Steinberg VST Sampler HALION 4 Operation Manual

							Operation Manual
Benutzerhandbuch
Mode d’Emploi
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							English 
						

							Matthias Klag, Michael Ruf
Revision and quality control: Cristina Bachmann, Heiko Bischoff, Marion Bröer, Sabine Pfeifer, Heike Schilling, Benjamin 
Schütte
This PDF provides improved access for vision-impaired users. Please note that due to the complexity and number of im-
ages in this document, it is not possible to include text descriptions of images.
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part 
of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. The software described by this document is subject to a License Agreement 
and may not be copied to other media except as specifically allowed in the License Agreement. No part of this publica
-
tion may be copied, reproduced, or otherwise transmitted or recorded, for any purpose, without prior written permission 
by Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. Registered licensees of the product described herein may print one copy of 
this document for their personal use.
Steinberg, HALion, VST, and ASIO are registered trademarks of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. Windows 7, 
Windows Vista and DirectX are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. 
Macintosh, Mac, Mac OS, and Logic are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Pentium 
and Intel Core are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. All other 
product and company names are ™ or ® trademarks of their respective holders.
Release Date: May 31, 2011
© Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH, 2011.
All rights reserved. 
						

							Table of Contents 
						

							5
Table of Contents
7Installation and Setup
8Welcome
8Key Command Conventions
8How You Can Reach Us
9Installation
10Setting Up
12The HALion Control Panel
13Introduction
13Configuring the Control Panel
14Setting the Focus
15Working with Multiple Windows
15Screen Sets
16Overview of the Available Editors
17Macro Pages
18Managing Your Sounds
19The Slot Rack
21Managing Multis
22Managing Files via the MediaBay
25Content Files and Folder Structure
25Loading HALion 3 Programs
26Working with General MIDI Files
27Loading and Managing Programs
28Introduction
28The Columns of the Program Table
28Loading Programs into the Program Table
29Loading Programs from the Program Table to the 
Slot Rack
29Editing the Program Table
30Using the Program Tree
31Introduction
31The Program Tree Structure
32Editing Zones, Programs, and Layers
33Making Selections
34Navigating in the Program Tree
34Muting, Soloing, and Hiding
36Adding MIDI Modules
36Adding Insert Effects
36Changing the Order of MIDI Modules and Insert 
Effects
36Adding Audio Busses
36Customizing the Program Tree
38Global Functions and Settings
39Introduction
39The Plug-in Functions Section
40The Toolbar
41The Keyboard Editor
42The Options Editor
45Quick Controls
48AI-Knob Support
49Common Editing Methods
50Introduction
50Using Controls in HALion
51Using Key Commands
51Working with Presets
52Using Automation
53Using Effects
54Using MIDI Modules
55Importing and Exporting Samples
56Importing Samples
58Finding Missing Samples
59Exporting Samples
61Replacing Samples
62Importing Third-Party Sampler Programs
63Importing Sliced Loops
66Editing Programs and Layers in the 
Sound Editor
67Introduction
67The Main Section
67The Trigger Section
69The Voice Management Section
71The Variation Groups Section
72The Quick Control Assignments Section
72The Note Expression Section 
						

							6
Table of Contents
74Editing Zones in the Sound Editor
75Introduction
75Global Zone Settings
75Editing Selected Zones or All Zones
75Absolute and Relative Editing
75HALion 3 compatibility
76The Voice Control Section
78The Pitch Section
78The Oscillator Section
80The Sample Oscillator Section
81The Filter Section
84The Amplifier Section
85The Envelope Section
89The LFO Section
91The Step Modulator Section
92The Modulation Matrix Section
97Mapping Zones
98Introduction
98The Mapping Editor
101Mapping Zones
102Filling Gaps between Zones
102Setting the Root Key
102Selecting Zones with the Mapping Editor 
Keyboard
103Editing Samples in the Sample Editor
104Introduction
104Overview
105The Parameter Section
105General Operations
108Creating Loops
112MIDI Editing and Controllers
113The MIDI Editor
114Using MIDI Controllers
114Assigning MIDI Controllers
114Assigning MIDI Controllers to AUX FX
114Saving a MIDI Controller Mapping as Default
115Automation and Factory MIDI Controller 
Assignments
115CC 121 Support
116Mixing and Routing
117The Audio Bus Architecture
119The HALion Mixer
122Effects Reference
123Introduction
123Reverb and Delay Effects
126EQ Effects
127Distortion Effects
128Modulation Effects
131Dynamics Effects
134Panner and Routing Effects
135HALion 3 Legacy Effects
140MIDI Modules Reference
141Introduction
141The FlexPhraser
144The Trigger Pads
145Mono Envelope
147Mono LFO
148MegaTrig
150Layer Alternate
151Key Switch Alternate
152Key Switch Remote
153MIDI Randomizer
154True Pedaling
154CC Mapper
155Velocity Curve
156Tuning Scale
157Key Commands Reference
158The Default Key Commands
159Using the HALion Standalone Version
160Introduction
160Making Preferences Settings
161Selecting the MIDI Input and the Audio Output
161The Scratch Pad
164Index 
						

							1
Installation and Setup 
						

							8
Installation and Setup
Welcome
Congratulations and thank you for purchasing Steinberg’s 
HALion 4.
Ten years after the release of the first version of HALion, 
Steinberg is very proud to present the fourth incarnation of 
its acclaimed VST sampler. When the idea of HALion was 
first formed over a decade ago, the approach was to de
-
velop a highly user-friendly, yet powerful software sampler 
with an unparalleled feature set and a seamless integra
-
tion into modern DAWs.
Today, HALion 4 embodies the original philosophy better 
than ever before. When comparing HALion 4 with its pre
-
decessors, you find many similarities, but the immense ad-
vancements throughout the application stand out a mile. 
HALion 4 has undergone a massive overhaul and a shift to 
an entirely new virtual instrument, Steinberg’s VST sam
-
pler and sound creation system. 
For the first time in its history, HALion combines a pre-
mium sample engine with a virtual analog synthesizer and 
in this way opens the door to new sonic spheres. The inte
-
grated mixing console, the studio-grade effects and the 
flexible user interface are just some of the features that will 
truly inspire your creativity. One of the key objectives dur
-
ing the development process was to further optimize the 
workflow concept. When you get started with HALion 4, 
you will soon discover the many useful details that help to 
turn your vision into reality.
HALion 4 was designed according to the requirements of 
professional sound designers and was relentlessly refined 
during the engineering process, resulting in the ultimate 
tool for discerning sound designers as well as finding the 
appreciation of musicians, producers, and composers.
First of all, check out the massive sound library. With more 
than 1,600 instruments and patches, HALion 4 includes the 
complete sound collection of the appraised HALion Sonic 
workstation alongside many fresh new sounds.
After you have registered HALion 4 online, take some time 
to explore the community section at www.steinberg.net/
forum. You will find lots of useful information and get to 
know other users in our discussion forums. Registering at 
www.steinberg.net/mysteinberg also gives you access to 
special offers from Steinberg in the future.
Have fun creating your sound. Your way.
The Steinberg HALion Team
Key Command Conventions
Many of the default key commands in HALion use modifier 
keys, some of which are different depending on the oper
-
ating system. For example, the default key command for 
Undo is [Ctrl]-[Z] under Windows and [Command]-[Z] un
-
der Mac OS X.
When key commands with modifier keys are described in 
this manual, they are shown with the Windows modifier 
key first:
[Win modifier key]/[Mac modifier key]-[key]
For example, [Ctrl]/[Command]-[Z] means “press [Ctrl] 
under Windows or [Command] under Mac OS X, then 
press [Z]”.
Similarly, [Alt]/[Option]-[X] means “press [Alt] under Win-
dows or [Option] under Mac OS X, then press [X]”.
Please note that this manual often refers to right-clicking, 
for example, to open context menus. If you are using a Mac 
with a single-button mouse, hold down [Ctrl] and click.
How You Can Reach Us
Clicking the Steinberg logo in the top right corner of 
HALion opens a pop-up menu containing items for getting 
additional information and help:
•This menu contains links to various Steinberg web 
pages. Selecting a link automatically launches your 
browser application and opens the page.
On the web pages, you can find support and compatibility information, 
answers to frequently asked questions, links for downloading new driv
-
ers, etc. This requires that you have a browser application installed on 
your computer and a working internet connection.
•When you choose the Help item, an online version of 
the documentation opens.
•You also find a menu item for the registration of your 
product.
For further information, see “Register Your Software!” on page 10. 
						

							9
Installation and Setup
Installation
The USB-eLicenser
Many Steinberg products, including HALion, use the 
USB-eLicenser, a hardware copy protection device. 
HALion will not run without an eLicenser containing an ac
-
tivated license.
The USB-eLicenser
The USB-eLicenser is a USB device on which your Stein-
berg software licenses are stored. All hardware-protected 
Steinberg products use the same type of device, and you 
can store more than one license on one device. Also, li
-
censes can (within certain limits) be transferred between 
USB-eLicensers. This is helpful if you want to sell a piece 
of software, for example.
The product package of HALion contains an activation 
code, which is found on the Essential Product License In
-
formation card within the product package. To make un-
limited use of your version of HALion, you must manually 
download a license to an USB-eLicenser connected to 
your computer, and activate your permanent license using 
the activation code.
In the eLicenser Control Center you can activate new 
licenses and check which licenses are installed on your 
USB-eLicenser. 
After installation of HALion, the eLicenser 
Control Center 
can be opened via the Start menu on Win-
dows systems or the Applications folder on a Mac.
ÖIf you are using other copy-protected Steinberg prod-
ucts, you may want to transfer all licenses for your applica-
tions to one USB-eLicenser, thus using up only one USB 
port of your computer. Please refer to the eLicenser Con
-
trol Center Help for information on how to transfer licenses 
between USB-eLicensers.
System Requirements
To use HALion, your computer must meet the following 
requirements:
Windows
• Windows Vista or Windows 7
• Pentium/Athlon 2.0 GHz dual core CPU
•2 GB RAM
• Approx. 15 GB of free hard disk space
• Display resolution 1280 x 800 pixels recommended
• DirectX compatible audio hardware (ASIO compatible audio 
hardware recommended for low-latency performance)
• DVD-ROM drive with dual-layer support
• USB port for USB-eLicenser (license management)
• USB-eLicenser (not included)
• Internet connection for license activation
• For using HALion as a plug-in, a VST2 or VST3 compatible 
host is required.
Macintosh
•Mac OS X 10.6
•Intel Core Duo 2.0 GHz processor
•2 GB RAM
• Approx. 15 GB of free hard disk space
• Display resolution 1280 x 800 pixels recommended
• CoreAudio compatible audio hardware
• DVD-ROM drive with dual-layer support
• USB port for USB-eLicenser (license management)
• USB-eLicenser (not included)
• Internet connection for license activation
• For using HALion as a plug-in, a VST3 or AU compatible host 
is required.
Installing HALion
HALion provides a large amount of content and is distrib-
uted on a set of two DVDs. Please have all DVDs ready 
for the installation
.
!Please read the following section before installing 
HALion.
!The USB-eLicenser is a separate product and is not 
included in the product package of HALion.
!The HALion installer allows you to save the content 
files on a different hard drive than the program files. 
						

							10
Installation and Setup
Proceed as follows:
1.Insert the first DVD into your DVD drive.
An interactive Start Center appears. If it is does not open automatically 
or if you have a Macintosh computer, you can manually open it by dou-
ble-clicking the file “HALion_Start_Center.exe” (Windows) or “HALion 
Start Center.app
” (Mac).
2.Follow the instructions on screen to start the installa-
tion of HALion and browse through the additional options 
and information presented.
If you do not want to install HALion via the interactive Start 
Center, follow the instructions below:
Windows
1.Double-click the file called “Setup.exe”.
2.Follow the instructions on screen.
Macintosh
1.Double-click the file called “HALion.mpkg”.
2.Follow the instructions on screen.
Register Your Software!
We encourage you to register your software! By doing so 
you are entitled to technical support and kept aware of up
-
dates and other news regarding HALion.
•To register HALion, click the Steinberg logo in the top 
right corner of the control panel and select “Register 
HALion now!” from the pop-up menu.
This option opens the registration page of the Steinberg web site in your 
web browser. To register, follow the instructions on screen. 
Setting Up
The following sections describe how to use HALion as a 
plug-in in different host applications. HALion can also be 
used as a standalone application. This is described in de
-
tail in the chapter “Using the HALion Standalone Version” 
on page 159.
Setting Up HALion as a VST Instrument in 
Cubase
We assume that you have correctly set up Cubase as well 
as your MIDI and audio hardware, and that Cubase re
-
ceives MIDI data from your external MIDI keyboard. If you 
want to use HALion in another VST host application, 
please refer to the documentation of the corresponding 
application.
Cubase provides two ways of working with VST instru-
ments: the VST Instruments window and instrument 
tracks.
Accessing HALion via the VST Instruments Window
Proceed as follows:
1.Open the Devices menu in Cubase and select the 
VST Instruments option.
The VST Instruments window opens.
2.Click one of the empty slots to open the instrument 
pop-up menu, and select HALion.
You are asked whether you want to create an associated MIDI track con-
nected to the VST instrument. 
3.Click Create.
HALion is loaded and activated, and its control panel 
opens. A MIDI track called HALion is added to the track 
list. The output of this track is routed to HALion.
Accessing HALion via an Instrument Track
Proceed as follows:
1.On the Project menu, open the Add Track submenu, 
and select “Instrument”. 
The Add Instrument Track dialog opens. 
2.On the instrument pop-up menu, select HALion.
3.Click OK to create the instrument track. 
4.Click the Edit Instrument button in the Cubase Inspec-
tor to open the HALion control panel.
HALion is now set up as a VST instrument in Cubase. For 
more details about the handling of VST instruments, see 
the Cubase Operation Manual.