Steinberg VST Sampler HALION 4 Operation Manual

							21
Managing Your Sounds
When a program is loaded into a slot, it is also inserted in 
a free place in the Program Table.
When replacing a program in a slot, the table updates ac-
cordingly. If multiple slots have used the same program, all 
slots are updated with the new program.
Managing Multis
Multis can load multiple sounds or programs and combine 
them. You can use multis, for example, to layer several 
programs or to create split sounds by setting several pro
-
grams to the same MIDI input channel. However, the most 
common usage is to create sound sets with different in
-
struments set to individual MIDI channels.
A multi-program contains all plug-in parameters. When 
using HALion as a plug-in in Cubase or Nuendo, these 
multis are listed in the Preset Management pop-up menu 
of the host application. You can drag multis and programs 
from the Cubase or Nuendo MediaBay to a slot in HALion.
When using HALion as a plug-in in a different host appli-
cation, you can use either the preset functionality from the 
host application, or the multi management features pro
-
vided by HALion.
Loading Multis
•Open the MediaBay and double-click a multi, or drag 
and drop a multi onto the multi slot.
•Alternatively, click the “Load Multi-Program” button in 
the multi slot to open the “Load Multi-Program” dialog, se
-
lect a multi and click on OK.
Removing Multis
•To remove all programs of the current multi, click the 
“Remove All Programs” button on the toolbar of the Slot 
Rack.
This also resets all slot parameters and removes effects from the slot 
busses. However, AUX and Master effects are not removed.
ÖRemoving the programs from the slots does not re-
move them from the Program Table.
Saving Multis
To save multis, proceed as follows:
1.Click the “Save Multi-Program” button.
2.Enter the name of the multi.
3.Assign any attributes you require and click OK.
If the entered name already exists, the “Make Unique Name” option adds 
a number suffix to the name of the new multi.
Creating Subfolders for User-Defined Multis
You can create subfolders inside the user preset folder to 
organize presets.
•To create a new folder, click the “Create New Folder” 
icon at the top left of the “Save Multi-Program” dialog.
Navigating Through the Folder Hierarchy
You can move through the folder hierarchy using the three 
navigation buttons at the top left of the dialog.
They allow you to navigate to the previous or next browse 
location, or browse the containing folder.
Editing Attributes
In the “New Preset Tags” section on the right of the “Save 
Multi-Program” dialog you can edit the attribute values 
that are assigned to the preset.
Save Multi-
Program
Remove Multi-Program
Load Multi-
ProgramSave VST Sound 
Content
Save Multi-Program 
with Sample 
						

							22
Managing Your Sounds
1.To edit an attribute, click on a value field, and enter the 
new name or value.
2.Click OK to save the preset.
ÖFor further information about attributes, see “Editing 
Preset Attributes” on page 24.
Exporting Multis with Samples
Multis with samples can be exported, to transfer a com-
plete multi to another computer. Programs that use sam-
ples from VST Sound containers cannot be exported.
To export a multi with samples, proceed as follows:
1.Click the “Export Multi as VST3 Preset with Samples” 
button next to the multi slot.
2.Enter the name of the multi, and click OK.
The multi is written to the specified location. Additionally a folder named 
after the preset that contains all samples is created.
Exporting VST Sound Files
You can produce your own HALion VST Sound files, con-
taining all plug-in settings, programs, and samples.
1.Click the “Export Multi as VST Sound” button next to 
the multi slot.
2.Enter the required information (marked with an aster-
isk) and provide additional data (optional).
3.Enter the path or click the browse button to specify a 
file name and folder.
4.Click OK.
ÖYou cannot include samples that originate from pro-
tected VST Sound files.
Managing Files via the MediaBay
The MediaBay gives access to the HALion presets, such 
as multis, programs, and layers.
The MediaBay is divided into two sections. In the top sec-
tion you can define which kind of sounds you want to look 
for. The lower section presents the corresponding results 
list. You can drag the divider at the top of the results list to 
adjust the size of the two sections.
Loading Programs into Slots
To load a program into one of the slots of the Slot Rack, 
you have the following possibilities:
•Select the slot into which you want to load the program 
and double-click the program in the results list.
•Drag a program from the results list to an empty space 
in the Slot Rack to create a new slot. If you drag it to an 
existing slot, the current program is replaced.
•Right-click the program and select “Load Program into 
selected Slot” from the context menu.
Importing Presets
You can import existing program presets from any file lo-
cation using the Explorer (Win) or Finder (Mac). To import 
presets, proceed as follows:
1.Select the preset in the Explorer/Finder.
2.Drag it to the MediaBay.
The imported presets are copied to your user folder. 
						

							23
Managing Your Sounds
Deleting Presets
•To delete a user preset, right-click it to open the context 
menu, and select Delete.
ÖFactory presets cannot be deleted.
Applying Filters
Category Filter
You can filter the results list based on up to four filter cri-
teria using the configurable attribute columns.
Standard attributes are Category, Sub Category, Style, 
and Character. By clicking on specific values in the col
-
umns, you define the filter. Only the files that match the 
selected values are displayed in the results list. Select 
more values from other columns to refine the filter.
•To select different filter criteria, click the column header, 
and select a different attribute from the submenu.
Instrument Set Filter
Use the “Instrument Set Filter” pop-up menu to search a 
certain content set only. By default, the search is per
-
formed in any of the installed content sets.
Using the Results List
The results list shows all files that have been found ac-
cording to the category filter.
View Filters
The toolbar of the results list has three filter buttons to de-
fine which preset types are displayed. Presets can be mul-
tis, programs, and layers. To show a preset, activate the 
corresponding icon. In the results list, the corresponding 
icon is shown to the left of the preset name.
Columns
The columns of the results list show all the attribute values 
for the presets that match the filters that you set up in the 
top section.
You can reorder the columns in the results list by dragging 
the table headers to another position. Furthermore, you 
can use the column headers to change the sorting of the 
list entries. The triangle in the column header shows the 
sorting direction.
Setting Up the Result Columns
You can select which attribute columns are displayed, by 
clicking the “Set up Result Columns” button on the tool
-
bar of the results list. The attributes that you choose are 
added at the right of the list.
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 but-
ton to the left of the search field.
Multi ProgramLayer 
						

							24
Managing Your Sounds
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 dis-
played 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 op-
tions for managing the selected presets. The following op-
tions are available for factory and user presets:
The following options are available for user presets only:
Editing Preset Attributes
Each preset can be described using a predefined set of 
attributes. These attributes can be set directly in the re
-
sults 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 corre-
sponding preset files. However, this is not possible for 
write protected factory content. In this case, the data is 
saved within HALion’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:
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 loca-tion 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.
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.
!Programs from the HALion 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. 
						

							25
Managing Your Sounds
Setting the Character Values
Character attribute values can be set via a dedicated edi-
tor. This editor provides a list of values that describe the 
character of a sound.
Content Files and Folder Structure
HALion has a large amount of ready-to-use sound con-
tent, made up of hundreds of multis, programs, and layers. 
This content is write-protected. You can edit files while 
they are loaded in HALion, but you cannot overwrite the 
factory content files themselves.
To save edits to the factory content, save the files under a 
new name. These files have the name extension “.vstpre
-
set” and are referred to as “user content”. They can be 
searched and categorized in the same way as factory 
content.
User content is saved in a predefined folder structure on 
your hard disk. You can create subfolders within this struc
-
ture, to facilitate moving or exchanging content (see “Cre-
ating Subfolders for User-Defined Multis” on page 21).
Loading HALion 3 Programs
HALion 4 allows to load HALion 3 presets either from 
HSB container files or from FXP/FXB files. To be able to 
load presets from HALion 3 HSB files, they have to be 
registered in the HALion 4 MediaBay.
Registering HSB Files
1.Click the Import button on the right of the Category 
Filter toolbar, and select “Register HSB/VST Sound 
Files”.
2.Navigate to the HSB/VST files, select them, and click 
OK.
The MediaBay now has access to the presets.
•Alternatively, HSB/VST files can be registered by drag-
ging them from the Windows Explorer or Mac OS Finder 
into the HALion MediaBay.
Registering VST Sound Files
Programs that are contained in VST Sound files can only 
be seen and accessed by the MediaBay if the corre
-
sponding VST Sound file has been registered. HALion’s 
factory content is located in a directory that is automati
-
cally scanned when HALion is loaded. However, it is pos-
sible to add further VST Sound files that are not located in 
that directory.
To register a VST Sound File, proceed as follows:
1.Click the Import button on the right of the Category fil-
ter toolbar.
2.Select “Register HSB/VST Sound Files“.
3.Navigate to the VST Sound file, select it, and click OK.
The MediaBay now has access to the presets.
Loading FXP/FXB Files
To load FXP/FXB files there are two possibilities:
•Drag and drop the FXP/FXB files from the Windows Ex-
plorer or the Mac OS Finder onto the Slot Rack.
•Drag and drop the FXP/FXB files to the Slot Rack/Multi 
Loader.
HALion converts the FXP/FXB files into HALion pro-
grams/multi-programs.
Bars & BeatsClick to select, double-click to 
edit.
SignatureClick to select, double-click to 
edit.
KeyClick to select.
GM SoundClick to select. 
						

							26
Managing Your Sounds
Importing FXP/FXB Files
To import multiple FXP/FXB files without loading them in 
HALion, proceed as follows:
1.Click the Import button to the right of the Category Fil-
ter and select “Import HALion FXP/FXB Files”.
2.Navigate to the folder that contains the FXP/FXB file.
3.Select the file you want to import and click OK.
The presets are converted into the HALion 4 format and saved as VST 
presets in the user preset folder.
ÖAlternatively, import multiple FXP/FXB files by drag-
ging them from the Windows Explorer or Mac OS Finder 
into the MediaBay.
Working with General MIDI Files
HALion can play back files in the General MIDI format. For 
this, the following preparations must be made:
1.Load a GM multi from the MediaBay.
The first 16 slots are prepared with send effects for Chorus and Reverb.
2.Open the Options editor, navigate to MIDI Controller, 
and activate “Receive Program Changes” and “Receive 
RPNs 0/1/2”.
3.Load the GM file that you want to use.
HALion loads the necessary programs and adjusts chorus and reverb 
levels. 
						

							4
Loading and Managing Programs  
						

							28
Loading and Managing Programs
Introduction
HALion allows you to load a virtually unlimited number of 
programs per instance. All loaded programs, i.
 e. programs 
that can be used in the current project, are shown in the 
Program Table. You can load these programs into any of 
the 64 slots in the Slot Rack. 
The first 128 entries of the Program Table correspond to 
the 128 MIDI program change numbers. You can load 
these programs into a slot by sending MIDI program 
change messages on the slot’s MIDI channel.
ÖYou can set the focus on any of the programs, for ex-
ample to verify settings or to copy zones from there, with-
out having it assigned to any slot. In that case you cannot 
play and hear the program.
The Columns of the Program Table
The Program Table contains the following columns:
Configuring Columns
Inserting Columns
•Right-click the column header at the position where you 
want to insert the new column, and select the parameter 
or column that you want to insert.
Removing Columns
•Right-click the header of the column you want to re-
move, and select “Remove…”.
Reordering Columns
•Drag and drop the header of the column left or right to 
the new position.
Changing the Width of a Column
•Drag the right border of the column header left or right 
to change its width.
ÖAll modifications are stored with the project.
Loading Programs into the Program 
Table
There are several ways to load a program into the Program 
Table:
•Drag it from the MediaBay to the Program Table.
•In the MediaBay, right-click a program to open the con-
text menu, and select “Load Program into selected Slot”.
•Click the “Load Program” button in the Program Table 
toolbar, select a program, and click OK.
If the selected entry in the Program Table already contains 
a program, the current program is replaced. All slots that 
are making use of that program then refer to the new pro
-
gram.
When multiple programs are dropped on a list entry, not 
only the target program is replaced but also the following 
programs. The number of programs that are replaced cor
-
responds to the number of programs that you have 
dragged to the Program Table.
ÖYou can also drag and drop programs from third-party 
sampler formats using the Import Tree, see 
“Importing 
Third-Party Sampler Programs” on page 62.
ColumnDescription
Program NumberDisplays the program number, which corre-sponds to the MIDI program change number.
Program NameShows the program name. The name can be ed-ited in place.
UsedDisplays the number of slots in which the pro-gram is loaded.
PreloadShows if a program is preloaded, even if it is not 
being used in a slot.
File SizeDisplays the size of the program with all samples 
as it is stored on the hard disk. 
						

							29
Loading and Managing Programs
Loading Programs from the Program 
Table to the Slot Rack
When dropping a program onto a free Program Table en-
try, it is added to the table without being actually loaded to 
any of the slots. This way you can create a program table 
without having to load all programs immediately.
If you want to use the program in a slot, you can create a 
new slot or replace the program in an existing slot.
In case a program is loaded multiple times to different 
slots the slot rack focus jumps to the first slot.
Creating New Slots
•Make sure that no slot is selected and double-click the 
program.
•Drag a program to an empty space in the Slot Rack.
Replacing Programs in Slots
•Double-click a program to replace the program in the 
selected slot.
•Drag a program from the table into an existing slot.
To quickly see which programs are assigned to slots their 
program numbers are displayed in yellow.
Preloading Programs
When a program was loaded to the Program Table but is 
not used by one of the slots, its samples are not pre
-
loaded. However, you can preload unassigned programs 
to allow for a faster MIDI program change. You can acti
-
vate the Preload option individually for each program. This 
setting is saved with the project and plug-in preset. Pro
-
ceed as follows:
•Open the context menu for a program and select “Al-
ways Preload”.
•Activate the Preload icon of the program in the Preload 
column.
•To deactivate preloading, select “Preload Program On 
Demand” on the context menu, or deactivate the icon in 
the Preload column.
Editing the Program Table
Deleting Programs
You can delete the selected program by clicking the trash 
icon on the toolbar. Alternatively, you can press the [De
-
lete]-key on your computer keyboard or use the Delete 
command on the context menu.
Exchanging the List Positions of Two 
Programs
Once a program has been loaded to a specific table entry, 
it is also associated with the corresponding MIDI program 
change number.
For example, loading a program at position 3 of the list 
means that this program can be loaded into a slot when it 
receives MIDI program change number 3 on its MIDI 
channel.
If you want to quickly assign the program to another MIDI 
program change number, you can drag it to the corre
-
sponding list position. In case another program already 
occupies this position, the two programs change places.
Cut, Copy, and Paste
Cut, copy, and paste programs by clicking the corre-
sponding icons on the Program Table toolbar, using the 
commands on the context menu, or using key commands.
Renaming Programs
•Select the program you want to rename and click the 
program name a second time, or press [F2] (Win)/[Return] 
(Mac).
•Right-click the program and select Rename on the con-
text menu. 
						

							5
Using the Program Tree