Steinberg HALion - 6.0 Operation Manual

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Operation Manual

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Matthias Klag, Michael Ruf

Cristina Bachmann, Heiko Bischoff, Christina Kaboth, Insa Mingers, Matthias Obrecht, Sabine Pfeifer, Benjamin Schütte, Marita Sladek

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

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

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

Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH, 2017.

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6 Installation and Setup

6 Conventions 7 System Requirements 8 Downloading Program Files 8 Installing the Program 8 Activating Your License 9 Registering Your Software 9 How You Can Reach Us 9 About the Documentation 10 Setting Up

11 HALion Control Panel

11 Configuring the Control Panel 12 View and Tab Operations 13 Window Handling 15 Setting the Focus 15 Available Editors

18 Common Editing Methods

18 Dials and Sliders 18 Multi Selection and Parameter Controls 19 Buttons 19 Value Fields 20 Using Key Commands 20 Presets

23 Global Functions and Settings

23 Plug-in Functions Section 24 Plug-in Name and Steinberg Logo 24 Toolbar 26 Keyboard Editor 27 Quick Controls 35 Options Editor 41 AI Knob Support

42 Automation

42 Automation Parameters 43 Automation Editor 44 Setting Up Automation

46 Managing Your Sounds

46 About Programs, Layers, Multis, Macro

Pages, and Presets

47 Registering VST Sounds 48 Loading Programs and Layers 50 Load Dialog 50 Slot Rack 53 Managing and Loading Files 69 Working with General MIDI Files

70 Mapping Zones

70 Mapping Editor 74 Mapping Editor Context Menu 78 Sample Zones and their Root Keys 78 Moving Zones 79 Creating Fades and Crossfades 79 Setting Key Range and Velocity Range 79 Zooming 80 Selecting Zones 80 Importing Single Samples Using Drag And

Drop

81 Importing Multiple Samples Using Drag And

Drop

82 Editing Programs and Layers

82 Main Section 83 Trigger Section 85 Voice Management Section 90 Variation Groups Section 91 Quick Control Assignments Section 91 Note Expression Section

92 Editing Zones

92 Adding Zones 92 Zone Types 93 Adding Samples to Empty Zones 93 Absolute and Relative Editing 94 Editing Selected Zones or All Zones 94 Global Zone Settings 95 Voice Control Section 99 Voice Control Section for Organ Zones 101 Pitch Section 102 Oscillator Section 106 Sample Oscillator Section 109 Organ Oscillator Section 109 Wavetable Section 116 AudioWarp Section 119 Filter Section 123 Amplifier Section 125 Envelope Section 132 LFO Section 135 Step Modulator 137 Modulation Matrix

150 Editing Samples in the Sample Editor

150 Loading and Previewing Samples 150 Toolbar

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Table of Contents 

153 Info Line 155 Overview Line 155 Waveform Display 157 Parameter Section 163 Sample Editor Context Menu 166 Markers 167 Zooming 167 Editing Samples in an External Editor 168 Creating Loops 170 Creating Slices Automatically 171 Replacing Samples

173 Wavetable Synthesis

174 Wavetable Editor 186 Creating a Wavetable 186 Pitch Detection 187 Markers 188 Replacing Samples 188 Importing Wavetables 189 Managing Wavetables

190 Granular Synthesis

190 Grain Oscillator 197 Modulating the Grain Oscillator

198 MIDI Editing and Controllers

198 MIDI Editor 200 MIDI Controllers

204 Mixing, Routing, and Effect Handling

204 Mixer Window 206 Audio Bus Architecture 210 Insert Effects

213 Loading and Managing Programs via the

Program Table

213 Program Table 214 Configuring the Program Table 215 Program Table Context Menu

217 Program Tree

217 Program Tree Elements 218 Program Tree Columns and Controls 227 Editing Programs, Zones and Layers 228 Importing Samples 233 Replacing Samples 234 Exporting Samples 238 Exporting Programs and Layers with

Samples

244 Exporting Programs and Layers as HALion

Sonic SE Layer Presets

244 Importing Sliced Loops 248 Selections in the Program Tree 249 Navigating in the Program Tree 249 Sorting the Program Tree Elements 250 Setting Up the Program in the Program Tree 251 Renaming Elements

254 Sample Recorder

260 Recording From an Audio Track With Multiple

Drum Sounds

261 Recording the Output of Another Plug-In 262 Recording Samples in the Standalone

Version

263 Included Instruments

263 Auron 271 Trium 279 Voltage 285 Model C 291 HALiotron 294 B-Box 300 World Instruments 304 World Percussion 308 Anima 326 Skylab 340 Raven 341 Eagle 343 Hot Brass 354 Studio Strings

365 Parameter List

367 Macro Pages

367 Macro Pages, Templates, Controls,

Resources, and Libraries

368 Getting Started 370 Macro Page Designer 385 Editing and Assembling Elements 401 Libraries 402 Connecting Macro Page Controls to HALion

Parameters

403 Collaborating on Macro Pages 403 Cleaning Up and Consolidating Your Macro

Pages

404 Saving Macro Pages

405 Library Creator

405 Libraries 409 Library Creator Editor 418 Unassigned VST Sound Containers 420 Consistency Check

421 Library Manager

421 Library Manager Editor

424 Effects Reference

424 Introduction 424 Reverb Effects 428 Delay Effects 429 EQ Effects 431 Filter Effects 439 Distortion Effects 443 Pitch Shift Effects 444 Modulation Effects 455 Dynamics Effects 465 Spatial and Panner Effects 466 Surround Effects 467 Tools Effects 468 Legacy Effects

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Table of Contents 

480 MIDI Modules Reference

480 Common Functions 483 FlexPhraser 494 Trigger Pads 497 MIDI Player 502 Drum Player 508 Mono Envelope 510 Mono LFO 512 Mono Step Modulator 514 True Pedaling 516 MegaTrig 522 Layer Alternate 524 Key Switch Alternate 526 Key Switch Remote 527 MIDI Randomizer 529 CC Mapper 530 Velocity Curve 531 Tuning Scale 533 Lua Script

537 Key Commands Reference

540 Note Expression

540 Note Expression Editor

542 Using the Standalone Version of the Plug-In

542 Making Preferences Settings 542 Preferences Dialog 544 Selecting the MIDI Input and the Audio

Output

544 Scratch Pad 546 Loading a MIDI File 547 Saving a MIDI File 547 Master Volume

548 Index

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Conventions

In our documentation, we use typographical and markup elements to structure information.

Typographical Elements

The following typographical elements mark the following purposes.

PREREQUISITE

Requires you to complete an action or to fulfill a condition before starting a procedure.

Installation and Setup

PROCEDURE

Lists the steps that you must take to achieve a specific result.

IMPORTANT

Informs you about issues that might affect the system, the connected hardware, or that might bring a risk of data loss.

NOTE

Informs you about issues that you should consider.

EXAMPLE

Provides you with an example.

RESULT

Shows the result of the procedure.

AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK

Informs you about actions or tasks that you can undertake after completing the procedure.

RELATED LINKS

Lists related topics that you can find in this documentation.

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Installation and Setup System Requirements

Markup

Bold text indicates the name of a menu, option, function, dialog, window, etc.

EXAMPLE

In the header of the plug-in panel, click the Preset Management button next to the preset name field and select Load Preset.

If bold text is separated by a greater-than symbol, this indicates a sequence of different menus to open.

EXAMPLE

To save a specific layer, right-click it and select Load/Save> Save Layer As.

Key Commands

Many of the default key commands, also known as keyboard shortcuts, use modifier keys, some of which are different depending on the operating system.

For example, the default key command for Undo is Ctrl-Z on Windows and Cmd-Z on Mac OS. When key commands with modifier keys are described in this manual, they are shown with the Windows modifier key first, in the following way:

•

Windows modifier key/Mac OS modifier key-key

EXAMPLE

Ctrl/Cmd-Z means: press Ctrl on Windows or Cmd on Mac OS, then press Z.

System Requirements

Your computer must meet the following minimum requirements:

Mac

•

Mac OS X Version 10.11/macOS 10.12

•

VST 3, AAX, or AU compatible host application for using HALion as a plug-in

•

64-bit Intel or AMD mutli-core processor (Intel i5 or faster recommended)

•

4 GB RAM (8 GB recommended)

•

40 GB of free hard-disk space

•

Display resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels (1920 x 1080 recommended)

•

OS-compatible audio hardware*

•

Internet connection required for activation, account setup, and personal/ product registration

•

Downloads are required for the installation

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

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Installation and Setup Downloading Program Files

Windows

•

*Windows 7 Service Pack 1, Microsoft.NET Framework 4.0 and Platform Update for Windows

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

64-bit Windows 7*/8.x/10

VST 2, VST 3, or AAX compatible host application for using HALion as a plug-in

64-bit Intel or AMD mutli-core processor (Intel i5 or faster recommended)

4 GB RAM (8 GB recommended)

40 GB of free hard-disk space

Display resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels (1920 x 1080 recommended)

OS-compatible audio hardware**

Internet connection required for activation, account setup, and personal/ product registration

Downloads are required for the installation

Downloading Program Files

The Steinberg Download Assistant helps you download the required files to your computer.

Start the Steinberg Download Assistant.

On the left, select the program that you want to install.

On the right, select which version you want to install. You can install a new program, update an existing program, etc.

Click Download to download the files.

Installing the Program

After downloading the required files, you can install HALion on your computer.

On Windows systems, double-click the product installer and follow the instructions

• on screen.

•

On a Mac, double-click the file HALion 6.pkg and follow the instructions on screen.

Activating Your License

HALion uses a software-based copy protection scheme. This Soft-eLicenser is installed automatically with HALion. It can be accessed via the eLicenser Control Center application that is installed automatically with the product.

After installation, you must activate your product.

If you purchased HALion in a shop, the product package contains a “Download Access Code” that allows you to download both the software and the license of the product.

If you purchased the download version of HALion, you receive an e-mail with the activation code and a description of the activation process.

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Installation and Setup Registering Your Software

IMPORTANT

The process for license activation is described in detail on the Steinberg web site.

Registering Your Software

Register your product at the MySteinberg online customer portal. As a registered user, you are entitled to technical support, you gain access to exclusive offers such as software updates and upgrades, and more.

PROCEDURE

1. Start your software.

2. Select Help> Register now.

An online registration form opens in your web browser.

3. Follow the instructions on screen to register at MySteinberg.

How You Can Reach Us

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

•

This menu contains links to various Steinberg web pages. Select a link to open the corresponding page. On the web pages, you can find support and compatibility information, answers to frequently asked questions, links for downloading new drivers, etc.

•

You also find a menu item for the registration of your product. As a registered user, you are entitled to technical support, you gain access to exclusive

offers such as software updates and upgrades, and more.

About the Documentation

The documentation is available online and most of it can be downloaded in PDF format from steinberg.help.

•

To visit steinberg.help, enter steinberg.help in the address bar of your web browser or open HALion, click the Steinberg logo in the top right corner and select Help> HALion Help.

•

You can find the documentation for the HALion scripting features, as well as additional parameter descriptions regarding the Macro Page Designer and the Library Creator under http://developer.steinberg.help.

Here, you can find tutorials and parameter references, download example files, and much more.

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Installation and Setup Setting Up

Setting Up

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

NOTE

HALion can also be used as a standalone application.

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 the Steinberg DAW. This allows you to route all 64 program slots to a dedicated channel in the MixConsole.

PROCEDURE

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

2. Click the Activate Outputs button for the instrument.

3. Activate the outputs that you want to use.

RESULT

The Steinberg DAW automatically adds an output channel for each additional output to the MixConsole. You can now route programs or layers to these outputs for further signal processing within the DAW.

Using the Instrument in an AU-Compatible Application

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 example, to load HALion as an AU instrument for Logic Pro, proceed as follows:

PROCEDURE

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

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

3. Select one of the available channel configurations.

Using the Instrument as Standalone Application

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

RELATED LINKS

Using the Standalone Version of the Plug-In on page 542

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HALion Control Panel

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

Configuring the Control Panel

You can set up the control panel by determining the number of different views, that is, window sections, and by further configuring these sections, for example, by adding tabs. For the views and tabs, you can specify the editor that is displayed.

Setup Options

You can configure the control panel using the setup options.

For views, click the Setup Options icon in the header to open the menu that contains the setup options.

For tabs, right-click the name of the tab to open the context menu contains the setup options.

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.

NOTE

To create a copy of an existing view or tab, click its upper left corner and drag it to another position in the window. A colored frame indicates the insert position.

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HALion Control Panel View and Tab Operations

Undock

Creates a duplicate of the view or tab in a new window.

Create Tab

Creates a tab. You can also create tabs within tabs.

Rename

Allows you to rename tabs.

Removes the view or tab.

Select

Opens a pane that shows icons for the available editors. To select an editor, click its icon.

Editor

Allows you to select the editor to be displayed from the list of available editors.

View and Tab Operations

You can add, move, and resize tabs and views to configure the control panel.

Creating Tabs

You can create tabs in the following ways:

• Select Create Tab from the setup options.

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

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

NOTE

• You can also create tabs within tabs.

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

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 to save space and focus on the edited parameters.

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HALion Control Panel Window Handling

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

• To expand or collapse all sections at the same time, hold down Shift and click the + or the - icon or the title bar.

• To resize a section, click the dotted line in the middle of its lower border and drag up or down.

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/Cmd and drag.

Window Handling

Creating Additional Windows

You can create new windows from existing views in the following ways:

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

• Use the Undock command on the tab context menu or the View pop-up menu.

Using Window Presets

HALion comes with several preconfigured window presets.

• To open a window preset, click the Open New Window button in the top bar and select it from the pop-up menu.

• To create your own window presets, use the corresponding commands on the pop-up menu.

Locking Windows

If you open an additional window, HALion shows the settings of the focused 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 button is activated, the window no longer follows selection and focus changes in the main plugin window. Instead, it displays the settings of the program that was selected when you clicked the Lock button.

Screen Sets

You can save the configuration of the control panel as a screen set. This way, you can preconfigure HALion for different workflows and editing situations. By default, the following screen sets are available:

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HALion Control Panel Window Handling

Default

Advanced

Basic

This screen set is optimized for wide-screen monitors and contains the most important editors. It is suitable for a display resolution of 1440 x 900.

This is the full editor screen set. It is suitable for a resolution of 1440 x 900.

This is a minimized single slot player view. It is suitable for a display resolution of 1024 x 768.

Extended 1

This screen set is optimized for use on laptops with a display resolution of 1280x800.

Extended 2

This screen set is also optimized for laptops, but it is slightly larger than

Extended 1. It is suitable for a display resolution of 1440 x 900.

Minimized

This screen set shows the smallest configuration.

Minimized + Editors

This screen set provides the minimized plug-in window plus an additional floating window that contains all editors. This configuration is intended for use in host applications where you cannot resize the main plug-in window.

• To load, save, and delete screen sets, click the Load/Save/Delete Screen Set button on the toolbar in the plug-in functions section and select the corresponding command from the pop-up menu.

NOTE Factory presets cannot be deleted.

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HALion Control Panel Setting the Focus

Setting the Focus

It is important to know which view, window, or tab has the focus. The focused section of the window is the area to which your actions, such as key commands, are applied. The view that has the focus is indicated by a blue frame.

PROCEDURE

• To set the focus on a specific view, use one of its controls, edit a parameter, or click on the frame or in an empty background of a view.

Available Editors

The editors give you access to the parameters of HALion and its programs and modules.

Slot Rack

Allows you to load and manage the loaded programs.

MIDI

Allows you to configure the ranges and MIDI parameters of the slots.

Program Tree

Allows you to create programs by combining samples, layers, busses, and MIDI and audio effects.

Sound Editor

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

Zone Editor

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 the Mapping Editor, only these zones can be modified.

MIDI Modules

Allows you to edit MIDI modules, such as FlexPhrasers or MegaTrig modules.

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HALion Control Panel Available Editors

Mapping

Sample Editor

Wavetable Editor

Sample Recorder

Browser

MediaBay

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

Allows you to define the sample and loop parameters.

Allows you to make settings for the wavetable synthesizer that is used by wavetable zones.

The Sample Recorder allows you to record samples in HALion.

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

Allows you to load programs and layers.

Library Creator

Allows you to create your own VST Sound content in HALion.

Macro Page

VST Sound Instrument Sets provide macro pages. These 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, this page is displayed when you open the Macro Editor. If you load a program that contains one or multiple layers with macro pages, all macro pages are shown together in the Macro Editor. For each macro page, HALion inserts a navigation button on the toolbar that allows you to switch between the pages.

Macro Page Designer

Allows you to create your own macro pages.

Mixer

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

Keyboard

Combines a keyboard, two wheels, and the sphere control. You can use these controls to simulate external hardware.

Quick Controls

Allows you to remote-control any parameter inside the program.

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HALion Control Panel Available Editors

Trigger Pads

Program Table

Parameter List

Automation

MIDI Ctrl

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.

Shows all loaded programs. This includes the programs that are used in the Slot Rack as well as those that are loaded via MIDI program change.

Gives you a detailed overview of the parameters of the selected item in the Program Tree. For example, if you select an effect in the Program Tree, only the parameters of that effect are shown.

Lists all assigned automation parameters. With the tabs at the top, you can specify whether you want to show the automation parameters for the slot, the global parameters, or all automation parameters.

Lists all assigned MIDI controllers.

Undo History

Lists all of your actions and allows you to undo changes.

Options

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

RELATED LINKS

Slot Rack on page 50 MIDI Editor on page 198 Program Tree on page 217 Editing Programs and Layers on page 82 Editing Zones on page 92 MIDI Modules Reference on page 480 Mapping Editor on page 70 Editing Samples in the Sample Editor on page 150 Wavetable Editor on page 174 Sample Recorder on page 254 Macro Page Designer on page 370 Mixer Window on page 204 Keyboard Editor on page 26 Quick Controls on page 27 Trigger Pads on page 494 Loading and Managing Programs via the Program Table on page 213 Parameter List on page 365 Automation Editor on page 43 MIDI Controllers on page 200

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Common Editing Methods

Dials and Sliders

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

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

• To adjust a value, click a dial or a fader and drag up and down, or use the mouse wheel.

If you press Alt when clicking a dial, a small fader appears, allowing you to set the parameter.

• To make fine adjustments, press Shift and move the dial or use the mouse wheel.

• To restore the default value for a parameter, press Ctrl/Cmd and click on the control.

Multi Selection and Parameter Controls

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

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

NOTE

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

Adjusting Value Ranges

You can adjust the value range of a parameter using the corona of the encoder. The values for the zones are distributed within the new range, keeping their relative distances.

• To compress or expand the value range, drag the corona.

• To adjust the upper limit of the range, hold down Ctrl/Cmd and drag the corona.

• To adjust the lower limit of the range, hold down Alt and drag the corona.

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Common Editing Methods Buttons

Buttons

On/Off Buttons

These buttons have two states: on and off. If you move the mouse over an On/Off button, it changes its appearance to show that you can click it.

Push Buttons

Push buttons trigger an action and then go back to their inactive state. These buttons open menus or file dialogs.

Value Fields

To set a value, you have the following possibilities:

• Double-click in a value field, enter a new value, and press Enter. If the entered value exceeds the parameter range, it is automatically set to the

maximum or the minimum value, respectively.

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

• Position the mouse over a value field and use the mouse wheel.

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

• To set the parameter to its default value, Ctrl/Cmd-click the value field.

• To use a fader to adjust the value, Alt-click a value field.

• To enter musical values, such as key ranges or the root key, with your MIDI keyboard, double-click the value field, press a key on your MIDI keyboard, and press Return.

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

If no parameter is selected inside the focused view, pressing Tab always jumps to the first parameter.

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Common Editing Methods Using Key Commands

Using Key Commands

Presets

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

The commands are arranged in a hierarchical folder structure on the left. When you open a category folder, the items and functions are displayed with any currently assigned key commands.

• To set up a key command, select the function in the list, enter the key command in the Type in Key field and click the Assign button to the right of the field. If this key command is already used for another function, this is displayed in the field below.

• To delete a key command, select the function in the list, select the key command in the Keys list and click the Delete button.

• To search for a specific function, enter its name in the search field at the top of the dialog and click the search button.

NOTE

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

HALion offers two types of presets: section/module presets and VST presets. Section and module presets store and recall the setup of a specific component on the HALion panel. VST presets contain all information necessary to restore the complete state of the plug-in.

During setup, the factory presets are installed in a dedicated folder and a user folder is created for your own presets. The handling of presets is the same throughout the program.

NOTE

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 update.

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Common Editing Methods Presets

For more information on VST presets, see the Operation Manual of your Steinberg DAW.

Handling Section and Module Presets

The preset controls can be found throughout the program. The handling is always the same.

• To save a preset, click Save .

NOTE You cannot overwrite factory presets. If you want to save changes made to a factory

preset, save the preset under a new name or in a new location.

• To load a preset, click the arrow icon and select a preset from the list.

• To delete a preset, click Delete .

NOTE Factory presets cannot be deleted.

Handling VST Presets

Loading VST Presets

PROCEDURE

1. In the header of the plug-in panel, click the Preset Management button next to the preset name field and select Load Preset.

2. Do one of the following:

•

Select a preset to load it.

•

Double-click a preset to load it and close the preset loader.

Saving VST Presets

PROCEDURE

• In the header of the plug-in panel, click the Preset Management button next to the preset name field and select Save Preset.

Inserting VST Presets as Layers

PROCEDURE

1. Right-click the program or layer for which you want to insert the VST preset and select Load/Save> Load to new Layer.

2. Select a VST preset and click OK.

RESULT

The program is inserted as an additional layer.

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

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Common Editing Methods Presets

Replacing Programs and Layers with VST Presets

PROCEDURE

1. Right-click the program or layer that 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.

RESULT

The program or layer is replaced.

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

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Global Functions and Settings

Plug-in Functions Section

The plug-in functions section at the top of the window gives you access to global functions that affect both the currently loaded programs, and the general working of the plug-in.

The plug-in functions section contains the multi slot section, the program slot section, the master section, and the performance displays.

The toolbar below the plug-in functions section contains controls for loading multi-programs on the left. To the right of these, you can find two buttons for managing screen sets. And to the right of these, you can find various buttons with useful global functions.

Program Slot Section

This section contains a copy of the slot that is selected in the Slot Rack, as well as the main parameters of the program.

The slot parameters are the same as in the Slot Rack. In addition, the following parameters are available:

Slot Number

The number of the active slot. You can switch to another slot by clicking the slot number and selecting an entry from the list.

RELATED LINKS

Slot Controls on page 51

Master Section

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

Master Volume

Adjusts the overall volume of the plug-in.

Master Tune

You can set the Master Tune slider from 415.3 Hz to 466.2 Hz, which equals -100 cents to +100 cents.

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Global Functions and Settings Plug-in Name and Steinberg Logo

Performance Displays

The meters and text displays indicate the system load of the plug-in.

CPU

This meter shows the processor load during playback. The more voices you play, the higher the processor load. If the overload indicator lights up, reduce the Max

Voices setting on the Options page.

Disk

This meter shows the hard disk transfer load during the streaming of samples or when loading presets. If the overload indicator lights up, the hard disk is not supplying data fast enough. In such a case, open the Options page and adjust the

Disk vs. RAM slider towards RAM or decrease the Max Voices setting.

Polyphony

This display indicates the number of samples that are currently played back, to help you trace performance problems. For example, if you have to reduce the Max Voices setting on the Options page, you can verify your settings by monitoring the number of samples that are currently playing.

Memory

This display indicates the overall amount of RAM that is currently used by the plug-in and the loaded programs. The number refers to the streaming buffer and the preloaded samples. The MEM display helps you trace performance problems. For example, if you need to free up memory for other applications, you can adjust the Disk vs. RAM slider on the Options page toward Disk. You can verify your settings by monitoring the MEM display.

Plug-in Name and Steinberg Logo

To get information regarding the version and build number of the plug-in, click the plugin logo. This opens the About box. To close the About box, click it or press Esc on your computer keyboard.

If you click the Steinberg logo in the top right corner of the plug-in interface, a pop-up menu opens. Select one of the options to navigate to Steinberg web pages containing information on software updates, troubleshooting, etc.

Toolbar

Missing Busses

Opens the Pending Busses dialog, allowing you to resolve any bus connections that could not be established.

Find Missing Samples

Opens the Find Missing Samples dialog, allowing you to resolve any missing samples for the loaded program.

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Global Functions and Settings Toolbar

Global insert, AUX, and FlexPhraser buttons

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

RAM Save

The RAM Save function scans the playback of your project and unloads unused samples.

1. Click the RAM Save button and in the dialog, click Yes to start collecting the

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

3. Click the RAM Save button again. In the dialog, click Yes to unload the

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

necessary samples. The RAM Save button starts blinking.

or to the point where no new notes are played.

unused samples.

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

IMPORTANT

If a program randomly triggers notes, for example, different guitar slide noises, it is possible that these notes are not triggered during the RAM Save analysis process, and that the samples are therefore removed. To prevent this, trigger the highest required note manually during the analysis.

Enable MIDI Mapping Selection Options

If this button is activated, played MIDI notes can be used to select zones. This also influences the zone parameters that are displayed in the editors.

This parameter is linked to the corresponding option in the Mapping Editor, allowing you to remote-control the option even if the Mapping Editor is not visible.

MIDI Reset

Click this button to stop playback and reset all MIDI controllers to their default values.

Undo/Redo

To undo or redo a single operation, click the Undo or Redo buttons. To undo or redo multiple operations, click the arrow next to the button to open the history and select the step to which you want to return.

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Global Functions and Settings Keyboard Editor

NOTE

How many undo/redo operations are available depends on the Number of Undo

Steps setting on the Options page.

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.

Internal Keyboard

The internal keyboard in HALion spans the entire MIDI note range from C-2 to G8. You can use it to trigger notes by playing them, but you can also drop samples onto it to import and map samples, for example.

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. If the horizontal size is not sufficient to display all octaves, you can use the left/right arrow buttons on 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.

The following color scheme is used for the keys:

• Keys to which a key switch is assigned are shown in yellow.

• Keys to which a remapped key switch is assigned are shown in beige.

• Keys to which an expression in the Layer Alternate MIDI module is assigned are shown in red.

• Keys that are assigned to a trigger pad are shown in blue.

• Keys to which a loop trigger note is assigned are shown in green.

Previewing Notes Using the Keyboard

• To preview a note, click the corresponding key on the keyboard. The vertical position where you click a key defines the velocity that is used to trigger

the note. Click the lower part of a key to use the highest velocity, and the upper part to use the lowest velocity.

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Global Functions and Settings Quick Controls

• To play a key and all following keys at the same velocity, for as long as you keep the mouse button pressed, hold down Ctrl/Cmd and click the key on the keyboard.

• To play each note 10 times at increasing velocities between 1 and 127, hold down Ctrl/

Cmd-Alt and click a key.

Keyboard Context Menu

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

• 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.

Sphere Control

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 V). Typically, two parameters that belong together are assigned to the sphere, such as cutoff and resonance.

If parameters are assigned to Sphere H and Sphere V, triangles for indicating the horizontal and vertical axis are available.

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

• If Center Horizontal and/or Center Vertical are activated, the sphere returns to the corresponding center position as soon as you release the mouse button.

Quick Controls

Quick controls allow you to remote-control any parameter inside the program.

Quick controls can be set up for programs and for layers. If a layer has no quick controls, the quick controls of the program are used. If a layer has quick controls, the layer and all its zones use these quick controls.

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.

Value Tooltips

If you use quick controls, the following situations can happen:

•

The actual value of a parameter and the value that is displayed in its value field differ.

A button on the user interface is deactivated but the corresponding parameter is active.

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Global Functions and Settings Quick Controls

For example, this can happen if the quick control introduces an offset or if a button is controlled by a quick control.

Therefore, parameters that are assigned to a quick control show a value tooltip. This value tooltip indicates the resulting parameter value and the name of the assigned quick control.

Value tooltips can be activated or deactivated in the Options Editor.

RELATED LINKS

Edit Section on page 38

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.

PROCEDURE

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

2. Open the Sound Editor.

3. Right-click the control to which you want to assign a quick control and on the Assign Quick Control submenu, select a quick control.

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.

NOTE You can also assign a quick control as modulation source or modulation modifier in the

modulation matrix. This allows you to combine the quick control with other modulation sources.

RELATED LINKS

Modulation Matrix Parameters on page 140

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.

•

Right-click a control and define the range using the Set Minimum and Set Maximum commands.

•

In the Quick Control Assignments editor, enter the values in the Minimum Value and Maximum Value fields or click and drag the handles in the curve display.

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Global Functions and Settings Quick Controls

Trimming the Range

The Trim Range function allows you to automatically set the best quick control range, depending on the current parameter value.

PROCEDURE

• In the Quick Control Assignments editor, right-click the assignment in the list on the right.

•

RESULT

The minimum and maximum values are set automatically.

NOTE

If you change the original parameter, you have to apply the Trim Range function again to guarantee the best control range.

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.

Setting the Default Range

PROCEDURE

• In the Quick Control Assignments editor, right-click the assignment on the right.

•

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.

RESULT

The quick controls are set to their maximum possible range.

NOTE

If you change the original parameter, you must apply the Set Default Range function again to guarantee the best control range.

Unassigning Quick Controls

PROCEDURE

• Do one of the following:

•

To remove a quick control assignment, right-click the parameter in the Quick Control Assignments editor and select Remove Assignment.

•

To remove all assignments of the selected quick control, open the context menu and select Remove All Assignments.

•

To remove all quick control assignments of all quick controls that belong to the selected layer in the Program Tree, open the context menu and select Remove All Assignments of All Quick Controls.

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Global Functions and Settings Quick Controls

Single Assignment vs. Multi Assignment

You can assign a quick control to a single parameter of a zone or module. This is called a single assignment. And you can assign a quick control to the same parameter of all zones inside a layer. This is called a 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.

Quick Control Assignments Editor

• The Quick Control Assignments editor can be found in the Sound Editor for programs or layers.

Receive Quick Controls

If Receive Quick Controls is deactivated for a layer, its quick controls are not routed any further, that is, any layers, zones, etc., that come after this layer are not affected by the quick controls.

You can use this as a filter for quick controls. For example, if you have a guitar sound, and you assign quick controls to the amplifier envelope, you want them to affect the entire instrument, except for the fret noises. In this case, deactivate Receive Quick Controls for the layer that contains the fret noises, so that these are unaffected by the amp envelope.

Bypass All Quick Control Assignments

Allows you to hear a sound without quick control assignments.

Quick Controls List

The eight quick controls are listed on the left. The assignments of the selected quick control are listed on the right. You can edit the parameters for each assignment separately.

Quick Control Parameter

Displays the parameter assignment for the selected quick control.

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Global Functions and Settings Quick Controls

Affected Layers/Modules

Displays which program, layer, or module is affected by the quick control.

Bypass Single Quick Control Assignment

Bypasses the corresponding quick control assignment.

For example, if a quick control is assigned to several layers, this option allows you to bypass the quick control assignment for one of the layers only.

Mode

Determines the mode that is used for changing the parameter values.

Minimum Value

Sets the minimum value for the quick control assignment.

Curvature

Sets the curvature. You can also set the curvature by clicking and dragging in the curve display.

Maximum Value

Sets the maximum value for the quick control assignment.

Bypass All Quick Control Assignments

Bypasses all assignments for the selected quick control.

RELATED LINKS

Setting the Mode for the Quick Control Assignment on page 33 Adjusting the Curvature on page 33 Bypassing Quick Controls on page 34 Receiving Quick Controls on page 32

Managing Quick Controls

The Quick Control Assignments editor allows you to manage and edit assigned quick controls.

•

To rename a quick control, click in the Name column and enter a new name.

•

To duplicate a quick control assignment, open the context menu for the quick control and select Duplicate Assignment.

•

To change 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.

•

To replace a quick control assignment, drag it onto another quick control. When a rectangle is shown, release the mouse button to replace the quick control assignment.

•

To assign a quick control to another parameter, click the parameter name and select a new parameter from the menu.

You can only select parameters within the same layer, zone, or module.

•

To transfer all quick control assignments of a layer to the program, select the layer in the Program Tree, open the context menu of the Quick Control Assignments section, and select Forward All Assignments to Program.

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Global Functions and Settings Quick Controls

Setting the Scope for Quick Control Assignments

If quick controls are assigned to a layer, all zones inside this layer respond to the quick controls as well. In the Quick Control Assignments editor, you can change the scope of each quick control, that is, you can specify which layers or modules it affects.

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 the layer are affected. You can change which part of the program is affected by selecting an option from the pop-up menu.

If a quick control is assigned to a parameter of the program or one of its layers, the scope of that assignment is that program or layer only. Any layers from deeper hierarchy levels are not affected by the quick control.

Receiving Quick Controls

You can specify whether all zones or only selected zones within a layer are affected by the quick controls.

PROCEDURE

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

In the Quick Control Assignments editor, activate the Receive Quick Controls button.

RESULT

Now, zones inside layers respond to quick controls. This includes any single and multi assignment to zones.

NOTE

Quick control assignments that belong to the layer itself are not affected. This is useful if you have assigned quick controls to the entire program and you want to exclude parts of it, such as the layer containing the instrument noises, for example.

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Global Functions and Settings Quick Controls

Adjusting the Curvature

You can adjust the curvature of each assignment in the Quick Controls Assignment editor separately.

PROCEDURE

• To adjust the curvature, do one of the following:

•

Select the quick control that you want to edit and specify a value in the Curvature value field.

Positive values change the curvature towards logarithmic behavior and negative values towards exponential behavior.

•

Click and drag the curvature in the display on the right.

Setting the Mode for the Quick Control Assignment

A quick control behaves either as continuous control or as a switch. In addition, it remotecontrols a parameter either in relative or absolute mode. 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 editor.

Absolute

Relative

Switch Absolute

Switch Relative

Neutral Setting

Remote-controls the parameter values continuously. Absolute mode changes the assigned parameters by overwriting them with the current quick control value, that is, parameter changes are overwritten.

Remote-controls the parameter values continuously. Relative mode changes the values of the assigned parameters without losing their relative settings, that is, parameter changes can still be heard.

Switches between the minimum and maximum value. Parameter changes are overwritten.

Switches between the minimum and maximum value. Parameter changes can still be heard.

If you adjust the range of a quick control assignment, it can become necessary to change its neutral setting, to prevent the resulting sound from changing.

If you adjust the range of a quick control that has a single assignment that uses Absolute or Relative mode, HALion adjusts the setting of the quick control automatically so that the sound does not change. Likewise, if you assign multiple parameters to the same quick control, HALion sets the range of this quick control assignment automatically.

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Global Functions and Settings Quick Controls

However, if a quick control has multiple assignments and you change the range of one or more assignments, the neutral setting cannot be set automatically. In this case, you can specify the neutral setting manually using the Set Quick Control to Neutral Setting command on the context menu for the quick control.

Bypassing Quick Controls

Bypassing quick controls allows you to hear a sound without quick control assignments.

1. To bypass a single assignment for one quick control, click Bypass Single Quick Control Assignment in the Quick Control Assignments editor.

2. To bypass all assignments for one quick control, select the quick control in the Quick Control Assignments editor, and click Bypass All Quick Control Assignments in the

upper right of the parameter section.

3. To bypass all quick control assignments of a program or layer, select the program or layer in the Program Tree and click Bypass All Quick Controls Assignments in the title bar of the Quick Control Assignments editor.

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.

PROCEDURE

1. In the Program Tree, select the zones that you want to edit. Make sure that the zones are part of the program or layer containing the quick controls

that 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.

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Global Functions and Settings Options Editor

Options Editor

The Options Editor contains global settings regarding performance optimization, global functions, and MIDI controllers.

Performance Section

The Performance section contains settings to optimize the overall CPU performance of the plug-in.

Max Voices

Determines the total number of voices that a plug-in instance can play back. As soon as this limit is reached, HALion starts stealing voices.

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Global Functions and Settings Options Editor

Max CPU

To avoid clicks from CPU overloads, you can specify a maximum limit for the CPU load of the plug-in instance. HALion steals voices automatically when this limit is exceeded.

At a setting of 100 %, no voices are stolen and the available CPU is used to its limit. This can lead to audio drop-outs.

NOTE

Because of the reaction time of the plug-in, it is possible that you get CPU peaks that exceed the set limit. This can lead to artifacts, such as audio drop-outs. Therefore, it is good practice to set the Max CPU setting at a value a bit lower than actually needed.

Voice Fade Out

Sets the time to fade out voices that need to be stolen because the Max Voices setting or the Max CPU setting have been reached.

Osc ECO Mode

Activate this option to run the oscillators of synth layers in ECO mode. In ECO mode, the oscillators use less CPU at the cost of producing more aliasing at higher pitches. If this option is activated, you can play more voices with synth layers.

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 pop-

up menu.

Multi-Core

On this pop-up menu, you can specify how many of the available CPU cores of your system can be used by the plug-in. 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.

NOTE

If problems occur, reduce the number of cores, or set the pop-up menu to Off 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 come with several gigabytes of samples. That is a large amount of data and your computer cannot load all samples completely into the RAM, especially if you are using all slots. Therefore, HALion loads only the initial milliseconds of each sample into

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Global Functions and Settings Options Editor

RAM. You can specify how much RAM should be used and how much HALion should rely on accessing the hard-disk.

Balancing Disk vs. RAM

Use the Balance slider to balance the hard disk versus the RAM usage.

• If you need more RAM for other applications, drag the slider to the left

• If your hard disk is not supplying data fast enough, drag the slider to the

NOTE

The Disk vs. RAM setting always applies to all plug-in instances. It is not saved with the project. You set it up only once for your computer system.

Used Preload and Available Memory

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

towards the Disk setting.

right towards the RAM setting.

Max Preload

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.

Expert Mode

Activate Expert Mode if you want to adjust the Disk Streaming settings in greater detail.

• Preload Time defines how much of the start of the samples is preloaded

into the RAM. Larger values allow for more samples to be triggered in a short time.

• Prefetch Time determines the read-ahead capacity into the RAM while

streaming samples for a voice that is playing. Larger values allow for better transfer rates from disk, and usually for more voices. However, this requires larger streaming cache in RAM. If you increase the Prefetch Time, it is recommended to also increase the Streaming Cache.

• Streaming Cache determines the amount of RAM that is reserved for

prefetching. The actually needed size depends on the prefetch time, the number of simultaneously streaming voices and the audio format of the samples. For example, higher sample and bit rates need more RAM.

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Global Functions and Settings Options Editor

Edit Section

Here, you find common settings of HALion and you can specify an external wave editor that you want to use for editing your samples.

NOTE

The settings in this section are not saved with a project, but affect the plug-in as a whole.

Show Tooltips

If this option is activated, a tooltip is shown when you move the mouse over a control.

Show Value Tooltips

If this option is activated, parameters without a value field display their value in a tooltip when you use the corresponding control.

Auto Collapse Sections

If this option is activated and you expand a section, all other sections are automatically collapsed.

Restore Screen Set

Restores the corresponding screen set when you load a multi.

NOTE

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

Solo Mode

• In Standard mode, you can solo multiple programs or layers to hear them

combined.

• In Exclusive mode, only one program or layer can be soloed at a time.

Number of Undo Steps

Specifies the number of available undo steps.

Key Commands

Opens the Key Commands dialog, where you can view and assign key commands.

Reset Messages

If you click this button, all message dialogs that have been suppressed with the

Don't Show Again option are displayed again.

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 specify which application to use. You can enter the path manually or click the Browse button to navigate to the corresponding application folder.

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Global Functions and Settings Options Editor

Update Sample

Specifies what happens if a sample is saved in the external wave editor.

• If Ask is selected and you switch back to HALion from the external editor,

• If Always is selected, HALion accepts the modified sample.

• If With Backup is selected, HALion accepts the modified sample and

• If Never is selected, modified samples are never accepted automatically.

Temp Folder

Allows you to specify a temp folder for exchanging samples between HALion and the external editor.

Temp Cleanup

After a specific period of time, HALion deletes temporary sample files from the temp folder. The Temp Cleanup option allows you to specify how HALion handles these samples.

you are asked whether you want to replace the current sample with the modified sample.

automatically creates a backup of the old sample file.

You must import modified samples manually from the temp folder.

• If Ask is selected, you are prompted to confirm the cleanup of the temp

• If Always is selected, temporary files are deleted without further notice. If a

• If Ignore Error is selected, temporary files are always removed without

• If Never is selected, temporary files are never deleted automatically. You

Scripting Section

In this section, you can set up and activate an external script editor and specify where HALion searches for script libraries.

Use External Script Editor

folder.

file cannot be deleted, an error message is shown.

further notice. If a file cannot be deleted, no error message is shown.

must delete them manually.

Activates/Deactivates the use of the external editor.

Library Search Paths

These paths are used to search for libraries by all script modules.

RELATED LINKS

Setting Up an External Editor on page 536

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Global Functions and Settings Options Editor

Import Section

In this section, 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, because they are required for polyphonic playback.

MIDI Controller Section

Controller Assignment

With the two buttons in this section, you can save your customized MIDI controller assignments as default or restore the factory MIDI controller assignments.

NOTE

Save as Default does not include any of the MIDI controller assignments of the AUX FX.

The current MIDI controller mapping is also saved with each project. This way, you can transfer your settings to other systems. The project includes the MIDI controller assignments of the AUX FX as well.

Receive Program Changes

If this option is activated, HALion responds to program change messages. These are 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.

MIDI Controller Smoothing

MIDI controllers have a maximum resolution of 128 steps. Therefore, if you use a MIDI controller as a modulation source in the modulation matrix or to remote-control a quick control, the parameter change may occur in audible steps, causing an effect often referred to as “zipper noise”. To avoid this, HALion provides MIDI controller smoothing, so that parameter changes occur more gradually.

• If MIDI controller changes cause audible artifacts, turn the control

towards slower settings. This way, MIDI controller changes do not occur immediately, but are spaced over a period of time (in milliseconds).

• If you want more immediate MIDI controller changes, turn the control

towards faster settings. Note, however, that this may introduce audible artifacts.

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.

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Global Functions and Settings AI Knob Support

FlexPhraser

Hold Reset sends a global hold reset message to all FlexPhraser modules that

are used.

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

Performance Meter Section

This section provides 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 in the title bar of the section. The following values are displayed:

Voices

The number of played voices.

CPU Avg Load

The average CPU load.

CPU Peak Load

The CPU peak load.

Streamed MB/s

The quantity of sample data that is streamed from the hard disk.

Dropout/s

The number of dropouts per second. This can be an indicator for hard disks that are too slow.

Preload Memory

The quantity of samples loaded into the RAM of your computer.

AI Knob Support

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

•

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

NOTE

•

Some 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.

•

The AI knob only works on parameters that are automatable. This means that you cannot use the AI knob to change the parameters in the Options Editor, for example.

Page 42

Automation

You can automate most of the HALion parameters from within your host application, whether these are parameters of a program or global parameters such as AUX effects.

HALion provides 512 automation parameters that can be addressed from within the host application. You can assign HALion parameters to one of these automation parameters, and even assign multiple parameters to the same automation parameter, to control these parameters at the same time.

NOTE

• To automate parameters of multiple zones relatively, use quick controls and automate these instead.

• Not all parameters can be automated.

Automation Parameters

Each slot offers the following pre-assigned automation parameters:

Mute

Automates the Mute button of the corresponding slot.

Solo

Automates the Solo button of the corresponding slot.

Level

Automates the level of the corresponding slot.

Pan

Automates the panorama position of the corresponding slot.

Quick Controls 1-8

Automates the quick controls 1 to 8 of the program that is loaded into the slot.

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Automation Automation Editor

Automation Editor

All assigned automation parameters are shown in the Automation editor.

With the tabs at the top, you can specify whether you want to show the automation parameters for the slot, the global parameters, or all automation parameters.

On the left, the name of the automation parameter is shown, and on the right, the name of the assigned HALion parameter. If multiple HALion parameters are assigned to one automation parameter, these are listed below each other on the right.

If you assign an automation parameter for multiple zones, for example, the parameter is displayed in the list in the following way:

• If all zones within a layer are selected, the automation list shows one automation parameter for all these zones.

• If several zones within a layer are selected, the automation list adds sub-entries for each zone to each automation parameter in the list.

NOTE

You can assign a HALion parameter to an automation parameter only once. If you try to add a parameter a second time, for example, a zone parameter as part of a selection of zones, the new automation parameter is only applied to those zones in the selection that were not yet assigned to an automation parameter.

• To remove an automation parameter, click the trash icon to the right of the parameter name.

• To remove all automation parameters, click Delete All Parameters at the top of the page.

• To remove all disconnected automation parameters, click Delete Disconnected Parameters on the toolbar.

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Automation Setting Up Automation

Disconnected automation assignments could not be connected properly. This can occur if you make automation settings for a program and then load another program with a different structure into a slot, for example.

• To rename an automation parameter, double-click the parameter name and enter the new name. This name is then used in your host application.

• To replace the names for all automation parameters with the original parameter names of the program, click Refresh All Parameter Names on the toolbar

Setting Up Automation

By default, some of the slot parameters are already assigned to automation parameters, for example Mute, Solo, Volume, Pan, and Program Change. When you load a program, it automatically adds its automation parameters for the eight Quick Controls and the Sphere control.

Creating Automation Parameters

• To assign a parameter to an automation parameter, right-click the parameter control and select Assign to New Automation. The automation parameter is created on the first free automation parameter.

• To add a parameter to an existing automation parameter, right-click the control, select Add to Automation and select the automation parameter.

• To remove a parameter from the automation, right-click an automated control and select Forget Automation.

• To assign a parameter to an automation parameter automatically while working in your host application, activate Automation Read/Write, start playback, and use the controls on the HALion interface.

NOTE To create automation parameters only for selected zones, select these zones, or the

layer that contains these zones, first.

Assigning Parameters to Automation Parameters

The selection in the Program Tree determines the scope of the automation parameter, that is, which element it affects. For example, select a zone to automate this zone, and select a layer to automate all zones within this layer, etc.

EXAMPLE

If you assign an automation parameter to a group of zones within a layer, the incoming automation data affects all zones in the same way and individual settings of zones are overwritten. For example, if the zones of a layer have different cutoff values and you start automating the cutoff parameter, the zones are all set to the same cutoff value.

NOTE

If you have assigned automation parameters for a program and then load another program into this slot, it can become necessary to verify the automation settings.

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Automation Setting Up Automation

If the new program has the same structure as the previous program, for example if you exchange a Voltage preset with another Voltage preset, HALion reconnects the automation parameters correctly and no manual modifications are necessary. However, if you load a preset with a different structure, for example a Model C preset, the automation parameters cannot be reconnected. In this case, the disconnected automation parameters are still displayed in the automation list.

Page 46

Managing Your Sounds

About Programs, Layers, Multis, Macro Pages, and Presets

Programs

A program is a complex instrument or sound that can consist of up to 4 layers. Often, a program contains a single layer that comes with all necessary components, such as the synthesis part or insert effects. Programs add the possibility of combining different layers to build up more complex sounds or to create combinations of sounds that you want to load as a unit. A typical example is a bass/piano split sound or a piano/string layer sound.

Because of the various layer types that come with HALion, these combinations can do a lot more. For example, think of combining a pulsating synthesizer sequence with a sliced loop completed by a bass on the lower keys, and so on. Finally, add some effects to individual layers or to the whole program and you get a unique sound experience.

Layers

Programs are combinations of up to 4 layers. HALion offers 5 different layer types. You can choose between synth, sample, instrument, drum, and sliced loop layers. Each layer type is based on an individual sound architecture and has a dedicated editor.

Synth and Sample Layers

For synth and sample layers, you get access to a synthesizer editor with components such as a highly flexible filter section, powerful multi-stage envelopes, LFOs, a step modulator, and a modulation matrix. These layer types differ in their basic sound source. While a synth layer provides an oscillator section with three main oscillators, a sub oscillator, a noise generator, and a ring modulation stage, the sample layer loads a specific multi-sample instead.

Drum Layers

The drum layers load a multi-sampled drum set, for which you can individually adjust the most important parameters of each drum instrument. Each drum instrument can be set to a specific pan position or an individual output, or it can be filtered, reversed, and so on.

Loop Layers

Loop layers load a sliced loop, that is, a combination of a loop-specific MIDI phrase and the individual slices mapped across the keyboard. You can either play the original loop or a transposed version of it, or trigger single slices manually. Each slice can be modified with the same parameters as the drum instruments.

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Managing Your Sounds Registering VST Sounds

Instrument Layers

Instrument layers contain several multi-samples of an instrument that can be parts of single sounds or different articulations. These sublayers are called expressions. You can modify expression parameters. By switching off an expression, you can shorten the load time of a sound.

Multis

HALion is a multitimbral plug-in that can load up to 16 sounds (or programs) and combine them. This combination is called a multi-program, or multi for short. You can use multis to layer several programs or to create split sounds by setting several programs to the same MIDI input channel, for example. However, the most common usage is to create sound sets with different instruments set to individual MIDI channels.

VST Sound Instrument Sets and Macro Pages

VST Sound Instrument Sets from Steinberg provide additional content for VST instruments based on the HALion technology. They come with their own edit pages, called macro pages, that feature a customized look and a collection of controls that match the functions of the VST Sound Instrument Set. When you edit a program or layer of a certain VST Sound Instrument Set, the accompanying macro page opens. For details on the functions and controls of a particular macro page, refer to the documentation that comes with the corresponding VST Sound Instrument Set.

Furthermore, you can create your own macro pages with HALion’s Macro Page Designer.

Presets

You can save and load all types of sounds as presets, that is, you can create presets for single programs, for layers, and for multis.

Content Files and Folder Structure

HALion comes with 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, but you cannot overwrite the factory content files.

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

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

Registering VST Sounds

To be able to use the content from VST Sound containers, these containers must be registered in the MediaBay.

Any content that comes with HALion is registered during installation, but if you have created your own VST Sound container and want other users to be able to use it, they must register it first.

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Managing Your Sounds Loading Programs and Layers

NOTE

Before registering a VST Sound container, move it to the folder on your system where you want to store it. If you have registered a VST Sound container from the wrong location, for example from your Download folder, you can move it at a later point in time, using the Library Manager.

•

Double-click the VST Sound container in the File Explorer/Mac OS Finder. This way, the VST Sound container as well as any other VST Sound containers located

in the same folder are registered.

•

Drag one or multiple VST Sound containers from File Explorer/Mac OS Finder onto the MediaBay.

The registered files remain in their current location and links to them are created under

program data/steinberg/content/VSTsound for Windows and under Library/ Application Support/Steinberg/Content/VSTsound for Mac.

If a VST Sound container has already been registered, it will not be registered a second time.

RELATED LINKS

Library Manager on page 421

Loading Programs and Layers

There are several ways to load programs:

•

Via drag and drop from the MediaBay, the Program Table, the Program Tree, or the File Explorer/Mac OS Finder onto the Slot Rack.

To load the program into an empty slot, drag it onto this slot, or, if empty slots are not shown, drag it onto the empty space below the slots in the Slot Rack.

To replace the current program, drag the program onto a used slot in the Slot Rack.

•

Via the slot context menu.

•

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

NOTE

Programs containing lots of sample data may take some time to load.

Inserting Programs in between Slots

To add a program or layer in a new slot between two existing slots, drag it between these slots. A red line indicates the insert position.

NOTE

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.

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Managing Your Sounds Loading Programs and Layers

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

In the Find Missing Sample dialog, below the list of missing samples, you can enter the search path to find the missing samples.

NOTE

All subdirectories are searched before the results are displayed, therefore the search takes longer if you specify entire drives.

Starting 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.

Multiple Results

If sample files with the same name are found in more than one location, 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 it in the Found Files list.

Each sample or folder that is resolved this way disappears from the Missing File list.

Once all samples are resolved the dialog closes.

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.

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 and Length options.

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Managing Your Sounds Load Dialog

Load Dialog

Slot Rack

The Load dialog contains many of the MediaBay functions, allowing for very sophisticated search criteria.

RELATED LINKS

Applying Filters on page 56 Managing Files via the MediaBay on page 55 Results List on page 57

The Slot Rack has 64 slots. Each slot can hold a program, that is, you can work with 64 programs at the same time.

Once a program is loaded in the Slot Rack, it can be played and edited.

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Managing Your Sounds Slot Rack

Slot Rack Controls

The top section of the Slot Rack contains the controls.

Sort Slots

Allows you to select the sorting mode.

• Custom Sorting – Allows you to define the order by dragging the slots up or

• Sort Slots by MIDI Port and Channel – The slots are sorted according to

• Sort Slots by Index – Sorts the slots according to their slot index.

Slot Size Buttons

Allow you to show large, medium, or small slots. The larger the slot, the more controls are displayed.

down.

their MIDI port and MIDI channel.

Remove All Programs

Show Empty Slots

Slot Controls

For the slots in the Slot Rack, the following controls are available:

Program Icon

Mute

Solo

Removes all programs that are loaded in the Slot Rack.

By default, the Slot Rack only shows slots that contain programs. Activate Show Empty Slots to show all 64 slots.

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

Deactivates playback of the program.

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

Level

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

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Managing Your Sounds Slot Rack

Pan

MIDI Port and Channel

MIDI Activity Indicator

Polyphony

Controls the stereo position of a program. The parameter has an influence on all outputs that are used by layers and zones inside the program. If the slot bus has a surround configuration, this control is not available.

Determines on which MIDI port and channel the slot receives MIDI messages.

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

Determines how many notes can be triggered simultaneously.

NOTE

If a note triggers several zones at the same time, the number of resulting voices can be much higher.

Output

Determines to which output bus the slot sends its signal.

NOTE

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 on the right indicates the signal level of the slot’s output bus.

NOTE

If a program contains layers and zones that are routed to individual outputs, these are not reflected in the level meter.

Slot Context Menu

The context menu provides a number of functions for managing programs.

Load Program

Opens the program loader. Double-click a program or layer to load it into this slot.

Save Program

Saves the program. If you try to overwrite write-protected factory content, a dialog opens that allows you to save the edited program under a new name.

Save Program As

Allows you to save the program under a new name.

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Managing Your Sounds Managing and Loading Files

Save All Programs

Allows you to save all programs as a VST preset.

Remove Program

Removes the program from the slot.

Init Program

Loads the Init program. This contains a neutral synth layer.

Revert to Last Saved Program

Discards any changes that you made to the program since the last time it was saved.

Cut Program

Copies the program and removes it from the slot.

Copy Program

Copies the program.

Paste Program

Pastes the copied program into the slot. If the slot already contains a program, it is replaced.

Rename Program

Allows you to rename the program.

Reset Slot

Resets the slot to the default values.

Reset All Slots

Resets all slots to the default values.

NOTE

You can also cut, copy, and paste programs from one plug-in instance to another.

Managing and Loading Files

You can use the MediaBay and the Browser to manage, navigate to, load, and preview different file types.

Managing Multis

Multis can load multiple sounds or programs and combine them.

You can use multis to layer several programs or to create split sounds by setting several programs to the same MIDI input channel, for example. However, the most common usage is to create sound sets with different instruments set to individual MIDI channels.

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Managing Your Sounds Managing and Loading Files

A multi-program contains all plug-in parameters. If you use HALion as a plug-in in a Steinberg DAW, these multis are listed in the Preset Management pop-up menu of the host application. You can drag multis and programs from the MediaBay to a slot in HALion.

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

Loading Multis

You can load multis in the following ways:

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

• Click the Load Multi-Program button in the multi slot to open the Load Multi-Program dialog, select a multi, and click OK.

Renaming Multis

PROCEDURE

• To rename a multi, click in the name field, enter a new name, and press Return.

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.

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

Clearing the Plug-In Instance

• To reset the entire plug-in instance to an empty state, right-click the multi loader and select Clear Plug-in Instance from the context menu.

Saving Multis

PROCEDURE

1. Click the Save Multi-Program button.

2. Enter the name of the multi.

3. Assign any attributes that you want to use 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.

Saving a Multi as Default

• To specify a default multi to be loaded with HALion, use the Save as Default command on the context menu for the multi loader.

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Managing Your Sounds Managing and Loading Files

Creating Subfolders for User-Defined Multis

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

• To create a new folder, click the Create New Folder icon at the top left of the Save

Multi-Program dialog.

Navigating Through the Folder Hierarchy

You can move through the folder hierarchy using the three navigation buttons at the top left of the dialog.

These buttons allow you to navigate to the previous or next browse location, or browse the containing folder.

Editing Attributes

You can edit the attribute values that are assigned to the preset.

PROCEDURE

1. Open the Save Multi-Program dialog and navigate to the New Preset Tags section.

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

3. Click OK to save the preset.

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.

PROCEDURE

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.

Managing Files via the MediaBay

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

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

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Managing Your Sounds Managing and Loading Files

•

Applying Filters

Category Filter

You can filter the results list based on up to 4 filter criteria using the configurable attribute columns. The standard attributes are Category, Sub Category, Style, and Character.

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

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

• To refine the filter, select more values from other columns.

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

Content Set Filter

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

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

attribute from the submenu.

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Managing Your Sounds Managing and Loading Files

Using User Icons for Content Libraries

The Select Content Set pop-up menu allows you to filter presets according to their library name. To be able to filter out your user presets, you can set up a custom library name for your user presets in the MediaBay. By default, the pop-up menu displays user libraries with a generic library icon, but you can also set up your own icons for your libraries.

PROCEDURE

1. Open the Select Content Set pop-up menu.

2. Right-click the icon for your custom library and select Select Custom Library Icon.

3. Navigate to the file that you want to use, and select it.

You can only use .jpeg or .bitmap files.

4. To remove a user icon from a library, right-click it and select Remove Custom Library Icon.

RESULT

The new icon is shown in the MediaBay and on the Select Content Set pop-up menu.

NOTE

The standard size for library icons is 60x90 pixels. Images with a different height or width are resized.

Results List

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

Text Search

In the text search field on the results list toolbar, you can enter text contained in the name or any of the attributes of a preset that you are looking for. The results list is updated immediately and the category search section above shows all categories that contain presets matching the text search.

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Managing Your Sounds Managing and Loading Files

To reset the text-based result filter, click Clear Search Text next to the search field.

View Filters

The toolbar has three filter buttons that allow you to define which preset types to display: multis, programs, or layers. In the results list, the corresponding icon is shown to the left of the preset name.

Rating Filter

You can limit the results list according to the rating of the presets. Use the rating slider to define the minimum rating.

Content Filters

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

Columns

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

Set Up Result Columns

Allows you to select which attribute columns to display on the toolbar.

Results Counter

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

Configuring the Results List

•

To configure which attributes are shown in the results list, click Set up Result Columns in the upper right corner of the results list and activate the corresponding entries. New attributes are added at the right of the list.

•

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

•

To change the sorting of the list entries, click the column header. The triangle in the column header shows the sorting direction.

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Managing Your Sounds Managing and Loading Files

Results List Context Menu

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

NOTE

Programs from the factory content are write-protected and cannot be deleted or renamed.

Factory Presets

Load Program into selected Slot/Load Multi-Program

Loads the highlighted preset.

Select All

Selects all presets in the results list.

Select None

Cancels any selection in the results list.

User Presets

Copy

Copies the selected presets to the clipboard.

Rename

Opens a dialog for renaming the preset.

Delete

Moves the selected presets to the trash of your operating system.

Show in Explorer/Reveal in Finder

Shows the preset in the file browser of your operating system.

Set/Remove Write Protection

Sets/Removes write protection for the selected presets.

Assigning General MIDI Program Change Numbers to Sounds

PROCEDURE

1. In the MediaBay, click Set up Result Columns on the title bar of the lower section.

2. Select Musical> GM Sound.

3. Select the sound to which you want to apply the GM program change number.

4. In the GM Sound column for the sound, select the General MIDI program change

number that you want to use. You can assign the same GM Sound program number several times. If a program

number is used more than once, the Rating attribute can be used to decide which program to load.

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Managing Your Sounds Managing and Loading Files

RESULT

Now, you can use MIDI program change messages to load the assigned sounds into the slot of the corresponding MIDI channel.

NOTE

Slot 10 ignores any program change messages and keeps the loaded drum set.

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.

Showing the Program Structure

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

PROCEDURE

1. Activate Show Program Structure on the toolbar of the results list. An additional window section is displayed. It shows the contents of the selected multi,

program, or layer.

2. Navigate through the tree structure and select the items that you want to use, for example, a program within a multi, a single layer of a program, or a single zone.

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

Importing Presets

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

PROCEDURE

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

2. Drag it to the MediaBay.

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Managing Your Sounds Managing and Loading Files

RESULT

The imported presets are copied to your user folder.

Editing Preset Attributes

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

PROCEDURE

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

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

2. Select a value. Attribute values are written into the corresponding preset files.

NOTE If you change the attributes for write-protected factory presets, these changes are only

saved in the MediaBay database, not in the preset file.

Deleting User Presets

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

NOTE Factory presets cannot be deleted.

Loading HALion 3 Programs

You can load HALion 3 presets from HSB container files, VST Sound files, or FXP/FXB files.

To be able to load presets from HALion3 HSB files or programs that are contained in VST Sound files, the HSB or VST Sound files must be registered in the MediaBay.

NOTE

The factory content is located in a directory that is automatically scanned when HALion is loaded. However, if you added additional VST Sound files in another directory, you must register these files.

Registering HSB/VST Sound Files

PROCEDURE

1. Click Import on the right of the category filter toolbar and select Register HSB/VST Sound Files.

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

Alternatively, HSB/VST Sound files can be registered by dragging them from the File Explorer/Mac OS Finder into the MediaBay.

RESULT

The MediaBay has access to the presets.

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Managing Your Sounds Managing and Loading Files

Importing FXP/FXB Files

PROCEDURE

1. Click Import on 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 that you want to import and click OK.

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

Loading FXP/FXB Files

To load FXP/FXB files, do one of the following:

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

• Drag and drop the FXP/FXB files to the Slot Rack or the multi slot.

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

Loading Files Using the Browser

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

•

Samples and zones from the file system or from within loaded programs. This also includes program formats from other software and hardware samplers.

•

Programs, layers, and sublayers.

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Managing Your Sounds Managing and Loading Files

Path Section

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

• To navigate to the folder one level up in the location tree, click the Browse Containing Folder button.

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

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

Location Tree

The location tree on the left in the Browser 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. If you select an entry in the tree, the results list on the right shows the corresponding content.

Location Tree Context Menu

Batch Import

Select this command to import the content of entire folders or ISO image files.

Refresh Views

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

Rescan Disk

Rescans the selected element in the tree. The corresponding files are opened, the information is extracted, and the database file is updated accordingly.

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Managing Your Sounds Managing and Loading Files

Quick Rescan Disk

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

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

Shows the location of the selected file on your system.

Locations

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

Results List

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.

Managing Locations

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

• To add the current folder to the favorite locations, click Add Selected Media Node as Favorite Location.

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

• To delete the current location from the list, click Remove Favorite Location.

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. In addition to information like file name and path, the columns in the results list can be configured to show different attributes.

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

Navigating in the Results List

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

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

Performing a Text Search

You can limit the number of results in the results list using the text search function. This way, you can search for files with specific names, for example. For presets, the search also takes

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Managing Your Sounds Managing and Loading Files

any attributes into account. The value field in the top right corner indicates the number of files that match the search text.

• To clear the search text, click Clear Filter Text.

Configuring the Results List

•

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

•

To change the sorting of the list entries, click the column header. The triangle in the column header shows the sorting direction.

Searching for Files on Your System

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

PROCEDURE

1. Select the location that you want to use as the starting point for the search. The higher up in the hierarchy the location, the longer the search takes. Therefore, it is

not recommended to search entire hard drives.

In the top left corner of the results list, click the Search Location Content button and

enter the search text in the text field.

3. Optional: Click the button to the right of the search field to specify whether you want to search for samples, MIDI files layers, programs, multis, or all types.

4. To start the search, press Return or click Search/Stop Search to the right of the search text.

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

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

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

Page 66

Managing Your Sounds Managing and Loading Files

Preview and File Info Sections

The Preview and File Info sections below the results list allow you to play back the focused sample and shows information about the file.

File Info Section

This section shows information on the focused sample or MIDI file.

• For samples, length, channels, bit depth, and sample rate are shown. If available, root key, key, and velocity range are also shown.

• For MIDI files, original tempo, signature, and length are shown, as they are saved in the file.

Preview Section

You can listen to the focused sample or MIDI file using the controls in the Preview section.

Level

Adjusts the playback level.

Play

Plays back the focused sample or MIDI file.

Stop

Stops playback. The play locator jumps back to the start of the file.

Pause

Pauses playback. Click again to continue.

Auto Play

Automatically starts playback of the focused sample or MIDI file.

Loop Playback

If this button is activated, the focused sample or MIDI file is played back repeatedly.

Play Position

Displays the playback position within the focused sample or MIDI file. To select another position for playback, click on the slider or drag the handle to the new position.

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, a subfolder is created, in which the corresponding samples are saved, if necessary.

Page 67

Managing Your Sounds Managing and Loading Files

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.

Adding Files to the MediaBay on Import

To automatically create VST presets for each imported program in the user presets folder, activate Automatically Add Preset to MediaBay on Import to the right of the destination folder field. This way, the imported programs are available in the MediaBay and can be used in other projects. Otherwise, imported programs are only available in the current instance of HALion.

Missing Samples

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

RELATED LINKS

Finding Missing Samples on page 49

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 Browser tree. In all cases, the Import Folder dialog opens, where you can specify how to import the contained subfolders and samples.

•

To load the file that is focused in the results list into the active slot in the Slot Rack, use the key commands Return or L.

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

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.

NOTE

These icons only appear after selecting the programs.

RELATED LINKS

Importing Samples on page 228

Page 68

Managing Your Sounds Managing and Loading Files

Loading Files from HALion3

You can load FXB and FXP files from HALion3. These files can be located in a directory on the file system or inside an HSB container file. HSB container files must be registered in the MediaBay before they can be used. When loading FXB files, the multi-program is replaced.

If FXB or FXP files are referring to HSB container files, the sample paths always work. For samples that are located on the file system, you might have to reestablish the sample paths.

•

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

•

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 within HSB files cannot be imported. In this case, you must register the HSB file.

RELATED LINKS

Finding Missing Samples on page 49

Loading Third-Party Sampler Programs

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

Multis and banks in third-party sampler formats can be dropped on the multi-program slot, the Slot Rack, or the Program Table.

•

If you drop a multi or bank on the multi-program slot, the current multi is replaced.

•

If you drop a multi or bank on the Slot Rack, new slots are created and the corresponding programs are added to the Program Table.

If the 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.

•

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

NOTE

If the ISO image or bank has partitions or folders, you can drag only that partition or folder to the Slot Rack or the 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.

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)

Page 69

Managing Your Sounds Working with General MIDI Files

* ISO images on HDD only.

Working with General MIDI Files

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

PROCEDURE

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 the MIDI Controller section, and activate Receive Program Changes and Receive RPNs 0/1/2.

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

RESULT

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

Page 70

You can edit the sample mapping manually in the Mapping Editor. The mapping functions are based on information like key range, root key, and velocity range.

Mapping Editor

The Mapping Editor allows you to view and edit the distribution of the zones within a program.

All zones are mapped to the key range on the horizontal axis and the velocity range on the vertical axis. In the upper area, you have access to mapping ranges and sample parameters for the selected zone. If several zones are selected, the parameters of the focused zone are displayed.

NOTE

Mapping Zones

Layers and zones that are hidden in the Program Tree are not displayed in the Mapping Editor.

Page 71

Mapping Zones Mapping Editor

Zones are displayed as boxes. Overlaying zones are semi transparent, so that overlapping areas can easily be recognized. Selected zones have a red border, and the focused zone has an orange border. To set the focus on a zone, click on it or select it on the Focused Zone popup menu above the toolbar.

When you play notes on your MIDI keyboard, these notes are highlighted on the Mapping Editor keyboard. The velocity of the played note is shown on the velocity scale on the left.

To test the sample mapping, you have the following possibilities:

• Ctrl/Cmd-click a key on the keyboard and keep the mouse button pressed. HALion plays this key and all following keys at the same velocity, for as long as you press the mouse button.

• Hold down Ctrl/Cmd-Alt and click a key to play this key and the following keys ten times each, at increasing velocities from 1 to 127.

Toolbar

MIDI Mapping Selection Options

You can select zones using the Mapping Editor keyboard or an external MIDI keyboard. The mapping selection buttons are available if the Enable MIDI

Mapping Selection Options button is activated.

•

Activate Select Zones with the Mapping Editor Keyboard to select zones by clicking on the Mapping Editor keyboard.

Page 72

Mapping Zones Mapping Editor

•

Activate Select Zones via MIDI to select zones by playing on an external MIDI keyboard.

•

If Select Zones depending on Velocity is activated, only zones that match the incoming velocity are selected.

•

If Select Zones using a MIDI Controller to set the Velocity is activated, the velocity from the keyboard is replaced by the controller values that are sent by the selected controller.

Right-click the icon to select another controller or use the Learn function.

•

If Select all Zones between the last two played Notes is activated, any zones that are located between the last 2 triggered zones are selected.

To extend the selection, play and hold a note. Any additional notes that you play add the corresponding zones to the selection.

If you play a chord, any zones between the lowest and the highest key are selected.

Scroll Position follows Tree Selection

If the Scroll Position follows Tree Selection button is activated and you select a zone in the Program Tree, the Mapping Editor automatically scrolls the view to keep the selection in the center. This works on both the keyboard and the velocity axes.

Crossfade

•

If this is set to Crossfade: Manual , you can set up and edit each crossfade manually.

•

If this is set to Crossfade: Auto , the crossfade range is automatically adjusted if you move overlapping zones.

•

If this is set to Crossfade: Symmetric , you can create symmetric crossfades for zones that have an identical key range and an adjacent velocity range.

Move Lock

Allows you to lock zones, to prevent you from accidentally moving or resizing them.

Move Root Key with Zones

If this button is activated, the root key is automatically adapted when you move a sample zone. This way, you can make sure that moved samples play back at the correct pitch.

Trigger Zones

If this button is activated, you can trigger zones in the Mapping Editor.

Zone Range Section

Below the toolbar, you can make settings for the zone range. The Tune and Gain parameters are only available for sample zones.

Page 73

Mapping Zones Mapping Editor

Key Range

With the Low Key and High Key value fields, you can set up the key range for the selected zone.

Velocity Range

With the Low Velocity and High Velocity value fields, you can set the velocity range for the selected zone.

Root Key

The root key determines the original pitch of a zone, that is, the key on which the zone is played without being transposed.

Tune

Sets the tune offset of the zone.

This value can be written into the sample file on export and is read on import.

Gain

Sets the gain offset of the zone.

This value can be written into the sample file on export and is read on import.

Pan

Allows you to specify a pan offset for the sample.

Keyboard

The keyboard indicates with which keys a zone can be triggered. It can also be used to trigger notes. The vertical position at which you click a key determines the velocity.

The context menu for a key contains submenus that show information on pitch and velocity, as well as the zones that are mapped to a key.

NOTE

Keys to which no zones are assigned are grayed out.

Page 74

Mapping Zones Mapping Editor Context Menu

Velocity Scale

The velocity scale on the left provides an orientation when you adjust the velocity range of a zone. In the background of the scale, a meter indicates the incoming velocity value. After each note, the meter automatically falls back to zero and leaves a marker on the last velocity value.

Mapping Editor Context Menu

Selection

Opens a submenu where you can select all zones or invert the current selection.

• To select all zones, select Select All.

• To select all zones that were previously not selected and to deselect all

zones that were previously selected, select Invert Selection.

Replace Sample

Allows you to exchange one or multiple samples that are used to play back one or multiple zones. Any zone-specific settings like Pitch, Filter, or Amplifier are not modified by this.

Page 75

Mapping Zones Mapping Editor Context Menu

Delete

Deletes the selected zones.

Cut

Removes the selected zones and saves them to the clipboard.

Copy

Copies the selected zones to the clipboard.

Paste

Pastes the zones from the clipboard to the selected program or layer.

Visibility

The Visibility submenu allows you to control the visibility of zones inside the Mapping Editor.

• Hide Selected hides the selected zones.

• Hide Non-Selected hides all zones that are not selected.

• Show Selected shows all selected zones.

• Hide All hides all zones.

• Show All shows all zones.

• If Auto Visibility is activated, the selected zones and any of their direct

siblings that are part of the same layer are automatically shown. Other zones are hidden.

Mute/Solo

• Mute All Zones mutes all zones.

• Solo All Zones solos all zones.

• Mute Selected Zones mutes the selected zones.

• Solo Selected Zones solos the selected zones.

• Make All Zones Audible resets all mute and solo states for all zones.

• Solo Follows Selection automatically solos the zones that you select.

Crossfades

Zones can partially or entirely overlap. You can create fades in the horizontal (key) and the vertical (velocity) direction. This allows you to successively add certain sound components over the key or the velocity range.

• On the submenu, select whether you want to create crossfades on the

keyboard axis or the velocity axis, or both.

Mapping

Allows you to set up the mapping for the selected sample.

Fill Gaps

• Pitch Only fills any gaps between the selected zones on the keyboard axis.

• Velocity Only fills any gaps between the selected zones on the velocity axis.

Page 76

Mapping Zones Mapping Editor Context Menu

• Pitch and Velocity first fills the gaps on the keyboard axis. Then, the

remaining gaps on the velocity axis are filled.

• Velocity and Pitch first fills the gaps on the velocity axis. Then, the

remaining gaps on the keyboard axis are filled.

Set Root Key

Allows you to adjust the root keys of the selected zones without changing their key or velocity ranges.

• Center of Zone sets the root key to the center of the zone. If the zone has

no center because it has an even number of keys, the root key is set to the key in the center that is closest to the previous root key.

• High Key of Zone sets the root key to the High Key of the zone.

• Low Key of Zone sets the root key to the Low Key of the zone.

• Key Text in Sample Name sets the root key to the key that is extracted from

the sample file name. The function searches for the name of the key in text form.

• Key Number in Sample Name sets the root key to the MIDI note number

that is extracted from the sample file name. The function searches for a number.

• Root Key in Sample File sets the root key to the key that is stored in the

header chunk of the sample file.

Transfer Settings to Mapping

Zones often have varying Fine Tune and Level settings, while sharing various other settings. To avoid varying Fine Tune and Level settings, transfer these settings to the Tune and Gain parameter in the Mapping Editor.

• All transfers the Fine Tune and Level settings at the same time.

• Fine Tune and Level allow you to transfer the parameters separately.

Afterwards, the zone settings are reset to their default values.

Mapping Options

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

Root Key Fill Up

The samples are mapped to their root key. The zones expand to the right to fill empty spaces.

Root Key Fill Down

The samples are mapped to their root key. The zones expand to the left to fill empty spaces.

Page 77

Mapping Zones Mapping Editor Context Menu

Layered on Root Key

The zones are layered on the root key, equally spaced from the lowest to the highest velocity.

Layered on Key Range

Zones that have exactly the same key range are layered equally spaced from the lowest to the highest velocity.

Chromatic from Last Key

Starting with the highlighted key of the Mapping Editor keyboard, the zones are mapped chromatically to the white and black keys in ascending order. The root keys are set to the corresponding key.

White Keys from Last Key

Starting with the highlighted key of the Mapping Editor keyboard, the zones are mapped to the white keys in ascending order. The root keys are set to the corresponding key.

Black Keys from Last Key

Starting with the highlighted key of the Mapping Editor keyboard, the zones are mapped to the black keys in ascending order. The root keys are set to the corresponding key.

Layered on Last Key

On the highlighted key of the Mapping Editor keyboard, the zones are layered equally spaced from lowest to highest velocity. The root keys are set to the highlighted key.

Stacked on Last Key

At the highlighted key of the Mapping Editor keyboard, the zones are stacked on top of each other. The root keys are set to the highlighted key.

Key Text in Sample Name

The zones are mapped to the key that is extracted from the sample file name. The function searches for the name of the key in text form, for example, C#3. The mapping and root key are set to that key.

Key Number in Sample Name

The zones are mapped to the MIDI note number that is extracted from the sample file name. The function searches for a number. The mapping and root key are set to that key.

Velocity in Layer Name

The zones are mapped to the velocity range that is extracted from the layer name.

Velocity in Sample Name

The zones are mapped to the velocity range that is extracted from the sample file name.

Page 78

Mapping Zones Sample Zones and their Root Keys

Velocity in Sample Folder

The zones are mapped to the velocity range that is extracted from the name of the sample folder.

Ranges in Sample File

The zones are mapped to the key and velocity ranges that are stored in the sample file header.

NOTE

If the header does not contain this information, the samples cannot be mapped.

Tuning from Sample File

The zones are mapped according to the tuning settings that are stored in the sample file header.

NOTE

If the header does not contain this information, the samples cannot be mapped.

Gain from Sample File

The zones are mapped according to the gain settings that are stored in the sample file header.

NOTE

If the header does not contain this information, the samples cannot be mapped.

Sample Zones and their Root Keys

The root key determines the original pitch of a zone, that is, the key on which the zone is played without being transposed.

Samples can contain root key information embedded in the sample file. When they are loaded, they are automatically mapped to the corresponding keys.

The sample collections included with HALion contain both multi-sampled instrument programs and single-shot sample programs. The multi-sampled programs contain samples of a specific instrument, usually containing only one sample zone per key on the keyboard. The single-shot programs contain different sample zones that are mapped across the keyboard, without relationship between key and pitch. For these programs, you might want to move sample zones. After moving the zones, adjust the root key to make the zones play back at the correct pitch.

•

Moving Zones

To move a zone, select it, click in the middle of it and drag it to another position.

To move several selected zones, click in the middle of one of the zones and drag.

To set the root key, enter the value in the Root Key value field, or hold down Alt and click the corresponding key on the keyboard.

Page 79

Mapping Zones Creating Fades and Crossfades

To restrict the movement to the horizontal direction, start dragging the zone and press Ctrl/

Cmd, and to restrict movement to vertical, start dragging and press Alt. When you move

sample zones horizontally, they are transposed, therefore, it might be necessary to adjust the root key.

Creating Fades and Crossfades

PREREQUISITE

On the Crossfades submenu of the context menu, Enable Crossfades on Keyboard Axis or Enable Crossfade on Velocity Axis, or both, are activated.

PROCEDURE

• Drag the fade handles to create a fade. For keyboard axis fades, drag left or right and for velocity axis fades, drag up or down.

By default, the fade curve is exponential, but you can change the curvature by dragging the curve up and down. The maximum curve setting represents an equal power curve. This is useful for velocity crossfades.

If you want to create symmetric crossfades, activate the corresponding button on the toolbar.

RELATED LINKS

Crossfade on page 72

Setting Key Range and Velocity Range

• To set the key range, move the mouse to one of the borders of a zone and drag to the left or the right, or enter the values manually in the Low Key and High Key value fields.

• To set the velocity range, move the mouse to one of the borders of a zone and drag up or down, or enter the values manually in the Low Velocity and High Velocity value fields.

NOTE

If several zones are selected, the key range or the velocity range is modified for all the zones simultaneously. However, only the values of the focused zone are displayed in the edit fields.

Zooming

The Mapping Editor can zoom and scroll in two dimensions: the keyboard and the velocity scale.

•

To zoom in or out, click the + or - buttons on the scrollbars. Once you have zoomed in, you can use the scrollbar to move to a specific velocity or

keyboard area.

•

To zoom in/out on the locator position, press G and H.

Page 80

Mapping Zones Selecting Zones

•

To zoom in on a specific zone, double-click it. To zoom out, double-click again.

•

To zoom in on an area where two or more zones are overlapping, double-click the area. To zoom out, double-click again.

•

To zoom to the selection, activate the S button next to the scrollbar.

•

To zoom out completely or return to the last zoom state, click the A button next to the scrollbar.

Zoom Snapshots

Zoom snapshots save the zoom factor and scroll position of the editor. These are restored when you load the snapshot.

To the right of the scrollbar, you can find three numbered buttons that allow you to save and load zoom snapshots.

• To save the current state of the editor as snapshot, Shift-click one of the numbered buttons to the right of the scrollbar.

• To load a zoom snapshot, click the corresponding button. The button color changes if a snapshot is active.

NOTE

If you perform any manual zooming or scrolling, the zoom snapshot is deactivated.

Selecting Zones

• Click a zone to select it.

• Ctrl/Cmd-click to select several zones.

• Hold down Ctrl/Cmd and draw a selection rectangle covering the zones that you want to select.

• Press Ctrl/Cmd-A to select all zones.

• Click on the velocity scale to select all zones that belong to this velocity.

Importing Single Samples Using Drag And Drop

PROCEDURE

1. Drag a sample into the mapping section or onto the keyboard and keep the mouse button pressed.

An outline representing the sample appears.

2. Move the mouse pointer up and down. The horizontal position of the mouse pointer determines the lowest key of the key

range, and the vertical position of the mouse pointer determines the key zone range.

3. Drop the sample to insert it.

Page 81

Mapping Zones Importing Multiple Samples Using Drag And Drop

Importing Multiple Samples Using Drag And Drop

PROCEDURE

1. Select the samples that you want to import.

2. Drag the samples to the key on the Mapping Editor keyboard where you want the first

selected sample to be placed. If you drag samples from a separate browser window, the selection order determines

how the samples are mapped, with the first selected sample being mapped to the first key.

3. Move the mouse up and down. The samples are mapped chromatically. Moving the mouse up or down resizes the key

range for each zone.

•

If you move the mouse pointer to the bottom of the Mapping Editor, the samples are distributed to different velocities rather than key ranges.The first selected sample gets the highest velocity and the last selected the lowest velocity

•

If you press Ctrl/Cmd and move the mouse pointer to the bottom of the mapping view, the samples are layered on the keys that you drop them on.

•

If you press Ctrl/Cmd and point at a white key, the samples are mapped to the consecutive white keys only, and the key range cannot be extended. Pointing to a black key maps the samples to black keys instead.

4. Release the mouse button to insert the samples.

Page 82

Editing Programs and Layers

In the Sound Editor for programs and layers, you can find the parameters that are set globally for an entire program or layer. For example, you can transpose the pitch, adjust level and pan, and limit the playback to a specific area on the keyboard.

Programs and layers share the same set of parameters.

Main Section

The Main section contains basic settings.

Octave

Coarse

Fine

Level Velocity Curve

Transposes the pitch in octave steps.

Transposes the pitch in semitone steps.

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

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

Page 83

Editing Programs and Layers Trigger Section

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.

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.

Trigger Section

The Trigger section allows you to control the trigger and release behavior.

Individual MegaTrig Management

This button is only available for layers. If you want the key switch assignments across different layers to work individually, activate Ind MegaTrig for these layers. This can be necessary if two layers with different key switches are used together in one program.

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 this parameter is set to Permanent, the key switch stays active until

another key switch is used.

Page 84

Editing Programs and Layers Trigger Section

• If this parameter is set to Temporary, the key switch is only active for as

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.

NOTE

If you set the Default Switch parameter to a note value that is not assigned as a key switch, the lowest key switch is used as the default key switch.

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.

• If this parameter is set to Off, MIDI controllers are processed in the release

long as the corresponding key is pressed.

phase.

• If this parameter is set to On, MIDI controllers are filtered out.

• If this parameter is set to Inherit, the zones of this layer follow the behavior

that is specified for the parent layer.

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.

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.

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

NOTE

Crossfades are set up in the Mapping Editor.

Velocity Mode

The switching or crossfading between zones can be controlled via velocity or MIDI controller.

Page 85

Editing Programs and Layers Voice Management Section

• If Note-on is selected, the velocity is used to trigger the zones.

• If Controller is selected, a MIDI controller is used to replace the velocity,

• If Continuous is selected, a MIDI controller is used to replace the velocity.

Controller

Determines which controller is used if Velocity Mode is set to Controller or Continuous.

• For the most realistic playback of instruments that use crossfade

• To save voices during playback of instruments that use crossfade

that is, the controller value is used to select the zones. The note-on message triggers the zones selected by the controller. Only

zones that belong to the corresponding velocity are played back.

Depending on the Velocity Fade setting, the controller uses fades when switching between zones. Therefore, all zones belonging to a key are played back.

techniques, activate Velocity Fade and set Velocity Mode to Continuous.

techniques, deactivate Velocity Fade and set Velocity Mode to Note-on.

NOTE

For a good compromise between performance optimization and realistic playback, try setting Velocity Mode to Controller and activating Velocity Fade.

Velocity Fade

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

RELATED LINKS

MegaTrig on page 516

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.

Voice Manager

Determines which Voice Management settings are applied to the selected layer.

• If this parameter is set to Off, the layer uses the Voice Management

settings of the layer one level up in the hierarchy. If no layer with active Voice Management settings exists at this level, the settings of the program are used.

• If this parameter is set to On, you can make individual Voice Management

settings for the selected layer.

Page 86

Editing Programs and Layers Voice Management Section

• If this parameter is set to Program, the settings of the program are used,

Voice Mode

Determines which notes are stolen during playback and whether new notes are triggered when the Polyphony setting is exceeded.

• Last Note Priority – New notes have playback priority over the notes that

• First Note Priority – Older notes have playback priority over newer notes.

• Low Note Priority – Low notes have playback priority over higher notes.

• High Note Priority – High notes have playback priority over lower notes.

• Steal Lowest Amplitude – New notes have playback priority over notes with

• Steal Released Notes – New notes have priority over notes that enter the

regardless of any Voice Management settings made for layers higher up in the hierarchy.

were played before them. If you exceed the maximum number of notes, the notes that were played

first are stolen in chronological order (First in/First Out) and the new notes are triggered.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Trigger Mode

Defines the trigger behavior for new notes.

• Normal triggers a new note when the previous note gets stolen. The

sample and the envelope of the new note are triggered from the start. To minimize discontinuities, use the Fade Out parameter of the zone.

• Resume does not always trigger a new note.

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Editing Programs and Layers Voice Management Section

• Legato does not always trigger a new note.

• Resume Keeps Zone does not trigger a new note upon note stealing. The

• Legato Keeps Zone does not trigger a new note upon note stealing. The

NOTE

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 envelope keeps 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.

envelope resumes at the level of the stolen note and the pitch of the zone is set to the new note, even if the new note plays in a different zone.

envelope keeps running and the pitch of the zone is set to the new note, even if the new note plays in a different zone.

If Resume or Legato are selected, you might hear an unnatural attack, depending on the sample. To avoid this, activate Use Start Range on the Glide tab in the

Voice Control section for the zone.

Voice Groups

Allows you to create and use voice groups, that is, groups of zones that can be edited together.

Poly Tab

The Poly tab contains the polyphony settings for programs and layers.

Mono

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

This option is only available in Mono mode. If Retrigger is activated, a note that was stolen by another note is retriggered if you still hold the stolen note when you release the new one.

This way, you can play trills by holding one note and quickly and repeatedly pressing and releasing another note, for example.

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Editing Programs and Layers Voice Management Section

Polyphony

When you play a note, one or multiple zones can be triggered. Each triggered zone equals a voice. The number of voices that 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 that you can play is limited by the Polyphony value of the program.

Key Poly

With this parameter, you can specify an upper limit for the number of notes that can be played for a key. The notes that were played last have priority. For this parameter to have an effect, the Mono button must be deactivated.

NOTE

Key Poly is limited by the Polyphony setting.

Low Amp

By default, the oldest note is removed first when notes are stolen due to a Key Poly limitation. If you want the note with the lowest amplitude to be removed instead, activate Low Amp.

Min Low Notes

Defines the number of low notes that cannot be stolen, regardless of the Voice Mode setting.

Make sure that the polyphony of the program is high enough for your specific Min Low Notes setting and allows to play additional higher notes.

Sus/Rel Tab

The Sus/Rel tab contains the sustain and release settings for programs and layers.

Ind Sustain

Activate this parameter to use individual sustain settings for the selected programs or layers.

Sustain Mode

While you hold the sustain pedal, HALion plays back the notes that you play repeatedly until the Key Polyphony value is reached. When you release 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.

• If Hold Loudest is selected, the loudest note keeps playing.

• If Hold Last is selected, the last note that you played keeps playing.

• If Hold First is selected, the first note that you played keeps playing.

• If Hold All is selected, all notes keep playing.

• If Release All is selected, all notes enter the release phase.

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Editing Programs and Layers Voice Management Section

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.

RELATED LINKS

Fade Out on page 96

Voice Groups

By assigning zones to a voice group, you can set their polyphony individually. 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 maximum number of notes that you can play in a voice group is limited by the Polyphony setting of the corresponding program or layer.

The parameters of the voice groups are edited using the columns in the table below the Voice

Management section.

Shows the number of the voice group.

Poly

Allows you to set the polyphony for each voice group.

Excl

If voice groups belong to the same exclusive group, they cannot be played back simultaneously. The voice group that was triggered last has priority over the voice groups that were playing before. Any voice groups of the same exclusive group that were playing are cut off. 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.

•

To assign a voice group to an exclusive group, select a number from the pop-up menu.

Voice Mode

Allows you to set the Voice Mode parameter separately for each voice group.

RELATED LINKS

Voice Management Section on page 85

Assigning Zones to Voice Groups

PROCEDURE

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, on the Trigger tab, select a voice group from the Voice Group pop-up menu.

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.

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Editing Programs and Layers Variation Groups Section

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 variation groups.

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.

Enable

Activates the variation group feature.

Mode

Click the Mode column to open a pop-up menu with the following options:

• If this parameter is set to Off, all variations are triggered simultaneously.

• If this parameter is set to Round Robin, all variations are triggered

alternately in a fixed order.

• If this parameter is set to Random, all variations are triggered randomly.

Individual variations can be triggered repeatedly.

• If this parameter is set to Random Exclusive, all variations are triggered

randomly. No variation is directly repeated.

Assigning Zones to Variation Groups

PROCEDURE

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.

4. On the Variation Group pop-up menu, select a variation group.

NOTE 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.

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Editing Programs and Layers Quick Control Assignments Section

Quick Control Assignments Section

This section allows you to manage and edit the assigned quick controls.

How to work with the quick controls is described in a separate section.

RELATED LINKS

Quick Controls on page 27

Note Expression Section

How to work with the Note Expression parameters is described in a separate section.

RELATED LINKS

Note Expression on page 540

Page 92

You can edit zones in the Zone Editor or in the Sound Editor. These editors allow you to modify the settings for a single zone, for multiple selected zones, or for all zones at the same time.

Adding Zones

You can add zones in the Program Tree. Which zone type to add depends on the type of sound that you want to create or work with.

PROCEDURE

1. On the toolbar, click Create New Zone .

2. From the pop-up menu, select the zone type that you want to add.

Editing Zones

Zone Types

Synth Zone

Sample Zone

Granular Zone

Uses a combination of oscillators, a ring modulator, and a noise generator as sound source. The synth zone oscillators offer much more than classic subtractive synthesis.

Uses a sample as sound source. With the AudioWarp features, sample zones allow for pitch shifting and time stretching, and the Vintage setting emulates the sound quality of the first samplers. In the Sample Editor for a sample zone, you can slice the sample and create a step modulation for each slice, for example.

Granular zones use a sophisticated granular synthesis as sound source. This allows you to create complex sounds that can drastically evolve over time from any sample.

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Editing Zones Adding Samples to Empty Zones

Organ Zone

Organ zones produce the sound of classic drawbar organs with up to nine drawbars.

Wavetable Zone

Wavetable zones use wavetable synthesis as sound source. Its high-quality analysis combined with the wavetable envelope allows for resynthesis of a sample, that is, only a few waves are necessary to reproduce the original character of any sample.

If not explicitly stated, the functions described in this chapter apply to all zone types.

RELATED LINKS

Editing Samples in the Sample Editor on page 150 Granular Synthesis on page 190 Wavetable Synthesis on page 173

Adding Samples to Empty Zones

Depending on the zone type, it can be necessary to fill the created zone with sample material. This applies to sample zones, granular zones, and wavetable zones.

•

To add a sample to an empty sample zone, drag it from the File Explorer/Mac OS Finder or the Browser to the sample display in the Sample Osc section of the Zone Editor or onto the waveform area in the Sample Editor or click Load/Replace Sample in the header of the Sample Editor and select a sample.

•

To add a sample to an empty granular zone, drag it to the sample display in the Grain Osc section of the Zone Editor or onto the waveform area in the Sample Editor.

•

To add a sample to an empty wavetable zone, drag it to the waveform area in the Wavetable Editor or use the Insert From Sample button on the toolbar of the wavetable overview section.

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.

•

If you use absolute editing and you change a parameter from 50 % to 60 % for one zone, all other zones are also set to 60 %.

•

If you use relative editing and you change a parameter from 50 % to 60 % in one zone, another selected zone that was set to 70 % is set to 80 %.

NOTE

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.

RELATED LINKS

Multi Selection and Parameter Controls on page 18

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Editing Zones Editing Selected Zones or All Zones

Editing Selected Zones or All Zones

When working in the Zone Editor or 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.

Global Zone Settings

The global section at the top of the Zone Editor allows you to set up basic zone parameters.

Mute Zone

Mutes the zone.

HALion 3 Compatibility

This button lights up if you load an FXP file from HALion 3, to indicate that HALion 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.

ABS/REL

Allows you to switch between absolute and relative editing.

SEL/ALL

Allows you to select whether the editing is applied to all zones or to the selected zones.

Zone Type

Allows you to select a zone type.

You can change the zone type of existing zones. For example, this allows you to create and set up a sample zone, and then switch the zone type to Granular or Wavetable and use your sample as a basis for further editing in this editor. If you switch between zones, the zone settings are adapted as far as this is possible. A sample oscillator is replaced by a synth oscillator, for example. However, changing the zone type has some limits. When switching from a wavetable to a sample zone, for example, the sample zone will initially be empty. Because there are two oscillators in the wavetable zone that can even refer to multiple samples or work without samples at all, sample data cannot be transferred. The same is true for synth and organ zones that are switched to sample zones.

Show All Sections/Show First Section

Allows you to switch the display between showing all sections and showing only the first activated section.

Section buttons

The section buttons allow you to customize the section display and to facilitate navigating between sections. For each section, one button is available.

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Editing Zones Voice Control Section

The buttons can be activated, deactivated, or locked.

Low Key/High Key

These parameters determine the lowest key and the highest key on which the zone is triggered.

Low Velocity/High Velocity

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.

RELATED LINKS

Absolute and Relative Editing on page 93

Managing Sections

If you activate a section button, the corresponding section is shown. As soon as you click another button, the section is automatically hidden and the new section is shown.

If you lock a section by clicking the button directly to the right of the section button, the section button 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 section buttons to toggle between showing and locking all sections, and showing only the first section.

•

If 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.

RELATED LINKS

Screen Sets on page 13

Voice Control Section

The Voice Control Section contains the same controls for sample, synth, grain, and wavetable zones and a separate set of controls for organ zones.

For sample, synth, grain, and wavetable zones, the following parameters are available:

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Editing Zones Voice Control Section

Trigger Tab

On the Trigger tab, you can specify the triggering of a zone.

Voice Group

Variation Group

Priority

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.

Specifies the alternation mode for the different variation groups.

Each zone that you trigger corresponds to a voice. If the number of played zones exceeds the Maximum Voices setting specified in the Options Editor, zones are cut off and replaced by other zones. 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 zones with the same priority.

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.

If Sync is deactivated, the delay is specified in milliseconds. If Sync is activated, the delay is specified in fractions of beats.

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.

Release Delay

With this parameter, you can delay the release event of the zone by a specified time or a note value.

If Sync is deactivated, the delay is specified in milliseconds. If Sync is activated, the delay is specified in fractions of beats.

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.

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Editing Zones Voice Control Section

Release Mode and Amount

These parameters 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.

• Off deactivates the Release Mode. The level of the note-off sample is

controlled only by the amplifier section of the zone.

• If Note-on Env is selected, 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.

NOTE 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 noteon sample as the associated sample.

• If Note-off Env is selected, the level of the note-off sample is controlled

by the amplitude envelope of the note-off sample: The note-off sample is played back with the level that its amplitude envelope has at the moment when the note-off sample is triggered.

• If Note-on Vel is selected, the level of the note-off sample is controlled by

the incoming MIDI note-on velocity.

• If Note-off Vel is selected, the level of the note-off sample is controlled by

the incoming MIDI note-off velocity.

• If Current Amplitude is selected, the level of the note-off sample is

controlled by the current amplitude of the associated note-on sample.

• If Random is selected, the level of the release sample is controlled by a

random value.

The Amount parameter adjusts how much the selected option affects the level of the note-off samples.

Unison Tab

Unison allows you to trigger multiple voices simultaneously with each note that you play.

Unison On/Off

Activates/Deactivates unison.

Voices

Determines the number of voices that are triggered simultaneously. The maximum is eight.

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Editing Zones Voice Control Section

Detune

Pan

Delay

Distribution

Detunes the pitch of each unison voice in cents. This produces a fatter sound.

Spreads the unison voices across the stereo panorama. The higher the value, the broader the stereo image.

Allows you to introduce a small random delay for each unison voice.

With a value of 0 ms, all unison voices are triggered at the same time. Values from 1 ms to 100 ms add a random delay to each unison voice. The higher the value, the more random the delay. This is especially useful to avoid comb filter effects with two or more slightly detuned samples.

Allows you to specify how unison voices are spread in pitch. Changing the unison voice distribution will create different modulations between the unison voices.

• If this is set to 0, the distribution is linear, that is, all voices have an equal

distance in their pitch offset.

• Raising the value stretches the distribution using an exponential curve, so

that the first unison voices have a smaller pitch offset than the second and third.

• Decreasing the value stretches the distribution using a negative

exponential curve,so that the first unison voices have a larger pitch offset than the second and third voices.

NOTE

This parameter is always visible, even if Unison is deactivated. This is because it does not only affect the voice distribution of the zone unison, but also the voice distribution of the wavetable and synth oscillators that have their own independent multi-oscillator settings.

Glide Tab

Glide allows you to bend the pitch between notes that follow each other. You achieve the best results in Mono mode.

Glide On/Off

Activates/Deactivates Glide.

Fingered

Activate this parameter to glide the pitch only between notes that are played legato.

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Editing Zones Voice Control Section for Organ Zones

Glide Time

Sets the glide time, that is, the time it takes to bend the pitch from one note to the next.

Sync

Activate Sync to synchronize the delay time to the host tempo. Select a note value from the pop-up menu. To change the selected note value to a triplet, activate the

T button.

Mode

• Set this parameter to Constant Time to keep the glide time constant and

independent from the note interval.

• Set this parameter to Constant Speed to change the glide time with the

note interval. Larger intervals result in longer glide times.

Curve

Allows you to select one of three curve types to define the glide behavior.

• With the Linear curve, the pitch glides at continuous speed from the start

to the end pitch.

• With the Exponential curve, the pitch starts gliding at higher speed and

decelerates towards the end pitch. This behavior is similar to the natural pitch glide produced by a singer.

• With the Quantized curve, the pitch glides in semitones from the start to

the end pitch.

Glide Group

If you assign zones to glide groups, you can set the glide effect independently for the zones. This allows you to set up zones with overlapping key ranges and different settings of Glide Time, for example.

Use Start Range

If a new note plays in a different zone with a different sample assigned, the new sample is used to glide to the new pitch. Depending on the sample, this can produce an unnatural attack. To avoid this, activate Use Start Range. If this is activated, the sample does not start from the beginning, but from the position you set with the Sample Start Range parameter.

RELATED LINKS

Voice Groups on page 89 Sample Oscillator Section on page 106

Voice Control Section for Organ Zones

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Editing Zones Voice Control Section for Organ Zones

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.

Priority

Variation Group

Specifies the alternation mode for the different variation groups.

Fade Out

Fine

Allows you to fine-tune the pitch in cent steps.

Pitchbend Up/Pitchbend Down

Determines the range for the modulation that is applied when you move the pitchbend wheel.

Percussion

Adds a dedicated percussion envelope to emulate the percussion of vintage organs. The percussion envelope works in addition to the amplifier envelope.

• The Percussion button activates/deactivates the percussion envelope.

• The Length parameter controls the decay of the percussion.

For example, set this to 500 ms for short percussion and to 1000 ms for long percussion.

• On the Trigger pop-up menu, select First Note if you want to use

monophonic triggering or Each Note if you want to use polyphonic triggering.

NOTE

For the typical percussion sound of an organ, use only the drawbars 4' or 2 2/3'.

RELATED LINKS

Voice Management Section on page 85

100

Steinberg HALion - 6.0 Operation Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Table of Contents

Conventions

Typographical Elements

Installation and Setup

Markup

Key Commands

System Requirements

Downloading Program Files

Installing the Program

Activating Your License

Registering Your Software

How You Can Reach Us

About the Documentation

Setting Up

Selecting Outputs

Using the Instrument in an AU-Compatible Application

Using the Instrument as Standalone Application

HALion Control Panel

Configuring the Control Panel

Setup Options

View and Tab Operations

Window Handling

Setting the Focus

Available Editors

Common Editing Methods

Dials and Sliders

Multi Selection and Parameter Controls

Buttons

Value Fields

Using Key Commands

Presets

Handling Section and Module Presets

Handling VST Presets

Loading VST Presets

Saving VST Presets

Inserting VST Presets as Layers

Replacing Programs and Layers with VST Presets

Global Functions and Settings

Plug-in Functions Section

Program Slot Section

Master Section

Performance Displays

Plug-in Name and Steinberg Logo

Toolbar

Keyboard Editor

Quick Controls

Value Tooltips

Assigning Quick Controls

Setting the Minimum/Maximum Range

Trimming the Range

Setting the Default Range

Unassigning Quick Controls

Single Assignment vs. Multi Assignment

Quick Control Assignments Editor

Managing Quick Controls

Setting the Scope for Quick Control Assignments

Receiving Quick Controls

Adjusting the Curvature

Setting the Mode for the Quick Control Assignment

Neutral Setting

Bypassing Quick Controls

Assigning Quick Controls in the Modulation Matrix

Options Editor

Performance Section

Streaming Section

Edit Section

Scripting Section

Import Section

MIDI Controller Section

Performance Meter Section

AI Knob Support

Automation

Automation Parameters

Automation Editor

Setting Up Automation

Managing Your Sounds