omnisphere2 chapter2 concepts
DESCRIPTION
Descripcion del funcionamiento del sintetizador llamado Omisphere.TRANSCRIPT
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CONCEPTSIntroduction
Omnispherehasbeendesignedtoaccommodateawiderangeofoperations,frombasicinteractionwithFactoryPatchestocomprehensiveandcomplexsounddesign.TheOmnisphereinterfaceprovidesanintuitiveworkflowwhichoffersallthedepthandflexibilityyouneed.
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STEAMEngine
TheSTEAMEngineisthecoretechnologycreatedbytheSpectrasonicsinhousedevelopmentteam,andisusedasthebasisofallSpectrasonicsperformanceinstruments.LikeourcoreS.A.G.E.technology,usedforgroovebasedinstrumentslikeStylusRMX,STEAMcompletesthetechnologytransitionfromearlierperformancevirtualinstrumentsthatwerebasedonthelicensedUVIEngine.
VirtualinstrumentsbuiltwiththemultitimbralSTEAMEngineofferawidevarietyofdevelopmentpossibilitiesinhybridsynthesisandcontrolcapabilities.TheseincludehighresolutionStreamingSamplePlayback,IntegratedFX,VariableWaveshapingsynthesis,Granularsynthesis,FMsynthesis,polyphonicRingModulation,TimbreShifting,andacomprehensiveFlexModmodulationroutingsystem.
TheSTEAMEngineenablesustorespondquicklytochangesintechnology.Ourinstrumentsarefullysupportedacrossindustrychangesandthisflexiblesoftwarepermitsmoreinnovationsandfastertransitionsinthefuture.JustasStylusRMX,basedonS.A.G.E.technology,madeearlycompatibilitywithApple'sIntelMacspossible,newinstrumentsbasedonSTEAMtechnologywillmakefuturetransitionsmucheasierforourcustomers.
UsingSTEAM,newproductsarebeingcreatedfromthegroundupthatsupportSpectrasonics'longtermvisionofthehighestqualitysoundsandthemostmusicallyintuitiveuserexperience.
VirtualinstrumentspoweredbySTEAMhaveunlimitedexpansionpossibilities.Thecoresoftwareisflexibleandopen,allowingsoundstobesharedacrosshostsandcomputerplatforms.NewsoundscanbeaddedtotheCoreLibraryviaPatchandSoundsourceupdates,UserAudioimport,aswellasaSatelliteInstrumentlikeTrilian.Inaddition,allSpectrasonicsvirtualinstrumentsbasedonS.A.G.E.andSTEAMtechnologiescaninteractinmusicallyusefulandinnovativewaysforasmoothercreativeflow.
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CONCEPTSTheMULTI
TheMULTIisatthetopofOmnisphereshierarchyandconsistsofuptoeightParts,togetherwithfourAuxFXRacksandaMasterFXRack.
TheMultiSectioncontainsfourpages:MIXER,FX,LIVEandSTACK.TheseallowaccesstoafullfeaturedMIXER,theMultiFX,andtwoflexibleperformancemodes:LIVEMODEandSTACKMODE,whichprovideinteractiveenvironmentsforbothcompositionandliveperformance.ThesesectionsarecoveredindetailintheirrespectivesectionsoftheReferenceGuide.
SavingaMULTIislikesavingtheentirestateofthepluginforfuturerecall.AMULTIstoresallofthesettingsfromtheMIXERpage,theMultiFX,theLIVEMODEandSTACKMODEpages,allMIDILearnassignments,andallofthesettings(includinganyunsavededits)foreachoftheeightParts.
AllofOmnispheressettingsaresavedandrecalledwithaprojectinyourpluginhostsoftware.
SavinganindividualMULTIletsyourecalltheentiresavedstateofthepluginandloaditatalatertimeintonewinstancesofOmnisphere(ornewprojects)byloadingtheMULTIfromtheMULTIBrowser.
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CONCEPTSParts&Patches
Omnisphereisamultitimbralinstrument,allowinguptoeightdifferentPartstobeplayedatthesametimewithinasingleinstanceoftheplugin.
EachoftheeightPartscanbethoughtofasanentiresynthesizer,completewithitsownoscillators,modulationroutings,andFX,andeachPartcanbeplayedonadifferentMIDIchannel.
ThesettingsofalleightPartsaresavedwithaMULTI,orwithyourproject.EverythingwillberecalledbyloadingthatspecificMULTIorproject.ThesettingsofaPartcanalsobeindividuallysavedasaPatch.
APatchcontainsallthesettingsthatmakeupasound,andcanbeindividuallyloadedintoanyoftheeightParts.
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CONCEPTSLayers&Oscillators
EachParthastwoLayers(AandB),andeachLayerhasasetofsynthesiscontrols.
EachLayerhasitsownpolyphonicPrimaryOscillator,whichcanbesettoeitherSampleMode(usingSoundsources)orSynthMode(usingDSPWaveforms).BecauseeachLayerhasitsownindependentPrimaryOscillator,youcanmixandmatchthemodesbyusingtwoLayers.
UsingOmnispheresuniqueHarmoniafeature,eachLayercanaddupto4additionaloscillators,givingasinglePartasmanyas10separateoscillators!
Tolearnmore,pleaserefertotheextensiveOscillatorsectionoftheReferenceGuide.
NOTE:ItisntnecessarytousebothLayerswhencreatingsounds.Infact,verycomplexsoundscanbeachievedusingonlyoneLayer.
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CONCEPTSSoundsources
SoundsourcesallowOmnisphere'ssynthesistobeginwithsampledsoundsinsteadofDSPwaveforms.TheyareaccessedbyselectingSampleModeintheOscillator.
Soundsourcesarebasedona'map'ofaudiosamplesstoredintheCoreLibraryofOmnisphereinSpectrasonics'proprietarySTEAMformat.ASoundsourcecanbeassimpleasasinglesamplestretchedacrossthekeyboardrangeorascomplexashundredsofchromaticallysampled,velocityswitchedmultisampleslikeyou'dfindinamodernsamplelibrary.
Omnisphere'sCoreLibrarySoundsourcesvarydramaticallyinsizefromafewkilobytestooveragigabyte.EachSoundsourcewascarefullypreparedandoptimizedbytheSpectrasonicsSoundDevelopmentteam.
LargerandmorecomplexSoundsourcestakealongertoload,butstillloadrelativelyquickly,sincetheSTEAMEngineincludesstreamingtechnologytoallowforplaybackofverylargemultisamples.Streamingallowsforthesamplestobufferoffofthecomputer'sharddriveinrealtime,insteadofallofthesampleshavingtobeloadedintothecomputer'sRAM.Inaddition,Omnisphere'ssophisticatedProgressiveLoadingallowssoundswiththousandsofsamplestobeplayedandauditionedwhiletheyarestillbeingloaded.
SoundsourcesinOmnispherearesimilartousing"programs"inasampler,buttherearesomekeydifferences:
ASoundsourcecontainsnotonlyalloftherawsamples,mappinginformation,suchaspitch,velocity,zones,andlooppointsbutalsoSoundsourceimages,notesandtags.
Soundsourcesdonotincludeenvelopes,filters,LFOs,FXoranymodulationsettings(thosearestoredinthePatch).
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settings(thosearestoredinthePatch).
Forthisreason,youcanloadanewSoundsourceintoaLayer,withoutchanginganyoftheLayer'ssynthesissettings.ThisallowsyoutotakeanypatchyoulikeandcreatethousandsofvariationsbysimplychangingtheSoundsource.
Mostimportantly,theconceptofOmnisphereiscompletelydifferentthanatypicalsampler.OmnisphereisanincrediblydeepsynthesizerwithamassiveCoreLibrarythatwilltakealifetimetoexplore.
TheFactoryCoreLibraryofOmnisphereisalmost60Gbandincludesmorethan4800SoundsourcesspecificallydesignedforcompatibilitywithSTEAMenginesynthesis.Thismassivelibrarycoversawidespectrumofsounds,fromsimplerawwaveformstopsychoacousticsamples,morphingtextures,andabestofselectionfromourawardwinningsamplelibraries.TheSTEAMenginearchitectureallowsSpectrasonicstoexpandOmnispherewithnewSoundsourcesviaaSatelliteInstrumentlikeTrilian.TheUserAudioimportfeatureallowsuserstoaddtheirownaudioandmanipulateitbytakingadvantageofOmnisphere'spowerfulsynthesiscapabilities.
SpectrasonicsisconstantlyimprovingandaddingtotheFactorySoundsourceLibrary,somakesureyoustayuptodatewiththeCheckforUpdatesfeature.
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CONCEPTSCommonParameters
EachLayerhasanindependentsetofsynthesiscontrols,andtherearemanyparametersthatwillonlyaffecttheindividualLayer.However,therearealsoanumberofCommonparametersthataresharedbybothLayersinaPart.MostoftheseCommonParametersareaccessiblefromtheMainPage.
Ifaparameterisnumbered,thenit'saCommonparameterthatcanbeusedbybothLayers(ex:LFO1~6,ModEnv.1~4).Ifitisn'tnumbered,thenit'sspecifictotheLayer(ex:AmpEnv.,FilterEnv.)
CommonparametersincludethesixLFOs(LFO1~LFO6),theMasterFilter,andthefourModulationEnvelopes(MOD1~MOD4).
Inaddition,eachParthasfourFXRacks:aCommonFXRack,anAuxFXRack,andanFXRackforeachLayer.Foradditionaldetail,refertoFXArchitecture
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CONCEPTSTheHeader
ThetopareaoftheOmnisphereinterfaceistheHeader.TheHeaderisvisiblefromanypageinOmnisphere(exceptwhenanyFullBrowserisopen)andistheprimarynavigationareaoftheinterface.
TheHeadercontainstheUtilityMenu,MultiInformationincludingtheMultiNameDisplayandaccesstotheMULTIBrowser,indicatorsforwhenLIVEMODEorSTACKMODEareenabled,andNavigationButtonsforselectinganyofthe8Parts,theMULTISectionortheSYSTEMPage.Finally,thereisaMasterVolumeControlforadjustingtheoveralloutputlevel..
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CONCEPTSUtilityMenu
TheUtilityMenuhasfoursections.ThefirstisaMIDILearnandAutomationsubmenu.ThesecondprovidesvariousInitialize,Clear,Save,Copy,&PastefunctionsforMultis,Patches,Parts,andLayers.Thethirdsectionisforaddingsoundsanduseraudio.Thefourthsectionprovidesa"factoryreset"option,theabilitytosaveasadefaultMultianddirectaccesstotheOmnisphereReferenceGuideandTutorials.
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CONCEPTSMIDILearn
TheUtilityMenuprovidestheMIDILearnandAutomationoptionsthatapplytothewholeplugin.TheseincludeMIDILearnTemplates,UnlearnAll,andaccesstoaCurrentAssignmentsReport.SeetheMIDILearn&Automationsectionfordetails.
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CONCEPTSClear,Save,Copy&Paste
TheUtilityMenuprovidesoptionstoInitializeorClearMultis,PatchesandLayers,andtoSaveMultisandPatches.TherearealsofunctionsthatallowPartandLayersettingstobecopiedandpasted.
InitializevsClear(Multi,Patch&Layer)
WhenyouselectInitialize(InitializeMulti,InitializePatchorInitializeLayer),allsynthesisparametersfortheMulti,PatchorLayer,willberestoredtoanunedited'default'state,includingadefaultSoundsource,loadedasastartingpoint.
WhenyouselectClear(ClearMulti,ClearPatchorClearLayer),allexistingparametersfortheMulti,PatchorLayerwillbecompletelycleared,usingnosoundsormemory.Inallcases,theMixersettingsareretained
NOTE:WhenusingtheClearfunction,nosoundsareloaded,sonosoundwillbeheardfromtheMulti,PatchorLayeruntilaSoundsourceisloaded.
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InitializeMultiInitializesallcurrentMultisettings,includingallPartsandFX.TheMultiisreturnedtoanunediteddefaultstate,includingdefaultsounds.
ClearMulti
ClearsallcurrentMultisettings,includingallSoundsources,PartsandFX.ThiswillresultinacompletelyemptyMulti.
SaveMulti
SelectingtheSaveMultioptionwillopenaFileSavedialogue.AfternamingandsavingtheMULTI,theEDITTAGSinterfacewillopen,allowingyoutoassignvariousAttributeTypesandAssignments,addcustomAssignments,andaddyourownKeywordsandNotestotheMULTI.
Onceyouhavefinishededitingthetags,clicktheSAVEbuttontofinishsavingtheMULTI.YoumayalsocancelthesaveprocessbyclickingtheCANCELbutton.
WhensavingaMULTI,theentirestateofthepluginissaved.ThisincludestheMIXER,LIVEMODEandSTACKMODEsettings,MultiFX,MIDILearnassignments,aswellasallPartsettings.EvenifaParthasbeenmodifiedbutnotyetsavedasanindividualPatch,itssettingswillalsobesavedwiththeMULTI.
InitializePatch
InitializesallcurrentPatchsettings,includingallModulationroutingandFX.ThePatchisreturnedtoanunediteddefaultstate,includingthedefaultsound
SavePatch
SelectingtheSavePatchoptionwillopenaFileSavedialogue.AfternamingandsavingthePatch,theEDITTAGSinterfacewillopen,allowingyoutoassignvariousAttributeTypesandAssignments,addcustomAssignments,andaddyourownKeywordsandNotestothePatch.
NOTE:PatchesmustbesavedintoaCategoryfolderintheSTEAMfolder.Thiscanbeeitheranexistingfolder,orausercreatedfolderinsidethePatchesfolder
Onceyouhavefinishededitingthetags,clicktheSAVEbuttontofinishsavingthePatch.YoumayalsocancelthesaveprocessbyclickingtheCANCELbutton.
SavePatchQuick
WheneditinganalreadysavedPatch,thenewchangescanbesavedwithouthavingtobringupthesavedialogueandTagEditor.SavePatchQuickwillsimplyoverwritethepreviousversion.Aconfirmationdialoguewillpopuptoconfirmthesave.
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ReverttoSavedPatch
RevertsthePatchtothesavedparameters.
CopyPart
ThiscommandisusedtocopythesettingsfromasinglePart.ThesesettingscanthenbepastedtoanotherPartusingthePastePartcommand.TocopyaPart,selectthePartusingtheNavigationButtonsintheHeader,andthenselecttheCopyPartcommandfromtheUtilityMenu.
PastePart
AfteraParthasbeencopiedusingtheCopyPartcommand,itcanbepastedtoanotherPart.TopasteacopiedPart,selectthedestinationPartusingtheNavigationButtonsintheHeader,andthenselectthePastePartcommandfromtheUtilityMenu.
ClonePart1
SelectingClonePart1copiesPart1toParts28.ThisallowsformakingeditsinPart1,andtheneasilycopyingittotheotherpartssoallpartshavethesamePatch.
ClonePart1facilitatestheuseofOmnispherewithadvancedMIDIcontrollerslikeaMIDIguitar,HakenContinuum,EigenHarp,MorphWhizMIDI,etc.,whichhavetheabilitytosendMIDImessagesinnontraditionalways.Forexample,onaMIDIguitar,eachstringisusuallysettoitsownchannel,andontheHakenContinuumandtheEigenharp,anewchannelispickedforeachsuccessivenotethatisplayed.
UsingthisfeaturewithadvancedcontrollerssuchastheseexpandstheperformancecapabilitiesofOmnispherebyallowingpitchbendandotherContinuousControllerMIDImessagesonindividualnotes.ThisismadepossiblebysendingoutconsecutivenotesondifferentMIDIchannels.
NOTE:BesuretochecktheClonePart1MIDILearns&MakeOmnisection
InitializeLayer
InitializesallsettingsfortheselectedLayer,restoringallsynthesisparameterstoanunediteddefaultstate,andincludesthedefaultsound.
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defaultstate,andincludesthedefaultsound.
NOTE:Becausemodulationroutingscantranscendasinglelayer,theModMatrixisapropertyofthePart,nottheLayer.Forthisreason,initializingaLayerdoesnotaffectexistingmodulationroutings.
ClearLayer
ClearsallsettingsfortheselectedLayer,includingallSoundsources,ModulationroutingandFX.ThiswillresultinacompletelyemptyLayer.
CopyLayer
ThiscommandisusedtocopythesettingsfromasingleLayer.ThesesettingscanthenbepastedtoanotherLayerusingthePasteLayercommand.TocopyaLayer,selectitusingtheLayertabsintheEditPage,andthenselecttheCopyLayercommandfromtheUtilityMenu.
PasteLayer
AfteraLayerhasbeencopiedusingtheCopyLayercommand,itcanbepastedtoanotherLayer.TopasteacopiedLayer,selectthedestinationLayerusingtheLayertabsintheEditPage,andthenselectthePasteLayercommandfromtheUtilityMenu.
NOTE:ModulationRoutingsarenotincludedwiththesettingsthatarecopiedandpastedusingtheCopy/PasteLayercommands.
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CONCEPTSAddSounds&UserAudio
AddSounds
AddingsoundstoyourlibrarythathavebeensharedbyotherOmnisphereusersissimple!
OmnispheresoundssharedusingtheSharingfeatureareconvenientlycollectedintoasingle.omnispherefile.Fileswiththeextension.omnipsherecanbeaddedtoyourlibraryinasingleoperation,whichautomaticallyimportsallthenecessarycomponents(Multis,PatchesandUserSoundsources)toplaythosesoundsintoyourOmnispherelibrary.
Thisfeaturehandlesthefilemanagementforyou,withoutleavingOmnisphere.
Onceyouhavereceivedtheshared.omnispherefile,select"AddSounds"intheUtilityMenuandfollowtheinstructions.
Oncetheprocessisdone,theaddedPatcheswillbefoundinthe"Sharing"DirectoryofthePatchBrowser,Multiswillbefoundinthe"Sharing"DirectoryoftheMultiBrowser,andSoundsourceswillbefoundinthe"User"DirectoryoftheSoundsourceBrowser.
UserAudio
OmnisphereallowsyoutoimportyourownaudiotouseasSoundsourcesandtocreateyourownPatchesandMultis.YoucanprocessandmanipulateyourownaudioincreativewaysusingOmnisphere'spowerfulsynthesiscapabilities.EachimportedaudiofilewillbecomeaUserSoundsourceinOmnisphere.
Select"UserAudio"fromtheUtilityMenuandfollowtheinstructions.Aftertheimportprocessiscomplete,theSoundsourceBrowserwillbedisplayedandyouraudio(nowanOmnisphereUserSoundsource),willbeautomaticallyselectedandplayedbackatthenoteanddurationsetbytheAuditionNotesettings.
Todeletetheaudioyouimported,youcandosobylocatingititinyourharddriveinthe
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followingdirectory:
STEAM/Omnipshere/Soundsources/User/
Afterdeletingit,youmustclickthe"Refresh"buttoninyourSoundsourceBrowsertoreflectthechanges.
NOTE:EachimportedaudiofilewillbecomeaUserSoundsourceinOmnisphere.TheUserAudioimportfunctiondoesnotsupportzonemaps,roundrobins,multiplevelocities,etc.Remember,Omnisphereisnotasampler,isasynthesizer.Theobjectiveisnottoplaymultisampledinstrumentslikeasampler,buttobecreativeintransformingyourownaudio.
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CONCEPTSSaveAsDefaultMulti
SavingaMultiislikesavingtheentirestateofthepluginforfuturerecall.AMultistoresallofthesettingsfromtheMIXERpage,theMultiFX,theLIVEMODEandSTACKMODEpages,allMIDILearnassignmentsandAutomation,aswellasallofthesettings(includinganyunsavededits)foreachoftheeightParts.
BysavingaDefaultMulti,youcancustomizeOmnispheretoloadallofyourpreferredsettingseachtimeyouopenanewinstance.
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CONCEPTSReferenceGuide
SelectingthisoptionfromtheUtilityMenuwillopentheonlineOmnisphereReferenceGuide.TheReferenceGuidewillbedisplayedusingyourdefaultWebBrowser.
TheReferenceGuideisindexed,soyoucansearchtheGuide,printchapters(clickthePrintIconnexttoanychaptertoloadprintablepages),orsaveitasaPDF.RefertoyoursystemguideforhowtocreatePDFs.
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CONCEPTSResetDefaultsandPreferences
TheUtilityMenuprovidestheabilitydoafactoryresetbyselectingResetDefaultsandPreferences.
Afterselectingthisoption,amessagewillbedisplayed,warningyouthatthisactionwilloverwriteyourdefaultMultianduserpreferences.
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AconfirmationdialogwillbedisplayedafterthedefaultMultiandpreferencesarereset.
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CONCEPTSLIVE/STACKMODEIndicators
WheneitherLIVEMODEorSTACKMODEisenabled,youllseeLIVEMODEorSTACKMODEdisplayedontheleftsideoftheOmnisphereheader.
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CONCEPTSMultiDisplay
ThispartoftheHeadercontainstheMultiNameDisplay,MultiSteppers,andaFoldericonforaccesstotheMultiBrowser.
SelectingtheFoldericon,oranywhereinsidetheMultiNameDisplay,willopentheMultiBrowser.AfteraMULTIhasbeenloaded,thenameoftheMULTIwillbedisplayedintheMultiNameDisplay.
TheMultiStepperbuttons(up/downarrows)willloadthenextorpreviousMULTIfromtheLibrary,basedonthecurrentfilteredresultsintheMultiBrowser.ThebuttonsstepthroughtheavailableMULTISoneatatime.
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CONCEPTSNavigationButtons
TheNavigationButtonsintheheaderareusedtoselectandviewanyoftheeightParts,theMultiSectionortheSystemPage.Onlyonebuttoncanbeselectedatatime.
PartSelectButtons(1~8)
Buttons18arePartSelectButtons.SelectingaPartletsyouaccessandviewanyofthepagesforthatPart,includingtheOrb,Main,LayerA,LayerB,PatchFXpages,andtheArpeggiatorPage.
MULTIButton
SelectingtheMULTIbuttongivesyouaccesstoanyofthepagesintheMultiSection,includingtheMIXER,Aux/MasterFX,andtheLIVEMODEandSTACKMODEpages.
SYSTEMButton
SelectingtheSYSTEMbuttonopenstheSystempage,whichcontainspreferencesandsettingsfortheentireplugin.
NOTE:RightclickonaPartSelectButtontohearthecurrentlyloadedsound.Itwillplayaslongasthebuttonispressed(oruntilthesounddecays).The"AuditionNote"settingintheBrowserSettingsZoomdeterminesthepitch.
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CONCEPTSMasterVolumeControl
TheMasterVolumeslidercontrolstheoutputofthewholeplugin,andincludesameter,whichprovidesareferencetotheoutputsignal.TherangeoftheMasterVolumesliderisinfdB~9.54dB.
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CONCEPTSDropdownMenus(DownArrows)
Adownwardfacingarrowindicatesthatadropdownmenuisavailable.TherearenumerousdropdownmenusintheOmnisphereinterface,whichprovideaccesstosettings,Presets,MIDILearn,Automationandotherfunctions.
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CONCEPTSContextualMenus(Right/ControlClick)
ContextualMenusareanimportantpartoftheOmnisphereinterface,andprovideconvenientaccesstomanyimportantfunctions.
Right/ControlclickingalmostanywhereintheOmnisphereinterfacewillbringupacontextualmenu.Thecontentsofthemenuwilldependonwherethecursorisplacedwhenthecontextualmenuisopened.
Forexample,Right/ControlclickingoverablankareaoftheOmnisphereHeaderwillrevealtheUtilityMenu.Right/ControlclickingaknoborsliderwilltypicallyrevealamenuofMIDILearn,Modulation&Automationoptions.
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CONCEPTSUp/DownSteppers
Steppers(up/downarrows)arelocatedthroughouttheOmnisphereinterface,andareusedtostepthroughvaluesorloadsavedsettings,incrementingordecrementingoneatatime.Inthepictureabove,clickingthearrowswillstepthroughthedifferentLFOwaveformsavailable.
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CONCEPTSZoomIconButtons
OneofthefeaturesofOmnispheresinterfacedesignisthatitonlyrevealsitsdepthandcomplexityonanasneededbasis.TheZoomIconButtonsprovideaccesstoZoomViews,whereyoucanviewexpandedinformationorinteractwithOmnispheresmoreadvancedfeatures.
AmagnifyingglassiconnexttoafunctionindicatesthataZoomViewisavailable.Selectingtheiconwitha+insideitopenstheZoomViewforthatfunction.WhenaZoomViewisopen,selectingthemagnifyingglassiconwithainsideit,closestheZoomView.
ZoomViewsareavailableforModulation,Filters,Envelopes,VelocityCurves,Soundsourceinfo,Patchinfo,MULTIinfoandLIVEMODEsettings.
TherearealsoZoomButtonsintheBrowsersthataccessBrowsersettings,theTagEditor,andMulti,PatchorSoundsourceinfo.
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CONCEPTSFolderIconButtons(BrowserAccess)
BesidestheMiniBrowser,therearethreeFullBrowsersbuiltintoOmnisphere,oneeachforMultis,Patches,andSoundsources.AllthreeFullBrowsershaveidenticalfunctions,butaccessdifferentpartsoftheCoreLibrary.
AnywherethatyouseeaFoldericon,youwillbeabletoaccessthatBrowserbyclickingontheFolder.IfthereisaNameDisplaynexttotheFoldericon,youcanalsoclickinsidetheNameDisplaytoopentheBrowser.
MultiBrowser
WhenanyoftheMultipagesareselected(Mixer,FX,Live,orStack)theMiniMultiBrowserwillbedisplayedontheleft.TheFullMultiBrowsercanbeaccessedfromtheHeader,orbyselectingthemagnifyingglassiconnexttotheMiniMultiBrowsernamedisplay.
PatchBrowser
TheMiniPatchBrowserisautomaticallydisplayedontheleftareaoftheinterfacewhenanyPartpageisselected.
TheFullPatchBrowsercanbeaccessedfromanyPatchNameDisplay(includingtheonesintheMixerPage)fromtheLIVEMODEpagewhenMixerControlsareenabledandfromtheSTACKMODEpagebyrightclickingonaregion.ItcanalsobeaccessedbyselectingthemagnifyingglassiconnexttotheMiniPatchBrowsernamedisplay.
SoundsourceBrowser
TheSoundsourceBrowserisaccessedbyclickingontheSoundsourceimageinthecenteroftheLayerPageswhentheoscillatorisinSAMPLEmode.ItcanalsobeaccessedbyclickingontheSoundsourceimageintheMainpageundertheLayerstab.
TolearnmoreabouttheBrowsersinOmnisphere,pleaseseetheBrowsersectionoftheReferenceGuide.
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CONCEPTSKnobs&Sliders
Usingamouse,KnobsandSliders(verticalandhorizontal)areadjustedbyclickinganddragging.Shiftclickanddragformorepreciseadjustments.MostKnobsandSlidersinOmnispherecanbeMIDILearnedfordirectcontrolfromaMIDIdevice.
Knobs
VerticalSliders
HorizontalUnidirectionalSlider
HorizontalBidirectionalSlider
MiniSliders
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CONCEPTSFloatingParameterValues
AdjustingKnobsandSliderswilldisplaytheircurrentsettingorvalueinafloatingdisplayabovethecontrols.HoldingdowntheSHIFTkeywhileadjustingKnobsandSlidersallowsformorepreciseadjustments.
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CONCEPTSButtons
Buttonsareusedforchoosingsectionsorselectingfromamongmultiplesofasingletype.Whenselected,Buttonswillbehighlightedinblue.Forexample,thereare6LFOButtons.Whenoneofthemishighlighteditmeansitisselected,andthatLFO'ssettingsaredisplayed.
PageButtons(raisedbutton)
SubPageButtons(smallerraisedbuttonsselectsubpages)
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CONCEPTSSwitches(Toggles)
Switchesletyoutogglecertainparametersonandofforswitchbetweenmultipleoptions.Whenaparameterisenabledorselected,theswitchwillbehighlighted.ForexampleontheLayerPages,switchestogglebetweenSAMPLEModeandSYNTHMode,toggleLFOSynconandoff,orselectbetweenVelocityCurvesettings.PowerButtonsarealsoatypeofSwitch,anexamplebeingtheFILTERSOn/OffButton.
ModeSwitches(flatbuttonsthataresidebysideareModeSwitches)
Switches(flatbuttonsthataresidebysideareModeSwitches)
PowerSwitches
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CONCEPTSIndicatorSwitches
IndicatorSwitchescanbebothastatusindicatorandatoggle.ExamplesofIndicatorSwitchescanbefoundbelowpagebuttons:theLEDsbelowORB,A,B,andARPindicatewhetherthefeatureisenabledornot,anddoubleasatoggletoenable/disablethem.TheLEDsbelowMAINandFXareindicatorsonly:thewillbelitupwhenaparameterchangesfromitsdefaultposition.
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CONCEPTSKeyModifiers
ThereareanumberofOmnispherefunctionsthataremodifiedbycombiningamouseclick(orclickanddrag)withoneofthreeKeyModifierstheCommand/Controlkey,Shiftkey,ortheOption/Altkey.Inthemanualthesearereferredtoas:
ControlClick(Macusers,useCommandclick)
Sliders&Knobs:resetsthesliderorknobtoaneutralordefaultposition.
Browsers:allowsselectionofmultipleAttributes.
Envelopes(editing):ControlclickanddragtoengagetheLockfunction.
ShiftClick
Sliders&Knobs:Shiftclickanddragallowsfinerandmorepreciseadjustmentstovalues.
Envelopes(editing):ShiftclickanddragtoengagetheZoomX/Yfunction
OptionClick(PCusers,useAltclick)
Envelopes(editing):OptionclicktoengagetheSnapfunction.
Knobs:Optionclickonaparametertodisplayitsvaluewithoutchangingit.
NOTE:Omnispheredefaultstolinearmode.Yourhostmaydetermineadifferentdefaultmode,butyoucanstilltemporarilyswitchtothealternatemodebyusingOptionclick.
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CONCEPTSParameterControl
UnderstandingParameterControl
TherearethreewaystocontrolparametersinOmnisphere:Modulation,MIDILearnandAutomation.
DecidingwhichtypeofParameterControltousedependsonanumberoffactorsincludingwhichhostyouuse,whichparametersyouwanttoautomateandwhattypeofphysicalcontroller(ifany)youwishtousetocontroltheparameters.Herearesomeguidelines:
Modulation
ModulationoffersthemostsophisticatedmethodofcontrollingOmnisphere'sparameters.Thismethodallowsscaling,canusealmostanyMIDIMessage(Wheel,PitchBend,Aftertouch,Notes,etc.),andissaved/recalledwitheachPatch.
TolearnmoreaboutModulation,pleaserefertotheModulationsection.
Automation
WithAutomationmessages,changesmadetoparametersusingthemousecanberecordedinthehostsoftware.Parameteradjustmentsaretypicallywrittentoanautomationtrack,andinsomehosts,youcandrawtheautomationcurvesdirectlyintothetrack.Thismethodismostusefulformixingandfinetuningparameterchangesovertimeonanexistingperformanceinyourhost.
TolearnmoreaboutAutomation,pleaserefertotheAutomationsection.
MIDILearn
MIDILearnenablesfullremotecontrolofOmnisphere'sparametersfromMIDIDevices.AlmostanyparameterinOmnispherecanbeMIDILearned.MIDILearnassignmentsaresavedwiththeMultiorwithyourproject.ThismethodisidealforliveperformanceorrecordingMIDIcontrolledchangesintoyourhostonthefly.ParameteradjustmentsusingMIDILearnaretypicallywrittentoaMIDITrackinthehostsoftware.MIDILearnassignmentsfortheplugincanalsobeseparatelysavedandloadedastemplatepresets.
Right/ControlclickingaparameterinOmnisphereopensacontextualmenuthatoffersoptionsforallthreemethodsofAutomation:Modulation,MIDILearnandHostAutomation.
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forallthreemethodsofAutomation:Modulation,MIDILearnandHostAutomation.
HostAutomationandMIDILearngiveyoutheabilitytocontrolalmostanyoftheparametersofOmnisphereandtorecordandeditanyadjustmentsinyourhost.
TolearnmoreaboutMIDILearn,pleaserefertotheMIDILearnsection.
NOTE:AftersettingupallofyourMIDILearnandHostAutomationassignments,youcansaveaDefaultMulti,whichwillloadallofyourcustomassignmentseachtimeyouopenanewinstanceofOmnisphere.
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CONCEPTSHostAutomation
AllMIDIlearnableparametersinOmnispherecanalsobeautomatedusingtheHostAutomationfeature.EachhosthandlesHostAutomationdifferently,soit'simportanttounderstandhowyourspecificsoftwarewillinteractwithOmnisphere.
EnablingHostAutomation
TomakeaHostAutomationassignmentforaparameterinOmnisphere,Right/Controlclickaparametertoopenitscontextualmenu,andthenselecttheEnableHostAutomationoption.
TheparameterwillbeassignedthenextavailableHostAutomationIDnumber,fromlowesttohighest.Onceassigned,changesmadetotheparameterusingtheOmnisphereinterfacecanberecordedinrealtimeinthehostsoftware.
NOTE:Ifyourhostdoesn'tdisplayHostAutomationassignmentsbyname,usetheShowCurrentAssignmentstodisplaytheparameternamesalongwiththeircorrespondingHostAutomationIDnumbers.
AllHostAutomationassignmentsarestoredwiththeMulti,savedwiththehostprojectfile,andcanalsobesavedwithaMIDILearnTemplate.
NOTE:Youcanenableupto512HostAutomationparameters.Ifyouneedmorethan512assignments,considerusingMIDILearntogetherwithHostAutomation.
TechnicalConsiderations
Thereare512parameterslotsinOmnispherethatcanbeautomated.EachslotisassignedauniqueAutomationID,numberedfrom0to511,whichcorrespondtothelistofparametersthatcanbeautomatedinthehostoronyourcontrolsurface.Forexample,slot0isthefirstparameterinthehostoronthecontrolsurface,thenextoneisnumber1,etc.YoucanassignanyparameterinOmnispheretooneoftheseslotsusing"EnableHostAutomation."Theparameterwillbeassignedtothenextavailableslotandmaythenbeautomated.
Parameterautomationiscapableoftwowaycommunication.Ifyourhostandcontrolsurfacesupportit,yourcontrolsurfacecandisplaythenamesoftheparameterscontrolledbyeachknoborfader,andeachcontrolcanautomaticallyupdatetoshowthecurrentvalueofaparameter.Forexample,manycontrolsurfaceswithmotorizedfadersautomaticallydisplay
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andupdateparameternamesinrealtime,whichisveryusefulwhenopeningsongsthat
containpluginscontrolledbythesurface.
Somehostshavealimitonthenumberofparametersthatareavailabletobeautomatedbythehost.Forexample,someonlypermitthefirst128parametersofaplugintobeautomated.Inothers,thelimitis1024parameters.Bycomparison,Omnispherehasnearly20,000parameters!
Ifyou'reworkinginahostthatlimitsthenumberofautomationparameters,youcanalsouseOmnisphere'sMIDILearnfeaturetoautomateitsparameters.ThecombinationofHostAutomationandMIDILearngivesyoupowerfulrealtimecontrolofvirtuallyeveryparameterofOmnisphere.
HostSpecificNotes
AbletonLiveAfterEnablingHostAutomationforaspecificparameter,itisnecessarytoalsomovethatparameterintheOmnisphereinterfacetocompletetheassignment.
LogicAftersettingupallofyourMIDILearnandHostAutomationassignments,youcansaveaDefaultMulti,whichwillloadallofyourcustomassignmentseachtimeyouopenanewinstanceofOmnisphere.LogicUserswillseealllearnedHostAutomationparametersbynameuponload.
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CONCEPTSMIDILearn
MIDILearnisanimmenselypowerfulfeaturethatallowsyoutoremotecontrolvirtuallyanyonscreenparameterwithaMIDIcontroller.ItisaveryflexiblesystemthatcanadapttotheMIDIdeviceyouuseandallowschangesmadetoanylearnedparametertoberecordedbythehostapplication.
WhileHostAutomationsupportvarieswidelyamonghosts,almostallhostshavetheabilitytorecordandeditMIDImessagesreceivedfromaMIDIcontroller.
ThebasicprocessofpairingaphysicalcontroltoanOmnisphereparameterusingMIDILearnisextremelysimple:
Right/ControlclickanOmnisphereparameter.
SelectMIDICCLearn(orMIDINoteLearn)fromthecontextualmenu.
Moveaphysicalcontrol(orplayanote)ontheMIDIdevicethatisconnectedtoOmnisphere.
TheOmnisphereparameterwillbeinstantlypaired,andcanthenbecontrolledusingthatphysicalcontrol.AllMIDILearnassignmentsarestoredwiththeMULTI,savedwiththehostprojectfile,andcanalsobesavedasaMIDILearnTemplate.
KeyMIDILearnConcepts
ThereareafewkeyMIDILearnconceptsthatwillhelptounderstandhowflexiblethesystemis:
AllLearnableparameterscanbecontrolledusingMIDILearn,andarealsoavailableforusewithHostAutomation.
AsinglephysicalcontrolcanbepairedwithmultipleparametersinOmnisphere.Forexample,asinglephysicalknobcouldbesetuptocontrolbothCutoffandResonance.
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AsingleparameterinOmnispherecanbecontrolledbymultiplephysicalcontrols.OneusefulwaytousethisistocreatesubmixesusingtheMixer.YoucangangdifferentgroupsofPartlevelsintheMixer,eachcontrolledbyasinglephysicalfader.Forexample,Parts1~4controlledbyonefader,andParts3~6controlledbyasecondfader.Inthisexample,twodifferentphysicalfaderswouldcontrolParts3&4.
AMIDIdevicesendingonanyMIDIchannelcancontrolMIDILearnedparametersonanyofOmnisphere'sParts/MIDIChannels.ThismeansthatyoucanuseaMIDIdevicewithallofitscontrolsassignedtoasinglechannel,butstillcontrolanyparameteronanyofOmnisphereeightparts.
AssignmentscanbemadetoreceiveinOmnimodesothatwhenasequencer'strackischanged,allofthecontrolsarestillactiveregardlessoftheincomingMIDIchannelassignment.
MIDIControlChange,NotesandProgramChangemessagesaresupported,butPitchBendandAftertouchmessagesarenotcurrentlysupportedintheMIDILearnsystem.
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CONCEPTSMIDILearnMenus
UtilityMenu
TheUtilityMenuhasthreesections.ThefirstisaMIDILearnandAutomationsubmenu.ThesecondprovidesvariousInitialize,Clear,Save,Copy&PastefunctionsforMultis,Patches,PartsandLayers.Thethirdsectionprovidesafactoryresetoption,theabilitytosaveasadefaultMultianddirectaccesstotheOmnisphereReferenceGuideandTutorials.
MIDILearnTemplate
AllMIDILearn&AutomationassignmentsaresavedwithaMULTI,buttherearetimeswhenitmakessensetosaveaMIDILearn&Automationconfigurationforusewithanotherprojectorenvironment.
MIDILearn&AutomationTemplatesallowcustomsetupstobesavedandeasilyrecalledwhenevertheyreneeded.
SelectSaveTemplatefromtheMIDILearn&Automationsubmenu,tostoreallcurrentMIDILearn&Automationassignmentsforlaterrecall.SelectingthisoptionwillopenaFileSavedialogue,allowingtheTemplatetobenamedandsaved.
SelectLoadMIDILearnTemplatetoloadapreviouslysavedTemplate.AnyexistingMIDILearnassignmentswillbereplacedwiththeassignmentsstoredintheTemplate.SelectingthisoptionwillopenaFileLoaddialogue,allowingasavedTemplatetobeloaded.
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optionwillopenaFileLoaddialogue,allowingasavedTemplatetobeloaded.
NOTE:BeforesavingaMIDILearnTemplate,youcanuseMIDILearnReport(seebelow)topreviewtheassignmentsthatwillbesavedwiththeTemplate.ThisisalsoaconvenientwaytoverifyassignmentsafteraMIDILearnTemplatehasbeenloaded.
UnlearnNextMIDIDevice
WhenaphysicalcontrollerhasbeenMIDILearned,youcanusethisoptiontoUnlearnit.Toaccomplishthis,selectUnlearnNextMIDIDevicefromthemenu,thenmovethephysicalcontrolleronyourMIDIDevice.
UsingMIDILearn,asinglecontrollercanhavemorethanoneparameterassignedtoit.Thisoptionisespeciallyconvenientifyouarecontrollingmorethanoneparameterwithasinglephysicalcontroller.Itallowsyoutoclearallassignmentsforthespecificcontroller,withouthavingtoUnlearneachparameterindividually.
UnlearnNextParameter
WhenaparameterintheOmnisphereinterfacehasbeenMIDILearned,youcanusethisoptiontoUnlearnit.Toaccomplishthis,selectUnlearnNextParameterfromthemenu,thenselectandmovetheparameterthatyouwishtoUnlearn.
Thisisausefulfeaturewhenyouhavemorethanoneparameterassignedtoasinglephysicalcontroller.AsingleparametercanbeUnlearned,whiletherestwillremainassignedtothephysicalcontroller.
MakeControlsOmni
AssignmentscanbemadetoreceiveinMIDIOmnimodesothatwhenasequencerstrackischanged,allofthecontrolsarestillactiveregardlessoftheincomingMIDIchannelassignment.
OmnisphereisMIDIinputchannelsensitivewhenMIDILearning.ThismeansthatitcandistinguishbetweenabuttontransmittingCh1andthesamebuttontransmittingCh2.
SelectingthisoptionallowsallnonclonedMIDILearnsettingstorespondtoanyincomingMIDIchannel(e.g.MIDIOmnimodereception).ThisisveryusefulwhenyouwantOmnispheretorespondtoanexternalcontrolregardlessofthecurrentincomingMIDIchannel.
UnlearnAll
SelectingthisoptionwillclearallexistingMIDILearnandAutomationassignments.
ClonePart1MIDILearns
UsethisoptiontocloneallnonomniPart1MIDILearnassignmentstoallotherPartsintheMulti,andacrossallotherMIDIchannels.
ClonePart1MIDILearns&MakeOmni
ThisoptionclonesallnonomniPart1MIDILearnassignmentstoallotherPartsintheMultiacrossallotherMIDIchannelsandmakesthemOmni.UsethisoptionwhenyouwantyourassignmentstotrackthepartselectionsmadeinLiveMode.
ShowCurrentAssignments
ShowCurrentAssignmentsdisplaysallexistingMIDILearn&Automationassignmentsasaformattedreport.TheinformationwillbedisplayedusingyourdefaultWebBrowser.ThisisespeciallyusefulforcheckingexistingMIDILearn&AutomationassignmentsbeforesavingaMULTIoraMIDILearn&AutomationTemplate,ortoverifyassignmentsafterloading
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savingaMULTIoraMIDILearn&AutomationTemplate,ortoverifyassignmentsafterloadingaMIDILearn&AutomationTemplate.
MIDILearnReport
TheMIDILearnReportdisplaysallexistingMIDILearnassignments,andincludesHostAutomationassignments.TheReportwillbedisplayedusingyourdefaultWebBrowser.
TheMIDILearnReportisespeciallyusefulforcheckingexistingMIDILearnassignmentsbeforesavingaMULTIoraMIDILearnTemplate,ortoverifyassignmentsafterloadingaMIDILearnTemplate.
NOTE:IfyourhostdoesntdisplayHostAutomationassignmentsbyname,useShowCurrentAssignmentstodisplaytheparameternamesalongwiththeircorrespondingHostAutomationIDnumbers.
IgnoreAssignmentsWhenLoadingMulti(Toggle)
WhenloadingaMULTI,thisoptiondetermineswhetherOmnispherewillignoreorloadtheMIDILearnassignmentsthatweresavedwiththeMULTI.
WhentheIgnoreAssignmentsoptionisenabled(indicatedbyacheckmarkdisplayednexttoitinthemenu),OmnispherewillignoreanyMIDILearnassignmentsthatweresavedwiththeMULTI.Instead,allexistingassignmentswillberetained.
WhentheIgnoreAssignmentsoptionisdisabled(nocheckmarknexttoitinthemenu),OmnispherewillreplaceallexistingassignmentswiththeMIDILearnassignmentsthatweresavedwiththeMULTI.
NOTE:TheIgnoreAssignmentsoptionretainsitssettingacrosssessions.IfyoufindthatMIDILearnassignmentsarentbehavingasexpectedafterloadingaMULTI,pleaseverifythattheIgnoreAssignmentsoptionisproperlyset.
CONTEXTUALMENU
ContextualMenusprovideparameterspecificMIDILearnoptions,andincludeModulationandHostAutomationoptionsaswell.
IfaparametercanbeMIDILearned,thefollowingMIDILearnoptionswillbeavailablewhenyouRight/Controlclickdirectlyontheparameter:
MIDICCLearn
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Selectthisoption,thenmoveorpressacontrolonyourMIDIcontroller.ThecontrolwillthenbepairedwiththeOmnisphereparameter.
MIDICCLearnInverted
Whenyouselectthisoption,thenmoveorpressacontrolonyourMIDIcontroller,thecontrolwillbepairedwiththeOmnisphereparameter.However,thevalueswillbeinverted.Forexample,asyouincreasethevalueofthephysicalcontrol,thevalueoftheOmnisphereparameterwilldecrease.
MIDINoteLearn
SelectthisoptionthenplayanoteonyourMIDIcontroller.ThatNotewillthencontroltheassignedOmnisphereparameter.OnceaNotehasbeenMIDILearneditwillnolongertriggerasoundwhenOmnispherereceivesNoteOnmessagesfromthatNote,itwillonlycontroltheassignedparameter.
MIDINoteLearnInverted
Whenyouselectthisoption,thenplayanoteonyourMIDIcontroller,thatNotewillthencontroltheassignedOmnisphereparameter.However,thevalueswillbeinverted.OnceaNotehasbeenMIDILearneditwillnolongertriggerasoundwhenOmnispherereceivesNoteOnmessagesfromthatNote,itwillonlycontroltheassignedparameter.
NOTE:WhenyouMIDILearnavariablerangeparameter(suchasaknoborslider)usingMIDINoteLearn,theNoteOn/Offmessageswilltoggletheparametertoitsmaximumandminimumpositionsrespectively.WhenusingMIDINoteLearnInverted,thevaluesarereversed,soNoteOnwouldtoggletotheminimumvalue,NoteOffwouldtoggletothemaximumvalue.
Unlearn
SelectthisoptiontoclearallMIDILearnassignments,includingHostAutomationassignments,forthisparameter.
ShowLearns
UsethisoptiontoshowallMIDILearnassignmentsforthisparameter.ApopupdialoguewillopenshowingallCCand/orNotenumbersassigned,orwillnotifyyouiftherearenocurrentassignments.
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CONCEPTSCPUOptimization&Conservation
OneofthemostdifficultquestionstoanswerishowmuchCPUpowerOmnisphereuses.Thereasonit'ssodifficulttoanswerisbecauseSTEAMwasdesignedasaveryflexibleandopensystem,whichallowsyoutofreelyaddFXandmoreeditingpowerbasedontheneedsofwhatyouwanttocreate.ThismeansthatOmnisphereiscapableofusingallavailableCPUpowerandthensome!
It'stobeexpectedthattheaveragepatchinOmnisphereusesmoreCPUthantheaveragepatchinmostothersynths.That'sforthesimplereasonthattheaveragepatchinOmnispherehasmorethingsgoingonthantheaveragepatchinmostothersynths.Simplebreadandbuttersoundshavebeendone...we'reaimingforsomethingbeyondthatwithOmnisphere.However,wearealwaysstrivingtoimproveCPUperformanceandhopetofurtherimproveperformanceinfutureupdates.
TherearealargenumberoffeaturesthatyoucanenableinOmnisphere,andifyouturnenoughofthemonyou'lleventuallyoverloadanyCPU.Thepointatwhichthathappensdependsonalotofthings:thenumberofOmnispherepartsinuse,thenumberofpluginsinuse,theCPUpower,etc.Asaresultit'simpossibletopredictwhatrepresentsareasonablenumberofenabledfeaturesforeverygivensituation.Ifyouarerunningintoperformanceissues,it'sbesttoturnoffunnecessaryfeatures.Here'sasummaryofexamplethingstotry:
Turndownpolyphony.Turndownamplitudeenveloperelease.Lookforeffectsthatcanbeturnedoff.Lookforoscillatorsectionfeaturesthatcanbeturnedoff.InthecaseofUnison,tryturningdownthedepth.MetalPipeandAllPassfiltertypesusemoreCPUthanotherfiltertypes.Useonefilterinsteadof2.GlitchingintheabsenceofaCPUoverloadmightindicateastreamingunderrun.Ifthat'sthecase,tryturningupthePreloadmemorysize.
Asyoucansee,thereareseveralwaystohelpconserveCPUpowerinOmnisphere.Thefollowingdetailedtipsandtechniquesareespeciallyusefulinbusysessionswhentryingtomakethemostofyourcomputer'sresources.
64bitInstruments&Hosts
Ifyouareusinga64bithost(suchasLogicProX,ViennaEnsemble,etc),itcanaccessallavailablesystemmemorywithouttheusual3Gblimit.Thismeansthatyouarelesslikelytorunoutofmemorywhenloadingverylargeinstruments,oralargenumberofinstances.Ifyoufindyourselfrunninglowonmemory,youshouldaddasmuchphysicalRAMaspossibletogetthemostfromyour64bitsoftware.
AllSpectrasonicsinstrumentsare64bit,onbothMacandPC.
SampleFileServer(Maconly)
ForMacsrunning32bithostsoftware,theSampleFileServerallowsyoutoloadlargesoundsintophysicalRAM,bypassingtheusual32bitSystemMemorylimit.Itisrecommendedtohaveaminimumof6GbofRAMinstalledwhenusingtheSampleFileServer.
NOTE:Ifyouarerunninga64bithosttheSampleFileServerisunnecessary,andyoumaygetbetterperformancewithitdisabled.
SampleThinning
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SampleThinning
SampleThinningallowsSoundsources,Patches,andMultistobeloadedwithfewersampleswhenselected,sothatlesssystemmemoryisused.ThisisespeciallyimportantwhenloadinglargeTriliansoundsintoOmnisphere,usingOmnisphereLibraryIntegration.
OmnisphereprovidesThinningoptionsfromtheSystemPage,theLayerPages(SoundsourceZoomEditView),andfromthePatch&MultiBrowsers
TherearefourtypesofSampleThinningavailableRoundRobinsamples,Legatosamples,Velocities,andPitchThinning.
Whenloadinglargersounds,suchasTriliansoundsinsideOmnisphere,usingThinningcanmakeahugedifferenceinoverallsystemmemorydemand,andthesecanbeusedincombinationtobalancebetweenthebestsoundpossible,andtheconservationofresources.
HostBufferSize
PerformanceandCPUloadwithallvirtualinstrumentpluginsaresensitivetothehost'saudiobuffersizeparticularlywithaninstrumentaspowerfulasOmnisphere.IfyouexperienceperformanceissueswithOmnispheresuchasaudiodropouts,youcangainfurtherPerformanceheadroombyraisingyourhost'saudiobuffersetting.Asettingof256isusuallyagoodcompromisebetweengoodperformanceandacceptablelatency,butyoumaywishtoincreasethebuffersizeifyouneedmoreCPUpower.Omnispherewillalsoworkwithlargerbuffersizes,soyoucantryadjustingthissettinginyourhost.
HostSampleRate
Omnispherehasbeendesignedforoptimalplaybackat44.1kor48ksamplerate.Ifahost'sprojectsamplerateishigherthanthis,(88.2k,96k,192k,etc)itcanhaveasignificantimpactonreducingOmnisphere'sperformance,withoutanyrealsonicbenefittoOmnisphere.Infact,certainpatchesmaynotsoundcorrectathighersamplerates.Sowerecommendkeepingyourhost'ssamplerateat44.1KHzor48KHzfortheoptimalexperiencewithOmnisphere.
MultiInstancevsMultitimbral
Onsingleanddualcoresystems,it'sbesttoloadmultipleParts(ondifferentMIDIchannels)withinasingleinstanceofOmnisphere,beforeopeninganyadditionalinstancesoftheinstrument.ThisisthebestwaytoutilizetheavailableCPUpowerforOmnisphere.
However,ifamulticoresystemisused,itcanbebeneficialtoopenmultipleinstancesofOmnispheretodistributetheprocessorloadbetweenthecores.Theresourcehandlingisdonebythehost,sointhiscaseit'susefultoopenmorethanoneinstanceofOmnisphere.SothemostefficientuseonamulticoremachineistouseacoupleofinstancesmultitimbrallyifassigningallPartstoasingleinstanceisusingupalltheresourcesofasinglecore.Consultyourhost'sdocumentationtomakesurethatithassupportformulticore/multiprocessorsystems.
LimitingVoices
Omnisphereallowsupto64voicesofpolyphonyperPart.ThiscanputtremendousdemandontheCPU,solimitingpolyphonyisoneofthemostimportantthingsyoucandotomanageCPUusage.
Asageneralprinciple,setthevoicecountaccordingtothetypeofPatchyouareworkingwith.Forexample,TextureorSFXPatchestypicallydon'tneed16oreven8voicesofpolyphony.AnytimeyouarerunninglowonCPUpower,thisisthefirstareatolookatforconservingCPU.
ToadjustpolyphonyforaPart,usetheVOICESstepperoneithertheMainorLayerPages.
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UnisonandGranular
WhenusingUnisonandGranular,theDepthsliderscontrolthenumberofsimultaneousvoicesthatareplaying,andcanhaveabigimpactonCPUusage.YoucanoftenachievethedesiredeffectbyusingalowerDepthsetting.
OscillatorSubPages(FM,RING,WS,MULT)
It'seasy(andfun!)tousealloftheoscillatorsubpagesatthesametime,butusedtogetherthesecandemandasignificantamountofCPUpower.UsingthemsparinglywilloftenleadtobettersonicresultsandbeeasierontheCPUload.
SingleLayervsDualLayerPatches
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There'salotthatcanbedonewithasingleLayer.IfyoucanachievethedesiredsoundorcomplexityusingoneLayerinsteadoftwo,it'slikelythatasignificantamountofCPUpowercanbeconserved.
CommonFXvsLayerFX
UsingCommonorAuxFXrackswheneverpossibleisagreatwaytosaveCPUpower.InsteadofloadingseparatedelayunitsintoeachLayerFXRack,trysharingasingleunitintheCommonorAuxFXRack.
Waveshaper
TheWaveshaperisagreatfeature,butitcanbeveryCPUintensive,becauseitispolyphonic.TosaveCPU,youcantryalternateapproachestoachievingthedesiredsound.Forexample,tryexperimentingwiththeToxicSmashereffectunitfirst.YoucouldgetsimilarresultswithoutputtingasmuchdemandontheCPU.
FM/RingMod
BothFMandRingModhavededicatedoscillators,thususingadditionalCPUpower.CombiningthesewithadditionaloscillatorfeatureslikeWaveshapingorUnisoncanaddalotofrequiredprocessing.
UnusedModulationRoutings
ModulationroutingssometimesuseCPUpower,sobesuretoremoveanyunusedroutings.ForexampleifyouaremodulatingFMDepthwithaModEnvelope,butthendecidetoturnFMoff,removethemodulationroutingtofurtherreducedemandontheCPU.
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BypassUnusedFX
WhenBypassed,FXUnitsdonotconsumeCPUpower.ToconserveCPUpower,BypassanyloadedFXwhentheyarenotinuse.ThisespeciallyappliestoMultiAuxSendFX,sincetheentireMultiAuxSendsystemisenabledevenifyouareonlyusingoneSend.
EZVerbvs.PROVerb
EZVerbdoesn'tnecessarilyuselessCPUpowerthanPROVerb.PROVerbhasavariableCPUPowerparameter,whereEZVerb'sCPUPowerisfixed.Thisparameterchangesthenumberofreflectionsinthereverbsignal.Ahighersettingdoesnotnecessarilymakethesoundbetter,andrememberthatmorereflectionsrequiremoreCPUusage.SometimeslowerCPUsettingswillproduceamoredesirableresult.IfPROverbissettomaximumCPU,ittakesmuchmorepowerthanEZVerbwhilelowerPROVerbCPUsettings(likethedefaultsettings)canactuallyrequirelesspowerthanEZVerb.
SharingFXwithAuxRacks
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WhenusingFXlikereverbs,it'softenbettertousethereverbonanAuxRack,insteadofasanInsert.Therearetimeswhenseveralsoundsneedreverb,andinsteadofinserting6reverbsinto6individualParts,youcouldinsteadplaceonlyonereverbonaMultiAuxRackandthenusetheMultiAuxSendstosendallsixsoundstothesinglereverbunit.ThisisfarmoreefficientontheCPU.
AuxSends
IfyouarenotusingtheAUXSendsontheMixerPage,makesureallofthemareoff(allknobsturnedfullycounterclockwise).WhenalloftheAuxSendsareoff,theentireAUXsystemisdisabled,whichsavesCPUpower.IfanyoftheAuxSendsison,theentireAuxSendsystemonallRacksandPartsisenabled,evenifnoaudioispassingthroughit.
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CONCEPTSUsingTrilianSoundsinOmnisphere
OneofthegreatfeaturesofOmnisphereistheLibraryIntegrationwithTrilian.
OmnispherecanloadTrilianSoundsources,PatchesandMultisforfurthersynthesismanipulationorjustconvenienceofuse.
IfyouhavebothOmnisphereandTrilianinstalled,yourTrilianlibrarieswillappearintheOmnisphereBrowsersandBrowserDIRECTORYmenualongwithyourotherOmnispherelibraries.
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WhenTrilianPatchesareloadedinOmnisphere,Trilian'sMainCustomControlspagewillbeautomaticallydisplayedwhenthePatchisloadedfromtheMiniBrowserorrevealedwhenyouclosetheFullBrowser.EachTrilianPatchcontainsitsownCustomControlslayoutthatbringstogetherinonepageallthemostusefulparametersofathatPatch.
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Trilian&OmnisphereControls
ToswitchbackandforthbetweenTrilian'sCustomControlsviewandtheOmnisphereinterface,justselectOMNISPHERECONTROLSabovetheTrilianinterface:
Conversely,selectingtheTRILIANbuttonontheOmnisphereinterfacewhenaTrilianpatchisloadedwillreturnyoutotheTrilianCustomControlspage..
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NOTE:TrilianUserPatches,andUserMultiswillnotappearintheOmnispherelibrary.YoucanstilluseTriliantoopenthose,orsimplyrecreatetheminOmnisphereusingTrilianSoundsourcesorPatches,andthensavethemasOmnispherePatchesorMultis.
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BROWSEROmnisphereLibraryIntegrationSetup
InordertoenableOmnisphereLibraryIntegration,youmustfirsthaveafullinstallofTrilian,registeredandauthorized,onyoursystem.
Next,installandauthorizeOmnisphere.IfyoualreadyhaveOmnisphereonyoursystem,youwillbeaskedtoreauthorizeitafteryouhaveinstalledandregisteredTrilian.
WhenyoufirstlaunchOmnisphere,youwillseethefollowingsplashscreen.ClicktheAuthorizebutton,andfollowthenormalstepsforauthorization.
NOTE:YoumustgenerateanewResponseCodeviayouruseraccountattheSpectrasonicswebsite.
After(re)authorizingOmnisphere,theTrilianlibrarieswillappearinyourOmnisphereBrowsers.
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CONCEPTSUsingTrilianSoundsInOmnisphereUsingTrilianSounds
Dependingonyoursessionneeds,theOmnisphereLibraryIntegrationfeatureofferstheabilitytoapplyOmnispherespowerfulsynthesistoolstoTriliansounds,combineOmnisphereandTriliansoundsininterestingways,ortosimplyconservesystemresourcesbyincludingyourTrilianPartsalongsideyourOmnispherePartsinasingleOmnisphereinstance.
TherearevarioususefulwaysthatyoucancombineOmnisphereandTrilianSoundsourcesandPatcheswithinOmnispheretoopenupatremendousvarietyofsoundsandperformanceapplications.
Forperformances,youcoulduseStackModeorLiveModetocreateusefulcombinationsofTrilianbassesandOmnispheresynthsounds.Tryusingkeyboardorvelocitysplits,layering,orapplyPartswitchingtoaMultiinLiveMode.
InthisStackModeexample,youcancreateaMultiinOmnispherethatcontainsanumberofOmnisphereParts,andoneormoreTrilianbassParts.InStackMode,createkeyboardsplitsthattriggerthebassPartswithlowernotes,andOmnispheresynthPartswiththehighernotes.Youcanexperimentwithlayersandcrossfadestoo!
UsingthesameMultiinLiveMode,youcaninstantlyswitchbetweenTrilianandOmnisphereparts,orinstantlylayerthem.Forexample,thiswouldallowyoutoplayasolobassphraseinonepassage,andtheninstantlyaddadoubledguitarorstringssoundtothebassforanother.
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Thereareendlesssounddesignpossibilitiesaswell.Forexample,ifyouapplyOmnispheressynthesispowertoTrilianSynthBasswaveforms,youcantakethosesoundsmuchfurthertocreateveryuniquebasstimbres!
Inanotherexample,youcouldloadAcousticBasssamplesfromTrilian,andcombinethemwithPsychoacousticsamplesfromOmnisphere,creatingnewandinterestinghybridsounds!
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CONCEPTSRemoteControl
SpectrasonicshasdevelopedanapplicationforApplesiPadwhichturnsitintoaperformanceoriented,remotecontrolsurfaceforOmnisphere:OmniTR.
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CONCEPTSOmniTR
OmniTR(TouchRemote)isdesignedtoturnaniPadintoaperformanceoriented,remotecontrolsurfaceforOmnisphere,runningonaMacorWindowsPC.OmniTRofferswirelesstwowaycommunication,multitouchpatchselection,remotebrowsingandeditingofPatchesandMultis,andtheabilityremotelycontroltheOrb.
OmniTRisafourpageapp.Thepagescanbeaccessedbyselectingtheiconsonthetopleft.
Main
TheMainpageisdesignedtogivearapidoverviewofall8partsinOmnisphere.TouchthefoldericonstotheleftofthepatchnamestoselectPatchesortouchthefoldertotheleftofthe"BrowseMultis"displaytoselectMultis.ThefoldermenuswillreflectwhatiscurrentlydisplayedintherespectivebrowserinOmnisphere.Controlthemixwiththelevelslidersandthemute/solobuttonsontherightside.ThetoprightslideroneachpageistheMasterVolumeslider.IfyouhaveOmnispherein"LiveMode",youcanselectwhichparttoplaybytouchingthepatchname,andit'seasytoselectmultiplepartssimultaneously.EachPartcanbelatchedindividuallyandyoucansettheTriggerModefromthebuttonsdirectlytotheleftofthesliders.
Orb
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TheOrbisauniquecircularcontrollerthatintelligentlymodifiesOmnispheresoundsinrealtime.TocreatediversenewmodificationstoyourPatches,simplytouchtheOrbandmoveyourfinger.TheDICEbuttonwillgivemanyinterestingvariationsontheparametersbeingcontrolled.ChangetheInertiaamounttocontrolthespeedanddurationofthecontrollerafteryousetitinmotionandletgo.UsetheDepthSlidertocontroltheintensityoftheeffect.YoucanalsocapturemovementswiththeRecordbuttonandthemovementswillbecomepartofthePatchwhenitissaved.
Controls
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TheControlspageoffersfastaccesstosomeofthemostusefulperformanceparametersinOmnisphereandafunPitchRibbon.SelectthedesiredPartfromthetabsontheleft.ChoosefromthecontroltemplatesinthedropdownmenuabovethefaderstochangewhichOmnisphereparametersaredisplayed.TheA/B/LinkbuttonsatthebottomofthepageworkthesameasonOmnisphere'sEDITpage,determiningwhichlayer'sparametersaredisplayed/edited.BendthepitchfromthePitchRibbonControlleralongthebottom.UsetheOctaveShiftMenuintheupperrighttoshiftthekeyboardrange
Jumbo
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Sometimesonstageitcanbeusefultohavelarge,easytoreadPatchselectionbuttons.JustlikeontheMainpage,youcanselectanycombinationofPatchesontheflyandit'seasytoseethepatchnames.Makesure"LiveMode"isselectedfromthedropdownmenuinthetopleftarea.
Setup
Setupisverysimple.WithOmnisphererunningonthecomputerandtheiPadconnectedtothesamewirelessnetwork,launchtheOmniTRappontheiPadandpress"Connect."OmniTRwillrecognizethehostcomputerandallowwireless,touchscreencontrolofOmnisphere.
Requirements
TheOmniTRiPadapprequiresiOS4.2andworkswithOmnisphere1.5orneweronMacOSXorWindowssystems.WindowsusersmustinstallBonjourfromApple.
Forcompleteinstructions,pleasevisitourwebsiteat:http://www.spectrasonics.net/omni_tr_app/