Steinberg The Grand 3 Manual

							21
The Grand 3
Importing scala files
The Grand allows you to import tuning scales in the popu-
lar scala file format (with the extension .scl). This gives you 
access to literally thousands of tuning scale presets.
To import a scala file, proceed as follows:
1.Select “Import Scale…” from the scale preset menu.
2.In the file dialog that appears, select the scala file you 
wish to import.
3.Click Open to import the scala file and close the dialog.
The imported scales are stored in the user preset folder and can now be 
loaded from there as any other user scale.
ÖYou can also import multiple scala files at the same 
time this way.
Adjusting the amount
The amount setting determines how the tuning scale is 
applied. The control range is from 0 % to 100 %. At a set-
ting of 100 %, the tune offsets are applied as specified in 
the tuning scale. Lower values reduce the tune offsets rel-
atively. At an amount of 0 % the tuning scale is not applied 
at all.
Performance settings
On the Options page, you will also find a slider for balanc-
ing disk vs. RAM usage. This is described in the section 
“Balancing Disk vs. RAM (Options page)” on page 25.
Tooltips
When you point at a control with the mouse, a short info 
about the control is shown. Deactivate the Tooltips option 
if this is not what you want.
Additional controls when using The Grand as a 
standalone instrument
At the top of the program window you will find some addi-
tional controls for using The Grand as a standalone instru-
ment.
For information on how to set up The Grand as a standal-
one instrument see “The Grand standalone and ReWire” 
on page 9.
The Key Commands dialog
You can assign key commands to most operations that 
can be performed via the standalone panel of The Grand. 
The Key Commands dialog lists all available commands 
and any key commands assigned to them.
The commands are arranged in a hierarchical folder struc-
ture, 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 set up a key command, proceed as follows:
1.In the top left corner of the standalone panel, click on 
the button to the right of the MIDI input pop-up menu.
The Key Commands dialog opens.
Click here…
…to open the Key Commands dialog. 
						

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The Grand 3
2.In the Commands list to the left, select a category.
3.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.
4.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).
5.When you have found and selected the desired item, 
click in the “Type in Key” field and enter a new key com-
mand.
You can choose any single key or a combination of one or several modi-
fier keys ([Alt]/[Option], [Ctrl]/[Command], [Shift]) plus any key.
6.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.
7.Click OK to close the dialog.
•If a key command is already used for another function, a 
message is displayed allowing you to reassign the key 
command or cancel the operation.
•You 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).
Selecting the MIDI input and the audio outputs
In the upper left corner of the plug-in panel in standalone 
mode, you will 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 upper left corner of 
the plug-in indicates incoming MIDI messages via the cur-
rently 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 se-
lected 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 incre-
menting 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. For information on the Prefer-
ences dialog, see “The Preferences dialog” on page 9.
Scratch pad
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 cycle. 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 practising.
PlayStop Record Loop
Load MIDI file
Save MIDI file Select record 
modeMetronome 
setting
Song position 
fader
Tempo trackTempo 
valueAdjust 
TempoTime 
signature Info iconSong position 
display
Time 
formatMIDI channel filter 
						

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The Grand 3
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 cur-
rent 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 desired file.
3.Click Open to load the MIDI file.
Saving a MIDI file
To save the performance you recorded as a MIDI file, pro-
ceed 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 upper left corner of the song 
position display. A tooltip appears, showing the name of 
the MIDI file.
Using the MIDI channel filter
When a multi-track 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.
Song position
The song position fader indicates the position of the trans-
port. Above the song position fader, the position is dis-
played numerically.ÖAfter loading a MIDI file, the display shows the full 
length of the file and the song position fader is positioned 
at the end. However, playback will start from the begin-
ning when you click Play.
•To move the transport to a different song position, drag 
the song position fader to the desired 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.
Tempo and Time Signature
Below the song position display, you will find the Tempo 
and Time Signature fields which provide the plug-in with 
tempo and time signature information. In standalone mode, 
such information is not available via a host application. In 
this case, the settings are used by the scratch pad and the 
metronome.
Recording your performance
1.Click on the record symbol below the Record button to 
select the desired record mode from the pop-up menu:
2.Click the Record button to start the recording. 
3.When you are done recording, press the stop button.
Option Description
Tempo 
Track/FixedSet this to “Track” to follow the original tempo of the MIDI 
file. Set this to “Fixed” to specify a tempo manually.
Tempo value Determines the tempo of the MIDI file. The control range 
is from 1.000 BPM to 300.000 BPM.
Adjust Tempo When the Tempo Track option is selected, an additional 
control is displayed that allows you to scale the playback 
relatively to the original tempo of the MIDI file. The control 
range is from 0.5x (-50 %) to 2x (+100 %) of the original 
tempo.
Sign.
(time signature)Determines the time signature of the plug-in. You can 
type in the desired signature as a fraction, e. g. 3/4, 6/8, 
4/4, etc.
Option Description
Direct The recording starts immediately when you click the 
record button.
MIDI The recording starts with the first MIDI note.
Count In 1 The recording starts after a count-in of one bar.
Count In 2 The recording starts after a count-in of two bars. 
						

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The Grand 3
•Now you can save your performance as a MIDI file, see 
“Saving a MIDI file” on page 23.
ÖTo indicate that the recording is running, the song po-
sition fader is being animated (a small bar moves from left 
to right).
Activating the metronome
To select the playback mode of the metronome, click the 
Metronome button. You can select one of the following 
modes from the pop-up menu:
The volume control next to the metronome icon allows you 
to set the volume of the metronome. The Preferences dia-
log also provides metronome settings, see “The Prefer-
ences dialog” on page 9.
Volume
Use this control to set the overall volume of the outputs of 
the standalone plug-in. This includes the volume of the 
main outputs, the rear outputs and the output of the met-
ronome.
Performance issues
Each of the piano models comes with several GB of sam-
ples. That is quite a large amount of data your computer 
system has to deal with. The Grand offers several possibil-
ities that help optimizing your computer performance. 
These are described in the following sections.
ECO Mode (general controls)
In ECO Mode only 7 of the up to 20 velocity layers the 
grand pianos have been sampled with are available. With 
less velocity layers, the ECO Mode is less demanding on 
your computer system. You should use it whenever you 
want to run many sequencer audio tracks or plug-ins to-
gether with The Grand.
•To switch on ECO mode, click the ECO Mode button in 
the general controls bar.
When ECO mode is activated, the button lights up.
ÖLoading the ECO mode piano models may take a 
while.
When you deactivate ECO Mode, the pianos will load with 
the full set of samples again. In case of the grand pianos, 
this can be up to 20 velocity layers on 97 keys.
RAM Save (general controls)
The RAM Save function is essential for optimizing the per-
formance of your system. It scans the playback of your 
current project and unloads any unused samples.
To use RAM Save, proceed as follows:
1.In the general controls bar, click the RAM Save button.
When this button is activated, a dialog opens asking whether you want to 
start collecting the necessary samples.
2.Click Yes to apply RAM Save. 
The RAM Save button starts blinking.
3.Play back the project in your host application from the 
beginning to the end (or to the point where no new notes 
are played).
4.Click the RAM Save button again. 
A dialog opens asking if you want to unload all unused samples.
5.Click Yes to unload the unused samples.
The button stops blinking and remains lit to indicate that RAM Save is 
active.
6.To reload the unused samples, click the RAM Save 
button again to deactivate the function. 
A dialog opens asking if you want to disable RAM Save mode. Click Yes. 
The button turns dark and the samples are reloaded.
ÖReloading the samples may take a while, depending 
on how many samples have been unloaded.
Sound parameters (Model page)
Turning any of the parameters off reduces the details of 
the piano emulation, which puts less strain on RAM and 
disk streaming. On slower systems, this might allow you to 
play more voices at the same time.
Option Description
Off The metronome is switched off.
Count In The metronome plays only during the count-in of a 
recording.
On The metronome plays always. 
						

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The Grand 3
Balancing Disk vs. RAM (Options page)
Your computer cannot load all samples completely into 
the RAM. Therefore, The Grand loads only the first milli-
seconds of each sample into the RAM and constantly 
loads more manageable portions from the hard disk while 
you play. Because the hard disk has to work harder for ev-
ery 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 
hard disk versus the RAM usage of The Grand.
To do so, use the Disk vs. RAM slider on the Options page:
•If your hard disk is not supplying data fast enough, drag 
the slider to the right, to increase RAM usage.
•If you need more RAM for other applications, drag the 
slider to the left, to use less RAM and rely more on the 
hard disk.
The memory display in the upper right of the plug-in panel 
is updated accordingly, see below.
ÖIf you experience no problems with the system perfor-
mance, leave this setting as it is.
ÖIf you keep running into performance problems, no 
matter which settings you choose, activate the ECO 
Mode. This will load less velocity layers, see “ECO Mode 
(general controls)” on page 24.
Performance meters
In the upper right of the plug-in panel, you find meters and 
text displays that indicate the system load of the plug-in.ÖIf you keep running into performance problems, you 
can activate the ECO Mode. This will load less velocity 
layers, see “ECO Mode (general controls)” on page 24.
Low memory situations
In some situations, especially when you are working with 
lots of sample-based plug-ins, there might not be enough 
RAM to add an instance of The Grand. In this case, a dia-
log will warn you that there is not enough memory left. 
The dialog offers the following options, which might allow 
you to load The Grand anyway:
•Start by activating one of the options and clicking OK.
If the reduction of RAM usage is sufficient, you can now start playing The 
Grand. If the low memory situation still persists, the dialog opens again 
so that you can select another option.
Option Description
CPU The upper meter shows the processor load during play-
back of voices. The more voices you play, the higher the 
processor load will be. If the red overload indicator lights 
up, reduce the Max Voices setting on the Control page. 
Alternatively, you can switch off articulations on the 
Model page to reduce the processor load.
Disk This meter shows the hard disk transfer load from stream-
ing samples or loading models. If the red overload indica-
tor lights up, the hard disk is not supplying data fast 
enough to the computer. In such a case, adjust the Disk 
vs. RAM slider on the Options page towards RAM. You 
may also decrease the Max Voices setting on the Control 
page. Alternatively, you can switch off sound parameters 
on the Model page to reduce the disk load.
Voices This display indicates the number of samples currently 
played back, to help you to trace performance problems. 
For example, if you have to reduce the Max Voices setting 
on the Control page, you can verify your settings by mon-
itoring the Voices display.
MEM MEM is an abbreviation for Memory. This display indi-
cates the overall amount of RAM currently used by the 
plug-in and the loaded model. The amount you see re-
sults from the streaming buffer and the preloaded sam-
ples. The MEM display will help you to trace performance 
problems. For example, if you need to free 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.
Option Description
Switch to 
ECO ModeThe Grand will be opened in ECO mode, see “ECO Mode 
(general controls)” on page 24.
Disable 
Sustain Reso-
nance LayerThe Grand will load without the sustain resonance sam-
ples.
Reduce RAM 
usage 
(DiskRAM)Selecting this option will change the Disk vs. RAM usage 
setting on the Options page by one step towards Disk. Option Description 
						

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The Grand 3
Using MIDI controllers
By default, most of the parameters of the plug-in are al-
ready mapped to a MIDI controller. You can customize the 
default mapping by assigning your own MIDI controllers 
with a convenient learn function. This way, you can adapt 
the mapping to your MIDI keyboard or controller. To pro-
vide much better control, you can set the minimum and 
maximum range for each assignment separately.
Assigning MIDI controllers
1.Right-click the control you want to control remotely.
2.From the context menu, select Learn CC.
3.On your MIDI keyboard or controller, use the potentio-
meter, fader, or button.
ÖThe next time you right-click the control, the menu 
shows the assigned MIDI controller.
ÖYou can assign the same MIDI controller multiple 
times to different parameters. However, you cannot assign 
different MIDI controllers to the same parameter.
Removing MIDI control assignments
To remove a MIDI control assignment, right-click on the 
control and select Unassign from the context menu.
Setting the parameter range
You can specify the minimum and maximum value of the 
parameter separately for each assignment. This way, you 
have much better control over the parameter, e. g. when 
performing on stage.
•To set the minimum value of the parameter, set the pa-
rameter to the desired minimum value, right-click the con-
trol and select Set Minimum from the context menu.
•To set the maximum value of the parameter, set the pa-
rameter to the desired maximum value, right-click the con-
trol and select Set Maximum from the context menu.
MIDI controllers
The following parameters on the plug-in surface can be 
controlled using an external MIDI controller (the controller 
numbers and names refer to the factory default assign-
ments of these parameters):
Page Parameter Controller 
No.Name
All pagesMain Volume 07 Main Volume
ModelSustain Resonance 75 Sound Controller #6
String Release 76 Sound Controller #7
Key Sound 77 Sound Controller #8
Hammer Release 78 Sound Controller #9
Damper Pedal 79 Sound Controller #10
Modulation On/Off 
(CP80 only)93 Effect 3 Depth
Modulation Depth 
(CP80 only)75 Sound Controller #6
Modulation Speed 
(CP80 only)76 Sound Controller #7
Modulation Feed-
back (CP80 only)77 Sound Controller #8
Modulation Phase 
(CP80 only)78 Sound Controller #9
Modulation Mix 
(CP80 only)79 Sound Controller #10
Tremolo On/Off 
(CP80 only)14 -
Tremolo Depth 
(CP80 only)12 Effect Control 1
Tremolo Speed 
(CP80 only)13 Effect Control 2
EqualizerEQ On/Off - -
Low Gain - -
Low Frequency - -
Low Q - -
Mid 1 Gain - -
Mid 1 Frequency - -
Mid 1 Q - -
Mid 2 Gain - -
Mid 2 Frequency - -
Mid 2 Q - -
High Gain - -
High Frequency - -
High Q - - 
						

							27
The Grand 3
Automation parameters
The following parameters can be automated from your 
host software:
AmbienceLeft/Right 10 Pan
Rear/Front - -
Reverb On/Off - -
Room Size - -
Reverb Time - -
Pre-Delay - -
Reverb Mix 91 Effect 1 Depth
Page Parameter
All pagesMain Volume
ModelSustain Resonance
String Release
Key Sound
Hammer Release
Damper Pedal
Modulation On/Off (CP80 only)
Chorus Depth (CP80 only)
Chorus Speed (CP80 only)
Chorus Feedback (CP80 only)
Chorus Phase (CP80 only)
Flanger Depth (CP80 only)
Flanger Speed (CP80 only)
Flanger Feedback (CP80 only)
Flanger Phase (CP80 only)
Phaser Depth (CP80 only)
Phaser Speed (CP80 only)
Phaser Feedback (CP80 only)
Phaser Phase (CP80 only)
Modulation Mix (CP80 only)
Tremolo On/Off (CP80 only)
Tremolo Depth (CP80 only)
Tremolo Speed (CP80 only)
EqualizerEQ On/Off
1 Low Gain
1 Low Frequency Page Parameter Controller 
No.Name1 Low Q
2 Mid Gain
2 Mid Frequency
2 Mid Q
3 Mid Gain
3 Mid Frequency
3 Mid Q
4 High Gain
4 High Frequency
4 High Q
AmbienceLeft/Right
Rear/Front
Reverb On/Off
Room Size
Reverb Time
Pre-Delay
Reverb Mix Page Parameter 
						

							28
The Grand 3
Index
A
Ambience page17
Automation
Parameters27
C
Content
About11
Missing VST Sound Library10
Control page18
Copy protection6
E
ECO Mode24
Equalizer page16
H
Host application
AU compatible applications8
Cubase8
K
Key commands
Assigning21
Conventions5
L
Locate10
M
Main volume
Adjusting13
MIDI controllers26
Missing content10
Model page15
Models11
O
Options page19
P
Performance issues24
Piano models11
Polyphony19
Preset
Velocity curve18
Presets
About12
Scale20
Preview keyboard14
R
RAM Save24
Reset MIDI14
ReWire
The Grand standalone and ReWire9
S
Scale presets20
Scratch pad22
Standalone
Controls21
Preferences9
The Grand standalone and ReWire9
System requirements
About7
T
Transport controls23
Tuning19
U
USB-eLicenser
About6
V
Velocity curve18
Views
Switching13
VST Sound Library
Missing10 
						

							Benutzerhandbuch 
						

							Cristina Bachmann, Heiko Bischoff, Marion Bröer, Sabine Pfeifer, Heike Schilling
Dank an: Matthias Klag, Michael Ruf
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Stand: 29. Juni 2009
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