Two Notes Torpedo PI-101 User manual
TORPEDO PI-101
Professional Speaker Miking simulation plugin
Wall of Sound Edition, PI-FREE, PI-101 Bass, PI-101 Vintage and PI-101 Modern
User manual
V1.93 - 2011/12/21
PI-101 User Manual
Manual Version V1.93 - 2011/12/21.
PI-101 : Bass, Vintage, Modern and WoS full version
The complete electronic version of this manual, as well as the Two Notes software and hardware products,
are subject to updates. You can download the most recent versions of the products on the following website
http://www.two-notes.com.
This manual describes the TORPEDO PI-101 - Wall of Sound Edition and provides instructions for its operation.
It is highly recommended to read this document before using this software. The contents of this manual have
been thoroughly verified and it is believed, unless stated otherwise, to accurately describe the product at the
time of shipment from the factory or download from our website.
Two Notes Audio Engineering is a registered trademark of:
OROSYS SAS
145 rue de la Marbrerie, BAL n°6
34740 Vendargues
France
Tel: +33 (0)484 250 910
Fax: +33 (0)467 595 703
Email: contact@two-notes.com
Support: support@two-notes.com
http://www.two-notes.com
Contents
1 Foreword 4
1 Reader warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2 On the proper use of a loadbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3 Minimum hardware and software requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2 About the TORPEDO PI-101 - Wall of Sound Edition 6
1 Introducing the TORPEDO PI-101 - Wall of Sound Edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2 Only a speaker simulation ? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.1 Tube Stage Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.2 The Torpedo technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.3 Post FX section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.4 The Wall of Sound ! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.5 Comparison chart of all the PI-101 versions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3 Setting up the TORPEDO PI-101 - Wall of Sound Edition 9
1 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
1.1 On a PC using Windows™ OS or an Apple Mac™ using OSX™ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
1.2 Registering the PI-101 - Wall of Sound Edition using iLok . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2 Using the PI-101 - Wall of Sound Edition with an amplifier or a preamplifier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3 Using the PI-101 - Wall of Sound Edition with a software or hardware amplifier emulator . . . . . . . 11
4 Configuring and using the TORPEDO PI-101 - Wall of Sound Edition 12
1 The TORPEDO PI-101 - Wall of Sound Edition interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2 Routing of the PI-101: stereo and mono to stereo track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3 Routing of the PI-101: mono track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4 General controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
5 Input gain and output volume controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
6 Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
7 Power Amp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
8 Power amp, cabinet and microphone selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
9 Miking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
10 Eq . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
11 Exciter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
12 Comp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
13 Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
14 Wall of Sound section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
15 Want more cabs ? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
16 Hotkeys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
5 Technical support 22
1 Two Notes Website . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
2 By e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Two Notes Audio Engineering Torpedo PI-101 2
6 TWO NOTES AUDIO ENGINEERING Software License 23
1 DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
2 SOFTWARE LICENSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
3 LIMITED WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
4 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
5 GENERAL PROVISION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
6 SUPPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Part 1
Foreword
1 Reader warning
The triangle symbol with an exclamation mark indicates important messages concerning
the correct operation of the product.
2 On the proper use of a loadbox
The TORPEDO PI-101 - Wall of Sound Edition plugin may be used either with recorded tracks of a guitar/bass
preamplifier or of a tube/solid state amp by using a loadbox (like the Two Notes Torpedo LB-202 or Torpedo VB-
101). While using the line output of a preamplifier or an amp is easy and safe, using the speaker out of a tube
amp with no speaker requires some attention.
In the normal use of a tube amplifier, it is recommended to always connect its power output to a speaker
cabinet prior to powering it up. Not doing so can lead to partial or complete destruction of the output stage
of the tube amplifier. The electronic term that describes the speaker cabinet with respect to the amplifier is the
"load": we say the cabinet "loads" the amplifier.
Most tube amplifier makers protect their products with fuses or other protection systems, but some amplifiers
still remain not or insufficiently protected. It is impossible to predict the behavior of all the amplifiers on the market
in case of use without a load.
The correct use of your amplifier with a loadbox requires some precautions. Because of the silence while
playing, it is much easier to accidentally run your amplifier beyond the reasonable limits set by the manufac-
turer than when using a speaker cabinet. This can lead to faster tubes wear and, in some cases, more serious
inconveniences.
During the first tests at high volume on the amplifier, monitor the color of the
tubes and the general state of the amplifier. Red glowing tubes or any appear-
ance of smoke are signs of a problem that could lead to partial or complete
destruction of the amplifier.
Keep in mind that the "sweet spot" - the perfect running point of the amplifier, the one that will give you the
tone you’re looking for - is rarely obtained at maximum volume. In addition, the volume control of the amplifier
is usually logarithmic, which means the volume goes up quickly on the first half of the potentiometer rotation,
reaches its maximum at 12 o’clock, and doesn’t change much beyond this point. Therefore, you can reach the
maximum volume of your amplifier even if the volume potentiometer is not set at maximum.
Two Notes Audio Engineering Torpedo PI-101 4
Foreword
The fact that the volume control of your amplifier is not set at maximum doesn’t
mean your amplifier is not running at maximum volume. A good habit is to
keep the usual volume setup you would use in rehearsal or on stage, rather
than just following what the volume potentiometer indicates.
3 Minimum hardware and software requirements
1. 2GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) mono or multi-core processor
2. 512 MB of system memory
3. 50MB of storage for the application data
4. OS Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, Seven (32-bits or 64-bits versions)
5. OS Apple Mac OSX 10.5 for 32-bits VST version, 10.6 for 32 and 64-bits VST version
6. Audio interface
7. Audio sequencer or plugin host compatible with VST, AU or RTAS plugin formats. The TORPEDO PI-101 - Wall
of Sound Edition IS NOT a standalone software.
Two Notes Audio Engineering Torpedo PI-101 5
Part 2
About the TORPEDO PI-101 - Wall of
Sound Edition
1 Introducing the TORPEDO PI-101 - Wall of Sound Edition
Two Notes Audio Engineering is proud to introduce the TORPEDO PI-101 - Wall of Sound Edition, the software
version of the critically-acclaimed Torpedo hardware series. This product has been developed through years
of technical research, with great attention to the needs of guitarists, bassists and sound technicians confronted
the challenges of miking instrument amplifiers, on stage or in studio. Our goal is to provide ease of use, reliability,
versatility and, above all, perfect audio quality.
The Torpedo technology was created as an answer to the high pressure musicians have to deal with: lack
of time, limited gear availability, loud amplifiers that can’t be played at desired volume, and bulky and heavy
cabinet to carry. In addition, many musicians are more comfortable with their analog amplifier and effect
pedals, and don’t want to perform using digital modeling systems, which may compromise their playing style
and sound.
For them, the TORPEDO PI-101 - Wall of Sound Edition offers a "virtual" alternative to traditional miking, using
a technology derived from the convolution reverberation, to achieve a degree of realism never experienced
previously with simulators.
2 Only a speaker simulation ?
The TORPEDO PI-101 - Wall of Sound Edition is a software plugin you can embed in your recording program. The
plugin should be used on tracks containing guitar or bass signal recorded from a preamplifier (guitar, bass, or
any product with a line output) or from a loadbox (like the Two Notes LB-202), if you want to record the signal
coming from the speaker output of your amp.
The role of this plugin is to replace the following elements of the traditional guitar or bass setup:
• the guitar/bass power amplifier
• the speaker cabinet
• the microphone
• the microphone preamplifier
to provide a signal that is the closest possible to a traditional guitar/bass miking in a professional studio envi-
ronment.
The miking is made in 3 steps with the TORPEDO PI-101 - Wall of Sound Edition:
1. choose a power amplifier (or switch it off if you are using a loadbox), a speaker cabinet and a microphone
(Amplifier, speaker and microphone section),
Two Notes Audio Engineering Torpedo PI-101 6
About the TORPEDO PI-101 - Wall of Sound Edition
2. place the microphone in the virtual studio (Miking window and parameters),
3. shape the signal (Low Cut, Eq, Exciter and Comp sections).
With each step, Two Notes Audio Engineering implements its know-how to propose the most advanced sim-
ulations on the market and ensure a total realism both for the musician (playing sensations) and the listener
(sound quality).
Note: only one microphone and one cabinet can be chosen on the PI-FREE edition.
2.1 Tube Stage Output
The TORPEDO PI-101 - Wall of Sound Edition handles any kind of instrument track. When using a guitar/bass
preamplifier with other speaker emulators, the guitarist/bassist may miss the power amplifier’s contribution to the
overall sonic texture. Many musicians get their sound from a particular use of this element and this possibility is
present in the TORPEDO PI-101 - Wall of Sound Edition. To do this, Two Notes developed an original tube stage
modeling, giving you the choice between 4 different tube models in Push-Pull or Single Ended configurations.
You can push this tube stage like a conventional amplifier and look for this subtle yet particular distortion. If the
TORPEDO PI-101 - Wall of Sound Edition is used as a super-DI for keyboards, this feature, developed for guitarists
and bassists, is also very interesting to warm-up the sound of a synthesizer, organ or a digital piano.
2.2 The Torpedo technology
Two Notes developed a unique technology based on an adaptation of convolution techniques. Starting with
a measure of a real cabinet + microphone setup, the TORPEDO TORPEDO PI-101 - Wall of Sound Edition can
accurately reproduce the system as it was measured, as well as the microphone position in space and the
natural distortion of the loudspeakers.
This product has been thoroughly tested in professional studios and stage environments and is the alternative
many musicians were waiting for professional sound capture of their amplified instruments. The TORPEDO PI-101 -
Wall of Sound Edition will give you the elusive sound of the greatest recording studios and producers, every time,
everywhere.
2.3 Post FX section
During a guitar/bass sound miking process, it is a common practice to apply some essential processes on the
signal before sending it to the recorder or the front mixing console.
In the TORPEDO PI-101 - Wall of Sound Edition, you will find most of these essential processes that you need to
control your sound, whatever the situation and the type of instrument.
• low-cut filter,
• 5-band graphic equalizer with two modes (guitar and bass),
• 1-band exciter to give the sound a certain character, or to add presence, or "air", in the sound,
• a powerful compressor to control the dynamics of the signal.
2.4 The Wall of Sound !
What could be better than sending your guitar sound through the best cabinet miking simulation on the market
? Sending it through dozens of the best cabinets and microphones and mix them down ! The Wall of Sound
Edition of the Torpedo PI-101 is a multichannel cabinet + microphone simulator:
• Up to 100 cabs and microphones simultaneously in one single plugin
• Low CPU usage
• Ultra-low latency (max <0,26ms)
• Linked or independent dual channel mixing
Two Notes Audio Engineering Torpedo PI-101 7
Loading...