Steinberg VST Sampler HALION 4 Operation Manual

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MIDI Modules Reference
3.Select the Alternation Mode and start playback.
ÖLayer Alternate always switches the playback between 
layers. For switching between single zones, use Variation 
Groups instead, see 
“The Variation Groups Section” on 
page 71.
ÖTo play back a specific expression, turn off the Enable 
button to stop any automatic alternation and select the ex
-
pression in the Alternation list.
Expression Pool
This list shows the available layers that can be alternated.
Alternation List
To alternate the layers, drag and drop them from the Ex-
pression Pool to this list. You can change the order of the 
listed layers by dragging them to a new position. The layer 
that is currently played back is highlighted. To remove an 
expression from the Alternation list, use the context menu.
Using Key Switches
In some cases, it is useful to switch to a particular layer, 
regardless of the current position in the Alternation list. To 
make this possible, you can specify a key switch per layer. 
As soon as the key switch note is played, the alternation 
list jumps to the corresponding layer. The alternation then 
continues from that position.
•To set the key switch, type in the note, as text or num-
ber, in the key switch column of the Alternation List.
Alternation Mode
The process of alternating between layers is determined 
by the following options:
Per Key
Select this option to apply the alternation for each MIDI 
key separately. When this is switched off, the alternation is 
applied globally across the whole keyboard, so that any 
key you play advances the alternation sequence.
Enable
Here, you can specify the MIDI key that starts and stops 
the alternation sequence. This key will be used exclusively 
for this function and will not trigger any notes.
When set to Off, playback remains on the selected layer.
Previous/Next
Here, you can specify the MIDI key that switches to the 
previous/next expression.
Reset
Here, you can specify the MIDI key that resets the Alterna-
tion sequence.
Grace Time
The Grace Time parameter sets a minimum time between 
two steps, which allows you to play chords, for example. 
(Otherwise, each note of the chord will play with a differ
-
ent layer.)
Key Switch Alternate
Use this module to switch automatically between different 
layers that are using MegaTrig key switches to define 
whether they are played or not.
ModeDescription
Cycle UpSelect this mode to cycle through the layers in 
descending order.
Cycle DownSelect this mode to cycle through the layers in 
ascending order.
RandomSelect this mode to alternate the layers randomly 
with each note you play.
Exclusive RandomSelect this mode to alternate the layers randomly, 
but without repetitions. 
						

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MIDI Modules Reference
To alternate the playback between different key switches, 
proceed as follows:
1.Insert the Key Switch Alternate module above the lay-
ers that contain the MegaTrig modules with key switch 
settings.
2.Open the module editor and drag and drop the key 
switches from the Available Key Switches list to the Alter
-
nation List in the order you want them to alternate.
You can rearrange the order of the list using drag and drop.
3.Select the Alternation Mode and start playback.
ÖThis MIDI module is provided for compatibility with 
HALion 3 programs, because in HALion 3, the alternation 
of layers was realized using key switches. When using 
HALion 4, no additional MegaTrig modules with key 
switch settings are necessary. Instead of using Key 
Switch Alternate, you can use the Layer Alternate module.
Available Key Switches
This list shows the currently available key switches that 
can be used to control an alternation. To create new alter
-
nations, drag a key switch from this list to the Alternation 
list. Note however, that there is no direct relation between 
the Available Key Switch list and the Alternation list and 
once created, an alternation can be renamed and as
-
signed a note. 
Alternation List
To alternate key switches, drag and drop them from the 
list of available key switches to this list. Depending on the 
selected alternation mode, the triggered key switches al
-
ternate in the order they are listed or randomly. You can 
change the order of the listed key switches by dragging 
them to another position. The key switch that is currently 
triggered is highlighted. To remove a key switch from the 
Alternation list, use the context menu for the selected key 
switch.
ÖTo trigger a specific key switch, turn off the Enable 
button to stop any automatic alternation and select the key 
switch in the Alternation list.
Adding New Alternations
Normally you add alternations by dragging existing key 
switches from the Available Key Switches list. However, it 
is also possible to create new alternations from scratch.
Proceed as follows:
1.Click the “+” button above the Alternation list.
2.An new alternation is added to the list.
3.Specify the name of the alternation.
4.Specify the key switch note to be sent.
Naming Alternations
The available key switches come with an additional name 
that is derived from the layer name of the MegaTrig parent 
layer.
Alternation Mode, Per Key, Reset, and Enable
These options are the same as for the Layer Alternate 
module, see 
“Layer Alternate” on page 150.
Grace Time
The Grace Time sets a minimum time between two steps, 
which allows you to play chords, for example. Otherwise, 
each note of the chord plays with a different layer.
Key Switch Remote
The Key Switch Remote module allows you to remote-
control key switches that are used within the current par
-
ent layer.
The expression list shows all available layers. If a layer 
contains a MegaTrig module set to “Key Switch”, the 
specified key is displayed in the Key/Active column. 
						

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MIDI Modules Reference
Key Switch Mode
Here you can define if you want to use the original key 
switches as set in the MegaTrig modules, remap them to 
other keys, or to use a MIDI controller instead.
ÖNo matter which mode you select, the original key 
switch assignments still work. This is important for 
phrases for the FlexPhraser module that make use of the 
original key switches. The last key switch that is received 
always has priority.
Key Switch
When Key Switch is selected, the original key switch as-
signments are used to switch to an expression. The keys 
are displayed in the list and cannot be edited.
Remapped
When Remapped is selected, you can transpose the orig-
inal key switch assignments to the playable range of your 
MIDI keyboard.
To do so, enter the MIDI note you want the expression to 
be reassigned to.
You can also transpose multiple key switches at the same 
time. Press [Shift] and drag one of the text faders for the 
key switch you want to change.
ÖThe MIDI notes you use for key switches can no longer 
be used to trigger samples.
MIDI Controller
The MIDI Controller mode allows you to define a MIDI con-
troller that remote-controls the original key switches. In this 
mode the list does not show any MIDI note names, but 
checkboxes that allow you to specify the expressions you 
can switch to. Inactive expressions cannot be addressed.
•To assign a MIDI controller, select it from the MIDI Con-
troller pop-up menu.
Refreshing the Expression List
When adding, moving, or removing layers with key 
switches after the Key Switch Remote module has been 
set up, it can become necessary to refresh the Expression 
list. To do so, click the Refresh button in the title bar.
MIDI Randomizer
The MIDI Randomizer module allows you to trigger notes 
randomly. These notes can be created by modifying the 
original notes and/or velocity values using an adjustable 
deviation amount, or within a completely independent 
range that can be set for key and/or velocity. You can also 
limit the input range for incoming MIDI notes to decide on 
which notes the module reacts.
In the Input section to the left, you can make the following 
settings:
In the Output section to the right, there are two rows of 
settings. 
The upper row offers the following parameters:
The lower row offers the following parameters:
OptionDescription
Low Key/High KeyThese values define which incoming notes are 
used by the Randomizer to create random notes.
Low Vel/High VelThese values define the velocity range that is used 
by the Randomizer to create random notes.
OptionDescription
ActiveActivate this switch if you want the Randomizer to 
create notes within a certain key range.
SpreadIf you activate this, you can use the input values 
and vary them randomly. Use the Amount parame-ter to define how much the random notes can di-verge from the original keys.By deactivating this option, you can create notes 
within a specific key range, which is set using the 
Low Key/High Key value fields.
OptionDescription
ActiveActivate this switch if you want the Randomizer to 
create notes within a certain velocity range.
SpreadIf you activate this, you can use the input values 
and vary them randomly. Use the Amount parame-ter to define how much the random notes can di-verge from the original keys.By deactivating this option, you can create notes 
within a specific velocity range, which is set using 
the Low Vel/High Vel value fields. 
						

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MIDI Modules Reference
True Pedaling
This MIDI module produces a modulation signal from the 
sustain pedal, which you can use to simulate true pedaling 
of grand pianos. Instead of switching between two layers, 
this module allows you to crossfade between layers when 
you press or lift the sustain pedal, which produces a more 
realistic sound.
To set up a crossfade between two layers, proceed as 
follows:
1.Set the Level parameter of the zones with the note-on 
samples to the default level (0
 dB).
2.Set the Level parameter of the zones with the sustain 
resonance samples to the minimum setting.
3.In the modulation matrix, select the True Pedaling 
module as the modulation source and assign it to the 
modulation destination Level.
4.To bring the crossfade into effect, modulate the level 
of the note-on samples in negative direction and the level 
of the sustain resonance samples in positive direction.
The following settings are available:
5.Once the modulation is set up, the resonance samples 
are triggered with each note, but you do not hear them un
-
til you press the sustain pedal.
CC Mapper
The CC Mapper allows you to map MIDI controllers to 
other MIDI controllers before they are passed on to the 
following layers and zones. You can also use it to trans
-
form incoming values using curves.
MIDI controllers, Aftertouch and Pitch Bend can be 
mapped freely to all MIDI controllers, Aftertouch, Pitch 
Bend, and the eight global controllers Contr. A – Contr. H. 
Velocity and the global controllers themselves can only be 
mapped to Contr. A – Contr. H.
To map a MIDI Controller to another MIDI Controller (or 
Aftertouch or Pitchbend), click in the Source column for 
the MIDI controller and select a new item from the list.
ÖVelocity can only be used as Source for the global 
controllers Contr. A – Contr. H.
Contr. A – Contr. H allow you to change the MIDI control-
ler assignment via a single setting in the CC Mapper in-
stead of changing the modulation matrix assignments of 
the single zones separately, for example. This can be 
achieved by assigning them in the modulation matrix and 
mapping a MIDI controller or velocity to them using the 
CC Mapper. 
Source
Here you can specify the source controller that is to be re-
mapped. By default, no remapping is processed and all 
controllers are passed through.
OptionDescription
Fade In TimeSpecifies the fade in time of the modulation signal, 
when you press the sustain pedal.
Fade In CurveSets the curvature of the fade in. Use negative val-ues for an outward shaped curve and positive val-ues for an inward shaped curve.
Fade Out TimeSpecifies the fade out time of the modulation sig-nal, when you lift the sustain pedal.
Fade Out CurveSets the curvature of the fade out. Use positive 
values for an outward shaped curve and negative 
values for an inward shaped curve.
Time OutOn acoustic pianos, pressing the sustain pedal af-ter a certain time has little to no effect. You can 
achieve the same effect by using this parameter: 
Pressing the sustain pedal after the time you set 
here will have no effect. Any resonance samples 
that have been triggered, but were not faded in, 
are released. 
						

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MIDI Modules Reference
Controller
This column lists the available destination controllers.
Bypass
Click the bypass button for a controller to deactivate the 
remapping for it.
Min
This defines the minimum value to be sent.
Max
This defines the maximum value to be sent.
Using the Curve and Range Editor
You can set up a curve and range for each remapped 
source. The curve and range editor displays the settings 
of the selected source controller, marked by an orange 
frame. To select a different source, click the button to the 
left of it.
The Curve editor allows you to set up a transformation 
function. You can use one of the provided curve types like 
linear, logarithmic, dB, etc., or create your own custom 
curve. By setting the minimum and maximum values, the 
function output stays within the specified range only. The 
values correspond to the Min and Max columns in the list 
on the left.
To set up your own curve, select the Custom preset. This 
allows for the following editing:
•You can double-click in the editor to insert a new node.
Double-click on a node to delete it. 
•Drag the nodes to new positions to adjust the basic 
shape of the curve. 
•Drag the lines between the nodes up or down to 
change the curvature.
Velocity Curve
The Velocity Curve module allows you to map incoming 
velocity values to different output values using an adjust
-
able curve. You can also use this module to limit the out-
put velocity range or use its side-chain controller input to 
control the effect of the curve using a MIDI controller.
Curve display
In the Curve display section to the left, you can use one of 
10 preconfigured curve types, or create a custom curve. 
To select a curve type, click on one of the buttons to the 
right of the curve display.
When the Custom curve is selected, you can make the 
following settings:
•To insert a new node, double-click in the editor.
Double-click on a node to delete it.
•To adjust the basic shape of the curve, drag the nodes 
to another position. 
•To change the curvature, drag the lines between the 
nodes up or down.
Minimum and Maximum
With the minimum and maximum values, you can specify 
the output velocity. The curve is compressed accordingly.
Controller Mode
Sometimes it is useful to control the effect of the curve dy-
namically. For that purpose, you can use a definable side-
chain controller, either in Switch or Continuous mode.
Off
When Controller Mode is set to Off, the curve is applied at 
100
 %. The side-chain controller cannot be used. 
						

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MIDI Modules Reference
Switch
In this mode, the velocity curve is only applied when the 
side-chain controller sends a value higher than 64. This al
-
lows you to use a foot switch to activate or deactivate the 
influence of the velocity curve, for example. 
Continuous
In this mode, the incoming side-chain controller value is 
used to scale the influence of the velocity curve. When set 
to 0, the curve has no effect, when set to 127, the curve is 
applied at 100
 %.
Side-Chain Controller
Here, you can specify which MIDI Controller is used to 
control the effect of the velocity curve.
Tuning Scale
The Tuning Scale MIDI module comes with many ready-
to-use tuning scale presets. These can be loaded and 
saved using the regular editing methods, see the chapter 
“Working with Presets” on page 51.
The most commonly used scale in western music is the 
equal temperament, where adjacent notes have an equal 
distance of 100 cents. Therefore, the Equal Temperament 
preset is loaded by default. In the Concert Grand scale, 
the upper notes are tuned increasingly higher and the 
lower notes are tuned increasingly lower. Use this for the 
most natural sound of the pianos. Furthermore, many well-
known traditional tuning scales in different keys are avail
-
able, like the Well Tempered scale or the Kirnberger scale.
Editing Tuning Scales
You can create custom tuning scales by editing the notes 
per octave (the tune offsets apply equally to all octaves on 
the keyboard) or by editing the 128 MIDI notes individually 
(the tune offsets apply only to single notes). Editing the scale per octave is particularly useful for creating different 
temperaments. Editing the scale per note is useful for cre
-
ating stretched tunings.
Editing Scales per Octave
Proceed as follows:
1.To the right of the scale editor, click the Octaves but-
ton.
2.In the scale editor, click the Offset field of the note you 
want to adjust and set the tune offset.
The offsets of the 12 notes are applied equally to all 
octaves.
Editing Scales per Note
Proceed as follows:
1.To the right of the scale editor, click the Notes button.
2.In the scale editor, click the Offset field of the note you 
want to adjust and set the tune offset.
The offsets are applied individually to the 128 MIDI notes.
Absolute Mode
MIDI notes can contain micro-tuning information, i.e., tune 
offsets per note. In Absolute mode, this information is ig
-
nored and only the settings of the tuning scale are applied. 
When Absolute mode is deactivated, the tuning scale set
-
tings are applied on top of the incoming micro-tuning in-
formation.
Importing Scala Files
You can import tuning scales in the popular Scala file for-
mat via the scale preset pop-up menu. This gives you ac-
cess to thousands of tuning scale presets from the internet.
Adjusting the Amount
With the Amount parameter, you can specify how the tun-
ing scale is applied. At a setting of 100 % the tune offsets 
are applied as specified in the tuning scale. Lower values 
reduce the tune offsets relatively. At 0
 %, the tuning scale 
is not applied at all. 
						

							17
Key Commands Reference 
						

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Key Commands Reference
The Default Key Commands
Below, the default key commands are listed according to 
category:
Edit
Global
Media 
Navigate
Zoom
OptionKey command
AutoVisibility[V]
Copy[Ctrl]/[Command]-[C]
Cut[Ctrl]/[Command]-[X]
Delete[Delete] or [Backspace]
Hide Non-Selected[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Shift]-[H]
Hide Selected[Ctrl]/[Command]-[H]
Move Down[Shift]-[Down Arrow]
Move Hi Key Left[Alt]/[Option]-[Left Arrow]
Move Hi Key Right[Alt]/[Option]-[Right Arrow]
Move Hi Velocity Down[Alt]/[Option]-[Down Arrow]
Move Hi Velocity Up[Alt]/[Option]-[Up Arrow]
Move Left[Shift]-[Left Arrow]
Move Low Key Left[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Left Arrow]
Move Low Key Right[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Right Arrow]
Move Low Velocity Down[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Down Arrow]
Move Low Velocity Up[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Up Arrow]
Move Right[Shift]-[Right Arrow]
Move Up[Shift]-[Up Arrow]
Mute[M]
Paste[Ctrl]/[Command]-[V]
Redo[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Shift]-[Z]
Rename[F2]
Replace Samples[Ctrl]/[Command]-[R]
Select All[Ctrl]/[Command]-[A]
Select None[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Shift]-[A]
Select Tree[Ctrl]/[Command]-[T]
Show All[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Shift]-[U]
Show Selected[Ctrl]/[Command]-[U]
Solo[S]
Undo[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Z]
OptionKey command
Down[X]
Import Samples[Ctrl]/[Command]-[I]
Left[A]
Enable MIDI Mapping 
Selection Options[Ctrl]/[Command]-[M]
Right[D]
Up[W]
OptionKey command
Open[Return] or [L]
OptionKey command
Bottom[End] (Win)
Down[Down Arrow]
Left[Left Arrow]
Less[Ctrl]/[Command]-Num [-]
More[Ctrl]/[Command]-Num [+]
Right[Right Arrow]
Toggle Selection[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Space]
Top[Home] (Win)
Up[Up Arrow]
OptionKey command
Zoom In[H]
Zoom Out[G] 
						

							18
Using the HALion Standalone Version 
						

							160
Using the HALion Standalone Version
Introduction
When you use HALion as a standalone application, an ad-
ditional section is added at the top of the control panel. 
Here, you can define key commands, set up audio and 
MIDI interface routings, adjust the master volume and ac
-
cess the integrated MIDI scratch pad, which allows you to 
record your musical ideas without having to start a MIDI 
sequencer application. It can also be used to play multi
-
track arrangements that trigger the different programs of 
HALion.
Making Preferences Settings
You can configure the standalone version of HALion in the 
Plug-In Preferences dialog. To open the Plug-In Prefer
-
ences dialog, proceed as follows:
•Click the Open Preferences button (the cogwheel sym-
bol) to the right of the audio output field.
•Right-click in the topmost section of the control panel 
and select “Plug-In Preferences” on the context menu.
The Plug-In Preferences dialog has several tabs on which 
you can make the following settings:
•On the MIDI Routing tab, you can access the 64 input 
ports in groups of 16. The groups of input ports are 
named Rack A, B, C and D. For each rack, you can make 
the following routing settings:
•On the Audio Routing tab, use the Audio Output Ports 
pop-up menus to assign different audio outputs.
HALion supports 64 channels (two Master channels (left and right) and 
31 additional left and right stereo channels) and one 5.1 surround chan
-
nel (with six subchannels). 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 chan-nels are set to incrementing audio output ports, for example 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, for 
example 1, 2, 1, 2 or 5, 6, 5, 6.
•On the Metronome tab, you can make the following 
settings:
•On the General tab, activate “Don’t prompt for confir-
mation when quitting HALion” if you want HALion to close 
without prompting when quitting the program.
•On the ASIO Driver tab, 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 Back-
ground”. 
The input and output latency values for your audio hardware are dis-played. “Latency” is the amount of time it takes for your system to re-
spond 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 con
-
nected audio hardware.
When you run HALion, there are several processes fight-
ing for access to processor time in your computer. The 
parameter “Audio Priority” allows you to determine which 
processes have priority:OptionDescription
MIDI Input PortsUse this pop-up menu to specify a MIDI input.
Channel FilterUse this parameter to decide whether HALion re-cords MIDI events on all MIDI channels, or only on 
one specific channel.
Filter ‘All Notes Off’ 
ControllerActivate this parameter to avoid unwanted “All 
Notes Off” messages.
Such messages are sent by some keyboards when 
the last key is released. This causes HALion to 
stop playback, even when the sustain pedal is still 
in use.
Click here to open the 
Plug-In Preferences 
dialog.
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 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.