spectrasonics - omnisphere 2 reference manual
DESCRIPTION
Spectrasonics - Omnisphere 2 Reference ManualTRANSCRIPT
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GETTINGSTARTED
WelcomeToOmnisphere2
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GETTINGSTARTEDQuickstart
ThisQuickstartprovidesanoverviewoftheessentialthingsyouwillneedtoknowinordertogetstartedusingOmnisphere.
Omnisphereisasoftwareinstrumentplugin,andrequireshostsoftwareinordertorun
Omnispherecanbeamemoryintensiveinstrument,especiallywithMultisloaded.AsystemwithplentyofRAMwillgreatlyenhanceperformance.BesureandcheckouttheConcepts:PerformanceOptimizationchapter.
1.InstallOmnisphere
Installingcantakefrom4~6hours,andonceinstalled,thelibrarywilltakeabout64GBoffreeharddrivespace.
2.AuthorizethePlugIn
AuthorizationcanbedoneimmediatelyfromanycomputerconnectedtotheInternet
3.GetEverythingUpdated
MakesureyouhavethelatestversionsoftheSoftware,SoundsourcesandPatches:
OpenOmnisphereandclickontheSpectrasonicslogo
Selectthebuttonlabeled"CheckforUpdates"toopentheSystemStatuspage
Statusindicatorsinredmeanthatanupdateisnecessary.ClicktheGetUpdatesbuttontodownloadthem.
Afterinstallingtheupdates,Omnisphereisreadytogo!
NOTE:Besuretoquityourhostsoftwarebeforeinstallingthedownloadedupdates.
4.UseOmnisphereMultitimbrally
Omnisphereisamultitimbralinstrument,soyoucanuseasingleinstanceto
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Omnisphereisamultitimbralinstrument,soyoucanuseasingleinstanceto
loadandplayeightdifferentsoundsondifferentMIDIchannels
Setupyourhostsoftwareformultitimbraloperation
5.LoadingSounds
TherearethreetypesofsoundlibrariesinOmnisphere:
Patches,MultisandSoundsources
ToloadaPatch:
SelectaPartNumberButtonintheHeader
SelectaPatchintheMiniBrowserdisplayedontheleft.
ToloadaMulti:
ClicktheMultiNameDisplayintheOmnisphereHeader
TheMultiBrowserwillopen,allowingyoutoselectandloadMultis
ToloadarawSoundsource:
SelectClearPartfromtheUtilityMenuintheHeader
ClicktheSoundsourceNameDisplaybelowLayerA
TheSoundsourceBrowserwillopen,allowingyoutoselectandloadSoundsources.
6.ExploreandLearn
Formoreindepthinformation,watchadditionaltutorialsandexploreoutthisReferenceGuidewhichistheprimarymanualforOmnisphere.Thisguidecanbeviewedonanycomputerandcanbeprintedandsearchedforeasyaccesstofindtheinformationyouneed.
Ifyourenewtosynthesis,werecommendstartingwiththechaptersonConcepts,TheMixer,Browsers,MainPage,ArpeggiatorandLiveMode.
Ifyouhavesomeexperiencewithsynthesis,besuretocheckoutthechaptersonTheFXRack,Automation&MIDILearn,TheLayerPagesandStackMode.
ExperiencedsynthesistscangoindepthwithzoomingconceptsthatarecoveredinthechaptersonModulation,Oscillators,Filters,LFOs,andEnvelopes.
8.SupportResources
Onlineresourcesareavailablethatcananswermosttechnicalquestions.PleaseloginandvisitourKnowledgeBaseat:http://support.spectrasonics.net
9.HaveFun!
EnjoyusingOmnisphereandwehopeyoumakesomegreatmusicwithit!
TheSpectrasonicsTeam
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GETTINGSTARTEDSystemRequirements
SYSTEMREQUIREMENTSFORALLUSERS:
2.4GHzorhigherprocessor
4GBRAMminimum,8GBormorerecommended
DualLayercompatibleDVDROMdrive
64GBoffreeharddrivespace
MacRecommendations:
OSX10.8MountainLionorhigher
AU,VST2.4orhigher,RTAS/AAXcapablehostsoftware
AudioUnitrequireshostwithsupportfor"Cocoa"basedAUplugins
Native64bitand32bitonOSX
WindowsRecommendations:
VST2.4orhigher,RTAS/AAXcapablehostsoftware
MicrosoftWindows7/Vistacompatible
Native64bitand32bitonWindows
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GETTINGSTARTEDMacOSXInstallationontheStartupDrive
FollowthissetofinstructionstoinstalltheOmnispherelargesoundlibraryfilesontoyourstartupharddrive.Youneedover64GBoffreespaceavailableonyourstartupharddriveinordertocontinue.
NOTE:ThesescreenshotsaretakeninOSXYosemite.InstallationonotherversionsofMacOSXmaylooksomewhatdifferent.
INSTALLINGDISCA
1.AfterinsertingOmnisphereDiscAintothecomputer,openthedisc"SpectrasonicsOmnisphere"torevealitscontentsfromtheDesktop.
2.OpentheMacfolder,thendoubleclick"Omnisphere2Installation.url"tobegintheinstallationofOmnisphere.
3.You'llbedirectedtotheSpectrasonicswebsitewhereyou'lllogintoyouruseraccount.Ifyoudon'tyethaveauseraccount,youcancreateonebyselectingthe"CreateNewAccount"button.
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4.You'llselectthedownloadlinkforMactodownloadtheDiscInstaller.
5.Oncethezipfiledownloadsandextractsitselfyoushouldhaveafoldercalled"Omnisphere_2_Installation".Openthefolderandfirstreadthefilecalled"Important!"asitcontainsvitalinformationabouttheinstallprocessandrequirements.Next,openthefoldercalled"Step1Installer".
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6.Thenopenthefoldercalled"Mac".
7.Doubleclickthefile"Omnisphere2Installer.pkg".TheinstallermightneedtoquitandreopentoensuresupportforolderversionsofOSX,sojustclick"OK".
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8.Followthestepsasyou'reguidedthroughtheinstallationprocess.MakesuretoreviewtheInstallationInfoandLicensingFAQ.Thenatthe"DestinationSelect"step,choosetheoption"InstallforallUsersofthiscomputer."AftertheInstallationTypeinformationyou'llenteryoursystempasswordtostarttheinstallprocess.
9.ThepluginfileswillthenbeinstalledonyourMac'ssystemdrive.
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10.ThenatthePreparationstep,you'llselectwheretoinstallthelargecorelibraryfiles.Bydefaulttheywillbeinstalledtoyoursystemdriveorchooseasecondarydrivebyselectingthebutton"ChooseLocation."
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11.Theinitialsetofdatafileswillthenbewrittentoyourselecteddrive.
12.Aftertheinstallationiscomplete,closeouttheinstallerandreturntoyour"Omnisphere_2_Installation"folderandopenthe"Step2DataUpdater"folder.
13.OpentheMacfolderandrunthe"Omnisphere2DataUpdater.pkg".Again,theinstallermightneedtoquitandreopentoensuresupportforolderversionsofOSX,select"OK".
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14.Followthestepsasyou'reguidedthroughtheinstallationprocess.Atthe"DestinationSelect"step,choosetheoption"InstallforallUsersofthiscomputer."AftertheInstallationTypeinformationyou'llenteryoursystempasswordtobeginthedatainstallprocess.
15.AtthePreparationstep,you'llseewherethelargedatafileswillbeinstalledonyoursystem.
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16.ThelargedatafileswillnowbecopiedfromtheDVDstoyourselecteddrive.Allowfor3045minutesperdisc(approximately46hoursforalleightDVDs.)
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17.Whenthedatafromtheeighthdischasbeeninstalled,it'stimetoopenupOmnisphereinyourhosttoauthorizeit.
PleaseconsulttheAuthorizationsectionforassistancewithauthorizingOmnisphere.
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GETTINGSTARTEDWindowsInstallation
FollowthissetofinstructionstoinstalltheOmnispherelargesoundlibraryfilesontoyourstartupharddrive.Youneedalmost64GBoffreespaceavailableonyourstartupharddriveinordertocontinue.
NOTE:ThesescreenshotsaretakeninWindows8.InstallationonotherversionsofWindowsmaylooksomewhatdifferent.
INSTALLINGDISCA
1.AfterinsertingOmnisphereDiscAintothecomputer,openthedisc"SpectrasonicsOmnisphere"torevealitscontentsfromtheDesktop.
2.OpentheWindowsfolder,thendoubleclick"Omnisphere2Installation.url"tobegintheinstallationofOmnisphere.
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3.You'llbedirectedtotheSpectrasonicswebsitewhereyou'lllogintoyouruseraccount.Ifyoudon'tyethaveauseraccount,youcancreateonebyselectingthe"CreateNewAccount"button.
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4.You'llselectthedownloadlinkforWindowstodownloadtheDiscInstaller.
5.Oncethezipfiledownloadsandextractsitselfyoushouldhaveafoldercalled"Omnisphere_2_Installation".Openthefolderandfirstreadthefilecalled"Important!"asitcontainsvitalinformationabouttheinstallprocessandrequirements.Next,openthefoldercalled"Step1Installer".
6.Thenopenthefoldercalled"Windows".
7.Doubleclickthefile"Omnisphere2Installer.exe".
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8.Followthestepsasyou'reguidedthroughtheinstallationprocess.MakesuretoreviewtheInstallationInfoandLicensingFAQandthentoagreetothelicenseagreement.
9.ThepluginfileswillthenbeinstalledonyourPC'ssystemdrive.
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10.AttheSelectComponentsstepyou'llchoosetoinstallthe32bitand/or64bitversionsofOmnisphere.Ifuncertainwhichtochoose,selectthemboth.ThefollowingstepswillthendetailthedefaultlocationforbothversionoftheVST.
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11.ThedefaultlocationofthelargeOmnispheredatafileswillbedisplayednextandifyouwishtoinstallthecorelibrarytoasecondarydrive,selectthe"Browse"buttontoselectanalternatedrive.
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12.Oncetheinstallationpathshavebeenconfirmed,theinstallationwillbegin.
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13.Aftertheinstallationiscomplete,closeouttheinstallerandreturntoyour"Omnisphere_2_Installation"folder.
14.Openthe"Step2DataUpdater"folder,theWindowsfolderandrunthe"Omnisphere2
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DataUpdater"
15.Followthestepsasyou'reguidedthroughtheinstallationprocessandtoagreetothelicenseagreement.
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16.TheinstallerwillverifythelocationofyourSTEAMfolder,wherethelargedatafileswillbeinstalled.
17.ThelargedatafileswillnowbecopiedfromtheDVDstoyourselecteddrive.Allowfor3045minutesperdisc(approximately46hoursforalleightDVDs.)
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19.Whenthedatafromtheeighthdischasbeeninstalled,it'stimetoopenupOmnisphereinyourhostsequencertoauthorizeit.
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PleaseconsulttheAuthorizationsectionforassistancewithauthorizingOmnisphere.
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GETTINGSTARTEDAuthorization
OmnisphereauthorizationcanbedoneimmediatelyfromanycomputerconnectedtotheInternet.Thereisa4daydemoperiodfromthetimeyoufirstopentheplugintoauthorizeitifimmediateInternetaccessisnotavailable.
AfteropeningOmnisphereinyourhostsequencer,anauthorizationwindowwillappear.AChallengeCodewillbeprovided.YouwillneedthisChallengeCodealongwithyourSerialNumbertocompletetheonlineAuthorizationprocess.
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GETTINGSTARTEDAuthorization
Yourcomputermustbeconnectedtotheinternetwhilefollowingtheseinstructions.Ifyouneeddirectionsforauthorizingonacomputernotconnectedtotheinternet,pleasefollowthestepsdetailedhere
1.AfterinstantiatingOmnisphereintoyoursequencer,clicktheOmnispheresplashscreen.
YouwillnowseetheOmnisphereAuthorizationSystemwindow:
2.ClicktheCOPYbuttontocopythechallengecode.LogintotheSpectrasonicswebsitewithyourUserAccountnameandpassword
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http://www.spectrasonics.net/authorizationYouwillbetakentoyourUserAccountpage.Ifyoudon'tyethaveaUserAccount,youcancreateone.
3.IfthisisyourfirstauthorizationofOmnisphere,you'llneedtoaddittoyouraccountbypressingthe"Addaproducttoyouraccount"buttonundertheRegisteredProductstable.
4.Filloutallofyourpersonalinformationonthispage.SelectOmnisphereasyourproduct.Whenfinished,click"Next"atthebottomofthepage.
5.You'llthenpasteyourChallengecodeinthefieldontheAuthorizationpage.PleaseenterthedetailsaboutyourComputeraswell,asitwillbenecessaryifyourequiretechsupport.
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6.You'llthenreceiveaResponseCode,whichyou'llselectwithyourcursorandcopy(ControlConWindowsorCommandConMac):
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7.ReturnbacktoOmnisphere.ClickthePASTEbuttonandtheResponseCodewillnowbedisplayedinOmnisphere.
8.ClicktheCONTINUEbutton.
9.RemoveOmnispherefromyourhostsequencer.
10.ReinsertanewinstanceofOmnisphereintoyourhost.Omnispherewillnowbeauthorizedandfullyfunctional.
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GETTINGSTARTEDAuthorizingonacomputerNOTconnectedtotheInternet.
1.AfterinstantiatingOmnisphereintoyoursequencer,clicktheOmnispheresplashscreen.
YouwillnowseetheOmnisphereAuthorizationSystemwindow:
2.ClicktheCOPYbuttontocopythechallengecode.
3.Openatexteditorapplication(suchasTextEdit(Mac),Notepad/Wordpad(PC)).Pasteintoablanknewdocument.OnaMac,holdCOMMANDandpress'V'.OnaPC,holdCTRLandpress'V'.Thechallengecodewillnowappearinthedocument.SavethedocumentasaRichTextFile(RTF)withafilenameofyourchoice.
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(RTF)withafilenameofyourchoice.
4.MovetheRTFfiletoaflashdrive,harddrive,orotherportablemedia.YouwillneedtotransportthisdocumentovertoacomputerthathasanInternetconnection.Flashdrivesarerecommendedbecausetheyarecheapandquicklymovefilesbetweencomputers.
5.OpentheRTFfileonacomputerwithanInternetconnection.HighlighttheentirechallengecodeinthedocumentandCopyit.OnaMac,holdCOMMANDandpress'C'.OnaPC,holdCTRLandpress'C'.
6.LogintotheSpectrasonicswebsitewithyourUserAccountnameandpassword
http://www.spectrasonics.net/authorization
YouwillbetakentoyourUserAccountpage.Ifyoudon'tyethaveaUserAccount,youcancreateone.
7.IfthisisyourfirstauthorizationofOmnisphere,you'llneedtoaddittoyouraccountbypressingthe"Addaproducttoyouraccount"buttonundertheRegisteredProductstable.
8.EnteryourOmnisphereserialnumberintheboxthatappearsbelowthebutton:
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9.You'llthenpasteyourChallengecodeinthefieldontheAuthorizationpage.PleaseenterthedetailsaboutyourComputeraswell,asitwillbenecessaryifyourequiretechsupport.
10.AfterSubmittingyourChallengecodeyou'llreceiveaResponseCode,whichyou'llselectwithyourcursorandcopy(ControlConWindowsorCommandConMac):
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11.Openupablanknewdocumentinatexteditorapplication.Presspaste(ControlVonWindowsorCommandVonMac.)TheResponseCodewillnowappearinthedocument.SavethedocumentasaRichTextFile(RTF)withafilenameofyourchoice.
12.MovetheRTFfiletoaflashdrive,harddriveorotherportabledrive.Youwillneedtotransportthisdocumentbackovertothemusiccomputer.
13.OpenuptheRTFfilewhichcontainstheResponseCodeonyourmusiccomputer.SelectandhighlighttheResponseCodeinthedocumentandCopyit.OnaMac,holdCOMMANDandpress'C'.OnaPC,holdCTRLandpress'C'.
14.ReturnbacktoOmnisphere.ClickthePASTEbuttonandtheResponseCodewillnowbedisplayedinOmnisphere.
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15.ClicktheCONTINUEbutton.
16.NowremoveOmnispherefromyourhostsequencer.InsertanewinstanceofOmnisphereintoyourhost.Omnispherewillnowbeauthorizedandfullyfunctional.
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GETTINGSTARTEDDemoMode
Werecommendthatyouauthorizeimmediately,butifyouwouldratherauthorizelater,thenyoumayactivatetheDemoperiod,whichwilllast4days.
ThiscanbeusefulifyouwanttotryOmnispheretemporarilyonasystemtotestitsperformance.InDemomode,savingisdisabledandaudioartifactswillbegintoappearinthesignalafteraperiodoftime(loadingofsongsandpatcheswillworkthough).Youwillstillbeabletoauthorizeduringorafterthedemoperiod.
AfterpressingtheDEMOMODEbuttonyouwillseethisscreen:
GobacktothehostsoftwareandcompletelyremovethisinstanceoftheOmnisphereplugin.ReopenitandyouwillbeinDemoMode.ItwillsayDemoModeatthetopofthepluginandtherewillbeanAuthorizebuttonbelowtheUtilityMenubutton.
Ifyouwanttoauthorizeduringthedemoperiod,presstheAuthorizebutton,andyouwillseetheOmnisphereAuthorizationSystemwindow.Afterthe4daydemoperiodhasfinished,youwillbesentbacktotheAuthorizationSystemWindow.
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GETTINGSTARTEDAuthorizationTroubleshooting
IfyouarereturnedtotheWelcometotheOmnisphereAuthorizationSystempageorthedemomodeversionofOmnisphereafterreopeningOmnisphere,thenthatmeanstheplugindidnotaccepttheresponsecodeanditmayhavebeenincorrectlyentered.Youcancheckyourresponsecodebyreferringtotheemailthatwassenttoyouafteryouregistered.TryauthorizingagainwiththeinstructionsgivenintheAuthorizingsection.MakesureyouareenteringtheresponsecodegivenbythewebsiteandNOTtheserialnumberfromyouruserguide.
WhileinDemoMode,ifyouaccidentallypresstheAuthorizebutton,simplyclosetheinterfacewindowandreopenit.
NOTE:Ifyouneedfurtherassistance,[email protected]
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GETTINGSTARTEDMovingTheSTEAMDirectory
Afterinstallation,youcaneasilymovethelargeSTEAMdirectorycontainingallthesoundfilestoasecondarydriveifyouwishtofreeupspaceonyouroriginalinstallationdrive.
WINDOWSMOVINGTHESTEAMDIRECTORYAFTERINSTALLATION
DragorcopytheSTEAMfolderfromyourinstallationdrive(C:\ProgramData\Spectrasonics)totheharddrivelocationofyourchoice.
Thiscanbeanotherdrivepartition,asecondaryinternaldriveoranexternalharddrivesuchasaFirewireorUSB2harddrive,etc.
Next,rightclicktheSTEAMfolderinthenewlocationtocreateaShortcutToSTEAM.
Next,copytheshortcuttoC:\ProgramData\Spectrasonics.
Finally,makecertaintoremovetheShortcutTofromthename(includingremovingthespaces),leavingthefoldershortcutnamedSTEAM
MACOSXMOVINGTHESTEAMDIRECTORYAFTERINSTALLATION
DragorcopytheSTEAMfolderfromyourinstallationdrive
(ForExample:MacintoshHD/Library/ApplicationSupport/Spectrasonics)
totheharddrivelocationofyourchoice.Thiscanbeanotherdrivepartition,asecondaryinternaldriveoranexternalharddrivesuchasaFirewireorUSB2harddrive,etc.
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Next,hold(ApplekeyandOptionkey)onthekeyboard,clickanddragtheSTEAMfoldertothedesktoptocreateanaliasofthefoldernamedSTEAM.
Next,movetheSTEAMaliasfromthedesktoptoMacintoshHD/Users/Username/Library/Application/Support/Spectrasonics
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GETTINGSTARTEDUsingOmnisphereStandAloneonaComputer
Omnispherewasdesignedtoworkasapluginwhichcloselyintegrateswithinyourmainsequencingapplicationandcomputer.Werecommendusingitthiswayforbestresults.
Alternatively,Omnispheremayalsobeusedwithasimplehostapplicationtoworkasasoundmoduleforliveperformance.Omnispherehasspecialsmodeswhicharedesignedtomakeitanidealinstrumentforuseinlivesituations.
Thirdly,youcanalsouseOmnisphereondedicatedhardwaremusiccomputersliketheMUSEReceptorandNEKOKeyboards,whichessentiallyarePCsdedicatedformusicperformance.
However,thereareafewthingstokeepinmindwithusingOmnisphereonastandalonesystem:
1.Omnispheremustresideinahostapplicationontheothercomputer
2.Omnisphereisapluginanddoesnotfunctionasastandaloneapplication.ItmustfunctionasaVirtualInstrumentpluginwithinahostregardlessofwhatcomputerit'son.TherearemanyfreeandinexpensiveVSTandAudioUnithostapplicationsthatwillrunOmnisphere.
Youcangetacomprehensivelistofhostsonwww.kvraudio.com
LatencyandTimingaccuracy
Asaresultofbeingonastandalonecomputer,thelatencybetweenMIDIandAudiointerfaceswillcauseOmnispheretoplaylaterthanitwouldonthemainsequencingcomputer,soyouwillneedtocompensateforthelatency.Also,whenOmnisphereisusedonthemaincomputer,thetimingofplaybackisextremelytightsampleaccurateinmostcases.Onaslavesystem,thistypeofaccuracyisnotcurrentlypossible.
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GETTINGSTARTEDCheckingForUpdates
Thelatestversionsofthesoftware,Soundsourcelibrary,andpatchlibraryforOmnispherecanbefoundonourwebsiteat:
http://www.spectrasonics.net/updates
WithOmnisphere,we'veincludedawaytoquicklycheckforupdatesdirectlyfromtheplugin.
SimplyclicktheSpectasonicslogotorevealtheSplashpage.Inthemiddleleft,selectthebuttonCheckForUpdates:
SelectingitwillcomparethecurrentinstalledversionsonyoursystemwiththelatestavailableupdatesontheSpectrasonicswebsite.RememberthereareseparateversionsfortheOmnispheresoftware,Soundsourcesandpatches,somakesurethatallthreearealwaysuptodate.
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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,madeearlycompatibilitywithApplesIntelMacspossible,newinstrumentsbasedonSTEAMtechnologywillmakefuturetransitionsmucheasierforourcustomers.
UsingSTEAM,newproductsarebeingcreatedfromthegroundupthatsupportSpectrasonicslongtermvisionofthehighestqualitysoundsandthemostmusicallyintuitiveuserexperience.
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
SoundsourcesallowOmnispheressynthesistobeginwithsampledsoundsinsteadofDSPwaveforms.TheyareaccessedbyselectingSampleModeintheOscillator.
SoundsourcesarebasedonamapofaudiosamplesstoredintheCoreLibraryofOmnisphereinSpectrasonicsproprietarySTEAMformat.ASoundsourcecanbeassimpleasasinglesamplestretchedacrossthekeyboardrangeorascomplexashundredsofchromaticallysampled,velocityswitchedmultisampleslikeyoudfindinamodernsamplelibrary.
OmnispheresCoreLibrarySoundsourcesvarydramaticallyinsizefromafewkilobytestooveragigabyte.EachSoundsourcewascarefullypreparedandoptimizedbytheSpectrasonicsSoundDevelopmentteam.
LargerandmorecomplexSoundsourcestakealongertoload,butstillloadrelativelyquickly,sincetheSTEAMEngineincludesstreamingtechnologytoallowforplaybackofverylargemultisamples.Streamingallowsforthesamplestobufferoffofthecomputersharddriveinrealtime,insteadofallofthesampleshavingtobeloadedintothecomputersRAM.Inaddition,Omnisphere'ssophisticatedProgressiveLoadingallowssoundswiththousandsofsamplestobeplayedandauditionedwhiletheyarestillbeingloaded.
SoundsourcesinOmnispherearesimilartousingprogramsinasampler,buttherearesomekeydifferences:
1.ASoundsourcecontainsnotonlyalloftherawsamples,mappinginformation,suchaspitch,velocity,zones,andlooppointsbutalsoSoundsourceimages,notesandtags.
2.Soundsourcesdonotincludeenvelopes,filters,LFOs,FXoranymodulationsettings(thosearestoredinthePatch).
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settings(thosearestoredinthePatch).
Forthisreason,youcanloadanewSoundsourceintoaLayer,withoutchanginganyoftheLayerssynthesissettings.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,thenitsaCommonparameterthatcanbeusedbybothLayers(ex:LFO1~6,ModEnv.1~4).Ifitisntnumbered,thenitsspecifictotheLayer(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.Thefourthsectionprovidesafactoryresetoption,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,includingadefaultwaveformloadedasastartingpoint.
WhenyouselectClear(ClearMulti,ClearPatchorClearLayer),allexistingparametersfortheMulti,PatchorLayerwillbecompletelycleared,usingnosoundsormemory.
WhenClearingorInitializingaPatchorLayer,theMixersettingsareretained.d
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).TheAuditionNotesettingintheBrowserSettingsZoomdeterminesthepitch.
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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,andthatLFOssettingsaredisplayed.
PageButtons(raisedbutton)
SubPageButtons(smallerraisedbuttonsselectsubpages)
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CONCEPTSSwitches(Toggles)
Switchesletyoutogglecertainparametersonandofforswitchbetweenmultipleoptions.Whenaparameterisenabledorselected,theswitchwillbehighlighted.ForexampleontheLayerPages,switchestogglebetweenSAMPLEModeandSYNTHMode,toggleLFOSynconandoff,orselectbetweenVelocityCurvesettings.PowerButtonsarealsoatypeofSwitch,anexamplebeingtheFILTERSOn/OffButton.
ModeSwitches(flatbuttonsthataresidebysideareModeSwitches)
Switches(flatbuttonswhichareseparatedareOn/OffSwitches)
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)Bringsupcontextualmenus.
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
ModulationoffersthemostsophisticatedmethodofcontrollingOmnispheresparameters.Thismethodallowsscaling,canusealmostanyMIDIMessage(Wheel,PitchBend,Aftertouch,Notes,etc.),andissaved/recalledwitheachPatch.
TolearnmoreaboutModulation,pleaserefertotheModulationsection.
Automation
WithAutomationmessages,changesmadetoparametersusingthemousecanberecordedinthehostsoftware.Parameteradjustmentsaretypicallywrittentoanautomationtrack,andinsomehosts,youcandrawtheautomationcurvesdirectlyintothetrack.Thismethodismostusefulformixingandfinetuningparameterchangesovertimeonanexistingperformanceinyourhost.
TolearnmoreaboutAutomation,pleaserefertotheAutomationsection.
MIDILearn
MIDILearnenablesfullremotecontrolofOmnispheresparametersfromMIDIDevices.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,soitsimportanttounderstandhowyourspecificsoftwarewillinteractwithOmnisphere.
EnablingHostAutomation
TomakeaHostAutomationassignmentforaparameterinOmnisphere,Right/Controlclickaparametertoopenitscontextualmenu,andthenselecttheEnableHostAutomationoption.
TheparameterwillbeassignedthenextavailableHostAutomationIDnumber,fromlowesttohighest.Onceassigned,changesmadetotheparameterusingtheOmnisphereinterfacecanberecordedinrealtimeinthehostsoftware.
NOTE:IfyourhostdoesntdisplayHostAutomationassignmentsbyname,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
ThefirstsectionoftheUtilityMenuhasseveralMIDILearnoptions.
MIDILearnTemplate
AllMIDILearn&AutomationassignmentsaresavedwithaMULTI,buttherearetimeswhenitmakessensetosaveaMIDILearn&Automationconfigurationforusewithanotherprojectorenvironment.
MIDILearn&AutomationTemplatesallowcustomsetupstobesavedandeasilyrecalledwhenevertheyreneeded.
SelectSaveTemplatefromtheMIDILearn&Automationsubmenu,tostoreallcurrentMIDILearn&Automationassignmentsforlaterrecall.SelectingthisoptionwillopenaFileSavedialogue,allowingtheTemplatetobenamedandsaved.
SelectLoadMIDILearnTemplatetoloadapreviouslysavedTemplate.AnyexistingMIDILearnassignmentswillbereplacedwiththeassignmentsstoredintheTemplate.SelectingthisoptionwillopenaFileLoaddialogue,allowingasavedTemplatetobeloaded.
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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,ortoverifyassignmentsafterloadingaMIDILearn&AutomationTemplate.
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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
Selectthisoption,thenmoveorpressacontrolonyourMIDIcontroller.ThecontrolwillthenbepairedwiththeOmnisphereparameter.
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controlwillthenbepairedwiththeOmnisphereparameter.
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.Thefollowingdetailedtipsandtechniquesareespeciallyusefulinbusysessionswhentryingtomakethemostofyourcomputersresources.
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,TextureorSFXPatchestypicallydontneed16oreven8voicesofpolyphony.AnytimeyouarerunninglowonCPUpower,thisisthefirstareatolookatforconservingCPU.
ToadjustpolyphonyforaPart,usetheVOICESstepperoneithertheMainorLayerPages.
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UnisonandGranular
WhenusingUnisonandGranular,theDepthsliderscontrolthenumberofsimultaneousvoicesthatareplaying,andcanhaveabigimpactonCPUusage.YoucanoftenachievethedesiredeffectbyusingalowerDepthsetting.
OscillatorSubPages(FM,RING,WS,UNI,HARM,GRN)
Itseasy(andfun!)tousealloftheoscillatorsubpagesatthesametime,butusedtogetherthesecandemandasignificantamountofCPUpower.UsingthemsparinglywilloftenleadtobettersonicresultsandbeeasierontheCPUload.
SingleLayervsDualLayerPatches
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TheresalotthatcanbedonewithasingleLayer.IfyoucanachievethedesiredsoundorcomplexityusingoneLayerinsteadoftwo,itslikelythatasignificantamountofCPUpowercanbeconserved.
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.EachTrilianPatchcontainsitsownCustomControlslayoutthatbringstogetherinonepageallthemostusefulparametersofthatPatch.
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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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CONCEPTSUsingTrilianSoundsInOmnisphere
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/
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BROWSERIntroduction
Omnisphereshipswithamassivelibraryofsoundsandrequiresasophisticatedwaytosearch,filterandbrowsethem.TheBrowsersinOmnisphereweredesignedtoprovideanintuitiveandconvenientwaytoquicklyfindexactlywhatyouneedfromalibrarycontainingthousandsofsounds.
Usingcategories,searchableattributes(calledTags),Projects&Sharing,theBrowsersaddapowerfulandimportantfeaturetotheworkflowinOmnisphere.ThemoreyouunderstandabouthowtheBrowserworks,thebetteryouwillbeabletoenjoytheOmnispheresoundlibrary.
Multis,Patches,andSoundsourceshavetheirownBrowserswiththesamelayoutandidenticalfunctions,buttheyinteractwithdifferentpartsoftheCoreLibrary.Forexample,whentheMultiBrowserisopen,onlyMultiswillbeaccessibleintheBrowser.
TherearetwotypesofBrowsersinOmnisphere:theFullBrowserandtheMiniBrowser.TheFullBrowserusestheentireOmnisphereuserinterface,whichallowsformorerefinedsearches,displayingmoreresults.TheMiniBrowserusesonlytheleftmostareaoftheinterface,makingthecontrolsstillaccessibleconvenientforeditingsoundswhilebrowsing.
TherearetwowaystoquicklydistinguishwhichBrowserisopen:
1.ThetitleatthetopoftheBrowser.
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2.TheimageintheInfoArea.
WhiletheMultiandPatchimagesarenamedrespectively,somePatchesdisplayuniqueimages.IntheSoundsourceBrowseryouwillfinduniqueimagesforeachSoundsource,givingyouavisualrepresentationofwhattoexpectfromthesound.
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MINIBROWSERLayout
TheMiniBrowserletsyoubrowseandeditsoundswithoutswitchingpages.ItisdisplayedintheleftmostareaoftheOmnisphereinterfaceandprovidesconvenientPatchandMultibrowsingwiththeOmnispherecontrolsstilleasilyaccessible.
MiniBrowsersareavailableforPatchesandMultis.ThePatchMiniBrowserisdisplayedwhenPartpagesareselectedandtheMultiMiniBrowserisdisplayedwhenMultiorSystempagesareselected.
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MINIBROWSERHeader
TheMiniBrowserHeadercontainstheBrowserTitle,accesstotheFullBrowserviathemagnifyingglass,SoundLock,DirectoryMenu,SearchField,andtabsforselectingAttributesbasedbrowsingorSoundMatch.
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MINIBROWSERFilters
InAttributesMode,therearefourselectableBrowserFilters,whichdisplayCategoryandthreecontextsensitiveAttributesforsearchesbasedonthetagsthathavebeenaddedtothesounds.WhenaCategoryoranAttributehasbeenchangedfromAll,thetitlechangestoblue,toletyouknowitisfiltered.
SoundMatch,ontheotherhand,letsyoufindsoundsthataresimilarwithasimpleclick.SoundMatchanalyzesthetagsofeverysoundandfindsotherswithsimilarcharacteristicstotheonecurrentlyloaded.
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MINIBROWSERResults&Info
AfterfilteringusingAttributesModeorusingSoundMatchtofindsimilarsounds,thelistofresultsisdisplayedinthelowerareaoftheMiniBrowser.
InformationabouttheloadedPatchandisdisplayedinthemiddleareaoftheMainPage.
WhenthisareaissettoNotesView,avisualrepresentationofthePatchisdisplayedalongwithusefulinformation,performancesuggestions,andaccesstothePatchZoom.
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WhenthisareaissettoLayersView,itprovidesthenamesandavisualrepresentationoftheWaveformsorSoundsourcesthatmakeupthePatch,alongwithotherbasicLayercontrols.
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MINIBROWSERFooter
TheMiniBrowserfooterprovidesadditionalsortingoptions,aShufflebutton,upanddownstepperarrows,andanAuditionbutton.
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BROWSERLayout
ThelayoutistheverysimilarforallthreeFullBrowsers.OnceyoufamiliarizeyourselfwiththecommonlayoutandoperationofanyFullBrowser,youwillbecomfortablewithallofthem.
NOTE:WhenusingTrilianinsideOmnisphere,itsSoundsources,PatchesandMultiswillalsodisplayuniqueimageswhichidentifytheinstrumentorfeeloftheselectedsound.WhenyouopenaTrilianPatchinOmnisphere,specialTriliancontrolswillbecomeavailable.
NOTE:TheSoundsourceBrowserdoesnotcontaintheLiteVersionButtonandLiteVersionZoomIcon.
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BROWSERHeader
TheFullPatchBrowserHeadercontainstheBrowserTitle,thePartselectordropdownmenu,aMemoryMeter,controlsthatletyouapplyfilteringoptionsusingtheDirectoryMenu,buttonsthatallowselectionbetweenthetwobrowsingmodes(AttributesorFileDirectory),SoundMatch,theProjects/Sharingmenu,andSoundLock,aswellastheSearchfield.
TheFullMultiBrowserHeadercontainstheBrowserTitle,aMemoryMeter,controlsthatletyouapplyfilteringoptionsusingtheDirectoryMenu,buttonsthatallowselectionbetweenthetwobrowsingmodes(AttributesorFileDirectory),theheProjects/Sharingmenu,andSoundLock,aswellastheSearchfield.
TheFullSoundsourceBrowserHeadercontainstheBrowserTitle,aMemoryMeter,controlsthatletyouapplyfilteringoptionsusingtheDirectoryMenu,buttonsthatallowselectionbetweenthetwobrowsingmodes(AttributesorFileDirectory),SoundMatch,theProjects/Sharingmenu,SoundLock,theSearchfield,andtheUserAudiobutton,whichopenstheimportsection.
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BROWSERFilters
ThefourcolumnlayoutoftheFullBrowserFiltersprovidesbothhierarchicalandAttributesbasedfilteringfunctions,andoperatesintwodistinctmodes.
InAttributesMode,theFullBrowserFiltersdisplayselectableCategoryandcontextsensitiveAttributescolumnsbasedonthetagsthathavebeenaddedtotheMultis,Patches,orSoundsources.
InFileDirectoryMode,theFullBrowserFiltersdisplayfoldersandfilesjustastheyarestoredinthedirectoryonyourcomputersharddrive.
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BROWSERResultsandInfo
TheFullBrowsershave4columnsforsearchcriteriaandtheresultsaredisplayedinthe5thcolumnontheright.
WhentheInfoViewisselected,theInfoAreaprovidesdetailedinformationabouttheselectedsoundintherightcolumn.TheimageintherightcolumnalsohelpsdistinguishwhichBrowseryouareusing.ThisisthedefaultViewModeforallBrowsers.
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BROWSERFooter
TheBrowserFooterprovidesadditionalsortingandbrowsingoptions,LiteVersionbutton,accesstoLiteVersionOptionsProjectmenu,theTagEditorandBrowserSettings,
UndertheResultsColumn,therearebuttonsforSortingoptions,upanddownstepperarrows,thecirculararrowforrefreshingtheBrowser,theAuditionbutton,andtheInfoView,whichshowsmoredetailedinformationabouttheselectedSound.
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BROWSERAccess
AnywherethatyouseeaFolderIconButton,youwillbeabletoaccessOmnisphere'sFullBrowserbyclickingontheFolder.IfthereisaNameDisplaynexttotheFolder,youcanalsoclickinsidetheNameDisplaytoopentheFullBrowser.
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BROWSERMultiBrowser
TheFullMultiBrowserisaccessedusingtheMultiDisplayintheHeader,whichisvisibleandaccessiblefrommostpagesinOmnisphere(itisnotaccessiblefromthePatchorSoundsourceBrowserpages).SelecttheFolderIconButtonorclickinsidetheMultiNameDisplaytoopentheFullMultiBrowser.
WhentheMultiMiniBrowserisopenontheleft,clickingonthemagnifyingglassatthetopofthebrowserwillopentheFullMultiBrowser.
NOTE:TheMultibuttondoesnothavetobeselectedtoaccesstheFullMultiBrowser.YoucanaccesstheFullMultiBrowserfrommostpagesintheplugin.
TheMultiBrowser
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BROWSERPatchBrowser
TheFullPatchBrowserisaccessedfromthePatchNameDisplay,whichisalwaysvisibleandavailablefromanyofthePartpages.SelecttheFolderIconButtonorclickonthePatchNameDisplaytoopentheFullPatchBrowser.
ThePatchBrowsercanalsobeaccessedfromtheMixerpage(PatchNameDisplays),fromtheLiveModepagewhenMixerControlsareenabledandfromtheStackModebycontrol/rightclickitsPartRegionandselectingthePopupbrowsertochoosenewpatchoptionfromthecontextmenu.
MixerPatchNameDisplay
LiveModeMixerControls
PatchBrowserAccessfromStackMode
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ThePatchBrowser
YoucanalsoaccesstheFullPatchBrowserfromtheStackModepagebycontrolclicking/rightclickingitsPartRegionandselectingthePopupbrowsertochoosenewpatchoptionfromthecontextmenu.
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BROWSERSoundsourceBrowser
TheSoundsourceBrowserisaccessedfromtheLayerAandLayerBpages,aswellastheMainPage.
OntheMainpage,selectLAYERSinthecentralInfosection,thenclickontheimageorthefoldericontoopentheSoundsourceBrowser.
OntheLayerpages,selecttheSAMPLEtabintheOSCILLATORsection,thenclickinsidethe
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OntheLayerpages,selecttheSAMPLEtabintheOSCILLATORsection,thenclickinsidethe
SoundsourceNameDisplaytoopentheSoundsourceBrowser.
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BROWSERSearchandFiltering
SearchingandfilteringisdonefromtheMiniBrowserandtheFullBrowserHeader,usingtheDirectoryMenu,theSearchField,andtheBrowserFiltercolumns.Thereareseveraloptionsavailableforfilteringtheresults(includingBooleanExpressions),andchoosinghowsoundsarebrowsed,displayed,andpreviewed.
TheDirectoryMenu,SearchField,andBrowserFiltersworkincombinationwitheachothertofurtherrefinetheresults.Theorderinwhichtheyareappliedisntimportant,youcanapplyselectionsandcriteriainanyorder.
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BROWSERDirectoryMenu
TheDirectoryMenuletsyoufilterbylibraries.SelecttheDirectoryMenudownarrowornamedisplaytoopenthemenu.AfterselectingaLibrary,onlythesoundsinthatLibrarywillbedisplayedintheFullorMiniBrowsers.
YoucanfurtherrefinethesearchbyusingtheSearchFieldandtheBrowserFilters.SelectingAllwillremoveanyDirectoryMenufilteringandshowallLibrariessimultaneously.SelectingAllSpectrasonicswillonlyshowSpectrasonicssounds,filteringoutthirdpartylibrariesandUsersounds.
BooleanSearch,using"Or,And,andNot,"willfurtherrefineyoursearch.
AftersavingcustomPatchesorMultis,theUserlibrarywillbeavailablefromthemenu.SelectingthislibrarywilldisplayonlycustomUserPatchesorMultisintheBrowsers.
ForadditionaldetailsrefertotheSaving&ManagingSoundssection.
NOTE:IfyoualsohaveTrilianitslibrarieswillalsoappearintheDIRECTORYMenu.
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BROWSERSearchField
ClickanywhereintheSearchFieldtoentersearchtext.PresstheEnter/Returnkeytosearchandviewthefilteredresults.
TheSearchfunctionwillcheckNames,Tags,Keywords,andevenNotestodeterminethesearchresults.
SelectingAttributesintheBrowserFilterscanrefinethesearchevenfurther.Themoreselectionsthataremade,usingAttributesandtheBooleanSearchcapability,thenarrowerthesearchresultswillbe.TosearchtheentireCoreLibrary,besuretoselectAllineachoftheBrowserFiltercolumns.
SearchLock
Bydefault,whentheFullBrowserisclosed,theSearchtextwillbecleared.SearchLockallowssearchentries(andthefilteredresults)toberetainedaftertheBrowserisclosedandreopened.
YoucanlockandretaintheSearchtextinthePatchBrowsersviatheSoundLockmenu.
IntheSoundsurceandMultibrowsers,SearchLockisenabledwiththededicatedSearchLockicon.
Fordetailedinformationontheextentofthelockingcapabilities,pleaseseeSoundLock.
NOTE:TheSearchLocksettingissavedasaglobalusersetting.Forexample,ifyouenableSearchLock,itwillremainenabledthenexttimeyouopenaninstanceoftheplugin.
NOTE:WhenyouchangetheSearchLocksetting,thatchangeisappliedtoallBrowsers.Forexample,enablingordisablingSearchLockinthePatchBrowseralsoenablesordisablesitintheMultiandSoundsourceBrowsers.
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SearchClear
SelecttheSearchClearbuttontocleartheSearchField.WhenyouclicktheSearchClearbutton,thedisplayedsoundswillupdateaccordingly.
NOTE:YoucanapplytheSearchClearbuttonwithSearchLockenabled.ThisletsyoumakechangestoyoursearchcriteriawithoutchangingtheSearchLockstatus.
BooleanExpressions
BooleanSearchusesthecriteria"Or,And,andNot,"andletsyouincludeorexcludecertainAttributestonarrowyoursearch.YoucantypeexpressionsintotheSearchfieldtofilteryourresults.
Forexample:
TypingFilmandElectronicwillincludePatchesthatfitbothgenres.
TypingFilmorElectronicwillincludePatcheswitheitherAttribute.
TypingFilmandnotElectronicwillincludePatchessuitableforFilm,butnotonesthatareElectronic.
Parenthesiscanalsobeusedformultiplecriteriaselection:
(FilmorElectronic)and(DramaticandnotDisturbing).
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BROWSERBrowserFilters
WhenusingtheFullBrowser,thebrowserfilterscanbeusedintwomodes:AttributesandFileDirectory.WhenusingtheMiniBrowser,onlyAttributesModeisavailable.
NOTE:SelectingSoundMatchhidesthebrowserfiltersandautomaticallyfindssimilarsoundstotheonethatisloaded.
AttributesMode
UsingAttributesMode,filteringisachievedbyselectingCategoriesandAttributestorefinethelistofsounds.ThefirstcolumndropdownmenuletsyouselectbetweenCategoryandProject"whiletheremainingAttributecolumnsmaychangetheirlabelsdependingontheselectedCategory.
Forexample,intheSoundsourceBrowser,iftheCategoryAll"isselected,theAttributecolumnswillautomaticallydisplayType,Genre,andVersion.
IftheCategoryARP+BPMisselected,theAttributecolumnswillchangetoType,Mood,andGenre.
ThesechangesareintendedtoreflectAttributesthatmakemoresenseincontexttotheCategoryselection.ThesearerecommendedAttributes,butyoucanstillmanuallyselectdifferentAttributesfromthecolumndropdownmenus.
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WhenusingtheMiniBrowser,theAttributefiltersaredisplayedoneatatime.Ifthereisanassignmentselectedinoneofthefilters,thelettersinthefilterheaderwillbeblue.Ifnothingisselected,theywillbewhite.
IntheMiniBrowser,theselectedAttributeTypesreflectthoseselectedintheFullBrowser.IfyouwishtousespecificAttributeTypes,selectthemintheFullBrowserfirst.
NOTE:AutomaticAttributeschangeswillonlyoccurifCategorySensitiveAttributesintheBrowserSettingsissettingisenabled(thedefaultstate).Ifthesettingisdisabled,thelabelswillremainstaticwhenchangingCategories.
FileDirectoryMode(FullBrowsersOnly)
UsingFileDirectoryMode,theBrowserFiltersdisplayaFileFolderhierarchythatmatcheshowtheyarestoredonyourcomputersharddrive.
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UsingFileDirectoryMode,theBrowserFiltersdisplayaFileFolderhierarchythatmatcheshowtheyarestoredonyourcomputersharddrive.
WhenyouselectaFolderinacolumn,thelistofsoundswillbefilteredtoincludeonlythesoundsthatexistintheFoldersbelowitinthefilehierarchy.
Thistraditionalmethodoffilebrowsingmaybemorenaturaltosomeusers,andisusefulwhencreatingalargecustomcollectionofMultisandPatches.YoucancreateacustomfiledirectoryhierarchyinsidetheSTEAMfolder,andorganizeyourcustomPatchestosuityourneeds.
NOTE:MostofOmnisphere'sFactoryLibrarydoesnotrelyonfoldersorsubdirectories,soFileDirectorymodeisnotparticularlyusefulforbrowsingFactorysounds.
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BROWSEROperationBooleanFiltering
BooleanFiltering
BooleanFilteringusesthecriteria"Or,And,andNot,"inordertoincludeorexcludecertainAttributestonarrowyoursearch.
InadditiontotypingexpressionintotheSearchfield,youcanfiltersearchresultsusingacombinationofmouseclicksandkeycommands,oraccessingtheBooleanmenusbyclickingontheiconsatthetoprightcornerofeachfilter(theiconsareonlyavailableintheFullBrowsers).
DependingontheBooleanexpressionyouchoose,theselectedattributeassignmentswillbedisplayedwithdifferentcolorsandoutlines.
OR
Thisoptionsays,"Showmeresultsthataretaggedwitheitheroftheseattributes."
Example:WithintheGenrecolumn,Commandclick(Mac)andControlclick(PC)."Film"and"Electronic"todisplayonlythosesoundsthataretaggedwithFilmorElectronictags.
TochooseOR,simplyselecttheAttribute(ORisthedefaultfilterstate).
TomakemultipleselectionsusCommandclick(Mac)andControlclick(PC).
Theselection(s)inthecolumnwillbehighlightedinblueandbothcirclesintheiconwillbefilledin.
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AND
Thisoptionsays,"ShowmeresultsthatareonlytaggedwithBOTHoftheseAttributes."
Example:WithintheGenrecolumn,Commandrightclicking/CommandControlclicking(Mac)andControlRightClick(PC)"Film"and"Electronic"willdisplayonlythosesoundsthataretaggedwithBOTHFilmANDElectronictags.
Theselection(s)inthecolumnwillbeborderedinblueandonlytheintersectionofthecirclesintheiconisfilledin.
NOT
Thisoptionsays,"ShowonlythoseresultsthatareNOTtaggedwiththeseattributes."
Example:WithintheGenrecolumn,Optionclick/Altclick"Dance"toremoveanysoundsfromtheresultsthataretaggedasDance.
TochooseNOT,useOptionclick/AltclickandselectanAttribute.
Tomakemultipleselections,useCommandOptionclick(Mac)andControlAltRightClick(PC).
Theselection(s)inthecolumnwillbeborderedinredandonlytheleftcircleintheiconisfilledin.
TIP:YoucanonlychooseoneexpressionatatimeineachBrowserFilter.TousemultipleexpressionswithinthesameAttributeType,youcantypethecriteriaintotheSearchfield(e.g.FilmandNOTAmbient).
NOTE:StandardleftclickingdeselectsanyblueorredoutlinedselectionsandreturnstothedefaultORselectionwithinacolumn.
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BROWSERDisplayingandNavigatingResults
Therearenumerousoptionsavailabletochangehowsoundsareorganizedanddisplayed,andfornavigatingthesoundsintheInfoArea.
Thesetoolsletyousortsoundsindifferentways,includingbyRatings,andbecausetherearethousandsofsoundstoexplore,thesecontrolshelpyoudelvedeeperintotheLibrary.TheseBrowsercontrolswillalsoworkonfilteredresults.
SortMenu
TheSortMenuincludesfourwaystosortthelistofsounds.
Featured
We'recontinuallyaddingnewsoundstoOmnisphereandthenumberofavailablesoundsisprettymassive!InordertomakeiteasiertofindthebestexamplesofthenewestsoundsintheLibrary,Featuredsoundsaredisplayedbydefaultatthetopofyourlist.ThislistisupdatedwitheachPatchupdate.
Selectingthe"Featured"sortoptionwilldisplayFeaturedsoundsatthetopofthesoundslist.
YouwillalsofindaspecialselectionofFeaturedsoundswhenyou'rebrowsingthelibrarybyCategory.Forexample,withtheFeaturedsortoptionselected,ifyouselectSynthBassintheCategorycolumn,you'llseeaspeciallyselectedlistofFeaturedSynthBasssoundsdisplayedatthetopofthelist.
AZ&ZA
TheAZ&ZAoptionsprovideasimplewaytoreversethealphabetizationofthesounds.SelectZAtoreversetheorder,andAZtorestoreit.TheBrowserdisplaydefaultstoAZsorting.
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Ratings
Allsoundsinthelibrarycanbegivenratingsfrom1to5starsusingtheRatingssystem.SelectingRatingsfromtheSortmenudisplaysratedsoundsatthetopoftheBrowserlist,inorderoftheirRatings.5starsoundsarelistedfirst,followedby4starsounds,andsoon.
RecentUser
Thisfeatureisonlyu