A.I.R. Virtual Instruments Plug-Ins Guide Version 8.0.4 Legal Notices This guide is copyrighted ©2010 by Avid Technology, Inc., with all rights reserved. Under copyright laws, this guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part without the written consent of Avid Technology, Inc.
003, 96 I/O, 96i I/O, 192 Digital I/O, 192 I/O, 888|24 I/O, 882|20 I/O, 1622 I/O, 24-Bit ADAT Bridge I/O, AudioSuite, Avid, Avid DNA, Avid Mojo, Avid Unity, Avid Unity ISIS, Avid Xpress, AVoption, Axiom, Beat Detective, Bomb Factory, Bruno, C|24, Command|8, Control|24, D-Command, D-Control, D-Fi, D-fx, D-Show, D-Verb, DAE, Digi 002, DigiBase, DigiDelivery, Digidesign, Digidesign Audio Engine, Digidesign Intelligent Noise Reduction, Digidesign TDM Bus, DigiDrive, DigiRack, DigiTest, DigiTranslator, DINR, D-Show, DV Toolkit, EditPack, Eleven, HD Core, HD Process, Hybrid, Impact, Interplay, LoFi, M-Audio, MachineControl, Maxim, Mbox, MediaComposer, MIDI I/O, MIX, MultiShell, Nitris, OMF, OMF Interchange, PRE, ProControl, Pro Tools M-Powered, Pro Tools, Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools LE, QuickPunch, Recti-Fi, Reel Tape, Reso, Reverb One, ReVibe, RTAS, Sibelius, Smack!, SoundReplacer, Sound Designer II, Strike, Structure, SYNC HD, SYNC I/O, Synchronic, TL Aggro, TL AutoPan, TL Drum Rehab, TL Everyphase, TL Fauxlder, TL In Tune, TL MasterMeter, TL Metro, TL Space, TL Utilities, Transfuser, Trillium Lane Labs, Vari-Fi Velvet, X-Form, and XMON are trademarks or registered trademarks of Digidesign and/or Avid Technology, Inc. Xpand! is Registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Product features, specifications, system requirements, and availability are subject to change without notice.
Guide Part Number 9329-62630-00 REV B 06/10
Documentation Feedback We are always looking for ways to improve our documentation. If you have comments, corrections, or suggestions regarding our documentation, email us at [email protected]. Contents
Part I Introduction
Chapter 1. Introduction ...... 3 System Requirements and Compatibility ...... 3 Registering Your Plug-Ins ...... 3 Working with Plug-Ins ...... 4 Conventions Used in This Guide ...... 4 About www.avid.com ...... 4
Chapter 2. Installation and Authorization ...... 5 Installing A.I.R. Virtual Instrument Plug-Ins ...... 5 Authorizing Plug-Ins...... 6 Managing Content...... 7 Removing Plug-Ins ...... 8
Part II Hybrid
Chapter 3. Hybrid Overview ...... 11 Synthesis Overview ...... 11 Hybrid Overview ...... 11 Synthesis Architecture ...... 12 Adjusting Controls ...... 13
Chapter 4. Hybrid Controls ...... 15 Viewing Pages ...... 15 Accessing Parts ...... 15 Part Pages ...... 16 Sequencer Pages ...... 28 Common Page ...... 31 Effects Page ...... 34 Presets Page ...... 37 Browsing and Loading Presets ...... 38 Morph Groups ...... 39 MIDI Controller Mapping ...... 41
Contents iii Chapter 5. Hybrid Wavetables, Effects, and Default MIDI Controller Mappings ...... 43 Hybrid Wavetables ...... 43 Hybrid Part A and B Insert Effects ...... 46 Hybrid Default MIDI Controller Mappings ...... 52
Chapter 6. Hybrid Patch List ...... 55
Part III Strike
Chapter 7. Strike Overview...... 67 Structural Overview...... 67 Strike Glossary...... 69 Content Location ...... 70 Adjusting Controls ...... 70
Chapter 8. Strike Quick Start ...... 71 Mixing and Recording Strike in Pro Tools ...... 75
Chapter 9. Strike Controls ...... 79 Keyboard Section ...... 79 Main Page ...... 81 Style Page ...... 85 Kit Page ...... 87 Mix Page ...... 90 Style Editor ...... 94 Configuration Window...... 97 MIDI Controller Mapping ...... 98 Changing Time Signatures...... 99 About Box ...... 99
Chapter 10. Strike Signal Flow and Effects ...... 101 Strike Mix Page Signal Flow ...... 101 Strike Insert Effects ...... 102
Chapter 11. Strike Styles ...... 105
Part IV Structure
Chapter 12. Structure Overview ...... 111 Main Sections ...... 111 Structure File Types ...... 114 Importing Third Party Sample Libraries...... 116 The Editor Window ...... 117 MIDI Learn...... 118 Adjusting Controls ...... 118 iv A.I.R. Virtual Instruments Guide Chapter 13. Structure Quick Start...... 121 Inserting Structure On a Pro Tools Instrument Track ...... 121 Basic Operation ...... 122 Playing, Mixing, and Recording Structure in Pro Tools ...... 127 Using Structure on Multichannel (Greater-Than-Stereo) Tracks ...... 131
Chapter 14. Structure Controls ...... 133 Keyboard Section ...... 133 Patch List...... 135 Part List ...... 138 Sub-Patch...... 140 Main Page ...... 142 Patch Parameter Sub-Pages...... 142 Sampler Part Parameter Sub-Pages ...... 145 Effects Page ...... 151 Database Page ...... 153 Browser Page ...... 154 Setup Page...... 155 Editor Window ...... 158 Treeview Section ...... 159 Mapping Section ...... 160 Edit Section ...... 162
Chapter 15. Structure Audio Effects ...... 169 Amp Mod Effects...... 170 Chorus Effects...... 171 Delay Effects ...... 172 Distortion Effects...... 173 Dynamics Effects ...... 173 EQ Effects ...... 174 Flanger Effects ...... 175 Phaser Effects ...... 176 Reverb Effects ...... 176 Tools (for Surround)...... 179
Chapter 16. Structure MIDI Processors ...... 181 Rex Player ...... 181 Alternation Control ...... 182 Controller To Note ...... 182 MIDI Transformer ...... 183 Tuning Scale...... 183
Contents v Chapter 17. Structure Key Commands ...... 185
Chapter 18. Structure Patch List ...... 187
Part V Transfuser
Chapter 19. Transfuser Overview ...... 195 Browser Pane ...... 196 Info Pane...... 196 Tracks Pane...... 196 Editor Pane ...... 197 Controller Section...... 197 Master Section...... 197
Chapter 20. Transfuser Quick Start ...... 199 Inserting Transfuser on a Pro Tools Instrument Track...... 199 Test Drive Transfuser ...... 200 Basic Operation ...... 201 Digging Deeper ...... 202
Chapter 21. Configuring Transfuser for Performance ...... 209 Assigning MIDI Control ...... 209 Controller Section...... 210 Configuring the Smart Knobs...... 212 Configuring Note Range Control...... 213 Configuring the Trigger Pads ...... 214 Bussing and Mixing in Transfuser...... 215 Showing and Hiding Panes in Transfuser ...... 216 Adjusting the Transfuser Plug-In Window Height ...... 216 Transfuser Preferences ...... 217
Chapter 22. Using Transfuser in Pro Tools ...... 219 Routing MIDI to Transfuser ...... 219 Mixing and Recording Transfuser in Pro Tools ...... 222 Pro Tools File Management with Transfuser ...... 224
vi A.I.R. Virtual Instruments Guide Chapter 23. Transfuser Tracks and Modules ...... 225 Browser ...... 225 Transfuser Tracks ...... 227 Creating, Saving, and Loading Modules ...... 231 Copying and Pasting Track Modules ...... 232 Enabling/Disabling Modules...... 232 Sequencer Modules...... 232 Synth Modules ...... 234 Effects Module ...... 236 Mix Module...... 236 Master Section ...... 237
Chapter 24. Transfuser Track Automation...... 241 Track Automation Controls...... 241 Automation Events ...... 242 Configuring Automation Lanes ...... 243
Chapter 25. Transfuser Sequencer Editors ...... 245 Drum Sequencer Editor ...... 246 Phrase Sequencer Editor ...... 253 Slice Sequencer Editor...... 259 Using M.A.R.I.O...... 264 Sequencer Patterns...... 264
Chapter 26. Transfuser Synth Editors ...... 269 Drums Synth Editor ...... 270 Phrase Synth Editor...... 276 Slicer Synth Editor...... 281 Bass Synth Editor ...... 286 Input Synth Editor ...... 287
Contents vii Chapter 27. Transfuser Effects Editors ...... 289 Inserting Effects ...... 289 Beatcutter ...... 291 Chorus ...... 293 Compressor ...... 294 Delay ...... 296 Distortion ...... 298 Enhancer...... 300 Filter ...... 301 Flanger ...... 303 Gater ...... 305 Kill EQ ...... 308 Lo-Fi ...... 309 Maximizer ...... 311 Multi Delay ...... 312 Para EQ...... 315 Phaser ...... 317 Pumper ...... 319 Reverb ...... 321 Spring Reverb ...... 323 Tape Delay ...... 324 Tube Drive ...... 326 Vinyl ...... 327
Part VI Velvet
Chapter 28. Velvet Overview ...... 331 Structural Overview...... 331 Content Location ...... 333 Adjusting Parameters ...... 334
Chapter 29. Velvet Controls ...... 335 Piano Front Panel...... 335 Setup Section ...... 337 Preamp, EQ, and FX Section ...... 340 FX (Effects) Section ...... 341 MIDI Controller Mapping ...... 342
Chapter 30. Velvet Signal Flow, Effects, and MIDI Mappings ...... 343 Velvet Signal Flow ...... 343 Velvet Insert Effects ...... 344 Default MIDI Controller Assignments ...... 348
Chapter 31. Velvet Patch List ...... 351
Index ...... 355 viii A.I.R. Virtual Instruments Guide Part I: Introduction
Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome to the A.I.R. (Advanced Instrument Research) Vir- tual Instruments RTAS® (Real Time AudioSuite) plug-ins for System Requirements and Pro Tools® systems. These plug-ins provide versatile and pow- Compatibility erful virtual instruments and effects for creating music and To use A.I.R. Virtual Instrument plug-ins, you need the sound design in Pro Tools. following: The Pro Tools Instrument Expansion Pack includes all of these • An iLok USB Smart Key (not included) plug-ins in one easy to install bundle, and also includes an • An iLok.com account for managing iLok licenses extensive library (32 GB) of high-quality professional sample content. • One of the following: • A qualified Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools LE, or Pro Tools A.I.R. Virtual Instrument Plug-Ins M-Powered system • A qualified Pro Tools system and a third-party software • Hybrid v1.6 high-definition synthesizer application that supports the RTAS plug-in standard • Strike v1.5 virtual drummer • DVD drive for Installation disc (boxed version of plug-in • Structure v1.1 professional sampler workstation only) • Transfuser v1.3 real-time loop, phrase, and groove cre- ation workstation • Internet access for software activation and registration pur- poses • Velvet v1.3 vintage electric pianos Avid can only assure compatibility and provide support for Sample Rate and Channel Format Support hardware and software it has tested and approved. A.I.R. Virtual Instrument plug-ins support 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, For complete system requirements and a list of qualified com- 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, and 192 kHz sample rates de- puters, operating systems, hard drives, and third-party de- pending on the capabilities of your Pro Tools system. vices, visit www.avid.com/compatibility.
Control Surface Support A.I.R. Virtual Instrument plug-ins support MIDI controller Registering Your Plug-Ins mapping and can be operated from the following control sur- faces: Your plug-in purchase is automatically registered when you • 003® activate your iLok license (see “Authorizing Plug-Ins” on • Digi 002® page 6). ® • Command|8 Registered users are eligible to receive software update and up- •C|24™ grade notices. • D-Command® For information on technical support, visit www.avid.com. • D-Control® •M-Audio® Axiom® Pro • Mackie HUI™-compatible controllers
Chapter 1: Introduction 3 Working with Plug-Ins About www.avid.com
See the Pro Tools Reference Guide for general information on The Avid website (www.avid.com) is your best online source working with plug-ins, including: for information to help you get the most out of your Pro Tools • Inserting plug-ins on tracks system. The following are just a few of the services and fea- • Using clip indicators tures available. • Navigating the Plug-In window Product Registration Register your purchase online. • Adjusting plug-in controls Support and Downloads Contact Avid Customer Success (tech- • Automating plug-ins nical support); download software updates and the latest on- • Using plug-in presets line manuals; browse the Compatibility documents for system • Monitoring and recording audio from instrument requirements; search the online Knowledge Base or join the plug-ins worldwide Pro Tools community on the User Conference. • Routing MIDI to Instrument plug-ins Training and Education Study on your own using courses avail- able online or find out how you can learn in a classroom set- ting at a certified Pro Tools training center. Conventions Used in This Guide Products and Developers Learn about Avid products; down- All of our guides use the following conventions to indicate load demo software or learn about our Development Partners menu choices and key commands: and their plug-ins, applications, and hardware. : Convention Action News and Events Get the latest news from Avid or sign up for a Pro Tools demo. File > Save Choose Save from the File menu
Control+N Hold down the Control key and press the N key
Control-click Hold down the Control key and click the mouse button
Right-click Click with the right mouse button
The names of Commands, Options, and Settings that appear on-screen are in a different font.
The following symbols are used to highlight important information:
User Tips are helpful hints for getting the most from your system.
Important Notices include information that could affect your data or the performance of your system.
Shortcuts show you useful keyboard or mouse shortcuts.
Cross References point to related sections in this guide and other Pro Tools guides.
4 A.I.R. Virtual Instruments Guide Chapter 2: Installation and Authorization
Downloading and Installing Plug-Ins and Installing A.I.R. Virtual Instrument Content from the Web Plug-Ins If you purchase the Pro Tools Instrument Expansion Pack on- The Pro Tools Instrument Expansion Pack (which includes line, be sure to download all of the plug-in installers and asso- all of the A.I.R. Virtual Instrument plug-ins and associated ciated content. If you purchase only a single instrument content) is available for purchase both as a boxed version and plug-in online, you only need to download the installer and online. You can also purchase individual plug-ins separately associated content for that plug-in. online. Instructions for installing each type follow. To download and install the A.I.R. Virtual Instrument plug-ins and Installing the Boxed Version of the Pro Tools associated content: Instrument Expansion Pack 1 Purchase and download the plug-in installer and associated content from the DigiStore website: To install the A.I.R. Virtual Instrument plug-ins: •On Mac: 1 Insert the Pro Tools Instrument Expansion Pack Install • Install Hybrid.dmg Disc 1 into your computer. • Install Strike Disc 1.dmg 2 Double-click the Installer application: (Contains Install Strike.mpkg, Content & all PDFs) • Install Strike Disc 2.dmg Mac Pro Tools Instrument Expansion Pack.mpkg • Install Strike Disc 3.dmg Windows Pro Tools Instrument Expansion Pack.exe • Install Strike Disc 4.dmg • Install Structure Disc 1.dmg 3 Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installa- (Contains Install Structure.mpkg, Content & all PDFs) tion of the plug-ins, patch files, and content. • Install Structure Disc 2.dmg 4 When installation is complete, click Close (Mac) or Finish • Install Structure Disc 3.dmg (Windows). • Install Structure Disc 4.dmg • Install Structure Disc 5.dmg • Install Transfuser.dmg (also contains Transfuser Content) • Install Velvet.dmg (also contains Velvet Content) •On Windows: • Hybrid Setup.zip • Strike.zip (Contains Strike Setup.exe & all PDFs) •Strike Content 1.zip •Strike Content 2.zip •Strike Content 3.zip • Structure.zip (Contains Structure Setup.exe & all PDFs) • Structure Content 1.zip • Structure Content 2.zip • Structure Content 3.zip • Structure Content 4.zip • Structure Content 5.zip • Transfuser Setup.zip (also contains Transfuser Content) • Velvet Setup.zip (also contains Velvet Content)
Chapter 2: Installation and Authorization 5 2 After downloading, make sure the installer is uncompressed (.dmg on Mac or .ZIP on Windows). Do the one following: Authorizing Plug-Ins
• On Mac, open the disc images of the installer and content Software is authorized using the iLok USB Smart Key (iLok), folders for each individual plug-in, and then run the in- manufactured by PACE Anti-Piracy. staller applications for each plug-in: • Install Hybrid.mpkg • Install Strike.mpkg • Install Structure.mpkg • Install Transfuser.mpkg • Install Velvet.mpkg iLok USB Smart Key – or – An iLok can hold over 100 licenses for all of your iLok-enabled • On Windows, unzip the installer and content folders for software. Once a license for a given piece of software is placed each individual plug-in, and then run the installer applica- on an iLok, you can use the iLok to authorize that software on tions for each plug-in: any computer. • Hybrid Setup.exe • Strike Setup.exe An iLok USB Smart Key is not supplied with plug-ins or • Structure Setup.exe software options. You can use the iLok included with certain Pro Tools systems (such as Pro Tools|HD-series • Transfuser Setup.exe systems), or purchase one separately. • Velvet Setup.exe
3 Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installa- Authorizing Downloaded Software tion of the plug-ins, patch files, and content. If you downloaded software from the Avid Store 4 When installation is complete, click Close (Mac) or Finish (http://shop.avid.com), you authorize it by downloading a (Windows). license from iLok.com to an iLok.
For more information, visit the iLok website Location of Plug-Ins and Content (www.iLok.com). The Installer copies the plug-ins files to the following location:
Mac Library/Application Support/Digidesign/Plug-Ins
Windows Program Files\Common Files\Digidesign\ DAE\Plug-Ins
By default, the Installer copies the plug-in content to the following location:
Mac /Applications/Digidesign/AIR Content
Windows Program Files\Digidesign\AIR Content
You can specify where you want to install content during the installation process.
6 A.I.R. Virtual Instruments Guide Authorizing Boxed Versions of Software Managing Content If you purchased a boxed version of software, it comes with an (Strike, Structure, Transfuser, and Velvet Only) Activation Code (on the included Activation Card). Several A.I.R. Virtual Instrument plug-ins include a significant To authorize software using an Activation Code: amount of content (samples). Because of this, you may want 1 If you do not have an iLok.com account, visit to keep this content on a drive other than your system drive. www.iLok.com and sign up for an account. The plug-in installer will prompt you to specify where you want to install the content during installation. 2 Transfer the license for your software to your iLok.com account by doing the following: If you want to move any, or all, of the content after installa- • Visit www.avid.com/activation. tion, you can either re-install the plug-in, specifying a differ- ent installation path for the content, or move the content – and – manually. If you move the content manually, you will need to • Input your Activation Code (listed on your Activation set the new content location for each plug-in. Card) and your iLok.com User ID. Your iLok.com User ID is the name you create for your iLok.com account. The following A.I.R. Virtual Instrument plug-ins include content: 3 Transfer the licenses from your iLok.com account to your iLok USB Smart Key by doing the following: Strike See “Content Location” on page 70. • Insert the iLok into an available USB port on your Structure See “Content Settings” on page 157. computer. • Go to www.iLok.com and log in. Transfuser See “Content Location” on page 218. • Follow the on-screen instructions for transferring your Velvet See “Content Location” on page 333. licences to your iLok.
For more information, visit the iLok website (www.iLok.com).
4 Launch Pro Tools.
5 If you have any unauthorized software installed, you are prompted to authorize it. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the authorization process.
Chapter 2: Installation and Authorization 7 Windows Vista and Windows 7 Removing Plug-Ins To remove a plug-in: If you need to remove a plug-in from your system, follow the instructions below for your computer platform. 1 Choose Start > Control Panel.
2 Under Programs, click Uninstall a program. Mac OS X 3 Select the plug-in from the list of installed applications. On Mac, individual plug-ins and any associated content need to be removed manually. 4 Click Uninstall. 5 Follow the on-screen instructions to remove the plug-in and To remove a plug-in: any associated content. You will be given the option to retain 1 Locate and open the Plug-Ins folder on your Startup drive associated user data, such as Strike Kits, Mixes, and Transfuser (Library/Application Support/Digidesign/Plug-Ins). User Tracks.
2 Do one of the following: Windows XP • Drag the plug-in to the Trash and empty the Trash. – or – To remove a plug-in and any associated content: • Drag the plug-in to the Plug-Ins (Unused) folder. 1 Choose Start > Control Panel.
2 Add or Remove Programs To remove plug-in content: Double-click .
1 Locate the Plug-In Content folder on your system (this 3 Select the plug-in you want to uninstall from the list of in- could be on your system drive or another drive). The Content stalled applications. folder for each plug-in is named after the plug-in (for example, 4 Click Remove. the Content folder for Strike is named “Strike”). 5 Follow the on-screen instructions to remove the plug-in and 2 Drag the Plug-In Content folder to the Trash. any associated content. You will be given the option to retain 3 Empty the Trash. associated user data, such as Strike Kits, Mixes, and Transfuser User Tracks.
8 A.I.R. Virtual Instruments Guide Part II: Hybrid
Chapter 3: Hybrid Overview
Hybrid is an RTAS synthesizer plug-in that uses a combination of classic subtractive and digital wavetable synthesis. Hybrid Overview
Hybrid is not multi-timbral—one instance is assigned to Parts and Presets one MIDI channel and consists of two complete sound generation units (or parts). Each part has individual Mix, Hybrid provides two synthesizer elements per instance, Part A Arpeggiator, and Modulation settings. and Part B. Each part is a complex sound generating unit, fol- lowing the principles of subtractive synthesis. You can save single parts on the Presets page. The two parts can be used as Synthesis Overview velocity layers, keyboard splits, or spread across the stereo field to add width, depth, and complexity to a sound.
Subtractive Synthesis All settings of Hybrid can be saved as a single plug-in setting file, or preset. Dating back to the first hardware analog synthesizers, subtrac- tive synthesis generates sound with one or more oscillators Refer to the Pro Tools Reference Guide for information on producing electronic waveforms with rich harmonic content. working with plug-in settings files. Successive modules (such as filters and amplifiers) shape this sound by varying the harmonic content and level. Part A and Part B
Complex sounds that vary over time can be made by control- Each Hybrid part generates sound and gives detailed access to ling the oscillator, filter, and amplifier with additional mod- sound parameters like pitch, waveform, tone color, and vol- ules, including Envelope Generators and low frequency oscil- ume. Each part has a step sequencer and two insert effects. lators (LFOs). This is called modulation. Common Page This process of generating and shaping sound is called subtrac- tive synthesis because it deals mainly with removing frequen- The Common page provides controls for the overall pitch and cies from highly harmonic enhanced waveforms. voice management of a patch.
Wavetable Synthesis Effects Page The Effects page contains two insert effects per part and the Wavetable synthesis became popular with the first digitally Master Effects section where you can add global effects. The controlled synthesizers. A wavetable is a file that consists of 64 Master Effects section provides controls for three effects: cho- different single cycle waveforms. A digital oscillator runs rus, delay, and reverb. through these waveforms to create complex and vivid sounds. Wavetable synthesis is usually combined with subtractive syn- thesis for additional sound shaping.
Chapter 3: Hybrid Overview 11 Synthesis Architecture