Synchronic‚ Version 8.
Legal Notices This guide is copyrighted ©2008 by Digidesign, a division of Avid Technology, Inc. (hereafter “Digidesign”), with all rights reserved. Under copyright laws, this guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part without the written consent of Digidesign.
contents Chapter 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Contents of the Boxed Version of Your Plug-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Register Your Plug-ins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 5. Using the Synchronic AudioSuite Plug-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Using Synchronic AudioSuite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Synchronic AudioSuite Modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Previewing Synchronic AudioSuite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Chapter 6.
chapter 1 Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of the Digidesign® Synchronic™ plug-in for Pro Tools® systems. Synchronic is designed to manipulate audio loops to create new and interesting rhythmic variations. Synchronic is the ideal recombinatorial rhythm machine for anyone who works with audio loops. Synchronic is essentially an instrument plug-in that is most effective at manipulating (slicing, dicing, and recombining) rhythmic audio loops.
Contents of the Boxed Version of Your Plug-in Your Synchronic plug-in boxed version contains the following components: • Installation disc • Digidesign Registration Information Card • Activation Card with an Activation Code for authorizing plug-ins with an iLok USB Smart Key (not supplied) System Requirements Digidesign can only assure compatibility and provide support for hardware and software it has tested and approved.
Conventions Used in This Guide All Digidesign guides use the following conventions to indicate menu choices and key commands: Convention Action File > Save Choose Save from the File menu Control+N Hold down the Control key and press the N key Control-click Hold down the Control key and click the mouse button Right-click Click with the right mouse button The names of Commands, Options, and Settings that appear on-screen are in a different font.
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chapter 2 Installation and Configuration Installing Synchronic Installers for your plug-ins can be downloaded from the DigiStore (www.digidesign.com) or can be found on the plug-in installer disc (included with boxed versions of plug-ins). Additionally, an installer may also be available on a Pro Tools software bundle installer disc. Installation steps are essentially the same, regardless of the bundle, package, or system you purchase.
Authorizing Synchronic The Synchronic plug-in is authorized using the iLok USB Smart Key (iLok), manufactured by PACE Anti-Piracy, Inc. Authorizing Boxed Versions of your Plug-in If you purchased a boxed version of a plug-in, it comes with an Activation Code (on the included Activation Card). You will need this code to authorize the plug-in. To authorize a plug-in using an Activation Code: 1 If you do not have an existing iLok.
Removing Plug-ins If you need to remove a plug-in from your system, follow the instructions below for your computer platform. Windows XP To remove a plug-in: 1 Click Start. 2 Click Control Panel. Mac OS X 3 Double-click Add or Remove Programs. To remove a plug-in: 4 Select the plug-in from the list of installed applications. 1 Locate and open the Plug-ins folder on your Startup drive (Library/Application Support /Digidesign/Plug-ins).
8 Synchronic Plug-in Guide
chapter 3 Synchronic Overview This chapter describes an overview of Synchronic features. Synchronic Modules Synchronic has a modular configuration for the import, slicing, playback, and manipulation of audio files (loops). Synchronic’s five modules are: Sound, Playback, Effect, XFade, and MIDI. Sound Module Can load up to twelve different audio files, either mono or stereo, of any bit depth and sample rate.
Playing Synchronic RTAS See “Previewing Synchronic AudioSuite” on page 49 for detailed information on playing the AudioSuite version of Synchronic. Loading a Loop For detailed information on loading audio files (loops) into Synchronic see “Importing a Sound” on page 20. To load a loop in Synchronic: Synchronic RTAS does not play back the sound (input) on a track as is the case with many plugins. Instead, Synchronic works as follows: 1 Insert Synchronic on an Instrument track.
2 If necessary, switch the Sound module to Edit mode. Click the Edit/Performance Mode toggle to switch between Performance and Edit modes (see “Performance and Edit Modes” on page 13). Edit/Performance Mode toggle Import button Current preset Choose an audio file (loop) for import Sound module, Edit mode 3 To import an audio file (mono, dual mono, or stereo) into the Waveform display, do one of the following: • Drag an audio file from the Workspace to the Waveform display. 4 Click Open.
Slicing a Loop Performing Synchronic Once you have loaded a loop, it is ready to be sliced up and can be played back in tempo with the session. After loading up to twelve loops into Synchronic and slicing them up, you can “perform” those loops using the Playback, Effects, and XFade modules. To slice a loop in Synchronic: Adjust the Detection slider until you see the desired number of slices in the loop.
Performance and Edit Modes Each of the Synchronic modules can be independently switched between Edit and Performance modes with the Mode toggle. This lets you have one module in Edit mode (for example, to fine tune a sound) while playing another in Performance mode. The AudioSuite version of Synchronic functions only in Edit mode. Performance mode is not available, and the Mode toggle does not exist. See “Synchronic AudioSuite Modules” on page 47 for more information.
User Knobs Control predefined parameters in the Playback, Effect, and XFade modules. In Edit mode, you can assign a module’s User Knobs to control certain performance parameters. The MIDI module lets you assign MIDI controllers to each of the User Knobs in each module. Synchronic Presets Each module has 12 presets available, as follows: • Sound module presets are used to load and store audio files (loops).
To select a preset, do one of the following: To duplicate a Playback, Effect, or XFade preset: In Performance mode, click a Preset button in any module. MIDI module presets are the “keys” of the on-screen keyboard. 1 Select the preset you want to duplicate. 2 Control-click (Windows) or Command-click (Mac) the destination preset. – or – In Edit mode, click a Preset button in the Sound module, or select a preset from the Preset pop-up menu for the Playback, Effects, and XFade modules.
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chapter 4 Synchronic Controls Adjusting Synchronic Parameters Editing Parameters Using a Mouse You can adjust rotary controls with a mouse by dragging horizontally or vertically. Parameter values increase as you drag upward or to the right, and decrease as you drag downward or to the left. To type a parameter value: 1 Click on the parameter text that you want to edit. 2 Change the value. • Type the desired value. – or – • To increase a value, press the Up Arrow on your keyboard.
Sound Performance Mode Sound Module (RTAS Only) The Sound module can store and recall up to twelve audio files. On import, audio files are loaded into RAM and are saved with the plug-in settings file. In Edit mode, you can import, delete, and “slice” audio files (loops).
Sound A and Sound B Starting and Stopping Playback In Performance mode, two sounds can be queued for playback, much like a typical DJ setup with two turntables: one on the “A Side” and one on the “B Side.” Both the Sound A and B use the same twelve sound presets. The waveform for Sound A appears above the waveform for Sound B; and each waveform is labeled on the left “A” and “B.” You can only start or stop Synchronic playback using the Pro Tools Transport.
Performance/Edit Mode toggle Selected preset Sound presets Interactive Waveform display (stereo file loaded and sliced) Sound Attributes Import Sound Delete Sound button button Slice Detection slider Sound module, Edit mode (audio loaded into preset 1) (RTAS shown) Preparing Audio Files for Import To take full advantage of Synchronic’s rhythmic editing and playback capabilities, you should prepare your “loops” before importing them into Synchronic.
import a 44.1 kHz file into a 96 kHz session, it will playback at the wrong pitch (it will play back at tempo since each slice is quantized to MIDI Beat Clock). To import a sound into a preset: 1 If necessary, switch the Sound module to Edit mode (see “Performance and Edit Modes” on page 13). 2 Select the preset where you want to store the audio file (loop). 3 Click the Import button. If there is already a file loaded into the current preset, you will be prompted to delete it.
Mono files loaded in a stereo Synchronic insert are panned center. Stereo files loaded in a mono Synchronic insert are summed to mono. Dual mono audio files can be imported if both .L and .R files are selected (Shift-click) for import. Interleaved stereo audio files can also be imported. If you try to import a large sound file, Synchronic prompts you to reconsider.
Deleting a Sound To delete a sound from a preset: 1 If necessary, switch the Sound module to Edit mode (see “Performance and Edit Modes” on page 13). Once a loop is sliced up, Synchronic can replay the loop at any tempo with any number of modifications. Furthermore, each slice of the loop starts playback according to the Pro Tools MIDI Beat Clock, so it maintains its original rhythmic pattern at any tempo. 2 Select the preset you want to clear. To add a missing slice: 3 Click the Delete button.
Generate Missing Adds additional slices where transients appear to be missing. This can be useful when an imported audio loop contains few transients. Use Generate Missing to create rhythmically logical slices on ambient loops or drones, and apply playback manipulations and effects for interesting results. Audition Modes Are initiated using the Pro Tools transport. The default audition mode is Off. To audition a single slice without starting the Pro Tools transport, click the slice in the Waveform display.
Options Additional Sound Options let you adjust the overall gain (+/–24 dB) of the selected preset and extend the slices to compensate for slower tempos. Options settings Gain (–24 through 24 dB) Adjust the gain of a sound in order to boost or attenuate the current loop. To achieve a good balance between all loaded sounds, a “gain” control is available for each sound with +/– 24 dB of gain.
Playback Presets Playback Mode Twelve Playback presets let you recall stored playback effects. The Playback module provides five playback modes: Standard, Stretch, Stab, Spin, and Smear. These modes determine the character of each slice as it is played—how each slice is played back. Selecting a preset recalls the last edited set of parameters for the preset. Playback presets let you invoke different playback manipulations in rapid succession, to create a compelling musical performance.
Stab Based upon the “stab” scratching gesture that turntablists use when manually starting and stopping the turntable with their hand. The playback of each slice always starts at a speed and pitch of zero, and then ramps up to full speed and correct pitch halfway through the slice, and then returns to zero speed and pitch by the end of the slice. The “full” speed and “correct” pitch are determined by the Playback Pitch settings (see “Playback Pitch” on page 31).
Off Plays the sound slices in their original sequence. Each slice increments from the previous one until the end of the sound is reached, and then continues to loop from the starting slice. One Slice Plays back and loops only the selected Start slice. Reverse Plays the original sequence of slices in reverse order. Each slice plays in the specified direction (see “Playback Direction” on page 30), but order of slices is reversed.
notes, eighth note triplets, and sixteenth notes, the following groups of rhythmic patterns are included: Off Beats, Syncopate, Clave, Pick Up, and Swing. Syncopate (Syncopate 1–5) Five variations featuring dotted rhythms. Latin (Latin 1–5) Five variations based on AfroCaribbean, Cuban, and Brazilian rhythms. Selecting Playback Duration Off Beats (Off Beats 1–5) Five variations that generally emphasize the “and” of the beat.
Pick Up (Pick Up 1–5) Five variations that start steady and then speed up over the course of a bar. Playback Direction Synchronic can play sound slices forward (from beginning to end) or backward (from end to beginning). Synchronic provides seven possibilities for the direction of the playback of slices: Forward, Backward, For/Back, Back/For, F/B Diddle, F/B Beats, and Random. Selecting Playback Direction Forward Plays all slices forward (from beginning to end).
Playback Pitch Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO) Pitch transposition can range from –60 to +60 semitones. Synchronic provides two pitch modulating LFOs for Playback Pitch. These LFOs can be combined to create complex and interesting modulation patterns. Playback Pitch and Playback Offset, and Gain, Noise, Filter, and Delay effects can be continuously modulated by one or more Low Frequency Oscillators (LFO1 and LFO2). Each LFO has a selectable Waveshape and Duration.
The LFO will sweep from the BEG parameter value to the END parameter value according to the selected waveshape. It is important to note that the LFO waveshapes are iconic representations of the type of transitions you can select, and, depending on the BEG and END values, they may not necessarily sound like they look. LFO2 Duration (8 Bars, 4 Bars, 2 Bars, 1 Bar, Half Note, Quarter Note) Applies the LFO according to the selected duration.
BEG and END Range (0–100%) The Offset Range references a “Start” and “End” offset value that is set using the Range controls. Offset Enable button Offset Select button Smear Playback Offset If Playback Mode is set to Smear, Playback Offset determines the amount of smearing that occurs between adjacent slices. Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO) LFO Waveshape Selects the modulation waveshape for Playback Offset.
To assign a User Knob to control Edit parameters: Select the desired Edit parameter assignment from the User Knob Assignment pop-up menu. Effect Module Synchronic provides an Effect module that include four effects: Gain, Noise, Filter, and Delay. Gain, Noise, Filter, and Delay effects can be used independently or in any combination. Effect Performance Mode (RTAS Only) In Performance mode, the Effect module provides Preset, Sound A/B selectors, and User Knob controls.
Playback Presets To enable or disable the Gain, Noise, Filter, or Delay effect: Twelve Playback presets let you recall stored effects. Selecting a preset recalls the last edited set of parameters for the preset. Effect presets let you invoke different effects in rapid succession, to create a compelling musical performance.
LFO1 and LFO2 Set the Waveshape and Duration for dynamic Gain effects. For static gain effects, set both LFO1 and LFO2 to Off. LFO Waveshapes and Durations options are the same as those provided in the Playback module. See “Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO)” on page 33. Noise Effect Noise modulates the post-Gain signal with a noise source. There are three different Noise modes: Dark, White, and Brite, each with two variations (Osc or AM).
Noise Mode Filter Effect There are three different Noise modes: Dark, White, and Brite; each with two variations: a noise generator (Osc) or amplitude modulation (AM). The Filter effect processes the post-Noise signal using a lowpass filter, a highpass filter, or ring modulation.
Filter Mode Delay Effect The Filter effect provides seven different types of filters: Lowpass Filter (1–5), Highpass Filter, and Ring Modulation. The Delay effect processes the post-Filter signal with modulating delay that synchronizes to the Pro Tools MIDI Beat Clock. Delay Enable button Delay Select button Beginning Delay amount (%) End Delay amount (%) LFO Waveshape selector LFO Duration selector Delay Mode Delay effect Selecting Filter Mode LPF1 Is a 6 dB per octave lowpass comb filter.
Delay Mode Delay Mode selects a delay time based on a rhythmic subdivision of the Pro Tools MIDI Beat Clock (quarter-not, dotted eighth note, eighth note, eighth note triplet, sixteenth note, sixteenth note triplet, thirty-second note, or thirty-second note triplet). To assign a User Knob to control Edit parameters: Select the desired Edit parameter assignment from the User Knob Assignment pop-up menu.
XFade User Knob (XF) XFade Module (RTAS Only) The XFade module mixes the A and B audio signals using either preset crossfade effects, or a crossfade fader. The XFade module has three modes: Manual mode, Preset mode, and Edit mode. The XFade module provides a single assignable User Knob control (XF) that provides direct control over any of the XFade module’s Edit mode settings. The current control assignment is displayed below the User Knob.
XFade Effects Assigning the XFade User Knob (XF) Crossfade modulations can be used to create complex crossfades between A and B sounds using two LFOs. In Edit mode, you can assign the XFade User Knob to control any XFade Edit parameter. User Knob assignments are made on a per preset basis. This gives you a great deal of flexibility on how you can control the Synchronic XFade module in Performance mode.
MIDI Module (RTAS Only) The MIDI module lets you assign MIDI note numbers and continuous controllers to the Presets and User Knobs of the Sound, Playback, Effect, and XFade modules. Since there are twelve presets for each module, you can comfortably map your MIDI keyboard controller to the presets for each module by octaves. MIDI Performance Mode In Performance mode, the MIDI module displays a one octave on-screen keyboard.
Assigning MIDI Keys Selective Module Assignment Synchronic lets you capture all aspects of the current playback state (including the A Sound preset, the B Sound preset, the Playback preset, the Effect preset, and the XFade preset or fader position), or some sub-set of the playback state (for example, only the A and B Sound presets). Once captured and stored (assigned to a MIDI note number), this combination can be recalled using either the on-screen keyboard or with a MIDI controller.
Wait Bar Forces recalled combinations to wait and start at the beginning of the next bar instead of the next beat or slice. MIDI Edit Mode In Edit mode, MIDI Pitch Bend or MIDI continuous controller numbers can be assigned to control Synchronic’s five User Knobs and the XFade crossfade fader. To assign an external MIDI controller: 1 If necessary, switch the MIDI module to Edit mode (see “Performance and Edit Modes” on page 13). 2 Select Pitch Wheel or Controller # from the Source pop-up menu.
Keyboard Focus Mode (RTAS Only) In Keyboard Focus mode, you can use your computer keyboard to trigger Synchronic presets. Keyboard Focus shortcuts for Synchronic are: To enable or disable Keyboard Focus mode for Synchronic: Click the “a...z” Keyboard Focus Enable button (in the upper-right corner of the Synchronic plug-in window). Keyboard Numbers 1–9, 0 Triggers sounds A1–10. Keyboard Characters QWERTYUIOP Trigger Playback presets 1–10. Keyboard Characters ASDFGHJKL Trigger Effect presets 1–10.
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chapter 5 Using the Synchronic AudioSuite Plug-in The AudioSuite version of Synchronic shares many of the features found in its RTAS counterpart, with some differences as noted in this section. Using Synchronic AudioSuite Synchronic AudioSuite is available in the AudioSuite menu in Pro Tools under the Instrument or Digidesign categories. To create an instance of Synchronic AudioSuite: • Choose AudioSuite > Synchronic.
Sound Module Playback Module The Sound module lets you import, delete, sliceup, and fine-tune audio (loops) for Synchronic playback. The Playback module lets you edit the Playback parameters.
Effect Module The Effect module provides easy access to the Gain, Noise, Filter, and Delay effects and their parameters. Previewing Synchronic AudioSuite Use the AudioSuite version of Synchronic to work with and play back audio loops as follows: 1 Load audio files or a selected portion of audio regions (loops) into the Sound module, much like you would add sound to a sampler. 2 Use the Detection Slider to slice up the loops into rhythmically logical units (beats and subdivisions of the beat).
To load a selection from Pro Tools into Synchronic: 1 Choose AudioSuite > Synchronic. 2 In the Pro Tools Edit window, select the por- tion of audio you want to loop in Synchronic. Slicing a Loop Once you have loaded a loop into the Waveform display, you can slice it up and preview it. See “Slicing Up a Sound” on page 23 for detailed information on slicing a loop. Previewing a Loop Before printing a finished audio loop to a Pro Tools track, you can preview it in the AudioSuite window.
To process an audio loop to Pro Tools: 1 In the Pro Tools Edit window, select the por- tion of an audio track where you want to place the processed audio loop. If you imported a selection from the Pro Tools Timeline using the Load Selection button, you can improve any timing problems that may exist by modifying the Timeline selection before processing the loop from Synchronic.
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chapter 6 Automating Synchronic RTAS You can automate changes to Synchronic RTAS parameters in two ways: • Using Pro Tools automation playlists • Using MIDI Using Automation Playlists Pro Tools creates a separate playlist for each plug-in parameter that you automate. Pro Tools automation lets you record your interaction with Synchronic parameters using the mouse, or a control surface (including MIDI control surfaces).
4 Click OK to close the Plug-in Automation dialog. As an alternative to using the Plug-in Automation window, you can enable individual plug-in parameters directly from the Plug-in window by Control-Alt-Start-clicking (Windows) or Command-Control-Option-clicking (Mac) the parameter’s text field or control. See the DigiRack Plug-ins Guide or Digidesign Plug-ins Guide for more information. .
Using MIDI You can automate Synchronic RTAS parameters by assigning MIDI note and controller data to Synchronic presets and performance parameters, and recording them to a MIDI track. You can also edit and manually enter the MIDI data on the track as desired, and use it to control Synchronic during playback. For information on controlling Synchronic with MIDI note and controller data, see “MIDI Module” on page 42.
To automate Synchronic using MIDI: 1 Insert Synchronic on a mono or stereo Auxil- iary Input (Pro Tools LE only) or audio track. 2 If the desired controller doesn’t appear in the Track Display Format pop-up menu, select Add/Remove Controller. 2 Create a new MIDI track (File > New Track) for the automation. 3 Click the MIDI track’s Output selector and choose the Synchronic plug-in that you want to automate.
chapter 7 Synchronic Plug-in Settings The Settings Librarian makes it easy to create your own library of Synchronic configurations, including loaded audio files. Using the Librarian and Settings pop-up menus, you can copy, paste, save, and import these patches from plug-in to plug-in, or from session to session. For more information Plug-in Settings files and using the Librarian, see the Pro Tools Reference Guide. Pro Tools always saves the current session’s plug-in settings with the session itself.
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index A B Acid wave file format importing 22 Activation Code 6 adding missing slices 23 adjusting parameters 17 adjusting Sound preset gain 25 Assign Enable buttons 43 assigning a User Knob 34, 39, 41 assigning an external MIDI controller 44 assigning combinations to a MIDI note number 43 assigning MIDI controllers 55 assigning MIDI notes 55 AudioSuite version of Synchronic about 47 Effect module 49 modules 47 Playback module 48 previewing a loop 50 processing a loop 50 Sound module 48 authorizing plug-i
E F Edit mode 13 and AudioSuite version of Synchronic 47 switching to 13 editing a preset 15 Effect module 9, 34 Delay 38 delay time 39 LFO 38 Range (level/feedback) 38 Edit mode 35 Effect enable buttons 35 Filter 37 HPF 38 LFO 37 LPF1 38 LPF2 38 LPF3 38 LPF4 38 LPF5 38 Range 37 Ring Mod 38 Gain 35 Distortion 36 LFO 36 Range 35 Saturation 36 Volume 36 in AudioSuite version of Synchronic 49 Noise 36 Brite 37 Dark 37 LFO 36 Range 36 White 37 Performance mode 34 presets 35 selecting effects 35 Sound A and B
MIDI controllers assigning 55 MIDI Key Assignment icons 43 MIDI Keys default mappings 42 MIDI module 9, 42 Assign Enable buttons 43 assigning MIDI controllers 44 assigning MIDI notes 43 Controller # 44 Edit mode 44 MIDI Key Assignment icons 43 Octave (Oct) 42 Octave Display 42 on-screen keyboard 42 Performance mode 42 Pitch Wheel 44 Pre-Mapped MIDI Keys 42 Wait Bar 44 MIDI notes assigning 55 N Noise effect 36 O Off Beats (Off Beats 1–5) 29 Offset enable button 32 on-screen keyboard 14, 42 Options 25 P pa
Playback order 27 playing a loop 12 plug-in settings storing audio 57 plug-in settings file 57 plug-in settings file (.
Synchronic adjusting parameters 17 features 1 Synchronic modules 9 Synchronic playback starting and stopping 19 Synchronic presets 14 Syncopate (Syncopate 1–5) 29 system requirements 2 U User Knobs 14 assigning 34, 39, 41 Effect module (FX1 and FX2) 35, 39 Playback (PB1 and PB2) 26 XFade module (XF) 41 user-assignable controls 14 W Wait Bar 44 waveform display 19 website 3 X XFade module 9, 40 crossfade fader 40 Edit mode 40 LFO 41 Manual mode 40 Preset mode 40 Range 41 User Knob (XF) 40, 41 Index 63
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