Etch Operation Manual
© 2012 FXpansion Audio
Etch Operation Manual2
Table of Contents
1 Introduction 3
................................................................................................................................... 5Global controls1.1
................................................................................................................................... 6Using Etch in a project1.2
................................................................................................................................... 8Etch interface conventions1.3
2 Etch audio modules and signal path 9
................................................................................................................................... 10Distortion2.1
................................................................................................................................... 11Filter1 and Filter22.2
................................................................................................................................... 13Compressor and Output2.3
3 Etch internal modulators 14
................................................................................................................................... 15Envelope3.1
................................................................................................................................... 16LFO1 and LFO23.2
................................................................................................................................... 17Envelope Follower3.3
................................................................................................................................... 18Sample+Hold (S+H)3.4
................................................................................................................................... 19XY Controller3.5
4 Using TransMod modulation in Etch 20
................................................................................................................................... 22Further TransMod operations4.1
................................................................................................................................... 24TransMod modulation sources4.2
5 MIDI Learn mode 25
© 2012 FXpansion Audio
1 Introduction
Etch is a versatile dual filter effect with distortion and compression. It features extensive
modulation possibilities using the powerful TransMod modulation system.
It includes extensive MIDI control and automation as well as a secondary side-chain input used for
various functions (within hosts which support these features)
Introduction 3
Global controls
Etch features a number of global controls and settings along the top of the plugin interface. These
controls are described in the next section.
Audio signal path
Etch's audio signal path comprises 5 modules:
Distortion module
A number of waveshaping distortion functions are available to overdrive or distort the signal.
Using the Pre/Post switch, this module can be placed before the filter sections to warm up the
signal going in, or afterwards in order to beef up the signal coming out.
2 Filter modules: Filter1 and Filter2
The 2 filter blocks can be routed in serial or in parallel. Each filter can be set to 1 of 4 Types,
including a comb filter, with each type offering a number of different filter responses.
Each filter also has a dedicated cutoff frequency FM function that can use the input signal,
secondary side-chain signal or the internal LFOs as a modulation source. This modulation occurs
independently of the TransMod system, which operates at control rate only.
Both filter modules feature Input and Output level controls and can be panned anwhere in the
stereo field.
Compressor module
This module offers a simple 1-knob compressor, switchable between soft-knee and hard-knee
modes.
Output module
The Output module features controls for the final Level and for the Mix between input and output
signals.
© 2012 FXpansion Audio
Etch Operation Manual4
Internal modulators
Etch features 6 internal modulation blocks to animate Etch's audio processing modules:
Envelope module
The Envelope generator responds to MIDI note C#-2 on MIDI channel 1 in order to generate an
AHD envelope, with the decay curve adjustable between a linear and exponential shape.
See the Using Etch section for details on using the MIDI input functions.
2 LFO modules - LFO1 and LFO2
Etch's LFOs can go into audio rates (up to 1024 Hz) for filter FM effects.
Envelope Follower module
The Envelope Follower generates an AD envelope in response to detected transients either in the
incoming audio, or the secondary side-chain signal (input 3-4).
Note that the process of routing audio to Etch's secondary side-chain input varies between hosts
and may not be possible in some - please see your host's documentation if you are unsure how to
accomplish this.
Sample+Hold (S+H) module
The S+H module is a means of generating 'random' LFO shapes by acting on its internal noise
signal. It is also possible for the S+H to operate on the secondary side-chain signal.
XY Controller module
The XY controller provides an easy interface for controlling 2 control axes with the mouse. Like
other modulation sources in Etch, each axis can be assigned to any number of Etch parameters
with differing depths, so that radical timbral shifts are possible with simple user input.
TransMod modulation system
Etch's TransMod modulation system allows you to modulate most parameters within the plugin by
the built-in modulators as well as by incoming MIDI note pitch/velocity, noise and a random
generator.
MIDI control and host automation
Etch features a variety of MIDI control options which are described in the Using Etch section.
Using MIDI C Cs, it is possible to:
Adjust Etch parameters' initial values
Adjust parameter modulation depths for individual parameters and TransMod modulation
sources
You can additionally use MIDI notes for a variety of different functions.
In addition to MIDI control, it is possible to automate Etch's parameters with your host's built-in
automation features.
Secondary side-chain input
Etch features a secondary side-chain input (input 3-4) which can be used for a number of
purposes. See the Using Etch section for more details on using the side-chain input.
© 2012 FXpansion Audio
1.1 Global controls
Preset Picker
Preset picker menu
This drop-down menu displays all available presets of the
relevant type, arranged in category sub-menus, as well as
the Save preset, Load preset, and Rescan presets
functions.
Sav e preset
High Pass Side Chain
This button applies a fixed high-pass filter at 120 Hz to the side-chain input
which can lead to a better response with more bass-heavy input material.
Oversample
Enabling the Oversample button results in processing audio internally at a
higher sample-rate, minimising aliasing artifacts. The sound quality is
better but comes at the expense of higher CPU usage. Oversampling tends
to make the biggest difference when using higher amounts of distortion and
drive.
Etch Menu
About
This function displays Etch's version number and credits listing.
Reset Etch
This function resets Etch to its default state.
Show manual
This function opens the Etch manual in your OS's default PDF reader
(usually Preview on Mac and Acrobat Reader on Windows).
Check for updates
This function prompts you for a filename in order to save the current settings to disk. It is
recommended that you save presets to the default folder that is shown so that they can easily be
reloaded using the preset picker menu.
Load preset
This function allows you to browse to and load a preset from any location.
Rescan presets
The Rescan presets function scans the preset location for new presets you may have copied
there since you launched Etch.
Introduction 5
Prev/Next preset
These buttons sequentially step backward/forward through the current preset category.
MIDI Learn
This button activates MIDI Learn mode, which allows you to map MIDI C Cs (continuous
controllers) to Etch parameters.
© 2012 FXpansion Audio
This function checks the FXpansion website for any available Etch software updates.
Etch forum, Etch FAQ, FXpansion support
These functions open the Etch forum, FAQ and FXpansion support page in your default browser.
Etch Operation Manual6
Note
Note no.
Function
C#-2
1
Retrigger Envelope module
D-2
2
Retrigger LFO1 module
D#-2
3
Retrigger LFO2 module
F-1
17-43
LFO1 Rate: 64 bars (dotted) to 1/64th note (triplet)
[also retriggers LFO1 phase]
to G1
G#1
44-70
LFO2 Rate: 64 bars (dotted) to 1/64th note (triplet)
[also retriggers LFO2 phase]
to A#4
1.2 Using Etch in a project
Using Etch as an audio insert effect
It is possible to use Etch as an insert effect, although in many hosts it may not be possible to route
MIDI notes and/or MIDI C C s to the plugin.
It is still possible to use your host's built-in automation features to control Etch - all Etch
parameters are exposed to the host automation system.
It is not necessary to manually control Etch's filters over time - the built-in modulation devices
such as the Envelope Follower, S+H and LFOs allow a huge number of parameter animation
possibilities without requiring any real-time input.
Using Etch with MIDI control
Etch features extensive MIDI control features for interacting with Etch's parameters in real time.
MIDI control with Etch is
or continuous controllers to Etch, but in some it may be necessary to run Etch as an instrument or
MIDI-controlled effect on a separate channel and route the desired audio to its input(s).
Please consult your host's documentation for full details of its MIDI implementation for audio effect
plugins.
2 types of MIDI input can be used in Etch, for different purposes:
ho st-d e p e n de nt
. Some hosts make it very easy to route MIDI notes and/
MIDI note input
Etch responds to MIDI note input in a variety of performance-oriented ways.
MIDI channel 1: Envelope and LFO control
The following MIDI note octave numbers assume that C-2 is the lowest MIDI note (MIDI note 0).
MIDI channel 2: MIDI note pitch tracking
When sending notes on MIDI channel 2, Etch generates a keyboard tracking source which is
available using the Pitch TransMod source.
MIDI channel 3: hard-wired Filter1 frequency cutoff tracking and Envelope triggering
Notes on MIDI channel 3 are directly hard-wired to set the Filter1 Freq control according to note
pitch. These notes also trigger the Envelope module.
MIDI channel 4: hard-wired Filter2 frequency cutoff tracking and Envelope triggering
Notes on MIDI channel 4 are directly hard-wired to set the Filter2 Freq control according to note
pitch. These notes also trigger the Envelope module.
Velocity and Rand TransMod modulation sources
Whenever notes are input on any MIDI channel (1-16), values are generated at note-on for the
Velocity and Rand TransMod sources.
© 2012 FXpansion Audio
Introduction 7
MIDI CC input
Etch allows the ability to assign MIDI C C (continuous controller) messages to the following:
its parameters
parameter modulation amounts from individual TransMod modulation sources.
See the MIDI Learn mode section for full details on Etch's MIDI mapping functions.
Secondary side-chain input
Etch features a secondary input which can be used optionally in a variety of ways:
FM Input source for Filter1 and Filter2
An audio source to drive the Envelope Follower's peak detection circuit
An audio source for the S+H module in place of its internal noise source
The side-chain input is
chain input, which is technically the plugin's input 3-4.
For example, Logic allows you to access the side-chain input when running Etch as a regular insert
effect (using Logic's 'Side Chain' drop-down menu), but not when using it as a MIDI-controlled
effect, when Logic's Side Chain drop-down routes audio to the primary pair of audio inputs.
Please consult your host's documentation for full details of its implementation of multi-input
plugins.
The side-chain input can be optionally high-pass filtered by enabling the High pass side chain
button.
ho st-d e p e n de nt
. Not all hosts are capable of allowing access to the side-
© 2012 FXpansion Audio
Etch Operation Manual8
Click and drag up/down the main part
of the rotary control.
Click and drag up/down the 'cap'
of the slider.
Right-click on any synthesis parameter to display the control context menu, which
contains the Edit value function for entering values via the keyboard.
1.3 Etch interface conventions
Adjusting Rotary and Slider controls
Etch's rotary and slider controls have further functionality for setting modulation depths in the
TransMod system.
Context menus
Context menus exist in several areas on the Etch interface. They are invoked by right-clicking
(you can also CTRL-click on Mac).
Editing a value manually using the control context menu
This menu also contains the Reset control function to reset a parameter to its default value and
additional functions related to the TransMod modulation system.
Resetting a control to its default value
Double-click a control to reset it to its default value. This is also possible using the control context
menu with the Reset control function.
Drop-down menus
Drop-dow n menus are indicated by a downwards triangular arrow icon.
Click the drop-dow n box in order to display the m enu.
Visualizers
Etch's audio modules and modulation devices (with the exception of the XY Controller) all feature a
Visualizer screen. The nature of each screen varies according to the function of the module.
© 2012 FXpansion Audio
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