Steinberg HALion - 4.0 Owner's Guide

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Operation Manual

Benutzerhandbuch

Mode d’Emploi

オペレーションマニュアル

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English

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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 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 other wise 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 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 reg istered 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, Windows Vista and DirectX are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation

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6 Installation and Setup

6 Welcome 7 Key Command Conventions 7 How You Can Reach Us 7 Installation 9 Setting Up

11 The HALion Control Panel

11 Introduction 11 Configuring the Control Panel 13 Setting the Focus 13 Working with Multiple Windows 14 Screen Sets 15 Overview of the Available Editors 17 Macro Pages

18 Managing Your Sounds

18 The Slot Rack 21 Managing Multis 24 Managing Files via the MediaBay 28 Content Files and Folder Structure 28 Loading HALion 3 Programs 29 Working with General MIDI Files

30 Loading and Managing Programs

30 Introduction 30 The Columns of the Program Table 31 Loading Programs into the Program Table 31 Loading Programs from the Program

Table to the Slot Rack

32 Editing the Program Table

33 Using the Program Tree

33 Introduction 34 The Program Tree Structure 35 Editing Zones, Programs, and Layers 37 Making Selections 38 Navigating in the Program Tree 39 Muting, Soloing, and Hiding 40 Adding MIDI Modules 40 Adding Insert Effects 40 Changing the Order of MIDI Modules and

Insert Effects

41 Adding Audio Busses 41 Customizing the Program Tree

43 Global Functions and Settings

43 Introduction 43 The Plug-in Functions Section 45 The Toolbar 46 The Keyboard Editor 48 The Options Editor 53 Quick Controls 57 AI-Knob Support

58 Common Editing Methods

58 Introduction 58 Using Controls in HALion 59 Using Key Commands 60 Working with Presets 62 Using Automation 62 Using Effects 63 Using MIDI Modules

66 Importing and Exporting Samples

66 Importing Samples 70 Finding Missing Samples 71 Exporting Samples 75 Replacing Samples 77 Importing Third-Party Sampler Programs 77 Importing Sliced Loops

80 Using the Browser

80 Introduction 80 The Path Section 81 The Location Tree 82 The Results List 84 The Preview and File Info Section 84 Loading Files

87 Editing Programs and Layers in the

Sound Editor

87 Introduction 87 The Main Section 88 The Trigger Section 90 The Voice Management Section 94 The Variation Groups Section 95 The Quick Control Assignments Section 95 The Note Expression Section

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97 Editing Zones in the Sound Editor

97 Introduction 97 Global Zone Settings 98 Editing Selected Zones or All Zones 98 Absolute and Relative Editing 98 HALion 3 compatibility 98 Managing Sections 99 The Voice Control Section 102 The Pitch Section 103 The Oscillator Section 107 The Sample Oscillator Section 109 The AudioWarp Section 112 The Filter Section 116 The Amplifier Section 118 The Envelope Section 123 The LFO Section 126 The Step Modulator Section 129 The Modulation Matrix Section

136 Mapping Zones

136 Introduction 136 The Mapping Editor 137 Setting the Focus 137 Zooming and Scrolling 138 Selecting Zones 138 Moving Zones 138 Setting Key and Velocity Range 139 Muting and Soloing Zones 139 Showing and Hiding Zones 139 Fading and Crossfading Zones 140 The Root Key 140 Triggering Zones 141 Importing Samples Using Drag and Drop 141 Mapping Zones 143 Filling Gaps between Zones 143 Selecting Zones with the Mapping Editor

Keyboard

144 Editing Samples in the Sample

Editor

144 Introduction 144 Overview 145 The Parameter Section 146 General Operations 150 Creating Loops

159 Mixing and Routing

159 The Audio Bus Architecture 162 The HALion Mixer

166 Effects Reference

166 Introduction 166 Reverb and Delay Effects 170 EQ Effects 172 Distortion Effects 173 Modulation Effects 178 Dynamics Effects 182 Panner and Routing Effects 184 HALion 3 Legacy Effects

192 MIDI Modules Reference

192 Introduction 192 The FlexPhraser 197 The Trigger Pads 199 Mono Envelope 201 Mono LFO 203 MegaTrig 207 Layer Alternate 209 Key Switch Alternate 210 Key Switch Remote 211 MIDI Randomizer 212 True Pedaling 213 CC Mapper 214 Velocity Curve 215 Tuning Scale

217 Key Commands Reference

217 The Default Key Commands

219 Using the HALion Standalone

Version

219 Introduction 219 Making Preferences Settings 221 Selecting the MIDI Input and the Audio

Output

221 The Scratch Pad

224 Index

155 MIDI Editing and Controllers

155 The MIDI Editor 156 Using MIDI Controllers 157 Assigning MIDI Controllers 157 Assigning MIDI Controllers to AUX FX 157 Saving a MIDI Controller Mapping as

Default

158 Automation and Factory MIDI Controller

Assignments

158 CC 121 Support

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Welcome

Installation and Setup

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 develop a highly userfriendly, yet powerful software sampler with an unparalleled feature set and a seamless integration into modern DAWs.

Today, HALion 4 embodies the original philosophy better than ever before. When comparing HALion 4 with its predecessors, 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 sampler 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 during 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

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Key Command Conventions

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] under 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 Windows 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 drivers, 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 9.

Key Command Conventions

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.

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

Installation and Setup

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The product package of HALion contains an activation code, which is found on the

Essential Product License Information 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. After installation of HALion, the eLicenser Control Center can be opened via the Start menu on Windows 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.

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.

Installation

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

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Setting Up

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 double-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 updates 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 detail in the chapter

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.

“Using the HALion Standalone Version” on page 219.

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.

Installation and Setup

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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.

Selecting Outputs

HALion loads with a stereo output configuration by default. 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.

Setting Up

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 further 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

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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.

The HALion Control Panel

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 elements (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 pop-up menu. For tabs, they are available on the context menu.

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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.

• 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.

Configuring the Control Panel

Ö Some editors have fixed default sizes for height or width. For example, the Slot Rack

Create Tab

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

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.

can only be resized vertically but not horizontally.

• 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.

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.

Undock

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

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

The HALion Control Panel

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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.

Setting the Focus

• 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.

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

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 12.

The window menu bar contains a pop-up menu from which you can select the program that you want to edit.

The HALion Control Panel

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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 presets 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 follows 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.

Screen Sets

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 complex. Advanced 1440 x 900 Full editor screen set.

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.

Description

Resolution

Ö Factory screen sets cannot be deleted.

The HALion Control Panel

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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.

Overview of the Available Editors

The following editors are available:

Slot Rack

Allows you to load and manage the loaded programs, see “The Slot Rack” on page 18.

MIDI

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

Editor” on page 155.

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

and Managing Programs” on page 30.

Program Tree

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

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.

“Loading

“Using the Program Tree” on page 33.

Zone Editor

Allows you to edit the parameters of all zones of the focused layer simultaneously (including any sublayers).

If zones are selected in the Program Tree or Mapping editor, only these zones can be modified.

MIDI Modules Editor

Allows you to edit MIDI Modules, see “Using MIDI Modules” on page 63.

The HALion Control Panel

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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

Mapping Editor

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

Sample Editor

Allows you to define all sample and loop parameters, see “Editing Samples in the

Sample Editor” on page 144.

Mixer

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

Browser

Overview of the Available Editors

“Macro Pages” on page 17.

“The Mapping Editor” on page 136.

“Mixing and Routing” on page 159.

Allows you to browse and import files, including external sampler formats, see

“Importing and Exporting Samples” on page 66.

MediaBay

Allows you to load programs and layers, see “Managing Files via the MediaBay” on

page 24.

Options

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

Undo History

Lists all of your actions and allows you to undo changes, see “Undo/Redo” on page 46.

Keyboard

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

Quick Controls

Allows you to remote-control any parameter inside the program, see “Quick Controls” on page 53.

“The Options Editor” on page 48.

“The Keyboard Editor” on page 46.

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 197.

The HALion Control Panel

“The Trigger Pads” on

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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 allows you to switch between the different Macro pages.

Macro Pages

The HALion Control Panel

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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.

Managing Your Sounds

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 Port/Channel,

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

Level, Pan, Level Meter

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

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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 Rack

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 a program

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

Save Program This option saves the program. Please note that factory content

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

Save Program As… This option opens the “Save Program” dialog where you can

save the edited program under a new name. Remove Program Select this option to remove the program from the slot. Revert to Last Saved

Program Cut Program Select this option to copy and remove the program from the slot. Copy Program Select this option to copy the program without removing it. Paste Program Select this option to paste the copied program into the slot. If the

Rename Program Select this option to enter a new name. Reset Selected Slot Select this option to reset the selected slot to the default values. Reset All Slots Select this option to reset all slots to the default values.

Select this option to discard any changes made to the program

in the slot.

slot already contains a program, it is replaced.

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.

Managing Your Sounds

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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

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 reordering is

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.

The Slot Rack

Rack toolbar, and choose a mode:

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

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

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 program.

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.

Managing Your Sounds

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The Relationship between Slot and Program Table

Save

Multi-Program

Remove Multi-Program

Load Multi-Program

Export Multi-Program as VST Sound

Export Multi-Program as VST3 Preset with Samples

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.

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 programs to the same MIDI input channel. However, the most common usage is to create sound sets with different instruments set to individual MIDI channels.

Managing Multis

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, select 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.

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

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Saving Multis

Managing 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.

Clearing the Plug-In Instance

To reset the entire HALion instance to an empty state, right-click the Multi Loader and select “Clear Plug-in Instance” from the context menu.

Saving a Multi as Default

To specify a default multi to be loaded with each new HALion instance, use the “Save as Default” command on the context menu for the Multi loader.

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.

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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.

For further information about attributes, see “Editing Preset Attributes” on page 27.

Exporting Multis as VST3 Presets with Samples

You can export multi-programs with samples to transfer a complete multi to another computer. Programs that use samples from VST Sound containers cannot be exported.

Managing Multis

To export a multi with samples, proceed as follows:

1. Click the “Export Multi-Program 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.

Exporting Multis as 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-Program 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.

You cannot include samples that originate from protected VST Sound files.

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Managing Files via the MediaBay

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

Managing Files via the MediaBay

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.

Deleting Presets

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

Factory presets cannot be deleted.

Importing Folders or ISO Image Files

• To import the content of entire folders or ISO image files into the MediaBay, use

the “Batch Import” command on the location tree context menu.

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Applying Filters

Multi

Program

Layer

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 columns, 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

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.

Managing Files via the MediaBay

attribute from the submenu.

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.

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 toolbar 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.

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Managing Files via the MediaBay

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.

Resetting the Result Filter

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

field.

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

This loads the highlighted preset. selected Slots/ Load Multi-Program

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

The following options are available for user presets only:

Options Description

Copy This copies the selected presets to the clipboard. This way,

you can paste them at a different location using the file

browser of your OS. Rename This opens a dialog for renaming the highlighted preset. Delete This moves the selected presets to the trash bin of your

operating system. Show in Explorer/ Reveal in

Finder Set or remove Write

Protection

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 write-protected and cannot be deleted or renamed.

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Showing the Program Structure

You can also look inside multis, programs, and layers. This enables you to only load specific components, for example.

Proceed as follows:

1. Activate the “Show Program Structure” button on the results list toolbar.

An additional window pane opens, showing the content of the selected multi, program, or layer.

2. Navigate through the tree structure and select the subitem you want to use, for

example, a program within a multi, a single layer of a program, or a single zone.

Managing Files via the MediaBay

Ö You cannot open protected layers. These are shown with a lock icon.

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 corresponding 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 Attribute Editing method

Media

Musical

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.

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Content Files and Folder Structure

Attribute type Attribute Editing method

Sub Style Click to select. Character Click to open an editor dialog. 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.

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 structure, to facilitate moving or exchanging content (see

“Creating Subfolders for User-Defined Multis” on page 22).

Loading HALion 3 Programs

HALion 4 allows you 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.

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.

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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.

Working with General MIDI Files

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.

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Introduction

HALion allows you to load a virtually unlimited number of programs per instance. All loaded programs, that means, 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.

Loading and Managing Programs

The Columns of the Program Table

The Program Table contains the following columns:

Column Description

Program Number Displays the program number, which corresponds to the

MIDI program change number. Program Name Shows the program name. The name can be edited in place. Used Displays the number of slots in which the program is loaded. Preload Shows if a program is preloaded, even if it is not being used

in a slot. File Size Displays the size of the program with all samples as it is

stored on the hard disk.

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.

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.

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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 context 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 program.

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 77.

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. Proceed 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.

Loading and Managing Programs

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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 [Delete]-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

Editing the Program Table

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.

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Introduction

The main area for navigating and making selections in HALion is the Program Tree. It shows the selected program with all its layers, zones, and modules. Furthermore, it allows you to load programs and layers, to add, import, or delete zones, etc.

Using the Program Tree

The first three columns in the Program Tree give you access to the Visibility, Mute, and Solo functions inside the program. In the section to the right, the selected program and its elements are displayed. They are organized in a hierarchical structure, with the program at the topmost level.

Each element in the Program Tree is displayed with an icon in front of its name, indicating the type of the element.

Programs and Layers

Programs are the top-level elements in the Program Tree. Only one program is displayed at a time.

A HALion program is a complex instrument or sound that combines layers, sample zones, synth zones, busses, MIDI modules, and FX modules. Often, a program contains a single layer that already comes with all necessary components such as the synthesis part or insert effects. This is because a layer already is a complete sound structure on its own. Layers can be used to organize programs, for example by grouping a number of zones. This is useful if you want to apply the same settings to a number of zones in one go. The program adds the possibility of combining different layers to build up more complex sounds or to create combinations of sounds you want to load as a unit. A typical example is a bass/piano split sound or a piano/string layer sound.

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Zones

A zone is the element on the lowest level in the tree structure. The zones are the elements creating the sounds in HALion.

You can choose between synth and sample zones. These zone types differ in their basic sound source. While a synth zone provides an oscillator section with three main oscillators, a sub oscillator, a noise generator, and a ring modulation stage, the sample zone loads a specific sample instead.

Busses

Busses allow you to set up the audio routing in HALion and add audio effects.

MIDI Modules

MIDI Modules can be added for programs and layers, see “Adding MIDI Modules” on

page 40.

Audio Effects

Audio effects can be added for busses. For a detailed description of the available audio effects, see the chapter

The Program Tree Structure

“Effects Reference” on page 166.

The Program Tree Structure

The Program Tree represents the signal flow inside the program from top to bottom: The MIDI comes in at the top and goes down through the layers and MIDI modules.

The processing order of the MIDI modules inside the program or layers is from top to bottom.

The audio is output via busses that can have any number of FX modules. The processing order of the FX modules inside the busses is also from top to bottom.

Number of Selected Zones

Below the Program Tree, there are three numbers that indicate the following:

• The first number indicates the number of selected zones.

• The second number indicates the number of zones contained in the focused layer.

• The third number indicates the total number of zones in the program.

The three numbers are particularly useful while editing or deleting zones. For example, if you have a piano that was recorded with several velocity layers per note, you will know that each velocity layer has 88 sample zones. Let’s say, you want to edit or delete a whole velocity layer. With a look at the three numbers you will know if you selected the right amount of sample zones before you edit or delete them.

The Color Scheme

To indicate additional information, the icons of the program, layers, and zones change their color.

Icon Color Description

Light blue This is the standard color for zones. For sample zones this color

means all samples were found and loaded without problems.

Red The icon turns red if a sample zone cannot find its sample, for

example, because a removable hard drive is not connected.

Using the Program Tree

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Icon Color Description

Yellow When you create a new sample zone, it is not linked to a sample, yet.

To indicate this, the icons of the corresponding sample zones turn yellow.

Magenta To free memory on your computer, you can remove the samples

completely from RAM. The samples are played back from the hard disk only. To indicate this, the icons of the corresponding sample zones turn magenta.

Dark blue To reduce hard-disk load, HALion can playback samples from RAM

only. To indicate this, the icons of the corresponding sample zones turn dark blue.

Editing Zones, Programs, and Layers

Creating Zones

To create a new zone, you have the following possibilities:

• Drag and drop samples from the Cubase MediaBay, Windows Explorer, or Mac OS Finder to a program or layer.

Editing Zones, Programs, and Layers

• Right-click a layer in the Program Tree, open the New submenu, and select Zone.

• Click the Zone icon on the toolbar of the Program Tree.

When creating new zones, HALion uses the default zone preset to set the zone parameters to their default values. This preset contains all zone parameters, but no sample-related parameters (sample start/end, loop start/end, etc.).

• To use specific zone settings, modify the default preset, and save it as default in your “user presets” directory.

Creating Layers

To create new layers you have the following possibilities:

• Click the “Create New Layer” icon on the toolbar. When a layer is selected, the new layer is added within this layer. When a zone is selected, the new layer is added on the same hierarchy level as the zone.

• Too add multiple layers on the same level, [Shift]-click the “Create New Layer” icon on the toolbar.

• Right-click a layer, open the New submenu, and select Layer.

Saving Programs and Layers

You can save programs and layers from the Program Tree as VST presets.

• To save a program, click the Save icon on the toolbar, or use the “Save Program” command on the Load/Save submenu of the context menu.

• To save a certain layer, open the context menu, select the “Load/Save” submenu, and select “Save Layer”.

Deleting Programs, Layers, and Zones

• Select the program or any number of layers and zones, and click the trash icon on

the toolbar, or press [Backspace], or open the context menu and select Delete.

Ö Deleting zones does not delete any samples on your hard drive.

Using the Program Tree

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Renaming Entries

When you create a new element in the Program Tree, it automatically gets a generic name. You can change this name in the following ways:

• Select an entry, click it a second time, and enter the new name.

• Select an entry, press [F2] (Win) or [Return] (Mac), and enter the new name.

Drag and Drop

Select the program or any number of layers and zones and drag the selection to a layer to move the selection inside this layer.

Using Cut, Copy, and Paste

• To cut the selected elements, use the Cut icon on the toolbar, the Cut command

on the context menu, or the key command [Ctrl]/[Command]-[X].

• To copy the selected elements, use the Copy icon on the toolbar, the Copy command on the context menu, or the key command [Ctrl]/[Command]-[C].

• To insert the copied data, use the Paste icon on the toolbar, the Paste command on the context menu, or the key command [Ctrl]/[Command]-[V].

Editing Zones, Programs, and Layers

Ö You can also copy or move the selection from one program to another. Furthermore, it

is possible to move a complete program into another one. In this case the moved program becomes a layer inside the target program.

Paste to New Layer

To paste copied zones to a new layer, open the context menu for a zone, layer or program (depending on where you want to insert the new layer), and select “Paste to new Layer”.

Copying and Pasting Zone Settings

1. Right-click the zone that contains the settings that you want to copy, and select

“Copy Zone Settings” from the context menu.

2. Right-click one of the selected zones, and select “Paste Zone Settings” from the

context menu.

Transfer Settings to Mapping

Zones often have varying Fine Tune and Level settings, while other settings stay the same across all zones. To avoid varying Fine Tune and Level settings in the zones, you can transfer these settings to the Tune and Gain parameter of the mapping.

1. Right-click the program or the layers and zones.

2. Open the “Transfer Settings to Mapping” submenu and specify which settings to

transfer: “Select All” to transfer Fine Tune and Level at the same time or select “Fine Tune” or “Level” to transfer them individually.

• The corresponding zone settings are transferred to the mapping and reset to their default afterwards.

Using the Program Tree

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Applying Layer Settings to Zones

In some cases it can be helpful to apply the layer settings to the zones they contain.

1. Open the context menu in the Program Tree and select “Apply Layer Settings to

Zones”.

2. Select which settings to apply. You can either apply all settings at once or one of

the following settings individually: Key Range, Velocity Range, Fine Tune, and Level Pan.

All layer offsets are now calculated into the correspondent zone settings and then reset to a neutral position.

Example: A program contains layers that are limited to a specific key range. The contained

zones, however, use the full key range. In this case, all these zones fill the whole key range in the mapping editor and it is impossible to see their real limitations. To solve this, use the “Apply Layer Settings to Zones – Key Range” option so that the zones inherit the limits of the layers. The layers themselves are reset to the complete key range. Now, you can see the key range in the mapping.

Making Selections

The selection you make in the Program Tree defines which part of the program can be edited in HALion. The editors automatically follow the selection and display the available parameters. The name of the selected entry is marked in blue. If several elements are selected, the one with the focus is available for editing. It is indicated by an orange frame around its name. Any editing you perform always applies to the selection.

Selecting Elements

• To select an element, click on it.

• Use [Shift] and [Ctrl]/[Command] to select a range of elements.

• To select all zones within the same layer, double-click one of its zones.

• To select all elements of a layer, double-click the layer.

• To select the entire content of a program, open the context menu, select the

Selection submenu, and choose “Select All”.

• To select all subentries of an element, open the context menu, select the Selection submenu, and choose “Select Tree”.

Using the Selection Filter

The Selection Filter lets you select a group of elements by double-clicking on a program, layer, or zone. By default, a double-click selects all elements of the Program Tree.

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The Selection Filter can be set to select only zones, layers, effects, MIDI modules, or busses. Different icons indicate which Selection Filter is active.

• To select a Selection Filter, click on the Selection Filter icon, and choose an option.

Expanding and Collapsing the Tree

Navigating in the Program Tree

• To show or hide the content of a layer, click the plus or minus sign in front of the icon.

• To expand or collapse an entire layer, including any sub-layers, open the context menus for the layer, and select “Expand Tree” or “Collapse Tree”.

Navigating in the Program Tree

When the Program Tree has the window focus, you can use the arrow keys for navigating in the Program Tree.

• When a single entry is selected, use the up and down arrow keys to select the previous or next entry, respectively.

• To open or close a selected layer, use the right or left arrow key, respectively.

• To expand the selection, use the up/down arrow keys while holding [Shift].

• With multiple entries selected, use the up and down arrow keys to set the focus to

the previous or next selected entry.

If the Program Tree does not have the window focus, you can use the hotkeys [W], [A], [D], and [X] to navigate in it.

• To select the previous or next element in the Program Tree, press [W] or [X], respectively.

• To open or close the focused layer, press [D] or [A], respectively.

• If you are working with undocked views that have a Program Tree of their own, the

hotkeys are applied to the view that has the window focus, provided the lock icon is activated.

Editing the Focused Entry

The Sound editor automatically shows the parameters of the focused entry, such as a zone or layer. By using the Sound editor together with the Program Tree, you can easily access and edit all parts of the program.

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Muting, Soloing, and Hiding

By muting, soloing, or hiding layers and zones, you can focus on editing certain parts of the program.

In addition, the Program Tree allows you to list a customizable set of zone parameters. This way, you can compare values between different zones directly in the Program Tree.

Muting Layers, Zones, and the Program

Layers and zones that are muted are not output when you hit a key. For muted zones or layers the Mute icon turns yellow. When a muted program or layer contains zones, these zones are muted as well. This is indicated by an orange Mute icon in front of the zones.

• To mute an element in the Program Tree, click the Mute icon in front of it. The corresponding icon turns yellow.

• To reset the muting settings, click the Mute icon on the toolbar.

• To mute the selected zones, open the context menu of the Program Tree, open the

Mute/Solo submenu, and select “Mute Selected Zones”.

• To mute all zones, open the context menu of the Program Tree, open the Mute/Solo submenu, and select “Mute All Zones”. The program itself and any of its layers are not muted by this.

Muting, Soloing, and Hiding

Soloing Layers, Zones, and the Program

When a layer or zone is soloed, only that layer or zone can be heard. For soloed zones or layers the Solo icon turns red. When a program or layer contains zones that are soloed, its icon turns pink.

• To solo an element in the Program Tree, click the Solo icon in front of it. The corresponding icon turns red.

• To reset the soloing settings, click the Solo icon on the toolbar.

• To solo the selected zones, open the context menu of the Program Tree, open the

Mute/Solo submenu, and select “Solo Selected Zones”. Alternatively, press [S] on your computer keyboard.

• To solo all zones, open the context menu of the Program Tree, open the Mute/Solo submenu, and select “Solo All Zones”. The program itself and any of its layers are not soloed by this.

Making all Zones Audible Again

• On the context menu, open the Mute/Solo submenu, and select “Make All Zones

Audible”. This resets all mute and solo states for the program.

• Alternatively click the header of the Mute or Solo column to reset all mute or solo states.

Using “Solo Follows Selection”

The “Solo Follows Selection” function on the Mute/Solo submenu automatically solos the layers and zones you select. Other parts of the program are muted. This is useful if you want to switch between layers and zones and only have the current selection played back.

Using the Program Tree

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Using the Visibility Settings

Hidden layers and zones are not displayed in the Mapping editor. Visible zones have an eye icon in the first column of the Program Tree. For invisible

zones or layers the eye icon is dimmed. When a program or layer contains hidden zones, its icon changes to a half dimmed eye.

To hide or show layers and zones, you have the following possibilities:

• Click in the Visibility column for the layer or zone you want to hide or show.

• Use the options on the Visibility submenu of the context menu.

• To show a single layer or zone, [Alt]/[Option]-click its eye icon.

All other layers and zones are hidden.

• To show only the selected layers and zones, press [Ctrl]-[U] (Win) or [Alt]-[U] (Mac).

• To show all layers and zones, press [Shift]-[Ctrl]-[U] (Win) or [Shift]-[Alt]-[U] (Mac).

Using “Auto Visibility”

The “Auto Visibility” automatically shows the selected zones and any of their direct siblings that are part of the same layer. Other zones are hidden.

• To activate Auto Visibility, open the context menu, select the Visibility submenu, and choose Auto Visibility.

Ö With this option active, you can still toggle the visibility of zones inside the visible

layers.

Adding MIDI Modules

MIDI modules process the stream of MIDI events inside a program. They can produce monophonic modulation signals, which can be used as sources in the modulation matrix. The MIDI modules can be assigned to the whole program or a single layer.

To add a module, proceed as follows:

1. With the program or a layer selected, click the “Create New MIDI Module” icon on

the toolbar of the Program Tree.

2. On the menu, select the MIDI module you want to add.

• Alternatively, open the context menu, select New and MIDI Module, and select the module from the submenu.

Adding Insert Effects

To add insert effects to an audio bus, proceed as follows:

• Select the audio bus, click the FX icon on the toolbar, and select the effect you want to add from the menu.

• Alternatively, open the context menu for the audio bus, select New and FX, and select an effect from the submenu.

Changing the Order of MIDI Modules and Insert Effects

The order of MIDI modules and insert effects in the Program Tree also determines the order of the processing. The topmost element is processed first, the lowest last. You can change the order of the elements using drag and drop.

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Adding Audio Busses

If you want to add an insert effect to a program or layer, it has to contain an audio bus.

• To create an audio bus, select the program or a layer, and click the “Create New Bus” icon on the toolbar.

• Alternatively, open the context menu for the program or layer, open the New submenu, and select Bus.

Customizing the Program Tree

By default, the Program Tree has the columns Visibility, Mute, Solo, and Name. You can add further columns that show more information.

The following columns can be added to the Program Tree:

Column Description

Velocity Range This shows the velocity range of the zones. Key Range This shows the key range of the zones. Root Key This shows the root key of the zones. Tune This shows the tune offset of sample zones. Normally, Tune

Gain This shows the gain offset of sample zones. Normally, Gain

File Size This shows the size of the samples as stored on the hard

Preload This shows the amount of preload per sample. Mute This shows the Mute column. Solo This shows the Solo column. Visibility This shows the Visibility column. Learn Zone Parameter To display a zone parameter in a column, use this option.

Adding Audio Busses

is set in the Mapping editor.

disk. Programs and layers show the sum of the samples they contain.

Configuring Columns

• To add a column, right-click the column header and select the element you want to

show.

• To remove a column, right click the column header and select Remove.

You can also add a zone parameter as a column using the Learn function. Proceed as follows:

1. Right-click the column header, and choose “Learn Zone Parameter”.

The mouse pointer changes to a question mark to indicate that HALion is in Learn mode.

2. In the editor for the zone, click the parameter that you want to add as a column in

the Program Tree.

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Sorting Layers and Zones

You can change the sorting order of layers and zones using the Sorting Options submenu on the context menu for the column or manually via drag and drop.

Sorting by Columns

The layers and zones in the Program Tree can be sorted according to columns in ascending or descending order. The triangle in the header of a column indicates that the sorting via this column is active. The tip of the triangle points up for ascending and down for descending order.

• To activate the sorting via a column, click the header of the corresponding column.

• To switch between ascending and descending order, click the header of the

column again.

• To deactivate the sorting via the column, click a third time.

Sorting the Name Column

By default, the Name column is sorted in alphabetical order. However, you can change the sorting according to pitch, velocity, or root key.

• To change the sorting, open the context menu, select Sorting Options and choose an option.

Customizing the Program Tree

Changing the Sorting Order Manually

Samples are imported and shown in a certain order. When the column sorting is not activated for a column, you can change the order manually using drag and drop.

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Global Functions and Settings

Introduction

This chapter describes global functions and settings in HALion.

The Plug-in Functions Section

The top section of the HALion window contains the plug-in functions section. This section gives you access to functions that affect both the loaded programs, and the plug-in in general.

The Plug-in Name

If you click the program name on the left, the About box opens. It contains information regarding the version and build number of the plug-in. Use this information to verify if your software is up-to-date. To close the about box, click on it or press [Esc] on your computer keyboard.

The Program Slot Section

The program slot shows the program that is selected in the Slot Rack. The slot parameters are the same as in the Slot Rack, see

In addition, the following parameters are available:

Program Icon

The program icon on the left shows to which sound category a program belongs, if a category is set.

Slot Number

• Click the slot number and select a slot.

“The Slot Rack” on page 18.

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The Master Section

The master section can be used to set up volume and tuning for the plug-in.

Master Volume

Use the Master Volume slider to adjust the overall volume.

Master Tune

You can set the Master Tune slider within a range from 415.3 Hz to 466.2 Hz (-100

cents to +100 cents). The default value is 440 Hz.

The Performance Displays

The Plug-in Functions Section

The performance displays to the right of the master section provide information about the current system load.

CPU

This meter shows the processor load during playback. The more voices you play, the higher the processor load. If the red overload indicator lights up, reduce the Max Voices setting in the Options editor (see

Disk

This meter shows the hard disk transfer load during the streaming of samples or when loading presets. If the red overload indicator lights up, the hard disk is not supplying data fast enough. In such a case, adjust the Disk vs. RAM slider in the Options editor towards RAM or decrease the Max Voices setting in the Options editor.

# – Polyphony

The first number indicates the number of voices currently played back, to help you trace performance problems. If you have to reduce the Max Voices setting in the Options editor, you can verify your settings by monitoring the number of voices currently playing. The second number indicates the number of audio channels. For example, one stereo voice displays two audio channels.

MEM (Memory)

This display indicates the overall amount of RAM currently used by the plug-in, to help you trace performance problems. The number refers to the streaming buffer and the preloaded samples. For example, if you need to free up memory for other applications, you can do so by adjusting the Balance slider in the Options editor towards Disk and verify your settings by monitoring the MEM display.

“Max Voices” on page 48).

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Page 45

The Toolbar

Missing

Busses

Find Missing

Samples

Insert Effects/ AUX Effects/ FlexPhrasers

RAM Save

Enable MIDI Mapping Selection Options

Undo/RedoMIDI

Reset

The toolbar is situated below the plug-in functions section. On the left, controls for loading multi-programs are located, see these you find two buttons for managing screen sets, see “Screen Sets” on page 14.

The right section of the toolbar contains various buttons with useful global functions.

Missing Busses

The Toolbar

“Managing Multis” on page 21. To the right of

If one or more bus connections could not be established, this button allows you to open the Pending Busses dialog. Here you can select alternative busses to be used instead, see

“Automatic Output Connection” on page 161.

Find Missing Samples

If you load a program that cannot find all samples that it uses, the “Find Missing Samples” dialog opens, see dialog without resolving all missing samples, this button becomes available. It allows you to open the “Find Missing Samples” dialog after you have loaded a program.

“Finding Missing Samples” on page 70. If you close this

Global Insert Effects/AUX Effects/FlexPhrasers

Use these buttons to switch off all insert effects, all AUX effects, or all FlexPhrasers for the plug-in at once. You can use this feature to compare sounds with and without effects, for example.

RAM Save Mode

The RAM Save function can be helpful for optimizing the performance of your system. It scans the playback of your project and unloads unused samples. Proceed as follows:

1. Click the RAM Save button.

2. In the dialog, click Yes to start collecting the necessary samples.

The RAM Save button starts blinking.

3. Play back the project in your host application from the beginning to the end or to

the point where no new notes are played.

4. Click the RAM Save button again.

A dialog opens asking if you want to unload all unused samples.

5. Click Yes to unload the unused samples.

If you click Yes, the button lights up, to indicate that RAM Save mode is active.

• To deactivate RAM Save and reload the unused samples, click the RAM Save button again.

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Ö RAM Save mode always keeps samples that are within the range of the highest and

Pitchbend

wheel

Modulation wheel

Ö If a program randomly triggers notes (for example different guitar slide noises), it is

MIDI Select

MIDI Reset

The Keyboard Editor

lowest note of the played programs. This also applies for unused expression layers that can be controlled via key switches. This allows you to switch between expressions within the valid note range after applying RAM Save mode.

possible that these notes are not triggered during the RAM Save analysis process, and the samples are therefore removed. To prevent this, make sure that the highest required note is manually triggered during the RAM Save analysis.

When this option is activated, played MIDI notes can be used to select zones. This also influences zone parameters displayed in the editors.

This parameter is linked to the corresponding option in the Mapping editor so that you can remote-control the option even if the Mapping editor is not visible, see

Zones with the Mapping Editor Keyboard” on page 143.

Sometimes notes can “hang”, due to the plug-in losing the MIDI connection, or the plug-in receiving wrong MIDI controller data. In such a case, you can “emergency reset” the plug-in.

“Selecting

• Click the MIDI Reset button (the lightning icon) to send an “All Sound Off” and “Reset All Controllers” message to the plug-in.

The plug-in stops playback immediately and resets the controllers to their default values.

Undo/Redo

You can click the Undo/Redo buttons to undo or redo a single step, or you can click the small triangles to open a list of the performed steps, and go back (or forward) to that particular step.

Ö The Undo History can also be opened as a separate editor. This allows for a better

overview over the undo/redo steps.

The Keyboard Editor

The Keyboard editor contains the wheel controls, the sphere control and the internal keyboard.

Wheel Controls

To the left of the internal keyboard, the pitchbend wheel and the modulation wheel are located.

The modulation wheel is hardwired to MIDI controller #1 which is normally used as a source in the modulation matrix, but can be used as a quick control as well. Typically, you assign the modulation wheel to a parameter of an insert effect, such as the speed of the Rotary effect.

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Internal Keyboard

The internal keyboard in HALion spans the entire MIDI note range from C-2 to G8. You can use it for several purposes. The simplest one is to trigger notes just as playing them on a MIDI keyboard, but you can also drop samples onto it to import and map samples.

Display Options

You can resize the internal keyboard horizontally and vertically. A vertical resize changes the size of the individual keys and a horizontal resize defines how many octaves are visible. When the horizontal size is not sufficient to display all octaves you can use the left/right arrow buttons to both sides of the keys to shift the visible range by octaves.

For each key, the keyboard indicates whether a sample is mapped to it. Empty keys are displayed in light gray.

The Keyboard Editor

The following color scheme is used for the keys:

Color Description

Yellow A key switch is assigned to that key. Beige A remapped key switch is assigned to that key. Red The key is assigned to an expression in the Layer Alternate MIDI module. Blue The key is assigned to a trigger pad. Green A loop trigger note is assigned to that key.

Triggering Notes

The vertical position where you click the key defines the velocity that is used to trigger a note. Click on the lower end of a key to use the highest velocity, and click on the upper end of a key to use the lowest velocity.

• Right-click a key to open a context menu that contains information about the key.

You can import samples to a specific key (or key range) by dragging them onto the keyboard, see

Sphere Control

The “Assigned Zones” submenu displays the names of all zones that are mapped to this key, allowing you to select a zone. The Info submenu shows pitch and velocity information. Select “Clear key” to remove all assignments.

“Importing and Exporting Samples” on page 66.

The Sphere is a two-dimensional control. It allows you to adjust two parameters simultaneously, by dragging the mouse horizontally (Sphere H) and vertically (Sphere Sphere, such as cutoff and resonance.

The small triangles for indicating the horizontal and vertical axis are only available if parameters are assigned to Sphere H and V.

You can reset the sphere to the center position using the corresponding options on the context menu.

V). Typically, two parameters that belong together are assigned to the

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The Options Editor

The Options editor contains global settings regarding performance issues, global functions, and MIDI controllers.

The Options Editor

Performance Section

This section contains settings to optimize the overall CPU performance of HALion.

Max Voices

This specifies a maximum number of voices that a plug-in instance of HALion can play back simultaneously. As soon as the limit is reached, HALion starts “stealing” voices.

Max CPU

To avoid clicks caused by CPU overload, you can specify a maximum limit for the CPU load of the plug-in instance in percent. When the limit is reached, HALion automatically starts stealing voices. At a setting of 100

Because HALion needs some time to react, you can get CPU peaks that exceed the limit you specified, which can lead to artifacts such as audio drop-outs. Therefore, it is advisable to set the Max CPU value a bit lower than actually needed.

Voice Fade Out

This adjusts the fade out time for voices that need to be stolen because the Max Voices or the Max CPU setting of the plug-in instance is reached.

Osc ECO Mode

When this is activated, the oscillators of synth layers run in ECO mode, and use less CPU. This allows you to play more voices, but also produces more aliasing at higher pitches.

%, no voices are stolen.

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The Options Editor

Multi Loading

Normally, when loading multi-programs, the previous multi is kept in the RAM until the new multi has been completely loaded. Therefore, replacing a large multi by another can lead to RAM overload on 32-bit systems.

• To clear a multi before loading a new one, select “Clear before” on the “Multi Loading” pop-up menu.

Ö When “Clear before” is selected and you cancel the loading process, an empty multi

is loaded.

Multi-Core

On the Multi-Core pop-up menu, you can specify how many of the available CPU cores of your system can be used by HALion. This allows HALion to compute each program on a different core, for example. The best setting here depends on multiple factors, and varies from system to system, and project to project. A good starting point is to set this value to one core less than the available number of cores.

If problems occur, reduce the number of cores, or set the pop-up menu to Off to deactivate multi-core mode and load multiple instances of HALion instead. This way, the host application distributes the work load across the available cores.

Streaming Section

Some of the programs include up to 1 GB of samples, such as the acoustic piano. This is a large amount of data and your computer cannot load all samples into the RAM, especially if you are using all slots. Instead, HALion only loads the first milliseconds of each sample into the RAM and constantly loads more manageable portions from the hard disk while you play. With every additional note you play, the hard disk load increases, therefore, it is a good idea to load as much material as possible into the RAM beforehand. This, of course, leaves less RAM for other applications. For an optimum performance of your system, you can balance the hard disk versus RAM usage.

Balance

With this slider, you can balance the hard disk versus RAM usage.

• If you need more RAM for other applications, drag the slider to the left towards the Disk setting.

• If your hard disk is not supplying data fast enough, drag the slider to the right towards the RAM setting.

The memory displays are updated accordingly. The Balance setting always applies to all plug-in instances. It is not saved with the

project. You have to set it up only once for your computer system.

Max Preload

This slider determines the maximum amount of RAM that HALion uses for preloading samples. In most cases, the default values are sufficient. However, it may become necessary to reduce this value, for example, when working with other applications or plug-ins that require a lot of memory.

Used Memory and Available Memory

These displays provide information of the memory load in MB according to the current Balance slider setting.

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Edit Section

Ö You can also right-click on the title bar of a section and select the “Auto Collapse

The Options Editor

This section contains some common settings of HALion and you can specify an external wave editor that you want to use for editing your samples.

The settings in the Edit section are not saved with a particular project, but affect HALion as a whole.

Show Tooltips

Activates and deactivates the tooltips.

Show Value Tooltips

When this is activated, parameters without a value field indicate their value in a tooltip when you use the control.

Auto Collapse Sections

By default, all collapsable sections can be freely collapsed and expanded. Activate “Auto Collapse Sections” to automatically collapse all other sections when expanding a specific section.

Sections” option.

Restore Screen Set

This option restores the corresponding screen set when loading a multi.

Ö In a VST 2 or AU environment, screen sets and windows are always restored when

loading a multi.

Undo Steps

This option determines the number of undo steps that are memorized in the undo history. Set this value to infinite (Maximum) to realize unlimited undo. Keep in mind that the more undo steps in the history, the more RAM is used up.

Key Commands

This opens the Key Commands dialog. For detailed information, see “Using Key

Commands” on page 59.

External Wave Editor

HALion allows you to specify an external sample editor application that can be used to perform destructive offline editing on a sample, for example applying EQs, filtering, or denoising.

Here, you can specify which application to use. You can either type in the path manually or click the Browse button to navigate to the corresponding application folder. For more information, see

Temp Folder

Here, you can specify a temp folder for exchanging samples between HALion and the external editor.

“Editing Samples in an External Editor” on page 149.

Update Sample

Here, you can specify the behavior of HALion when a sample is saved in the external editor. The following options are available:

Option Description

Ask When switching back to HALion, you are asked whether the changed

sample should replace the current sample.

Always HALion accepts the modified sample.

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The Options Editor

Option Description

With Backup HALion accepts the modified sample and automatically creates a

backup of the old sample file.

Never Modified samples are never accepted automatically. You have to

import the modified sample manually from the temp folder.

Temp Cleanup

After a certain period of time, HALion removes temporary sample files from the temp folder. The Temp Cleanup option allows you to specify how HALion handles these samples. The following options are available:

Option Description

Ask You are prompted to confirm the cleanup of the temp folder. Always Always removes temporary files without further notice. If a file cannot

be deleted, an error message is shown.

Ignore Error Always removes temporary files without further notice. If a file cannot

be deleted, no error message is shown.

Never Temporary files are never deleted. You have to delete them manually.

Import Section

Here, you can specify which zone templates to use when importing samples. For example, by specifying different headroom settings for single and multiple samples, you can import single drum loop samples without headroom and multiple instrument samples including their headroom settings, which are required for polyphonic playback.

MIDI Controller Section

Here, you can make MIDI controller settings.

Controller Assignment

• To restore the factory MIDI controller assignments, click the “Reset to Factory”

button.

• To save the current MIDI controller assignments as default, click the “Save as Default” button.

“Save as Default” does not include any of the MIDI controller assignments of the AUX effects.

The MIDI controller mapping is saved with each project. This allows you to transfer your settings to other systems. The project includes the MIDI controller assignments of the AUX effects as well.

Receive Program Changes

Activate this option if you want HALion to respond to program change messages. These are generally used by General MIDI (GM) files, for example.

Receive RPNs 0/1/2

GM files can contain information about pitchbend range, coarse tuning, and fine tuning. This information is transmitted as RPNs (Registered Parameter Numbers). Activate this option if you want HALion to respond to RPNs.

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The Options Editor

Smoothing

MIDI controllers have a maximum resolution of 128 steps. This is rather low. When you use a MIDI controller as a modulation source in the modulation matrix or to remote-control a quick control, the parameter does not change smoothly, which can produce an effect often referred to as “zipper noise”. To avoid this, HALion offers MIDI controller smoothing.

• Turn the control to the left to increase controller smoothing. Parameter changes triggered by MIDI controllers are less immediate.

• Turn the control to the right to decrease controller smoothing. This way, parameters respond faster to MIDI controllers.

Velocity Note-On to Note-Off

Some keyboards do not transmit note-off velocity messages. If this option is activated, the played note-on velocity value is also used as note-off velocity for the notes.

FlexPhraser Hold Reset

Sends a global Hold Reset message to all FlexPhraser modules that are used in HALion.

The Reset Controller pop-up menu allows you to assign a dedicated MIDI controller to the FlexPhraser Hold Reset button for remote-controlling it.

Performance Meter Section

The Performance Meter section provides a variety of performance relevant information. Each meter displays the current value, the peak value, and a curve showing the changes over time. To reset all peaks, click the reset button (the lightning icon) in the title bar of the section. The following values are displayed:

Option Description

Voices The number of played voices. Streamed MB/s The quantity of sample data that is streamed from the hard

CPU Avg Load The average CPU load. CPU Peak Load The CPU peak load. Dropout/s The number of dropouts per second. (This can be an indicator

Preload Memory The quantity of samples loaded into the RAM of your

disk.

for hard disks that are too slow.)

computer.

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Quick Controls

Quick controls allow you to remote-control any parameter inside the program. For each program and layer, eight quick controls are available. Furthermore, “Sphere H”, “Sphere V”, and the modulation wheel can also serve as quick controls.

The quick controls can be accessed via the Quick Controls editor for a program or layer.

Assigning Quick Controls

You can assign quick controls to a parameter of the program or one of its layers, to zones inside a program or layer, or to parameters of a MIDI module or an effect.

Proceed as follows:

1. In the Program Tree, select the element that you want to remote-control via a quick

control.

2. Open the Sound editor.

Quick Controls

3. Right-click the control to which you want to assign a quick control and open the

Assign Quick Control submenu.

4. On the submenu for the program or layer, select the quick control that you want to

assign.

Ö You can assign the same quick control to different parameters. This allows you to

make complex sound settings with a single control. However, you cannot assign different quick controls to the same parameter.

• To remove a quick control assignment, right-click the control, and select “Forget Quick Control”.

• To unassign a quick control in the Quick Control Assignments section, select the quick control that you want to edit in the list on the left, right-click its assignment in the list to the right, and select “Remove Assignment”.

Single Assignment vs. Multi Assignment

You can assign a quick control to a single parameter of a zone or module (single assignment) or to the same parameter of all zones inside a layer (multi assignment).

• Single assignments override multi assignments. For example, if a quick control remote-controls the cutoff of all zones inside a layer and you assign the cutoff of one of these zones to another quick control, the multi assignment is overridden by this single assignment.

• If you remove a single assignment from a parameter of a zone that is part of a layer that has a multi assignment on the same parameter of all other zones, the zone becomes part of the multi assignment again.

• If you add another zone to a layer that has a multi assignment, the added zone gets the same quick control assignments as the other zones of that layer.

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Managing Quick Controls

The Quick Control Assignments section in the Sound editor for programs and layers allows you to manage and edit assigned quick controls. The eight quick controls are listed on the left. The assignments of the selected quick control are listed on the right. Each assignment is displayed in a separate row with parameters to adjust the behavior of the quick control assignment.

Ö If the selected quick control has no assignments, the list on the right is empty.

Naming Quick Controls

1. Open the Quick Control Assignments section of the program or layer that holds

the quick control.

2. In the Name column in the section on the left, click the quick control you want to

rename, and enter a new name.

Quick Controls

Ö You can also enter the name for a quick control in the Quick Controls editor.

Duplicating Quick Controls

You can duplicate a quick control assignment using the “Duplicate Assignment” command on the context menu for the quick control.

Changing the Order of Quick Control Assignments

Drag an assignment between two other quick controls. When a line is shown, release the mouse button to insert the quick control assignment.

Replacing Quick Control Assignments

Drag an assignment onto another quick control. When a rectangle is shown, release the mouse button to replace the quick control assignment.

Assigning Quick Controls to Another Parameter

In the Quick Control Assignments section, you can reassign a quick control to another parameter.

Proceed as follows:

1. Select the quick control that you want to edit.

2. In the list on the right, click the parameter name to open the pop-up menu, and

select a parameter from the menu.

You can only select parameters within the same layer, zone or module. In other words, if the quick control is assigned to a layer parameter, you cannot reassign it to a zone parameter.

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Setting the Scope of Quick Control Assignments

By default, all zones inside the layer that the quick control belongs to respond to the quick control. To prevent zones inside a program from responding to the quick control, you can change the scope of the quick control for a single layer or zone.

The pop-up menu in the middle of each assignment row displays which part of the program is affected by this quick control assignment. If the name of a zone or module is displayed here, only that zone or module is affected by the quick control assignment. If the name of the program or one of its layers is displayed, all zones inside the program or layer are affected. You can change which part of the program is affected by selecting the corresponding option from the pop-up menu.

When a quick control is assigned to a parameter of the program or one of its layers, the scope of that assignment is always that program or layer only. Any layers from deeper hierarchy levels are not affected by the quick control. This behavior is different to assignments that apply to zone parameters: Assignments for all zones inside a program or layer always affect the zones that are on a deeper hierarchy level, too.

You can also deactivate the “Receive Quick Controls” button for certain layers, see

“Receiving Quick Controls” on page 56.

Quick Controls

Setting the Minimum/Maximum Range

You can set the minimum and maximum range for each assignment separately. This gives you better control over the parameter change.

You can set the range for a control either by specifying a minimum and maximum value on the context menu of the control itself, or by using the corresponding value fields in the Quick Control Assignments section. To edit the range graphically, click and drag the blue handles in the curve display.

Trimming the Range

The Trim Range function allows you to optimize the quick control range depending on the current parameter value.

Proceed as follows:

1. Right-click the assignment in the list on the right.

2. To trim the range of a single assignment, select “Trim Range”. To trim the range of

all quick controls, select “Trim Range of all Quick Controls”.

3. The minimum and maximum values are set automatically. Whenever you change the original parameter, you have to apply the Trim Range

function again to guarantee the best control range.

Setting the Default Range

This function sets the quick control to the maximum possible range. Proceed as follows:

1. In the Quick Control Assignments section, right-click the assignment on the right.

2. To set the default range of a single assignment, select “Set Default Range”. To set

the default range of all quick controls, select “Set Default Range of all Quick Controls”.

As soon as you change the original parameter in the editor section again, the Set Default Range function has to be reapplied to guarantee the best control range.

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Adjusting the Curvature

You can adjust the curvature of each assignment separately. Proceed as follows:

1. On the left of the Quick Controls Assignment section, select the quick control you

want to edit.

2. On the right, specify the curvature in the value field between the minimum and

maximum value field. Positive values change the curvature towards logarithmic and negative values

towards exponential behavior.

You can also edit the curvature graphically in the display on the right by dragging it up and down.

Setting the Behavior of Quick Control Assignments

A quick control behaves either as continuous control or as a switch. In addition, it remote-controls a parameter either in relative or absolute mode. Relative mode changes the values of the assigned parameters without loosing their relative settings. Absolute mode changes the assigned parameters by overwriting them with the current quick control value. You can specify a mode for each assignment. You can set the behavior in the context menu for the control itself or via the pop-up menu in the Quick Control Assignments section.

Quick Controls

The following options are available:

Option Description

Relative Remote-controls the parameter values continuously.

Absolute Remote-controls the parameter values continuously.

Switch Relative Switches between the minimum and maximum value.

Switch Absolute Switches between the minimum and maximum value.

Receiving Quick Controls

In the upper right corner of the Quick Control Assignments section the Receive Quick Controls button is located. Use this button to determine whether zones inside a layer respond to quick controls. This includes any single and multi assignment to zones. Quick control assignments belonging to the layer itself are not affected.

This is useful if you assigned quick controls to the whole program and you want to exclude parts of it, such as the layer containing the instrument noises.

Proceed as follows:

1. In the Program Tree, select the program or layer that you want to respond to the

quick controls.

2. In the Quick Control Assignments section, click the “Receive Quick Controls”

button (the antenna icon). When the Antenna button is activated, zones inside a layer respond to quick

controls from outside.

Parameter changes can still be heard.

Parameter changes are overwritten.

Parameter changes can still be heard.

Parameter changes are overwritten.

Bypassing Quick Controls

To hear a sound without quick control assignments, bypass them temporarily by clicking the corresponding Mute button in the Quick Control Assignments section.

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Assigning Quick Controls in the Modulation Matrix

In addition to assigning the quick controls directly to parameter controls, you can also assign them as source or modifier in the modulation matrix. This way, you can combine the quick control with other modulation sources.

Proceed as follows:

1. In the Program Tree, select the zones you want to edit. Make sure that the zones

are part of the program or layer with the quick controls you want to use.

2. In the Sound editor, open the Modulation Matrix section.

3. On the pop-up menu in the Source/Modifier column, open the Assign Quick

Control submenu, and select the quick control. The submenu lists only the quick controls that belong to the same layer or that are

on a higher hierarchy level.

AI-Knob Support

HALion can be controlled with the ai-knob of Steinberg’s CC121, CI 2, and CI2+ controller units.

AI-Knob Support

• To change a parameter value, move the mouse pointer over the control you want to change and turn the ai-knob to set the value.

Ö Certain parameters cannot be controlled by the ai-knob due to internal differences in

parameter resolution. For example, sample marker positions cannot be changed with the ai-knob because their ranges vary too much.

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Introduction

This chapter describes common editing methods in HALion.

Using Controls in HALion

Knobs and Sliders

Most of the editing methods are the same for knobs and sliders. The following applies:

• You can adjust the value by clicking on a knob or fader, and dragging up and down, or by using the mouse wheel.

• When you press [Alt]/[Option] and click on a knob, a small fader appears, allowing you to set the parameter.

Common Editing Methods

• Press [Shift] and move the knob or use the mouse wheel to make fine adjustments.

• Press [Ctrl]/[Command] and click on a control to restore the default value.

• Knobs 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.

• To navigate to the next parameter, press [Tab]. To jump backwards to the previous parameter, press [Shift]-[Tab].

Ö When no parameter is selected inside a focused view, pressing [Tab] always jumps to

the very first parameter.

Multi Selection and Parameter Controls

When several zones are selected and they do not share the exact same values, most of the controls indicate this by turning entirely or partially red. This is true for knobs, On/Off buttons, combo boxes, value fields and text faders.

For example, if you have selected 3 zones with cutoff frequency values of 1200, 1400, and 2500 The corresponding field shows the value of the focused zone in red.

Ö More complex controls (for example the envelope editors) only show the values of the

focused zone. You can adjust the value range of a parameter using the corona of the knob. The

values for the zones are distributed within the new range, keeping their relative distances.

• Drag the corona to compress or expand the value range.

• [Ctrl]/[Command]-drag the corona to adjust the upper limit of the range.

Hz, the corona of the frequency knob shows a range from 1200 to 2500.

• [Alt]/[Option]-drag the corona to adjust the lower limit of the range.

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On/Off Buttons

These controls normally know two states, Off and On. When you move the mouse over an On/Off button, it changes its appearance to show that you can click it.

Push Buttons

In contrast to an On/Off button, a push button only triggers an action and then goes back to its inactive state. Such buttons can be found in several places for opening menus or file dialogs.

Value Fields

You have the following options:

• To type in a value, click in the value field, start typing, and press [Enter].

• Click in the value field and drag up or down to change the value.

• Position the mouse over the value field and use the mouse wheel to adjust the

Using Key Commands

If the entered value exceeds the parameter range, it is automatically set to the maximum value.

value.

• [Ctrl]/[Command]-click a value field to set it to the default value.

• [Alt]/[Option]-click a value field to bring up a fader.

• Click the up/down triangles next to the field to adjust the value.

You can adjust musical values, such as key ranges or the root key, using your MIDI keyboard.

• To enter a value with your MIDI keyboard, double-click the value field, press a key on your MIDI keyboard, and press [Return].

Using Key Commands

Key commands can be assigned to most operations that can be performed via the standalone panel of HALion. The Key Commands dialog contains a list of all available commands, arranged in a hierarchical way. When you open a category folder by clicking the “+” sign beside it, the items and functions it contains are displayed with the assigned key commands.

• To open the Key Commands dialog, open the Options editor, and click the corresponding button in the Edit section.

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Setting Up Key Commands

Load Preset Save

Delete

1. In the Commands list on the left, select a category.

2. Click the “+” sign to open the category folder.

You can also click the global “+” and “-” signs in the top left corner to open and close all category folders simultaneously.

3. Select the item to which you want to assign a key command.

Assigned key commands are shown in the Keys column and in the Keys section in the top right corner.

4. Click in the “Type in Key” field, and enter a new key command.

You can choose any single key or a combination of one or several modifier keys plus any key.

5. Click the Assign button above the field to assign the key command to the function.

The new key command is displayed in the Keys list.

6. Click OK to close the dialog.

Ö You can set up several key commands for the same function.

Working with Presets

Searching for Functions

• To search for a specific function, enter its name in the search field at the top of the

dialog, and click the search button.

Removing Key Command Assignments

• To remove a key command assignment, select the corresponding command in the

Commands list, select the key command in the Keys list, and click the Delete button (trash icon).

Working with Presets

HALion offers two types of presets: Firstly, there are section and module presets that allow you to store and recall the setup of a specific user interface component. Secondly, there are VST presets that allow you to store and recall the settings relating to a program. During the setup, HALion installs its factory presets in a dedicated folder and creates a user folder for your own presets. The handling of presets is the same throughout HALion.

Ö Factory presets are write-protected, but may be overwritten when a software update

is executed. Presets in your user folder are never changed by the software.

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Section and Module Presets

MIDI and effect modules as well as many sections in the Sound editor, such as the LFO and the Step Modulator sections, come with their own preset controls.

Loading Presets

The available presets can be selected from the presets pop-up menu at the top right of the section module.

Saving Presets

1. Click the Save button (disk icon) to open a file dialog.

2. Name the preset and click Save to save the parameter set as a preset.

Ö You can modify a factory preset and save it under the same name in your user folder.

Deleting Presets

You can only delete user presets.

1. Click the Delete button (trash icon).

2. Click Yes to confirm.

Working with Presets

VST Presets

Loading VST Presets

When you load a VST preset, the current program is replaced. Proceed as follows:

1. On the Program Tree toolbar, click the Load icon.

2. Select a VST preset and click OK.

Inserting VST Presets as Layers

1. Right-click the program or layer for which you want to insert the VST preset, open

the “Load/Save” submenu, and select “Load to new Layer”.

2. Select a VST preset and click OK.

The program is inserted as an additional layer.

• Alternatively, drag the VST preset from the MediaBay or file browser into the Program Tree, and drop it on a layer.

Replacing Programs and Layers with VST Presets

1. Right-click the program or layer you want to replace.

2. Open the “Load/Save” submenu, and select “Replace Program” or “Replace

Layer”.

3. Select a VST preset and click OK.

• Alternatively, drag the VST preset from the MediaBay or file browser into the Program Tree, and drop it on a program or layer.

Reverting to the Last Saved Program

• To revert to the last saved version of a program, open the context menu for the

program, choose the Load/Save submenu, and select “Revert to last Saved Program”.

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Using Automation

You can automate any program that is loaded into a slot. Each slot has its own set of automation parameters, that means, Mute, Solo, Level, and Pan. In addition, you can automate the Quick Controls of the program. You can access the automation parameters from the automation track of your sequencer software.

Automation Parameters

Each slot offers the following pre-assigned automation parameters:

Parameter Description

Mute This automates the Mute button of the corresponding slot. Solo This automates the Solo button of the corresponding slot. Level This automates the loudness of the corresponding slot. Pan This automates the panorama position of the corresponding

Quick Controls 1-8 This automates the Quick Controls 1 to 8 of the program that

Using Automation

slot.

is loaded into the slot.

Using Effects

HALion features AUX busses that can be used to realize classical send effects. All slot, program, and layer busses as well as zones can send signal portions to these busses. Each bus hosts up to eight insert effects, which allows you to set up complex effects. The busses are then routed to either the main plug-in output or to one of the individual outputs. Furthermore, the Mixer provides access to the master output bus. These can be used to add a global EQ or compressor to the signal chain, for example.

In the Mixer, you can set up insert effects for AUX busses.

Using the Insert Effect Slots

All busses, including the master bus, have eight slots for insert effects. The handling is the same for all slots:

• To assign an insert effect, click the effect slot, and select an effect from the pop-up menu.

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• To remove an insert effect, click the effect slot, and select None from the pop-up menu.

The effect is removed, including its settings.

• To bypass an insert effect, click the bypass button in front of the effect name. The bypass is active when the button lights up yellow.

• To edit an insert effect, click the “e” button of the corresponding slot. You can edit only one effect at a time. The parameters of the corresponding insert

effect are displayed in the bottom section.

Changing the Output Assignments

• To change the output assignment of an AUX bus, open the Output pop-up menu,

and select a different output.

Adjusting the Output Levels

• Move the fader of the AUX bus.

• Alternatively, double-click the value in the field below the fader, and enter a new

value.

Using MIDI Modules

Muting AUX Busses

• To mute an AUX bus, click the Mute icon.

The icon turns yellow.

The Master Effect Bus

The master bus works similar to the AUX busses. The only difference you will find is that the master bus has no bus output selector since it is “hard-wired” to the main plug-in output (1/2).

Multi-Channel Effects

HALion comes with a large number of effects that are mainly intended for use on stereo busses. However, most of them can also be used on surround busses. In this case the effect is processed on all channels. When a bus changes from stereo to surround, the effect follows. For effects with level meters, the number of meters is adapted accordingly.

Using MIDI Modules

The MIDI modules available in HALion range from standard modules like an Arpeggiator (the so-called FlexPhraser) to more dedicated modules that trigger specific events or deliver special modulation signals, for example, to control articulations of sampled instruments. In general, MIDI modules process the stream of MIDI events inside a program. In addition, they are able to produce monophonic modulation signals, which can be used as sources in the modulation matrix. MIDI modules can be assigned to the whole program or just a single layer. This way, you can process the MIDI stream of the whole program or just parts of it. To cover more complex tasks, multiple MIDI modules can be assigned in series.

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Inserting a MIDI Module

1. In the Program Tree, select the program or layer where you want to insert the MIDI

module.

2. Right-click to open the context menu, open the New submenu, and select “MIDI

Modules”.

3. Select the MIDI module that you want to insert.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to insert multiple modules in series.

Changing the Order of MIDI Modules

The order of the MIDI modules in the Program Tree has great influence on the processing of the MIDI events.

• To change the order, drag the MIDI modules to new positions in the Program Tree. The routing between the MIDI modules changes accordingly.

Deleting a MIDI Module

1. In the Program Tree, select the MIDI modules that you want to delete.

Using MIDI Modules

2. Open the context menu and select Delete. Alternatively, press Delete on your

computer keyboard.

Bypassing a MIDI Module

Any MIDI module can be bypassed. This way, you can play the layer without the FlexPhraser or the conditions that have been set with the MegaTrig module.

• To bypass a MIDI module, click the crossed out speaker icon in the upper right corner of the caption of the MIDI module.

Assigning MIDI Modules in the Modulation Matrix

Some MIDI modules, like the FlexPhraser, directly process the MIDI events. Other MIDI modules, like True Pedaling, produce modulation signals, which must be assigned in the modulation matrix before they can be used.

To assign a MIDI module as source or modifier in the modulation matrix, proceed as follows:

1. In the Program Tree, select the zones that you want to edit. Make sure that the

zones are part of a program or layer with a MIDI module that produces modulation signals, for example, True Pedaling.

2. Open the Sound editor and show the Modulation Matrix section.

3. On the pop-up menu of the Source/Modifier column, open the Modulation Module

submenu. The submenu lists only the MIDI modules that belong to the same layer or that are

higher up in the hierarchy.

4. On the submenu, select a MIDI module.

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The MIDI Modules Editor

Show MIDI Modules

Contained in the

Corresponding Layer

Show MIDI Modules Higher up in

the Signal Flow

Show MIDI Modules Combined

In the MIDI Modules editor, you can edit the parameters of multiple MIDI modules. Which modules are affected is specified with the buttons at the top of the editor.

Ö If MIDI modules are selected in the Program Tree, only these modules are affected.

Show MIDI Modules Contained in the Corresponding Layer

If you activate this button, the MIDI modules used in the current layer are displayed.

Show MIDI Modules Higher up in the Signal Flow

If you activate this button, the MIDI modules used in the current layer and those used higher up in the signal flow are displayed.

Using MIDI Modules

Show MIDI Modules Combined

When this button is activated, MIDI modules of the same type are combined, allowing you to modify the selected MIDI modules simultaneously. How many instances of a certain type of module are edited, is displayed behind the module name on the title bar. Parameter settings that differ between the MIDI modules are shown in red.

On the “Show Only Selected Module Type” pop-up menu next to the “Show MIDI Modules Combined” button, you can specify which combined MIDI Module type is shown in the editor.

The ABS/REL and SEL/ALL buttons are the same as in the Sound editor, see “Editing

Selected Zones or All Zones” on page 98 and “Absolute and Relative Editing” on page 98.

Ö Parameters in list editors, such as the tuning offsets for each note of the tuning scale,

do not support combined editing.

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Importing Samples

HALion offers convenient functions to import samples and map them automatically on import. You can specify how the samples are mapped and also extract mapping information from sample file and folder names.

You can import samples into HALion using the Import submenu of the Program Tree context menu. In the Import Samples dialog, you can select the samples to import and make mapping settings for them.

Importing and Exporting Samples

The lower section of the Import Samples dialog contains the Mapping Options.

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Only values between 0 and 127 can be extracted as MIDI note numbers for any of the parameters described in the following sections (e. smaller value is used as the lower limit and the higher number as the upper limit (e. “Sample_Name_76-121”).

Setting the Key Range

On the Key Range pop-up menu, the following options are available:

Option Description

From Sample File The samples are mapped to the key range that is saved in the

Text from Sample Name The samples are mapped to the key range that is extracted

Number from Sample Name

From Sample Name Pattern

Root Key Only Each sample is mapped to its root key only. Root Key Fill Centered The samples are mapped to their root key. The zones expand

Root Key Fill Up The samples are mapped to their root key. The zones expand

Root Key Fill Down The samples are mapped to their root key. The zones expand

Chromatic The samples are mapped chromatically to the white and

White Keys The samples are mapped to white keys in ascending order,

Black Keys The samples are mapped to black keys in ascending order,

Fixed The samples are mapped to the key range that you specify

Importing Samples

g. “Number from Sample”). The

file header of the sample. If this does not contain any key range information, the settings for Start and End Key are used instead.

from the name of the sample. This function searches for a key range that is defined in text form, for example “Sample_Name_B2-C#3”.

As above, but instead of searching for text information, this function searches for MIDI note numbers, for example “Sample_Name_59-61”.

The samples are mapped to the key range that is extracted from the name of the sample according to the name pattern you set.

to the left and right from the root key to fill empty spaces.

from the root key upwards to fill empty spaces.

from the root key downwards to fill empty spaces.

black keys in ascending order, starting at the key specified with the Start value. The root key is set accordingly.

starting at the key you set with the Start Key parameter. The root keys are set accordingly.

starting at the key you specify with the Start Key parameter. The root keys are set accordingly.

with the Start and End Key parameters.

Ö The Chromatic, White Keys and Black Keys options alter the root key. All other

options map the root key according to the settings you make on the Root Key menu.

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Setting the Root Key

The Root Key menu and settings allow you to specify how the root key for the samples is obtained. The following options are available:

Option Description

From Sample File The root key is read from the file header. Text from Sample Name The root key is extracted from the file name. This function

Number from Sample Name

From Sample Name Pattern

Fixed The root key is set to a fixed key, specified in the field to the right.

Ö If no root key information is found, the fixed root key is used.

Importing Samples

searches for root key information in text form, for example “Sample_Name_C#3”.

The root key is extracted from the file name, as above, but instead of searching for text information, this function searches for MIDI note numbers, for example “Sample_Name_61”.

The root key is extracted from the sample file name according to the name pattern you set.

Specifying the Velocity Range

You can specify the velocity range for the imported samples using the Vel Range parameters in the Import dialog. The following options are available:

Option Description

From Sample File The samples are mapped to the velocity range saved in the file

header.

From Sample Name The samples are mapped to the velocity range that is extracted

from the file name.

From Sample Name Pattern

From Folder Name The samples are mapped to the velocity range that is extracted

Velocity Layers The samples are layered, that is, distributed evenly over the velocity

Fixed Velocity Range The samples are mapped to the velocity range specified with the

Ö If no information on the velocity range is found, the samples are mapped to the Start

and End Velocity settings instead.

The samples are mapped to the velocity range that is extracted from the file name according to the defined name pattern.

from the sample’s folder name.

range.

Start and End key values.

Obtaining Information from File and Folder Names

Depending on the mapping settings, the information for root key, key range, and velocity range is retrieved differently for file and folder names.

Using Name Patterns

Usually, names of sample files follow a certain naming scheme, for example, “Sample_C3_Key_59-61_Vel_80-100”. You can extract all this information from the sample file name by selecting the “From Sample Name Pattern” option on the Key Range, Root Key, or Vel Range pop-up menus and defining a pattern in the lower part of the Mapping Options section.

You can use the Pattern field to manually edit your pattern and select variables from the pop-up menu to the right. For the Name Pattern to work, your files and folders must be named exactly as defined in the pattern, including underscores, hyphens, etc.

Importing and Exporting Samples

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The following variables are available for building name patterns:

Option Description

Key Low Number $(KeyLow)

Key High Number $(KeyHigh)

Key Low Text $(KeyLowText)

Key High Text $(KeyHighText)

Velocity Low $(VelLow)

Velocity High $(VelHigh)

Root Key Number $(RootKey)

Root Key Text $(RootKeyText)

The MIDI note number is extracted and is used as the lower limit of the key range.

The MIDI note number is extracted and is used as the upper limit of the key range.

The name of the note is extracted and is used as the lower limit of the key range.

The name of the note is extracted and is used as the upper limit of the key range.

The number for the velocity value is extracted and is used as the lower limit of the velocity range.

The number for the velocity value is extracted and is used as upper limit of the velocity range.

The MIDI note number is extracted and is used as the root key.

The name of the note is extracted and is used as the root key.

Importing Samples

Ö Samples can only be mapped correctly on import if all samples follow the same name

pattern. If no matching pattern is found, the samples use the settings for Root Key, Start and End Key and Start and End Velocity instead.

Using the Position Setting

The Position setting determines the position in the file name at which the program searches for the information.

• When this is set to “0”, the entire file name is searched.

• When you select a number from the pop-up menu, the program starts searching

after this number of characters. Every character is taken into account, including spaces.

The Tune and Gain Settings

The file header of the sample can contain information on the tuning and the gain of the sample. On import, this information is retrieved as well.

To switch off reading the Tune and Gain information during import, deactivate the corresponding options below the Pattern field.

Listening to Samples before Import

You can listen to the samples before importing them. The corresponding controls can be found above the Mapping Options section in the Import dialog.

The following controls are available:

Option Description

Play Click the Play button to play back the focused sample. Stop Click the Stop button to stop playback of the sample. The play locator

jumps back to the sample start.

Pause Click the Pause button to stop playback of the sample, click again to

continue playback. Loop Activate the Loop button to play back the sample repeatedly. Auto Play Activate Auto Play to automatically start playback of the selected sample.

Importing and Exporting Samples

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Option Description

Level This fader adjusts the playback level. Position The position slider displays the playback position within the sample. To

Sample Zone Presets

When importing samples, HALion uses a “Default” zone preset. This sets all zone parameters to default values, but excludes sample-specific parameters (Sample Start, Sample End, Loop Start, Loop End, etc.). You can modify this preset in the Sound editor for a zone and save it as “Default” to your user preset directory. HALion then uses this preset instead.

Importing Folders

Usually, sample collections are organized in folder structures, where each velocity layer or each key group is saved in a separate folder. In HALion, you can import complete folders, including their subfolders.

Proceed as follows:

Finding Missing Samples

select another position for playback, click on the slider or drag the handle

to the new position.

1. In the Program Tree, right-click the selected program or layer.

2. On the context menu, open the Import/Export submenu, and select “Import

Folder…”.

3. In the Import Folder dialog, click the button to the right of the Folder field, navigate

to the folder that you want to import, and click OK.

4. Activate “Include Subfolders” to import samples from deeper hierarchy levels too.

5. To create layers that correspond to the hierarchy of the subfolders on disk, activate

“Create Layers from Subfolders”.

6. Set up the Mapping Options as needed.

They are identical to the options in the Import Samples dialog.

7. Click OK.

Finding Missing Samples

There might be situations where loaded programs cannot find the samples they use. This can happen if the referenced samples are located on a different drive and the drive name has changed, or because the program was created on a different computer system.

When this happens, the “Find Missing Sample” dialog opens, showing a list of all samples that are missing, with additional information about the format, size, and creation date. The list groups all samples that are located in the same subfolder.

Entering a Search Path

Below the list you can enter the search path to find the missing samples.

Ö All the subdirectories are searched before the results are displayed, therefore the

search takes longer if you specify entire drives.

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Start the Search

• Once you have specified the search path, click the Start Search button to start the

search process.

If the search only finds a single result for each missing sample, the sample path is automatically corrected in the program and the sample disappears from the “Missing Files” list. If all samples are found, the dialog is closed.

Using Favorite Paths

If a path might be helpful for future searches, you can add it to the search path list. The next time the dialog opens, it allows you to select one or multiple predefined paths to specify which places to include in the search.

• To add a path, click the “+” sign.

Multiple Results

It can happen that samples are found in several places. If this is the case, an additional “Found File” list appears below the “Missing File” list. This shows the available samples and their file locations.

• To select a sample or a complete folder that is to be used to resolve the missing samples, double-click on it in the “Found Files” list.

Each sample or folder that is resolved this way disappears from the “Missing Files” list.

Exporting Samples

Once all samples are resolved the dialog closes.

Search Options

By default, HALion searches for samples that do not only have the same file name, but also correspond in terms of time, size and format information. A sample is considered “found” only if all of the information is identical. However, you can exclude this information by activating the “Ignore File Time and Size” and “Ignore Audio Format” options.

Exporting Samples

Samples can be exported together with the corresponding program or layer as VST presets, or on their own. In both cases, you use the “Export Samples…” option on the Program Tree context menu. For VST presets, the corresponding dialog has additional preset options.

• To export a VST preset, select the program or layer in the Program Tree. On the context menu, open the Import/Export submenu, and select “Export Samples…”.

This opens the Export Preset with Samples dialog.

• To export samples without a preset, select the samples in the Program Tree. On the context menu, open the Import/Export submenu, and select “Export Samples…”.

This opens the Export Samples dialog.

Importing and Exporting Samples

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Exporting Samples

Ö Samples loaded from HSB files or protected VST sound files cannot be exported.

Creating Folders using Variables

You can automatically create folders when exporting samples using variables for the Sample Path.

Proceed as follows:

1. In the Sample Path field, set the cursor at the position where you want to insert the

variable.

2. On the pop-up menu next to the field, select a variable.

3. Where necessary, complete the file path by typing in a back-slash (Win) or a slash

(Mac). You can combine several variables, separating them with hyphens, spaces, etc.

The resulting sample path is displayed in the Example Name field. The following variables are available:

Option Description

Sample Folder $(SampleFolder)

Layer Structure $(Structure)

Layer Name $(Layer)

Program Name $(Program)

Sample Rate $(SampleRate)

Bit Depth $(BitDepth)

Creates a folder with the name of the folder of the original samples.

Creates folders following the structure of the selected program or layer.

Creates a folder with the name of the layer.

Creates a folder with the name of the program.

Creates folders that are named according to the sample rate of the samples.

Creates folders that are named according to the bit depth of the samples.

Importing and Exporting Samples

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Option Description

Date $(Date)

Time $(Time)

Renaming Samples

You can also rename the samples automatically on export using sample name variables. You can combine several variables.

Proceed as follows:

1. In the Sample Name field, set the cursor at the position where you want to insert

the variable.

2. On the pop-up menu next to the field, select a variable.

3. If needed, add further variables. You can combine several variables, separating

them with hyphens, spaces, etc.

The resulting sample name is displayed in the Example Name field.

Exporting Samples

Creates a folder with the name of the current system date (in the format yymmdd).

Creates a folder with the name of the current system time (in the format hhmm).

The following variables are available:

Option Description

Sample Name $(Sample)

Sample Folder $(SampleFolder)

Zone Name $(Zone)

Layer Name $(Layer)

Program Name $(Program)

Key Low Number $(KeyLow)

Key High Number $(KeyHigh)

Key Low Text $(KeyLowText)

Key High Text $(KeyHighText)

Velocity Low $(VelLow)

Velocity High $(VelHigh)

Root Key Number $(RootKey)

Root Key Text $(RootKeyText)

Sample Rate $(SampleRate)

This variable uses the file name of the original sample. Use it if you do not want to modify the sample file names.

The name of the folder of the original samples is used in the file name.

The name of the zone is used in the file name.

The name of the layer is used in the file name.

The name of the program is used in the file name.

The MIDI note number of the lower limit of the key range is used in the file name.

The MIDI note number of the upper limit of the key range is used in the file name.

The name of the note of the lower limit of the key range is used in the file name.

The name of the note of the upper limit of the key range is used in the file name.

The number of the lower limit of the velocity range is used in the file name.

The number of the upper limit of the velocity range is used in the file name.

The MIDI note number of the root key is used in the file name.

The name of the root key is used in the file name. For example, $(Sample)_$(RootKeyText) appends the name of the root key to each sample file name.

The sample rate of the samples is used in the file name.

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Exporting Samples

Option Description

Bit Depth $(BitDepth)

Date $(Date)

Time $(Time)

Example Name Field and Status Messages

The Example Name display informs you about the sample path and name resulting from your settings.

Below, a status message informs you how many samples are saved and if duplicate names are created. For example, if two zones in the Program Tree have the same name, and you use the variable “$(Zone)”, this results in duplicate file names. However, file names must be unique. Therefore, the duplicate file names are automatically numbered.

Samples loaded from HSB files or protected VST Sound files cannot be exported. The status message informs you if such protected files exist.

Files that are in use by HALion or another application cannot be overwritten. In this case, choose a different location for the samples.

The bit depth of the samples is used in the file name.

The system date (in the format yymmdd) is used in the file name.

The system time (in the format hhmm) is used in the file name.

Ö Some systems have problems with file names longer than 32 characters. Therefore, it

is best to use file names that do not exceed this number.

Setting the File Format

You can export the samples as Wave or AIFF files and specify a sample rate and bit depth for them, if needed.

Do not change the sample rate of looped samples, because this can cause audible artifacts.

Including Zone Settings

You can include zone settings when saving the samples. When you import these samples back into HALion, they automatically get these settings.

The following settings can be written into the sample file:

Option Description

Key Range Saves the Key Low and Key High settings of each zone with the

Velocity Range Saves the Velocity Low and Velocity High settings of each zone

Root Key Saves the Root Key setting of each zone with the samples. Loop Setting Saves the loop settings of each zone with the samples. Sample Tune Saves the Tune setting of each zone with the samples. Sample Gain Saves the Gain setting of each zone with the samples.

samples.

with the samples.

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Setting Up General Export Options

In the Export Options section, you can make general settings for the export. The following settings are available:

Option Description

Trim Samples Trims the samples to their actual length, specified with the Sample

Start and Sample End parameters of the zone.

Use Exported Samples

Avoid Duplicate Audio Files

Ö If a sample has several zones and these zones have different loop settings, HALion

creates duplicates of the file.

Updates the sample references of the zones to use the exported samples.

Prevents samples that are used by several zones from being exported as duplicate audio files.

Replacing Samples

The Replace Samples function allows you to exchange the sample that is used to play back one or multiple zones. The zone-specific settings like Pitch, Filter, or Amplifier are not modified by this.

Replacing Samples

Replacing a Single Sample

1. In the Program Tree or Mapping editor, select the zone for which you want to

replace the sample.

2. On the context menu for the zone, open the submenu “Import/Export”, and select

“Replace Sample”. A file dialog opens.

3. Locate and select the new sample and click OK.

Replacing Multiple Samples

1. In the Program Tree or Mapping editor, select the zones for which you want to

replace the samples.

2. On the context menu for one of the zones, open the Import/Export submenu, and

select “Replace Samples”.

3. At the bottom of the file dialog, select the method for replacing samples that you

want to use.

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Replacing Samples

The following methods are available:

Option Description

Replace Identical Names The samples are only replaced by new samples if their names

are identical. Typically, this is the case if you processed the samples and saved them under the same name in a different location on your hard disk.

Replace by Root Key The samples are replaced by new samples that have a

matching root key, regardless of the file name.

Replace by Search Pattern This method can be used if only parts of the sample name

have changed, for example, due to processing or saving. Enter the part of the name that has changed in the text field. Samples are replaced if the remaining parts of the sample name are identical. For example, if the name “Sample_Mix_1_C3.wav” has changed to “Sample_Mix_2_C3.aiff”, enter “*Mix_2*.aiff” in the text field.

4. Locate the new samples.

The info text in the lower right section shows you how many samples are replaced in how many zones. If no samples are found, you have to select another method for finding matching samples.

5. Click OK.

Auditioning Samples before Replacing Them

To listen to the samples before replacing the old ones, activate the Prelisten Sample option and use your MIDI keyboard.

Detecting the Root Key

To listen to the samples with the correct pitch, you have to select how to detect the root key of the new sample. The following options are available:

Option Description

Root Key from Sample File

Root Key Text from Sample Name

Root Key Number from Sample Name

Keep Zone Root Key

The root key is read from the file header of the sample file.

The root key is extracted from the sample file name. This function searches for the root key in text form, for example “Sample_Name_C#3”.

The root key is extracted from the sample file name. This function searches for the root key as a MIDI note number, for example “Sample_Name_61”.

Instead of using the root key of the new sample, the root key of the zone is used. This option is only available when replacing a single sample.

The “Change Sample Folder” Option

The “Change Sample Folder” option on the Import/Export submenu of the Program Tree context menu allows you to relocate samples. This is useful if you processed the samples and saved them in a new location without changing their names.

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Importing Third-Party Sampler Programs

HALion allows you to import a wide range of sampler formats from third-party manufacturers. When importing those formats, HALion translates as many parameters as possible. This is described in detail in the chapter

Importing Sliced Loops

HALion features a Slice Player that can play back sliced audio loops. You can import sliced loops in the common REX1 and 2 formats or drag and drop sliced events directly from Cubase.

Importing REX Loops

The import process for REX files includes several steps. First, the slice information is used to create a sample zone per slice. These sample zones are then mapped to the keyboard. The range starts with C3 and uses as many zones as slices are defined in the loop. The slice information is also used to create a MIDI phrase that is loaded into a Slice Player module.

To import REX files, you have the following options:

• Drag a REX file from the Windows Explorer or Mac OS Finder to the Program Tree and drop it on a program or layer.

Importing Third-Party Sampler Programs

“Using the Browser” on page 80.

• Open the context menu for a program or layer, open the Import/Export submenu, select “Import Samples…”, and select the file via a file dialog.

Ö When working with REX1 files, HALion can directly play audio from these files. For

REX2 files HALion first extracts a WAV file and saves it in the same folder as the REX file.

Importing Sliced Audio Events from Cubase

You can directly import sliced audio events from Cubase by drag and drop. When dropping a sliced audio event in the Program Tree, HALion recognizes that the event contains positional information for the different slices. In the Import Samples dialog, the button “Create Sliced Loop” becomes available. If you click this button, HALion creates a sample zone for each slice and adds a Slice Player containing the required MIDI information. Any further mapping options are ignored.

Ö You can also drag selected audio events (from multiple tracks) from a Cubase project

into the Program Tree to create a sliced loop.

Playing back Sliced Loops

After the import, you can play back the loop in its original form or in a transposed version. By default, the original loop is played using C2 (#48), but you can specify another key using the Key Follow and Center Key parameters. Pressing a key below C3 plays transposed versions of the original loop. The keyboard range above C3 provides the slice sample zones, which are triggered by the slice player, but can also be triggered manually while the loop is playing.

Make sure that the very last event ends with the loop end and not before. Otherwise the generated loop will be too short and will not run in a perfect cycle.

If the REX file or Cubase audio event contains more than 128 slices, HALion automatically creates additional layers including MegaTrig modules preconfigured to use key switches. That way, you can create up to 1024 zones distributed over up to 32 layers.

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The Slice Player Controls

Most of the Slice Player controls are the same as for the FlexPhraser MIDI module. These are described in detail in the section controls that differ for the Slice Player are described in the following sections.

Slice Player Presets

At the top right of the Program Tree, you can load and save presets for the Slice Player. These presets are saved in a global folder and can be accessed from any project you are working in.

Restart Mode

Depending on the selected Restart mode and your playing, you can restart playback from the beginning of the loop.

You can select one of the following options:

Option Description

Off The loop runs continuously and does not restart upon note changes. First Note The loop restarts when a note is triggered and no other notes are

Each Note The loop restarts each time a note is triggered. Sync to Host Select this to align the loop with the beats and measures of your

Importing Sliced Loops

“The FlexPhraser” on page 192. The

already held.

host application. The loop aligns to the beats and measures each time you start the transport.

Start

This parameter allows you to shift the start of the loop in steps of 1/4 notes. The length of the loop is shortened accordingly.

Length

This parameter allows you to shorten the length of the loop in steps of 1/4 notes.

Ö The control range of the parameters Start and Length varies with the original length of

the loop.

Quantize

This parameter allows you to set up a quantization grid, in fractions of beats. You can also specify dotted and triplet values. This way, you can force the timing of the slices to play back only at the selected note value.

Amount

This parameter defines how much of the quantization grid is applied. A value of 100 % means the slices play back only at the Quantize note value you specified. Smaller values move the notes only partially towards the next Quantize note value. With a value of 0

Key Follow

Here you can adjust the pitch modulation by note number. Set this parameter to positive values to raise the pitch with notes above the center key. Use negative values to lower the pitch with notes above the center key. At +100 played note exactly.

% no quantization is applied at all.

%, the pitch follows the

Ö The Key Follow parameter is limited to the keys that trigger the entire loop. It does not

affect the keys that play the single slices.

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Center Key

This parameter determines the MIDI note that is used as the central position for the Key Follow function.

Random

You can shuffle the playing order of the slices randomly, by activating the Random button. To play the slices with their original order, deactivate the Random button.

The overall timing does not vary through this. Only the playing order of the slices is affected.

• Use the Depth parameter to adjust how much the playing order of the slices is shuffled. Lower this value to keep the playing order of slices on the main beats. Raise this value to vary the playing order of slices on the offbeats as well.

• Click the Trigger button to trigger a new shuffle. Note that this changes the pattern number.

• Use the Pattern option to recall a certain random pattern, by entering its pattern number in the value field.

Exporting the Loop Sequence

Importing Sliced Loops

You can export the loop sequence as a MIDI part for your host sequencer. Proceed as follows:

1. Click the MIDI connector icon (to the right of the Random options) and drag it into

the Project window of your host sequencer application. This creates a MIDI part at the drop position, on an existing or a new MIDI track.

2. Assign the MIDI track to the corresponding slot in HALion.

Using Variations

By activating Random and by adjusting the Tempo, Tempo Scale, Swing, Gate Scale, Quantize, Amount, Start, and Length parameters, you can save your settings as up to eight variations. For further information, see

page 196.

The Loop, Sync, Hold, Trigger Mode, Restart Mode, Key Follow, and Center Key parameters are not part of the variations.

“Working with FlexPhraser Variations” on

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Introduction

Path section

Location tree

Preview and

File Info section

Results list

Previous/Next Browse Location

Browse Containing Folder

Location History pop-up menu

In the Browser, you can search and load samples and zones, either from the file system or from loaded programs. This also includes program formats from other software and hardware samplers. In addition, you can load programs, layers, and sublayers.

Using the Browser

The Path Section

This section offers the following controls:

• The “Previous/Next Location” buttons step through the recent locations.

• The “Browse Containing Folder” button navigates to the folder one level up in the

location tree.

• The path field shows the current location. You can specify a new location by entering or copying a new path.

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The Location Tree

Select Favorite

Location

Add Selected Media Node as Favorite Location

Remove Favorite Location

The Location Tree

This section allows you to navigate through the programs, layers, or zones in any folder. You can even access files contained in VST Sound containers, HSB files, and ISO files. When you select an entry in the tree, the results list on the right shows the corresponding content.

• Use the “Refresh Views” command on the context menu to update the tree.

• Use the “Rescan Disk” command on the context menu to rescan the selected

About Locations

In the Browser, you can set up so-called locations, that is, folders or directories on your system that contain media files. By setting up locations, you can organize the files available in the results list according to context.

The text field above the tree shows the name of the selected folder. If the name is preceded by an asterisk, the folder has not been saved as a location yet.

This is useful if you added a new disk to your setup or created a new folder on the hard disk.

element in the tree. The corresponding files are opened, the information is extracted and the database

file is updated accordingly.

• Click in the text field to open the list of favorite locations.

• The “Add Selected Media Node as Favorite Location” button adds the current

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

• The “Remove Favorite Location” button deletes the current location from the list.

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The Results List

Browse Containing Folder Search Text Clear Filter Text

The Results List

The results list shows the files found in the selected folder. It displays all files that HALion can read, such as VST presets, samples, or third-party sampler programs. Next to information like file name and path, the columns in the results list can be configured to show several attributes, see

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, you have to 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 on a preset, its contents are shown.

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

Searching the List

You can enter a search text to limit the results to files with matching names. For presets, the search also takes into account attributes. 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 Text” button.

“Configuring the Results List” on page 83.

Using the Browser

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Searching for Files on Your System

Search Location

Content

Search Text

Search/

Stop Search

Search for File Type

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.

Proceed as follows:

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

2. In the top left corner of the results list, click the “Search Location Content” button

(the magnifying glass icon) and enter the search text in the text field.

3. To start the search, press [Return] or click the “Search/Stop Search” button to the

right of the search text. The files that match the search criteria are listed in the results list. Note that only

the first 10000 search results are displayed.

The Results List

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

Ö The higher up in the hierarchy the location, the longer the search will take. Therefore,

it is not recommended to search entire hard drives.

Searching for Specific File Types

• Click the button to the right of the search field to specify whether you want to

search for samples, layers, programs, multis, or all types.

Ö You can also use this function to search for the corresponding file types from third-

party samplers.

Ö When you close HALion, the search results are not saved.

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.

• To sort a column in ascending or descending order, click the column header.

Using the Browser

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The Preview and File Info Section

You can listen to the samples using the controls in the Preview section. These are the same as in the Import dialog, see

The info display 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.

Specifying a Destination Folder

When programs are imported, HALion creates a folder for each program. The name of the folder corresponds to the name of the imported program. Inside this folder, HALion creates a subfolder in which the corresponding samples are saved, if necessary.

The folder specified in the “Destination Folder” field is used to save samples from bank or container files, such as GigaSampler files (“.gig”). You can enter the path manually or click the button to the right to navigate to a specific directory.

Ö If you do not specify a destination folder for sampler formats that use container files,

you are asked to do so during the first import operation. This folder is then used for all following operations.

The Preview and File Info Section

“Listening to Samples before Import” on page 69.

Adding Presets to the MediaBay Automatically on Import

The “Automatically Add Preset to MediaBay on Import” option allows you to automatically create VST presets for each imported program in the user presets folder of HALion, thereby making them available in the MediaBay. When this option is deactivated, an imported program is only available in the current HALion instance. To use it in another project, you have to save it first.

Missing Samples

If you browse the samples of a program and you cannot load or prelisten 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, see program with the restored sample paths.

“Finding Missing Samples” on page 70. Afterwards, be sure to save the

Loading Files

You can load selected programs, layers, zones, or samples by dragging them from the results list to the Slot Rack, the Program Table, or the Program Tree. Programs, layers, and zones can also be dragged directly from the tree. In all cases, the Import Folder dialog opens, where you can specify how to import the contained subfolders and samples, see

Ö You can also use the key commands [Return] and [L] to load the file that is focused in

the results list into the active slot in the Slot Rack. Some file types, such as protected Kontakt programs, cannot be loaded. In this case,

an icon is displayed to indicate that the file format is not supported.

“Importing Folders” on page 70.

Unsupported content

Using the Browser

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Protected programs and layers are shown with a lock icon to indicate that you cannot extract single zones or samples. However, you can load the programs as a whole.

Protected content

Ö These icons only appear after selecting the programs.

Loading files from HALion 3

HALion 4 allows you to load the FXB and FXP files from HALion 3. These files can either be located in a directory on the file system or inside an HSB container file. HSB container files have to be registered in the MediaBay before they can be used, see below. When loading FXB files, the multi-program is replaced. When FXB or FXP files are referring to HSB container files, the sample paths always work. For samples located on the file system, for instance, when banks or programs have been copied from another computer system, you might have to reestablish the sample paths, see

“Finding Missing Samples” on page 70.

Registering HSB Container Files

• To register an HSB file, right-click it in the location tree and select “Register HSB”.

You can also register HSB files from the MediaBay, see “Registering HSB Files” on

page 28.

Loading Files

Importing FXP/FXB Files

To import FXP and FXB files, right-click the file in the location tree and select “Import HALion FXP/FXB-File”.

Single FXP files from inside an HSB file cannot be imported. For these, use the “Register HSB” function instead.

Loading Third-Party Sampler Programs

You can also load third-party sampler programs. The supported programs appear as nodes in the location tree. You can load entire programs, or selected layers or samples.

The following formats can be imported:

-Emagic EXS24

- NI Kontakt 1.x to 4.1 (except for encrypted files, scripted content, and containers)

- Akai* S1000, S2000, S3000, S5000/6000

- EMU* 3, 3X, ESI, 4, 4K, E64, E6400, ESynth, Ultra

- Roland S770*

- Kurzweil (KRZ, K25, K26)

- SoundFonts 2.x

- Giga 1, 2, limited Giga 3 support (except for encrypted content, time stretching and pitch shifting)

* ISO images on HDD only. Multis and banks in third-party sampler formats can be dropped either on the Multi-

Program slot, the Slot Rack, or the Program Table. The following applies:

- When you drop the multi or bank on the Multi-Program slot, the current multi is replaced.

Using the Browser

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Loading Files

- When you drop the multi or bank on the Slot Rack, new slots are created and the corresponding programs are added to the Program Table. If a multi or bank contains more programs than slots are available, the remaining programs are added to the Program Table only. The current multi is not replaced.

- When you drop the multi or bank on the Program Table, the additional programs are added to the Program Table. The current multi is not replaced.

Ö If the ISO image or bank has partitions or folders, you can drag only that partition or

folder to the Slot Rack or Program Table. Any contained programs are then loaded. This is different to dragging a folder from the file system to HALion. In that case, the Import Samples dialog opens and only the contained samples are imported and mapped.

Using the Browser

Page 87

Editing Programs and Layers in the

Introduction

The Sound editor for programs and layers lets you access parameters that are set globally for the whole program or individual layers. For example, you can transpose the pitch, adjust level and pan, and limit the playback to a certain area on the keyboard.

Programs and layers share the same set of parameters because they are nearly identical.

The Main Section

The Main section contains basic settings for programs and layers.

Sound

Editor

Octave

Transposes the pitch in octave steps.

Coarse

Transposes the pitch in semitone steps.

Fine

Detunes the pitch in cents (1/100 of a semitone).

Level Velocity Curve

Defines how incoming MIDI velocity values are re-mapped before they are sent to the program or layer. By default, the curve is set to linear, meaning that incoming and outgoing values are identical. The characteristic of each curve is displayed by a small icon.

Low Key

Defines the lowest key on which the program or layer is triggered.

High Key

Defines the highest key on which the program or layer is triggered.

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Low Vel

Defines the lowest velocity on which the program or layer is triggered.

High Vel

Defines the highest velocity on which the program or layer is triggered.

Sus, FCtrl, FSw, PB, MW, and AT

The Filter options allow you to filter incoming MIDI controllers.

Level

Adjusts the level of the layer. This parameter works as an offset to the zone settings.

Pan

Defines the position of the layer in the stereo panorama. This parameter works as an offset to the zone settings.

The Trigger Section

The Trigger section allows you to control the triggering and releasing behavior.

Ind MegaTrig

If you want the key switch assignments across different layers to work individually, activate the individual MegaTrig management of these layers. This can be necessary when two layers with different key switches are used together in one program. For more information about the MegaTrig module, see

Transpose

Transposes the key switches that you set up for the MegaTrig module.

Start Key

Defines the key that is used as the lowest key switch.

Key Switch Mode

Defines how long a key switch is active:

• If set to Permanent, the key switch stays active until another key switch is used.

• If set to Temporary, the key switch is only active for as long as the corresponding

key is pressed.

“MegaTrig” on page 203.

Default Switch

Specifies the default key switch that is active when you load a program, that means, before you used the first key switch. The default key switch is also used in Temporary mode when no key switch is pressed.

Ö If you set Default Switch to a note value that is not assigned as a key switch, the

lowest key switch is automatically used as the default key switch.

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Filter Ctrls in Release

Filters out MIDI controllers in the release phase. Modulation destinations that are using controllers keep their value after the note-off message. The following settings are available:

Option Description

Off MIDI controllers are processed in the release phase. On MIDI controllers are filtered out. Inherit The zones of this layer follow the behavior that was specified for the

Repedaling

On an acoustic piano, you can repedal the sustain after releasing the sustain pedal for as long as the strings vibrate. The effect is that the strings play on. You can achieve a similar effect with the Repedaling option. If you release and press the pedal within the release of the amplitude envelope, the envelope jumps to the decay segment, resuming at the current level of the release.

The Trigger Section

parent layer.

Sustain

Enables sustain for the program or layer. When you use the sustain pedal, notes keep playing until you release the pedal.

Sostenuto

Enables sostenuto for the program or layer. Notes that are held while pressing the sostenuto pedal sustain. Successive notes do not sustain.

Ind Velocity Mode

Sample-based instruments often use crossfade techniques to optimize the switching between samples with different velocities. Crossfades are set up in the Mapping editor, see

Activate this option to apply the Velocity Mode settings to the selected layer and its children.

Velocity Mode

The switching or crossfading between zones can be controlled via velocity or MIDI controller. The following modes are available:

Option Description

Note-on The velocity is used to trigger the zones. Controller A MIDI controller is used to replace the velocity, that means, the

Continuous A MIDI controller is used to replace the velocity. Depending on

“Fading and Crossfading Zones” on page 139.

controller value is used to select the zones. The note-on message triggers the zones selected by the controller. Only the zones that belong to the corresponding velocity are played back.

the “Velocity Fade” setting, the controller continuously fades between the zones or switches zones directly. Therefore, all zones belonging to a key are played back.

Controller

Here, you select the controller that is used when the velocity Mode option is set to Controller or Continuous.

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Page 90

• For the most realistic playback of instruments that use crossfade techniques, activate “Velocity Fade” and set “Velocity Mode” to Continuous.

• To save voices during playback of instruments that use crossfade techniques, deactivate “Velocity Fade” and set “Velocity Mode” to Note-on.

• Generally, setting “Velocity Mode” to Controller and activating “Velocity Fade” is a good compromise between performance optimization and realistic playback.

Velocity Fade

Activate this option to use the velocity crossfades that are specified in the Mapping editor. When this option is deactivated or if no crossfades have been set up, zones switch directly between the different velocities.

The Voice Management Section

The Voice Management section allows you to control the maximum number of notes that you can play and to set conditions for note stealing and triggering.

The Voice Management Section

Voice Manager

The Voice Manager option controls which Voice Management settings are applied to the selected layer. The following settings are available:

Option Description

Off The layer automatically uses the Voice Management settings of the

On You can make separate Voice Management settings for the selected

Program The settings of the program are used, regardless of any Voice

layer that is one step up in the hierarchy. If there is no layer with active Voice Management settings, the settings of the program are used.

layer.

Management settings made for layers higher up in the hierarchy.

Editing Programs and Layers in the Sound Editor

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Voice Mode

The Voice Management Section

The Voice Mode parameter determines which notes are stolen during playback and whether new notes are triggered when the Polyphony setting is exceeded. The following settings are available:

Option Description

Low Note Priority Low notes have playback priority over higher notes.

- If you exceed the maximum number of notes by playing a lower note than the ones that are held, the highest note is stolen and the new note is triggered.

- If you exceed the maximum number of notes by playing a higher note than the ones that are held, no note is stolen and no new note is triggered.

High Note Priority High notes have playback priority over lower notes.

- If you exceed the maximum number of notes by playing a higher note than the ones that are held, the lowest note is stolen and the new note is triggered.

- If you exceed the maximum number of notes by playing a lower note than the ones that are held, no note is stolen and no new note is triggered.

First Note Priority Older notes have playback priority over newer notes.

- If you exceed the maximum number of notes while older notes are still being held, no notes are stolen. New notes are only triggered if a free voice is available.

Last Note Priority New notes have playback priority over the first played notes.

- If you exceed the maximum number of notes, the first played notes are stolen in chronological order (First in/First Out) and the new notes are triggered.

Steal Lowest Amplitude New notes have playback priority over notes with a low

amplitude.

- If you exceed the maximum number of notes, the note with the lowest amplitude is stolen and the newest note is triggered.

Steal Released Notes New notes have priority over notes that enter the release

phase.

- If you exceed the maximum number of notes, the oldest note that is in its release phase is stolen and the new note is triggered.

- If no note is playing in release and you exceed the maximum number of notes, the first played notes are stolen in chronological order and the new notes are triggered.

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Trigger Mode

The Trigger Mode parameter defines the trigger behavior for new notes. The following settings are available:

Option Description

Normal Triggers a new note when the previous note gets stolen. The sample

Resume Does not always trigger a completely new note:

Legato Does not always trigger a completely new note:

The Voice Management Section

and the envelope of the new note are triggered from the start. To minimize discontinuities, use the Fade Out parameter of the zone (see

“Voice Fade Out” on page 48).

- If the new note stays within the same zone, the envelope is retriggered, but resumes at the level of the stolen note. The pitch of the zone is set to the new note.

- If the new note plays in a different zone, the sample and the envelope of the new note are triggered from the start.

- If the new note stays within the same zone, the envelopes keep running. The pitch of the zone is set to the new note.

- If the new note plays in a different zone, the sample and the envelope of the new note are triggered from the start.

Ö When Resume or Legato is selected, you might hear an unnatural attack, depending

on the sample. To avoid this, activate the “Use Start Range” option for the sample zone (see “Use Start Range” on page 102).

Voice Groups

By assigning zones to a voice group, you can set their polyphony individually. In addition, you can manage the polyphony across zones that are not part of the same layer. Furthermore, zones can steal notes from each other, regardless of whether they are in the same layer.

The voice group parameters are shown below the Voice Management settings. The maximum number of notes that you can play in a voice group is limited by the

Polyphony setting of the corresponding program or layer.

Assigning Zones to Voice Groups

Proceed as follows:

1. In the Program Tree, select the zones that you want to add to a voice group.

2. Open the Sound editor for the zones.

3. In the Voice Control section, select the Trigger tab.

4. On the Voice Group pop-up menu, select a voice group.

Usually, the voice group numbers relate to the voice groups of the program. If the zone is part of a layer with active voice groups, the numbers relate to the voice groups of the layer instead.

Editing Voice Groups

The Voice Management parameters of voice groups are edited using the columns in the table below the Voice Management section.

Exclusive Groups

When voice groups belong to the same exclusive group, they cannot be played back simultaneously. The last triggered voice group has priority over the previously playing voice groups. Any previously playing voice groups of the same exclusive group are cut off.

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A typical example for assigning voice groups to an exclusive group is a drum set where the closed hi-hat cuts off the open hi-hat.

The Poly Tab

The Poly tab contains the polyphony settings for programs and layers.

Mono

The Mono parameter activates monophonic playback. For solo instruments, this usually results in a more naturally sounding performance.

Mono can also be used for programs that use dedicated note-off layers. When the played note is released, the note-off layer is triggered.

Retrigger

The Retrigger option is only available in Mono mode. When Retrigger is activated, a note that was stolen by another note is retriggered if you still hold the stolen note when releasing the new one. This way, you can play trills by holding one note and quickly and repeatedly pressing and releasing another note, for example.

The Voice Management Section

• To assign a voice group to an exclusive group, click the “Excl” field of the voice group, and select a number from the pop-up menu.

Polyphony

When you play a note, one or multiple zones can be triggered. Each triggered zone equals a voice. The number of voices you trigger with each note is displayed in the Voices field of the program. Use this parameter to set an upper limit for the number of notes that can be played simultaneously in polyphonic mode.

If a program has a lower Polyphony value than its layers, the maximum number of notes you can play is limited by the Polyphony value of the program.

Key Poly

With Key Poly (Key Polyphony), you can specify an upper limit for the number of notes that can be played for a key. The last played notes have priority. For this parameter to have an effect, the polyphonic mode needs to be activated.

Key Polyphony is limited by the Polyphony setting. If the Polyphony setting is lower, this value is used instead.

Low Amp

By default, the “oldest” note is removed first when notes are stolen due to a Key Poly limitation. Activate Low Amp if you want the note with the lowest amplitude to be removed instead.

Min Low Notes

Defines the number of low notes that cannot be stolen, regardless of the Voice Mode setting.

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The Sus/Rel Tab

The Sus/Rel tab contains the sustain and release settings for programs and layers.

Ind Sustain

Activate “Ind Sustain” to use individual sustain settings for the selected programs or layers.

Sustain Mode

While holding the sustain pedal, HALion plays back notes that you play repeatedly up to the Key Polyphony value. When you lift the sustain pedal, the notes of the keys that are no longer held enter the release phase. Depending on the selected Sustain Mode, the notes of the keys that are still held either keep playing, or also enter the release phase.

The Variation Groups Section

The following settings are available:

Option Description

Hold Loudest The loudest note keeps playing. Hold Last The last note you played keeps playing. Hold First The first note you played keeps playing. Hold All All notes keep playing. Release All All notes enter the release phase.

Play Release

By default, the release phase of stolen notes is not played back and the notes fade out in the time specified by the Fade Out parameter of the zone. Activate this option to fade out the notes with their normal release phase instead.

The Variation Groups Section

To avoid the so-called machine gun effect that occurs when the same sample is triggered repeatedly, you can create programs that use several samples for the same key and velocity range. These samples can then be triggered alternately as variations. To define which samples are triggered as variations, you can assign them to one the variation groups. In the Variation Group section you can also specify the alternation mode for each variation group.

• To use the Variation Group feature, activate the Enable button and select one of the available modes for each group.

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The following settings are available:

Option Description

Off All variations are triggered simultaneously. Round Robin All variations are triggered alternately in a fixed order. Random All variations are triggered randomly. Individual variations can

be triggered repeatedly.

Random Exclusive All variations are triggered randomly. No variation is directly

repeated.

If no variation groups are activated, all zones play simultaneously. To avoid this, activate the variation groups for the program or layer containing the zones and assign the zones to the different variation groups.

Assigning Zones to Variation Groups

Proceed as follows:

1. In the Program Tree, select the zones that you want to add to the variation group.

2. Open the Sound editor for the zones.

3. In the Voice Control section, select the Trigger tab.

The Quick Control Assignments Section

4. On the Variation Group pop-up menu, select a variation group. Usually, the variation group numbers relate to the variation groups of the program. If

the zone is part of a layer with active variation groups, the numbers relate to the variation groups of the layer instead.

The Quick Control Assignments Section

The Quick Controls Assignments section allows you to manage and edit the assigned quick controls. It is described in detail in the section

page 54.

The Note Expression Section

Cubase’s Note Expression technology is essential for creating realistic instrument performances. Note Expression allows you to create automated modulations for each note. In general, HALion supports Note Expression for volume, pan, and tuning. With any of HALion’s programs you can automate these parameters in Cubase for each note. But HALion can do more: In programs that give you access to the modulation matrix, you can assign up to eight so-called Note Expression controllers to any available modulation destination. These work in addition to the preassigned pitch, pan, and level modulations. When the Note Expression controller is assigned, you can specify a name for it to make it available in Cubase.

The eight Note Expression controllers of a program are shared by all zones. This means that the Note Expression controller data affects all zones simultaneously. Depending on how the Note Expression controllers are set up in the modulation matrix, each zone might react differently.

“Managing Quick Controls” on

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Ö When you use HALion with older versions of Cubase or other host applications that

do not support Note Expression, you still have access to the Note Expression section and you can see Note Expression controllers in the modulation matrix. However, they will not have any influence on the program.

The Note Expression section shows the eight Note Expression controllers on the left (NE1 to NE8) and the assigned modulation destinations on the right. This gives you a quick overview of how Note Expression controllers are routed in the modulation matrix and what their influence on the sound will be. One Note Expression controller can be assigned to several destinations.

Naming Note Expression Controllers

By default, a Note Expression controller is given the name of the modulation destinations it is assigned to. However, you can also rename them. After this, any further assignments will not change the name.

The Note Expression Section

• To rename a Note Expression controller, click in the Name field of the selected controller and enter the new name.

Bypassing the Note Expression Controller

Each Note Expression controller has a Bypass button that allows you to deactivate the effect of the controller.

Ö The Bypass button is linked to the Bypass button of the corresponding modulation

destination in the modulation matrix.

Changing the Modulation Depth

The Depth slider adjusts the intensity of the Note Expression modulation. This allows you to change the modulation without having to go to the modulation matrix first.

Ö The slider is linked to the Depth slider of the corresponding modulation destination in

the modulation matrix.

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Editing Zones in the Sound Editor

Introduction

The Sound editor for synth and sample zones contains the zone parameters in HALion. It allows you to modify the settings for a single zone, for multiple selected zones, or for all zones at the same time.

If not expressly stated, the functions described in this chapter apply to both synth and sample zones.

All functions and parameters described here also apply to the Zone Editor.

Global Zone Settings

The global section at the top of the Sound editor allows you to set up basic zone parameters.

Focused Zone

On the Focused Zone pop-up menu, you can select a zone for editing when several zones are selected in the Program Tree.

Low Key/High Key

These parameters determine the lowest key and the highest key on which the zone is triggered.

Low Vel/High Vel

These parameters determine the lowest velocity and the highest velocity on which the zone is triggered.

Root Key

The root key determines the pitch of the zone. Samples can contain root key information embedded in the file, which means that when loaded, they are automatically mapped to the corresponding keys.

Zone Type

HALion allows you to change a sample zone into a synth zone and vice versa. If you switch a sample zone to a synth zone, the sample oscillator is replaced by the synth oscillators. You can select the zone type from this pop-up menu.

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Editing Selected Zones or All Zones

When working in the Sound editor, you can apply your editing either to the selected zones (SEL) or to all zones (ALL), depending on the setting of the corresponding button on the toolbar.

All zones are affected by the editing.

Absolute and Relative Editing

When editing multiple zones, you can either change values absolutely for all the zones (ABS) or make relative changes (REL), depending on the setting of the corresponding button on the toolbar.

Editing Selected Zones or All Zones

• When you use absolute editing and you change a parameter from 50 % to 60 % for one zone, all other zones will also be set to 60

• When you use relative editing and you change a parameter from 50 % to 60 % in one zone, another selected zone that was set to 70

Ö Relative changes can be made for all parameters that can be adjusted continuously.

Changes of parameters that select one of multiple modes or switch between two states are always absolute.

HALion 3 compatibility

The button to the left of the REL/ABS button lights up when you load an FXP file from HALion 3 to indicate that HALion 4 is in compatibility mode. This way, FXP files sound like they did in HALion 3. If you deactivate the compatibility button, some modulations will sound different.

Managing Sections

The Sections toolbar allows you to customize the section display and to facilitate navigating between sections. It contains one button for each section.

The buttons have the following three states: activated, deactivated, and locked.

% is set to 80 %.

The first button is activated, the second button deactivated, and the third button is locked.

When you activate a button, the corresponding section is shown. As soon as you click another button, the section is automatically hidden and the new section is shown.

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Examples

The Voice Control Section

When you lock a button, it cannot be deactivated and the corresponding section is always visible in the editor. Clicking another button shows the new section, scrolling the view, if necessary.

Click the button to the left of the Sections toolbar to toggle between showing and locking all sections, and showing only the first section.

• When only one button is active, but not locked, you can click another button to switch exclusively between the sections.

• Having one section locked while showing others dynamically can speed up your work considerably.

For example, you can lock the Filter section, and then switch between the different modifying sections, such as Envelope, LFO, Step Modulator, and Modulation Matrix.

• You can also use these buttons to set up views for different contexts, showing exactly those sections you need for a given workflow, and save them in a screen set. For more information, see

“Configuring the Control Panel” on page 11.

The Voice Control Section

The Voice Control section of the Sound editor has two tabs: Trigger and Unison/Glide.

The Trigger Tab

On the Trigger tab, you can specify the triggering of a zone.

Voice Group

You can set the polyphony of a zone individually, by assigning it to one of 128 voice groups. The settings of voice groups can be edited in the Voice Management section of the program or layer. For more information on voice groups, see

page 92.

Variation Group

To avoid the so-called machine gun effect that occurs when the same sample is triggered repeatedly, you can create programs that use several samples for the same key and velocity range. These samples can then be triggered alternately as variations. To define which samples are triggered as variations, you can assign them to one of 16 variation groups. Use the Variation Group pop-up menu to specify the alternation mode for the different variation groups.

“Voice Groups” on

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The Voice Control Section

Priority

Each zone you trigger corresponds to a voice. When the number of played voices (zones) exceeds the “Maximum Voices” setting of the plug-in instance, zones are cut off and replaced by other voices. This is called “voice stealing”. Use this parameter to specify a priority for this behavior. Zones with higher priority can steal zones with lower priority, but not vice versa. If there are no zones with lower priority, zones of the same priority are stolen. Zones with the priority Hold steal only from lower priorities, but not from themselves.

Ö To specify how fast the zones are stolen, use the “Voice Fade Out” parameter in the

Options editor.

Fade Out

Whenever a voice is stolen because a polyphony limit is reached, it is faded out. You can specify this fade out time for each zone, which allows you to adapt it to different signal types. For example, you might want to cut a stolen crash cymbal zone less abruptly than a stolen hi-hat zone.

Key On Delay

With this parameter, you can delay the playback of the zone by a specified time or a note value.

• To synchronize the delay time to the host tempo, activate the Sync button and select a note value from the pop-up menu. To change the selected note value to a triplet, activate the “T” button.

With Sync deactivated, the delay is specified in milliseconds. With Sync activated, the delay is specified in fractions of beats.

Release Mode and Amount

The parameters Release Mode and Amount determine how loud the release samples are played back. Release samples play back the sound of an instrument when the note ends. For example, this can be the noise of the damper touching down on the piano string, or the reverb tail of an instrument that was recorded in a concert hall. By setting the release mode, the level of the release samples can be controlled from different sources, for example. The Amount parameter adjusts how much the selected option affects the level of the note-off samples.

To set up the playback of release samples, proceed as follows:

1. In the Program Tree, place the note-on and note-off samples into separate layers.

2. Add a MegaTrig Module to the note-off layer and set the playing condition to

“Note-off”.

3. Select all note-off samples.

4. In the Sound editor, open the Voice Control section, and make settings for

Release Mode and Amount.

The following settings are available:

Option Description

Off Deactivates the Release Mode. The level of the note-off sample is

controlled only by the amplifier section of the zone.

Note-on Env The level of the note-off sample is controlled by the Amplitude

Envelope of the associated note-on sample: The note-off sample is played back with the level that the amplitude envelope has at the moment when the note-off sample is triggered. In order to find the associated note-on sample, the mappings of the note-on and note-off samples must overlap. HALion takes the last running note-on sample as the associated one.

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Editing Zones in the Sound Editor

Steinberg HALion - 4.0 Owner's Guide

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

English

Table of Contents

Welcome

Installation and Setup

Key Command Conventions

How You Can Reach Us

Installation

Setting Up

Introduction

The HALion Control Panel

Configuring the Control Panel

Setting the Focus

Working with Multiple Windows

Screen Sets

Overview of the Available Editors

Macro Pages

The Slot Rack

Managing Your Sounds

Managing Multis

Managing Files via the MediaBay

Content Files and Folder Structure

Loading HALion 3 Programs

Working with General MIDI Files

Introduction

Loading and Managing Programs

The Columns of the Program Table

Loading Programs into the Program Table

Loading Programs from the Program Table to the Slot Rack

Editing the Program Table

Introduction

Using the Program Tree

The Program Tree Structure

Editing Zones, Programs, and Layers

Making Selections

Navigating in the Program Tree

Muting, Soloing, and Hiding

Adding MIDI Modules

Adding Insert Effects

Changing the Order of MIDI Modules and Insert Effects

Adding Audio Busses

Customizing the Program Tree

Global Functions and Settings

Introduction

The Plug-in Functions Section

The Toolbar

The Keyboard Editor

The Options Editor

Quick Controls

AI-Knob Support

Introduction

Using Controls in HALion

Common Editing Methods

Using Key Commands

Working with Presets

Using Automation

Using Effects

Using MIDI Modules

Importing Samples

Importing and Exporting Samples

Finding Missing Samples

Exporting Samples

Replacing Samples

Importing Third-Party Sampler Programs

Importing Sliced Loops

Introduction

Using the Browser

The Path Section

The Location Tree

The Results List

The Preview and File Info Section

Loading Files

Introduction

The Main Section

The Trigger Section

The Voice Management Section

The Variation Groups Section