Steinberg Halion 5 Manual

161
Granular Synthesis
Introduction
Granular synthesis is based on a simple idea: Instead of playing back an entire 
sample, only short portions of the sample, the so-called grains, are played. These 
grains can be played back in any order. Each time a grain ends, a new one starts. To 
avoid discontinuities in the playback and to minimize artefacts, envelopes are applied 
to the grains. You can use granular synthesis to extract interesting spectra from all 
kinds of samples, to create sound effects by...

162
Granular SynthesisThe Grain Tab
The Grain Tab
Sample Display
The sample display provides an overview of the sample and shows a playback locator 
for each grain stream. This shows the resulting effects of the grain oscillator 
parameters and helps you find the sample portions that you want to use as grain 
sources.
The sample start and end markers of the sample are indicated by orange lines. They 
determine the range that can be used to create grains. If the sample has a defined 
sustain loop, the...

163
Granular SynthesisThe Grain Tab
Position Random
Determines the range from which a random playback position is chosen. At a setting 
of 100
 %, the playback position jumps to a random position between the start and the 
end of the sample. The random playback position is calculated separately for each 
channel of the sample, at the start of a new grain. This can be used to widen the 
panorama of the sound.
Position Spread
This parameter is available when “Number of Grains” is set to a value higher than...

164
Granular SynthesisThe Grain Tab
Pitch Spread
This parameter is available when “Number of Grains” is set to a value higher than 1. It 
detunes the pitch of the grains in semitones and cents. The first grain keeps its pitch, 
and the other grains are detuned evenly to values within the specified range. The last 
grain is detuned to the maximum value.
ÖFor shorter grains, this is perceived as a change in the spectrum and for longer grains 
as a detuning of the sample.
Pitch Offset
Offsets the pitch...

165
Granular SynthesisThe Grain Tab
Duration Spread
This parameter is available when “Number of Grains” is set to a value higher than 1. It 
modifies the grain durations by the factor that you set. This way, each grain is played 
with a different duration. At a setting of +100
 %, the first grain is half as long and the 
last is twice as long. You can also use negative settings, in which case, the first grain 
will become longer and the last grain shorter.
Duration Offset
Offsets the grain duration...

166
Granular SynthesisModulating the Grain Oscillator
Length Spread
This parameter is available, when “Number of Grains” is set to a value higher than 1. It 
modifies the length of the grains. With positive values, the first grain has the shortest 
length and the last grain the longest. With negative values, the first grain has the 
longest length.
Length Offset
Offsets the grain length across the sample channels. Positive settings shorten the 
grain length for the right channel, and the left channel...

167
Granular SynthesisThe Sample Tab
Grain Length
Modulates the Length parameter.
Grain Pitch
Modulates the pitch of a grain. The modulation is not continuous, but it is updated at 
the start of a new grain. For continuous pitch modulation, use Pitch instead of “Grain 
Pitch” as destination and make sure that “Pitch to Grain” is activated in the grain 
oscillator.
Grain Level
Modulates the grain level. The modulation is not continuous, but it is updated at the 
start of each new grain. For continuous...

168
MIDI Editing and Controllers
The MIDI Editor
The MIDI editor provides access to the MIDI slot parameters of HALion. This includes 
MIDI channel, Key and Velocity range, and Transpose and Polyphony settings. 
Furthermore, you can specify MIDI controllers to be filtered. To switch between velocity 
range, key range and controller filter, use the buttons above the range controls.
Parameters
Channel
The slot receives MIDI signals on the MIDI port and channel specified here. You can 
set multiple slots to...

169
MIDI Editing and ControllersUsing MIDI Controllers
Key Range (Low Key, High Key)
Each slot can be limited to a certain key range. Set the range with the Low Key and 
High Key values or by dragging the keyboard range control at its ends. When you 
click and drag towards the middle of the keyboard, both values are moved at the same 
time. As an additional option, you can use the MIDI input to set the range. Simply click 
in a value field and play the note.
To set the key range, proceed as follows:
1.At...

170
MIDI Editing and ControllersAssigning MIDI Controllers
By default, some of the most common parameters like slot volume, pan, as well as the 
quick controls of each slot are already pre-assigned. The slot AUX FX send modules 
1-4 are also pre-assigned and become directly controllable as soon as you load one 
of the AUX FX send modules on a slot insert effect.
You can customize the factory MIDI controller mapping by assigning your own MIDI 
controllers using the Learn function.
Assigning MIDI...