Steinberg Halion Sonic 2 Manual

							Operation Manual
Benutzerhandbuch
Mode d’Emploi
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							English 
						

							Matthias Klag, Michael Ruf
Revision and quality control: Cristina Bachmann, Heiko Bischoff, Christina Kaboth, Insa Mingers, 
Sabine Pfeifer, Benjamin Schütte
This PDF provides improved access for vision-impaired users. Please note that due to the complexity 
and number of images in this document, it is not possible to include text descriptions of images.
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a 
commitment on the part of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. The software described by this 
document is subject to a License Agreement and may not be copied to other media except as 
specifically allowed in the License Agreement. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced, 
or otherwise transmitted or recorded, for any purpose, without prior written permission by Steinberg 
Media Technologies GmbH. Registered licensees of the product described herein may print one 
copy of this document for their personal use.
All product and company names are ™ or ® trademarks of their respective holders. For more 
information, please visit www.steinberg.net/trademarks.
Release Date: May 16, 2013
© Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH, 2013.
All rights reserved. 
						

							4
Table of Contents
6Installation and setup
6Welcome
6Key Command Conventions
7How You Can Reach Us
7Installation
9Setting Up
11Introduction
11HALion Sonic Overview
12About Programs, Layers, Multis, Macro 
Pages, and Presets
15Managing Your Sounds
15Introduction
15The Multi Program Rack
17Managing Multis
19Managing Files via the MediaBay
23Setting Up a Multi Chain
25Editing
25Introduction
25Editing Programs
29Editing Layers
64The FlexPhraser
69User Phrases
73Working with FlexPhraser Variations
74Editing Drum and Loop Layers
82Editing Instrument Layers
85Expression Maps
87Editing Insert Effects
88Auron
88Introduction
89The Osc Page
90The Mod Page
91The Voice Page
93The Filter Section
94The Amp Section
94The Arp Page
95Trium
95Introduction
96The Osc Page
96The Sub Page
98The Amp Section
98The Mod Page
99The Arp Page
100Voltage
100Introduction
100The Oscillator Section
101The Filter Section
105The Arp Page
106Model C
106Introduction
106The Organ Page
108The Rotary Page
108The Amp Page
108The FX Page
111HALiotron
111Introduction
111The Main Page
112The Filter Page
113B-Box
113Introduction
113The Pattern Page
116The Mix Page
120World Instruments
120Introduction
120The Filter Section
121The Amp Section
122The Pitch/LFO/MW Sections
122The Oriental Scale Section
123The Arp Page
124World Percussion
124Introduction
128MIDI Setup and Mixing
128The MIDI Page
129The Mix Page
131Global Effects
131Introduction
131The Effects Page
133Effects Reference
159HALion 3 Legacy Effects
166The Performance Section
166Introduction
166The Performance Controls
167The Quick Controls
174The Trigger Pads
177Note Expression
177Introduction 
						

							5
179Global Functions and Settings
179Introduction
179The Plug-in Functions Section
182The Options Page
187The Controls in the Standalone Functions 
Section
192MIDI Controllers
192Using MIDI Controllers
196Index 
						

							6
Installation and setup
Welcome
Congratulations and thank you for purchasing Steinberg’s premier VST workstation, 
HALion Sonic 2.
What is HALion Sonic? Conveying the workstation concept into the world of virtual 
instruments with the benefits of VST like flexibility and performance is the main 
thought behind HALion Sonic and makes it the perfect companion in any studio, on 
stage, and at home. The unique combination of extraordinary multi-timbral sample 
playback and synthesis audio engines, the superior VST 3 technology and the 
stunning ease of use lets HALion Sonic stand out in the field of virtual instruments. 
The excellent filters and effects, the world-class content library, the intuitive interface 
concept – HALion Sonic is always at the heart of your production.
Many feature requests and wishes have found their way into the second iteration of 
HALion Sonic. FlexPhrases can now be recorded and exported to your DAW and the 
new user phrase editor lets you program your own phrases and arpeggios directly in 
HALion Sonic. The presets management and browsing have been improved, offering 
a more convenient access to the vast number of new sounds. With more than 1,000 
new presets and plenty of new instruments, the content library got a massive upgrade. 
All new instruments like the Model-C organ or the new synth section with Trium, 
Auron, and Voltage are equipped with dedicated interface skins to make control even 
more intuitive. Whether it is the comprehensive world library or B-Box, the new drum 
machine with included step sequencer – HALion Sonic 2 brings plenty of inspiring 
sounds for all tastes and situations.
All of the new instruments, features, and functionalities are described in detail in this 
manual. Please do not forget to register at MySteinberg in order to gain access to 
online support offers and additional exclusive services. And check out the HALion 
Sonic community at our online forum for tips and other useful information.
We wish you a lot of musical inspiration working with your brand-new workstation!
Key Command Conventions
Many of the default key commands in HALion Sonic use modifier keys, some of which 
are different depending on the operating system. For example, the default key 
command for Undo is [Ctrl]-[Z] on Windows and [Command]-[Z] on Mac OS X 
systems.
When key commands with modifier keys are described in this manual, they are shown 
with the Windows modifier key first:
[Win modifier key]/[Mac modifier key]-[key]
For example, [Ctrl]/[Command]-[Z] means “press [Ctrl] on Windows or [Command] 
on Mac OS X systems, then press [Z]”.
Similarly, [Alt]/[Option]-[X] means “press [Alt] on Windows or [Option] on Mac OS X 
systems, then press [X]”.
Please note that this manual often refers to right-clicking, for example, to open context 
menus. If you are using a Mac with a single-button mouse, hold down [Ctrl] and click. 
						

							7
Installation and setupHow You Can Reach Us
How You Can Reach Us
Clicking the Steinberg logo in the top right corner of HALion Sonic opens a pop-up 
menu containing items for getting additional information and help:
•This menu contains links to various Steinberg web pages. Selecting a link 
automatically launches your browser application and opens the page.
On the web pages, you can find support and compatibility information, answers to 
frequently asked questions, links for downloading new drivers, etc. This requires 
that you have a browser application installed on your computer and a working 
internet connection.
•When you choose the Help item, an online version of the documentation opens.
•You also find a menu item for the registration of your product.
For further information, see “Register Your Software” on page 9.
Installation
The USB-eLicenser
Many Steinberg products, including HALion Sonic, use the USB-eLicenser, a 
hardware copy protection device. HALion Sonic will not run without an eLicenser 
containing an activated license.
The USB-eLicenser is a USB device on which your Steinberg software licenses are 
stored. All hardware-protected Steinberg products use the same type of device, and 
you can store more than one license on one device. Also, licenses can (within certain 
limits) be transferred between USB-eLicensers. This is helpful if you want to sell a 
piece of software, for example.
The product package of HALion Sonic contains an activation code, which is found on 
the Essential Product License Information card within the product package. To make 
unlimited use of your version of HALion Sonic, you must manually download a license 
to an USB-eLicenser connected to your computer, and activate your permanent 
license using the activation code.
In the eLicenser Control Center you can activate new licenses and check which 
licenses are installed on your USB-eLicenser. After installation of HALion Sonic, the 
eLicenser Control Center can be opened via the Start menu on Windows systems or 
the Applications folder on a Mac.
ÖIf you are using other copy-protected Steinberg products, you may want to transfer all 
licenses for your applications to one USB-eLicenser, thus using up only one USB port 
of your computer. Please refer to the eLicenser Control Center Help for information on 
how to transfer licenses between USB-eLicensers.
!Please read the following section before installing HALion Sonic.
!The USB-eLicenser is a separate product and is not included in the product package 
of HALion Sonic. 
						

							8
Installation and setupInstallation
System Requirements
Your computer must meet the following minimum requirements for the Windows and 
Mac versions of HALion Sonic:
Installing HALion Sonic
HALion Sonic provides a large amount of content and is distributed on a set of two 
DVDs. Please have all DVDs ready for the installation.
Proceed as follows:
1.Insert the first DVD into your DVD drive.
An interactive Start Center appears. If it is does not open automatically or if you 
have a Macintosh computer, you can manually open it by double-clicking the file 
“HALion_Sonic_Start_Center.exe” (Windows) or “HALion Sonic Start Center.app” 
(
Mac).
2.Follow the instructions on screen to start the installation of HALion Sonic and 
browse through the additional options and information presented.
If you do not want to install HALion Sonic via the interactive Start Center, follow the 
instructions below:
Windows
1.Double-click the file called “Setup.exe”.
2.Follow the instructions on screen.
Macintosh
1.Double-click the file called “HALion Sonic.mpkg”.
2.Follow the instructions on screen.
Mac OS XWindows
Mac OS X Version 10.7/10.8*
Intel dual-core processor
CoreAudio-compatible audio hardware
VST 3 or AU-compatible host application 
for using HALion Sonic as a plug-in
Windows 7/Windows 8*
Intel or AMD dual-core processor
Windows-compatible audio hardware**
VST 3 or VST 2-compatible host applica-
tion for using HALion Sonic as a plug-in
4 GB RAM
17 GB of free hard-disk space
Display resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels recommended
DVD ROM dual-layer drive required for installation
USB port for USB-eLicenser (license management)
Internet connection required for installation, activation, account setup, and 
personal/product registration.
*Native 32-bit and 64-bit program version.
**ASIO compatible audio hardware recommended for low-latency performance.
!The HALion Sonic installer allows you to save the content files on a different hard 
drive than the program files. 
						

							9
Installation and setupSetting Up
Register Your Software
We encourage you to register your software! By doing so you are entitled to technical 
support and kept aware of updates and other news regarding HALion Sonic.
•To register HALion Sonic, click the Steinberg logo in the top right corner of the 
control panel and select “Register HALion Sonic now!” from the pop-up menu.
This option opens the registration page of the Steinberg web site in your web 
browser. To register, follow the instructions on screen. 
Setting Up
The following sections describe how to use HALion Sonic as a plug-in in different 
host applications, or as a standalone instrument.
Setting Up HALion Sonic as a VST Instrument in Cubase
We assume that you have correctly set up Cubase as well as your MIDI and audio 
hardware, and that Cubase receives MIDI data from your external MIDI keyboard. If 
you want to use HALion Sonic in another VST host application, please refer to the 
documentation of the corresponding application.
Cubase provides two ways of working with VST instruments: the VST Instruments 
window and instrument tracks.
Accessing HALion Sonic via the VST Instruments Window
Proceed as follows:
1.Open the Devices menu in Cubase and select the VST Instruments option.
The VST Instruments window opens.
2.Click one of the empty slots to open the instrument pop-up menu, and select 
HALion Sonic.
You are asked whether you want to create an associated MIDI track connected to 
the VST instrument. 
3.Click Create.
HALion Sonic is loaded and activated, and its control panel opens. A MIDI track called 
HALion Sonic is added to the track list. The output of this track is routed to HALion 
Sonic.
Accessing HALion Sonic via an Instrument Track
Proceed as follows:
1.On the Project menu, open the Add Track submenu, and select “Instrument”. 
The Add Instrument Track dialog opens. 
2.On the instrument pop-up menu, select HALion Sonic.
3.Click OK to create the instrument track. 
4.Click the Edit Instrument button in the Cubase Inspector to open the HALion 
Sonic control panel.
HALion Sonic is now set up as a VST instrument in Cubase. For more details about 
the handling of VST instruments, see the Cubase Operation Manual. 
						

							10
Installation and setupSetting Up
Selecting Outputs
HALion Sonic loads with a stereo output configuration by default. However, you can 
use up to 15 additional outputs in Cubase. This allows you to route all 16 program 
slots to a dedicated Cubase Mixer channel.
To make these outputs available, proceed as follows:
1.Open the VST Instruments window.
2.Click the output button for the HALion Sonic instrument.
3.Activate the required outputs.
Cubase automatically creates a MIDI track for each additional output and adds a 
channel to its Mixer. You can now route HALion Sonic programs, layers, or drum 
instruments (slices) to these outputs for further signal processing within Cubase.
Using HALion Sonic in an AU Compatible Application
You can use HALion Sonic in an AU host application (e. g. Logic). The AU version of 
HALion Sonic is installed in your AU plug-ins folder and lets HALion Sonic work in an 
AU environment without any performance loss or incompatibilities.
For Logic Pro, proceed as follows:
1.Open the Track Mixer and select the instrument channel that you want to use.
2.Click in the I/O field, and open the AU Instruments submenu. 
3.On the Steinberg submenu, open the HALion Sonic submenu and select one of 
the available channel configurations.
HALion Sonic is now loaded as an AU instrument.
HALion Sonic Standalone
HALion Sonic can be used as a standalone application, independently of any host 
application. In this case, you can connect HALion Sonic directly to your audio 
hardware. The controls specific to the standalone application are described in the 
section 
“The Controls in the Standalone Functions Section” on page 187.