Steinberg Halion Sonic 2 Manual

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Global EffectsHALion 3 Legacy Effects
Ensemble
Chorus with a more complex modulation waveform for a lively thickening effect.
Flanger
A classic flanger effect.
Phaser
A four pole phaser for subtle phasing effects.
Pan/Tremolo
Autopan and Tremolo effect as used in vintage electric pianos.
PredelayInitial delay, to vary the “tightness” of the chorused voices to the 
dry signal.
MixWet/dry mix.
Parameter Description
ParameterDescription
RateModulation rate.
DepthAmount of pitch modulation.
ShimmerCreates a more complex modulation effect.
WidthStereo width adjustment.
MixWet/dry mix.
ParameterDescription
RateSweep rate.
DepthSweep depth.
FeedbackFeedback amount. Increase for a more intense flanging effect.
PredelayInitial delay. Adjusts the minimum delay time/maximum flange 
frequency.
MixWet/dry mix.
ParameterDescription
RateSweep rate.
DepthSweep depth.
FeedbackFeedback amount. Increase for a more pronounced effect.
StereoOffset between left and right modulation.
CenterSets the center frequency around which the modulation occurs.
MixWet/dry mix.
ParameterDescription
RateSweep rate.
PhaseRelative phase of left and right channel amplitude modulation, 
to vary from tremolo to autopan.
ShapeShape of modulation waveform from thin pulse, through sine, to 
fat pulse.
MixWet/dry mix. 
						

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Global EffectsHALion 3 Legacy Effects
Stereo Width
A stereo width enhancer with 4 modes.
Rotary Speaker
Simulation of a rotary speaker cabinet with high and low rotors.
Wah Pedal
An auto-wah effect.
TalkBox
Modulated vowel formant filter.
ParameterDescription
ModeSelects between four modes of stereo width enhancement:
- Adjust: Adjust existing width of stereo signal.
- Swap: As Adjust but swaps left and right channels.
- Comb: A stereo comb filter effect.
- Haas: Synthesizes stereo width by delaying one channel.
DelayDelay time (not used in Adjust and Swap modes).
WidthOverall width adjustment.
Low/Mid/HighWidth adjustment for low/mid/high frequencies.
OutputOutput level trim.
ParameterDescription
RateMaster speed control: Stop, Slow, Fast.
DirtAmount of overdrive.
Lo/HiCrossover frequency between low and high rotors.
WidthStereo width.
ToneAdjust the tone of the overdriven signal.
Hi/Lo SpeedSpeed of high and low rotor.
Hi/Lo AccAcceleration of high and low rotor.
MixWet/dry mix.
ParameterDescription
RateModulation rate (optional tempo sync).
DepthModulation depth.
PedalAdjusts filter frequency.
Mode- Auto: Envelope controlled wah effect.
- Pedal: No modulation, Pedal parameter sets the frequency.
- Mod: LFO modulation. Rate parameter controls the 
modulation rate.
ResonanceSets the amount of filter resonance.
TrackingAdjusts envelope tracking speed in Auto mode, and envelope 
rate modulation in Mod mode.
ParameterDescription
RateLFO Modulation rate (optional tempo sync).
DepthLFO modulation depth. 
						

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Global EffectsHALion 3 Legacy Effects
Shelf EQ
Simple tone control.
Parametric EQ
Two-band parametric equalizer.
Enhancer
Psycho acoustic spectrum shaping.
Limiter
Hard level limiting.
VowelCenter setting: Vowel produced when there is no modulation.
Env ModAmount of vowel modulation by input signal level.
Env AttRate of response to a rising input signal level.
Env RelRate of response to a falling input signal level.
MixWet/dry mix.
Parameter Description
ParameterDescription
OutputOutput level trim.
BassLow frequency cut/boost.
TrebleHigh frequency cut/boost.
ParameterDescription
Gain 1/2Cut/boost amount for the two bands.
Freq 1/2Sets the center frequency for the two bands.
Width 1/2Sets the band width for the two bands (“Q”).
OutputOutput level trim.
ParameterDescription
High DepthHigh frequency boost, combined with mid cut.
High TuneHigh/mid tune.
Low DepthLow frequency boost.
Low TuneLow frequency tune.
ParameterDescription
OutputOutput level trim.
DriveInput signal drive.
AttackAttack time.
ReleaseRelease time. 
						

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Global EffectsHALion 3 Legacy Effects
Compressor
A simple compressor effect.
Multiband
Three-band compressor.
Gate
Simple gate effect.
Distortion
Hard clipping distortion.
ParameterDescription
OutputOutput level trim.
ThresholdCompression threshold.
RatioCompression amount.
AttackAttack time.
ReleaseRelease time.
ParameterDescription
DriveInput signal drive (increase for more density).
Lo/HiBalance of low and high frequency bands.
MidLevel of mid frequency band.
AttackAttack time.
ReleaseRelease time.
OutputOutput level trim.
ParameterDescription
ThresholdGate threshold.
RangeLevel reduction when gate closed.
AttackAttack time.
ReleaseRelease time.
OutputOutput level trim.
ParameterDescription
DriveDistortion amount.
BiasAdjusts the balance between even and odd harmonics, that is, 
the character of the distortion.
ToneDistortion tone.
OutputOutput level trim.
MixWet/dry mix. 
						

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Global EffectsHALion 3 Legacy Effects
Overdrive
Softer distortion with a gradual onset.
Bit Reduction
Digital “Lo Fi” quality degradation.
Amp Simulator
Amplifier modelling effect.
Modulate L/R
This effect features three modes of signal distortion, where one side of a stereo signal 
is used to modulate the other.
ParameterDescription
DriveOverdrive amount.
BiasOverdrive character. Adjusts the balance between even and 
odd harmonics.
OutputOutput level trim.
MixWet/dry mix.
ParameterDescription
ModeSets whether the bit depth is fixed or depends on the signal 
level (Linear or Companding).
RateSimulated sample rate.
DepthSample bit depth.
Slew RateMaximum rate of change of output waveform, for a soft, wooly 
distortion.
MixWet/dry mix.
ParameterDescription
ModelType of amplifier model. Changes the tone character.
ModeMono/Stereo operation. Mono saves CPU, and in some cases 
sounds more solid.
DriveOverdrive amount.
FeedbackFeedback amount (result depends on input signal).
TrebleTreble boost – optionally in or out of phase for different tones.
MixWet/dry mix.
ParameterDescription
Mode- Ring Mod: Ring modulation.
- Env Mod: Signal level of right channel is modulated by level of 
left channel.
- Duck: Signal level of right channel is reduced when level of left 
channel increases.
ThruDefines which input signals are used as the dry signal for the 
Mix.
SmoothSmoothing of modulation.
DriveLevel trim.
MixWet/dry mix. 
						

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The Performance Section
Introduction
The performance section is found in the lower part of the HALion Sonic window. It 
contains those elements that you need for “playing” HALion Sonic. The performance 
controls, the quick controls, and the trigger pads are the main components of the 
performance section.
The Performance Controls
In the lower part of the performance section you will find the performance controls 
with the wheel controls, the keyboard, and the sphere control.
Wheel Controls
To the left of the preview keyboard of the plug-in, you can find the pitchbend wheel 
and the modulation wheel. 
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. Typically, 
you assign the modulation wheel to a parameter of an insert effect, such as the speed 
of the Rotary.
ÖThe fixed assignment of MIDI controller #1 cannot be changed. Therefore, the 
modulation wheel offers no “Learn CC” function.
Keyboard
The virtual 88-note keyboard of HALion Sonic can be used to trigger MIDI notes just 
like a real keyboard. 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, for 
instance, key switches that are located on lower keys.
Pitchbend 
wheelModulation 
wheel 
						

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The Performance SectionThe Quick Controls
Sphere H and Sphere V
The Sphere is the orange ball in the bottom right-hand corner of HALion Sonic. The 
Sphere is a two-dimensional control, which means you can adjust two quick controls 
simultaneously by dragging the mouse horizontally and vertically within the Sphere. 
The quick control on the horizontal axis is called Sphere H. The quick control on the 
vertical axis is called Sphere V. Typically, two parameters that belong together are 
assigned to the Sphere. For instance, Cutoff is assigned to Sphere H and Resonance 
to Sphere V.
ÖThe small triangles for indicating the horizontal and vertical axis are available only if 
parameters are assigned to Sphere H and V.
Center Horizontal/Center Vertical
You can set up the Sphere to return to its center position automatically. You can 
define the behavior for each axis separately.
To activate or deactivate Center Horizontal or Center Vertical, proceed as follows:
1.Right-click the Sphere.
2.In the menu, check or uncheck the options Center Horizontal or Center Vertical 
respectively.
The Quick Controls
The eight potentiometer controls, the horizontal and vertical axis of the sphere, and the 
modulation wheel located at the bottom of the plug-in interface can be assigned as 
quick controls. Quick controls allow you to remotely control any parameter inside the 
program. Typically, they give you easy access to the most important sound 
parameters. There is a set of quick controls for the program. In addition, each layer 
has its own set of quick controls. The quick controls of the program allow you to 
control sound parameters across the four layers. The quick controls of the layers allow 
you to control sound parameters for each layer separately. You can switch between 
the quick controls of the program and the layers with the buttons at the left of the eight 
potentiometer controls.
You can assign the same quick control several times to different parameters. This 
allows you to do complex sound changes with a single control. To give you more 
control, each parameter assignment can be adjusted to a minimum and maximum 
range. In addition, you can select whether the quick control assignment behaves as 
either a continuous control or as a switch. A quick control remotely controls a 
parameter either in Relative or Absolute mode. Relative mode changes the values of 
the assigned parameters without losing their relative settings. Absolute mode 
changes the assigned parameters by overwriting them with the value the quick control 
currently has. Mode selection can be made per assignment. 
						

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The Performance SectionThe Quick Controls
Quick Controls and Value Tooltips
Through the offset applied by a quick control, the actual value of a parameter usually 
differs from the displayed value. Therefore, parameters that are assigned to a quick 
control show a value tooltip. The value tooltip indicates the resulting parameter value 
and the name of the assigned quick control.
ÖEspecially with switches, quick controls can lead to ambiguous states: The switch can 
be set to off, but the option can be activated by a quick control. In such a case, the 
value tooltip helps you to see the cause of this without having to search the quick 
control editor.
ÖValue tooltips can be deactivated on the Options page, see “Show Value Tooltips” on 
page 184.
Quick Controls 1–8
The eight quick controls are located above HALion Sonic’s onscreen keyboard. 
Typically, the eight most important sound parameters are assigned to them.
Accessing Quick Controls
To access the quick controls of the program or one of its layers, proceed as follows:
1.Select the program you want to edit in the Multi Program Rack.
2.Go to the left of the quick controls and click the program button (“P”) or one of the 
layer buttons (“L1” to “L4”).
3.The quick controls change to the settings of the program or the selected layer 
respectively.
ÖThe Sphere displays P, L1, L2, L3 or L4 to indicate the selected program or layer 
accordingly.
Assigning Quick Controls
When you assign quick controls in HALion Sonic, the following applies:
•The parameters of layers can only be assigned to the quick controls of the 
respective layer itself. For example, if the parameter belongs to layer 1, it can only 
be assigned to a quick control of layer 1. This includes the parameters in the 
program editor, the layer editor and the effect inserts of the respective layer. 
•The parameters of layers cannot be assigned directly to quick controls of the 
program. First, you need to assign the parameter to a quick control of the layer. 
Then you can assign the quick control of the layer to a quick control of the 
program.
•The parameters of program effect inserts can be assigned directly to quick 
controls of the program.
To assign a quick control to a parameter, proceed as follows:
1.In the program or layer editor or the editor of an effect insert, right-click the 
parameter you want to remotely control.
2.From the menu, select the quick control you want to assign, for example, quick 
control 1–8, sphere H & V, or mod wheel.
3.The assignment is created.  
						

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The Performance SectionThe Quick Controls
ÖThe quick control range is automatically adapted depending on the current parameter 
value. This is to assure that the quick control provides optimal control range.
ÖThe parameters Polyphony, Low Key, High Key, Low Velocity, High Velocity and the 
Output cannot be assigned to quick controls.
ÖYou can also assign quick controls to the ADSR offsets of the envelopes by using the 
context menu on the graphical envelope controls.
To assign a quick control of a layer to the quick controls of the program, proceed as 
follows:
1.Select the respective layer from the left of the quick controls.
2.Right-click the quick control you want to remotely control.
3.From the menu, select the program’s quick control you want to assign.
4.The range of the program quick controls is automatically adjusted to guarantees 
that the whole layer quick control range can be covered.
ÖSince the Modulation Wheel always listens to MIDI controller #1, you do not have to 
assign the mod wheel quick controls of the layers to the mod wheel quick control of 
the program. This works by default since all mod wheel quick controls listen to MIDI 
controller #1 as well.
Managing Quick Controls
The quick control page of the program and layer editor allows you to manage and edit 
quick controls after you assigned them. The quick controls of the selected program or 
layer are listed to the left. The assignments of the currently selected quick control are 
listed to the right. Each assignment is listed in a row of its own with parameters to 
adjust the behavior of the quick control assignment.
ÖIf the selected quick control has no assignments, the list to the right will be empty.
To access the assignments of a quick control, proceed as follows:
1.Right-click the quick control you want to edit.
2.Select “Edit Quick Control” from the menu.
3.The quick control page of the respective program or layer opens.
Naming Quick Controls
Each quick control can have a name that will be displayed as the title of the quick 
control. By giving the quick control an explanatory name, you will know what it does at 
a glance. Quick controls with nothing assigned yet do not display a name. By default, 
a quick control is given the name of the parameter you assigned first. After this, any 
further assignments will not change the name. However, you can rename the quick 
control at any time.
To rename a quick control, proceed as follows:
1.Go to the quick control page of the respective program or layer.
2.In the section to the left, select the quick control you want to rename.
3.Click in the name column of the quick control you have just selected and enter the 
new name.
4.Press [Enter] to set the title. Press [Esc] to cancel without setting the title.
Alternatively, you can enter a title on the quick control itself:
1.Above the quick control, double-click its title.
2.Enter the new name.
3.Press [Enter] to set the title. Press [Esc] to cancel without setting the title. 
						

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The Performance SectionThe Quick Controls
Unassigning Quick Controls
You can unassign quick controls directly from the quick controls section or on the QC 
section on the Edit page.
•To unassign a quick control on the quick controls section, right-click the control 
and select “Forget Quick Control”.
In the QC section of the Edit page, the context menu offers the following options:
•To unassign the selected quick control, select “Remove Assignment”.
•To remove all assignments of the selected quick control, select “Remove All 
Assignments”.
•To remove all assignments of all quick controls that belong to the selected layer in 
the program tree, select “Remove All Assignments of All Quick Controls”.
Changing the Order of Quick Control Assignments
To change the order of the existing quick control assignments in the list, proceed as 
follows:
•Drag an assignment in between two other quick controls to insert it there. The 
order of the list changes accordingly.
•Drag an assignment to another quick control to replace it. The order of the list 
does not change.
Setting the Behavior of Quick Control Assignments
A quick control behaves either as a continuous control or as a switch. In addition, you 
can choose to change parameter values either in Relative or Absolute mode.
In Relative mode the values of the parameter and the quick control add to each other. 
If you touch a parameter that has a quick control assigned in Relative mode, 
parameter changes can still be heard.
In Absolute mode the values of the parameter will be overwritten by the values sent by 
the quick control. If you touch a parameter that has a quick control assigned in 
Absolute mode, parameter changes cannot be heard.
When set to Switch Relative or Switch Absolute, the remotely controlled parameter 
switches between the minimum and maximum value when you turn the quick control. 
With Switch Relative, parameter changes can still be heard.
With Switch Absolute, parameter changes will be overwritten and cannot be heard. 
You can select which mode will be used per assignment.