Steinberg Halion 5 Manual

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Editing Zones in the Sound EditorThe Envelope Section
Adjusting the Level Parameter
The Level parameter specifies the amplitude of the envelope at the position set by the 
Time parameter. The Amp and Filter envelopes are unipolar. Therefore, the value 
range for the level is 0
 % to +100 % (positive values only). The Pitch and User 
envelopes are bipolar, the value range for the level is from -100
 % to +100 % 
(negative and positive values) for these envelopes.
You can change the polarity of the envelopes in the modulation matrix, for instance, to 
map the range of the Amplifier Envelope (unipolar) to Pan (bipolar). However, the 
envelopes always display their values with their default polarity.
•To set the Level parameter, select the nodes you want to edit and enter a value in 
the Level field.
You can also adjust the Level parameter in the graphical envelope editor by dragging 
the selected nodes up or down, to decrease or increase the levels.
•For a higher resolution, hold [Shift] while moving the nodes.
•Hold down [Alt]/[Option] while dragging to limit the movement to the level axis 
(vertical positioning only).
Adjusting the Curve Parameter
The Curve parameter allows you to adjust the curvature between two nodes from 
linear to logarithmic or exponential behavior.
To set the Curve parameter, select the nodes you want to edit and enter a value in the 
Curve field. Positive curve values change the curvature towards logarithmic and 
negative values towards exponential behavior.
You can also adjust the Curve parameter in the graphical envelope editor by dragging 
the curvature of an envelope segment.
•[Ctrl]/[Command]-click a curvature to reset it to linear.
Adding and Removing Nodes
The envelopes Amp, Filter, Pitch, and User can have up to 128 nodes. All nodes 
added after the sustain node always affect the release stage of the envelope.
•To add a node, double-click at the position where you want to add the node.
•To remove a node, double-click it.
•To delete several selected notes, press [Delete] or [Backspace].
ÖYou cannot remove the first, the last, or the sustain node.
Adding Nodes Using the Fill Function
The Fill function allows you to add multiple envelope nodes after the selected nodes:
1.On the pop-up menu to the right of the Fill button, select the number of nodes you 
want to add.
2.In the graphical envelope editor, select the node after which you want to add nodes. 
If several nodes are selected, the new nodes are inserted after all selected nodes.
3.If the Fixed function is deactivated, the added nodes are placed with the interval 
specified by the Time parameter of the selected node. If multiple nodes are 
selected, the interval is specified by the focused node.
By activating Sync, you can specify the interval with the Sync note value. For 
example, if 1/4 is selected, new nodes are added at exact quarter note intervals.
4.If the Fixed function is activated, the added nodes fill the space between the last 
selected node and the following one.
5.Click the Fill button.
The nodes are added. 
						

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Editing Zones in the Sound EditorThe Envelope Section
Fixed
When Fixed is activated, only the selected nodes are moved on the time axis. With 
Fixed deactivated, nodes that follow the currently edited nodes are also moved on the 
time axis.
Snap
You can select a second envelope to be displayed in the background of the edited 
envelope. Nodes that you position with Snap activated snap to the nodes of the 
envelope that is shown in the background.
•You select the envelope to be displayed in the background from the pop-up menu 
to the right of the Snap button.
Using Sync
You can synchronize the envelopes to the tempo of your host application. This allows 
you to set envelope times that relate to musical time intervals (for example 1 bar), 
regardless of tempo changes made later on.
1.Click Sync to activate sync mode for the envelope. 
Sync is active when the button is highlighted. A grid spaced in fractions of beats 
appears in the graphical envelope editor.
2.On the pop-up menu located to the right of the Sync button, select a note value. 
This sets the resolution of the grid. For example, if you specify a 1/4 note value, the 
nodes snap to 1/4 note steps. If the “T” button is activated, the note values 
correspond to triplet values. 
You can also manually enter note values and triplets in the value field. 
•The Time field of a node displays times in fractions of beats. The fraction is always 
reduced to the smallest possible value. “2/16” is displayed as “1/8”, for example.
•Envelope nodes that do not exactly match a note value display the closest note 
value.
•Nodes that exactly match a note value are indicated by a red dot inside the handle 
of the node. This can be useful, when you switch the grid between triplets and 
normal note values, for example: The triplet nodes still indicate that they match a 
note value, even if the grid shows normal note values.
Selecting an Envelope Mode
You can select one of four envelope modes to specify how the envelope is played 
back each time you hit a key. These modes are selected from the Mode pop-up menu. 
The following options are available:
•Sustain: The envelope starts playback from the first node to its sustain. The sustain 
level is held as long as you play the note. When you release the note, the envelope 
continues with the stages behind the sustain. This mode is ideal for looped 
samples.
•Loop: The envelope starts playback from the first node to the loop nodes. The loop 
is repeated for as long as the key is held. The envelope plays the stages behind the 
sustain when you release the note. This mode is ideal for adding motion to the 
sustain.
•One Shot: The envelope is played from the first to the last node, even if you release 
the key. The envelope has no sustain. This mode is ideal for drum samples. 
						

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Editing Zones in the Sound EditorThe Envelope Section
•Sample Loop: This mode allows you to preserve the natural attack of the sample. 
The decay of the envelope does not start until the sample has reached the sample 
loop start. Set the second node to the maximum level. Then, use any of the 
following nodes to shape the decay during the loop phase of the sample. This way, 
the envelope only affects the level during the loop phase of the sample. The attack 
of the envelope is still executed.
ÖThe Sample Loop mode is only available for sample zones.
Setting Up the Loop
You can set up the envelope to repeat its playback between the nodes you select. 
Proceed as follows:
1.Set the envelope mode to Loop.
2.Adjust the loop with the graphical envelope editor.
•The loop is indicated by the green region in the graphical envelope editor. You can 
specify the loop start and end by dragging the borders of the region.
ÖThe loop region can only be set up in the decay of the envelope.
Level Velocity Curve
You can select the curve type to specify how the incoming velocity translates to the 
level of the envelope. The characteristic of each curve is displayed by a small icon.
Level Velocity (Vel>Lev)
Use this parameter to specify how the velocity affects the level of the envelope. The 
level depends on this parameter and how hard you hit a key. Positive values increase 
and negative values decrease the level of the envelope the harder you hit a key. 
Norm
The Norm option allows you to normalize the velocity values that are used to control 
the envelope. This option is also available in the Filter section, see 
“Norm” on page 
116.
Time Velocity (Vel>Time)
Use this parameter to adjust the influence of velocity on the times of the envelope. 
Positive values decrease the times for higher velocity values. Negative values increase 
the times for higher velocity values.  
						

							124
Editing Zones in the Sound EditorThe LFO Section
Segments
On the Segments pop-up menu, you can select which stages of the envelope are 
affected by the Time Velocity parameter.
Key Follow and KeyF Rel
With Key Follow and KeyF Rel (Key Follow Release), you can scale the envelope 
times across the keyboard. Key Follow scales all times before the sustain node. KeyF 
Rel scales all times after the sustain node (which equals the release of the envelope). 
You can set a center key that is used as the central position for the Key Follow and 
KeyF Rel functions. The envelope times depend on the position where you play the 
keyboard and on the corresponding Key Follow setting. Positive values decrease the 
times for notes above and increase the times for notes below the center key; the 
envelope becomes faster the higher you play. Negative values increase the times for 
notes above and decrease the times for notes below the center key; the envelope 
becomes slower the higher you play. 
Center Key
This parameter determines the MIDI note that is used as the central position for the 
Key Follow and KeyF Rel functions.
The LFO Section
The synth and sample zones offer two polyphonic LFOs. Polyphonic means the LFOs 
are calculated per voice allowing for independent modulations with each triggered 
note. You can use this to create a richer sound, for example, with an independent 
pitch modulation per note. The LFOs can be assigned freely in the modulation matrix 
and they have an additional envelope that allows you to shape the modulation intensity 
over time.
You can also configure monophonic LFOs using a MIDI Module, see “Mono LFO” on 
page 269.
•To access the LFOs, click the corresponding button at the top of the LFO section.
LFO Waveform and Shape
Waveform selects the basic type of waveform. Shape changes the characteristic of 
the waveform.
OptionDescription
AThe velocity affects the attack time only.
A+DThe velocity affects all times until the sustain.
DThe velocity affects all times until the sustain but without the attack.
A+RThe velocity affects the attack and the release times.
AllThe velocity affects all times.
OptionDescription
SineThis produces smooth modulation, suitable for vibrato or tremolo. 
Shape adds additional harmonics to the waveform. 
						

							125
Editing Zones in the Sound EditorThe LFO Section
Sync Mode
You can sync the LFO to the tempo of the host application. The behavior of the 
Frequency parameter changes with the selected option:
Retrigger Mode
This defines whether the LFO is restarted when a note is triggered. The waveform 
restarts at the position you specify with the Phase parameter.
The polyphonic LFOs can switch between Retrigger On and Off: When it is off, the 
LFO runs freely, when set to On, the LFO starts with each triggered note.
Frequency
This controls the frequency of the modulation, that is, the speed of the LFO. When 
Sync is activated, the frequency is set in fractions of beats.
Phase
This sets the initial phase of the waveform when the LFO is retriggered. 
Rnd (Random)
When this is activated, each note starts with a randomized start phase. The Phase 
control is automatically disabled.
TriangleThis is similar to Sine. Shape continuously changes the triangle 
waveform to a trapezoid.
SawThis produces a ramp cycle. Shape continuously changes the 
waveform from ramp down to triangle to ramp up.
PulseThis produces stepped modulation, where the modulation switches 
abruptly between two values. Shape continuously changes the ratio 
between the high and low state of the waveform. With Shape set to 
50
 %, a square wave is produced.
RampThis is similar to the Saw waveform. Shape increasingly puts silence 
before the sawtooth ramp up begins.
LogShape continuously changes the logarithmic curvature from 
negative to positive.
S & H 1This produces randomly stepped modulation, where each step is 
different. Shape puts ramps between the steps and changes the 
S&H into a smooth random signal when fully turned right.
S & H 2This is similar to S & H 1. The steps alternate between random high 
and low values. Shape puts ramps between the steps and changes 
the S & H into a smooth random signal when fully turned right.
Option Description
OptionDescription
OffSelect this to adjust the speed of the modulation in Hertz.
Tempo + RetrigSelect this to adjust the speed of the modulation in fractions of 
beats. You can also set dotted and triplet note values. The restart 
behavior of the LFO depends on the Retrigger Mode.
Tempo + BeatSelect this to adjust the speed of the modulation in fractions of 
beats. You can also set dotted and triplet note values. The LFO 
restarts with the transport of the host and lines up to the beats of 
the song. The Retrigger setting is not taken into account. 
						

							126
Editing Zones in the Sound EditorThe LFO Section
Delay
Delay determines the delay time between the moment you play a note and the moment 
the LFO comes into effect.
Fade In
Fade In determines how long the LFO takes to fade in after the note was triggered 
and the delay time has elapsed.
Hold
Hold determines the amount of time the LFO is running before the fade out begins.
Use the envelope modes “One Shot” or “Hold + Fade Out” to activate the Hold time. 
With all other envelope modes, the Hold time is omitted and acts as Sustain.
Fade Out
Fade Out determines how long the LFO takes to fade out after the hold time has 
elapsed or a note has been released.
Use the envelope modes “One Shot + Sustain” or “Sustain” to deactivate the fade 
out. This prevents changes of the modulation when the note has been released.
Inv (Invert Envelope)
When the Inv option is activated, the behavior of the LFO envelope is inverted. The 
LFO modulation starts at its maximum level and decreases to zero in the time 
specified by the Fade In. After the Hold time has elapsed, or when the key is released, 
the modulation increases to its maximum level in the time specified by the fade out.
Envelope Mode
Here, you can specify how the LFO envelope reacts to your playing on the keyboard. 
The One Shot modes do not react to note-off events. In addition, you can select 
whether the Hold and Fade Out segments act as sustain.
OptionDescription
One ShotSelect this mode to play the envelope from start to end in the time 
specified by Delay, Fade In, Hold, and Fade Out.
One Shot + 
SustainThis mode is similar to One Shot. The Delay and Fade In parameters 
are always applied when you play a note. The Hold and Fade Out 
parameters are not taken into account. Instead, they act as sustain.
Hold + Fade OutWhen you play a note, the Delay and Fade In parameters are 
applied. The envelope fades out after the time specified by the Hold 
parameter, or when a key is released. Releasing a key during the 
fade in starts the fade out from the current level.
Sustain + 
Fade
 Out
When you play a note, the Delay and Fade In parameters are 
applied. The Hold parameter acts as sustain. The fade out is applied 
when releasing the key. Releasing a key during the fade in starts the 
fade out from the current level.
SustainWhen you play a note, the Delay and Fade In parameters are 
applied. Both the Hold and Fade Out parameters act as sustain. 
Releasing a key during the Fade In sustains the current level. This 
prevents a change in modulation when a key is released. 
						

							127
Editing Zones in the Sound EditorThe Step Modulator Section
Graphical Envelope Editing
You can adjust the times of the envelope in the graphical editor by dragging nodes left 
or right.
•The first node adjusts the Delay time.
•The second node adjusts the Fade In time.
•The third node adjusts the Hold time.
•The fourth node adjusts the Fade Out time.
The Step Modulator Section
Synth and sample zones feature a polyphonic step modulator for creating rhythmic 
control sequences. The step modulator can be freely assigned in the modulation 
matrix. The sequence can have up to 32 steps.
At the top right of the Step Modulator section, you can load and save presets for the 
step modulator.
Editing Steps
To adjust the steps using the mouse, proceed as follows:
•To set the level of a step, click in the graphical editor.
•To change the value of a single step, drag it up/down.
•To adjust all steps at once, [Shift]-drag a step.
•To reset a step to a level of 0 %, [Ctrl]/[Command]-click the step.
•To reset all steps, [Shift]-[Ctrl]/[Command]-click in the graphical editor.
•To draw a ramp with steps, [Alt]/[Option]-click and draw a line.
•To draw symmetric ramps, [Shift]-[Alt]/[Option]-click and draw a line.
•You can also enter a value directly in the value field for the step.
•To increment or decrement the selected step, use the up and down arrow keys.
By default, the increment or decrement is in steps of 1 %. Hold [Shift] to increment 
or decrement the selected step in steps of 0.1
 %.
Steps
Here you set the number of steps the sequence plays. 
						

							128
Editing Zones in the Sound EditorThe Step Modulator Section
Sync Mode
You can synchronize the steps to the tempo of the host application by setting a note 
value. Alternatively, you can specify a frequency at which the sequence repeats. 
Whether you can set a note value or a frequency depends on the option you select 
here:
Frequency
When Sync mode is set to Off, this controls the speed at which the sequence is 
repeated. 
Note
When the Sync mode is set to one of the Tempo settings, this adjusts the length of 
the steps in fractions of beats. You can also select dotted and triplet values.
Triplets
Activate the “T” option to use triplet note values.
Retrigger Mode
Here, you can determine whether the sequence restarts when you play a note. The 
Retrigger Mode parameter is only available when Sync mode is set to Off or “Tempo 
+ Retrig”. The following parameters are available:
Slope
Depending on the setting you select here, the step modulator jumps from step to step 
or creates ramps between the steps. The following settings are available:
OptionDescription
OffSelect this to adjust the speed at which the sequence repeats (in 
Hertz). Whether the sequence restarts when you play a note 
depends on the Retrigger mode.
Tempo + RetrigSelect this to adjust the length of the steps in fractions of beats. The 
speed of the modulation depends on the number of steps, the note 
value and the tempo you set in your host application. Activate the T 
option to use triplet note values. Whether the sequence restarts 
when you play a note depends on the selected Retrigger mode.
Tempo + BeatAs above, but the sequence restarts with the transport of the host 
and lines up to the beats of the project. The Retrigger setting is not 
taken into account.
OptionDescription
Off The sequence is not restarted. Instead, it resumes playback at the 
position at which you released the key.
First NoteThe sequence restarts when a note is triggered and no other notes 
are held.
Each NoteThe sequence restarts each time a note is triggered.
OptionDescription
NoneThis setting produces hard steps.
RisingRamps are created only for rising edges.
FallingRamps are created only for falling edges.
AllRamps are created for all edges. 
						

							129
Editing Zones in the Sound EditorThe Modulation Matrix Section
Amount
When Slope is set to Rising, Falling or All, the Amount parameter determines the time 
of the ramp between two steps. The higher the setting, the smoother the transitions 
between steps.
Step
Use this to select a certain step.
Level
This shows the level of the selected step.
Snap
When Snap is activated, the level of each step can only be adjusted in quantized 
steps of 1/12th.
Producing Modulations in Steps of Semitones
Proceed as follows:
1.Activate the Snap option.
2.In the modulation matrix, assign the Step Modulator to Pitch.
3.Set the Modulation Depth to +12.
Now, the levels of the steps represent semitone intervals.
4.Go back to the step modulator and adjust each step to the interval that you want to 
use.
The Modulation Matrix Section
The concept of controlling one parameter by another is called modulation. The 
Modulation Matrix section of synth and sample zones gives you access to additional 
modulations of the zone.
Assigning modulations means to interconnect modulation sources, such as LFOs and 
envelopes, with modulation destinations like pitch, cutoff, amplitude, etc. The 
modulation matrix offers you up to 32 freely assignable modulations, each with a 
source, a modifier and a destination with adjustable depth. All modulation sources and 
destinations can be assigned several times. The polarity of each source can be 
switched between unipolar and bipolar. An additional modifier and user-definable 
curves and ranges give you further control over the modulation.
The modulation matrix is divided into two sections. On the left, the modulation rows 
are displayed. Here, you can assign modulation sources to destinations and adjust the 
modulation depth. The section on the right contains settings for the curve and range 
editor, where you can make further settings for the selected modulation source. 
						

							130
Editing Zones in the Sound EditorThe Modulation Matrix Section
Using the Modulation Rows
The modulation rows allow you to interconnect modulation sources with modulation 
destinations and to adjust the modulation depth.
•The parameters for setting up a modulation can be accessed via 32 rows. Each 
row is identified by a number.
•You can select modulation sources on the Source 1 pop-up menu at the top left of 
each row.
•The Source 2 pop-up menu below the Source 1 pop-up menu for each row allows 
you to select a second modulation source that controls the intensity of the first 
source or a modifier that alters the modulation signal of the first source.
•To switch the polarity of a source between unipolar and bipolar, click the button to 
the right of the corresponding source.
•To select the modulation destination, use the pop-up menu to the right.
•Use the horizontal fader below the destination to adjust the modulation depth. 
Usually, the modulation depth is adjusted in percent. If you select pitch as 
modulation destination, the modulation depth is adjusted in semitones.
•Click the Bypass button in front of the depth control to switch off the modulation 
temporarily.
Managing Modulation Rows
To copy or move a modulation row, proceed as follows:
1.On the context menu for the source row, select “Copy Modulation Row” or “Cut 
Modulation Row”.
2.On the context menu for the target row, select “Paste Modulation Row”.
•To insert an empty row, select “Insert Modulation Row” from the context menu.
•To remove a modulation row, select “Remove Modulation Row” from the context 
menu.
Note that the list always contains 32 rows. If you remove a row, an empty row is 
appended to the list. 
ÖYou can copy modulation rows across different programs or even between different 
plug-in instances.
Unipolar vs. Bipolar Sources
The polarity of a modulation source specifies the value range it produces.
•Unipolar sources modulate between 0 and +1.
•Bipolar sources modulate between -1 and +1.
By default, some sources are unipolar and others are bipolar. However, you can 
change the polarity of a modulation source at any time.
•To change the polarity of a source, click the button to the right of the 
corresponding source.