Steinberg Halion 5 Manual

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MIDI Modules ReferenceCC Mapper
CC Mapper
The CC Mapper allows you to map MIDI controllers to other MIDI controllers before 
they are passed on to the following layers and zones. You can also use it to transform 
incoming values using curves.
MIDI controllers, Aftertouch and Pitch Bend can be mapped freely to all MIDI 
controllers, Aftertouch, Pitch Bend, and the eight global controllers Contr.
 A to 
Contr.
 H. Velocity and the global controllers themselves can only be mapped to 
Contr.
 A to Contr. H.
To map a MIDI Controller to another MIDI Controller (or Aftertouch or Pitchbend), 
click in the Source column for the MIDI controller and select a new item from the list.
ÖVelocity can only be used as Source for the global controllers Contr. A to Contr. H.
Contr. A to Contr. H allow you to change the MIDI controller assignment via a single 
setting in the CC Mapper instead of changing the modulation matrix assignments of 
the single zones separately, for example. This can be achieved by assigning them in 
the modulation matrix and mapping a MIDI controller or velocity to them using the CC 
Mapper. 
Source
Here you can specify the source controller that is to be remapped. By default, no 
remapping is processed and all controllers are passed through.
Controller
This column lists the available destination controllers.
Bypass
Click the bypass button for a controller to deactivate the remapping for it.
Min
This defines the minimum value to be sent.
Max
This defines the maximum value to be sent. 
						

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MIDI Modules ReferenceVe l o c i t y  C u r v e
Using the Curve and Range Editor
You can set up a curve and range for each remapped source. The curve and range 
editor displays the settings of the selected source controller, marked by an orange 
frame. To select a different source, click the button to the left of it.
The Curve editor allows you to set up a transformation function. You can use one of 
the provided curve types like linear, logarithmic, dB, etc., or create your own custom 
curve. By setting the minimum and maximum values, the function output stays within 
the specified range only. The values correspond to the Min and Max columns in the list 
on the left.
To set up your own curve, select the Custom preset. This allows for the following 
editing:
•You can double-click in the editor to insert a new node.
Double-click on a node to delete it. 
•Drag the nodes to new positions to adjust the basic shape of the curve. 
•Drag the lines between the nodes up or down to change the curvature.
Velocity Curve
The Velocity Curve module allows you to map incoming velocity values to different 
output values using an adjustable curve. You can also use this module to limit the 
output velocity range or use its side-chain controller input to control the effect of the 
curve using a MIDI controller.
Curve display
In the Curve display section to the left, you can use one of 10 preconfigured curve 
types, or create a custom curve. To select a curve type, click on one of the buttons to 
the right of the curve display.
When the Custom curve is selected, you can make the following settings:
•To insert a new node, double-click in the editor.
Double-click on a node to delete it.
•To adjust the basic shape of the curve, drag the nodes to another position. 
•To change the curvature, drag the lines between the nodes up or down.
Minimum and Maximum
With the minimum and maximum values, you can specify the output velocity. The curve 
is compressed accordingly. 
						

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MIDI Modules ReferenceTuning Scale
Controller Mode
Sometimes it is useful to control the effect of the curve dynamically. For that purpose, 
you can use a definable side-chain controller, either in Switch or Continuous mode.
Off
When Controller Mode is set to Off, the curve is applied at 100 %. The side-chain 
controller cannot be used.
Switch
In this mode, the velocity curve is only applied when the side-chain controller sends a 
value higher than 64. This allows you to use a foot switch to activate or deactivate the 
influence of the velocity curve, for example. 
Continuous
In this mode, the incoming side-chain controller value is used to scale the influence of 
the velocity curve. When set to 0, the curve has no effect, when set to 127, the curve 
is applied at 100
 %.
Side-Chain Controller
Here, you can specify which MIDI Controller is used to control the effect of the 
velocity curve.
Tuning Scale
The Tuning Scale MIDI module comes with many ready-to-use tuning scale presets. 
These can be loaded and saved using the regular editing methods, see the chapter 
“Working with Presets” on page 62.
The most commonly used scale in western music is the equal tempered scale, where 
adjacent notes have an equal distance of 100 cents. Therefore, the Equal Temperament 
preset is loaded by default. In the Concert Grand scale, the upper notes are tuned 
increasingly higher and the lower notes are tuned increasingly lower. Use this to create 
more natural sounding piano programs. Furthermore, many well-known traditional tuning 
scales in different keys are available, like the Well Tempered scale or the Kirnberger 
scale. 
						

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MIDI Modules ReferenceTuning Scale
Editing Tuning Scales
You can create custom tuning scales by editing the notes per octave (the tune offsets 
apply equally to all octaves on the keyboard) or by editing the 128 MIDI notes 
individually (the tune offsets apply only to single notes). Editing the scale per octave is 
particularly useful for creating different temperaments. Editing the scale per note is 
useful for creating stretched tunings.
Editing Scales per Octave
Proceed as follows:
1.To the right of the scale editor, click the Octaves button.
2.In the scale editor, click the Offset field of the note you want to adjust and set the 
tune offset.
The offsets of the 12 notes are applied equally to all octaves.
Editing Scales per Note
Proceed as follows:
1.To the right of the scale editor, click the Notes button.
2.In the scale editor, click the Offset field of the note you want to adjust and set the 
tune offset.
The offsets are applied individually to the 128 MIDI notes.
Absolute Mode
MIDI notes can contain micro-tuning information, that is, tune offsets per note. In 
Absolute mode, this information is ignored and only the settings of the tuning scale 
are applied. When Absolute mode is deactivated, the tuning scale settings are 
applied on top of the incoming micro-tuning information.
Importing Scala Files
You can import tuning scales in the popular Scala file format via the scale preset pop-
up menu. This gives you access to thousands of tuning scale presets from the 
internet.
Adjusting the Amount
With the Amount parameter, you can specify how the tuning scale is applied. At a 
setting of 100
 % the tune offsets are applied as specified in the tuning scale. Lower 
values reduce the tune offsets relatively. At 0
 %, the tuning scale is not applied at all. 
						

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Key Commands Reference
The Default Key Commands
Below, the default key commands are listed according to category:
Edit
In the Edit category, the following key commands are available:
OptionKey command
AutoVisibility[V]
Copy[Ctrl]/[Command]-[C]
Cut[Ctrl]/[Command]-[X]
Delete[Delete] or [Backspace]
Hide Non-Selected[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Shift]-[H]
Hide Selected[Ctrl]/[Command]-[H]
Move Down[Shift]-[Down Arrow]
Move Hi Key Left[Alt]/[Option]-[Left Arrow]
Move Hi Key Right[Alt]/[Option]-[Right Arrow]
Move Hi Velocity Down[Alt]/[Option]-[Down Arrow]
Move Hi Velocity Up[Alt]/[Option]-[Up Arrow]
Move Left[Shift]-[Left Arrow]
Move Low Key Left[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Left Arrow]
Move Low Key Right[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Right Arrow]
Move Low Velocity Down[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Down Arrow]
Move Low Velocity Up[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Up Arrow]
Move Right[Shift]-[Right Arrow]
Move Up[Shift]-[Up Arrow]
Mute[M]
Paste[Ctrl]/[Command]-[V]
Redo[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Shift]-[Z]
Rename[F2]
Replace Samples[Ctrl]/[Command]-[R]
Select All[Ctrl]/[Command]-[A]
Select None[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Shift]-[A]
Select Tree[Ctrl]/[Command]-[T]
Show All[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Shift]-[U]
Show Selected[Ctrl]/[Command]-[U] 
						

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Key Commands ReferenceThe Default Key Commands
Global
In the Global category, the following key commands are available:
Media
In the Media category, the following key commands are available: 
Navigate
In the Navigate category, the following key commands are available:
Zoom
In the Zoom category, the following key commands are available:
Solo[S]
Undo[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Z]
Option Key command
OptionKey command
Down[X]
Import Samples[Ctrl]/[Command]-[I]
Left[A]
Enable MIDI Mapping Selection 
Options[Ctrl]/[Command]-[M]
Right[D]
Up[W]
OptionKey command
Open[Return] or [L]
OptionKey command
Bottom[End] (Win)
Down[Down Arrow]
Left[Left Arrow]
Less[Ctrl]/[Command]-Num [-]
More[Ctrl]/[Command]-Num [+]
Right[Right Arrow]
Toggle Selection[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Space]
Top[Home] (Win)
Up[Up Arrow]
OptionKey command
Zoom In[H]
Zoom Out[G] 
						

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Using the HALion Standalone Version
Introduction
When you use HALion as a standalone application, an additional section is added at 
the top of the control panel. Here, you can define key commands, set up audio and 
MIDI interface routings, adjust the master volume and access the integrated MIDI 
scratch pad, which allows you to record your musical ideas without having to start a 
MIDI sequencer application. It can also be used to play multitrack arrangements that 
trigger the different programs of HALion.
Making Preferences Settings
You can configure the standalone version of HALion in the Plug-In Preferences dialog. 
To open the Plug-In Preferences dialog, proceed as follows:
•Click the Open Preferences button (the cogwheel symbol) to the right of the audio 
output field.
•Right-click in the topmost section of the control panel and select “Plug-In 
Preferences” on the context menu.
The Plug-In Preferences dialog has several tabs on which you can make the following 
settings:
•On the MIDI Routing tab, you can access the 64 input ports in groups of 16. The 
groups of input ports are named Rack A, B, C and D. For each rack, you can make 
the following routing settings:
OptionDescription
MIDI Input PortsUse this pop-up menu to specify a MIDI input.
Channel FilterUse this parameter to decide whether HALion records MIDI 
events on all MIDI channels, or only on one specific channel.
Filter ‘All Notes Off’ 
ControllerActivate this parameter to avoid unwanted “All Notes Off” 
messages.
Such messages are sent by some keyboards when the last 
key is released. This causes HALion to stop playback, even 
when the sustain pedal is still in use.
Click here to open the Plug-In 
Preferences dialog. 
						

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Using the HALion Standalone VersionMaking Preferences Settings
•On the Audio Routing tab, use the Audio Output Ports pop-up menus to assign 
different audio outputs.
HALion supports 64 channels (two Master channels (left and right) and 31 
additional left and right stereo channels) and one 5.1 surround channel (with six 
subchannels). You can assign different audio outputs for each channel. Selecting an 
audio output on the pop-up menu maps the output to the corresponding channel.
If you press [Shift] and select an audio output, the front and rear channels are set 
to incrementing audio output ports, for example 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, 6, 7, 8. If you press 
[Alt]/[Option]-[Shift] and select an audio output, the audio outputs are assigned in 
pairs to the front and rear channels, for example 1, 2, 1, 2 or 5, 6, 5, 6.
•On the Metronome tab, you can make the following settings:
•On the General tab, activate “Don’t prompt for confirmation when quitting HALion” 
if you want HALion to close without prompting when quitting the program.
•On the ASIO Driver tab, select your audio hardware driver from the ASIO Driver 
pop-up menu.
If you plan to use several audio applications simultaneously, you may want to 
activate the option “Release Driver when Application is in Background”. 
The input and output latency values for your audio hardware are displayed. 
“Latency” is the amount of time it takes for your system to respond to any 
messages that are sent to it. High latency results in a noticeable delay between 
when you press a key and when you hear the sound. Below the latency values, you 
can set the sample rate for the connected audio hardware.
When you run HALion, there are several processes fighting for access to processor 
time in your computer. The parameter “Audio Priority” allows you to determine which 
processes have priority:
•Once you have selected the driver, open the Advanced tab to specify which inputs 
and outputs to use and name these. Click the Control Panel button to open the 
control panel for the audio hardware and adjust the settings as recommended by 
the audio hardware manufacturer.
OptionDescription
ModeHere, you can turn the metronome on and off or set it to Count In 
mode.
AccentActivate this to accentuate the first beat of each bar.
LevelUse this fader to adjust the volume of the metronome.
ConnectionsHere, you can select a separate stereo output for the metronome.
OptionDescription
NormalIn this mode, non-audio processes and audio playback get roughly 
equal priorities (default setting).
BoostIn this mode, audio precedes MIDI in priority. Try this mode if audio 
playback problems occur when playing back MIDI and audio material. 
						

							289
Using the HALion Standalone VersionSelecting the MIDI Input and the Audio Output
Selecting the MIDI Input and the Audio Output
In the top left corner of the control panel, two pop-up menus for selecting the MIDI 
input and the main audio output of HALion are located.
The MIDI input pop-up menu lists all MIDI devices that are installed on your system.
•Open the MIDI input pop-up menu to select the MIDI device that you want to use. 
The MIDI Activity LED in the top left corner of the control panel indicates incoming 
MIDI messages via the selected MIDI input. The LED lights up on receiving note-on 
and controller messages. This way, you can check if HALion and your MIDI keyboard 
are connected to the same MIDI device input.
The Audio output pop-up menu lists all outputs of the selected ASIO device.
•Open the Audio output pop-up menu to select an audio output for the main stereo 
channel of the plug-in.
If you select an audio output, the front and rear channels are set to incrementing 
audio output ports – for example 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, 6, 7, 8.
Pressing [Alt]/[Option]-[Shift] and selecting an audio output assigns the audio 
outputs in pairs to the front and rear channels – for example 1, 2, 1, 2 or 5, 6, 5, 6.
ÖUse the Preferences dialog to select the ASIO device and other audio outputs.
The Scratch Pad
The scratch pad allows you to record and play back MIDI files in Standard MIDI File 
format (file name extension .mid). You can load existing MIDI files and you can record 
your own files and save them. The transport section provides buttons for play, stop, 
record and loop. The display shows the song position, the tempo and the time 
signature of the MIDI file. In addition, there is a metronome that you can use for 
recording and practicing.
The scratch pad can play back multi-track MIDI files sending notes on all 16 MIDI 
channels. It also sends MIDI program change messages when a MIDI file is loaded.
Transport controls: Play, Stop, Record, and Loop
Load 
MIDI file
Save MIDI fileRecord 
modeMetronome levelMetronome 
settings
Song position 
indicator
Tempo track Tempo 
value
Adjust 
TempoTime signature
Info icon
Song position 
display
Time format
MIDI channel filter 
						

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Using the HALion Standalone VersionThe Scratch Pad
Using the Transport Controls
•Click the Play button to start playback of the MIDI file.
Playback always starts at the song position.
•Click the Stop button to pause the MIDI file at the current position.
Click the Stop button twice to reset the song position to the start.
•Click the Record button to start recording.
•Click the Loop button to play the whole MIDI file in a loop.
Loading a MIDI File
To load a standard MIDI file, proceed as follows:
1.Click the Load File button below the transport buttons.
2.In the file dialog that opens, select the file that you want to use.
3.Click Open to load the MIDI file.
Saving a MIDI File
To save the performance you recorded as a MIDI file, proceed as follows:
1.Click the Save File button (the disk icon) below the transport buttons.
2.In the file dialog that opens, specify a location and a file name.
3.Click Save to store the MIDI file.
The Info Icon
To check which MIDI file is currently loaded, point with the mouse at the info icon in 
the top left corner of the scratch pad. A tooltip appears, showing the name of the MIDI 
file.
Using the MIDI Channel Filter
When a multitrack MIDI file is loaded, you can decide whether all or only the events of 
a specific MIDI channel are played back. The control can be found to the right of the 
info icon in the song position display.
The Song Position Indicator
The song position indicator shows the position of the transport. Above the song 
position indicator, the position is displayed numerically.
ÖAfter loading a MIDI file, the display shows the full length of the file and the song 
position indicator is positioned at the end. However, playback starts from the 
beginning when you click Play.
•To move the transport to a different song position, drag the song position indicator 
to the new position.
•To change the format, click the time format symbol in the top right corner of the 
display to switch between the time formats. When Time is selected, a clock is 
displayed. When Bars is selected, a note is displayed.