STEINBERG HALion Sonic Instruction Manual [fr]

Heiko Bischoff, Masahiro Eto, Pierre Schaller Thanks to: Matthias Klag, Michael Ruf 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, by Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.

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

for any purpose, without prior written permission

Table of contents

5 Welcome 5 Key command conventions 6 How you can reach us 6 Installation 8 Getting ready to play 10 About multis, programs and layers 12 HALion Sonic interface 15 Plug-in functions section 17 Multi Program Rack 20 Mix page 20 MIDI page 21 Editing programs 23 Editing layers 24 Voice page 27 Pitch page 28 Oscillator page 30 Filter page 32 Amplifier page 34 Envelope pages 39 LFO pages 42 Step Modulator page 44 Mod Matrix page 46 Modulation Sources 47 Modulation Destinations 48 Modulation Modifiers 49 Inserts page 50 Instrument layer 53 Expression Maps 54 FlexPhraser 59 FlexPhraser Phrases 59 Drum and loop layers 67 Quick controls 71 Trigger pads 73 Global Effects 74 Effects reference 87 MediaBay 90 Options page 91 Multi Chain 95 MIDI controllers 98 Index

Welcome

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing HALion Sonic by Steinberg.

HALion Sonic breaks new ground in terms of performance, versatility and ease of use: you can now work more productively than ever before. HALion Sonic offers over 12 GB of first class synths, hybrid and acoustic instruments, covering almost any conceivable style. With the purchase mate VST workstation, which is actually a joint venture

roject on its own: thousands of lines of computer code

p has been generated in the Steinberg Headquarter in Hamburg, Germany to build an instrument capable of playing back over a thousand ready to play sounds. Created by the Yamaha sound design team behind Yamaha’s

egendary MOTIF synthesizers, this world-class library

l with up to 20 articulations per instrument covers an enormous range of styles, all the way from finest detailed

ustic instruments to legendary synthesizers, club

aco sounds and soundscapes, from ultra-realistic acoustic drum kits to the latest hip-hop loops. All included sounds with articulations feature real-time control and support for Steinberg’s VST Expression, delivering easy articulation editing in Cubase 5. The massive library also includes over 1,500 patterns for the FlexPhrase module that drives beats, arpeggios and complex tonal phrases, plus automatic articulation switching. HALion Sonic is your go-to

mposition and production instrument, offering the com-

co plete range of sound-shaping and creative editing features you expect from studio-grade instruments. Yet

ALion Sonic also shines when performing live: building

H keyboard or layer splits is absolutely effortless.

Whether you are a musician, producer or both - HALion Sonic is certainly your first choice when it comes to breathtaking authenticity, extraordinary dynamic response and tonal depth available exclusively in this premier workstation virtual instrument, conceived and designed by Steinb version allows you to use HALion Sonic without a host application – a great choice for performing live. It has two

ditional features: the quick-idea scratch pad, which lets

ad you instantly store spontaneous ideas, and the metronome.

of HALion Sonic you have chosen the ulti-

erg in collaboration with Yamaha. The standalone

Please don’t forget to register on MySteinberg in order to

access to online support offers and additional ex-

gain clusive services. And check out the HALion Sonic community at our online forum, for tips and other useful

tion.

informa We wish you a lot of musical inspiration working with your

brand new workstation!

Key command conventions

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

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

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

under Windows or [Command] under Mac OS X, then press [Z]”.

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

Please note that this manual often refers to right-clicking, for examp with a single-button mouse, hold down [Ctrl] and click.

le, to open context menus. If you are using a Mac

shown with the Windows modifier

HALion Sonic

How you can reach us

Clicking the Steinberg logo in the top right corner of HALion Sonic opens a pop-up menu where you find items for getting additional information and help:

• On this menu, you can find links to various Steinberg web sites. Selecting one automatically launches your browser application and opens the page.

On the web sites you can find support and compatibility information, answers to frequently asked questions, links for downloading new drivers,

This requires that you have a browser application installed on your

etc. computer, and a working internet connection.

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

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

For further information see “Register your software!” on page 7.

Installation

Please read the following section before installing HALion Sonic.

The USB-eLicenser

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

The USB-eLicenser is a USB device on which your Steinberg software licenses are stored. All hardware-protected Steinberg products use

the same type of device, and you can store more than one license on one device. Also, licenses can (within certain limits) be transferred between USB-eLicensers – which is

helpful, for example, if you

want to sell a piece of software. The product package of HALion Sonic contains an activa-

tion code, which is found on the Essential Product License Information card within the product package. To make unlimited use of your version of HALion Sonic, you must manually download a license to an USB-eLicenser connected

computer, and activate your permanent license us-

to your ing the activation code.

The eLicenser Control Center (which can be found on the

Start menu on Windows systems or in the Applications folder on a Mac after installation of HALion Sonic) is the

place where you can check the licenses installed on your USB-eLicenser, and activate new licenses.

To check the installed licenses, click the “Enter Activation Code” button i

n the eLicenser Control Center and follow

the instructions.

• If you are using other copy-protected Steinberg products, you may want

to transfer all licenses for your applications to one USB-eLicenser, thus using up only one USB port of your computer.

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

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

The USB-eLicenser

HALion Sonic

System requirements

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

Windows

• Windows Vista and Windows 7 (64-bit version natively supports 64-bit versions of Vista and Windows 7)

• Pentium/Athlon 2.0 GHz dual core mobile or dual core 2.0 GHz processor

•2 GB RAM

• Approx. 12 GB of free hard disk space

0 pixels

• Display resolution 1280 x 80

• Windows DirectX compatible audio hardware (ASIO compatible audio hardware recommended for low-latency performance)

• DVD-ROM drive with dual-layer support

• USB component port for USB-eLicenser/Steinberg Key (license management)

• USB-eLicenser/Steinberg Key is required (not included)

• Internet connection for license activation

• For using as plug-in, a VST2 or quired

Macintosh

• Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6

• Intel Core Duo 2.0 GHz processor

•2 GB RAM

• Approx. 12 GB of free hard disk space

• Display resolution 1280 x 80

• CoreAudio compatible audio hardware

• DVD-ROM drive with dual-layer support

• USB component port for USB-eLicenser/Steinberg Key (license management)

• USB-eLicenser/Steinberg Key is required (not included)

• Internet connection for license activation

• For using as plug-in, a VST2, VST3 or AU compatible host is

uired

recommended

VST3 compatible host is re-

0 pixels

recommended

Installing HALion Sonic

Since HALion Sonic provides a large amount of content, the porduct package contains two DVDs. Please have all DVDs ready,

because you will be asked to remove one

DVD and insert the next one during the installation.

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

Proceed as follows:

1. Insert the first DVD into your DVD drive.

An interactive start screen appears. If the interactive start screen is not opened automatically or if you have a Macintosh computer, you can manually open the interactive start screen by double-clicking the file

“

HALion_Sonic_Start_Center.exe” under Windows or “HALion Sonic

Start Center.app

”

on a Macintosh computer.

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

ons and information presented.

opti If you do not want to install HALion Sonic via the interac-

tive start screen, follow the instructions below:

Windows

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

2. Follow the instructions on screen.

Macintosh

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

2. Follow the instructions on screen.

Register your software!

We encourage you to register your software! By doing so

you are entitled to technical support and kept aware of

updates and other news regarding HALion Sonic. Proceed as follows:

• Click the Steinberg logo in the top right corner of the

trol panel and select “Register HALion Sonic now!”

con from the pop-up menu.

This option is an internet link that opens the registration page of the Steinberg web site. To register, simply follow the instructions on screen.

HALion Sonic

Getting ready to play

The following sections describe how to use HALion Sonic as a plug-in in different host applications, or as a standalone instrument.

Setting up HALion Sonic as a VST instrument in Cubase

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

Cubase provides two ways of working with VST instruments: the VST instruments window, or instrument tracks.

To access HALion Sonic via the VST instruments window,

roceed as follows:

1. Open the Devices menu in Cubase and select the VST

instruments option to open the VST instruments window.

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

pop-up menu and select HALion Sonic.

3. You will be asked whether you want to create an asso-

ciated MIDI track connected to the VST instrument. Click Create.

HALion Sonic is loaded and activated, and its control panel opens. A MIDI track called HALion Sonic is added to the Track list. The output of this track is routed to HALion Sonic.

To access HALion Sonic via an instrument track, proceed

lows:

as fol

1. Open the Project menu, and select “Instrument” from

the Add Track submenu.

2. The Add Instrument Track dialog is opened. Select

HALion Sonic from the instrument pop-up menu.

3. Click OK to create the instrument track. Click the Edit

Instrument button in the Cubase Inspector to open the control panel of HALion Sonic.

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

Working with individual outs

HALion Sonic loads in a stereo output configuration by

default. However, you can use up to 15 additional

ual outs in Cubase. This allows you to route all 16 program slots to a dedicated Cubase Mixer channel.

To make these outputs available:

1. Open the

2. Click the

3. Activate the outputs you want to use.

Cubase automatically creates a MIDI track for each additional output and adds a channel to its mixer. You can now route HALion Sonic programs, layers or drum instruments (Slices) to these outputs for further signal processing within Cubase.

Instrument window.

output button for HALion Sonic instrument.

individ-

Using HALion Sonic in an AU compatible application

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

For Logic Pro 8, proceed as follows:

1. Open the ment channel.

2. [Command]-click the I/O field, and select either MultiChannel or Stereo from the pop-up menu that opens.

3. In the submenu that appears, select All instruments. Then select HALion Sonic. HALion Sonic is now loaded as an AU instrument.

Track Mixer and select the desired instru-

HALion Sonic

HALion Sonic standalone

Click here to open the Preferences dialog.

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

• To retain your HALion Sonic settings, you must save

them as a preset (cl the HALion Sonic logo).

The Preferences dialog

When running HALion Sonic as a standalone application, you can configure the application in the Preferences dialog. To open the Preferences dialog, proceed as follows:

• Click the Open Preferences button (the cogwheel sym-

bol) to the right of the audio output field.

• Right-click in the topmost section of the control panel

and select “Preferences” on the context menu. The Preferences dialog has several pages in which you

can make the following settings:

• On the MIDI Routing page, use the MIDI Input Port pop-

up menu to specify a MIDI input. Use the Channel Filter option to decide whether HALion Sonic should record MIDI events on all MIDI channels, or only on one specific channel. Use the “Filter 'All Notes Off' Controller” option to avoid unwanted “All Notes Off” messages.

Such messages are sent by some keyboards when the user releases the last key. This causes HALion Sonic to stop playback, even when the sustain pedal is still in use.

• On the Audio Routing page, use the Audio Output Port

pop-up menus to assign different audio outputs.

HALion Sonic supports 32 channels: two Main channels (left and right) and 15 additional stereo channels (left and right). You can assign different audio outputs for each channel. Selecting an audio output on the

p-up menu maps the output to the corresponding channel.

po If you press [Shift] and select an audio ou are set to incrementing audio output ports – e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, 6, 7, 8. If you press [Alt]/[Option]-[Shift] and select an audio output, the audio outputs are assigned in pairs to the front and rear channels – e.g. 1, 2, 1, 2 or

5, 6, 5

ick the disk symbol to the left below of

tput, the front and r

ear channels

• On the Metronome page a number of settings can be made regarding the use of a metronome:

Option Description

Mode Here you can turn the metronome on and

Accent Activate this to accentuate the first beat of each bar. Level Use this fader to adjust the volume level of the metro-

Connections Here you can select a separate stereo output for the met-

Count In mode.

nome.

ronome.

off or set it to

• On the General page, activate “Don’t prompt for confirmation when quitting HALion Sonic” if you want HALion Sonic to close without prompting when quitting the program.

• On the ASIO Driver page, select your audio hardware

from the ASIO Driver menu.

driver

If you plan to use several audio applications simultaneously, you may want to activate the option “Release Driver when Application is in Background”. This will allow another application to play back via your audio

rdware even when HALion Sonic is running.

The input and output latency values for your audio hardware are displayed. “Latency” is the amount of time spond to any messages that are sent to it. High latency results in a

noticeable delay between when you press a key and when you hear the

sound. Below the latency values, the sample rate that is set for the connected audio hardware is displayed.

When you run HALion Sonic, there are several processes fighting for access to processor time in your computer. The parameter “Audio Priority” all

ows you to determine which processes have priority:

it takes for your system to re-

• Once you have selected the driver, open the Advanced page to specify which inputs and outputs should be used and name these. Click the Control Panel button to open the control panel for the audio hardware and adjust the settings as recommended by the audio hardware manufacturer.

HALion Sonic

Missing content

There may be situations in which a content file becomes unavailable. The reason can be a closed encrypted partition or a detached removable hard drive, for example. In these cases, you Sound Library cannot be informed.

To access the content again, proceed as follows:

1. Click Ignore.

HALion Sonic is loaded, containing the content that could be found.

2. Quit HALion Sonic.

3. Reattach the removable hard drive or reopen the en-

crypted partition.

4. Launch HALion Sonic.

If content files or models are missing for another reason (e. g. if you moved them onto another hard drive after installation, or if you have added a hard drive, thereby “shifting” the partitions), proceed as follows:

1. In the window with the message regarding the missing

VST Sound Library, click Locate if you want to choose a different file location. A file dialog opens.

2. Browse

3. Select

found in this location become available.

• Click Remove if you do not want HALion Sonic to

search for a particular file in the future.

can activate the “Do not ask again” option if you

Ö You want to ignore or remove all missing files at once.

will be prompted that a specific VST

the directory where the content is located.

the file and click Open. All content files that are

About multis, programs and layers

Multis

HALion Sonic is a 16 times multi-timbral plug-in, which means that you can load up to 16 sounds so-called programs, to combine them. This combination is called multi. You can use them, for example, to layer several programs or to quickly create split sounds by setting multiple programs to the same MIDI input channel. The most common usage, howe struments set to individual MIDI channels.

Programs

A HALion Sonic program can be understood as a complex instrument or sound which combines up to four so-called layers. Load a few programs and go to the Edit page to see how those programs are constructed. Often, a program contains a single layer which already comes with all necessary comp sert effects. This is because a layer already is a complete sound struc bility of combining different layers to build up even more complex sounds or to create combinations of sounds you want to load as a unit. A typical example would be a bass / piano split sound or a piano / string layer sound.

Because of the various layer types which come with HALio example, think of combining a pulsating synthesizer sequence with a sliced loop completed by a bass on the

wer keys and so on. Finally add some effects on individ-

lo ual layers or on the whole program and you will get a

ue sound experience. You will find that the options are

uniq endless.

ver, is to create sound sets with different in-

onents such as the synthesis part or in-

ture on its own. The program adds the possi-

n Sonic, these combinations can do a lot more. For

Layers

Each of the four layers of a program can use one of the five different layer types that come with HALion Sonic. You can choose between synth, sample, instrument, drums and sliced loop layers. Each layer type is based on an individual sound architecture and provides an adapted editor.

HALion Sonic

Synth and sample layers

For synth and sample layers, you will get access to a fullyfledged synthesizer editor with components such as a highly flexible filter section, powerful multi-stage envelopes, LFOs, a Step Modulator and a Modulation Matrix.

hese layer types differ in their basic sound source. While

T a synth layer provides an oscillator section with three main oscillators, namely 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, where you can individually adjust the most important parameter per drum instrument. Each drum instrument can be set to a specific pan position or individual output, be filtered, reversed, and so on.

Loop layers

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

Instrument layers

Instrument layers contain several multi samples of an instrument that can either be sound parts or completely different articulations. These sublayers are called Expression.

Every Expression can be modified individually by its most important parameters or simply be turned off, to speed up loading time for sound, where not all of the Expressions are needed.

HALion Sonic

HALion Sonic interface

Performance controllers

Plug-in functions section

Standalone functions section

Multi Program Rack

Toolbars

Trigger Pads

Sphere

Edit Display

Quick Controls

The HALion Sonic interface follows a fixed size, single window concept and is subdivided into several main sections. To save pixel space on the computer monitor it can

e collapsed to a smaller version which only shows one

b slot with the most important sections and hides the Multi Program Rack and Edit Display sections.

Collapsed View

HALion Sonic

Plug-in functions section

At the top of the HALion Sonic window you find the plugin functions section. It contains important controls such as the main volume, tuning, indicators for disk activity and CPU load, as well as the number of voices currently played. Furthermore, it provides a duplicate of the currently focused slot and the program loaded in this slot.

Multi Program Rack

In the Multi Program Rack (located to the left of the Edit Display) you can load up to 16 programs into HALion Sonic. Slots can be muted or soloed. Programs can be selected to edit their parameters.

You can load programs into slots by drag&drop from the

ad page. You can also click the down arrow button to

Lo open the MediaBay.

Edit Display

Edit page

The Edit page allows you to edit all the parameters that exist inside a program. This comprises the parameter of up to four layers as well as all parameters for the integrated FlexPhrasers and insert effects.

MIDI page

The MIDI page shows the MIDI parameters of all 16 programs and allows you to adjust parameters such as MIDI

Channel, Low Key, High Key, Low Vel, High Vel and Po-

lyphony.

Mix page

The Mix page shows the main audio parameters of all 16 programs and allows you to adjust parameters such as level, pan, output, effect send levels for the four AUX effects that can be commonly used. In addition, it also displays a level meter for each slot.

Effects page

The Effects page gives you direct access to the four AUX busses used to realize global send effects as well as the main bus. Each bus can load up to four inserts in serial order to create further sophisticated multi effects.

Multi page

The Multi page allows you to manage and control the socalled Multi Chains. Multi Chains consists of a list of up to 128 multis. This gives you quick access to all multi presets, for example, during a live performance situation.

The Edit Display is a multipurpose display that shows various editor views depending on the selected page and slot. There are seven pages that can be chosen using the page switches above the editor views. These pages are the Load, Edit, MIDI, Mix, Effects, Multi and the Options page.

Load page

The Load page gives you access to the huge library that comes with HALion Sonic. It provides an interface to the integrated MediaBay which is used to categorize and rate multis, programs and layers. It allows you to quickly find the sounds you are looking for and of course it conveniently manages all the sounds that you create as well.

HALion Sonic

Options page

The Options page provides you with all the parameters that can be set for the HALion Sonic plug-in.

Toolbars

Quick controls

Above the Edit Display section you find two small toolbars with various useful global functions.

Global insert, AUX and FlexPhraser buttons

Use these buttons to switch off all insert effects, all AUX effects and all FlexPhrasers for the whole plug-in at once. For instance, you can use this feature to quickly compare sounds with and without effects or to use a preset without the FlexPhrasers that have been stored with the preset.

Undo/Redo

HALion Sonic features an undo/redo command stack that allows you to undo or redo the last 10 operations. With the aid of this function you can test new settings without having to worry about losing any of your previous settings.

You can either click the Undo/Redo buttons to undo or redo a single st

ep or:

1. Click on the small triangles to see Undo/Redo history.

2. Click on an entry in the history list to go back (or for-

ward) to that particular step.

Ö You cannot undo loading a multi (instance) preset.

MIDI Reset

The MIDI Reset button allows you to reset all playing MIDI notes and sounds with one single click.

Editor / Player

This button toggles between the two views available for HALion Sonic: the full-size editor view (e), and the smaller player view (p).

The HALion Sonic quick control section provides you with eight quick controls that can be used to directly adjust the most important parameters of a program. In addition, you can also switch to the four sets of layer quick controls.

Performance controllers

Wheels

The wheels on the left side represent the pitch and modulation wheels on a hardware controller keyboard and can be used in the same way.

Keyboard

The virtual 88-note keyboard of HALion Sonic can be used to trigger MIDI notes just like a real keyboard. By clicking the keys on different vertical positions you can control the note on velocity. Furthermore, the keyboard displays keys that are not used to trigger notes but act as key switches. The up/down switches on the left and right side of the keyboard shift the keyboard range by octaves. This allows you to display, for instance, key switches that are located on lower keys.

Sphere

Trigger Pad section

The pads section shows eight pads used for triggering complex chords, remote controlling key switches, etc.

The sphere control is a 2-dimensional-controller that acts as two quick controls, one for vertical and one for horizontal movements. This can be used, for example, to control the morphing

HALion Sonic

filter.

Standalone functions section

Using HALion Sonic as a standalone application adds the standalone functions section above the plug-in. Here you can set Audio and MIDI interface routings, adjust the main volume and get access to the integrated MIDI scratch pad that allows you to easily record your musical inspirations without having to start a MIDI sequencer application. It can also be used to play multi track arrangements that trigger the 16 different sounds inside HALion Sonic.

Plug-in functions section

Introduction

The plug-in functions section gives you access to general functions of the plug-in. It is divided into three sections: program slot, master section and performance displays. With Master Volume and Master Tune you can control the overall loudness and tuning of the plug-in. A large display shows you the name of the currently selected program along with its main parameters. With the performance displays you can monitor the Polyphony and Mono Voices, or

mory, CPU and Disk usage of the plug-in.

the Me

Program slot

Loading programs into the slot

To load a program directly into the program slot:

1. Switch to the Load page and double-click the desired program.

2. Drag the program and drop it to the name field of the program slot.

Alternatively you can click the load program button on the right end of the program loader to open a MediaBay dialog. You can then load the program from there. This method is especially useful when you are working with the smaller Player view that does not have direct access to the Load page.

Loading layers into the slot

You can also load a layer preset directly into the program slot. In this case, HALion Sonic creates a new program and drops the layer into the first of its four layer slots. To load a layer into the slot, use the Load page or the Media Bay Browser Window in the same way as for programs.

Ö Be sure to have the view filter for layers active. Other-

se you will see program presets only.

Aborting the loading of layers

Programs containing lots of sample data may take some time to load. In this case, a progress bar is shown directly in the slot. In addition, the Load button changes to an “Abort” button (x) that allows you to stop the loading process and to reset the slot to the previous state.

The program slot shows the main program parameters for the program currently selected in the Multi Program Rack. You can adjust settings such as level, pan, output bus, MIDI channel and polyphony. Furthermore, you can use the program slot to load programs and to mute/solo them.

Slot selector

The slot number not only serves as a label but also allows you to select the slot you would like to have displayed.

To select the slot:

1. Open the context menu on the number.

2. Select the desired slot.

To make the slot selection easier, programs already lo

aded will be displayed with their name.

HALion Sonic

Removing programs from a slot

To remove a program from the slot:

1. Open the context menu on the program name.

2. Select “Remove Program”.

Saving a program

To save a modified program:

1. Open the context menu on the program name.

2. Select “Save Program”.

The program will be saved in your user folder.

MIDI activity indicator

The MIDI icon indicates incoming MIDI data by blinking.

Solo

Enable the Solo button of a slot in order to hear only the respective program.

Mute

Enable the Mute button to turn off a program. The program remains loaded and can therefore be turned on again smoothly.

Loading programs into the program slot

To load a program into the slot you have two options:

• Switch to

the Load page and double-click the desired

program.

• Drag the program and drop it to the desired slot.

Level

Use the level fader to adjust the output level of the slot. The maximum value is +12dB (the default value is ±0dB).

Pan

Use the pan fader to adjust the position of the slot in the stereo panorama.

Output

Use the output selector to define the output destination of the slot signal. By default all signals are sent to the Main output.

Master section

Master Volume

Use the Main Volume knob to adjust the overall volume of HALion Sonic. The maximum value is +12dB (the default value is ±0dB).

• Turn th

e control clockwise by clicking on it and drag-

ging upwards to raise the volume.

• Turn the control counter-clockwise by clicking on it and dragging downwards to lower the volume.

Master Tune

You can set the Master Tune within a range from 415.3Hz to 466.2Hz, which equals -100 cents to +100 cents. The default value is 440Hz.

Performance displays

In the upper right of the plug-in panel, you find meters and text displays that indicate the system load of the plug-in.

Polyphony

This parameter allows you set the number of keys you can play simultaneously. Keep in mind that one key can trigger several layers. Check the Performance Meter to see how many voices are triggered by your playing.

Program Icon

The program icon on the left side shows to which Category of sounds the preset belongs. It cannot be assigned freely but depends on the Category and Sub Category tagged in the MediaBay. If no Category is set, a default icon will be shown.

HALion Sonic

CPU

This meter shows the processor load during playback of voices. The more voices you play, the higher the processor load will be. If the red overload indicator lights up, reduce the Max Voices setting on the Options page.

Disk

This meter shows the hard disk transfer load from streaming samples or loading presets. If the red overload indicator lights up, the hard disk is not supplying data fast

ugh to the computer. In such a case, adjust the Disk

eno vs. RAM slider on the Options page towards RAM. You can also decrease the Max Voices setting on the Options page.

Polyphony (Mono Voices)

MIDI Reset

This display indicates the number of samples 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 Voices display.

Memory

MEM is an abbreviation for Memory. This display indicates the overall amount of RAM currently used by the plug-in and the loaded programs. The amount you see results from the streaming buffer and the preloaded samples. The MEM display helps you to trace performance problems. For example, if you need to free memory for other applications, you can do so by adjusting the Disk vs. RAM slider

n the Options page towards Disk. You can verify your

o settings by monitoring the MEM display.

Reset MIDI

Sometimes notes can get stuck, due to reasons such as the plug-in losing MIDI connection, or the plug-in receiving wrong MIDI controller data. In such a case, you can

emergency reset” the plug-in:

“

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

This is the same as sending the MIDI controllers 120 (All Sound Off) and 121 (Reset All). The plug-in stops playback immediately and resets the controllers to their default values.

Steinberg logo and about box

If you click on the Steinberg logo in the upper right corner of the plug-in, a pop-up menu opens. You can open the manual in pdf format by selecting Help. Selecting one of the other options opens your default internet browser, directing you to the Steinberg web site. To check for software updates and to find information for trouble shooting, select the

corresponding link from the menu.

• To open the manual in pdf format, a pdf reader application must be installed on your computer.

• Your computer needs an active and working internet connection to access the Steinberg web site.

If you click on the plug-in logo in the upper left of the control panel, the about box opens. It contains information regarding the version and build number of the plug-in. With the plug-in version and software is up-to-date. Please visit www.steinberg.net regularly to check for updates. To close the about box, click on it or press [Esc] on your computer keyboard.

build number you can verify if your

Multi Program Rack

Introduction

The Multi Program Rack provides 16 slots, so you can load up to 16 programs simultaneously. To show which program is triggered, the slot number indicates incoming MIDI data by blinking. Also, each slot provides a Solo and a Mute button. The Multi Program Rack is linked to the various pages of the Edit Display: When the Edit page is open, you can click individual slots in the Multi Program Rack and see the settings for each loaded program. Additional slot parameters such as level, pan, MIDI channel, etc. can be

Managing multis

Above the Multi Program Rack you find the multi preset controls which can be used to load, save and remove multi presets for the entire plug-in.

When using HALion Sonic as a plug-in in Cubase or Nuend Management pop-up menu of the host application.

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

found on the MIDI and Mix pages.

o, you will find these presets listed in the Preset

HALion Sonic

Loading multis

To load a multi preset you have two options:

• Switch to the Load page in the Edit Display and doubleclick the desired multi preset or drag the multi preset and drop it onto the multi loader.

• Click the Load button to open a MediaBay browser window and load the multi program with a doube-click.

1. Switch to the Load page in the Edit Display and double-click the desired program.

2. Drag the program and drop it to the name field of the program slot.

Or you can click the Load program button on the right to open a MediaBay browser window and load the program from there. This method is especially useful when in the Player view, where the Load page is not available.

MediaBay

Saving multis

To save multi presets with HALion Sonic’s integrated multi preset management:

1. Click the disk icon button in the multi preset slot to open the save dialog.

2. Enter the name of the multi.

3. Assign any tags you require.

4. Click OK.

Ö If you choose an existing file name, you will be asked whether you want to “Overwrite” the file. If not, press “Cancel” to modify the name first or press “Make Unique Name” to add a number suffix (-01,-02, …) to the preset name.

Removing a multi

To remove all loaded programs, and to reset HALion Sonic to its default state, click the trash button.

Loading programs into slots

To load a program into a specific slot you have two options. You can either:

Ö When

you reopen the MediaBay browser on a slot that already has a program loaded into it, the Category and Sub Category filters will automatically be set to those of the current program. Through this, it becomes very easy to exchange sounds with similar ones at a later stage, without having to readjust the search filter settings again. Of

rse, you can then modify your search or reset it com-

cou pletely to see all presets.

Ö Clicking an

empty slot automatically switches the edi-

tor to the Load page.

Loading layers into slots

You can also load a layer preset directly into a program slot. In this case, HALion Sonic creates a new program and drops the layer into the first of its four layer slots. To load a layer into a specific slot, use the Load page or the MediaBay browser window in the same way as for programs.

e sure to have the view filter for layers active. Other-

Ö B wise you will see program presets only.

Aborting the loading of programs

Programs containing lots of sample data may take some time to load. In this case, a progress bar is shown directly in the multi and/or program slot. In addition, the Load button changes to an “Abort” button (x) that allows you to stop the loading process and to

reset the slot/multi slot to

its previous state.

Removing programs from slots

To remove a program from a slot:

1. Open the context menu on the program name.

2. Sel

ect “Remove Program”.

HALion Sonic

Saving program

To save a modified program:

1. Open the context menu on the program name.

2. Select “Save Program”

The program overwrites the original program on your system. Note that you cannot overwrite protected factory content. In this case, the save dialog appears.

Saving program as…

To save a modified or new program under another name:

1. Open the context menu on the program name.

2. Select “Save Program

As…”.

3. The save dialog appears.

4. Enter the new name and set the database attributes.

5. Click OK to save the program.

Reverting to last saved program

Use this option to reload the program as it was saved the last time. This allows you to step back to where you started in case you realize that your edits have gone into the wrong direction:

1. Ope

2. Select

n the context menu on the program name.

“Revert to last saved Program”.

Ö You do not need to save a program first to use this option. Without a previous save action the program will simply be reloaded in its original version.

Renaming a program

To edit the name of a program directly in the Multi Program Rack:

1. Double-click the program name.

2. Enter the new name.

3. Press Enter.

When you save the program, the “Save as” dialog suggests a file name.

Switching between slots

You can use the arrow up and down keys of your computer keyboard to select a slot. This allows you to move from one program’s settings to another quickly.

MIDI activity indicator

The slot number not only serves as a label but also indicates incoming MIDI data by blinking.

Solo slots

Enable the Solo button of a slot in order to hear only the respective program. You can also enable multiple slot Solo buttons. Note that several slots can be soloed at the same time.

Muting slots

Enable the Mute button to turn off a program. The program remains loaded and can therefore be turned on again smoothly.

Save dialog options

Adding folders within the save dialog

You can create subfolders inside your user preset folder to organize your presets. Normally, this is not necessary to retrieve presets - for this purpose you would rather use the tagging and search function of the MediaBay – but it allows you, for example, to copy presets to their own folder and move them to a different location.

Navigating through the folder hierarchy

You can move through your folder hierarchy using the three navigation buttons in the title bar. These allow you to:

• Go to the previous Browse location.

• Go to the next Browse location.

• Browse the containing folder.

HALion Sonic

Tagging with the save dialog

When you save a preset, the save dialog opens and shows the tagging editor section on the right side. Here you can easily edit your tags before saving the preset. To make it even simpler, you can first click an existing preset file in the file list on the left to copy its name and all its tags, then make changes the new preset requires, modify the preset name and save it.

Mix page

Pan

This parameter allows you to set the position in the stereo panorama.

Meter

The meter displays the slot output level.

FX1-4 Send Levels

Here you can specify the amount of signal sent to the four auxiliary busses which host up to four effects each.

Output

This parameter defines to which of the 16 plug-in outputs the slot is routed. All slots are routed to the Main output by default.

MIDI page

Introduction

The Mix page gives you access to the audio slot parameters of HALion Sonic. This comprises the level and pan settings, as well selector. To control the output levels, each slot also features a level meter.

On/Off

This switch allows you to turn the MIDI input of the slot on and off. In contrast to the Mute function that only mutes the audio output of the slot but keeps on processing the sound in the background, this switch interrupts the MIDI communication with the slot and prevents sounds from being processed.

Level

This parameter allows you to set the output level of the slot.

as the AUX effect sends and the output

HALion Sonic

Introduction

The MIDI page gives you access to the MIDI slot parameters of HALion Sonic. This comprises the MIDI channel, Key and Velocity ranges as well as Transpose and Polyphony settings.

Channel

Here you can specify on which MIDI channel a slot should “listen”. You can set multiple slots to the same MIDI channel and trigger them simultaneously with the same note events.

Poly (phony)

This setting is used to specify how many notes can be played at the same time. Since programs can contain up to four layers, the resulting number of voices (stereo samples, synth voices etc.) can be much higher than the value

fied here.

speci

Transpose

Here you can shift the incoming MIDI notes by +/- 64 semitones before they are sent to the loaded program.

Key range (Low Key, High Key)

Each slot can be limited to a certain key range. You can set the range by using the text faders for Low and High Key or by dragging the keyboard range control at its ends. Dragging the keyboard in the middle moves both values at the same time. As an additional option, you can use the MIDI input to set the range. Simply click the desired text field and play the note.

Velocity range (Low Key, High Key)

Each slot can be limited to a velocity range. You can set the range by using the text faders for Low and High Vel, or by dragging the graphical velocity range control at its ends. Dragging the control in the middle moves both values at the same time. To switch between velocity and

range use the Key/Vel switches above the range con-

key trols.

Editing programs

A program contains up to four layers which can all be mapped to different velocity and key ranges. Each of the layers can use a dedicated FlexPhraser and can freely be routed to one of the 16 plug-in outputs. The program also provides four insert effects per layer and allows you to use up to four sends to feed the four auxiliary busses.

To edit a program:

1. Select gram Rack.

2. Click Edit to open the Edit page.

3. With the page buttons at the top of the Edit page,

select program, inserts or layer, depending on which parts of the program you want to edit.

the program you want to edit in the Multi Pro-

Program page

The Program page is divided into two sections. The upper section can be used to load and save layers, and to set up the mix parameters such as level, pan and FX sends. The lower section can display the layer ranges, the program FlexPhraser editor or the quick control assignments.

The upper section

The On switch can be used to turn on and off a layer. Layers that are set to off are still loaded but do not use any

essing power.

proc

Mute

Enable the Mute button to turn off a layer. The program remains loaded and continues to be processed and can therefore be

Solo

Enable the Solo button in order to hear only the respective layer. You can also enable multiple Solo buttons.

FlexPhraser

Here you can activate the FlexPhraser of a layer. The FlexPhraser editor itself can be found on the corresponding layer editor page.

turned on again smoothly.

HALion Sonic

Level

Here you can you can adjust the loudness of the layer. The control range is from –oo dB to +12 dB.

Pan

Here you can set the position of the layer in the stereo panorama. The control range is from hard left (-100%) to hard right (+100%).

FX1-4 send levels

These four sliders adjust the send levels for the global AUX FX busses for each layer separately. The control range is from –oo dB to 0 dB.

Output

Here you can select the output for each layer separately. If you do not want the signal to be sent to the output that is specified for the program, you can select the Main or one of the 15 individual plug-in outputs instead.

Aborting the loading of layers

Some layer presets use large sample data and therefore need a certain amount of time to load completely. In this case, a progress bar is shown directly in the layer slot. In addition, the Load buttons change to “Abort” buttons (x) that allow you to stop the loading process and to reset the slot to its previous state.

Saving layers

To save a layer:

1. Right-click the layer name field to open the context menu.

2. Select “Save Layer” to open the Save Preset dialog.

3. Name the preset and set tags.

4. Click

Ö For more details on tagging please refer to the section

“MediaBay” on pa

OK to save the preset and close the dialog.

ge 87.

Loading layers

To load a layer:

1. Click the triangle button on the left side or right-click the layer name field, open the context menu and select “Load Layer” to open a MediaBay dialog.

2. Double-click the desired layer preset to load it.

3. Click OK to close the dialog and to confirm your

preset selection.

4. Click Cancel to abort the loading process and to revert to the original layer.

Ö You can use the MediaBay dialog in the same way as the MediaBay view on the Load page. For detailed information please refer to the section “MediaBay” on page

87.

Renaming layers

To change the name of layer:

1. Double-click the layer name field.

2. Enter

3. Press Enter or click somewhere outside the name

field.

Ö Unless you save the layer as a layer preset, the layer

name only remains an internal setting that helps you organizing multiple layers. Executing a save operation

suggests the name given in that field.

the desired name.

Clearing layers

To remove a layer:

1. Click the layer name field to open the context menu.

2. Sel

ect “Clear Layer”.

Copying and pasting layers

Complete layers can be copied from one layer slot to another. This can be done inside a program, from one program to another or even from one plug instance to another.

HALion Sonic

To copy a layer:

1. Right-click the layer name field to open the context menu.

2. Select “Copy Layer”.

3. Right-click the layer name field where you want to in-

sert the copy.

4. Select “Paste Layer” in the context menu.

Layer ranges subpage

Velocity range (Low Key, High Key)

Each slot can be limited to a velocity range. You can set the range by using the text faders for Low and High Vel or by dragging the graphical velocity range control at its ends. Dragging the control in the middle moves both values at the same time. To switch between velocity and key range use

the Key/Vel switches above the range controls.

Editing layers

Poly (phony)

This setting is used to specify how many notes can be played at the same time.

Ö Unlike page, the Polyphony setting is part of the layer settings and therefore restored when you load a layer.

When a layer is defined as monophonic sound, the setting will not have any influence.

Octave

You can shift the octave of a layer by +/- 4octaves.

Coarse (Tune)

You can shift a layer by +/- 12 semitones.

Fine (Tune)

You can detune a layer by +/- 100 cents.

Key range (Low Key, High Key)

Each slot can be limited to a certain key range. You can set the range by using the text faders for Low and High Key or by dragging the keyboard range control at its ends. Dragging the keyboard in the middle moves both values at the same time. As an additional option you can use the MIDI input to set the range. Click the desired text field and play the note.

all the rest of the parameters of the Program

A program contains up to four layers. Each layer can be edited separately.

Layer editor

To edit a layer:

1. I

n the Multi Program Rack, select the program that

contains the layer you want to edit.

2. Click Edit to open the Edit page.

3. With the page buttons at the top of the Edit page, se-

lect the layer you want to edit, i.e. Layer 1, Layer 2, Layer 3 or Layer 4.

Depending on the layer type, the respective editor (synth, sample, instrument, drum or loop editor) opens.

HALion Sonic

Accessing the parameters of layers

The layer editor is divided into an upper and a lower part. The upper and lower parts display the different parameters of the layer.

To access the parameters of a layer:

1. Select the layer you want to edit.

2. In the upper or lower part, click the page button of the

section, such as Pitch, Filter, Amp, etc. that you wish to access.

Voice page

The Voice page of the synth and sample layers gives you access to voice settings of the layer which allows you to control the various Polyphony parameters, Trigger and Voice modes. You can furthermore configure the Unison feature and set the Glide. In addition, there is a Key On Delay to delay the notes you play as well.

Retrigger

This option allows the retriggering of a stolen note while Mono is active. When Mono and Retrigger are activated, a note that was stolen by another one will be retriggered if you still hold the stolen note while you release the new one. For example, with Mono and Retrigger activated, you can play trills by holding one note and pressing/releasing another note repeatedly very fast.

Polyphony

Use this parameter to set an upper limit for the number of notes you can play in “Poly” mode. You can set Polyphony between 2 and 128 notes.

f, for example, the program has a smaller value for po-

Ö I lyphony than the contained layers, the maximum number of

you can play will be limited by the setting of the pro-

notes gram.

Key Poly

Key Poly is short for Key Polyphony. With this parameter you can set an upper limit for the number of notes you can play per key. The last played notes have priority over the previously played notes of the same key. “Poly” mode needs to be active to make this parameter effective. The control range is from 1 to 32.

Voice page

To access the Voice page:

1. Go to the Edit page and select the synth or sample layer you want to adjust.

2. In the upper section of the editor, click the Voice page button.

Mono

Here you can switch between monophonic and polyphonic playback:

• Activate “Mono” to switch to monophonic playback. Usually, this allows a more natural sounding performance for solo instruments.

• Deactiva ber of notes specified by the Polyphony setting.

te “Mono” to play polyphonically with the num-

HALion Sonic

Ö Key setting. The lower of the two settings will be given priority.

Polyphony works within the limits of the Polyphony

Low Amp

When notes are stolen due to a Key Poly limitation, the oldest note is removed first by default. By activating Low Amp the note with the lowest amplitude will be removed instead.

Trigger mode

To avoid discontinuities during playback of envelopes and samples, you can select one of three different characteristics for triggering notes:

Normal

“Normal” triggers a new note when stealing the previous note, which includes the envelopes being triggered from the start. A sample of a sample zone will also be triggered from the start. To minimize discontinuities set the Voice Fade Out parameter of the zone accordingly.

Resume

“Resume” does not trigger a completely new note: If the new note stays within the same zone, the envelopes retrigger but resume at the level of the stolen note and the pitch of the zone will be set to the new note. If the new note plays in a different zone, the new note will play from the start including any envelopes and samples.

Legato

“Legato” does not trigger a completely new note: If the new note plays within the same zone (sample), the envelopes keep running and the pitch of the zone will be set to the new

note. If the new note plays in a different zone, the new note will play from the start including any envelopes and samples.

Voice mode

The Voice mode specifies the conventions for stealing notes in playback and if new notes are being triggered when the Polyphony setting is exceeded. The stealing and triggering of notes depends on the selected Voice mode and your keyboard play. You can select one of the following Voice modes:

Last Note Priority

This mode guarantees the playback of the last played notes by stealing the first played notes (First In, First Out). New notes have priority over older notes.

• If you exceed the maximum number of notes, the first played notes will be stolen in their chronological order to make space for the last played notes.

First Note Priority

This mode guarantees the playback of the first played notes. Older notes have priority over new notes.

• If you exceed the maximum number of notes while the first played notes are still being held, no notes will be stolen. New notes will not be triggered until a voice is free.

Low Note Priority

This mode guarantees the playback of low notes. Low notes have priority over high notes.

• If you exceed the maximum number of notes by playing a higher note than the held ones, no note will be stolen and no new note will be triggered.

• If you exceed the maximum number of notes by playing a lower note than the held ones, the highest note will be stolen and the new note will be triggered.

High Note Priority

This mode guarantees the playback of high notes. High notes have priority over low notes.

• If you exceed the maximum number of notes by playing a lower note than the held ones, no note will be stolen and no new note will be triggered.

you exceed the maximum number of notes by playing a

• If higher note than the held ones, the lowest note will be stolen and the new note will be triggered.

Stealing Lowest Amplitude

This mode guarantees the playback of the last played notes by stealing the notes with the lowest amplitudes. Notes with high amplitude have priority over notes with low amplitude.

you exceed the maximum number of notes, the note

• If with the lowest amplitude will be stolen to make space for the last played note.

Stealing Released Notes

This mode steals notes that play in release first. Notes that are being held have priority over notes that play in release. If no note plays in release, the oldest note will be stolen instead.

• If you exceed the maximum number of notes, the oldest note that plays in release will be stolen to make space for the last played note.

• If no n

ote is playing in release and you exceed the maximum number of notes, the first played notes will be stolen in their chronological order to make space for the last played notes.

HALion Sonic

Key On Delay

With this feature you can delay the playback of the layer by an adjustable time or a note value.

Delay Time

When you play a note, the playback of the layer will be delayed by the time or note value you set with this parameter. With Sync deactivated, the delay is specified in milliseconds. The control range is from Sync activated, the delay is specified in fractions of beats. The control range is from 1/256 to 8/4.

0 ms to 5000 ms. With

Delay

With this parameter you can adjust a small random delay for each Unison voice. The control range is from 0% to 100%. With a value of 0% all unison voices will be triggered at the same time. Values from 1% to 100% add a

l random delay to each unison voice and the voices

smal will not be triggered at the same time anymore. The higher the value the more random the delay will be. This is especially useful to avoid comb filter effects with two or more

tly detuned samples, which would occur if you play

sligh them back at exactly the same time.

Sync

To synchronize the delay time to the host tempo, activate this option.

Unison

Unison allows you to trigger multiple voices simultaneously with each note you play.

Active

Use this option to turn the Unison feature on or off.

Voices

By default, Voices has a value of 2. Setting higher values increases the number of voices being triggered simultaneously. For a richer sound, adjust the Detune, Pan and Delay parameters accordingly. The control range is from 2 to 8 voices.

Detune

Use this to detune the pitch of each Unison voice by the amount specified in cents. The control range is from 0 to 100 cents. Detuning pitch of the voices results in a fatter sound.

Pan

Use this to spread the Unison voices across the stereo panorama. The control range is from 0% to 100%. The higher the value, the broader the stereo image will be.

Glide

You can use Glide to bend the pitch between notes that follow each other. This comes best into effect with Mono mode enabled. However, Glide also works polyphonically.

Glide Active

Use this option to turn the Glide feature on or off.

Glide Time

This specifies the time needed to bend the pitch from one note to the other. You can set a time between 1 ms and 5000 ms.

f you use Cutoff, Amplitude and Pan Key Follow, the

Ö I cutoff, amplitude and pan will change with the Glide effect as well.

Fingered

Activate Fingered to glide the pitch only between legato played notes.

HALion Sonic

Pitch page

The Pitch page of synth and sample layers gives you access to the tuning of the layer.

To access the Pitch page:

1. Go to the Ed er you want to adjust.

2. In the upper section of the editor, click the Pitch page button.

Tune section

The Tune section gives you access to the tuning of the layer. With the Octave, Coarse and Fine parameters, you can adjust the tuning in steps of octaves, semitones and cents. In addition, you can adjust the amount of pitch modulation from the Pitch Envelope, the keyboard or randomly with each keystroke. Furthermore, you can set the

itch bend range for the up and down direction of the

p pitch bend wheel separately.

Octave

Here you can adjust the pitch in octave steps. The control range is from -5 to +5 octaves.

Coarse

Here you can adjust the pitch in semitone steps. The control range is from -12 to +12 semitones.

Fine

This parameter tunes the pitch in hundredths of a semitone (cents). The control range cents.

it page and select the synth or sample lay-

is from -100 to +100

Env Amnt

Env Amnt is short for Envelope Amount. This parameter determines how much the pitch is affected by the Pitch Envelope. The control range is from -48.00 to +48.00 semitones.

Bypass Envelope

To play the layer without the modulation from the Pitch Envelope, click the envelope bypass button at the upper right

title bar of the section.

in the

Random

This parameter allows you to offset the pitch with each played note randomly. The amount of pitch randomization can be adjusted within a control range from 0% to 100%. Higher values cause stronger variations. At a setting of 100% the random offsets can vary from -6 to +6 semitones.

Key Follow

Here you can adjust the pitch modulation from MIDI note number. The control range is from -200% to +200%. Set this parameter to positive values in order to raise the pitch the higher you play. Use negative values to lower the pitch the higher you play. The pitch follows exactly the played note at a setting of +100%.

Center Key

This specifies the MIDI note around which the Pitch Key Follow pivots. The range extends from C-2 to G8.

Pitch Bend Up

Here you can set the range of the pitch modulation when moving the pitch bend wheel up. The control range is from

-48 to +24 semitones.

Pitch Bend Down

Here you can set the range of the pitch modulation when moving the pitch bend wheel down. The control range is from -48 to +24 semitones.

HALion Sonic

Oscillator page

The Oscillator page of the synth layer offers six sound sources: Three main oscillators, the suboscillator, the ring modulation and the noise generator. To create interesting electronic spectra, you can mix any of these sound sources. The resulting signal is sent to the Filter and Amplifier sections for further sound shaping.

To access the Oscillator page:

1. Go to the Edit page and select the synth layer yo to adjust.

2. In the upper section of the editor, click the Oscillator page button.

Oscillator 1/2/3

The three main oscillators, OSC 1, OSC 2 and OSC 3, offer different wave shapes and algorithms. Select the wave shape and algorithm with the oscillator type (see below).

OSC 1/2/3 Active

Use this to activate the oscillators 1, 2 and 3 respectively.

Ö Please make sure to switch off the oscillators when the function is not needed. When kept on, they use CPU cycles even if they are not heard, such as in a situation where the level set to 0%.

OSC 1/2/3 Type

This selects the basic sound character of the oscillator. The oscillator type first lists the wave shape (Sine, Triangle, Saw or Square), followed by the type of algorithm

WM, Sync, CM or XOR). Depending on the selected al-

(P gorithm, there is a waveform parameter that controls how the oscillator sounds.

u want

The waveform parameters of OSC1, OSC2 and OSC3 can be assigned as modulation destinations in the Modulation Matrix.

The following algorithms are available:

Algorithm Description

PWM PWM is short for pulse width modulation. P

Sync Sync is short for synchronization. This algorithm provides

CM CM is short for cross modulation.

XOR XOR is short for “exclusive or”. This algorithm compares

supported by the square wave shape. The waveform parameter sets the ratio between the high and low of the

uare wave. A setting of 50% produces a pure square

sq wave. With settings below or above 50% the oscillator produces rectangular waves.

erent hard-sync oscillators where each is a combina-

dif tion of a master and slave oscillator. The wave shape of

ave oscillator (Sine, Triangle, Saw or Square) is re-

the sl set with each full wave cycle of the master oscillator. This means that a single sync-sound without utilizing other oscillators as slave or master. The waveform parameter adjusts the pitch of the slave oscillator producing the typical sync-sound.

a combination of two oscillators where a master oscillator is modulating the pitch of a slave oscillator (Sine, Triangle, Saw or Square) at audio ter adjusts the pitch ratio between slave and master

resulting in a sound close to frequency modula-

oscillator tion.

re waveforms with an XOR operation. Depend-

two squa ing on the outcome of the XOR op shape of a third oscillator (Sine, Triangle, Saw or Square) is reset. The waveform parameter adjusts the pitch ratio of the square oscillators resulting in a sound close to ring modulation of the third oscillator.

oscillator can already produce a rich

ate. The waveform parame-

WM is only

his algorithm provides

eration, the wave

Ö Except for PWM, all algorithms support the Sine, Triangle, Saw and Square wave shapes. PWM supports Square wave only.

To select an oscillator type:

1. In the section of OSC1, OSC2 or OSC3, click the icon that indicates the wave shape.

2. From the menu, select the oscillator type to set the wave shape and algorithm you want to use.

OSC 1/2/3 Waveform

The waveform parameter allows you to modify the sound of the oscillator algorithm. Its effect depends on the selected oscillator type (see above for details).

HALion Sonic

OSC 1/2/3 Octave (Oct)

Here you can adjust the pitch in octave steps. The control range is from -4 to +4 octaves.

Ring Modulation

Ring Modulation (RM) produces the sums and the differences between the frequencies of two signals.

OSC 1/2/3 Coarse (Crs)

Here you can adjust the pitch in semitone steps. The control range is from -12 to +12 semitones.

OSC 1/2/3 Fine

This parameter tunes the pitch in hundredths of a semitone (cents). The control range cents.

OSC 1/2/3 Level

This adjusts the output level of the oscillator. The control range is from 0 to 100%.

Ö The can be modulated separately in the Modulation Matrix.

waveform, pitch and level of oscillator 1, 2, and 3

is from -100 to +100

Sub Oscillator

The pitch of the Sub Oscillator is always one octave lower than the overall pitch of the synth layer. If you modulate the Pitch of the synth layer, the pitch of the Sub Oscillator follows.

Sub Active

Use this to activate the Sub Oscillator.

Ö Please make sure to switch off the Sub Oscillator when the function is not needed. When kept on, they use CPU cycles even if they are not heard, such as in a situation where the level set to 0%.

Sub Oscillator Type

Here you can select the wave shape of the Sub Oscillator. You can choose between Sine, Triangle, Saw, Square, Pulse Wide and Pulse Narrow.

Sub Level

This adjusts the output level of the Sub Oscillator. The control range is from 0 to 100%.

RM Active

Use this to activate the Ring Modulation.

Ö Please make sure to switch off the Ring Modulation when the function is not needed. When kept on, it uses CPU cycles even if the Ring Modulation is not heard, such as in a situation where the level set to 0%.

RM Source 1/2

This allows you to select the sources that will be ring modulated. You can select OSC1 or Sub as Source 1 and OSC2 or OSC3 as Source 2. Make sure the respective oscillators are activated when you select them. Otherwise, you will not hear any sound.

RM Level

This adjusts the output level of the Ring Modulation. The control range is from 0 to 100%.

Noise

Noise is used for non-pitched sounds. In addition to standard white and pink noise, there are also band pass filtered (BPF) versions of white and pink noises.

Noise Active

Use this to activate the noise generator.

Ö Please make sure to switch off the noise generator when the function is not needed. When kept on, it uses CPU cycles even if the noise is not heard, such as in a situation where the level set to 0%.

Noise Type

Here you can select the sound color of the noise. You can either select White, Pink, White BPF or Pink BPF.

Noise Level

This adjusts the output level of the noise generator. The control range is from 0 to 100%.

Ö The Sub Level, RM Level and Noise Level can be modulated separately in the Modulation Matrix.

HALion Sonic

Filter page

The Filter page of synth and sample layers offers settings to adjust the tone color of the sound. Filters shape the harmonic content of a sound by removing or accenting frequencies in the spectrum. HALion Sonic’s filter section is extremely versatile and powerful. With filter type you can select the basic sound character of the filter, either with or without Distortion. This feature is also useful to scale the CPU consumption since filters without Distortion use less CPU cycles. With filter mode you can configure the filter section as a single filter, two filters in parallel or serial connection, or as a morphing filter that allow between up to four different filter shapes.

In general, filters are identified by their pass-band and amount of attenuation. The Cutoff frequency separates the pass-band from the stop-band. Frequencies in the pass-band stay unprocessed, while frequencies in the stop-band will be attenuated or removed. The amount of attenuation is specified in decibels per octave (dB/oct). For example, a 12dB/oct low-pass filter attenuates the high frequencies at 12dB for each octave above the Cutoff frequency. Other typical filter types are high-pass,

and-pass and band-reject. Another type of filter is called

b all-pass. As its name suggests, it does not attenuate frequencies. Instead, it shifts the phase of the signal. When

with the original signal, certain frequencies will be

mixed attenuated again. For example, the phase shifter would use this.

To access the Filter page:

1. Go to the Edit page and select the synth or sample layer you want to adjust.

2. In the upper section of the editor, click the Filter page button.

s you to blend

Filter type

By selecting the filter type you specify the basic sound character of the filter. HALion Sonic offers up to 23 filter shapes (for details on filter shapes, see below).

Filter type Description

Off The filter section is switched off. Use this when no filter is

Classic This filter type offers 23 filter shapes with Resonance. Tube Drive This filter type offers a lot of character by adding warm,

ed for your sound and/or when you want to save

need CPU cycles.

-like distortions. It comes with 23 filter shapes, ad-

tub justable Resonance and Distortion.

Filter mode

This parameter allows you determine the overall filter structure. The filter types Classic and Tube Drive provide the following options:

Filter mode Description

Single This mode uses one filter with one selectable filter shape.

Dual Serial This mode uses two separate filters connected in series.

Dual Parallel This mode uses two separate filters connected in parallel.

Morph 2 This mode morphs between filter shape A and B. You

Morph 4 This mode morphs sequentially from filter shape A to D.

Morph XY This mode morphs freely between the filter shapes A, B,

You c

an select any of the 23 filter shapes.

u can select any of the 23 filter shapes for each filter independently. The parameters Cutoff and Resonance control both filters simultaneously. However, you can offset the cutoff and resonance of the second filter with the

rameters CF Offset and Res Offset.

u can select any of the 23 filter shapes for each filter

Y independently. The parameters Cutoff and Resonance control both filters simultaneously. However, you can offset the cutoff and resonance of the second filter with the

rameters CF Offset and Res Offset.

n select any of the 23 filter shapes for filter shape A

c and B independently. Adjust the morphing with the Morph Y parameter.

can select any of the 23 filter shapes for filter shape

Yo A, B, C and D independently. Adjust the morphing with the Morph Y parameter.

In other words, the morphing can be any mix

C and D. between the four filter shapes. You can select any of the 23 filter shapes for filter shape A, B, C and D independently. Adjust the morphing with the Morph X and Morph

arameters.

HALion Sonic

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