Steinberg Halion Sonic 2 Manual
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151 Global EffectsEffects Reference Rotary The Rotary effect emulates the sound of a vintage rotary speaker including amplifier, horn, drum, and cabinet. By emitting the sound via a rotating horn and drum, the rotary speaker produces a Doppler effect that thickens the sound. The horn and drum rotate at variable speed producing different amounts of Doppler effect. The amplifier of the rotary speaker adds a warm sounding distortion, and the horn, drum, and cabinet color the sound uniquely. The horn and drum are recorded via (virtual) microphones that can be set to different angles to broaden the sound image. Typically, rotary speakers are used with electric organs. Rotation Use this to change the rotation speed of the horn and drum (Slow, Fast, Stop). When set to Fast, the Doppler effect is stronger. When set to Stop, there is no Doppler effect because the drum and horn do not rotate. Because the horn and drum accelerate and decelerate at different speeds the transition from Slow to Fast and vice versa sounds the most interesting. Distance Sets the distance between the microphones and the horn and drum. The amplitude modulation of the sound decreases with the distance of the microphones. Set this to higher values for less amplitude modulation. Cabinet The horn and drum sound different when recorded through the louvers of the cabinet. Use this to color the horn and drum with the sound of the cabinet. At a setting of 100 %, you get the full sound of the cabinet. Balance Here you adjust the balance between the horn and drum microphones. At a setting of 0 %, you hear only the drum. At a setting of 100 %, you hear only the horn. Slow This adjusts the slow speed of the horn and drum together. Fast This adjusts the fast speed of the horn and drum together. Accel Adjusts the acceleration time for raising and lowering the rotation speed of the horn and drum. Horn Mic Angle This adjusts the stereo spread of the horn microphones. At a setting of 0°, the sound image is monophonic. At a setting of 180°, the sound image is fully stereo.
152 Global EffectsEffects Reference Drum Mic Angle This adjusts the stereo spread of the drum microphones. At a setting of 0°, the sound image is monophonic. At a setting of 180°, the sound image is fully stereo. Input Adjusts the gain before the rotary and drive. Drive Adjusts the distortion of the amplifier. Output Adjusts the gain after the rotary and drive. Color Use this to alter the sound of the Rotary effect. This parameter changes the timbre which leads to the rotation of the horn and the drum being perceived with greater depth. Bass Use this to adjust the tone color of the low frequencies. Treble Use this to adjust the tone color of the high frequencies. Vibrato The Vibrato effect emulates the chorus and vibrato effects of vintage organs. It thickens the sound by means of pitch modulation. The effect provides direct access to the classic chorus and vibrato settings (C1, C2 and C3 and V1, V2 and V3). In addition, there is a Custom mode that allows you to adjust the amount of chorus or vibrato freely. Type Here you can select the classic chorus and vibrato settings C1, C2 and C3 and V1, V2 and V3. The control is only available if the effect is set to Classic mode. Custom Mode Activate this to adjust the chorus and vibrato settings freely with the Rate, Depth, and Vibrato/Chorus controls. Rate Use this to specify the frequency of the pitch modulation in Hertz. Depth This sets the intensity of the pitch modulation. Vibr/Chor This controls the mix between the vibrato and the chorus signal. At 100 %, you only hear the chorus effect.
153 Global EffectsEffects Reference Vintage Ensemble This effect emulates the sound of classic ensemble modulation effects. It is based on a delay with LFO-modulated delay times. A secondary LFO with higher frequencies is used to produce the so-called “shimmer”. Rate Specifies the frequency of the LFO. Sync Activate this to set the Rate value in fractions of beats. Depth Sets the intensity of the delay time modulation by the LFO. Shimmer Sets the intensity of a secondary faster delay time modulation. Shimmer Rate Determines the relation between the speed of the primary and the secondary delay modulation. For example, with a value of 10, the secondary modulation is ten times faster. Low Cut Applies a low-cut filter to the signal. Only frequencies above the set frequency are sent to the effect. High Cut Applies a high-cut filter to the signal. Only frequencies below the set frequency are sent to the effect. Level Allows you to adapt the effect signal level to compensate for level reductions caused by the Low and High cut filters. Mix This sets the ratio between the dry and the wet signal.
154 Global EffectsEffects Reference Compressor The Compressor reduces the dynamic range of a sound. This way, the sound gains headroom. You can use this extra headroom to make the overall sound louder again. The graphical control to the left indicates the compression curve. You can edit the Threshold and Ratio value with the handles of this control, the corresponding knobs reflect your changes. The input and output VU meters indicate the level before and after the compression. The Gain Reduction meter indicates the current attenuation of the level. Threshold Use this to set the threshold in dB. Sounds that are louder than the threshold are reduced in gain. Sounds below the threshold stay untreated. Ratio This adjusts the amount of gain reduction for sounds that are louder than the threshold. The higher the ratio, the more the output is lowered. For example, if the ratio is set to 2:1 and the amplitude of the sound is 4 dB above the threshold, the output is lowered by 2 dB. If the amplitude is 8 dB above the threshold, the output is lowered by 4 dB. Soft Knee If this button is off, signals above the threshold are compressed instantly according to the set ration (hard knee). When Soft Knee is activated, the onset of compression is more gradual, producing a less drastic result. Make-Up Depending on the set threshold and ratio, the sound loses gain (indicated by the Gain Reduction meter). You can use the Make-Up parameter to make the overall sound louder again. Auto This calculates the gain loss from the Threshold and Ratio settings and sets the Make- Up value automatically. The Make-Up knob is disabled when Auto is active. Attack This determines how fast the Compressor effect reacts to sounds that exceed the set threshold. The longer the set Attack time, the longer the period for reducing the gain to the set ratio will be. In other words, with longer Attack times the onset of sounds exceeding the threshold pass through unprocessed. Hold This sets a time period during which the compression is applied after the sound exceeds the set threshold. Release This determines how fast the Compressor effect reacts to sounds that fall below the set threshold. The longer the set Release time, the longer the period for returning to the original level will be.
155 Global EffectsEffects Reference Auto Release Activate this to set the Release time automatically. The Compressor analyzes the input sound continuously to find the optimal Release time. The Release knob is disabled when Auto Release is active. Peak – RMS Determines whether the input signal is analyzed according to peak or RMS values or a mixture of both. At a setting of 0 %, the Compressor uses Peak sensing only and at 100 %, RMS sensing only. Peak means that the Compressor directly senses the peak level of the sound. RMS means that the Compressor senses the average power of the sound. Peak sensing responds faster than RMS sensing. Typically, Peak sensing is used for transient and RMS sensing for sustained sounds. Limiter The Limiter effects prevents the sound from exceeding the set output level to avoid clipping in following effects, for example. The input and output VU meters indicate the level before and after the Limiter. The Gain Reduction meter in the middle indicates the current attenuation of the level. Input This adjusts the input level of the sound. By increasing the input level you can drive the sound more and more into limiting. Output This sets the maximum output level of the sound. Release This sets the time that the gain needs to return to its original level. The longer the Release time, the longer is the period for returning to the original level. Auto Activate this to set the Release time automatically. The Limiter analyzes the input sound continuously to find the optimal Release time. The Release knob is disabled when Auto Release is active.
156 Global EffectsEffects Reference Expander Expander reduces the output level in relation to the input level for signals below the set threshold. This is useful when you want to enhance the dynamic range or reduce the noise in quiet passages. The graphical control to the left indicates the expansion curve. You can edit the Threshold and Ratio value with the handles of this control, and the corresponding knobs reflect your changes. The input and output VU meters indicate the level before and after the expansion. The Gain Reduction meter indicates the current attenuation of the level. Threshold Use this to set the threshold in dB. Sounds that are softer than the threshold are reduced in gain. Sounds above the threshold stay untreated. Ratio This adjusts the amount of gain reduction for sounds that are softer than the threshold. The higher the ratio, the more the output is lowered. For example, if the ratio is set to 2:1 and the amplitude of the sound is 4 dB below the threshold, the output is lowered by 2 dB. If the amplitude is 8 dB below the threshold, the output is lowered by 4 dB. Soft Knee If this button is off, signals above the threshold are compressed instantly according to the set ration (hard knee). When Soft Knee is activated, the onset of expansion is more gradual, producing a less drastic result. Attack This determines how fast the Expander reduces the gain when the sound falls below the set threshold. The longer the Attack time, the longer the period for reducing the gain will be. Hold This sets a time period during which the expansion is applied after the sound falls below the set threshold. Release This determines how fast the Expander raises the gain after the sound exceeds the set threshold. The longer the Release time, the longer is the period for raising the gain again. Auto Release Activate this to set the Release time automatically. The Expander analyzes the input sound continuously to find the optimal Release time. The Release knob is disabled when Auto Release is active.
157 Global EffectsEffects Reference Peak – RMS Determines whether the input signal is analyzed according to peak or RMS values or a mixture of both. At a setting of 0 %, the Expander uses Peak sensing only and at 100 %, RMS sensing only. Peak means that the Expander directly senses the peak level of the sound. RMS means that the Expander senses the average power of the sound. Peak sensing responds faster than RMS sensing. Typically, Peak sensing is used for transient and RMS sensing for sustained sounds. Gate The Gate effect passes sound only to its output if the input sound exceeds the set threshold level. Sounds below the threshold are silenced. An internal side-chain filter allows you to analyze a filtered version of the input sound instead. This way, the Gate detects only certain frequencies of the input sound. Threshold Determines the level where the gate is activated. Signal levels above the set threshold trigger the gate to open, and signal levels below the set threshold close the gate. Filter This activates the internal side-chain filter. When activated, the input sound is filtered before it is analyzed. The Gate opens only if the filtered sound exceeds the set threshold. When the Filter button is off, the filter controls are disabled. Filter Type Here you select the filter type for the side-chain filter. Select high-pass (HP) to detect high, band-pass (BP) to detect mid, and low-pass (LP) to detect low frequencies only. Monitor Activate this to listen to the sound of the side-chain filter. The Gate is inactive when the Monitor button is activated. Center This sets the center frequency of the side-chain filter. Q-Factor Activate this to adjust the bandwidth of the band-pass filter from wide to narrow. Attack This determines how fast the Gate opens when the sound exceeds the set threshold. The longer the Attack time, the longer is the period for the sound to fade in. Hold This sets a time period during which the Gate is applied after the sound falls below the set threshold. Release This determines how fast the Gate closes after the sound falls below the set threshold. The longer the Release time, the longer is the period for the sound to fade out.
158 Global EffectsEffects Reference Auto Activate this to set the Release time automatically. The Gate analyzes the input sound continuously to find the optimal Release time. The Release knob is disabled when Auto Release is active. Peak – RMS Determines whether the input signal is analyzed according to peak or RMS values (or a mixture of both). At a setting of 0 %, the Gate uses Peak sensing only and at 100 %, RMS sensing only. Peak means that the Gate directly senses the peak level of the sound. RMS means that the Gate senses the average power of the sound. Peak sensing responds faster than RMS sensing. Typically, Peak sensing is used for transient and RMS sensing for sustained sounds. Envelope Shaper This effect can be used to attenuate or boost the gain of the attack and release phase of audio material. Be careful with levels when boosting the gain and, if needed, reduce the output level to avoid clipping. Attack – Gain Changes the gain of the attack phase of the signal. Attack - Length Determines the length of the attack phase of the signal. Release - Gain Changes the gain of the release phase of the signal. Output Sets the output level. Stereo Pan This effect allows you to set the stereo position and width of the signal. Input Swap Activate the Input Swap option if you want to swap the stereo channels. Pan Here you can set the pan position of the signal. The panning is available for mono and stereo input signals. Width This parameter allows you to adjust the stereo width of the signal from stereo to mono.
159 Global EffectsHALion 3 Legacy Effects HALion 3 Legacy Effects In addition to the standard effects, a number of effects from HALion 3 is also provided. These effects can be selected from the Legacy submenu of the Effects menu. Hall Reverb A simple reverb with adjustable pre-delay and damping. Non-Linear Reverb A “gated” reverb with a sharp cutoff. Early Reflections A short, dense reverb for simulating small acoustic spaces and to thicken or blur sounds. Delay A simple mono-in/stereo out delay. ParameterDescription PredelayThe Predelay time delays the wet signal to simulate larger acoustic spaces or as a slap-back effect. TimeLength of reverb tail. HF DampProgressive damping of high frequencies. Lo EQLow-cut EQ. Hi EQHigh-cut EQ. MixWet/dry mix. ParameterDescription TimeLength of reverb tail. It also allows you to change the sound from dense early reflections to a trashy, grainy 80’s-type reverb. HF DampProgressive damping of high frequencies. Lo EQLow-cut EQ. Hi EQHigh-cut EQ. MixWet/dry mix. ParameterDescription TimeLength of reverb tail. It also allows you to change the sound from dense early reflections to a trashy, grainy 80’s-type reverb. Low EQLow-cut EQ. High EQHigh-cut EQ. MixWet/dry mix. ParameterDescription DelayDelay time. If the Sync parameter is set to On, the delay time is set by using various note values. Sync On/OffBy activating Sync, delays are synced to the tempo set in your host application. FeedbackFeedback controls the number of delay repeats.
160 Global EffectsHALion 3 Legacy Effects Stereo Delay A stereo-in/stereo out delay. Long Delay The Long Delay provides the same parameters set as the Delay, except delays up to four seconds can be set. Tape Delay Simulation of a vintage 4-head analog tape delay. Chorus A straightforward chorus effect that can be used to “widen” sounds. BalanceRatio of left delay time to right delay time. HF DampHigh-cut filter to soften delay repeats. Parameter Description ParameterDescription DelayDelay time. If the Sync parameter is set to On, the delay time is set by using various note values. FeedbackFeedback controls the number of delay repeats. For minimum feedback set the slider to the mid position. By moving the slider to the left or right “cross delay” is applied, where left output feeds back into right input or vice versa. Sync On/OffBy activating Sync, delay repeats are synced to the tempo set in your host application. BalanceRatio of left delay time to right delay time. HF DampHigh-cut filter to soften delay repeats. ParameterDescription DelayDelay time. If the Sync parameter is set to On, the delay time is set by using various note values. Sync On/OffBy activating Sync, the delay repeats are synced to the tempo set in your host application. FeedbackFeedback controls the number of delay repeats. VintageAmount of vintage “color” and tape flutter. Head 1Delay level 1 (output is panned left). Head 2Delay level 2 (output is panned right). Head 3Delay level 3. Head 4Delay level 4. Pan 3+4Varies the panning of delays 3 & 4 from center to hard left/right. Vol 3+4Varies the volume of delay outputs 3 & 4. ParameterDescription RateModulation rate. DepthAmount of pitch modulation.