGNAL(valueChanged(double)), MainWindow, SLOT(stickyness_slot(double)));
         QObject::connect(sliderStickyness, SIGNAL(valueChanged(int)), MainWindow, SLOT(stickyness_slot(int)));
-        QObject::connect(doubleSpinBoxAutotune, SIGNAL(valueChanged(double)), MainWindow, SLOT(autotune(double)));
         QObject::connect(sliderAutotune, SIGNAL(sliderMoved(int)), MainWindow, SLOT(autotune(int)));
+        QObject::connect(doubleSpinBoxAutotune, SIGNAL(valueChanged(double)), MainWindow, SLOT(autotune(double)));
+        QObject::connect(pushButtonLoadSession, SIGNAL(released()), MainWindow, SLOT(load_session()));
+        QObject::connect(pushButtonSaveSession, SIGNAL(released()), MainWindow, SLOT(save_session()));
 
         tabWidget->setCurrentIndex(0);
 
@@ -1088,13 +1117,13 @@ public:
 
     void retranslateUi(QMainWindow *MainWindow)
     {
-        MainWindow->setWindowTitle(QApplication::translate("MainWindow", "samplebrain 0.11", 0, QApplication::UnicodeUTF8));
+        MainWindow->setWindowTitle(QApplication::translate("MainWindow", "samplebrain 0.12", 0, QApplication::UnicodeUTF8));
         label_19->setText(QApplication::translate("MainWindow", "brain tweaks", 0, QApplication::UnicodeUTF8));
         label_6->setText(QApplication::translate("MainWindow", "fft / mfcc", 0, QApplication::UnicodeUTF8));
 #ifndef QT_NO_TOOLTIP
         sliderRatio->setToolTip(QApplication::translate("MainWindow", "plain fft match vs mfcc values ", 0, QApplication::UnicodeUTF8));
 #endif // QT_NO_TOOLTIP
-        label_20->setText(QApplication::translate("MainWindow", "dynamics / freq", 0, QApplication::UnicodeUTF8));
+        label_20->setText(QApplication::translate("MainWindow", "freq & dynamics / freq only", 0, QApplication::UnicodeUTF8));
 #ifndef QT_NO_TOOLTIP
         sliderNRatio->setToolTip(QApplication::translate("MainWindow", "match original or normalised blocks", 0, QApplication::UnicodeUTF8));
 #endif // QT_NO_TOOLTIP
@@ -1129,7 +1158,7 @@ public:
 #endif // QT_NO_TOOLTIP
         label_30->setText(QApplication::translate("MainWindow", "stickyness", 0, QApplication::UnicodeUTF8));
 #ifndef QT_NO_TOOLTIP
-        sliderStickyness->setToolTip(QApplication::translate("MainWindow", "prioritise brain order over closeness", 0, QApplication::UnicodeUTF8));
+        sliderStickyness->setToolTip(QApplication::translate("MainWindow", "how long it takes for the novelty to wear off", 0, QApplication::UnicodeUTF8));
 #endif // QT_NO_TOOLTIP
 #ifndef QT_NO_TOOLTIP
         label_28->setToolTip(QString());
@@ -1149,7 +1178,7 @@ public:
 #ifndef QT_NO_TOOLTIP
         radioButtonAlgoRevBasic->setToolTip(QApplication::translate("MainWindow", "full brain reverse search", 0, QApplication::UnicodeUTF8));
 #endif // QT_NO_TOOLTIP
-        radioButtonAlgoRevBasic->setText(QApplication::translate("MainWindow", "rev", 0, QApplication::UnicodeUTF8));
+        radioButtonAlgoRevBasic->setText(QApplication::translate("MainWindow", "rev basic", 0, QApplication::UnicodeUTF8));
 #ifndef QT_NO_TOOLTIP
         radioButtonSynaptic->setToolTip(QApplication::translate("MainWindow", "search based on synapse connections", 0, QApplication::UnicodeUTF8));
 #endif // QT_NO_TOOLTIP
@@ -1211,8 +1240,8 @@ public:
         pushButtonClearBrain->setText(QApplication::translate("MainWindow", "clear brain", 0, QApplication::UnicodeUTF8));
         label->setText(QApplication::translate("MainWindow", "block size", 0, QApplication::UnicodeUTF8));
         label_2->setText(QApplication::translate("MainWindow", "block overlap", 0, QApplication::UnicodeUTF8));
-        radioButton_hamming->setText(QApplication::translate("MainWindow", "hamming", 0, QApplication::UnicodeUTF8));
         radioButton_gaussian->setText(QApplication::translate("MainWindow", "gaussian", 0, QApplication::UnicodeUTF8));
+        radioButton_hamming->setText(QApplication::translate("MainWindow", "hamming", 0, QApplication::UnicodeUTF8));
         radioButton_dodgy->setText(QApplication::translate("MainWindow", "dodgy", 0, QApplication::UnicodeUTF8));
         radioButton_blackman->setText(QApplication::translate("MainWindow", "blackman", 0, QApplication::UnicodeUTF8));
         radioButton_rectagle->setText(QApplication::translate("MainWindow", "rectangle", 0, QApplication::UnicodeUTF8));
@@ -1229,6 +1258,8 @@ public:
         pushButtonStop->setText(QString());
         pushButtonRecord->setText(QString());
         pushButtonStopRecord->setText(QString());
+        pushButtonLoadSession->setText(QApplication::translate("MainWindow", "load session", 0, QApplication::UnicodeUTF8));
+        pushButtonSaveSession->setText(QApplication::translate("MainWindow", "save session", 0, QApplication::UnicodeUTF8));
         label_13->setText(QString());
     } // retranslateUi
 
@@ -1240,4 +1271,4 @@ namespace Ui {
 
 QT_END_NAMESPACE
 
-#endif // SAMPLEBRAINPM4153_H
+#endif // SAMPLEBRAING13021_H
diff --git a/samplebrain/qt/process_thread.cpp b/samplebrain/qt/process_thread.cpp
index cd96302..1900a42 100644
--- a/samplebrain/qt/process_thread.cpp
+++ b/samplebrain/qt/process_thread.cpp
@@ -110,6 +110,12 @@ void process_thread::process() {
             if (name=="/save_brain") {
                 save_source(cmd.get_string(0));
             }
+            if (name=="/load_session") {
+                load_session(cmd.get_string(0));
+            }
+            if (name=="/save_session") {
+                save_session(cmd.get_string(0));
+            }
         }
         usleep(500);
     }
@@ -118,20 +124,13 @@ void process_thread::process() {
 
 void process_thread::load_source(const std::string &filename) {
     pthread_mutex_lock(m_brain_mutex);
+    m_source.clear();
     ifstream ifs(filename.c_str(),ios::binary);
     ifs||m_source;
     ifs.close();
     pthread_mutex_unlock(m_brain_mutex);
 }
 
-void process_thread::load_target(const std::string &filename) {
-    pthread_mutex_lock(m_brain_mutex);
-    ifstream ifs(filename.c_str(),ios::binary);
-    ifs||m_target;
-    ifs.close();
-    pthread_mutex_unlock(m_brain_mutex);
-}
-
 void process_thread::save_source(const std::string &filename) {
     pthread_mutex_lock(m_brain_mutex);
     ofstream ofs(filename.c_str(),ios::binary);
@@ -140,9 +139,30 @@ void process_thread::save_source(const std::string &filename) {
     pthread_mutex_unlock(m_brain_mutex);
 }
 
-void process_thread::save_target(const std::string &filename) {
+// remember to change GUI side to match...
+void process_thread::load_session(const std::string &filename) {
+    pthread_mutex_lock(m_brain_mutex);
+    m_source.clear();
+    m_target.clear();
+    ifstream ifs(filename.c_str(),ios::binary);
+    ifs||(*m_renderer);
+    ifs||m_source_block_size||m_source_overlap;
+    ifs||m_target_block_size||m_target_overlap;
+    ifs||m_window_type||m_target_window_type;
+    ifs||m_source;
+    ifs||m_target;
+    ifs.close();
+    pthread_mutex_unlock(m_brain_mutex);
+}
+
+void process_thread::save_session(const std::string &filename) {
     pthread_mutex_lock(m_brain_mutex);
     ofstream ofs(filename.c_str(),ios::binary);
+    ofs||(*m_renderer);
+    ofs||m_source_block_size||m_source_overlap;
+    ofs||m_target_block_size||m_target_overlap;
+    ofs||m_window_type||m_target_window_type;
+    ofs||m_source;
     ofs||m_target;
     ofs.close();
     pthread_mutex_unlock(m_brain_mutex);
diff --git a/samplebrain/qt/process_thread.h b/samplebrain/qt/process_thread.h
index 9745374..7d87c69 100644
--- a/samplebrain/qt/process_thread.h
+++ b/samplebrain/qt/process_thread.h
@@ -35,9 +35,10 @@ public:
     void process();
 
     void load_source(const std::string &filename);
-    void load_target(const std::string &filename);
     void save_source(const std::string &filename);
-    void save_target(const std::string &filename);
+
+    void load_session(const std::string &filename);
+    void save_session(const std::string &filename);
 
     // only for use in mutex
     brain m_source, m_target;
diff --git a/samplebrain/qt/samplebrain.pro b/samplebrain/qt/samplebrain.pro
index ba3cbe9..16524f0 100644
--- a/samplebrain/qt/samplebrain.pro
+++ b/samplebrain/qt/samplebrain.pro
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ SOURCES += MainWindow.cpp \
            ../src/fft.cpp \
            ../src/mfcc.cpp \
            ../src/renderer.cpp \
+           ../src/search_params.cpp \
            ../src/status.cpp \
            ../src/window.cpp \
            ../src/aquila/filter/MelFilterBank.cpp \
diff --git a/samplebrain/src/brain.cpp b/samplebrain/src/brain.cpp
index a992e01..5fa8173 100644
--- a/samplebrain/src/brain.cpp
+++ b/samplebrain/src/brain.cpp
@@ -61,6 +61,12 @@ void brain::delete_sound(std::string filename) {
     }
 }
 
+void brain::clear() {
+   m_blocks.clear();
+   m_samples.clear();
+   m_active_sounds.clear();
+}
+
 // rewrites whole brain
 void brain::init(u32 block_size, u32 overlap, window::type t, bool ditchpcm) {
     m_blocks.clear();
@@ -322,6 +328,7 @@ ios &spiralcore::operator||(ios &s, brain::sound &b) {
 ios &spiralcore::operator||(ios &s, brain &b) {
     u32 version=0;
     string id("brain");
+    // changes here need to be reflected in interface loading
     s||id||version;
     stream_vector(s,b.m_blocks);
     stream_list(s,b.m_samples);
diff --git a/samplebrain/src/brain.h b/samplebrain/src/brain.h
index c06bfe4..52a442d 100644
--- a/samplebrain/src/brain.h
+++ b/samplebrain/src/brain.h
@@ -49,6 +49,8 @@ public:
         sample m_sample;
     };
 
+    void clear();
+
     // load, chop up and add to brain
     // todo: add tags
     void load_sound(std::string filename);
@@ -58,6 +60,8 @@ public:
     // (presumably this one is made from a single sample)
     //void resynth(const std::string &filename, const brain &other, const search_params &params);
 
+
+    const std::list<sound> &get_samples() { return m_samples; }
     const sample &get_block_pcm(u32 index) const;
     const sample &get_block_n_pcm(u32 index) const;
     const block &get_block(u32 index) const;
@@ -66,6 +70,7 @@ public:
     u32 get_overlap() const { return m_overlap; }
 
     void set_usage_falloff(float s) { m_usage_falloff=s; }
+    float get_usage_falloff() { return m_usage_falloff; }
 
     // basic search
     u32 search(const block &target, const search_params &params);
diff --git a/samplebrain/src/renderer.cpp b/samplebrain/src/renderer.cpp
index 627afb2..5170915 100644
--- a/samplebrain/src/renderer.cpp
+++ b/samplebrain/src/renderer.cpp
@@ -244,6 +244,18 @@ void renderer::clean_up() {
   }
 }
 
+ios &spiralcore::operator||(ios &s, renderer &r) {
+    u32 version=0;
+    string id("renderer");
+    s||id||version;
+    s||r.m_search_params;
+    s||r.m_volume||r.m_playing||r.m_target_index||r.m_render_index;
+    s||r.m_target_time||r.m_render_time||r.m_stretch;
+    s||r.m_n_mix||r.m_target_mix||r.m_autotune;
+    s||r.m_search_algo||r.m_slide_error||r.m_last_tgt_shift;
+    return s;
+}
+
 bool renderer::unit_test() {
   brain source;
   source.load_sound("test_data/up.wav");
diff --git a/samplebrain/src/renderer.h b/samplebrain/src/renderer.h
index 8091a41..bfe2dff 100644
--- a/samplebrain/src/renderer.h
+++ b/samplebrain/src/renderer.h
@@ -55,10 +55,20 @@ namespace spiralcore {
     void set_autotune(float s) { m_autotune=s; }
     search_params *get_params() { return &m_search_params; }
 
+    search_algo get_search_algo() { return m_search_algo; }
+    float get_volume() { return m_volume; }
+    float get_n_mix() { return m_n_mix; }
+    float get_target_mix() { return m_target_mix; }
+    double get_slide_error() { return m_slide_error; }
+    u32 get_stretch() { return m_stretch; }
+    float get_autotune() { return m_autotune; }
+
     brain &get_source() { return m_source; }
 
     static bool unit_test();
 
+    friend ios &operator||(ios &s, renderer &b);
+
   private:
 
     bool find_render_blocks(u32 nframes);
@@ -104,6 +114,9 @@ namespace spiralcore {
     std::list<render_block> m_render_blocks;
   };
 
+  std::ios &operator||(std::ios &s, renderer &b);
+
 }
 
+
 #endif
diff --git a/samplebrain/src/search_params.h b/samplebrain/src/search_params.h
index 9ca9abd..a9e3fd2 100644
--- a/samplebrain/src/search_params.h
+++ b/samplebrain/src/search_params.h
@@ -17,6 +17,12 @@
 #ifndef SEARCH_PARAMS
 #define SEARCH_PARAMS
 
+#include "jellyfish/core/types.h"
+#include "jellyfish/core/stream.h"
+#include <iostream>
+
+#pragma once
+
 namespace spiralcore {
 
 class search_params {
@@ -40,6 +46,8 @@ public:
     f32 m_stickyness;
 };
 
+ std::ios &operator||(std::ios &s, search_params &b);
+
 }
 
 #endif