User Manual

SWAM Solo Strings v2.1.0 - User Manual – rev. 1

Hardware requirements

Audio interface (sound card)

A good quality audio interface (USB, FireWire, PCI) with suitable low-latency drivers (like ASIO for

PC users) is required. The allowed buffer size is up to 2048 samples. Recommended settings are 128,

256 samples, or 512 samples (higher latency, but less CPU load).

MIDI devices

SWAM instruments (like any other virtual instrument) can be successfully used without the need for

any additional hardware (except the audio interface) by drawing the controller curves and

programming the notes directly in the host sequencer. However, a much more “human” and

interactive configuration is recommended — especially when playing in real time — using external

MIDI devices.

A MIDI keyboard with at least 5 octaves, mod wheel & pitch bend, connected to the computer via

USB or an external MIDI interface, equipped with a set of physical continuous MIDI controllers

(usually knobs or sliders) to control effects like overblow, subharmonics, growl, etc.

An expression pedal, controlling the dynamics via CC11. Although the dynamics can be controlled

by another physical controller (knob, slider, ribbon, XY-pad), a pedal is highly recommended. As an

alternative, a breath controller, such as a Yamaha BC3, TEControl or Hornberg Research HB1, can

be used. Using a pedal or a breath controller is highly recommended.

Woodwind or brass players may prefer to use a wind controller such as a Yamaha WX, Akai EWI

(USB, 4000S or 5000) or Aodyo Sylphyo; all of them provide excellent results.

Multi-expressive devices like the Seaboard or the LinnStrument are supported.

Software requirements

A DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) or a Host capable of running VST2.4, Audio Units or AAX plugins

is needed to run SWAM instruments.

If you do not have a host application capable of running VST or AU plugins, you can install a free

host application such as Camelot (https://camelotpro.com).

A list of compatible hosts and DAWs can be found on our Knowledge base:

https://support.audiomodeling.com/kb/faq.php?id=39