Steinberg Halion Sonic 2 Manual
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21 Managing Your SoundsManaging Files via the MediaBay Rating Filter You can limit the results list to presets that have a certain rating. The rating slider allows you to define the minimum rating. Text Search In the text search field on the results list toolbar you can enter text contained in the name or any of the attributes of a preset that you are looking for. The results list updates immediately and the Category search section above shows all categories that contain presets matching the text search. Resetting the Result Filter •To reset the text-based result filter, click the Reset button to the left of the search field. Content Filter The content filter buttons allow you to define whether you want to see all presets, only the factory presets, or only your user presets. The Results Counter The number of presets that match the filter criteria is displayed at the far right of the results list toolbar. Using the Context Menu of the Results List The context menu of the results list offers additional options for managing the selected presets. The following options are available for factory and user presets: The following options are available for user presets only: OptionsDescription Load Program into selected Slots/ Load Multi-Program This loads the highlighted preset. Select AllThis selects all presets in the results list. Select NoneThis cancels any selection. OptionsDescription CopyThis copies the selected presets to the clipboard. This way, you can paste them at a different location using the file browser of your OS. RenameThis opens a dialog for renaming the highlighted preset. DeleteThis moves the selected presets to the trash bin of your operating system.
22 Managing Your SoundsManaging Files via the MediaBay Editing Preset Attributes Each preset can be described using a predefined set of attributes. These attributes can be set directly in the results list or in the section “New Preset Attributes” of the Save dialog. 1.Click in the field of the attribute value that you want to set. Depending on the attribute, a menu or a dialog opens. 2.Select a value. ÖAttribute values are written directly into the corresponding preset files. However, this is not possible for write protected factory content. In this case, the data is saved within HALion Sonic’s MediaBay database. Attributes Attribute values can be set directly in the results list or the Save dialog. The following table shows how to edit the various attribute values: Show in Explorer/ Reveal in FinderThis shows the preset in the file browser of your operating system. Set or remove Write ProtectionThis sets or removes the write protection for the selected presets. Options Description !Programs from the HALion Sonic factory content are write-protected and cannot be deleted or renamed. Attribute typeAttributeEditing method Media NameDisplay only. RatingDrag to set the rating. CommentClick to select, double-click to edit. Content SummaryClick to select, double-click to edit. Write ProtectionDisplay only, use context menu to set protection. Library NameClick to select, double-click to edit. Library ManufacturerClick to select, double-click to edit. AuthorClick to select, double-click to edit. Musical CategoryClick to select. Sub CategoryClick to select. StyleClick to select. Sub StyleClick to select. CharacterClick to open an editor dialog. TempoClick to select, double-click to edit. Bars & BeatsClick to select, double-click to edit. SignatureClick to select, double-click to edit. KeyClick to select. GM SoundClick to select.
23 Managing Your SoundsSetting Up a Multi Chain Setting the Character Values Character attribute values can be set via a dedicated editor. This editor provides a list of values that describe the character of a sound. Setting Up a Multi Chain HALion Sonic comes with a special multi chain feature which allows you to set up a list of 128 multis. This is done on the Multi page of the Edit display. The list of multis in your chain is displayed on the right. When you select a multi in this list, its name is displayed in the field above the list, and the corresponding programs are displayed in the list on the left. You can step through the multis manually or via MIDI control changes. This feature is particularly useful when performing live on stage. It allows you to set up a list of sounds that follows the order of their appearance during your performance, for example. •To load an existing multi chain, use the preset controls in the top right corner of the Multi page. To set up a multi chain, proceed as follows: 1.Open the Multi page, and in the list on the right, click the down arrow button of a list entry to open the Load Multi-Program dialog. 2.Select a multi and click OK. 3.Repeat the same procedure for all multis that you want to be part of the list.
24 Managing Your SoundsSetting Up a Multi Chain You can now step through the list by clicking the left (Load Previous Multi) and right (Load Next Multi) arrow buttons, or select a particular list entry with the mouse to load the corresponding multi. In addition, you can also assign arbitrary MIDI controllers to remotely control the Previous and Next buttons with a hardware controller (see “Assigning MIDI Controllers to the Previous/Next Buttons” on page 24). Changing the Order of the Chain You can rearrange the order of the chain by dragging an entry to a new position in the list. Clearing the Chain To remove all entries from the multi chain list, proceed as follows: 1.Click the down arrow button in the name display. 2.Select “Clear Multi Chain”. Removing a Multi From the Chain To remove a single multi from the multi chain list, proceed as follows: 1.Click the down arrow button in the name display. 2.Select “Remove Selected Multi”. Assigning MIDI Controllers to the Previous/Next Buttons For switching through the multi chain, you can also use MIDI controllers, such as a knob, a fader or the modulation wheel. To enable this function, you have to assign the controller first. 1.Right-click the Load Previous Multi or the Load Next Multi button. 2.From the context menu, select “Learn CC”. 3.On your hardware controller, use a control of your choice. Repeat the steps above for the other button. You can use either the same MIDI controller for both Load Previous Multi and Load Next Multi, or one controller for Previous and another controller for Next. The following applies: •When the same MIDI controller is assigned to both buttons, the Load Next Multi command is triggered by the transition from the center position to the upper range of the control, and the Load Previous Multi command by the transition from the center position to the lower range of the control. •When you are using two different MIDI controllers, any transition from the lower to the upper range of the respective control will trigger the Load Previous Multi command or the Load Next Multi command. •To remove an assigned MIDI controller, right-click the button and select “Forget CC”. Switchching Multis Using Control Change Messages If “Multi Mode” is selected on the Program Change pop-up menu on the Options page, you can use Program Change messages to switch between the multis.
25 Editing Introduction All editing of programs and layers is done via the Edit page of the Edit display. The Edit display is a multipurpose display that shows various editor views depending on the selected page and slot. Seven different editors can be opened with the “Show page” buttons above the Edit display. These pages are the Load (see “Managing Files via the MediaBay” on page 19), Edit (see below), MIDI (see “The MIDI Page” on page 128), Mix (see “The Mix Page” on page 129), Effects (see “Global Effects” on page 131), Multi (see “Setting Up a Multi Chain” on page 23) and the Options page (see “The Options Page” on page 182). Editing Programs The Edit page is where you edit your program, load different layers for a program, and edit the layers. A program contains up to four layers which can all be mapped to different velocity and key ranges. Each of the layers can use a dedicated FlexPhraser and can be routed freely to one of the 16 plug-in outputs. HALion Sonic also provides four insert effects per layer and allows you to use up to four sends to feed the four auxiliary busses. To edit a program, proceed as follows: 1.Select the program you want to edit in the Multi Program Rack. 2.Click Edit to open the Edit page. 3.Click the Program button at the top of the Edit page. The Program subpage is shown on the Edit page. The Program page is divided into two sections. The section at the top is used to load and save layers, and to set up the mix parameters such as level, pan and FX sends. The bottom section is used to display layer ranges, program FlexPhraser editors, quick control assignments or Note Expression parameters.
26 EditingEditing Programs The Program Page The top section of the Program page serves for loading and setting up up to four layers for a program. It contains the following parameters: On The On button is used to turn layers on or off. When switched off, layers do not use any processing power. They are still loaded but do not receive MIDI anymore. Mute Activate the Mute button to silence a layer. The layer remains loaded and continues to be processed. Therefore, it can be unmuted smoothly at any time. Solo Activate the Solo button in order to hear only the corresponding layer. You can also activate multiple Solo buttons. ÖAt the top right of the Edit display, next to the name of the currently loaded program or layer, additional global Mute and Solo buttons are available. With the Program page opened, the buttons refer to the program. With one of the Layer pages opened, use these to mute or solo the selected layer without switching to the Program page. FlexPhraser This button activates the FlexPhraser of a layer. You find the FlexPhraser editor on the corresponding layer editor page. ÖThis button is only available for layers that support the FlexPhraser functionality. Layer Slots Here you can load up to four layers for a program. The loading of the layers corresponds to the loading of programs into the slots of the Multi Program Rack, see “Loading Programs” on page 15. You can rename a layer in the same way as a program. Furthermore, the layers slots provide a layer context menu with the following options: Level Here you can adjust the loudness of the layer. Pan Here you can set the position of the layer in the stereo panorama. OptionDescription Load LayerThis option opens the Load Layer dialog. Select a layer and click OK to load it into this slot. Save LayerThis option saves the layer in this slot with the current settings, under the same name. For write-protected content, the Save Layer dialog opens, in which you can save the edited layer under a new name. Save Layer As…This option opens the Save Layer dialog in which you can save the edited layer under a new name. Remove LayerSelect this option to remove the layer from this slot. Init LayerSelect this option to load a neutral synth layer. Copy LayerThis option copies the layer that is loaded into the slot. Paste LayerThis option pastes the copied layer into the current slot.
27 EditingEditing Programs FX1–4 Send Levels These four sliders adjust the send levels for the global AUX FX busses for each layer separately. Output Here you can select the output for each layer separately. If you do not want the signal to be sent to the output that is specified for the program, you can select the Main output or one of the 15 individual plug-in outputs instead. The FlexPhraser Subpage For detailed information about the FlexPhraser functions, see “The FlexPhraser” on page 64. The Ranges Subpage The layer Ranges subpage contains the following parameters: Poly This setting is used to specify how many notes can be played at the same time. ÖUnlike all the rest of the parameters of the Program page, the Polyphony setting is part of the layer settings and therefore restored when you load a layer. When a layer is defined as monophonic sound, the setting has no effect. Octave You can shift the octave of a layer by ±4 octaves. Coarse (Tune) You can shift a layer by ±12 semitones. Fine (Tune) You can detune a layer by ±100 cents. Key Range (Low Key, High Key) Each layer can be limited to a certain key range. You can 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 the value field and play the note. To set the key range: 1.On the Ranges subpage, click the Key button. The key range options are shown on the subpage. 2.On the layer that you want to use, set the key range with the keyboard range controls and/or Low Key/High Key value fields.
28 EditingEditing Programs Velocity Range (Low Vel, High Vel) Each layer can be limited to a certain velocity range. You can set the range with the Low Vel and High Vel values or by dragging the graphical velocity range control at its ends. When you click and drag towards the middle of the velocity range control, both values are moved at the same time. To adjust the velocity range, proceed as follows: 1.On the Ranges subpage, click the Vel button. The velocity range options are shown on the subpage. 2.On the layer that you want to use, set the velocity range with the velocity range control and/or Low Vel/High Vel value fields. Controller Filter You can separately filter out the most commonly used MIDI controllers for each layer. For example, when you set up a program with a keyboard split, e. g., a bass and a pad, both layers receive the same MIDI controllers. However, you usually do not want the bass to receive the sustain pedal. To avoid that all layers in the program receive the same MIDI controllers, use the controller filter. To filter out the most commonly used MIDI controllers: 1.On the Ranges subpage, click the Ctrl button. 2.On the layer that you want to use, click the button for the MIDI controller that you want to filter out. The following MIDI controllers and messages can be filtered out: Sustain #64, Foot Controller #4, Foot Switches #65–69, Pitchbend, Modulation Wheel #1 and Aftertouch. The Quick Controls Subpage Here you can make settings for the quick controls in the performance section of the HALion Sonic window. For more information, see “The Quick Controls” on page 167. The NoteExp Subpage Note Expression is Steinberg’s key technology for creating realistic instrument performances. For more information, see “Note Expression” on page 177.
29 EditingEditing Layers Editing Layers A program contains up to four layers. Each layer can be edited separately. The available parameters vary depending on the type of the selected layer (sample, synth, drum, loop, or instrument layer). To edit a layer, proceed as follows: 1.In the Multi Program Rack, select the program that contains the layer you want to edit. 2.Click Edit to open the Edit page. 3.Select the Layer Page button of the layer you want to edit, i. e., Layer 1, Layer 2, Layer 3, or Layer 4. Depending on the layer type, the corresponding editor (synth, sample, instrument, drum or loop editor) opens. Accessing the Parameters of Layers The layer editor is divided into two sections, displaying the different parameters of the layer. To access the parameters of a layer, proceed as follows: 1.Select the layer you want to edit. 2.Click the page button for the parameter (such as Pitch, Filter, Amp, etc.) that you want to access. The corresponding subpage opens. The Voice Subpage The Voice subpage of the synth and sample layers gives you access to voice settings of the layer which allows you to control the various Polyphony parameters, Trigger and Voice modes. You can also configure the Unison feature and set the Glide parameter. In addition, there is a Key On Delay control to delay the notes you play.
30 EditingEditing Layers The Voice subpage contains the following parameters: Mono Here you can switch between monophonic and polyphonic playback: •Activate Mono to switch to monophonic playback. Usually, this allows a more natural sounding performance for solo instruments. •Deactivate Mono to play polyphonically with the number of notes specified by the Polyphony setting. Retrigger This option is only available if Mono is activated. It allows the retriggering of a stolen note. When Mono and Retrigger are activated, a note that has been stolen by another will be retriggered if you still hold the stolen note while you release the new one. For example, with Mono and Retrigger activated, you can play trills by holding one note and pressing/releasing another note repeatedly very fast. Polyphony Use this parameter to set an upper limit for the number of notes you can play in Poly mode. You can set Polyphony between 2 and 128 notes. ÖIf the program has a smaller value for polyphony than the contained layers, the maximum number of notes you can play will be limited by the setting of the program. Key Poly With this parameter you can set an upper limit for the number of notes you can play per key. The last played notes have priority over the previously played notes of the same key. Poly mode needs to be active to make this parameter effective. ÖKey Polyphony works within the limits of the Polyphony setting. The lower of the two settings is given priority. Low Amp When notes are stolen due to a Key Poly limitation, the oldest note is removed first by default. By activating Low Amp the note with the lowest amplitude will be removed instead. Min Low Notes Here you can specify a number of low notes that are prioritized. For example, set the value to four if you want to preserve always the four lowest notes. The note stealing will then affect notes from the fifth note on. Make sure that the polyphony of the program is high enough for your specific Min Low Notes setting and allows to play additional higher notes. Trigger Mode To avoid discontinuities during playback of envelopes and samples, you can select one of three different characteristics for triggering notes: Trigger ModeDescription NormalThis mode triggers a new note when stealing the previous note, which includes the envelopes being triggered from the start. A sample of a sample zone will also be triggered from the start. ResumeThis mode does not trigger a completely new note: If the new note stays within the same sample zone, the envelopes retrigger but resume at the level of the stolen note and the pitch of the zone will be set to the new note. If the new note plays in a different zone, the new note will play from the start including any envelopes and samples.