Steinberg Halion Sonic 2 Manual

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Global Functions and SettingsThe Plug-in Functions Section
Polyphony (Mono Voices)
This display indicates the number of samples currently played back to help you trace 
performance problems. For example, if you have to reduce the Max Voices setting on 
the Options page, you can verify your settings by monitoring the number of voices 
currently playing.
MEM (Memory)
This display indicates the overall amount of RAM currently used by the plug-in and the 
loaded programs. The number displayed refers to the streaming buffer and the 
preloaded samples. The MEM display helps you to trace performance problems. For 
example, if you need to free up memory for other applications, you can do so by 
adjusting the Disk vs. RAM slider on the Options page towards Disk. You can verify 
your settings by monitoring the MEM display.
The Plug-in Name and the Steinberg Logo
If you click on the plug-in logo in the top left of the plug-in interface, the About box 
opens. It contains information regarding the version and build number of the plug-in. 
Use this information to verify if your software is up-to-date. Please visit 
www.steinberg.net regularly to check for updates. To close the about box, click on it 
or press [Esc] on your computer keyboard.
If you click on the Steinberg logo in the top right corner of the plug-in interface, a pop-
up menu opens:
•Select Help to open this manual in PDF format.
Note that a PDF reader application must be installed on your computer.
•Selecting one of the other options opens your default internet browser and takes 
you to the Steinberg web site.
To check for software updates and to find information for troubleshooting, select 
the corresponding link from the menu. Note that your computer needs an active 
and working internet connection to access the Steinberg web site.
The Toolbars
Above the Edit display section you will find two small toolbars with various useful 
global functions.
Global Insert, AUX, and FlexPhraser Buttons
Use these buttons to switch off all insert effects, all AUX effects and all FlexPhrasers 
for the whole plug-in at once. For instance, you can use this feature to quickly 
compare sounds with and without effects or to use a preset without the FlexPhrasers.
FlexPhraser Lock Button
When you activate this button, loading another program or layer does not overwrite 
your current FlexPhraser and Trigger pad settings.
ÖSince sliced loops need the right phrase to play back correctly, this option does not 
apply to FlexPhrasers for loop layers.
Insert 
effectsAUX 
effects FlexPhrasers
Undo/redo
MIDI ResetEditor/PlayerLock 
						

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Global Functions and SettingsThe Options Page
Undo/Redo
HALion Sonic features an undo/redo command stack that allows you to undo or redo 
the last 10 operations. With the aid of this function you can test new settings without 
having to worry about losing any of your previous settings.
You can either click the Undo/Redo buttons to undo or redo a single step, or you can:
1.Click the small triangles to see the Undo/Redo history.
2.Click on an entry in the history list to go back (or forward) to that particular step.
ÖYou cannot undo loading a multi (instance) preset.
MIDI Reset
Sometimes notes can “hang”. This may be caused by the plug-in losing the MIDI 
connection, or the plug-in receiving wrong MIDI controller data. In such a case, you 
can “emergency reset” the plug-in:
•Click the MIDI Reset button (the lightning icon) located under the Steinberg logo 
to send an “All Sound Off” and “Reset All Controllers” message to the plug-in.
The plug-in stops playback immediately and resets the controllers to their default 
values.
Editor/Player
This button toggles between the two views available for HALion Sonic: the full-size 
editor view (e), and the smaller player view (p).
The Options Page
The Options page contains global settings regarding performance issues, global 
functions, and MIDI controllers.
Disk Streaming Section
Some of the programs come with up to 1 GB of samples, such as the acoustic piano. 
That is a large amount of data and your computer cannot load all samples completely 
into the RAM, especially if you are using all of the 16 slots. Instead, HALion Sonic 
loads only the first milliseconds of each sample into the RAM and constantly loads 
more manageable portions from hard disk while you play. Because the hard disk has 
to work harder for every additional note you play, it is a good idea to load as much 
material as possible into the RAM beforehand. This, of course, leaves less RAM for 
other applications. For an optimum performance of your system, you can balance the 
RAM versus the hard disk usage of HALion Sonic. 
						

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Global Functions and SettingsThe Options Page
Balancing Disk vs. RAM
With this slider, you can balance the hard disk versus the RAM usage.
•If you need more RAM for other applications, drag the slider to the left towards the 
Disk setting.
•If your hard disk is not supplying data fast enough, drag the slider to the right 
towards the RAM setting.
The memory displays will be updated accordingly.
ÖIf you experience no problems with the system performance, leave this setting as it is.
ÖThe Disk vs. RAM always applies to all plug-in instances. It will not be saved with the 
project. You need to
 set this up only once for your computer system.
Performance
Here you find settings to optimize the overall CPU performance of HALion Sonic.
Max Voices
This parameter allows you to specify a total number of voices that a plug-in instance of 
HALion Sonic can play back. As soon as this limit is reached, HALion Sonic starts 
stealing voices.
Max CPU
To avoid clicks from CPU overloads, you can specify a maximum limit for the CPU load 
of the plug-in instance. HALion Sonic steals voices automatically when this limit is 
exceeded. A setting of 100
 % means that the Max CPU is switched off.
ÖBecause HALion Sonic needs some time to react, you can get CPU peaks that 
exceed the limit you set, which can lead to artifacts such as audio drop-outs. If you set 
Max CPU a bit lower than actually needed, you are safe again.
Voice Fade Out
Here you adjust the time to fade out voices that need to be stolen because the Max 
Voices setting or the Max CPU of the plug-in instance has been reached. 
Osc ECO Mode
Activate this to run the oscillators of synth layers in ECO mode. The oscillators use 
less CPU at the cost of producing more aliasing at higher pitches. When activated, 
you are able to play more voices with synth layers.
Multi-Loading
Normally, when loading multi-programs, the previous multi is kept in the RAM until the 
new multi has been completely loaded. Therefore, replacing a large multi by another 
can lead to RAM overload on 32-bit systems.
•To clear a multi before loading a new one, select “Clear before” on the “Multi 
Loading” pop-up menu.
ÖWhen “Clear before” is selected and you cancel the loading process, an empty multi 
is loaded. 
						

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Global Functions and SettingsThe Options Page
Multi-Core
On the Multi-Core pop-up menu, you can specify how many of the available CPU 
cores of your system can be used by HALion Sonic. This allows HALion Sonic to 
compute each program on a different core, for example. The best setting here 
depends on multiple factors, and varies from system to system, and project to project. 
A good starting point is to set this value to one core less than the available number of 
cores.
If problems occur, reduce the number of cores, or set the pop-up menu to Off to 
deactivate multi-core mode and load multiple instances of HALion Sonic instead. This 
way, the host application distributes the work load across the available cores.
Global
Here you find common settings of HALion Sonic and you can activate General MIDI 
mode.
ÖThe settings in the Global section are not saved with a particular project, but affect 
HALion Sonic as a whole.
Show Tooltips
When you activate this option, moving the mouse over a control displays a tooltip.
Show Value Tooltips
When this option is activated, parameters without a value text field display their value 
in a tooltip when using the corresponding control.
Program Changes
On the Program Changes pop-up menu, you can specify how HALion Sonic handles 
incoming MIDI Program change messages:
General MIDI Mode
Activate GM Mode to play back MIDI files that have been arranged for General MIDI 
sound sets. This mode supports MIDI program change messages and preloads a 
global chorus and reverb effect for immediate use.
When you select GM Mode, all currently loaded programs are removed and a chorus 
and a reverb effect are inserted on AUX FX 1 and
 3. The 16 slots are assigned 
automatically to the 16 MIDI channels. As long as this mode is active, the 16 MIDI 
channels on the MIDI page cannot be changed. The MediaBay sets an instrument set 
filter and displays only the General MIDI sounds.
The MIDI program change messages 0 to 127 refer to the corresponding GM Sound 
attributes of the MediaBay. This means that you can make any of your sounds part of 
the General MIDI sound set by setting the GM Sound attribute on the corresponding 
sound.
ÖThe General MIDI sounds that come with HALion Sonic are optimized for fast loading 
times. Please keep in mind that larger programs take longer to load.
OptionDescription
OffProgram change messages are ignored.
GM ModeProgram change messages are used to switch programs in the 
slots of the Multi Program Rack.
Multi ModeProgram change messages are used to switch between the 128 
multis that can be configured on the Multi chain page. 
						

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Global Functions and SettingsThe Options Page
To assign programs to a General MIDI program change number:
1.Go to the Load page.
2.In the title bar of the lower section, click the “Set up Result Columns” button on 
the right.
3.From the menu, select “Musical” and “GM Sound”.
The “GM Sound” column is added to the search result list.
4.In the “GM Sound” column of the search result list, set the sound to the General 
MIDI program number that you want to use.
Note that you can assign the same “GM Sound” program number several times. If 
a program number is used more than once, the Rating attribute can be used to 
decide which program to load.
Now, any MIDI program change messages load the assigned programs into the slot of 
the corresponding MIDI channel.
ÖSlot 10 ignores any program change messages and keeps the loaded drum set.
Solo Mode
You can choose between two solo modes: Standard and Exclusive.
•In Standard mode, you can solo multiple programs or layers to hear them 
combined. 
•In Exclusive mode, only one program or layer can be soloed at a time.
The Key Commands Dialog for Instrument Functions
Click the Key Commands button to open the Key Commands dialog. You can assign 
key commands to most operations that can be performed via the panel of HALion 
Sonic. 
•To access the Key Commands for instrument functions, click the Key Commands 
button in the Global section of the Options page.
The Key Commands dialog opens.
The commands are arranged in a hierarchical folder structure, similar to the Windows 
Explorer and Mac OS Finder. When you open a category folder by clicking the plus 
sign beside it, the items and functions are displayed with any currently assigned key 
commands.
To get an overview of the available commands and the assigned keys, proceed as 
follows:
•Click the plus sign in the top left corner of the dialog.
The list of commands and assigned keys is displayed. 
						

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Global Functions and SettingsThe Options Page
•Use the scrollbar to the right or resize the dialog to see all available commands and 
keys.
•Click the minus sign to collapse the list.
To set up a key command, proceed as follows:
1.In the Commands list to the left, select a category.
2.Click the plus sign to open the Category folder and display the items it contains.
Note that you can also click the “global” plus and minus signs in the top left corner 
to open and close all Category folders at once.
3.In the list, select the item to which you want to assign a key command.
Already assigned key commands are shown in the Keys column as well as in the 
Keys section in the top right corner. 
You can also search for a specific function by entering its name in the search field 
at the top of the dialog and clicking the search button (the magnifying glass button).
4.When you have found and selected the item, click in the “Type in Key” field and 
enter a new key command.
You can choose any single key or a combination of one or several modifier keys 
([Alt]/[Option], [Ctrl]/[Command], [Shift]) plus any key.
5.Click the Assign button above the field to assign the key command to the function.
The new key command is displayed in the Keys list.
6.Click OK to close the dialog.
ÖIf a key command is already used for another function, a message is displayed 
allowing you to reassign the key command or cancel the operation.
ÖYou can set up several key commands for the same function.
•To delete a key command, select the corresponding command, select the key 
command in the Keys list and click the Delete button (the trash icon).
MIDI Controller
You can save your customized MIDI controller assignments as default or restore the 
factory MIDI controller assignments.
Resetting to Factory Defaults
To restore the factory MIDI controller assignments, proceed as follows:
1.Click the “Reset to Factory” button.
2.Click “Yes” to restore the mapping or “No” to cancel.
Saving as Default
To save the current MIDI controller assignments as default, proceed as follows:
•Click the “Save as Default” button.
Now, each time you load a new instance of the plug-in, your customized MIDI 
controller mapping will be loaded as default.
Ö“Save as Default” does not include any of the MIDI controller assignments of the AUX 
FX.
ÖThe current MIDI controller mapping will also be saved with each project. This way, 
you can transfer your settings to other systems. The project includes the MIDI 
controller assignments of the AUX FX as well. 
						

							187
Global Functions and SettingsThe Controls in the Standalone Functions Section
MIDI Controller Smoothing
MIDI controllers have a maximum resolution of 128 steps. This is rather low. Therefore, 
if you use a MIDI controller as a modulation source in the modulation matrix or to 
remote-control a quick control, the parameter change may occur in audible steps, 
causing an effect often referred to as “zipper noise”. To avoid this, HALion Sonic 
provides MIDI controller smoothing, so that parameter changes can occur more 
gradually.
•If MIDI controller changes cause audible artifacts, turn the control towards slower 
settings.
MIDI controller changes occur not immediately, but are spaced over a period of 
time (in milliseconds).
•If you want MIDI controller changes to be more immediate, turn the control 
towards faster settings.
MIDI controller changes may now produce audible artifacts.
ÖIn the modulation matrix, you can adjust the smoothing for each MIDI Controller/Note 
Expression parameter separately, see 
“MIDI Controller and Note Expression 
Smoothing” on page 58. 
The Controls in the Standalone Functions Section
Using HALion Sonic as a standalone application adds the standalone functions 
section at the top of the window. Here you can define key commands, set Audio and 
MIDI interface routings, adjust the main volume and access the integrated MIDI 
scratch pad that allows you to easily record your musical ideas without having to start 
a MIDI sequencer application. It can also be used to play multitrack arrangements that 
trigger the 16 different programs of HALion Sonic.
The Preferences Dialog
When running HALion Sonic as a standalone application, you can configure the 
application in the Preferences dialog. To open the Preferences dialog, proceed as 
follows:
•Click the Open Preferences button (the cogwheel symbol) to the right of the audio 
output field.
•Right-click in the topmost section of the control panel and select “Preferences” on 
the context menu.
The Preferences dialog has several pages on which you can make the following 
settings:
•On the MIDI Routing page, use the MIDI Input Ports pop-up menu to specify a MIDI 
input. Use the Channel Filter option to decide whether HALion Sonic should record 
MIDI events on all MIDI channels, or only on one specific channel. Use the “Filter 'All 
Notes Off' Controller” option to avoid unwanted “All Notes Off” messages.
Such messages are sent by some keyboards when the user releases the last key. 
This causes HALion Sonic to stop playback, even when the sustain pedal is still in 
use.
Click here to open the Preferences dialog. 
						

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Global Functions and SettingsThe Controls in the Standalone Functions Section
•On the Audio Routing page, use the Audio Output Ports pop-up menus to assign 
different audio outputs.
HALion Sonic supports 32 channels: two Main channels (left and right) and 15 
additional stereo channels (left and right). You can assign different audio outputs 
for each channel. Selecting an audio output on the pop-up menu maps the output 
to the corresponding channel.
If you press [Shift] and select an audio output, the front and rear channels are set 
to incrementing audio output ports – e.
 g. 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, 6, 7, 8. If you press 
[Alt]/[Option]-[Shift] and select an audio output, the audio outputs are assigned in 
pairs to the front and rear channels – e.
 g. 1, 2, 1, 2 or 5, 6, 5, 6.
•On the Metronome page a number of settings can be made regarding the use of a 
metronome:
•On the General page, activate “Don’t prompt for confirmation when quitting 
HALion Sonic” if you want HALion Sonic to close without prompting when quitting 
the program.
•On the ASIO Driver page, select your audio hardware driver from the ASIO Driver 
pop-up menu.
If you plan to use several audio applications simultaneously, you may want to 
activate the option “Release Driver when Application is in Background”. 
The input and output latency values for your audio hardware are displayed. 
“Latency” is the amount of time it takes for your system to respond to any 
messages that are sent to it. High latency results in a noticeable delay between 
when you press a key and when you hear the sound. Below the latency values, you 
can set the sample rate for the connected audio hardware.
When you run HALion Sonic, there are several processes fighting for access to 
processor time in your computer. The parameter “Audio Priority” allows you to 
determine which processes have priority:
•Once you have selected the driver, open the Advanced page to specify which 
inputs and outputs will be used and name these. Click the Control Panel button to 
open the control panel for the audio hardware and adjust the settings as 
recommended by the audio hardware manufacturer.
OptionDescription
ModeHere you can turn the metronome on and off or set it to Count In mode.
AccentActivate this to accentuate the first beat of each bar.
LevelUse this fader to adjust the volume level of the metronome.
ConnectionsHere you can select a separate stereo output for the metronome.
OptionDescription
NormalIn this mode, non-audio processes and audio playback get roughly 
equal priorities (default setting).
BoostIn this mode, audio precedes MIDI in priority. Try this mode if audio 
playback problems occur when playing back MIDI and audio 
material. 
						

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Global Functions and SettingsThe Controls in the Standalone Functions Section
The Key Commands Dialog for the Functions of the Standalone Application
You can assign key commands to most operations that can be performed via the 
standalone panel of HALion Sonic. The Key Commands dialog lists all available 
commands and any key commands assigned to them.
To access the Key Commands dialog:
•In the top left corner of the standalone panel, click the button to the right of the 
MIDI input pop-up menu.
The Key Commands dialog opens.
ÖThe Key Commands dialog in the standalone functions section gives you access only 
to the functions of the standalone functions section.
See “The Key Commands Dialog for Instrument Functions” on page 185 for a 
description of how to create and manage key commands in this dialog.
Selecting MIDI Input and Audio Output
In the top left corner of the plug-in interface in standalone mode, you find two pop-up 
menus for selecting the MIDI input and the main audio output of the plug-in.
The MIDI input pop-up menu lists all MIDI devices that are installed on your system.
•Open the MIDI input pop-up menu to select the MIDI device you want to use. 
The orange MIDI Activity LED in the top left corner of the plug-in indicates incoming 
MIDI messages via the currently selected MIDI input. The LED lights up on Note On 
and controller messages. This way, you can check if the plug-in and your MIDI 
keyboard are connected to the same MIDI device input.
The Audio output pop-up menu lists all outputs of the selected ASIO Device.
•Open the Audio output pop-up menu to select an audio output for the main stereo 
channel of the plug-in.
If you select an audio output, the front and rear channels are set to incrementing 
audio output ports – e.
 g. 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, 6, 7, 8.
Pressing [Alt]/[Option]-[Shift] and selecting an audio output assigns the audio 
outputs in pairs to the front and rear channels – e.
 g. 1, 2, 1, 2 or 5, 6, 5, 6.
ÖUse the Preferences dialog to select the ASIO device and other audio outputs.
The Scratch Pad
PlayStop Record Loop
Load MIDI file
Save MIDI file Select record modeMetronome setting
Song position 
indicator
Tempo trackTempo 
valueAdjust 
TempoTime signature
Info icon
Song position 
display
Time format
MIDI channel filter 
						

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Global Functions and SettingsThe Controls in the Standalone Functions Section
The scratch pad allows you to record and play back MIDI files in standard MIDI file 
format (file name extension .mid). You can load existing MIDI files and you can record 
your own files and save them. The transport section provides buttons for play, stop, 
record and loop. The display shows the song position, the tempo and the time 
signature of the MIDI file. In addition, there is a metronome which you can use for 
recording and practicing.
ÖThe scratch pad is able to play back multitrack MIDI files sending notes on all 16 MIDI 
channels. It also sends MIDI program change messages when a MIDI file is loaded.
Using the Transport Controls
•Click the Play button to start playback of the MIDI file.
Playback always starts at the song position.
•Click the Stop button to pause the MIDI file at the current position.
Click the Stop button twice to reset the song position to the start.
•Click the Record button to start recording.
•Click the Loop button to play the whole MIDI file in a loop.
Loading a MIDI File
To load a standard MIDI file (.mid), proceed as follows:
1.Click the Load File button below the transport buttons.
2.In the file dialog that appears, select the file.
3.Click “Open” to load the MIDI file.
Saving a MIDI File
To save the performance you recorded as a MIDI file, proceed as follows:
1.Click the Save File button (the disk icon) below the transport buttons.
2.In the file dialog that appears, specify a location and a file name.
3.Click “Save” to store the MIDI file.
The Info Icon
To check which MIDI file is currently loaded, point with the mouse at the info icon in 
the top left corner of the song position display. A tooltip appears, showing the name of 
the MIDI file.
Using the MIDI Channel Filter
When a multitrack MIDI file is loaded, you can decide whether “all” or only the events 
of a specific MIDI channel are played back. The control can be found to the right of the 
info icon in the song position display.
The Song Position Indicator
The song position indicator shows the position of the transport. Above the song 
position indicator, the position is displayed numerically.
ÖAfter loading a MIDI file, the display shows the full length of the file and the song 
position indicator is positioned at the end. However, playback starts from the 
beginning when you click Play.
•To move the transport to a different song position, drag the song position indicator 
to the new position.
•To change the format, click the time format symbol in the top right corner of the 
display to switch between the time formats. When “Time” format is selected, a 
clock is displayed. In “Bars” format a note is displayed.