Kern
Performance Synthesizer
Version 1.1
© 2015-2019 by Björn Arlt @ Full Bucket Music
http://www.fullbucket.de/music
VST is a trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation
The Audio Units logo is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
Kern Manual Page 2
Table of Contents
Introduction....................................................3
Why Kern?......................................................3
User Interface.................................................4
Sound Engine..................................................5
Oscillators......................................................5
Filter and Amp................................................5
LFO and Envelopes..........................................5
Chorus...........................................................5
Performance Controls.......................................6
Program Menu.................................................6
MIDI Learn.....................................................6
Options Menu..................................................6
The kern.ini Configuration File...........................8
Skinning Support.............................................8
MIDI Control Change Messages.........................8
Parameters.....................................................9
Oscillators......................................................9
Filter..............................................................9
LFO..............................................................10
Amplifier.......................................................10
Chorus.........................................................10
Frequently Asked Questions.............................11
Kern Manual Page 3
Introduction
Kern is a software synthesizer plug-in for Microsoft Windows (VST) and Apple macOS
(VST/AU) designed to run with and to be fully controlled by modern MIDI keyboard
controllers like the Novation® Impulse™. It is written in native C++ code for high
performance and extremely low CPU consumption. The main features are:
● Streamlined to be used with MIDI keyboard controllers;
all parameters can be controlled by MIDI CC
● MIDI Learn
● Two alternative user panels
● 32 voices polyphony
● Two band-limited oscillators including Hard Sync
● 4-pole zero-delay feedback lowpass filter (two types)
● Two envelopes, one LFO
● Chorus effect
● Double precision audio processing
● Plug-in supports Windows and macOS (32 bit and 64 bit)
Why Kern?
Ask yourself:
● Do you have a MIDI controller with all those shiny sliders, knobs, and buttons?
● Do you feel the urge to use it to twiddle the parameters of your favorite
(software) synth?
● Do you get frustrated because moving a knob here changes a knob there, but
the mapping seems not to be intuitive?
● Or maybe the parameter you want to access isn't even mapped?
● And, to even increase frustration, do you remember the good old days when
synthesizers had exactly one dedicated slider/knob/button for each parameter?
If your answer is always “No” then ask yourself:
● Do you want a light-weight, easy-to-use, CPU-friendly, cool sounding synth?
If it is “No” again then Kern may be not the right thing for you.
… but now you know why I created Kern. Together with my V-Machine (which is
grateful for CPU-friendly plug-ins!) I have a fully controllable stand-alone synthesizer
that does not need a PC.
Of course there are drawbacks: Since today's MIDI master keyboards typically do not
have more than 30 hardware controls I had to limit the number of Kern's parameters
to (what I believe – you may have a different opinion here, that's OK –) the minimum
of what is absolutely required. That is why Kern is named “Kern” which is German for
“core”.
Kern Manual Page 4
User Interface
Two alternative user panels (“views”) are available: The standard (“traditional”) view
is in line with the architecture of subtractive synthesizers while the second view
reflects the typical layout of the sliders, knobs, and buttons of today's MIDI hardware
controllers. If you own a Novation Impulse (like I do) or a similar machine you will
find the latter view very helpful since it visually maps the hardware controls to Kern's
parameters.
You can switch between the views via the Options menu or via the Switch View button
(only available on the standard view).
Kern's standard view
Kern's alternative view
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