Steinberg Halion 5 Manual

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MIDI Modules ReferenceThe MIDI Player Module
Bypassing the Trigger Pads
You can bypass the whole Trigger Pads editor. This deactivates any functionality 
assigned to the trigger pads.
•To bypass the Trigger Pads editor, click the Bypass Pads button to the right of the 
trigger pads.
The bypass button lights up to indicate that the trigger pads are deactivated.
Using Pad Presets
Presets for the trigger pads can be managed via the controls in the top left corner of 
the Trigger Pads editor.
Pad presets save trigger notes and chord snapshots, but not FlexPhraser snapshots. 
As a result, you can exchange trigger notes and chords by loading presets without 
loosing your FlexPhraser snapshots.
The MIDI Player Module
The MIDI Player allows you to load up to eight different MIDI files. These variations can 
be further modified by using the player’s performance parameters. By combining the 
variations with the Trigger pad functionality, you can switch between variations by 
clicking the corresponding Trigger pad (or the assigned Trigger key on your 
keyboard).
ÖThe player was developed for use with single track phrases, not multi-track MIDI files. 
When you use multi-track MIDI files, all tracks are played back.
Using MIDI Player Presets
In the top right of the MIDI Player editor, you can load and save presets for the MIDI 
Player. In addition to the selected MIDI phrases, these presets also contain the 
performance settings of the MIDI Player, such as Tempo, Tempo Scale, Loop, Swing, 
etc.
Loading MIDI Phrases
•To load a MIDI phrase, click in the Phrase field and select a phrase from the pop-
up menu.
The phrases are sorted into subfolders, according to their musical uses.
ÖYou can locate the subfolder where user MIDI files are stored by right-clicking the 
Phrase field and selecting “Show in Explorer” (Win)/“Reveal in Finder” (Mac).
You can also load MIDI phrases using drag and drop:
•Drag a phrase on the phrase name field to load it.
•Drag one or more phrases on a variation button. 
If you drag multiple files, they are automatically distributed to different variation 
buttons. 
ÖIf the MIDI files contain controller data, this is sent to the modulation matrix, where the 
controllers can be used as modulation sources. 
						

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MIDI Modules ReferenceThe MIDI Player Module
Playing Back MIDI Phrases
•Click the play button next to the phrase field to play back the MIDI phrase.
Click again to stop playback.
Parameters
Several of the MIDI Player parameters are the same as for the FlexPhraser. These are 
not described in the following sections. For a description of these parameters, see 
“The FlexPhraser” on page 254.
Trigger Mode
The Trigger Mode determines at which moment the MIDI Player changes the phrase 
when you select another variation.
The following options are available:
Restart Mode
Here, you can make the following settings:
OptionDescription
ImmediatelyThe phrase changes as soon as you switch to another variation.
Next BeatThe phrase changes on the first new beat after switching to another 
variation.
Next MeasureThe phrase changes on the first new measure after switching to 
another variation.
OptionDescription
OffThe phrase runs continuously and does not restart at chord or note 
changes.
New ChordSelect this to restart the phrase on new chords. However, the 
phrase does not restart upon notes that are played legato, for 
example, if you play additional notes to a chord that you are holding 
already.
New NoteSelect this to restart the phrase with each new note that you play. 
Here, the phrase does restart also upon notes that are played 
legato.
Sync to HostSelect this to align the phrase with the beats and measures of your 
host application. The phrase aligns to the beats and measures each 
time that you start the transport.
Follow TransportSelect this to start the MIDI Player automatically when your host 
application starts playing. Stopping on your host will also stop 
the MIDI Player. 
						

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MIDI Modules ReferenceThe Drum Player Module
Start
This parameter allows you to shift the start of the loop in steps of 1/4 notes. The 
length of the loop is shortened accordingly.
Length
This parameter allows you to shorten the length of the loop in steps of 1/4 notes.
ÖThe control range of the parameters Start and Length varies with the original length of 
the loop.
Transpose
Allows you to transpose the original MIDI phrase, according to the played key.
The following options are available:
Center Key
This parameter determines the MIDI note that is used as the central position for the 
Transpose function.
Working with MIDI Player Variations
The parameters and functions are the same as for the FlexPhrasers, see “Working 
with FlexPhraser Variations” on page 258.
The Drum Player Module
The Drum Player module allows for classic drum beat programming with up to 64 
steps playing on up to 16 tracks. Each track can play a different sound. Furthermore, 
you can set up eight different patterns using the variation buttons. By combining the 
variations with the Trigger pad functionality, you can switch between variations by 
clicking the corresponding Trigger pad (or the assigned Trigger key on your 
keyboard).
Using Drum Player Presets
In the top right of the Drum Player editor, you can load and save presets. In addition to 
the patterns, these presets also contain the performance settings of the module, that 
is, Tempo, Tempo Scale, Loop, Swing, etc.
Loading Patterns
To load a pattern, click in the Pattern field and select a pattern from the pop-up menu. 
The patterns are sorted into subfolders, according to their musical usage.
OptionDescription
OffThe phrase is not transposed.
OnThe MIDI phrase is transposed by the specified value.
PitchThe MIDI notes themselves are not modified, but each note is sent 
with a pitch transpose value, instead. If the MIDI phrase is used to 
trigger a multi-sampled drum kit, for example, this does not change 
which instrument is triggered, but the pitch at which it is played. 
						

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MIDI Modules ReferenceThe Drum Player Module
Parameters
Several of the Drum Player parameters have the same functions as the corresponding 
FlexPhraser parameters. For a description of these parameters, see 
“The FlexPhraser” 
on page 254. 
Trigger Mode
The Trigger Mode determines at which moment the Drum Player changes the pattern 
when you select another variation. The following options are available:
Restart Mode
Determines whether the Drum Player is restarted when a note is triggered. The 
following options are available:
Input Mode
Depending on the Input Mode, the black and white keys either trigger or mute the 
assigned instrument. The following options are available:
OptionDescription
ImmediatelyThe pattern changes as soon as you switch to another variation.
Next BeatThe pattern changes on the first new beat after switching to another 
variation.
Next MeasureThe pattern changes at the first new measure after switching to 
another variation.
OptionDescription
OffThe player is not restarted when it is already running.
New ChordSelect this to restart the player when a note is triggered and no 
other notes are playing.
New NoteRestarts playback every time a note is triggered.
Sync to HostAligns playback with the beats and measures of your host 
application. Playback is synchronized every time you start the 
transport.
Follow TransportPlayback starts and stops automatically together with the transport 
controls in your host application.
OptionDescription
OffSelect this to trigger the pattern with all keys.
TriggerSelect this to trigger the note that is defined under Out Note and 
plays the sound of the track. Keys that are not assigned to any In 
Note play the pattern.
MuteSelect this to mute the track as long as the corresponding In Note is 
held. Release the key to unmute the track again. Keys that are not 
assigned to any In Note play the pattern. 
						

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MIDI Modules ReferenceThe Drum Player Module
Length
This determines the length of the pattern, that is, the number of steps. The maximum 
value is 64.
Gate Scale
This parameter allows you to shorten or lengthen the notes of the pattern. At a value of 
100
 %, the notes play with their original gate length.
ÖWhen the triggered samples are in One-shot mode, this parameter has no effect.
Working with Drum Player Variations
The parameters and functions are identical with the corresponding FlexPhraser 
parameters and functions, see 
“Working with FlexPhraser Variations” on page 258.
Playing Back the Pattern
•Click the play button next to the Pattern field to play back the pattern.
Click again to stop playback.
•To mute or solo individual lanes, click the mute and solo buttons of the lanes.
Creating and Editing Patterns in the Pattern Editor
The Pattern Pages
A pattern can contain up to 64 steps. These are distributed over four pages that you 
can access with the page buttons on the upper left of the editor. 
During playback the pages are switched automatically, so that the playing position is 
always displayed in the editor. Additionally, an indicator above the step display shows 
you which step is currently played back. 
You can deactivate the automatic switching by activating the Lock button below the 
page buttons. If the Lock button is activated, you can still use the playback indicator to 
the right of the page buttons to see which page is currently playing.
In Note
Determines which key is used to play the sound that is triggered by the track.
Out Note
Determines the note number that is used by the track to trigger notes. 
						

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MIDI Modules ReferenceThe Drum Player Module
Layer
The Layer section to the right of the Out Note field lets you limit the track output to a 
specific layer. For this to work, the layer must be on the same level as the drum player 
module.
Activity LED
The activity LED on the right in the editor lights up when an instrument is triggered, 
either by the playing track, the trigger button, or an incoming MIDI Note.
Activating Instrument Lanes
Click the button to the left of the mute button to activate/deactivate the corresponding 
drum lane.
Adding Steps to the Pattern
•To add drum steps, click on the step fields in the pattern editor.
•To set all steps at the same time, hold down [Shift] and click.
Setting Up the Velocity
You can set each step to low, medium, or high velocity.
•To set the velocity for a step, click the step and drag up or down, or use the mouse 
wheel.
•To change the velocity of all steps in a lane, hold down [Shift] and use the mouse.
•To reset all steps to the default state, [Ctrl]/[Command]-[Shift]-click in the editor.
Removing Steps
•To remove a step, click it.
•To remove all steps, hold down [Shift]-[Ctrl]/[Command] and click a step.
•To remove all steps in a pattern, click the Clear Pattern button to the left of the 
pattern editor.
Modifying the Pattern
•To move all steps of the pattern one step to the left or right, click the “Shift Pattern 
Left/Right” buttons.
This is useful if you have created a pattern that sounds the way you want but does 
not start on the first beat, for example.
•To mirror the pattern at its middle step, click the Reverse button. 
						

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MIDI Modules ReferenceMono Envelope
Mono Envelope
This MIDI module triggers a monophonic multi-segment envelope, which you can use 
as a modulation source in the modulation matrix of a zone. In this context, monophonic 
means that the envelope is not played back per zone. Instead, it is played back only 
once for each program or layer it belongs to. You can set up a condition for triggering 
and releasing the envelope. By default, this envelope is bipolar.
ÖFor a complete description on how to edit the envelope graphically, refer to “The 
Envelope Section” on page 119.
Envelope Mode
You can select one of three envelope modes to specify how the envelope is played 
back each time you trigger it.
Trigger Mode
On the Trigger pop-up menu below the envelope display, you can set the condition for 
triggering the envelope.
OptionDescription
SustainThe envelope plays from the first node to its sustain. The sustain level is 
held for as long as you play the note. When you release the note, the 
envelope continues with the stages following the sustain. This mode is 
ideal for looped samples.
LoopThe envelope starts playback from the first node to the loop nodes. The 
loop is repeated for as long as the key is held. The envelope plays the 
stages following the sustain when you release the note. This mode is 
ideal for adding motion to the sustain of the envelope.
One ShotThe envelope is played from the first to the last node, even if you 
release the key. The envelope has no sustain stage. This mode is ideal 
for drum samples.
OptionDescription
First NoteSelect this mode to trigger the envelope with the first note that you 
play. Any following notes you play legato do not trigger the envelope.
Each NoteSelect this mode to trigger the envelope with each note you play. The 
envelope plays back from its attack each time you press a key. 
						

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MIDI Modules ReferenceMono Envelope
Release Mode
On the Release pop-up menu below the envelope display, you can set the condition 
for releasing the envelope.
Level Velocity
Use this parameter to adjust how velocity affects the level of the envelope. The level of 
the envelope depends on two factors: the setting of this parameter and how hard you 
hit a key. Positive values increase and negative values decrease the level of the 
envelope the harder you hit a key.
Level Velocity Curve
You can select one of eight curves to specify how the incoming velocity translates to 
the level of the envelope. The characteristic of each curve is displayed by a small icon.
Time Velocity
Use this parameter to adjust the influence of velocity on the times of the envelope. 
Positive values decrease the times for higher velocity values. Negative values increase 
the times for higher velocity values.
Segments
On the Segments pop-up menu, you can specify which stages of the envelope are 
affected by the Time Velocity parameter.
Key Follow, Center Key, and KeyF Rel (Key Follow Release)
With the Key Follow and KeyF Rel parameters, you can scale the envelope times 
across the keyboard. Key Follow scales all times before the sustain node. KeyF Rel 
scales all times after the sustain node (that is to say the release of the envelope). You 
can specify a center key that is used as the central position for the Key Follow and 
KeyF Rel functions. The envelope times depend on the keyboard range in which the 
note is played and on the corresponding Key Follow setting: Positive values decrease 
the times for notes above and increase the times for notes below the Center Key; the 
envelope becomes faster the higher the note you play. Negative values increase the 
times for notes above and decrease the times for notes below the Center Key; the 
envelope becomes slower the higher the note you play.
OptionDescription
First NoteSelect this mode to release the envelope with the first note you 
release.
Last NoteSelect this mode to release the envelope with the last note you 
release.
OptionDescription
AThe velocity affects the attack time only.
A + DThe velocity affects all times until the sustain.
DThe velocity affects all times until the sustain but without the attack.
A + RThe velocity affects the attack and the release times.
AllThe velocity affects all times. 
						

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MIDI Modules ReferenceMono LFO
Mono LFO
HALion allows you to add monophonic LFOs as MIDI modules to the program. An LFO 
module can be used for an entire program, or for specific layers. In this context, 
monophonic means that these LFOs are only calculated once and feed multiple voices 
at the same time. A pitch modulation controlled by the modulation wheel is a typical 
example where one LFO controls the vibrato for all voices. Monophonic LFOs appear as 
sources in the modulation matrix of the zones contained in a layer or program.
LFO Presets
HALion comes with LFO presets that you can use as a starting point for sound editing. 
For detailed information on preset handling, see 
“Working with Presets” on page 62.
LFO Parameters
LFO Waveform Types
Use the Waveform pop-up menu to select the basic type of waveform and use the 
Shape control to change the characteristic of the waveform.
Frequency
This controls the frequency of the modulation, that is to say the “speed” of the LFO. 
When Sync Mode is active, the frequency is set in fractions of beats, or number of 
steps of the Step Modulator.
OptionDescription
SineThis produces smooth modulation, suitable for vibrato or tremolo. The 
Shape parameter adds additional harmonics to the waveform.
TriangleThis is similar in character to Sine. The waveform periodically ramps up and 
down. The Shape parameter continuously changes the triangle waveform 
to a trapezoid.
SawThis produces a ramp cycle. The Shape parameter continuously changes 
the waveform from ramp down to triangle to ramp up.
PulseThis produces stepped modulation, where the modulation switches 
abruptly between two values. The Shape parameter continuously changes 
the ratio between the high and low state of the waveform. Set Shape to 
50% to produce a square wave.
RampThis is similar to the Saw waveform. Turning up the Shape control 
increases the length of the silence between ramps.
LogLogarithmic curve. The Shape parameter continuously changes the 
logarithmic curvature from negative to positive.
S & H 1This produces randomly stepped modulation. The Shape parameter puts 
ramps between the steps and changes the S&H into a smooth random 
signal when fully turned right.
S & H 2This is similar to S & H 1. The steps are alternating between random high 
and low values. Shape puts ramps between the steps and changes the S & 
H into a smooth random signal when fully turned right. 
						

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MIDI Modules ReferenceMono LFO
Phase
Sets the initial phase of the waveform when the LFO is retriggered.
Rnd (Random)
When this button is activated, each note starts with a randomized start phase. The 
Phase control is deactivated. 
Sync Mode
You can sync the LFO either to the tempo of the host application or to HALion’s Step 
Modulator. The behavior of the Frequency parameter depends on the selected option:
Retrigger Mode
Determines whether the LFO is restarted when a note is triggered. When Retrigger is 
set to First Note or Each Note, the waveform starts at the position specified by the 
Phase parameter.
LFO Bypass
To hear the sound without any LFO modulation, click the Bypass button (the speaker 
icon) in the title bar of the section. This deactivates all LFOs.
OptionDescription
OffSelect this to adjust the speed of the modulation in Hertz.
Tempo + RetrigSelect this to adjust the speed of the modulation in fractions of 
beats (1/4, 1/8, etc.). You can also set dotted and triplet note 
values. The restart behavior of the LFO depends on the Retrigger 
setting.
Tempo + BeatSelect this to adjust the speed of the modulation in fractions of 
beats. You can also set dotted and triplet note values. The LFO 
restarts with the transport of the host and lines up to the beats of 
the project. The Retrigger setting is not taken into account.
OptionDescription
OffThe LFO is running freely.
First NoteThe LFO restarts when a note is triggered and no other notes 
are already held.
Each NoteThe LFO restarts each time a note is triggered.