atomic manual

8/12/2019 Atomic Manual

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AlgoMusic and Boris SynthLabPresents


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AlgoMusic and Boris Synth Lab presents:

Atomic VSTiSequencer tool

Atomic is a 16 step sequencer composing tool with a built in synth that also hasthe ability to control other softsynths or even hardware via its M!"! outfunction# $he design is circular which allows a different approach to composing andsound design

!nspired by circular step sequencers such as the Buchla Arbitrary %unction&enerator and %uture 'etro 'evolution# "edicated to (lectronic Music pioneer AllenStrange )1*+,-.//0#

Features

Sequencer:16 step sequencer in a circular design with , rows2 Seminotes3 4elocity and &ateBPM 'ate with 5 modes including random#Separate rhythm gridAdvanced arpeggiator with separate rate3 5 modes with gate and octave controls#Latch mode for continuous play as well as indevidual step mute#M!"! ut for use in modular hosts which also includes L%s and step modulators tocontrol e7ternal vsts or hardware#

Synth:. scillators with 1+ waveforms including additive partials#Separate phase controls3 and detune and octave tune as well as harmonic tuningmode#48% with + filter types with velocity control#. dedicated envelope generators3 one for amp and one for filter#. L%s3 Sub scillator3 Step Modulator3 'andom &enerator3 and 9eyboard control with:one and mod wheel assign which includes sequencer controls for step3 and rate#8omprehensive mod matri7#

Effects:;-< delay with separate multimode filters which can be modulated via mod matri7#Spacial stereo reverb

Phaser with wide sweeping range#

Master sectionwith volume3 pan and tuning,. presets by $im 8onrardy and Boris 9#CC map for hardware M!"! =nob controllers#


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Installation>narchive to your 4S$ directory# !t is best to have it in its own folder# Be sure to rescanyour 4S$ folder in your host as well#

Demo Restrictions$he demo is restricted by a voice-over every ,/ seconds or so3 as well as M!"! outdisabled

uic! start guide1#8lic=ing on the Synt button at the top toggles between sequencer view and synthview#.# 8lic=ing on the outside grill by the step numbers allows you to select which stepyou want# Alternately3 you can clic= on the 9eyb mod dialog which brings up a viewfor =eyboard and mod wheel control# 8lic=ing by the mod wheel brings up anotherdialog which allows you to select step3 rate and other controls for mod wheelcontrol#,# 8lic=ing on any of the Mod dialogs brings up the selected mod as well as the modmatri7#+# 8lic=ing on the actual ?ac= graphic under Midi ut brings up the M!"! >$dialog# 8lic=ing on the little green arrow activates M!"! out##8lic=ing on the 8h-/1dialog brings up a selection of M!"! channels for M!"! out#5# $urning the Seq 'ate control all the way until the green arrow lights up 3brings up another grid which allows you to enter specific rhythms for the sequencer#6# $o mute a step3 clic= into the steps corresponding L(" so it turns red##$his turns the&ate on and off#@# $o ma=e the sequencer latch3 select a note on your M!"! =eyboard3 and hold it

down# $hen deselect the 9ey button# $his will latch it# $o ta=e it off latch3activate 9ey3 and select the same note again#0# $o see the About3 clic= on the Atomic label#

"resetsAtomic only comes with ,. presets for a reason# Since Atomic is a composing tool3 wedont want to do the composing for you3 but show different ways in which Atomic can beused for your own composing needs# e have also supplied a blan= ban= which we hopewill be the most used# By loading this ban=3 all the presets are set to a default so you cancreate your own presets and compositions#


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#omposing $ith AtomicAtomic and other step sequencers are considered as composer tools# $he user inputs theirown notes for use in a composition or as a bac=ground when playing live##

ere are some tips on how to compose your own sequences using Atomic#

RealTime composing.$his is perhaps the best way3 as it allows you to hear the results as you areentering the notes#

1# Select only , steps3 and set the rate to a slower space3 so you can hear eachnote as it progresses#.# ave the first step start at / position3 as you can always change =eys byselecting another =ey note on your midi =eyboard#,# hile the sequencer is running3 move the =nobs for step . and , until you get apleasing result to your own ears#+# Select the ne7t step3 and tune the note in the same way# 8ontinue adding andtuning each note in this way until you have as many notes as you need# f course3you can go all the way to 16 steps3 but sometimes even + or 0 steps will do itC

$o ma=e this easier3 you could also use a M!"! =nob bo7 )such as the M-Audio >8-,,or another type of =nob bo7 and starting on 8c163 and upwards for each step3 youcan use real =nobs to tune it as the sequencer is running# $his is perhaps the mostfun way to do it3 as it will feel li=e real hardware#

Another method which especially wor=s well with a =nob bo7 is to select all 16steps3 and then mute all steps so they are off )8lic= into the steps corresponding L(" so it

turns red# See sequencer section Start the sequencer and then start turning =nobs so theycome on and tune it intuitively#

Another fun realtime composing method is select only + to 6 steps3 and have themrunning# $hen3 turn the seminote =nobs constantly to change the sequence as it is running3while also recording the movements in your sequencer3 or capturing the audio as it isplaying#

StepTime composing$his is a technique in which you set the notes without actually running thesequencer until you are through completing your sequence# %or this to wor=3 you

need to translate semi notes to actual notes# ere is a translation table2


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Semitone Translation Table-.+ 81 1 8D,-., 8D1 . ",-.. "1 , "D,

-.1 "D1 + (,-./ (1 5 %,-1* %1 6 %D,-10 %D1 @ &,-1@ &1 0 &D,-16 &D1 * A,-15 A1 1/ AD,-1+ AD1 11 B,-1, B1 1. 8+-1. 8. 1, 8D+-11 8D. 1+ "+-1/ ". 15 "D+-* "D. 16 (+-0 (. 1@ %+-@ %. 10 %D+-6 %D. 1* &+-5 &. ./ &D+-+ &D. .1 A+-, A. .. AD+-. AD. ., B+-1 B. .+ 85/ 8,

3 you can try several instances of Atomic3 allrunning at once for polyryhmic effects and composition# Since everything is BPMsynced3 you can synchroni:e several instances together for a very detailed sound#

Modular Hosts and tomic

>sing Modular hosts such as (nergy;$3 Plogue Bidule3 8hainer3 the rac= system in$rac=tion3 and others3 it is possible to use the M!"! out function to control othersoftsynths#

!n a modular host3 you will see a M!"! out control coming from the icon of Atomicwhich you can connect to other 4S$s you have in the chain# !t is also possible to use theL%Es and step gate in Atomic to control other synths in this way as well# See the M!"!menu where you can select functions and M!"! channels to control other softsynths


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as well as hardware synths when using the M!"! >$ as output going from yourcomputer to your hardware devices#


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Descriptions

!" Step sequencer: the heart of tomic

$hree rows of 16 steps#'ow one )large =nobs is for tuning the actual notes used and are quanti:ed tosemitones to ma=e the the ?ob easier# $he middle position is / ) :ero# &oing tothe right will be positive semitones3 while going left will be negative semitones#$he actual =ey note is dependent on what note you have pressed on your M!"!=eyboard controller#So if you have middle 8 pressed down3 your sequence will be inthe =ey of 8 )more lessC

MutingMuting3 or turning off a step is accomplished by clic=ing on the steps corrspondingL(" ring# $he L(" indicator will turn red# $his turns the &ate on and off# $his functionis good for real time sequencing#

$he ne7t row of 16 steps is velocity# e decided to use velocity3 as you can have

several functions on a synth that are velocity controlled3 such as filter cutoff aswell as volume3 or any other function that uses 4elocity as a controller type# $hisis also useful when controlling other synths via the M!"! out function#

$he last row is the gate time# Bringing it lower achieves an almost staccatoeffect3 while turning fully cloc=wise achieves ?ust the opposite#


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Sequencer ControlsAt the top are the actual controls for the sequencer# $here are two sections2 Arp

mode and main sequencer mode as well as master tempo#

$he main sequencer control)righthas a master rate )BPM synced with 5 modes ofplaying the sequencer2

G %orwardH Bac=wardHG Bac=ward-%orwardGH %orward-Bac=ward'nd 'andom

#uttons&reen arrows2)by the $empo displayG selects internal BPM as indicated on the $empo display#H selects an e7ternal source which is the hosts BPM cloc= #Select this if you wantall your sequences to be BPM synced to other material you are composing with yourhost#

S(I2 button2 turns on and off the sequencer so you can use the synth only3 or theArpegiator only#)see hintbelowS


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and you can play other notes on your M!"! =eyboard to change =eys3 and releasing anote will ma=e to go bac= to the original =ey you started on# A useful composingtric=#

.# !f you are using a host that has a transport )play3 stop3 record3 ect ta=e itoff 9(< and then select play on your hosts transport# selecting stop will ta=eit off latch mode# owever3 using this method3 only 8, will be selected as the =eynote#

An alternate way to latch is simply to have 9(< on3 and depress your sustainpedal on your M!"! 9eyboard to =eep the sequencer running#

Custom Tempo$s

Bring the 'ate control fully cloc=wise until the indicator turns a red color3 thenclic= on the green arrow button# $his brings up another screen for actuallycreating your own tempo maps# $here are + rows of 16 steps in which to input yourown tempo map# Play the 8ustom 'ym patch as an e7ample#

rp Mode

$his operates ?ust li=e the main sequencer rate controls with rate3 5 modes ofoperation as well as a global &ate control# $here are also octave transposeselections# $he notes of the sequencer are actually the notes used for the arpeggiationprocesss# By using different rates on the Arp and main sequencer modes3 you cancreate polyrythmic effects and interesting rhythms as well#

Hint:if you turn off the sequencer by selecting the S(I button so it is un-highlighted3you can then turn on the Arp function and use it as a standard arpeggiator# $he notesused for the arp will be the chords you hold down on your M!"! =eyboard#


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Synth Section

The synth %ie& is acti%ated by selecting the S'(T button.

T&o oscillators.8enter =nobs are the waveform selections for scillators A and B#1+ waveforms each# )Square3 Saw3 'amp3 Pea='amp3 Soft'amp3 Sine and0 harmonic waveforms#4olume and pan# !f the 4olume is at :ero3 the synth is in off position#&lide )Portamento time control#ctave ) K and - . octaves

"etune )Sets the amount of detuning #Analog )Analog "rift "epth heat variation in Analogue synths#Phase )offset of the phase#'ange B )


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En%elopes$he envelopes are standard A"S' type# )Attac=3 "ecay3 Sustain3 'eleaseSelecting the green arrow button on the right will page you to the dedicated %ilter

envelope#Selecting the green arrow button on the left will page you to the dedicated Amp(nvelope#

Modulation$he modulation section is on the bottom left under Mod# Selecting one of themodulation types will bring up a display showing the controls for that particularmodulation as well as a modulation matri7# $hese include2

L*+! and L*+,

Sync selections2 triggering for start position can be selected from three sources2

9ey) =eyboard Seq ) Sequencer or %ree )continuous

'ate3) speed phase3 shift and level controls are provided# $here are also +waveform selections2 Sine3 saw3 squarepulse and random as well as nff button#!f a modulator is not wor=ing3 be sure to chec= that it is onC

ther notes2 if 'andwave is select the Phase=nob will wor= as a Smooth control#!f Pulsewave is selected the Phase =nob will wor= as P )pulse width


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Sub +scillator8an wor= as modulator or oscillator )with output on filter9ey2 selection to have the oscillator follow the =eyboard or not#Low2 uses sub frequencies3 such as an L%# ) lowered 5 octaves$rans)pose2 -@octK@oct3!t can also wor= as Joise by selecting $ranspose to a lower frequencyNPM2 pulse modulation2 $he Phase =nob can also wor= as Smooth and color by turningoff the low button#>$2 level out#

+ waveforms2 sine3 saw3 Squarepulse and random#

Step

A simple step grid for gating effects with 5 modes) same as sequencer controlswith its own rate control#

R(-$his is a gaterandom generator#A new random number is generated every time there is a pulse)as pulse can be used for =ey-gate or sub-osc#'andom ratio2 >se different values to vary the random sequences#8ontrols include 9ey)board and Sub) oscillator modes# Low and i rangeselections used to set the random output range#$here are also 'atio and smoo)thcontrols#


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eyb /eyboard0Oones2 selecting to the far right or left of the bar above the =eyboard displayactually allows you to select a :one of the =eyboard to play the sequencer# $his isuseful in a live situation in which you can have Atomic :oned to the far left ofthe =eyboard to control sequences3 and another vst assigned to the other side ofthe =eyboard for leads or chord wor=#

Modulation &heel assign.

clic=ing on the none display right ne7t to the mod wheel allows you to selectfrom a number of modulation points for the mod wheel to control# A fun one is the Kor - Steps which allow you to change the number of steps on the fly while thesequencer is playing# Selecting 'ate is also e7cellent as well# $here are K and -selections so you can choose how the mod wheel will control the parameters#

Mod Matri1

8enter position is no effect or :ero amount# going to the right is positivepercent3 while to the left is negative percent#

Slot 1-+ - mono modulators )L%-13. and Step ModSlot 5-0 - poly modulators )Sub sc3 'and and 9ey $rac=


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%&&ects

(ffect are selected from the top right# $here are mi7 controls ne7t to each effect#

"(L2 "elay

$his is a stereo delay unit with modulatable Multi-filter controls#"elay A and B are identical in these ways2

Separate BPM synced rate controls# 8lic=ing on the fractions by rate reveals apull-down list of selections for different BPM rates#Level)center bar and feedbac= ) outer slider as well dampening and panningcontrols are available#

!n the center is a filter section with 1/ filter types as well as cutoff andresonance controls# hat ma=es this unique is that the filter is modulatable withinthe mod matri7# Loo=ing on the mod matri73 you will see destinations for del cutand del res#

RE): Stereo Re%erb'oom Si:e2 8lic=ing the mouse inside the spea=er grid and moving it up and downwill determine the room si:e# $he sliders to the right and left are level controls# in left)synth out3 in right )delay out# Je7t are controls for width3 "mp) "amping Pre) predelay and mi7#


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PS2 Stereo Phaser$he side sliders determine the minimin and ma7imin ranges of the phasing effect#8lic=ing into the circle and moving the mouse up and down will determine the effect

wideness and sound# 8lic=ing into the small center ring will change the phasertypes# Spd)speed and fb= )%eedbac= controls are also provided#

MIDI Section

At the bottom left below the mod section is the M!"! section# 8lic=ing on the thesmall green arrow button activates M!"! out which can be used to control other M!"!devices# ) see modular hosts and Atomic#

'ight below the green arrow button is another dialog which allows you to set theoutgoing M!"! channel#

8lic=ing on the plug graphic actually brings up the M!"! page#

$his has settings that allow some of Atomics modulation modules to modulatee7ternal devices such as softsynths or hardware#

M2-2:"elay# Sets the delay amount for notes coming out# >seful for offsettingother M!"! devices to the master device#


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------------------------------------semi1.st 88D.@ ------------------------------------semi1,st 88D.0 ------------------------------------

semi1+st 88D.* ------------------------------------semi15st 88D,/ ------------------------------------semi16st 88D,1 ------------------------------------velo1st 88D6@ ------------------------------------velo.st 88D60 ------------------------------------velo,st 88D6* ------------------------------------velo+st 88D@/ ------------------------------------velo5st 88D@1 ------------------------------------velo6st 88D@. ------------------------------------velo@st 88D@, ------------------------------------velo0st 88D@+ ------------------------------------velo*st 88D@5

------------------------------------velo1/st 88D@6 ------------------------------------velo11st 88D@@ ------------------------------------velo1.st 88D@0 ------------------------------------velo1,st 88D@* ------------------------------------velo1+st 88D0/ ------------------------------------

velo15st 88D01 ------------------------------------velo16st 88D0. ------------------------------------gate1st 88D0, ------------------------------------gate.st 88D0+ ------------------------------------


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gate,st 88D05 ------------------------------------gate+st 88D06 ------------------------------------gate5st 88D0@

------------------------------------gate6st 88D00 ------------------------------------gate@st 88D0* ------------------------------------gate0st 88D*/ ------------------------------------gate*st 88D*1 ------------------------------------gate1/st 88D*. ------------------------------------gate11st 88D*, ------------------------------------gate1.st 88D*+ ------------------------------------gate1,st 88D*5 ------------------------------------gate1+st 88D*6 ------------------------------------gate15st 88D*@ ------------------------------------gate16st 88D1/. ------------------------------------

rateseq 88D1/, ------------------------------------modeseq 88D1/+ ------------------------------------stepsseq 88D1/5 ------------------------------------cutoff 88D1/6 ------------------------------------reso 88D1/@ ------------------------------------detune 88D1/0

------------------------------------waveform osc a 88D1/* ------------------------------------waveform osc b 88D11/ ------------------------------------waveform osc b 88D111 ------------------------------------veloamp 88D11.


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------------------------------------velofilter 88D11, ------------------------------------phase 88D11+ ------------------------------------

envfilter depth 88D115 ------------------------------------waveform L%-1 88D116 ------------------------------------rate L%-1 88D11@ ------------------------------------level L%-1 88D110 ------------------------------------waveform L%-. 88D11* ------------------------------------rate L%-. 88D1./ ------------------------------------level L%-. 88D1.1 ------------------------------------master level 88D@ ------------------------------------master pan 88D1/ ------------------------------------master tune 88D* ------------------------------------delay %; 88D1. ------------------------------------reverb %; 88D1,

------------------------------------phaser %; 88D1+ ------------------------------------


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Dedication

This &or5 is dedicated to Electronic Music 4ioneer llen Strange )1*+, to %eb-.//0

Allen Strange was one of the leading music educators3 pioneering electronic musicin academia# e studied with some of the prominent composers of the twentiethcentury3 such as arry Partch3 9en &aburo and Pauline liveros3 and has wor=ed with"onald Buchla3 who first created the voltage controlled synthesi:er around the sametime as 'obert Moog# e is author of several boo=s including the operation manualsfor the Buchla synthesi:er systems# is boo= (lectronic Music2 Systems3$echniques3 and 8ontrols is still widely sought for its clarity and non technicalmusical presentation# e was also the president of the !nternational 8omputer MusicAssociation#

4ersonal note

!n college3) "eAn:a in 8upertino3 8alifornia3 >SA ! too= the electronic music coursewhich was then taught by Allen# ! came into the class not =nowing a filter from anenvelope# After a year3 he recommended me as tutor for the class# ! also too= privatelessons from him# ne of his methods was to bring me in his room full of Buchla synths3unplug all the patch cables3 hand them to me3 then leave the roomC


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Credits

tomic Copyright lgoMusic ,778

http:99&&&.algomusic.net

Concept: Tim Conrardy-esign: #oris 4resets: Tim Conrardy and #oris Manual: Tim ConrardyCustom Modules: -a%id Haupt.+ther modules : Chris erry3 ttila *ustos3 elly LynchSynthEdit by eff McClintoc5

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