Alphalive-Reference-Manual-English
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1 contents. 3.8.4 Layouts 22 3.8.5 Sequences 22 1. Introduction 3 3.8.6 Effects 22 1.1 Overview 4 3.8.7 Mode Presets 22 1.2 Hardware-Software Communication 4 3.9 Global Clock 23 1.3 Using This Manual 4 3.10 Scene Component 23 1.4 Minimum System Requirements 4 3.11 Other 24 1.5 Licensing and Disclaimer 5 3.12 Elite Controls 24 2. Installation/Uninstallation/Updating 6 3.13 Pad Behaviour Modes 25 3. Using AlphaLive 8 3.14 MIDI Pressure Modes 25 3.1 Concept 9 3.15 Effects 26 3.2 Functionality Overview 9 3.15.1 Gain and Pan 26 3.3 Interface Overview 10 3.15.2 Filters 26 3.4 Common Controls 10 3.15.3 Distortion 26 3.5 Pad Layout 11 3.15.4 Bitcrusher 27 3.5.1 Selecting Pads 11 3.15.5 Delay 27 3.5.2 Visual Feedback 11 3.15.6 Reverb 27 3.5.3 Emulating Pad Presses 11 3.15.7 Flanger/Phaser 27 3.6 Pad Settings 12 3.15.8 Tremolo 27 3.6.1 MIDI Mode 13 3.16 Menu Bar 28 3.6.2 Sampler Mode 14 3.16.1 Preferences 29 3.6.3 Sequencer Mode 15 3.16.1.1 Audio Output Settings 29 3.6.3.1 MIDI Sequencer Mode 17 3.16.1.2 General Settings 30 3.6.3.2 Audio Sequencer Mode 18 3.16.2 Project Settings 30 3.6.3.3 Recording Sequences 18 4. FAQ/Troubleshooting 31 3.6.3.4 Importing/Exporting MIDI Files 19 5. Contact/Support 32 3.6.4 Controller Mode 20 6. Glossary 33 3.6.5 Global Pad Settings 21 6.1 MIDI 34 3.7 Piano 21 6.2 Open Sound Control 35 3.7.1 MIDI Mode 21 6.3 Other 35 3.7.2 Sequencer Mode 21 7. Credits 35 3.8 Toolbox 22 8. Appendix 36 3.8.1 Samples 22 8.1 Note Layout Arrangements 37 3.8.2 Banks 22 8.2 GM Drum Mapping 40 3.8.3 Scales 22 8.3 Open Sound Control Address Naming Scheme 40 2 introduction. 3 overview. AlphaLive, access to a third party DAW (Digital Audio requirements. minimum system Workstation), MIDI Sequencer, or MIDI instrument AlphaLive is the AlphaSphere’s official software software is recommended. application that allows you to program the device into an expressive musical instrument and controller. The On Mac OS X, when launching AlphaLive without software lets you apply a range of modes and settings the AlphaSphere connected it will create a virtual to pads individually or within groups, ultimately MIDI device called ‘AlphaLive’. This will allow you to Mac OSX allowing you to set up the instrument to a highly send MIDI messages directly from AlphaLive to your customised level. MIDI sequencing software without the need of the • Mac Intel machine running OS X 10.5 or later AlphaSphere device. • 2 GHz or faster An overview of its main features: • 1GB RAM or above On Windows, virtual MIDI devices are not supported • 50MB of free HD space (an extra 1GB for • Functions as a MIDI mapping editor, sampler, directly within the operation system. However sample library) sequencer, and Open Sound Control converter. when launching AlphaLive without the AlphaSphere • Map notes over the ‘sphere using notational scales connected it will provide you with the option to and arrangements. connect AlphaLive to a MIDI output device. You can • Infinitely programmable - Mix and match settings then use virtual MIDI port software (such as loopMIDI) to the pads either individually or within custom to route the output of AlphaLive to the input of your groups. MIDI sequencing software. • As a MIDI device the AlphaSphere can be programmed to be a polyphonic aftertouch- If the device is connected later on in the session, the enabled, multichannel instrument. virtual MIDI device or the MIDI output port will be removed and all MIDI communication will be done • Attractive and intuitive interface - Apply settings Windows easily using features such as drag-and-drop, though the AlphaSphere. presets, sample banks and premade sequence arrangements. • Windows XP SP3 or later • Perfect for live performance - Boasts features such using this manual. • 2 GHz or faster as playback quantization, easy scene-switching, • 1GB RAM or above and realtime visual feedback for each pad. This manual will tell you everything you need to • 50MB of free HD space (an extra 1GB for • Contains a set of filters and effects that can be know about using AlphaLive and interfacing the sample library) used to modulate individual samples in realtime. AlphaSphere with any MIDI or OSC compatible • Supports the ASIO (recommended), Direct software. The main section of this manual looks at Sound, and WASAPI audio drivers/platforms. each part of AlphaLive’s user interface and describes in If your sound card does not have native ASIO depth what its function is and what each of its controls support, you can try out ASIO4ALL – The hardware/software do. At the end of the manual there is a Glossary that Universal ASIO Driver For Windows Driver describes a number of terms and jargon that appear Model Audio. communication. throughout this document, as well as an Appendix that contains a number of diagrams and tables of Computers that do not satisfy these system When the AlphaSphere is plugged into a computer information that you may want to refer to often. it will be recognized as a standard USB MIDI device. requirements will not guarantee full functionality. Currently AlphaLive is used to generate the actual Higher system specifications will be required if you plan MIDI messages therefore AlphaLive will always to use a large amount of AlphaLive’s CPU-extensive features such as audio effects and sequences. To get need to be open for the AlphaSphere to send MIDI the most out of the AlphaSphere and AlphaLive, access data. To get the most out of the AlphaSphere and to a third party DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), MIDI Sequencer, or MIDI instrument software is recommended 4 licensing and disclaimer. AlphaLive is an open source application released under the GNU General Public License version 2.0. The AlphaSphere firmware is open source under the GNU General Public License version 3.0. The source code for both is available at https://github.com/nu- desine. The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of nu desine. ASIO, VSTi, and Cubase are registered trademarks of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. RTAS and Pro Tools are registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc., or its subsidiaries or divisions. Mac, Mac OS X, Quartz Composer, Logic Pro and Audio Units are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. Windows, Windows XP, Windows 7, DirectSound and WASAPI are registered trademarks of Microsoft. Digital Performer is a registered trademark of Mark Of The Unicorn (MOTU). Reaktor is a registered trademark of Native Instruments GmbH. REAPER is a registered trademark of Cockos Incorporated. VirtualDJ is a registered trademark of Atomix Productions. Max/ MSP is a registered trademark of Cycling ’74. Ableton Live is a registered trademark of Ableton Inc. Reason is a registered trademark of Propellerhead Software. FL Studio is a registered trademark of Image-Line. Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation. All other product and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. 5 installation / uninstallation. 6 installation. uninstallation. You do not need to manually install any drivers before connecting the AlphaSphere to To uninstall AlphaLive, on Mac OS X delete the your computer for the first time. On Windows when you initially connect the device AlphaLive folder from your Applications directory, the operating system should automatically install any required drivers. This may or on Windows simply run the ‘uninstall AlphaLive. require an Internet connection and could take a couple of minutes. Also it may alert exe’ file that can be found in the AlphaLive Start you that you need to restart your computer before use. On Mac the AlphaSphere is a Menu folder. You will also need to remove the true plug-and-play device. following files/folders: AlphaLive is easy to install – on Mac OS X simply double click the ‘AlphaLive.dmg’ On Mac OS X: file and drag the containing AlphaLive directory to your Applications folder, or on Windows double click the ‘AlphaLive Installer.exe’ file and follow the onscreen • “[user]/Library/Application Support/AlphaLive” instructions. When the application is run for the first time it will create a folder in your • “[user]/Library/Preferences/com.nu_desine. Documents directory called ‘AlphaLive Projects’, which will be the default location to AlphaLive” save your projects. • “[user]/Library/Caches/AlphaLive”, if it exists. • “[user]/Documents/AlphaLive Projects”, or the Do not move the AlphaLive .app/.exe file out of its parent directory or away from the user chosen project directory. Do not delete other containing files and folders, or manually rename or rearrange any of the folders this directory if you do not want to loose your contents, as this could limit the software’s functionality. projects! There is also no authorization process to run – AlphaLive is free to use without any serial or registration. On Windows XP: On Mac OS X Lion and Mountain Lion there is a feature called Gatekeeper where your • “C:\Documents and Settings\[user]\Application security and privacy settings may alert you that you cannot open AlphaLive because it Data\AlphaLive” is from an “unidentified developer”. There are two ways to resolve this issue: • “C:\Documents and Settings\[user]\Local • Go to System Preferences -> Security & Privacy, and under the ‘General’ tab select Settings\Temp\AlphaLive”, if it exists.