STEINBERG HALion 4 Manuel d'utilisation [fr]

Operation Manual

Benutzerhandbuch

Mode d’Emploi

オペレーションマニュアル

English

Matthias Klag, Michael Ruf Revision and quality control: Cristina Bachmann, Heiko Bischoff, Marion Bröer, Sabine Pfeifer, Heike Schilling, Benjamin

Schütte This PDF provides improved access for vision-impaired users. Please note that due to the complexity and number of im-

ages 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.

Steinberg, HALion, VST, and ASIO are registered trademarks of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. Windows 7, Windows Vista and DirectX are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. Macintosh, Mac, Mac OS, and Logic are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Pentium and Intel Core are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. All other product and company names are ™ or ® trademarks of their respective holders.

7 Installation and Setup

8 Welcome 8 Key Command Conventions 8 How You Can Reach Us 9 Installation 10 Setting Up

12 The HALion Control Panel

13 Introduction 13 Configuring the Control Panel 14 Setting the Focus 15 Working with Multiple Windows 15 Screen Sets 16 Overview of the Available Editors 17 Macro Pages

18 Managing Your Sounds

19 The Slot Rack 21 Managing Multis 22 Managing Files via the MediaBay 25 Content Files and Folder Structure 25 Loading HALion 3 Programs 26 Working with General MIDI Files

27 Loading and Managing Programs

28 Introduction 28 The Columns of the Program Table 28 Loading Programs into the Program Table 29 Loading Programs from the Program Table to the

Slot Rack

29 Editing the Program Table

30 Using the Program Tree

31 Introduction 31 The Program Tree Structure 32 Editing Zones, Programs, and Layers 33 Making Selections 34 Navigating in the Program Tree 34 Muting, Soloing, and Hiding 36 Adding MIDI Modules 36 Adding Insert Effects 36 Changing the Order of MIDI Modules and Insert

Effects

36 Adding Audio Busses 36 Customizing the Program Tree

38 Global Functions and Settings

39 Introduction 39 The Plug-in Functions Section 40 The Toolbar 41 The Keyboard Editor 42 The Options Editor 45 Quick Controls 48 AI-Knob Support

49 Common Editing Methods

50 Introduction 50 Using Controls in HALion 51 Using Key Commands 51 Working with Presets 52 Using Automation 53 Using Effects 54 Using MIDI Modules

55 Importing and Exporting Samples

56 Importing Samples 58 Finding Missing Samples 59 Exporting Samples 61 Replacing Samples 62 Importing Third-Party Sampler Programs 63 Importing Sliced Loops

66 Editing Programs and Layers in the

Sound Editor

67 Introduction 67 The Main Section 67 The Trigger Section 69 The Voice Management Section 71 The Variation Groups Section 72 The Quick Control Assignments Section 72 The Note Expression Section

Table of Contents

74 Editing Zones in the Sound Editor

75 Introduction 75 Global Zone Settings 75 Editing Selected Zones or All Zones 75 Absolute and Relative Editing 75 HALion 3 compatibility 76 The Voice Control Section 78 The Pitch Section 78 The Oscillator Section 80 The Sample Oscillator Section 81 The Filter Section 84 The Amplifier Section 85 The Envelope Section 89 The LFO Section 91 The Step Modulator Section 92 The Modulation Matrix Section

97 Mapping Zones

98 Introduction 98 The Mapping Editor 101 Mapping Zones 102 Filling Gaps between Zones 102 Setting the Root Key 102 Selecting Zones with the Mapping Editor

Keyboard

122 Effects Reference

123 Introduction 123 Reverb and Delay Effects 126 EQ Effects 127 Distortion Effects 128 Modulation Effects 131 Dynamics Effects 134 Panner and Routing Effects 135 HALion 3 Legacy Effects

140 MIDI Modules Reference

141 Introduction 141 The FlexPhraser 144 The Trigger Pads 145 Mono Envelope 147 Mono LFO 148 MegaTrig 150 Layer Alternate 151 Key Switch Alternate 152 Key Switch Remote 153 MIDI Randomizer 154 True Pedaling 154 CC Mapper 155 Velocity Curve 156 Tuning Scale

103 Editing Samples in the Sample Editor

104 Introduction 104 Overview 105 The Parameter Section 105 General Operations 108 Creating Loops

112 MIDI Editing and Controllers

113 The MIDI Editor 114 Using MIDI Controllers 114 Assigning MIDI Controllers 114 Assigning MIDI Controllers to AUX FX 114 Saving a MIDI Controller Mapping as Default 115 Automation and Factory MIDI Controller

Assignments

115 CC 121 Support

116 Mixing and Routing

117 The Audio Bus Architecture 119 The HALion Mixer

Table of Contents

157 Key Commands Reference

158 The Default Key Commands

159 Using the HALion Standalone Version

160 Introduction 160 Making Preferences Settings 161 Selecting the MIDI Input and the Audio Output 161 The Scratch Pad

164 Index

Installation and Setup

Welcome

Key Command Conventions

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing Steinberg’s HALion 4.

Ten years after the release of the first version of HALion, Steinberg is very proud to present the fourth incarnation of its acclaimed VST sampler. When the idea of HALion was first formed over a decade ago, the approach was to de velop a highly user-friendly, yet powerful software sampler with an unparalleled feature set and a seamless integra tion into modern DAWs.

Today, HALion 4 embodies the original philosophy better than ever before. When comparing HALion 4 with its pre decessors, you find many similarities, but the immense advancements throughout the application stand out a mile. HALion 4 has undergone a massive overhaul and a shift to an entirely new virtual instrument, Steinberg’s VST sam pler and sound creation system.

For the first time in its history, HALion combines a premium sample engine with a virtual analog synthesizer and in this way opens the door to new sonic spheres. The integrated mixing console, the studio-grade effects and the flexible user interface are just some of the features that will truly inspire your creativity. One of the key objectives dur ing the development process was to further optimize the workflow concept. When you get started with HALion 4, you will soon discover the many useful details that help to turn your vision into reality.

HALion 4 was designed according to the requirements of professional sound designers and was relentlessly refined during the engineering process, resulting in the ultimate tool for discerning sound designers as well as finding the appreciation of musicians, producers, and composers.

First of all, check out the massive sound library. With more than 1,600 instruments and patches, HALion 4 includes the complete sound collection of the appraised HALion Sonic workstation alongside many fresh new sounds.

After you have registered HALion 4 online, take some time to explore the community section at www.steinberg.net/ forum. You will find lots of useful information and get to know other users in our discussion forums. Registering at www.steinberg.net/mysteinberg also gives you access to special offers from Steinberg in the future.

Have fun creating your sound. Your way. The Steinberg HALion Team

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

When key commands with modifier keys are described in this manual, they are shown with the Windows modifier key first:

[Win modifier key]/[Mac modifier key]-[key] For example, [Ctrl]/[Command]-[Z] means “press [Ctrl]

under Windows or [Command] under Mac OS X, then

press [Z]”. Similarly, [Alt]/[Option]-[X] means “press [Alt] under Win-

dows or [Option] under Mac OS X, then press [X]”. Please note that this manual often refers to right-clicking,

for example, to open context menus. If you are using a Mac with a single-button mouse, hold down [Ctrl] and click.

How You Can Reach Us

Clicking the Steinberg logo in the top right corner of

HALion opens a pop-up menu containing items for getting additional information and help:

• This menu contains links to various Steinberg web pages. Selecting a link automatically launches your browser application and opens the page.

On the web pages, you can find support and compatibility information, answers to frequently asked questions, links for downloading new driv ers, etc. This requires that you have a browser application installed on your computer and a working internet connection.

• When you choose the Help item, an online version of the documentation opens.

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

For further information, see “Register Your Software!” on page 10.

Installation and Setup

Installation

Please read the following section before installing HALion.

The USB-eLicenser

Many Steinberg products, including HALion, use the USB-eLicenser, a hardware copy protection device. HALion will not run without an eLicenser containing an activated license.

The USB-eLicenser is a separate product and is not included in the product package of HALion.

System Requirements

To use HALion, your computer must meet the following requirements:

Windows

• Windows Vista or Windows 7

• Pentium/Athlon 2.0 GHz dual core CPU

•2 GB RAM

• Approx. 15 GB of free hard disk space

• Display resolution 1280 x 800 pixels recommended

• DirectX compatible audio hardware (ASIO compatible audio

hardware recommended for low-latency performance)

• DVD-ROM drive with dual-layer support

• USB port for USB-eLicenser (license management)

• USB-eLicenser (not included)

• Internet connection for license activation

• For using HALion as a plug-in, a VST2 or VST3 compatible

host is required.

The USB-eLicenser

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 more than one license on one device. Also, li

censes can (within certain limits) be transferred between USB-eLicensers. This is helpful if you want to sell a piece of software, for example.

The product package of HALion contains an activation code, which is found on the Essential Product License In formation card within the product package. To make unlimited use of your version of HALion, you must manually download a license to an USB-eLicenser connected to your computer, and activate your permanent license using the activation code.

In the eLicenser Control Center you can activate new licenses and check which licenses are installed on your USB-eLicenser.

Control Center

After installation of HALion, the eLicenser

can be opened via the Start menu on Win-

dows systems or the Applications folder on a Mac.

Ö 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. Please refer to the eLicenser Control Center Help for information on how to transfer licenses between USB-eLicensers.

Macintosh

•Mac OS X 10.6

•Intel Core Duo 2.0 GHz processor

•2 GB RAM

• Approx. 15 GB of free hard disk space

• Display resolution 1280 x 800 pixels recommended

• CoreAudio compatible audio hardware

• DVD-ROM drive with dual-layer support

• USB port for USB-eLicenser (license management)

• USB-eLicenser (not included)

• Internet connection for license activation

• For using HALion as a plug-in, a VST3 or AU compatible host is required.

Installing HALion

HALion provides a large amount of content and is distributed on a set of two DVDs. Please have all DVDs ready for the installation

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

Installation and Setup

Proceed as follows:

1. Insert the first DVD into your DVD drive.

An interactive Start Center appears. If it is does not open automatically or if you have a Macintosh computer, you can manually open it by dou ble-clicking the file “HALion_Start_Center.exe” (Windows) or “HALion

”

Start Center.app

(Mac).

2. Follow the instructions on screen to start the installation of HALion and browse through the additional options and information presented.

If you do not want to install HALion via the interactive Start Center, follow the instructions below:

Windows

1. Double-click the file called “Setup.exe”.

2. Follow the instructions on screen.

Macintosh

1. Double-click the file called “HALion.mpkg”.

2. Follow the instructions on screen.

We encourage you to register your software! By doing so you are entitled to technical support and kept aware of up dates and other news regarding HALion.

• To register HALion, click the Steinberg logo in the top right corner of the control panel and select “Register HALion now!” from the pop-up menu.

This option opens the registration page of the Steinberg web site in your web browser. To register, follow the instructions on screen.

Setting Up

The following sections describe how to use HALion as a plug-in in different host applications. HALion can also be used as a standalone application. This is described in de tail in the chapter “Using the HALion Standalone Version” on page 159.

Setting Up HALion as a VST Instrument in Cubase

We assume that you have correctly set up Cubase as well as your MIDI and audio hardware, and that Cubase receives MIDI data from your external MIDI keyboard. If you want to use HALion in another VST host application, please refer to the documentation of the corresponding application.

Cubase provides two ways of working with VST instruments: the VST Instruments window and instrument tracks.

Accessing HALion via the VST Instruments Window

Proceed as follows:

1. Open the Devices menu in Cubase and select the

VST Instruments option.

The VST Instruments window opens.

2. Click one of the empty slots to open the instrument

pop-up menu, and select HALion.

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

3. Click Create.

HALion is loaded and activated, and its control panel

opens. A MIDI track called HALion is added to the track

list. The output of this track is routed to HALion.

Accessing HALion via an Instrument Track

Proceed as follows:

1. On the Project menu, open the Add Track submenu, and select “Instrument”.

The Add Instrument Track dialog opens.

2. On the instrument pop-up menu, select HALion.

3. Click OK to create the instrument track.

4. Click the Edit Instrument button in the Cubase Inspector to open the HALion control panel.

HALion is now set up as a VST instrument in Cubase. For more details about the handling of VST instruments, see the Cubase Operation Manual.

Installation and Setup

Selecting Outputs

HALion loads with a stereo output configuration by de-

fault. However, you can use up to 32 stereo outputs plus

one 5.1 output in Cubase. This allows you to route all 64 program slots to a dedicated Cubase Mixer channel.

To make these outputs available, proceed as follows:

1. Open the VST Instruments window.

2. Click the output button for the HALion instrument.

3. Activate the required outputs.

Cubase automatically creates a MIDI track for each additional output and adds a channel to its Mixer. You can now route HALion programs or layers to these outputs for fur ther signal processing within Cubase.

Using HALion in an AU Compatible Application

You can use HALion in an AU host application (e. g. Logic). The AU version of HALion is installed in your AU plug-ins folder and lets HALion work in an AU environment without any performance loss or incompatibilities.

For Logic Pro, proceed as follows:

1. Open the Track Mixer and select the instrument channel that you want to use.

2. Click in the I/O field, and select the AU Instruments submenu.

3. On the Steinberg submenu, select HALion.

4. Select Multi Output or Stereo from the submenu.

HALion is now loaded as an AU instrument.

Installation and Setup

The HALion Control Panel

Introduction

A view with a single editor.

A view with multiple editors on different tabs.

HALion provides flexible and highly customizable window management. You can arrange the available editors in the window, structure the window sections using tabs, and even configure several separate windows for your work. The size of each window, and window section, is freely adjustable. This allows you to make the most of the available screen space.

Configuring the Control Panel

You can set up the control panel exactly the way you want it, by determining the number of different sections (which are referred to as “views” in this document) that you want the window to contain, and by further configuring these sections, for example by adding tabs. For each of these el ements (views or tabs), you can specify the editor that is displayed.

All these functions can be performed via the setup options. For views, these can be accessed via the View popup menu. For tabs, they are available on the context menu.

The following setup options are available:

Select… (Editor)

To select the editor to be displayed, open the Editor submenu, and select the editor or choose “Select…” to display a pane showing icons for the available editors and

click on an icon.

“Split |” and “Split --”

You can add a view or tab to the window by splitting an existing view or tab.

• To perform a vertical split, select “Split |”. This adds a new editor to the right of the current editor.

• To perform a horizontal split, select “Split --”. This adds an editor below the current editor.

The HALion Control Panel

• You can also create a split view or tab by clicking its upper left corner and dragging it to another position in the window.

This creates a copy of the view or tab at the drop position. A colored frame indicates where it will be inserted when you drop it.

Adjusting the Size of a Split View

• To adjust the size of two split views, point the mouse at the divider between these two, click, and drag.

If a view is split into three or more parts, these parts are resized proportionally. To resize an individual part, hold down [Ctrl]/[Command] and drag.

Ö Some editors have fixed default sizes for height or width. For example, the Slot Rack can only be resized ver tically but not horizontally.

Create Tab

• Select “Create Tab” to create a tab.

You can also create tabs within tabs.

You can also create tabs the following way:

• Click in the upper left corner of an existing view or tab and drag it onto another one.

• Click the plus icon to the right of the rightmost tab and click the icon for the editor you want to display.

Ö If a view contains more tabs than can be displayed, arrow buttons are displayed to navigate between the tabs.

Renaming Tabs

When you create a tab, it gets the name of the editor it displays. You can rename tabs via the context menu.

• To remove a view or a tab, select Close.

Further Setup Options

Moving Views and Tabs

• To move a view or tab, hold down [Shift], click in its upper left corner, and drag it to another position.

Depending on the drop position, it is added as a tab or as part of a split view.

Expanding and Resizing Editor Sections

Some editors, such as the Options editor, contain expandable sections. These sections can be resized or collapsed so that they only show their title bar. This helps you save space and focus on the edited parameters.

• To expand or collapse a section, click the “+” or “-” icon on the left of the title bar, or click the title bar.

• To open several sections at the same time, hold down [Ctrl]/[Command] and click the “+” icon or the title bar.

• To resize a section, click in the middle of its lower border (the position is indicated by a dotted line) and drag up or down.

Undock

• To create a duplicate of the view or tab in a new window, select Undock.

The HALion Control Panel

Setting the Focus

It is useful to know which view, window, or tab has the focus, because this is where your key commands are applied, for example. The view that has the focus is indicated by a blue frame.

• To set the focus on a specific view, use one of its controls or edit a parameter.

You can also click on the frame of a view or in an empty background of a section.

Working with Multiple Windows

Screen Sets

Creating Additional Windows

You can create new windows from existing views using the following methods:

• Click in the upper left corner of an existing view or tab and drag it out of the current window.

• Use the Undock command, see “Undock” on page 14. The window menu bar contains a pop-up menu from

which you can select the program that you want to edit.

Using Window Presets

HALion comes with several preconfigured window presets. You can open these by clicking the “Open New Window” button in the top bar and selecting a preset from the pop-up menu. You can also create your own window pre sets using the corresponding commands on the pop-up menu.

Locking Windows

When you open an additional window, HALion shows the settings belonging to the focused object (program, layer, zone etc.). This way, all editors and separate windows relate to the same material.

However, in some cases it might be necessary to show different objects in different windows, for example, to compare the parameter sets of two zones or layers. This can be achieved by locking a window.

• To lock a window, click the lock button in the upper right corner. If this is activated, the window no longer fol lows selection and focus changes in the main plug-in window. Instead, it displays the settings of the program that was selected when you clicked the lock button.

When you have set up the HALion control panel to your liking, you can save this configuration as a “screen set”. This way, you can preconfigure HALion for different workflows and editing situations.

When you start HALion for the first time, the default screen set is used, which is optimized for wide-screen monitors and contains all editors.

The following factory screen sets are available:

Screen Set Recommended

Default 1440 x 900 Full editor screen set. Basic 1024x768 A minimized single slot player view. Extended1 1280x800 Optimized for laptops. Extended2 1440 x 900 As Extended 1, but slightly more

Advanced 1440 x 900 Full editor screen set.

Resolution

Description

complex.

Managing Screen Sets

You can load, save, and delete screen sets by clicking the screen set button on the toolbar in the plug-in functions section and selecting the corresponding command from the pop-up menu.

Ö Factory screen sets cannot be deleted.

The HALion Control Panel

Overview of the Available Editors

HALion provides a large amount of different editors that give you access to the parameters of the plug-in and its programs and modules.

The following editors are available:

Slot Rack

Allows you to load and manage the loaded programs, see

“The Slot Rack” on page 19.

MIDI

Allows you to configure the ranges and MIDI parameters of the slots, see

Program Table

Shows all programs that are loaded. This includes the programs that are used in the Slot Rack as well as those that can be loaded via MIDI program change, see “Load-

ing and Managing Programs” on page 27.

Program Tree

Allows you to create programs by combining samples, layers, busses, as well as MIDI and audio effects, see “Using

the Program Tree” on page 30.

“The MIDI Editor” on page 113.

Sound Editor

Gives you access to the parameters of the various program components. It can display the parameters of programs, layers, zones, MIDI modules, busses, and effects. Which parameters are displayed depends on the object that is selected in the Program Tree.

Zone Editor

The Zone editor allows you to edit the parameters of all zones of the focused layer simultaneously (including any sublayers).

In case any specific zones are selected in the Program Tree or Mapping editor, only these zones can be modified.

MIDI Modules Editor

The MIDI Modules editor allows you to edit the parameters of all MIDI modules of the currently focused layer.

In case any specific MIDI modules are selected in the Program Tree or Mapping editor, only these modules are displayed and available for modification.

Optionally, you can show any MIDI modules found higher up in the signal flow by clicking the corresponding button.

Macro

This is a content-specific editor that provides a set of the most important program parameters. Whether such an editor is available for a program, depends on the content set, see

“Macro Pages” on page 17.

Mapping Editor

Allows you to specify and visualize how samples are distributed over the keyboard and velocity range, see “The

Mapping Editor” on page 98.

Sample Editor

Allows you to define all sample and loop parameters, see

“Editing Samples in the Sample Editor” on page 103.

Mixer

Allows you to mix the program slots, access the output and AUX busses, and manage effects, see “Mixing and

Routing” on page 116.

The HALion Control Panel

Import

Allows you to import external sampler formats like Apple EXS, GigaSampler, Kontakt, and others, see “Importing

and Exporting Samples” on page 55.

MediaBay

Allows you to load programs and layers, see “Managing

Files via the MediaBay” on page 22.

Options

Contains global plug-in settings regarding the overall performance, global edit functions, and MIDI controllers, see

“The Options Editor” on page 42.

Undo History

The Undo History lists all of your actions and allows you to undo changes, see

“Undo/Redo” on page 41.

Keyboard

Combines a keyboard, two wheels, and the HALion Sphere. You can use these controls to simulate external hardware, see

“The Keyboard Editor” on page 41.

Quick Controls

Allows you to remote-control any parameter inside the program, see “Quick Controls” on page 45.

Macro Pages

VST Sound Instrument Sets provide dedicated editors, so-called Macro pages. These Macro pages are preconfigured to show the most important parameters for the specific programs.

Whether it is possible to edit a program only via its Macro page or whether you have access to all underlying zone and layer parameters depends on the instrument set.

If a program comes with a Macro page, it is displayed when you open the Macro editor.

When loading a program that contains one or multiple layers with Macro pages, all Macro pages are shown together in the Macro editor. For each existing Macro page, HALion inserts a navigation button on the toolbar that al lows you to switch between the different Macro pages.

Trigger Pads

Allow you to assign and trigger notes and chords. Furthermore it is possible to use the trigger pads to switch the states of FlexPhraser modules, see

page 144.

“The Trigger Pads” on

The HALion Control Panel

Managing Your Sounds

The Slot Rack

Program Loader

Mute Slot

Solo Slot

MIDI Activity

Indicator

Sort Slots

Remove All Programs

Show Empty Slots

Slot Sizes

The Slot Rack allows you to load up to 64 programs into so-called slots. Slots are created dynamically for each loaded program. Their order can be arranged freely, sorted by MIDI channel, or slot index.

Use the scrollbar to the right of the slots to navigate to the slot that you want to make settings for.

Changing the Slot Size

You can change the size of the slots that are displayed using the sizing buttons above the slots. The following options are available:

Size Features

Small Shows MIDI Indicator, Mute, Solo, Program Loader Medium Shows MIDI Indicator, Mute, Solo, Program Loader, MIDI

Large Shows Instrument Icon, Mute, Solo, Program Loader, MIDI

Showing Empty Slots

By default the Slot Rack only shows slots that are currently filled with programs.

• To show all empty slots, activate the “Show Empty Slots” option on the toolbar.

Loading Programs

Programs and layers can be dragged from the following locations into the Slot Rack:

• HALion or Cubase MediaBay

• Program Table or Program Tree

•Import View

• Explorer (Win) or Finder (Mac)

Port/Channel, Level, Pan, Level Meter

Indicator, MIDI Port/Channel, Polyphony, Level, Pan, Output, Level Meter

Replacing Programs

You can replace the program in a slot by dragging another program or layer onto this slot.

Alternatively you can use the “Load Program” button at the right of the slot to load a new program.

Loading Programs in between Slots

• If you want to add a program or layer in a new slot between two existing slots, you can drag it between these slots.

A red line indicates that a slot will be inserted at this position.

Ö The slot number is taken from the first available slot and does not necessarily reflect the order in which the slots are listed.

Loading Layers into Slots

If you load a layer into a slot, HALion creates a new program.

Managing Programs via the Slot Context Menu

The slot context menu provides additional functions for managing programs. The following options are available:

Option Description

Load Programs This option opens the “Load Program” dialog. Select

Save Program This option saves the program. Please note that fac-

Save Program As…

Remove Program Select this option to remove the program from the

Revert to Last Saved Program

Cut Program Select this option to copy and remove the program

Copy Program Select this option to copy the program without re-

Paste Program Select this option to paste the copied program into

Rename Program Select this option to enter a new name.

a program or layer and click OK to load it into the slot.

tory content cannot be overwritten. Instead, the “Save Program” dialog is opened and you can save the ed ited program under a new name.

This option opens the “Save Program” dialog where you can save the edited program under a new name.

slot. Select this option to discard any changes made to

the program in the slot.

from the slot.

moving it.

the slot. If the slot already contains a program, it is re placed.

Managing Your Sounds

Option Description

Reset Selected Slot

Reset All Slots Select this option to reset all slots to the default

Select this option to reset the selected slot to the default values.

values.

Loading Samples and Third-Party Programs

Samples and third-party programs can be loaded into the Slot Rack from a file browser or the Import editor using drag and drop.

Renaming Programs

You can rename a program via the context menu. Ö To make the program with its new name available in

the MediaBay, you must save it.

Sorting Modes

By default, slots are arranged freely. New slots are set to the next available index number.

• To change the sorting mode, click the Sort Slots button on the left side of the Slot Rack toolbar, and choose a mode:

Mode Description

Custom Sorting Default mode. Sort Slots by MIDI

Port and Channel

Sort Slots by Index Slots are sorted by their index-number. No reor-

Slots are sorted by their MIDI channels. No reordering is possible. New slots are set to MIDI channel A1.

dering is possible. New slots are set to the next available index-number.

Slot Controls

Depending on the selected slot display size you get access to additional slot controls.

Level

The level fader controls the output level of a program. The parameter has an influence on all outputs used by layers and zones inside the program.

Pan

Pan controls the stereo position of a program. The parameter has an influence on all outputs used by layers and zones inside the program.

Ö The Pan control is disabled if the slot bus has a surround configuration.

Solo

Activate the Solo button of a slot in order to hear only the corresponding program. Several slots can be soloed at the same time.

Mute

Activate the Mute button to turn off playback of the program.

MIDI Port and Channel

Here you can specify on which MIDI port and channel the slot receives MIDI messages.

MIDI Activity Indicator

A green bar next to the slot number and symbol indicates incoming MIDI data.

Polyphony

Here, you can specify how many notes can be triggered simultaneously.

Ö The number of resulting voices can be much higher if one note triggers several zones at the same time.

Output

The output selector lets you define to which output bus the slot sends its signal.

Ö This setting does not affect any output routing that has been set up for individual layers or zones inside the pro

gram.

Level Meter

The level meter indicates the signal level of the slot output bus.

Ö Layers and zones inside the program that are routed to individual outputs do not show any meter activity.

The Relationship between Slot and Program Table

The Program Table provides a list of all programs that are loaded into slots as well as programs that are not yet loaded but can be addressed by a program change.

Managing Your Sounds

Save MultiProgram

Remove Multi-Program

Load Multi-

Program

Save VST Sound Content

Save Multi-Progr am with Sample

When a program is loaded into a slot, it is also inserted in a free place in the Program Table.

When replacing a program in a slot, the table updates accordingly. If multiple slots have used the same program, all slots are updated with the new program.

Managing Multis

Multis can load multiple sounds or programs and combine them. You can use multis, for example, to layer several programs or to create split sounds by setting several pro grams to the same MIDI input channel. However, the most common usage is to create sound sets with different in struments set to individual MIDI channels.

A multi-program contains all plug-in parameters. When using HALion as a plug-in in Cubase or Nuendo, these multis are listed in the Preset Management pop-up menu of the host application. You can drag multis and programs from the Cubase or Nuendo MediaBay to a slot in HALion.

When using HALion as a plug-in in a different host application, you can use either the preset functionality from the host application, or the multi management features provided by HALion.

Loading Multis

• Open the MediaBay and double-click a multi, or drag and drop a multi onto the multi slot.

• Alternatively, click the “Load Multi-Program” button in the multi slot to open the “Load Multi-Program” dialog, se lect a multi and click on OK.

Removing Multis

• To remove all programs of the current multi, click the “Remove All Programs” button on the toolbar of the Slot Rack.

This also resets all slot parameters and removes effects from the slot busses. However, AUX and Master effects are not removed.

Managing Your Sounds

Ö Removing the programs from the slots does not remove them from the Program Table.

Saving Multis

To save multis, proceed as follows:

1. Click the “Save Multi-Program” button.

2. Enter the name of the multi.

3. Assign any attributes you require and click OK.

If the entered name already exists, the “Make Unique Name” option adds a number suffix to the name of the new multi.

Creating Subfolders for User-Defined Multis

You can create subfolders inside the user preset folder to organize presets.

• To create a new folder, click the “Create New Folder” icon at the top left of the “Save Multi-Program” dialog.

Navigating Through the Folder Hierarchy

You can move through the folder hierarchy using the three

navigation buttons at the top left of the dialog. They allow you to navigate to the previous or next browse

location, or browse the containing folder.

Editing Attributes

In the “New Preset Tags” section on the right of the “Save Multi-Program” dialog you can edit the attribute values that are assigned to the preset.

1. To edit an attribute, click on a value field, and enter the new name or value.

2. Click OK to save the preset. Ö For further information about attributes, see “Editing

Preset Attributes” on page 24.

Exporting Multis with Samples

Multis with samples can be exported, to transfer a complete multi to another computer. Programs that use samples from VST Sound containers cannot be exported.

To export a multi with samples, proceed as follows:

1. Click the “Export Multi as VST3 Preset with Samples” button next to the multi slot.

2. Enter the name of the multi, and click OK.

The multi is written to the specified location. Additionally a folder named after the preset that contains all samples is created.

Managing Files via the MediaBay

The MediaBay gives access to the HALion presets, such as multis, programs, and layers.

Exporting VST Sound Files

You can produce your own HALion VST Sound files, containing all plug-in settings, programs, and samples.

1. Click the “Export Multi as VST Sound” button next to the multi slot.

2. Enter the required information (marked with an asterisk) and provide additional data (optional).

3. Enter the path or click the browse button to specify a file name and folder.

4. Click OK. Ö You cannot include samples that originate from pro-

tected VST Sound files.

The MediaBay is divided into two sections. In the top section you can define which kind of sounds you want to look for. The lower section presents the corresponding results list. You can drag the divider at the top of the results list to adjust the size of the two sections.

Loading Programs into Slots

To load a program into one of the slots of the Slot Rack, you have the following possibilities:

• Select the slot into which you want to load the program and double-click the program in the results list.

• Drag a program from the results list to an empty space in the Slot Rack to create a new slot. If you drag it to an existing slot, the current program is replaced.

• Right-click the program and select “Load Program into selected Slot” from the context menu.

Importing Presets

You can import existing program presets from any file location using the Explorer (Win) or Finder (Mac). To import presets, proceed as follows:

1. Select the preset in the Explorer/Finder.

2. Drag it to the MediaBay.

The imported presets are copied to your user folder.

Managing Your Sounds

Deleting Presets

Multi Program

Layer

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

Ö Factory presets cannot be deleted.

Applying Filters

Category Filter

You can filter the results list based on up to four filter criteria using the configurable attribute columns.

Standard attributes are Category, Sub Category, Style, and Character. By clicking on specific values in the col umns, you define the filter. Only the files that match the selected values are displayed in the results list. Select more values from other columns to refine the filter.

• To select different filter criteria, click the column header, and select a different attribute from the submenu.

Instrument Set Filter

Use the “Instrument Set Filter” pop-up menu to search a certain content set only. By default, the search is performed in any of the installed content sets.

Columns

The columns of the results list show all the attribute values for the presets that match the filters that you set up in the top section.

You can reorder the columns in the results list by dragging the table headers to another position. Furthermore, you can use the column headers to change the sorting of the list entries. The triangle in the column header shows the sorting direction.

Setting Up the Result Columns

You can select which attribute columns are displayed, by clicking the “Set up Result Columns” button on the tool

bar of the results list. The attributes that you choose are added at the right of the list.

Rating Filter

You can limit the results list to presets that have a certain rating. The rating slider allows you to define the minimum rating.

Text Search

Using the Results List

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

View Filters

The toolbar of the results list has three filter buttons to define which preset types are displayed. Presets can be multis, programs, and layers. To show a preset, activate the corresponding icon. In the results list, the corresponding icon is shown to the left of the preset name.

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.

Resetting the Result Filter

• To reset the text-based result filter, click the Reset button to the left of the search field.

Managing Your Sounds

Content Filter

The content filter buttons allow you to define whether you want to see all presets, only the factory presets, or only your user presets.

The Results Counter

The number of presets that match the filter criteria is displayed at the far right of the results list toolbar.

Using the Context Menu of the Results List

The context menu of the results list offers additional options for managing the selected presets. The following options are available for factory and user presets:

Options Description

Load Program into selected Slots/ Load Multi-Program

Select All This selects all presets in the results list. Select None This cancels any selection.

This loads the highlighted preset.

The following options are available for user presets only:

Options Description

Copy This copies the selected presets to the clipboard.

Rename This opens a dialog for renaming the highlighted

Delete This moves the selected presets to the trash bin of

Show in Explorer/ Reveal in Finder

Set or remove Write Protection

This way, you can paste them at a different loca tion using the file browser of your OS.

preset.

your operating system. This shows the preset in the file browser of your

operating system. This sets or removes the write protection for the

selected presets.

Programs from the HALion factory content are writeprotected and cannot be deleted or renamed.

Editing Preset Attributes

Each preset can be described using a predefined set of attributes. These attributes can be set directly in the results list or in the section “New Preset Attributes” of the Save dialog.

1. 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. Ö Attribute values are written directly into the corre-

sponding preset files. However, this is not possible for write protected factory content. In this case, the data is saved within HALion’s MediaBay database.

Attributes

Attribute values can be set directly in the results list or the Save dialog. The following table shows how to edit the various attribute values:

Attribute type

Media

Musical

Attribute Editing method

Name Display only. Rating Drag to set the rating. Comment Click to select, double-click to

edit.

Content Summary 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 dialog. Tempo Click to select, double-click to

edit.

Managing Your Sounds

Bars & Beats Click to select, double-click to

Signature Click to select, double-click to

Key Click to select. GM Sound Click to select.

edit.

Loading HALion 3 Programs

HALion 4 allows to load HALion 3 presets either from HSB container files or from FXP/FXB files. To be able to load presets from HALion 3 HSB files, they have to be registered in the HALion 4 MediaBay.

Setting the Character Values

Character attribute values can be set via a dedicated editor. This editor provides a list of values that describe the character of a sound.

Content Files and Folder Structure

HALion has a large amount of ready-to-use sound content, made up of hundreds of multis, programs, and layers. This content is write-protected. You can edit files while they are loaded in HALion, but you cannot overwrite the factory content files themselves.

To save edits to the factory content, save the files under a new name. These files have the 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 struc ture, to facilitate moving or exchanging content (see “Cre-

ating Subfolders for User-Defined Multis” on page 21).

Registering HSB Files

1. Click the Import button on the right of the Category Filter toolbar, and select “Register HSB/VST Sound Files”.

2. Navigate to the HSB/VST files, select them, and click OK.

The MediaBay now has access to the presets.

• Alternatively, HSB/VST files can be registered by dragging them from the Windows Explorer or Mac OS Finder into the HALion MediaBay.

Registering VST Sound Files

Programs that are contained in VST Sound files can only be seen and accessed by the MediaBay if the corresponding VST Sound file has been registered. HALion’s factory content is located in a directory that is automatically scanned when HALion is loaded. However, it is possible to add further VST Sound files that are not located in that directory.

To register a VST Sound File, proceed as follows:

1. Click the Import button on the right of the Category filter toolbar.

2. Select “Register HSB/VST Sound Files“.

3. Navigate to the VST Sound file, select it, and click OK.

The MediaBay now has access to the presets.

Loading FXP/FXB Files

To load FXP/FXB files there are two possibilities:

• Drag and drop the FXP/FXB files from the Windows Explorer or the Mac OS Finder onto the Slot Rack.

• Drag and drop the FXP/FXB files to the Slot Rack/Multi Loader.

HALion converts the FXP/FXB files into HALion programs/multi-programs.

Managing Your Sounds

Importing FXP/FXB Files

To import multiple FXP/FXB files without loading them in HALion, proceed as follows:

1. Click the Import button to the right of the Category Filter and select “Import HALion FXP/FXB Files”.

2. Navigate to the folder that contains the FXP/FXB file.

3. Select the file you want to import and click OK.

The presets are converted into the HALion 4 format and saved as VST presets in the user preset folder.

Ö Alternatively, import multiple FXP/FXB files by dragging them from the Windows Explorer or Mac OS Finder into the MediaBay.

Working with General MIDI Files

HALion can play back files in the General MIDI format. For this, the following preparations must be made:

1. Load a GM multi from the MediaBay.

The first 16 slots are prepared with send effects for Chorus and Reverb.

2. Open the Options editor, navigate to MIDI Controller, and activate “Receive Program Changes” and “Receive RPNs 0/1/2”.

3. Load the GM file that you want to use.

HALion loads the necessary programs and adjusts chorus and reverb levels.

Managing Your Sounds

Loading and Managing Programs

Introduction

HALion allows you to load a virtually unlimited number of programs per instance. All loaded programs, i. e. programs that can be used in the current project, are shown in the Program Table. You can load these programs into any of the 64 slots in the Slot Rack.

The first 128 entries of the Program Table correspond to the 128 MIDI program change numbers. You can load these programs into a slot by sending MIDI program change messages on the slot’s MIDI channel.

Ö You can set the focus on any of the programs, for example to verify settings or to copy zones from there, without having it assigned to any slot. In that case you cannot play and hear the program.

The Columns of the Program Table

The Program Table contains the following columns:

Column Description

Program Number Displays the program number, which corre-

Program Name Shows the program name. The name can be ed-

Used Displays the number of slots in which the pro-

Preload Shows if a program is preloaded, even if it is not

File Size Displays the size of the program with all samples

sponds to the MIDI program change number.

ited in place.

gram is loaded.

being used in a slot.

as it is stored on the hard disk.

Changing the Width of a Column

• Drag the right border of the column header left or right to change its width.

Ö All modifications are stored with the project.

Loading Programs into the Program Table

There are several ways to load a program into the Program Table:

• Drag it from the MediaBay to the Program Table.

• In the MediaBay, right-click a program to open the con-

text menu, and select “Load Program into selected Slot”.

• Click the “Load Program” button in the Program Table toolbar, select a program, and click OK.

If the selected entry in the Program Table already contains a program, the current program is replaced. All slots that are making use of that program then refer to the new pro gram.

When multiple programs are dropped on a list entry, not only the target program is replaced but also the following programs. The number of programs that are replaced corresponds to the number of programs that you have dragged to the Program Table.

Ö You can also drag and drop programs from third-party sampler formats using the Import Tree, see “Importing

Third-Party Sampler Programs” on page 62.

Configuring Columns

Inserting Columns

• Right-click the column header at the position where you want to insert the new column, and select the parameter or column that you want to insert.

Removing Columns

• Right-click the header of the column you want to remove, and select “Remove…”.

Reordering Columns

• Drag and drop the header of the column left or right to the new position.

Loading and Managing Programs

Loading Programs from the Program Table to the Slot Rack

When dropping a program onto a free Program Table entry, it is added to the table without being actually loaded to any of the slots. This way you can create a program table without having to load all programs immediately.

If you want to use the program in a slot, you can create a new slot or replace the program in an existing slot.

In case a program is loaded multiple times to different slots the slot rack focus jumps to the first slot.

Creating New Slots

• Make sure that no slot is selected and double-click the program.

• Drag a program to an empty space in the Slot Rack.

Replacing Programs in Slots

• Double-click a program to replace the program in the selected slot.

• Drag a program from the table into an existing slot. To quickly see which programs are assigned to slots their

program numbers are displayed in yellow.

Preloading Programs

When a program was loaded to the Program Table but is not used by one of the slots, its samples are not preloaded. However, you can preload unassigned programs to allow for a faster MIDI program change. You can activate the Preload option individually for each program. This setting is saved with the project and plug-in preset. Pro ceed as follows:

• Open the context menu for a program and select “Always Preload”.

• Activate the Preload icon of the program in the Preload column.

• To deactivate preloading, select “Preload Program On Demand” on the context menu, or deactivate the icon in the Preload column.

Editing the Program Table

Deleting Programs

You can delete the selected program by clicking the trash icon on the toolbar. Alternatively, you can press the [De lete]-key on your computer keyboard or use the Delete command on the context menu.

Exchanging the List Positions of Two Programs

Once a program has been loaded to a specific table entry, it is also associated with the corresponding MIDI program change number.

For example, loading a program at position 3 of the list means that this program can be loaded into a slot when it receives MIDI program change number 3 on its MIDI channel.

If you want to quickly assign the program to another MIDI program change number, you can drag it to the corresponding list position. In case another program already occupies this position, the two programs change places.

Cut, Copy, and Paste

Cut, copy, and paste programs by clicking the corresponding icons on the Program Table toolbar, using the commands on the context menu, or using key commands.

Renaming Programs

• Select the program you want to rename and click the program name a second time, or press [F2] (Win)/[Return] (Mac).

• Right-click the program and select Rename on the context menu.

Loading and Managing Programs

Using the Program Tree

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