Xara Samplitude Pro - X Owners Manual

2 C O P Y R I G H T

Copyright

This documentation is protected by copyright law.

All rights, especially rights concerning duplication, distribution, and translation, are reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in form of copies, microfilms or other processes, or transmitted into a language used for machines, especially data processing machines, without the express written consent of the publisher.

MAGIX® and Samplitude® are registered trademarks of MAGIX AG.

ASIO & VST are registered trademarks of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH

EUCONTM is a registered trademark of Avid Technology.

All other product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

Errors and changes to the contents as well as program modifications reserved.

This product uses MAGIX patented technology (USP 6518492) and MAGIX patent pending technology.

Copyright © MAGIX AG, 1990 - 2011. All rights reserved.

W E L C O M E 3

Welcome

Thank you for choosing Samplitude!

You now possess one of the most successful complete solutions for professional audio editing. This PC-based Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) features extensive application options for recording, editing, mixing, media authoring, and mastering. The program stands for unique functionality & sound neutrality, outstanding cutting & editing options, perfect CD/DVD mastering, and the flexible customization of individual workflows. Also this version was developed in close collaboration with musicians, sound engineers, producers, and users, it boasts numerous innovative functions as well as incorporating the advanced development of tried and tested performance features.

Samplitude Pro X and Samplitude Pro X Suite are now available as either a 64-bit version or 32-bit version. You can continue to rely on the superior sound and absolute phase stability of Samplitude.

In addition to this manual, we also recommend reviewing the "Help" file, which may be accessed via the "Help" menu; this includes more information about the individual functions in more detail. Please also use the included PDF documents (manual.pdf, Effects_Plugins_and_Instruments.pdf, Hardware_Controller.pdf, Tutorials.pdf) for further information.

You can also visit our support area and the user forum online at

http://www.samplitude.com to find out more.

The Samplitude team

4 T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

Table of Contents

Copyright	2
Welcome	3
System Requirements	16
64-Bit Version. Should I switch?	16
Samplitude on Windows x64 (64-Bit)	16
Samplitude on Windows x86 (32-Bit)	16
General system requirements	16
Hard disk	16
Contact	17
Product activation:	17
Support	17
Sales	17
Installation	18
Activating Samplitude	20
Use Samplitude with CodeMeter dongle	22
Introduction to Samplitude network installation	23
CodeMeter Control Center	24
System settings	25
Audio setup	25
Monitoring settings	27
Audio devices	31
MIDI setup	31
General	33
What's new in Samplitude Pro X/Pro X Suite?	36
64 Bit Version	36
Tempo-Map and Tempo track	36
Revised visualizations	36
SE-cleaning effects	37
Advanced Docking-/Manager concept	37
Revised Object Editor	38
Advanced essentialFX Suite	38
Soundpool manager	39
Independence	39
Content Packs	39
True Resynthesis Timestretching (TRTS) (offline)	40
Spectral view	40

	T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S 5
Spectral mode	40
Multifunction input field with help-function	40
Controller Artist Series support	41
New MIDI functions	41
New functions	42
What's new in 11.2?	42
Options administration/Remote/User administration	42
New functions	43
What’s New in Version 11.1?	43
Multi-track selection	43
Multi-language version – one EXE for all languages	44
Options management	44
Metronome	44
Vandal	45
MIDI	45
System options > Design > View options > VIP	45
System options -> Performance	46
New functions	46
Screen Elements	47
What is a VIP?	47
Program interface – Overview	47
Toolbars – Overview	64
Samplitude Quick Start	80
Initial navigation in the virtual project (VIP)	80
Workshop: Recording	80
Multi-track recording	87
MIDI recording	88
Objects in the virtual project (VIP)	91
Mixer	92
Effects	92
CD mastering	95
General Functions in the Project Window	97
Section	97
Select multiple tracks – group track controls	98
Zooming	99
Scrolling	101
Ranges	102
Working with ranges	102
Markers	105
Advanced ruler/time display	106
Scrubbing	107

6 T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

Samplitude as a wave editor	108
Working with Samplitude – tips & tricks	110
Object-oriented audio editing	113
What is an object?	113
Object Editor	114
Basic functions: Object editor	114
Object effects	116
Position/Fades	119
Timestretching/Pitchshifting	121
Methods for Working with Objects	123
Integrating wave files as objects in the VIP	123
Integrating sections from wave projects as objects	123
The difference between loading and importing audio files	123
Integrating CD tracks as objects into VIP	124
Selecting objects and clearing selection	124
Object handles	125

Select multiple objects; clear selection of multiple objects; reverse selection125

Moving objects	126
Changing the length and start time of an object	127
Duplicating, copying, and inserting objects	127
Mute objects	128
Change waveform view	128
Edit fades in the object editor or by using the handles	128
Reverb in the object	129
Locking objects	131
Editing an object destructively	131
Moving to a defined position	133
Group/ungroup objects	133
Linking objects	134
Overlapping objects	134
Gluing objects	136
Looping objects	136
Trimming objects	136
Replacing an audio file below the object	137
Moving audio material below the object	137
Manager	138
File browser	139
Object manager	144
Track manager	146
Marker manager	147
Range manager	149
Take manager	150

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S 7
Take Composer	152
Comping	154
VSTi manager	156
Routing manager	156
Soundpool manager	157
Mixer	158
Mixer overview	158
Using the mixer	158
Channels	161
Master section	165
Global buttons	167
Buses and routing	172
Effect routing/plug-ins dialog	174
Effects – organization and workflow	178
Save effects parameters (preset mechanism)	179
Saving new effects parameters	180
Track effect settings	180
Effect routing	181
External hardware effect integration	181
Setting latencies for external effects	184
Integrating external synthesizers	184
Effects and Plug-ins in an Overview	185
Real-time effects at track, object, and master level	185
Cleaning/Restoration Suite (optional)	186
DirectX and VST effects	186
VST Instruments	186
MAGIX Plug-ins	187
Object synths	188
MAGIX synths	205
Plug-ins at track, object, and master level	217
Remix Agent	220
Stereo Editor	221
Stereo dialog options	221
MS-Processing	223
Surround Sound	224
Adding a new project with a Surround mixer	224
Converting an existing stereo VIP into a VIP with mixer in surround format	225
Project Surround setup	225
Surround panning	227
Surround panorama module	228

8 T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

Panorama modes in the Surround panorama module	230
2-channel Surround mode	235
Stereo and mono signal processing in surround projects	237
Alternating between stereo and Surround formats	238
Automating the Surround panorama module	238
Effects in Surround projects	239
Editing Surround sound automation	240
Surround bouncing	240
MIDI in Samplitude	242
MIDI setup	242
Import, record, edit	242
MIDI object editor	244
MIDI Editors	247
Open MIDI Editor	247
Working with the MIDI Editor	248
MIDI editor: mouse mode/toolbar	250
MIDI editor: Editing fields	253
MIDI functions	253
Quantize	258
Step recording via keyboard or controller keyboard	264
Cell Edit Mode	265
Velocity Mode	265
Matrix Editor (Piano Roll Editor)	266
Drum Editor	269
Controller Editor	273
Event list	278
Multi object editing (MO-Editing)	280
Score Editor	282
MIDI editor shortcut keys	298
Tempo Editing	301
Tempo and Time signature changes in the tempo map...	301
Tempo markers	302
Tempo Map Modes: BPM Mode / Grid Fit Mode	303
Tempo Change: BPM Marker	304
Time Signature Marker	305
Grid Position Marker	305
Grid Tapping	305
Tempo Track	306
Edit in the Tempo Track (only BPM Mode)	307
Tempo Scaling / Change Global Tempo...	307
Tempo Map Dialog	308
Tempo and Time Signature Dialog	310
Manipulating the Tempo Marker in Timestretch Mouse Mode	310

	T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S 9
Software-Instrumente/VST-Plug-Ins/ReWire	312
Installing VST plug-ins	312
Load software instruments	313
Apply plug-ins at wave level	314
Load plug-ins at object level	314
Load plug-ins at track level	314
Load plug-ins at master level	314
Loading routing settings with software instruments	314
VST MIDI out + Audio out recording	317
Routing VST instruments using the VSTi manager	318
Instruments with multi-channel outputs	319
Plug-in panel - graphical interface	319
Plug-in parameter dialog	320
Plug-in menu functions	321
Play and monitor instruments live	323
VST instrument preset selection	324
Sidechain Input	324
Freezing VST instruments	325
"Inactive" state for VST instruments and VST effects	325
ReWire Client Application	326
Automation	327
Track automation - Basic procedures	328
Automation modes	330
Object automation	334
Master automation	335
Automation – context menu	335
MIDI controller automation	339
VST plug-in/VST parameters dialog	341
Recording automation in "Read" mode	341
"Draw" mode	341
Edit automation curves	342
Move automation curve with audio/MIDI data	343
Automation/MIDI controller settings	343
Synchronization	345
Synchronization formats	345
Synchronization setup dialog	348
Synchronization - Samplitude as master	351
MIDI Machine Control (MMC)	352
Synchronization applications	354
Media link/video setup	358
Hardware Controller	360
Hardware controller - Introduction	360
Hardware controller settings	360

1 0 T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

Hardware controller – "Internal" mode	362
Customizing controllers	365
Controller elements	368
Hardware controller options	369
Hardware controller - fader scaling	371
Learn controller for plug-in/mixer elements	372
Hardware controller presets	374
Preset keyboard shortcuts	412
File menu	412
Edit menu	413
Track menu	415
Object menu	415
Play	418
Real time effects	419
CD/DVD menu	419
View menu	419
Help menu	420
Mouse	421
Signal Flow	422
Record	422
Playback	422
Signal flow with monitoring	423
Glossary	426
Menu reference	438
File Menu	439
New Virtual Project (VIP)	439
Open Project	440
Load/Import	444
Save Project	448
Save Project as...	448
Save Project Copy...	449
Save Project as Template...	449
Save project as EDL...	449
Save Object...	449
Save Session...	449
Export Audio	449
Trackbouncing	456
Range Bouncing (Internal Mixdown)	460
MIDI bouncing	461
Export project as AAF/OMF	462
Rename Project...	463

	T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S 1 1
Clean up	464
Close Project	466
Project Properties	467
Program Preferences	474
More	504
Exit	504
Recent File	504
Edit Menu	505
Mouse mode	505
Object Mode	513
Undo	513
Restore	513
Undo History	513
Delete Undo History	513
Copy	513
Cut	514
Split	514
Insert	515
Delete	516
Silence	517
Tempo	518
Range	519
Crossfade	523
Batch Processing...	526
More	530
Track Menu	531
Insert New Tracks	531
Copy tracks	532
Paste Track(s)	533
Deletes Track(s)	533
Track type	533
Input	533
Group track controls	533
Ungroup track control group	534
Hide Track	534
Unhide All Tracks	534
Track size	534
Freeze Track	534
Track Effect Settings	536
Mono Effect Processing	538
VST MIDI out recording:	538
Track Options...	538
Revolver Tracks	541
More	541

1 2 T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

Object Menu	545
Object Editor...	545
MIDI Editor...	545
Edit audio file	545
New MIDI Object	545
New MIDI object in the range	546
New Synth Object	546
Edit	546
Quantization	550
Object effects	557
Selecting Objects	558
Groups	559
Moving objects	560
Hotspot	562
Takes	563
Object Color/Name	563
Freeze Objects	563
Remix Agent – Tempo and Beat Recognition	564
audioid	571
Comparisonics Audio Search…	571
Time Stretch/Pitch Shift Patcher...	571
More	573
Object Manager...	573
Playback Menu	574
Play Once	574
Play Loop	574
Play in Range/Loop	574
Play with Preload	574
Play Only Selected Objects	574
Play Cut	574
Restart Play	575
Stop	575
Stop and Go to Current Position	576
Playback Mode	576
Playback parameters	578
Record	580
Record Mode/Punch In	580
Record Options	582
Further recording Options	583
Monitoring	585
Move Play Cursor	585
Markers	587
Auto JamSession	592
Retrospective Recording (MIDI Pre-Recording)	596
MIDI Record Mode	596

	T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S 1 3
MIDI Panic – All Notes Off	597
Automation Menu	598
No effect (Track)	598
Edit selected curve	598
(Track) Automation Mode	598
MIDI Controller Automation	599
Hide Automation	599
Show Track Automation	599
Show Object Automation	599
Show Only Selected Curve	599
Show all curves (not selectable)	599
Show all curves (selectable)	599
Select previous curve	599
Select next curve	599
Effects Menu	600
Notes concerning offline effects editing	600
Advanced options for offline effect calculation	601
Amplitude	603
Dynamics Effects	606
Frequency/Filters	621
Delay/Reverb	639
Time/Pitch	647
Distortion	662
Restoration	666
Stereo/Phase	673
Modulation/Special	678
MIDI velocity dynamics	682
Sample manipulation	682
Plug-Ins...	684
essentialFX	685
MAGIX Plug-Ins	698
Further Console Elements:	698
Analog Modelling Suite: AM-Track	699
Analogue Modelling Suite: AM-Pulse	707
Analog Modelling Suite: AM-Phibia	711
Analog Modelling Suite: AM-Munition	719
CORVEX – chorus/flanger	729
ECOX – Echo/Delay	733
FILTOX – Multimode Filter	735
VariVerb Pro	737
Vandal	746
Waveform Generator	775
SMPTE Generator	775
Process Only Left/Right Stereo Channel	776

1 4 T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

Process Effects Offline	776
CD/DVD Menu	777
Import Audio CD Track(s)…	777
Import Audio DVD…	780
Make CD...	781
Create DVD-Audio...	785
Indices (Track markers)	787
CD-Title-/ Index-Manager	790
CD disc options	791
CD-Text/MP3-ID-Editor	792
Set Pause Time	792
Set Start Pause Time	792
CD Arrange Mode	792
Get freeDB Title Info	793
freeDB Options	793
Search CD Online and Set Track Indices	794
Show CDR Drive Information…	794
Show CDR Disc Information…	794
audioid	795
View Menu	796
Mixer	796
Transport Console	796
Time Display	796
Visualization	798
Video Window	809
Track Editor	809
Manager/Docker	809
Manager	809
New Manager...	809
Control bars	809
Autoscroll	811
Autoscroll Soft	811
Rebuild Graphic Data	811
Clips	811
Hide Submix/AUX Busses	812
Grid view	812
VIP Display Mode	814
Overview Mode	814
Fix vertically	814
Store Position and Zoom Level	815
Get Position And Zoom Level	815
Store Zoom Level	815
Get Zoom Level	816
Horizontal	816

	T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S 1 5
Vertical	817
Cascade	818
Tile	818
Untile	818
Window	818
System information	819
FTP Download...	819
1, 2, ...	819
Help Menu	820
Help Menu	820
Help Index…	820
Context Help…	820
Open Manual…	820
About Samplitude...	820
Start Wizard / Tip of the Day	820
Dongle Activation...	820
Index	821

1 6 S Y S T E M R E Q U I RE M E N T S

System Requirements

64-Bit Version. Should I switch?

By switching to the 64-bit version you increase the available amount of RAM On a 32-bit system the upper limit of addressable memory is 3.5 GB, for many programs it's only 2 GB. In contrast on a 64-bit system the theoretical upper limit is a lot higher, namely 264 = 16 Exabytes. Practical values are 16 GB for Windows 7 Home/Premium and 192 GB for Windows 7 Professional/Ultimate. If you work with very large projects or memory-intensive VST instruments such as samples, it is recommendable to change to a 64-bit system. Before changing to a 64-bit system make sure that your computer has at least 4 GB of virtual memory and that 64-bit drivers are available for connected devices (soundcards, controllers etc).

Samplitude on Windows x64 (64-Bit)

If you have installed the 64-bit version of Windows on your system you can use Samplitude as a 64-bit or 32-bit version. The internal VST bridge makes it possible to use both 32and 64-bit plug-ins.

Be aware that certain functions and technology will only be available when using Windows x64. Find more info on our website.

Samplitude on Windows x86 (32-Bit)

If you have installed the 32-bit version of Windows on your system you can only use 32-bit version of Samplitude.

General system requirements

1 GB RAM for Windows XP; 1GB RAM for Windows Vista/Windows 7 32-Bit; 4GB RAM for Windows Vista/Windows 7 64-Bit

Recommended: Windows 7

500 MB disk space on hard disk for minimal installation

Graphics card with a minimum resolution: 1024 x 768

ASIO and/or WDM-compatible sound card

DVD-ROM drive

Optional: CD-/DVD burner, MIDI interface

Samplitude is compatible with Windows 7.

Hard disk

The maximum number of audio tracks depends on the rotation speed, access time, and data transfer rate of the hard disk. Nowadays, modern UltraDMA hard disks are very fast and enable the simultaneous use of many audio tracks. Ideally, your hard disk should have a rotation speed of 7200 RPM (or faster) as well as an access time of under 9 milliseconds. The audio data should be saved on a hard disk separate from the operating system.

C O N T A C T 1 7

Contact

Product activation:

For questions about product activation, please contact the Samplitude service team:

Telephone:	+49	(0) 5741 3455 30 (Mon - Fri 9:00 to 5:00)
Fax:	+49	(0)5741 310 768

Or send an email to [e-mail]

Support

Registered users have access to technical support:

The current terms and conditions for support services apply.

You can find the terms and conditions and more information at:

http://rdir.magix.net/?page=DNIZMJ03VM2M

Sales

If you have questions regarding licensing and upgrades/crossgrades, please contact our sales department:

Telephone:	[phone]
Fax:	[phone]
Email:	[e-mail]

Addresses:
MAGIX AG	MAGIX AG
Friedrichstr. 200	Borsigstrasse 24
10117 Berlin	32312 Lübbecke

1 8 I N S T A L L A T I O N

Installation

1.Place the installation CD into the CD-ROM drive.

2.The installation program will launch automatically. If it does not, open Explorer and click the letter of the DVD drive. Open start.exe by double clicking it. The contents of the installation CD are displayed, you may visit our website, or install additional programs such as CodeMeter Runtime (view page 23).

3.To begin the installation of Samplitude click on "Install program > Samplitude Pro X / Samplitude Pro X Suite".

4.The Samplitude installation wizard will now start. Just follow the appearing dialogs. If you choose the "User defined" installation style, you can also specify the target folder for the program and choose whether you want to install additional components such as impulses responses too. In the selection screen you will see the necessary memory requirements for the installation.

I N S T A L L A T I O N

1 9

After installation you can add or remove components by starting this installation program again and selecting/deselecting the respective components.

Click "Continue" to proceed with the installation.

Once all the files have been copied to the hard disk, a program group will be created. The installation is now complete. Complete the installation by clicking "Finish".

Next choose the language in which you want to install Samplitude. In the corresponding dialog you can choose between English, German, French, Italian and Spanish.

You are able to change language at any time after the first installation by accessing the program folder "Samplitude" and then double clicking the file "Install.cfg"; in the code line titled "language=", enter the abbreviation for the desired program language:

E or US for English

D for German

F for French

I for Italian

ES for Spanish

If another language code is entered, Samplitude will reinstall in the language featured by your Windows system settings.

After you have saved "Install.cfg", the program will display the desired language version the next time it is started.

After the initial installation, you may start the program at any time via the Windows "Start" menu. Under "Programs > MAGIX > Samplitude" you can find start menu entries such as:

Samplitude

Samplitude Help

README

License terms

2 0 I N S T A L L A T I O N

Activating Samplitude

After the program has started, the "Program activation" dialog appears. Select "Register".

Step 1: Enter the serial number in the next dialog. You will be able to find this on the case of the software DVD.

Step 2: Samplitude calculates a user code once the serial number has been entered.

The actual activation code is generated from this code later. An online connection to our authorization server is necessary for this to work. If your computer has an Internet connection, press "Activate online" now.

Alternatively, you can of course transfer the data onto a separate PC if your studio PC does not have an Internet connection. Simply click on the button to create a text file. You can then save it on a USB stick or any other portable medium and then copy the content (the entire URL) into the address box of a web browser.

Activation may even be completed by fax, by email or by filling out the form provided via the corresponding button, printing it, and sending it to the address indicated.

You will now be directed to the support area of the Samplitude website. If problems occur with the automatic connection, then open your web browser, type http://www.samplitude.com into the address bar, and select "Register product" in the support area.

You will now proceed to online product registration. Please use your email address and password to log in. If you do not have access to the support portal, register first by filling in the required fields.

I N S T A L L A T I O N

2 1

Note: Ensure sure when entering your data that your email address is correct so that we will be able to send you the activation code once the registration process has been completed.

Enter the user code to register a new product.

Click on "Continue". In the next window, continue with activation by clicking the corresponding button.

The activation code will now be displayed. This will also be sent to your email address automatically. Use the activation code to complete the final step:

Step 3: Now copy the activation code into the corresponding box in the dialog and then click on the button beside this to activate.

Samplitude is now fully authenticated and ready for unrestricted use.

2 2 I N S T A L L A T I O N

On the support page under "My Products", you will now see the most recently activated product in the list of registered products:

Note: Please keep your serial number and activation code in a safe place. If you lose it, you will not be able to activate the product again. Substantial changes to the hardware configuration of your system may require reactivation as it may change the user code. You can activate the product three times in total. After that you will have to contact our support.

Use Samplitude with CodeMeter dongle

If you already own a dongle of a previous version or purchased a dongle through a distributor you can use it with the current version of Samplitude:

1.In the "Program activation" dialog select the "Use dongle" button or in the Menu click "Help" then "Dongle Activation".

2.An information window will inform you of the CodeMeter lease's activation. Shut the program down first.

3.Insert the dongle into a free USB port on the computer.

4.Restart the program.

Now Samplitude searches for CodeMeter Runtime and the license entries on startup. If your dongle is already registered, Samplitude will start and you may continue with program activation. If a license is not found, the "CodeMeter License Update" or "CodeMeter Start Wizard" will open.

If you do not own a CodeMeter dongle, you can purchase one from our distributors.

I N S T A L L A T I O N

2 3

Introduction to Samplitude network installation

Network installation – configuring the CodeMeter stick

1.Install a current CodeMeter Runtime on a network server or on a network PC (Windows, Linux, Mac OS X). You can find the newest Runtime at www.codemeter.de

2.Insert the CodeMeter dongle into an available USB port on the server.

3.Start the CodeMeter Control Center via "Start/Programs/CodeMeter/CodeMeter Control Center".

4.Now open "WebAdmin" in the CodeMeter Control Center on the bottom left. Your internet browser will open.

5.In WebAdmin, go to "Settings", check the option "Start as server", and press "Apply".

Note: The tab "Contents -> Licenses" features a list of available license numbers.

6. Return to the CodeMeter Control Center and exit the runtime in the menu via "Exit file/CodeMeter". Restart CodeMeter again by clicking "File/Start CodeMeter".

The server is now ready.

Network installation - Program installation

The program DVD may now be installed on a Windows client PC.

You should also install the current CodeMeter Runtime on the Client PCs in order to guarantee optimum network performance.

Please make sure your firewall is set up properly. If you have any problems, please deactivate your firewall as a test.

Register the dongle by first inserting it locally into a client PC or install Samplitude on the server and register straight away after starting the program. This is necessary to gain access to the latest updates on our homepage www.samplitude.com.

Please contact our MAGIX support (view page 17) if you have any questions about installation or if you require technical support.

2 4 I N S T A L L A T I O N

CodeMeter Control Center

You can find the newest Runtime in the download section at www.codemeter.de.

Insert the CodeMeter into an available USB port on the server.

Start the CodeMeter Control Center via Start/Programs/CodeMeter/CodeMeter Control Center.

Now open "WebAdmin" in the CodeMeter Control Center on the bottom. Your internet browser will open.

In WebAdmin go to the register Content > CmStick. In the CmStick line you will see your dongle's serial number.

If you want to add, change and delete further licenses, click on "Update License" and then "Create license request". You can also create license questions or install license updates.

Now go back to the CodeMeter Control Center and exit the runtime in the menu via "Exit file/CodeMeter".

S Y S T E M S E T TI NG S 2 5

System settings

Before you start working with Samplitude, you should configure your sound card after starting the system for the first time.

Press the "Y" key on your keyboard or open the global system settings via "File > Program preferences > System/Audio".

This allows you to access information about any connected playback and recording devices as well as MIDI, metronome, or program settings, and change them if necessary. You may also select the target folders for projects and VST plug-ins and the view options and coloring of screen elements. The most important dialogs are explained briefly in the following.

Audio setup

Enter all essential settings for the driver system, buffers, driver communications, and monitoring here.

Driver system: A so-called "driver system" is used for the necessary communication between Samplitude and your sound card. In order to take full advantage of the program, we recommend that you use ASIO.

MME is the standard Windows multimedia driver system with the best compatibility. It also supports 16-bit playback. If you are recording 24/32-bit audio material, then you can use MME/WDM. This driver system is suitable for multi-track recordings of up to 64 tracks that don't place severe requirements on the monitoring processes. For performance critical recordings, this provides greater security compared to ASIO drivers; in any case, for many sound cards, multi-track recordings will not be synchronous.

ASIO: Use a sound card model fitted with ASIO drivers if possible. This offers a number of decisive advantages over the MME/WDM driver system:

2 6 S Y S T E M S E T TI NG S

Lower latency (input/output delay) in terms of the driver system. Resulting response times during real-time editing are clearly reduced. This provides the possibility to use the software monitoring for inputs and VST instruments.

ASIO is intended for editing multi-track recordings featuring several sound cards that are all using the same ASIO drivers. The sound cards are synchronized by the ASIO driver.

Advanced hardware monitoring options are also available by using ASIO direct monitoring.

ASIO settings

ASIO device: Choose the sound card driver that you would like to work with. The drivers for all ASIO devices installed on the system will be listed here. Clicking the "Control panel" button opens the settings dialog for the sound card driver. In the display field beside "ASIO buffer", you'll see the buffer size and bit rate set for the driver. Samplitude also displays the relevant output and input latencies.

Buffer settings: The VIP object buffer indicates the buffer size for internal processing of object effects and economy tracks in hybrid mode. In every other monitoring mode, the buffer size also determines the editing of track effects. With a smaller VIP object buffer size, the amount of playback delay also sinks (latency). In these cases, the processor may become overloaded, which will result in dropouts during playback. Large buffer sizes actually increase stability, but they also increase the latency of the system. The field below displays the resulting latency in relation to the buffer settings.

Tip: The VIP object buffer size should normally be bigger than the ASIO buffer size and be set between 1024 and 8096 samples.

Device Resolution/Driver Communication: This option enables you to select the bit resolution for communication with audio devices. The preset value correlates with that of the sound card installed on your system.

The ASIO driver system specifies the bit resolution of the ASIO drivers. Samplitude always assumes the bit resolution set for the ASIO drivers. The settings options displayed for device resolution/driver communication only specifies the bit depth applied by dithering (view page 498). For 32-bit data transfer, dithering is 24-bit or 16-bit. The settings for 32bit are recommended especially for Samplitude

in case no dithering is intended.

in case the input is not fed by the sound card's converter unit, but rather directly by a DSP card.

If MME driver system is selected, Samplitude opens the drivers with the it depth set under Device resolution/driver communication. If the output device cannot process the set bit resolution, then the corresponding lower resolution will be produced and this will be transmitted to the MME driver.

To specify the plug-in buffer and the path to your VST plug-ins, switch to the dialog "System options (Y) > Effects > VST/DirectX/ReWire (view page 176)".

S Y S T E M S E T TI NG S 2 7

Monitoring settings

Monitoring is defined as listening to the input signals, for example with the intention of returning these to the incoming music. The routing of monitor signals is an important and complex process that is subject to various requirements.

In most cases, we recommend using the "Mixer FX Monitoring/Hybrid Engine".

For each selected monitoring setting, a matrix display also opens to indicate which buffer sizes are used and what effect the currently selected engine mode has on the latencies.

2 8 S Y S T E M S E T TI NG S

Hybrid Audio Engine

In general, "Hybrid" refers to a system in which two separate technologies are combined with one another. Samplitude's Hybrid Audio Engine is a special combination of a Low Latency Engine and the classic Samplitude Playback engine with higher latency. The Low Latency Engine calculates live input signals and the output of the playback engine. This provides short reaction times for calculating track effects and also provides monitoring with low latency. The classic playback engine saves resources and enables integration of highperformance effects.

The Hybrid Engine provides a combination of Low Latency Engine and a classic engine for calculating the track and effects. For example, processor-intensive VST instruments may be played via the so-called "Economy" tracks (see below), while only the VST instrument that is being recorded is calculated by the Low Latency Engine.

Go to system settings (shortcut "Y") ->"Audio Setup" -> "Driver System" and select "ASIO". "Monitoring settings" features the mode "Mixer FX monitoring/Hybrid Engine".

Mixer FX monitoring provides audio monitoring including all insert and AUX effects and also calculates the playback tracks with the least mount of latency. The entire mixer may therefore operate in "Low latency" mode, including the bus and master effects, and it may also be used for editing input signals.

S Y S T E M S E T TI NG S 2 9

Economy track

If you have selected the ASIO Hybrid Engine as the driver system, you may take individual tracks from the Low Latency Engine and calculate the track effects with a larger VIP buffer size for VIP objects during playback. This saves the system's processor from being overloaded.

To switch a track to "Economy", select the menu item "Track -> Track properties -> Economy track".

Economy tracks are indicated by a green dot in the volume display of the mixer's corresponding channel and in the track editor. The "Volume" button for the track is framed in green.

Note: The Hybrid Engine compensates for latency of track effects in economy tracks so that the total latency of the mixer does not increase for other tracks.

Overview of monitoring/engine modes

No audio monitoring (peak meter only): Displays the input level, but muted.

Hardware monitoring: Audio monitoring via sound card or external mixer hardware. This is the only monitoring type for MME drivers; for ASIO, many sound cards are able to process functions directly such as mute/solo, volume, and pan. For large ASIO or VIP buffers, minimal latency is able to be achieved with just a few samples. Effects may not be applied to the input signal.

Software monitoring/economy engine: Audio monitoring includes the recording track levels and software instruments. This monitoring option is only available with ASIO drivers. No effects are applied to the input signals, and latency and CPU load remains the same, even for complex projects.

Track FX monitoring: Audio monitoring including the track effects of the recording track. This monitoring option is only available when using ASIO drivers. Connected effects may therefore be monitored in recording tracks. Bus or master effects will not be included.

Hardware monitoring/Hybrid Engine: In this case, the complete mixer operates in "Low latency" mode. This produces low playback latency. Monitoring of the input signals depends on the sound card being used.

Mixer FX monitoring/Hybrid Engine: The Hybrid Audio Engine enables audio monitoring throughout the entire mixer and also calculates playback tracks in the mixer with short

3 0 S Y S T E M S E T TI NG S

latency. You may therefore also mix data from the hard drive with the lowest possible playback delay. We recommend this mode for input signals as well as for live mixing with hardware controllers, since this guarantees access to all bus and master effects.

Applies to all monitoring modes: Track effects in the recording track will not be included when recording. However, the recorded track may be saved along with all track effects afterwards via the "Trackbouncing (view page 456)" function.

Note: If you use "TotalMix" from RME in combination with a hardware monitoring mode, then set the panning law in "TotalMix" to -6dB. This helps ensure that the recording level in Samplitude matches the monitoring levels in "TotalMix".

Mode switching

Tape monitoring (preset): In STOP and RECORD states, the input signal is played; in PLAY state, the track content is played.

Manual monitoring: With the help of the loudspeaker button in the track head or the track editor, you can manually switch on the input signal for monitoring. This mode is only effective when the ASIO driver system is used.

Mix input and playback: If you put a check mark here, then you will be able to hear the input signal during running playback too, if track monitoring is active.

Other than the system options in the audio setup, the monitoring settings and switching processes are available to you by right clicking "Mon" directly. This displays two more MIDI recording options:

Automatic MIDI record switch on current track: This option ensures that MIDI tracks are always ready for recording as soon as they are selected. You can recognize this by the litup pink record buttons.

Automatic MIDI monitoring (thru): If this option is selected, then every MIDI track which you activate for recording will be switched on, i .e. you will always immediately hear the input signal for this track.