USER MANUAL 2 Information in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Applied Acoustics Systems DVM Inc. The software described in this manual is furnished under a license agreement. The software may be used only in accordance of the terms of this license agreement. It is against the law to copy this software on any medium except as specifically allowed in the license agreement. No part of this manual may be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated, distributed or converted to any electronic or machine-readable form in whole or in part without prior written approval of Applied Acoustics Systems DVM Inc. Copyright c 2005 Applied Acoustics Systems DVM Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in Canada. Program Copyright c 2005 Applied Acoustics Systems, Inc. All right reserved. String Studio VS is a Trademark of Applied Acoustics Systems DVM Inc. Windows 98, 2000, NT, ME, XP and DirectX are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Macintosh, Mac OS, QuickTime and Audio Units are registered trademarks of Apple Corporation. VST Instruments and ASIO are trademarks of Steinberg Soft Und Hardware GmbH. RTAS is a registered trademarks of Digidesign. Adobe and Acrobat are trademarks of Adobe Systems incorporated. Unauthorized copying, renting or lending of the software is strictly prohibited. Visit Applied Acoustics Systems DVM Inc. on the World Wide Web at www.applied-acoustics.com Contents 1 Introduction 1.1 1.2 1.3 System requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Authorization and Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3.1 1.3.2 1.3.3 1.4 Unlocking String Studio on Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unlocking String Studio on Mac OS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Obtaining your response key and registering by fax or over the phone: . . . 7 7 8 8 9 12 17 17 18 18 19 19 19 19 21 21 21 22 22 23 23 23 23 24 25 26 27 28 Getting started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.4.1 1.4.2 1.4.3 Using MIDI Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using MIDI program changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using String Studio as a Plug-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.5 1.6 1.7 2 Getting help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Forum and User Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . About this manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Browser and Presets 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 Playing Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Editing and Saving Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deleting Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Documenting Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Defining a Default Preset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Locating a Preset in the Browser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MIDI maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exporting and Importing Presets and MIDI maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Customizing the browser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Architecture of String Studio 3.1 3.2 3.3 General Signal Flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Modulation Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Output Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 CONTENTS 4 Parameters 4.1 General Functioning of the Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.1.1 4.1.2 4.1.3 4.1.4 4.1.5 4.1.6 4.1.7 4.2 4.3 Tweaking Knobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Drop-down menus and Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inverting a Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bypassing a Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Resetting a Module and Copying Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Modulation Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 29 29 29 29 30 30 30 30 31 32 32 33 33 34 35 36 37 37 38 38 39 40 41 41 42 42 43 44 44 45 45 The String Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Excitator Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.3.1 4.3.2 4.3.3 Plectrum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hammer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 The Body Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Damper Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Termination Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Geometry Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Pickup module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Distortion module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.10 The EQ module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.11 The Filter Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.11.1 Resonant Low-Pass Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.11.2 Resonant High-Pass Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.11.3 Band-Pass Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.11.4 Notch Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.11.5 Formant Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.12 The Filter Env Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.13 The LFO Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.13.1 Wave Shape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.13.2 Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.13.3 Fade-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CONTENTS 5 4.14 The Keyboard Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.14.1 Tuning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.14.2 Mode and Priority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.14.3 Unison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.15 The Portamento Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.16 The Vibrato Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.17 The Arpeggiator Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.17.1 Arpeggio Patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.17.2 Rhythmic Patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.17.3 Rate and Synchronization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.17.4 Latch mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.18 The Output Effect Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.18.1 The Clock Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.18.2 The Chorus Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.18.3 The Delay Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.18.4 The Reverb module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.18.5 Topology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.18.6 The Output Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.18.7 The Recorder Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Toolbar 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 Preset Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MIDI map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Polyphony Combo Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MIDI Channel combo box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Value Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CPU meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MIDI LED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 46 46 47 47 47 48 48 49 49 49 49 50 50 50 51 51 52 52 53 53 53 53 53 53 53 54 6 CONTENTS 6 Audio and MIDI Settings 6.1 6.2 Audio Device Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MIDI Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.2.1 6.2.2 6.2.3 6.2.4 6.2.5 6.2.6 6.3 6.4 Selecting a MIDI Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Creating MIDI Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Editing MIDI Links ............................. Deleting MIDI Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Creating a MIDI Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Creating the MIDI Program Change Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 55 55 55 55 56 57 57 57 58 58 60 60 60 60 60 60 61 61 61 61 62 65 Audio Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Latency Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Using the String Studio as a Plug-In 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 Window Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Synchronization to the Host Sequencer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Audio and MIDI parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Automation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Multiple Instances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Saving Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MIDI channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MIDI program change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 9 Quick reference to commands and shortcuts License Agreement Introduction 7 1 Introduction The String Studio is a synthesizer dedicated to the emulation of string instruments. The synthesizer is entirely based on the A|A|S physical modeling technology and uses no sampling nor wave tables. Instead it produces sound by solving, on the fly, mathematical equations modeling the different components involved in string instruments and how they interact. This elaborate synthesis engine responds dynamically to the control signals it receives while you play thereby reproducing the richness and responsiveness of real string instruments. String Studio features three types of excitators (hammer, pick, and bow) an accurate model of a string, a model of the fret/finger interaction, a damper model and different types of soundboards. The combination of these different elements allows for the reproduction of a wide range of string instruments. String Studio is also equipped with a distortion module, filters and a comprehensive output effect stage to add the finishing touch to the sound. Finally, String Studio offers a wide range of performance features, including keyboard modes, portamento, vibrato and legato functions, a programmable pattern arpeggiator, and a complete set of MIDI features for optimal controller integration. Before discussing the synthesizer in more detail, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for choosing an A|A|S product. We sincerely hope that this product will bring you inspiration, pleasure and fulfill your creative needs. 1.1 System requirements The following computer configuration is necessary to run the String Studio: Mac OS : · · · · · · · Mac OSX 10.2 (Jaguar) or later. G4 733 MHz Processor 256 MB RAM 1024 x 768 or higher screen resolution MIDI Keyboard (recommended) Ethernet Port Quicktime 4.0 or later Windows : · · · · · Windows 98SE/2000/XP PIII 800 MHz 128 MB RAM 1024 x 768 or higher screen resolution DirectX or ASIO supported sound card 8 Introduction · MIDI Keyboard (recommended) Keep in mind that the computational power ...