Steinberg Groove Agent 4, Groove Agent - 4.0 Operation Manual

Operation Manual

Benutzerhandbuch

Mode d’Emploi

オペレーションマニュアル

English

Matthias Klag, Michael Ruf

Cristina Bachmann, Heiko Bischoff, Christina Kaboth, Insa Mingers, Sabine Pfeifer, Kevin Quarshie, Benjamin Schütte

This PDF provides improved access for vision-impaired users. Please note that due to the complexity and number of images in this document, it is not possible to include text descriptions of images.

The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. The software described by this document is subject to a License Agreement and may not be copied to other media except as specifically allowed in the License Agreement. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced, or otherwise transmitted or recorded, for any purpose, without prior written permission by Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. Registered licensees of the product described herein may print one copy of this document for their personal use.

All product and company names are ™ or ® trademarks of their respective holders. For more information, please visit www.steinberg.net/trademarks.

6 Installation and Setup

6 Welcome 7 Typographical Conventions 7 USB-eLicenser 8 System Requirements 8 Launching Installation via the Start Center 9 Launching Installation Manually 9 How You Can Reach Us 9 Setting Up

10 Setting Up Groove Agent as a VST

Instrument

11 Selecting Outputs 11 Using Groove Agent in an AU-Compatible

Application

12 Using the Instrument as Standalone

Application

13 Introduction

13 Window Overview 14 About Kits, Presets, and Groove Agent ONE

Content

16 Managing Your Sounds

16 Loading Kits 16 Kit Slot 17 Kit Rack 18 Kit Context Menu 19 Managing and Loading Files

20 Managing Files via the MediaBay 24 Loading Files Using the Browser

30 Common Editing Methods

30 Encoders and Sliders 30 Multi Selection and Par

31 Adjusting the Value Ranges

ameter Controls

31 Buttons 31 Value Fields 32 Using Key Commands 33 Presets

33 Handling Section and Module Presets 33 Handling VST Presets

35 Working With Pads

36 Instrument Pads

37 Using an Alternative MIDI Note Assignment 38 Pad Section 40 Pattern Section 42 Performance Section 43 Using MIDI Effects

47 Pattern Pads

47 Assigning MIDI Files to Pads 48 Assigning Multiple MIDI Files to Pads 48 Removing MIDI Files from Pads 48 Using MIDI Port B for Pattern Pads 49 Locking Pad Settings 49 Moving and Copying Pattern Pads 50 Overview Tab 52 Pattern Editor

61 Common Pad Settings 62 Pad Functions

63 Beat Agent

63 Sound Editing

64 Absolute and Relative Editing 64 Editing Selection or All 64 Assigning Samples to Pads 66 Changing the Order of Pads 67 Mapping View 68 Main Tab 71 Editing the Envelope 76 Pitch Tab 78 Filter Tab 80 Amp Tab 81 91 Slice Tab

Sample Tab

96 Pattern Editing 96 Mixing

97 Agent Mixer

98 Importing and Exporting Files

98 Importing MPC and GAK Files 98 Importing REX Files and Sliced Loops 99 Exporting Kits with Samples 99 Finding Missing Samples

101 Acoustic Agent

101 Sound Editing

102 About the 24 Bit and 16 Bit Sample Versions 102 Instrument Preview 102 Sound Parameters

107 Pattern Editing

108 Agent Tab

113 Mixing

113 Agent Mixer

117 Percussion Agent

117 Sound Editing

118 About the 24 Bit and 16 Bit Sample Versions 118 Instrument Preview 119 Sound Parameters

120 Pattern Editing

120 Agent Tab

123 Mixing

123 Agent Mixer 124 Agent Mixer Overview 124 Channel Parameters 125 Agent Mixer Equalizer and Effects

126 Mixing and Effect Handling

126 Mixer Page

126 AUX Mixer 127 Kit Mixer 128 Master Mixer

128 Effect Handling

129 Using the Insert Effect Slots

131 Effects Reference

131 Reverb and Delay Effects

131 REVerence 132 Reverb 135 Multi Delay

136 EQ Effects

136 Studio EQ 137 Graphic EQ 138 DJ-EQ

139 Filter Effects

139 Auto Filter 142 MorphFilter

143 Distortion Effects

143 Distortion 144 Tape Saturator 145 Tube Saturator

145 Modulation Effects

145 Chorus 146 Flanger 147 Step Flanger 148 Phaser 149 Ring Modulator 151 Frequency Shifter 153 Vintage Ensemble

154 Dynamics Effects

154 Compressor 156 VintageCompressor 157 Tube Compressor 158 Limiter 159 Brickwall Limiter 160 Maximizer 160 Expander 162 Gate 163 Envelope Shaper

164 Panner Effects

164 Stereo Pan 164 StereoEnhancer

165 Automation and MIDI Controllers

165 Automation 166 MIDI Controllers

167 Assigning MIDI Controllers 167 Setting the Parameter Range

169 Global Functions and Settings

169 Plug-in Functions Section

169 Multi Slot Section 169 Master Section 170 Performance Displays

170 The Plug-in Name and Steinberg Logo 171 Toolbar 172 The Keyboard 173 Options Page

178 Using the Standalone Version of the

Plug-In

178 Making Preferences Settings 178 Preferences Dialog 180 Selecting the MIDI Input and the Audio

Output

181 Scratch Pad

181 Transport Controls 181 The Info Icon 181 Song Position Indicator 182 Tempo and Time Signature 182 Recording Your Performance 183 Using the Metronome

183 Loading a MIDI File

183 MIDI Channel Filter

183 Saving a MIDI File 184 Master Volume

185 Mixer Routing Diagrams 188 Index

Welcome

Installation and Setup

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing Steinberg’s Groove Agent 4.

With the fourth incarnation of your favorite virtual drummer, Groove Agent emerges as an entirely revamped instrument that raises the level in terms of quality, functionality, and authenticity. The whole library was created from scratch to meet the requirements of contemporary music producers, for both acoustic and electronic music productions. Many innovative features have found their way into the new version to enhance the initial design that made Groove Agent exceptional in its class.

All the new features and functionalities are described in detail in this manual. Please don’t forget to register at MySteinberg in order to gain access to online support offers and additional exclusive services. And check out the official Steinberg community at www.steinberg.net/forum for tips and tons of other useful information.

We wish you lots of musical inspiration while working with your brand-new drum studio!

The Steinberg Team

The Agent Concept

Groove Agent 4 combines the creative power of 3 different rhythm modules: the Acoustic, Beat, and Percussion Agents.

Each of these tools offers its own approach to drums and rhythms, with special ways of creating your own inspiring beats in a huge range of styles. The creative potential of each agent can even be combined with any of the others. 4 agent slots allow you to mix and match your ideal rhythm section or combine Acoustic Agent and Beat Agent to create ultra-modern hybrid beats.

Installation and Setup

Typographical Conventions

Many of the default key commands use modifier keys, some of which are different depending on the operating system. For example, the default key command for Undo is [Ctrl]-[Z] on Windows and [Command]-[Z] on Mac OS X.

When key commands with modifier keys are described in this manual, they are

wn with the Windows modifier key first, in the following way:

sho

• [Win modifier key]/[Mac modifier key]-[key]

For example, [Ctrl]/[Command]-[Z] means “ on Mac OS X, then press [Z]”.

Similarly, [Alt]/[Option]-[X] means “press [Alt] on Windows or [Option] on Mac OS X, then press [X]”.

USB-eLicenser

Operation of Steinberg software often requires a USB-eLicenser, a hardware copy protection device.

The USB-eLicenser is a USB device on which your Steinberg software licenses are stored. All hardware-protected Steinberg products use the same type of device, and you can store several licenses on one device. Also, licenses can – within certain limits – be transferred between USB-eLicensers.

press [Ctrl] on Windows or [Command]

If your Steinberg software product does not include a USB-eLicenser, you can purchase one through the Steinberg online shop.

In the eLicenser Control Center, you can activate new licenses and check which licenses are installed on your USB-eLicenser. After installation of your Steinberg application, the eLicenser Control Center can be opened via the Start menu on Windows systems or the Applications folder on Mac OS X systems.

If you are using other copy-protected Steinberg products, you may want to transfer all licenses for your applications to one USB-eLicenser, thus using up only one USB port of your computer. Refer to the eLicenser Control Center Help for information on how to transfer licenses between USB-eLicensers.

Installation and Setup

NOTE

PROCEDURE

System Requirements

Your computer must meet the following minimum requirements:

Mac OS X Windows

Mac OS X Version 10.8/10.9* Intel dual-core processor CoreAudio-compatible audio hardware VST 3 or AU-compatible host application for using Groove Agent as a plug-in

10 GB of free hard-disk space

Display resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels

DVD ROM dual-layer drive

USB-eLicenser (not included)

Internet connection required for installation, activation, account setup, and

personal/product registration.

*Native 32-bit and 64-bit program version.

**ASIO-compatible audio hardware recommended for low-latency performance.

Windows 7/Windows 8* Intel or AMD dual-core processor Windows-compatible audio hardware** VST 3 or VST 2-compatible host application for using Groove Agent as a plug-in

4 GB RAM

Launching Installation via the Start Center

From the Start Center application you can easily install your program and inform yourself about the package contents.

• For Steinberg software delivered with an installation medium, the Start Center nches automatically as soon as you insert the disc in your computer’s

lau CD/DVD drive, provided that autorun is activated.

• For Steinberg software downloaded from the internet, the Start Center

ches when you double-click the downloaded file.

laun

The installer allows you to save the content files on a different hard drive than the program files.

1. In the Start Center, choose your preferred language.

2. Click Install.

3. Follow the instructions on screen.

Installation and Setup

NOTE

Launching Installation Manually

If you do not want to install the program via the Start Center, you can install it manually.

• On Windows systems, double-click the file “Setup.exe” and follow the

structions on screen.

• On Mac OS X systems, double-click the file “Groove Agent.mpkg” and follow

instructions on screen.

the

How You Can Reach Us

Click the Steinberg logo in the top right corner of the control panel to open a pop-up menu containing items for getting additional information and help.

• This menu contains links to various Steinberg web pages. Select a link to

en the corresponding page. On the web pages, you can find support and

op compatibility information, answers to frequently asked questions, links for downloading new drivers, etc.

Setting Up

• To open the Operation Manual, select Help.

• You also find a menu item for the registration of your product.

As a registered user, you are entitled to technical support, you gain access to

xclusive offers such as software updates and upgrades, and more.

The following sections describe how to use Groove Agent as a plug-in in different host applications.

Groove Agent can also be used as a standalone application.

Installation and Setup

PROCEDURE

NOTE

PROCEDURE

Setting Up

Setting Up Groove Agent as a VST Instrument

Steinberg DAWs provide two ways of working with VST instruments: the VST Instruments rack and instrument tracks.

Accessing Groove Agent via the VST Instruments Rack

PREREQUISITE

You have correctly set up your Steinberg DAW, as well as your MIDI and audio hardware, and the DAW receives MIDI data from your external MIDI keyboard.

1. Select Devices > VST Instruments.

2. In the VST Instruments window, click the Add Rack Instrument button and

select Groove Agent.

You are asked whether you want to create an associated MIDI track connected to the VST instrument.

3. Click Create.

RESULT

Groove Agent is loaded and activated, and its control panel opens. A corresponding MIDI track is added to the track list. The output of this track is routed to Groove Agent.

If you want to use Groove Agent in another VST host application, please refer to the documentation of the corresponding application.

Accessing Groove Agent via an Instrument Track

1. In the Steinberg DAW, you can add instrument tracks in the following way:

• Select Project > Add Track > Instrument.

• In the VST

Instruments window, click the Add Instrument Track button.

The Add Instrument Track di

alog opens.

Installation and Setup

PROCEDURE

Setting Up

2. On the Instrument pop-up menu, select Groove Agent.

3. Click Ad

4. Click the Edit Instrument bu

control panel.

RESULT

Groove Agent is set up as a VST instrument in your DAW. For more information about working with VST instruments, see the Operation Manual of your DAW.

Selecting Outputs

Groove Agent loads with a stereo output configuration by default. However, you can use additional outputs in the Steinberg DAW. This allows you to route all kit slots to a dedicated channel in the MixConsole.

1. To make the outputs available, open the VST Instruments window.

2. Click the Activate Outputs button for the instrument.

3. Activate the outputs that you want to use.

d Track to create the instrument track.

tton in the Inspector to open the Groove Agent

RESULT

The Steinberg DAW automatically adds an output channel for each additional output to the MixConsole.

Using Groove Agent in an AU-Compatible Application

You can use Groove Agent in an AU host application, for example, Logic. The AU version of Groove Agent is installed in your AU plug-ins folder and lets Groove Agent work in an AU environment without any performance loss or incompatibilities.

1. For Logic Pro, open the Track Mixer and select the instrument channel that

you want to use.

2. Click in the I/O field and select AU Instruments > Steinberg > Groove

Agent.

3. Select one of the available channel configurations.

RESULT

Groove Agent is now loaded as an AU instrument.

Installation and Setup

Setting Up

Using the Instrument as Standalone Application

Groove Agent can be used as a standalone application, independently of any host application. In this case, you can connect the instrument directly to your audio hardware.

ELATED LINKS

Using the Standalone Version of the Plug-In on page 178

Window Overview

The application interface follows a fixed-size single window concept.

Introduction

The window is subdivided into several sections:

• The plug-in functions section at the top.

• The kit slot section and the kit rack below the plug-in functions section.

• The pad section on the left.

• The edit display on the right. It c

pages.

• At the bottom of the panel, you can display a keyboard.

• If you are using the standalone version of Groove Agent, you find a number of

ific functions in an extra section at the top of the application window.

spec

ontains the Load, Edit, Mixer, and Options

Introduction

NOTE

About Kits, Presets, and Groove Agent ONE Content

Kits

Kits contain all information about the kit or sliced loop and about the insert effects that are used on the mixer channel. Kits can also contain MIDI patterns.

Kits can be saved and loaded via the kit rack or the kit slot section.

Kit Rack

Kit Slot Section

Sliced Loop Kits

Instead of MIDI patterns, sliced loop kits contain the MIDI phrase that is needed to play back the loop. Other than that, sliced loop kits are similar to regular kits, in that they can use insert effects, etc.

Plug-in Presets (VST Presets)

A plug-in preset contains all information necessary to restore the complete state of the plug-in. This includes all 4 kits, the MIDI patterns, as well as any insert and AUX effects. All of these settings are also saved with the project in your host application.

Groove Agent ONE Content

Groove Agent can load Groove Agent ONE presets. The presets can either be loaded as kits in the kit rack or the kit slot section or as plug-in presets via the preset management menu in the plug-in header.

If you load a Groove Agent ONE preset as a plug-in preset, the global plug-in parameters are set to the default values.

If you load a preset as a kit, all global plug-in parameters remain unchanged.

Groove Agent ONE presets always show the icon for a plug-in preset in the MediaBay, even if they are shown in the preset loader.

Introduction

About Kits, Presets, and Groove Agent ONE Content

Content Files and Folder Structure

Groove Agent comes with a large amount of ready-to-use sound content. This content is write-protected. You can edit files while they are loaded, but you cannot overwrite the factory content files.

To save edits to the factory content, save the files under a new name. These files get the file name extension .vstpreset and are referred to as user content. They can be searched and categorized in the same way as factory content.

User content is saved in a predefined folder structure on your hard disk. You can create subfolders within this structure to facilitate moving or exchanging content.

Loading Kits

There are several ways to load kits:

• Via drag & drop from the Windows Explorer/Mac OS Finder.

• Via the context menu in the kit rack.

Managing Your Sounds

Kit Slot

• By clicking the Load Kit

section.

• Via the Med

This section shows the name of the loaded kit. In addition, the following global controls are available:

Load button

Click this button to show the list of available kits. You can also click the kit name to open th

open the kit context menu.

iaBay or the Browser

button at the right of the kit name in the kit slot

is list. Right-click the kit name to

Load Previous/Next Kit

Click these buttons to load the previous/next kit from the list of available kits.

Load Kit with Patterns

Activate this button to make sure that kits are always loaded together with their pa

Size

Shows the size of all loaded samples.

tterns.

Managing Your Sounds

Kit Rack

Polyphony

Adjusts the polyphony of the kit.

MIDI Channel

Sets the MIDI channel for the kit.

MIDI Input Indicator

The MIDI symbol starts blinking if incoming MIDI signals are detected.

Velocity Curve

Sets the velocity response curve of the kit. This allows you to adapt the kit to

ur hardware MIDI controller or playing style.

Song Position Counter

The song position counter shows the current song position in bars, beats, and 16t

h notes. If you activate the Play button in Groove Agent, the song position

counter always starts at 1.0.0.0 and runs until you click stop.

Tempo Display

Kit Rack

The tempo display next to the position counter shows the tempo of the host application.

The Kit rack can be found to the right of the kit slot section. It gives you an overview over the loaded kits and their corresponding agent, and allows you to perform some kit editing for the selected kit via the context menu.

• To select a kit, click on it.

Managing Your Sounds

Kit Context Menu

Load Kit

Opens a pop-up menu containing the available kits. Double-click a kit to load it.

Load Kit With Patterns

Allows you to load a kit with

Load Pattern Group

Allows you to load a predefined set of MIDI file assignments and play parameter settin

Save Pattern Group

Allows you to save the 16 pads of the current group and their settings as a pattern group.

Delete Pattern Group

Allows you to delete a pattern group.

Save Kit

Saves the kit. If you try to overwrite w opens that allows you to save the edited kit under a new name.

gs for the 16 pads of the selected group.

its MIDI patterns, if any.

rite-protected factory content, a dialog

Save Kit As

Allows you to save the kit under a new name.

Remove Kit

Removes the kit and its patterns from the slot.

Managing Your Sounds

NOTE

Managing and Loading Files

Revert to Last Saved Kit

Cut Kit

Copy Kit

Paste Kit

Reverts to the kit that was originally loaded on the slot. If the kit was loaded w

ithout patterns, only the kit and no patterns are loaded.

Copies the kit and its patterns and removes it from the slot.

Copies the kit and its patterns.

Pastes the copied kit into the slot. If th replaced.

Rename Kit

Allows you to rename the kit.

Reset Agent

Loads the In

Import

Allows you to import MPC

Export Kit With Samples

Exports the kit together with its associated s

Samples that are part of protected content, such as the VST Sound content, cannot be exported.

it preset of the agent.

Managing and Loading Files

e slot already contains a kit, it is

and GAK files.

amples.

On the Load page, you can switch between the MediaBay and the Browser. These can be used to manage, navigate to, load, and preview different file types.

The Med

In the Browser, you can browse for samples and presets. The Browser also shows samples that are part of VST Sound content.

• To switch between Med

iaBay gives you access to presets, such as multis and kits.

iaBay and Browser, click the corresponding button

on the Load page.

Managing Your Sounds

Managing and Loading Files

Managing Files via the MediaBay

In the top section of the MediaBay, you specify which sounds to look for. The lower section presents the corresponding results.

• To adjust the size of the two sections, drag the divider at the top of the results

Applying Filters

Category Filter

You can filter the results list based on up to 3 filter criteria using the configurable attribute columns. Standard attributes are Style and Sub Style.

Only the files that match the filter are displayed in the results list.

• To define the filter, click on specific values in the columns.

• To refine the filter, select mor

• To select different filter criteria, click the column header and select a different

Instrument Set Filter

Use the Select Content Set pop-up menu to search a specific content set only. By default, the search is performed in all installed content sets.

list.

te from the submenu.

attribu

e values from other columns.

Managing Your Sounds

Managing and Loading Files

Results List

The results list shows all files that have been found according to the category filter.

Text Search

In the text search field on the results list toolbar, you

can enter text contained in the name or any of the attributes of a preset that you are looking for. The results list updates immediately and the Category search section above shows all categories that contain presets matching the text search.

To reset the text-based result filter, click the Reset but

ton next to the search

field.

View Filters

The toolbar has 2 filter buttons to define which

preset types to display: multis or kits. In the results list, the corresponding icon is shown to the left of the preset name.

Rating Filter

You can limit the results list according t

o the rating of the presets. Use the

rating slider to define the minimum rating.

Content Filter

The content filter buttons allow you to defin

e whether to show all presets, only

the factory presets, or only your user presets.

Columns

The columns show all the attribute values

for the presets that match the filters

that you set up in the top section.

Setting Up the Result Columns

You can select which attribute columns to display by clicking the Set up

sult Columns button on the toolbar.

Results Counter

The number of presets that match the filter the toolbar.

Configuring the Results List

• To configure which attributes are shown in the results list, click the Set up Result Columns button in the upper right corner of the results list and

activate the corresponding entries. New attributes are added at the right of the list.

• To reorder the columns in the results list, drag the column headers to another position.

• To change the sorting of the list entries, click the column header. The triangle

the column header shows the sorting direction.

criteria is displayed at the right of

Managing Your Sounds

PROCEDURE

NOTE

Managing and Loading Files

Loading Kits into Slots

To load a kit into the selected agent slot, you have the following possibilities:

• Select the slot into which you want to load the kit, and doub

• Drag a kit from the results list to a kit in the kit rack or onto the slot in the kit

• Right-click the kit in the results list and select Lo

Importing Presets

You can import presets from any file location using the Windows Explorer/Mac OS Finder.

1. Select the preset in the Windows Explorer/Mac OS Finder.

2. Drag it to the MediaBay.

RESULT

The imported presets are copied to your user folder.

le-click the kit in

the results list.

slot section. If a kit is already loaded, it is replaced with the new kit.

ad Kit from the context menu.

Editing Preset Attributes

Presets can be described by using a predefined set of attributes.

1. In the New Preset Attributes section of the Save dialog, click in the field of the attribute value that you want to set.

Depending on the attribute, a menu or a dialog opens.

2. Select a value.

Attribute values are written directly into the corresponding preset files.

If you change the attributes for write-protected factory presets, these changes are only saved in the MediaBay database, not in the preset file.

Managing Your Sounds

Managing and Loading Files

Available Attributes

The predefined media and musical attributes can be set in the results list and in the Save dialog.

Media Attributes

Name

Rating

Comment

Content Summary

For user presets, you can edit the name via the context menu. For all other

lements, this attribute is display only.

Drag to set the rating.

Click to select, double-click to edit.

Musical Attributes

Click to select, double-click to edit.

Write Protection

Display only, use context menu to set protection.

Library Name

Click to select, double-click to edit.

Library Manufacturer

Click to select, double-click to edit.

Author

Click to select, double-click to edit.

Category

Click to select.

Sub Category

Click to select.

Style

Click to select.

Sub Style

Click to select.

Character

Click to open an editor.

Managing Your Sounds

NOTE

Managing and Loading Files

Tempo

Click to select, double-click to edit.

Bars & Beats

Click to select, double-click to edit.

Signature

Click to select, double-click to edit.

Key

Click to select.

GM Sound

Click to select.

Deleting User Presets

• To delete a user preset, right-click it and select Delete from the context menu.

Factory presets cannot be deleted.

Loading Files Using the Browser

In the Browser, you can search and load the following files:

• Samples from the file system or from within

Samples can only be loaded for Beat Agent kits.

loaded kits.

Managing Your Sounds

Managing and Loading Files

•Multis and kits.

Path Section

• To step through the recent locations, click the Previous/Next Location

• To navigate to the folder one level up in the location tree, click the Browse

• The path field shows the current location. To specify a new location, enter or

• To open the navigation history, click at the very right of the path field.

buttons.

Containing Folde

copy a new path.

r button.

Location Tree

The location tree on the left in the Browser allows you to navigate through your samples, in any folder. You can even access files contained in VST Sound containers and ISO files. If you select an entry in the tree, the results list on the right shows the corresponding content.

Location Tree Context Menu

Refresh Views

Updates the tree. This is useful if you created a new folder on the hard disk.

added a new disk to your setup or

Managing Your Sounds

Managing and Loading Files

Rescan Disk

Quick Rescan Disk

Show in Explorer (Win)/Reveal in Finder (Mac)

Locations

Locations are folders or directories on your system that contain media files. By setting up locations, you can organize the files that are available in the results list according to context.

Rescans the selected element in the tree. The corresponding files are op

ened, the information is extracted, and the database file is updated

accordingly.

Rescans only the folders that have changed since the last scan.

Shows the location of the selected file on your system.

The text field above the tree shows the name of the selected folder. If the name is pr

eceded by an asterisk, the folder has not been saved as a location yet.

Managing Locations

• To open the list of favorite locations, click in the text field.

• To add the current folder to the favorite locations, click the Add Select

• To delete the current location from the list, click the Re

Results List

The results list shows the files found in the selected folder. It displays all files that Groove Agent can read, such as VST presets or samples. In addition to information like file name and path, the columns in the results list can be configured to show different attributes.

Media Node as Favorite Location button.

You can keep the folder name or specify a new name for the location.

move Favorite

Location button.

Managing Your Sounds

PROCEDURE

NOTE

Managing and Loading Files

The results list also shows any subfolders of the selected folder, but does not include the files contained in the subfolders themselves. To see the content inside subfolders, select the corresponding subfolder.

Navigating in the Results List

• To open a folder or location, double-click it in the results list. If you double-click a preset, its contents are shown.

• To move up one level in the folder hierarchy, click the Browse Containing Folder button.

Performing a Text Search

You can limit the number of results in the results list using the text search function. This way, you can search for files with specific names, for example. For presets, the search also takes any attributes into account. The value field in the top right corner indicates the number of files that match the search text.

• To clear the search text, click the Clear Filter

Searching for Files on Your System

Instead of searching the current results list, you can also use the text search to look for files on your hard disks or in VST Sound archives.

1. Select the location that you want to use as the starting point for the search.

The higher up in the hierarchy the location, the longer the search takes. Therefore, it is not recommended to search entire hard drives.

2. In the top left corner of the results list, click the Search Location Content button and enter the search text in the text field.

3. Optional: Click the button to the right of the search field to specify whether you want

4. To start the search, press [Return] or click the Search/Stop Search button to th

The files that match the search criteria are listed in the results list.

to search for samples, kits, or all types.

e right of the search text.

Text button.

The maximum of files that can be displayed in the list is 10,000.

5. Double-click a result to show it in the location tree.

Managing Your Sounds

Managing and Loading Files

Preview and File Info Section

File Info Section

Provides the following information about the focused sample: length, channels, bit depth, and sample rate. If available, root key, key, and velocity range are also shown.

Preview Section

You can listen to the samples using the controls in the Preview section.

Level

Adjusts the playback level.

Play

Stop

Pause

Auto Play

Loop Playback

Play Position

Missing Samples

Plays back the focused sample.

Stops playback. The play locator ju

mps back to the sample start.

Pauses playback. Click again to continue.

Automatically starts playback of the selected sample.

If this button is activated, the selected sample

Displays the playback position within th

e sample. To select another position

is played back repeatedly.

for playback, click on the slider or drag the handle to the new position.

If you browse the samples of a program and you cannot load them or listen to them, they may have been moved or deleted. In this case, the sample info displays “Sample not found”. To remedy this, load the program again and make sure that no samples are missing. Afterwards, be sure to save the program with the restored sample paths.

ELATED LINKS

Finding Missing Samples on page 99

Managing Your Sounds

NOTE

PROCEDURE

NOTE

Managing and Loading Files

Loading Files

• To load the sample that is focused in the results list into the selected instrument pad, use the key commands [Return] or [L], or double-click the file.

• To load selected kits, drag them from the results list to the kit slot, the kit rack,

onto a pad.

This replaces the current samples and resets the sound settings.

Some file types are not supported. In this case, an icon is displayed to indicate that the file format cannot be loaded.

Protected kits are shown with a lock icon to indicate that you cannot extract single samples. However, you can load the kit as a whole.

Replacing the Focused Sample

When you load a sample via double-click or key command in the Browser, all samples on the selected pad are replaced. But you also have the possibility to replace only a particular sample of a pad.

You can also replace samples that are part of the factory VST Sound content.

1. On the Edit page, select the sample that you want to replace.

2. In the Browser, activate the Replace Focused Sample button in the lower right corner.

3. In the location tree, browse to the new sample and double-click it.

RESULT

The focused sample on the Edit page is replaced with the new sample. All sound settings of the previous sample are maintained.

The Replace Focused Sample function affects only the loading of samples via double-click or key commands. It does not affect the loading of samples via drag & drop from the Browser to pads.

Common Editing Methods

NOTE

Encoders and Sliders

Encoders and sliders can be unidirectional or bidirectional. Unidirectional values, for example level values, start at a minimum value and go up to the maximum. Bidirectional controls start from the middle position and go to the left for negative and to the right for positive values.

Most of the editing methods are the same for encoders and sliders.

• To adjust a value, click an encoder or the mouse wheel.

If you press [Alt]/[Option] when clicking an encoder, a small fader appears, allow

ing you to set the parameter.

• To make fine adjustments, press [Shift] and move the encoder or use the

use wheel.

• To restore the default value for a paramete on the control.

a fader and drag up and down, or use

r, press [Ctrl]/[Command] and click

Multi Selection and Parameter Controls

To edit multiple pad parameters at the same time, select the pads that you want to edit.

If several pads are selected and they are not set to the exact same values, most of the controls indicate this by turning red. This is true for encoders, switches, combo boxes, value fields, and text faders.

For example, if you have selected 3 pads with cutoff frequency values of 1200, 1400, and 2500 Hz, the corona of the frequency encoders shows a range from 1200 to 2500. The corresponding field shows the value of the focused pad in red.

More complex controls, such as the envelope editors, only show the values of the focused pad.

+ 766 hidden pages

Steinberg Groove Agent 4, Groove Agent - 4.0 Operation Manual

English

Table of Contents

Installation and Setup

Introduction

Managing Your Sounds

Common Editing Methods