Steinberg HALion Sonic 3 Instruction Manual
Operation Manual
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.
All rights reserved.
Table of Contents
5 Installation and Setup
5 Conventions
6 System Requirements
7 Downloading Program Files
7 Installing the Program
7 Activating Your License
8 Registering Your Software
8 How You Can Reach Us
8 About the Documentation
8 Setting Up
10 Introduction
10 Window Overview
12 Common Editing Methods
12 Dials and Sliders
12 Buttons
12 Value Fields
13 Using Key Commands
13 Presets
15 Global Functions and Settings
15 Plug-in Functions Section
17 Plug-in Name and Steinberg Logo
17 Toolbar
17 Performance Controls
18 Quick Controls
24 Trigger Pads
26 Options Page
32 Editing Programs
32 Program Page Parameters
36 Editing Layers
36 Voice Tab
40 Pitch Tab
40 Oscillator Tab
43 Filter Tab
46 Amplifier Tab
48 Envelopes
54 LFOs
58 Using the Keymap
58 AUX Tab
59 Expression Controls for Instrument Layers
61 Insert Effects
62 Step Modulator
64 Modulation Matrix
76 FlexPhraser
77 Loading Phrases
77 FlexPhraser Parameters
81 Recording the MIDI Output of the
FlexPhraser
81 Phrase Playback Types
82 Variations
82 User Phrases
88 Managing Your Sounds
88 About Programs, Layers, Multis, Macro
Pages, and Presets
89 Loading Programs
90 Load Dialog
90 Slot Rack
92 Managing and Loading Files
100 Automation
100 Automation Page
100 Setting Up Automation
102 MIDI Editing and Controllers
102 MIDI Page
103 MIDI Controllers
106 Mixing and Effect Handling
106 Mix Page
107 Effect Handling
109 Included Instruments
109 Auron
117 Trium
125 Voltage
131 Model C
137 HALiotron
139 B-Box
145 World Instruments
149 World Percussion
153 Anima
171 Skylab
185 Raven
186 Eagle
188 Hot Brass
199 Studio Strings
210 Effects Reference
210 Reverb Effects
214 Delay Effects
215 EQ Effects
3
Table of Contents
217 Filter Effects
225 Distortion Effects
229 Pitch Shift Effects
230 Modulation Effects
241 Dynamics Effects
251 Spatial and Panner Effects
252 Legacy Effects
264 Note Expression
264 Note Expression Editor
266 Library Manager
266 Library Manager Editor
269 Using the Standalone Version of the Plug-In
269 Making Preferences Settings
269 Preferences Dialog
271 Selecting the MIDI Input and the Audio
Output
271 Scratch Pad
273 Loading a MIDI File
274 Saving a MIDI File
274 Master Volume
275 Index
4
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.
5
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 Sonic 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
6
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 Sonic 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.
1.
Start the Steinberg Download Assistant.
2.
On the left, select the program that you want to install.
3.
On the right, select which version you want to install.
You can install a new program, update an existing program, etc.
4.
Click Download to download the files.
Installing the Program
After downloading the required files, you can install HALion Sonic 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 Sonic.pkg and follow the instructions on
screen.
Activating Your License
HALion Sonic uses a software-based copy protection scheme. This Soft-eLicenser is
installed automatically with HALion Sonic. 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 Sonic 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 Sonic, you receive an e-mail with the
activation code and a description of the activation process.
7
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 Sonic, click the Steinberg logo in the top right corner and
select Help> HALion Sonic Help.
Setting Up
The following sections describe how to use HALion Sonic as a plug-in in different host
applications.
NOTE
HALion Sonic can also be used as a standalone application.
8
Installation and Setup
Setting Up
Selecting Outputs
HALion Sonic loads with a stereo output configuration by default. However, you can use up to
15 additional outputs in the Steinberg DAW. This allows you to route all 16 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 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 example, to load HALion Sonic 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 Sonic.
3. Select one of the available channel configurations.
Using the Instrument as Standalone Application
HALion Sonic 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 269
9
Window Overview
The application interface follows a fixed-size single window concept.
Introduction
The window is subdivided into several sections:
• The plug-in functions section at the top of the application window.
• The multi program rack on the left.
• The toolbars above the edit display.
• The edit display on the right. It contains the Load, Edit, MIDI, Mix, Effects, Multi, and
Options pages.
• The performance section at the bottom. It contains the trigger pads, the quick controls,
the performance controllers, and the sphere control.
10
Introduction
Window Overview
• If you are using the standalone version of HALion Sonic, you find a number of specific
View Options
You have two view options: the full-size editor view and the smaller player view. In the player
view, only the plug-in functions, the trigger pads, the quick controls, and the performance
controllers are visible.
• Click the p button in the toolbar above the edit display to switch between the views.
functions in an extra section at the top of the application window.
When the player view is active, the button changes to e, indicating that clicking again
lets you return to the editor view.
11
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.
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.
• 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.
If the entered value exceeds the parameter range, it is automatically set to the
maximum or the minimum value, respectively.
12
Common Editing Methods
Using Key Commands
• 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.
Using Key Commands
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.
Presets
• 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 Sonic 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 Sonic
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.
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 .
13
Common Editing Methods
Presets
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:
•
•
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.
Select a preset to load it.
Double-click a preset to load it and close the preset loader.
14
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.
Program Slot Section
This section contains a copy of the slot that is selected in the multi program rack, as well as
the main parameters of the program.
The slot parameters are the same as in the multi program 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.
NOTE
Only slots that contain programs are available on the list.
Load Icon
Click the Load icon to the right of the slot to open the program loader. Doubleclick a program to load it.
MIDI Activity Indicator
The MIDI symbol starts blinking when incoming MIDI data is detected.
Level
Adjusts the output level of the slot.
Pan
Adjusts the position of the slot in the stereo panorama.
Output
On the output selector, you define the output destination of the slot signal.
15
Global Functions and Settings
Plug-in Functions Section
Polyphony
Sets the number of keys that can be played simultaneously.
NOTE
One key can trigger several layers. On the performance meter, you can see how
many voices are triggered by your playing.
Program Icon
The program icon indicates the sound category to which the program belongs. It
depends on the category and subcategory tags that are specified for a program in
the MediaBay.
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.
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
16
Global Functions and Settings
Plug-in Name and Steinberg Logo
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
The toolbar below the plug-in functions section contains controls for loading multi-programs
on the left, the buttons to switch between the different pages, and various useful global
functions.
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.
Lock button
If this button is activated, loading another program or layer does not overwrite
the current FlexPhraser and trigger pad settings.
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.
Editor/Player
This button toggles between the two views: the full-size editor view (e) and the
smaller player view (p).
Performance Controls
The performance controls are located in the lower part of the window.
17
Global Functions and Settings
Quick Controls
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.
Keyboard
The virtual 88-note keyboard can be used to trigger MIDI notes. By clicking the keys at
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 Shift Keyboard
buttons to the left and right of the keyboard shift the keyboard range by octaves. This allows
you to display key switches that are located on lower keys, for example.
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.
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.
If a layer contains zones, these zones are also affected by the quick controls of the layer.
•
To switch between the quick controls of the program and the layers, use the buttons to
the left of the potentiometer controls.
Value Tooltips
If you use quick controls, the following situations can happen:
18
Global Functions and Settings
Quick Controls
•
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.
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 on the Options page.
RELATED LINKS
Global Section on page 29
Accessing Quick Controls
PROCEDURE
1. Select the program that you want to edit in the multi program rack.
2. Use the buttons to the left of the quick controls to select whether you want to access
the quick controls for the program or for one of the layers.
The quick controls change to the settings of the program or the selected layer.
Assigning Quick Controls
PROCEDURE
1. In the editor for a program, a layer, or an insert effect, right-click the control to which
you want to assign a quick control.
NOTE
•
Parameters of a layer can only be assigned to the quick controls of this layer.
•
If you want to assign the parameters of a layer to the quick controls of a
program, you must first assign the parameter to a quick control of the layer, and
then assign the quick control of the layer to a quick control of the program.
2. On the Assign Quick Control submenu, select the quick control that you want to assign.
RESULT
The assignment is created.
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.
19
Global Functions and Settings
Quick Controls
RELATED LINKS
Modulation Matrix Parameters on page 67
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.
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.
•
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.
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.
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.
20
Global Functions and Settings
Quick Controls
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 for all 8 quick controls, select Remove
All Assignments of All Quick Controls.
Quick Control Assignments Editor
• To open the Quick Control Assignments editor, right-click a quick control and select
Edit Quick Control or open the Edit page for a program and select the QC tab in the
lower part of the page.
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.
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.
21
Global Functions and Settings
Quick Controls
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 23
Adjusting the Curvature on page 22
Bypassing Quick Controls on page 23
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 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.
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.
22
Global Functions and Settings
Quick Controls
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
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.
Relative
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.
Switch Relative
Switches between the minimum and maximum value. Parameter changes can
still be heard.
Neutral Setting
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 Sonic 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 Sonic sets the range of this quick control assignment automatically.
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.
23
Global Functions and Settings
Trigger Pads
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. Open the layer editor and go to the modulation matrix.
2. On the pop-up menu in the Source/Modifier column, open the Assign Quick Control
submenu and select the quick control.
The submenu lists the quick controls of the layer.
Trigger Pads
You can use the trigger pads to trigger single notes or whole chords and to switch between
FlexPhraser variations.
Many of the programs that come with HALion Sonic make use of the trigger pads.
If a note or a chord is assigned to a pad, this pad turns orange. If a pad switches between
FlexPhraser variations, the line above the pad turns orange.
•
To trigger a pad, click on it.
Presets
Pad presets save trigger notes and chord snapshots, but not FlexPhraser
snapshots. This means that you can exchange trigger notes and chords by
loading presets without loosing your FlexPhraser snapshots.
Bypass
With the Bypass Pads button to the right of the trigger pads, you can bypass the
entire pads section. This deactivates any functionality you assigned to the trigger
pads.
Assigning Trigger Notes to Pads
You can assign a MIDI note to a pad and trigger the pad by playing this note.
To define the trigger note, do one of the following:
•
Right-click a pad, open the Assign Trigger Note submenu, and from the further
submenus, select the octave and note that you want to assign.
•
Open the context menu for a pad, select Learn Trigger Note, and play the note on your
MIDI keyboard or click a key on the internal keyboard.
The name of the assigned trigger note is displayed in the top left corner of the pad.
On the internal keyboard, keys that serve as trigger notes are shown in blue. These keys do
not play sounds, but trigger the corresponding pads instead.
24
Global Functions and Settings
Trigger Pads
•
To remove a trigger note from a pad, right-click the pad and select Forget Trigger
Note.
Assigning Chords or Notes to Trigger Pads
PROCEDURE
1. Right-click a pad and select Snapshot Chord.
The pad starts blinking.
2. Do one of the following:
•
Play a chord or a single note and then click the pad that is blinking to assign the
chord or note to the pad.
•
Drag a chord event from the chord track of your Steinberg DAW onto a trigger
pad. This transfers the corresponding MIDI notes to the pad.
If you drag a chord event onto the internal keyboard first, the corresponding
chord is played back. This is useful to verify whether you selected the correct
chord.
If you define a chord that contains a key switch, you can trigger the chord with a
specific instrument expression.
If you add keys to a chord that also work as trigger notes, they trigger the underlying
MIDI note instead of the trigger note.
RESULT
Triggering the pad now plays the chord or note.
Default Trigger Note Settings
Assigned trigger notes are saved with each program to allow for maximum flexibility.
However, you can save a fixed set of default trigger notes to reflect an existing hardware
setup, for example.
•
To specify a default set of trigger notes, set up the trigger notes for all pads, right-click
a pad, and select Save Trigger Notes as Default.
•
To activate the default trigger note settings, right-click a pad and select Use Default
Trigger Notes.
Now, changing programs or multi-programs does not change the trigger notes
anymore.
If you deactivate Use Default Trigger Notes, the last set of trigger notes remains active. To
return to the trigger notes that were saved with the program, reload the program.
Assigning Key Switches to Trigger Pads
To use the pads for switching between expressions, assign them to the corresponding key
switches.
PROCEDURE
• Right-click a pad, select Snapshot Chord, and play the key switch.
25
Global Functions and Settings
Options Page
Removing Chords or Notes from Trigger Pads
PROCEDURE
• Right-click the trigger pad and select Clear Chord.
Switching between Variations
You can switch between variations using the trigger pads.
Variations are available for the FlexPhraser and the B-Box, for example.
PROCEDURE
1. Right-click the trigger pad that you want to use for switching to the selected
FlexPhraser variations.
2. On the menu, select Snapshot Variation.
The line above the pad turns orange to indicate that a FlexPhraser snapshot is
assigned.
RESULT
If you trigger the pad, it switches to the variation that was selected when you made the
snapshot.
NOTE
Instead of saving the variation settings themselves, the trigger pad saves only the variations
that were selected when you made the snapshot. This allows you to modify variations after
creating the snapshot. However, if you replace or add layers, you must first remove the
assignment using the Clear FlexPhrasers command on the context menu and then take the
FlexPhraser snapshot again.
RELATED LINKS
Creating FlexPhraser Variations on page 82
B-Box on page 139
Naming Pads
Entering names for pads allows you to get a better overview of their functionality, for
example.
PROCEDURE
1. Right-click the pad to open the context menu and select Rename Pad.
2. Enter the new name and press Enter.
Options Page
The Options page contains global settings regarding performance optimization, global
functions, and MIDI controllers.
26
Global Functions and Settings
Options Page
Disk Streaming Section
Some of the programs come with up to 1 GB 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 Sonic loads only the initial milliseconds of each sample into
RAM. You can specify how much RAM should be used and how much HALion Sonic 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
towards the Disk setting.
• If your hard disk is not supplying data fast enough, drag the slider to the
right towards the RAM setting.
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.
Max Preload
Determines the maximum amount of RAM that HALion Sonic 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.
27
Global Functions and Settings
Options Page
• Preload Time defines how much of the start of the samples is preloaded
• Prefetch Time determines the read-ahead capacity into the RAM while
• Streaming Cache determines the amount of RAM that is reserved for
Performance Section
into the RAM. Larger values allow for more samples to be triggered in a
short time.
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.
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.
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 Sonic starts stealing voices.
Max CPU
To avoid clicks from CPU overloads, you can specify a maximum limit for the CPU
load of the plug-in instance. HALion Sonic steals voices automatically when this
limit is exceeded. At a setting of 100 %, this parameter is deactivated.
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.
28
Global Functions and Settings
Options Page
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-
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 Sonic 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 Sonic instead. This way, the host application
distributes the work load across the available cores.
up menu.
Global Section
Here, you find common settings of HALion Sonic and the General MIDI mode parameter.
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.
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.
Program Changes
Determines how HALion Sonic handles incoming MIDI program change
messages.
• In GM Mode, program change messages are used to switch programs in
the slots of the multi program rack.
• In Multi Mode, program change messages are used to switch between the
128 multis that can be configured on the Multi page.
• Select Off to ignore incoming controller change messages.
29
Global Functions and Settings
Options Page
General MIDI Mode
Select General MIDI Mode to play back MIDI files that have been arranged for
General MIDI sound sets. General MIDI mode supports MIDI program change
messages and preloads a global chorus and reverb effect on AUX FX 1 and 3 for
immediate use.
If General MIDI mode is activated, all loaded programs are removed and the 16
slots are assigned to the 16 MIDI channels. As long as General MIDI mode is
active, the 16 MIDI channels on the MIDI page cannot be changed.
The MediaBay sets an instrument set filter and displays only the General MIDI
sounds. The MIDI program changes 0–127 refer to the corresponding GM Sound
attributes of the MediaBay. This means that you can make any of your sounds
part of the General MIDI sound set by setting the GM Sound attribute on the
corresponding sound.
NOTE
The General MIDI sounds that come with HALion Sonic are optimized for fast
loading times. However, larger programs take longer to load.
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.
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.
MIDI Controller Smoothing
MIDI controllers have a maximum resolution of 128 steps. This is rather low.
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 Sonic provides MIDI controller smoothing, so that parameter changes
occur more gradually.
30
Loading...