User manual HARTMANN NEURON

Neuron.book Seite i Montag, 23. Dezember 2002 2:28 14 Neuron.book Seite ii Montag, 23. Dezember 2002 2:28 14 Neuron.book Seite i Montag, 23. Dezember 2002 2:28 14 Table of contents Welcome to the family! 1 The Neuron Team 2 Copyright 2 The manual ... 3 Style conventions 3 Icons 4 Specified use 5 Safety first - notes on safety 5 Get yourself connected 8 Unpacking / standard accessories 8 Setting up 8 Neuron's connectors and ports 9 Before cabling up ... 9 A word on audio quality ... 9 Mains cord 9 Stereo setup, surround setup, headphones 10 External controllers: Footswitches & pedals 11 MIDI setup 12 Digital inputs/outputs, USB connection 13 Let the games begin... 14 Powering up (finally!) 14 Switching off 15 Quick Start Guide 16 Neuron basics 22 The philosophy behind Neuron 22 A look at control features in general 25 Stick controller 26 Data input wheels (wheels) 29 Knob 29 Menu navigation in the main display 29 Operating modes 32 Operating mode: Sound mode 32 Operating mode: Setup mode 32 Hierarchies: The Neuron memory model 33 Master volume 35 Fundamentals: Basic settings 36 Neuron's modules 43 Signal Flow 43 Module: Programmer 45 Programmer: Control features 46 Programmer: Programming sounds 49 Sound menu 49 Sound parameters 49 Snapshots & the play/compare function 52 Neuron's copy/paste function 54 Back to the roots: The reset function 57 Programmer: Programming setups 58 Setup menu 59 Setup parameters 61 Table of contents i Neuron.book Seite ii Montag, 23. Dezember 2002 2:28 14 ii Table of contents Module: Resynator 69 The philosophy behind resynators 69 The idea behind Neuron models 70 Resynator: Control features 73 Resynator: Menu 75 Resynator: Parameters 77 Resynator: Handling 86 Module: Blender 93 Blender: Control features 94 Blender: Menu 94 Blender: Parameters 94 Blender: Types 96 Module: Shaper 1/2 99 Normal or repeat? 103 Shaper 1/2: Control features 105 Shaper 1/2: Menu 106 Shaper 1/2: Parameters 108 Shaper 1/2: Handling 110 Module: Mod 114 Mod: Routing 115 Mod: Menu 116 Mod: Control features 116 Mod: Parameters 116 Mod: Handling 117 Mod: Waves - Available LFO waveforms 118 Module: Slicer 119 Slicer: Control features 121 Slicer: Menu 122 Slicer: Parameters 122 Module: Silver 123 Filter basics 124 Silver: Control features 133 Silver: Menus 136 Silver: Parameters 138 Silver: Handling 146 Module: Shaper 3 149 Shaper 3: Control features 151 Shaper 3: Menu 151 Shaper 3: Parameters in silver status 152 Shaper 3: Handling 153 Module: Master effects 154 Master effects: Control features 157 Master effects: Menu 158 Master effects: Parameters 159 Master effects: Handling 160 Free controllers 162 Controllers: Menu 163 Controllers: Route planning 165 Surround mode 169 Surround basics 169 Surround menu in Neuron 174 Surround handling in Neuron 174 Neuron.book Seite iii Montag, 23. Dezember 2002 2:28 14 MIDI control 178 MIDI-relevant basic settings 178 MIDI-relevant setup settings 179 SysEx commands (System exclusive data) 179 Controller list 181 Updates and Backups 185 A word on the USB interface 185 The load/dump function 187 Load/dump: Menu 187 Load/dump: Options 188 Just feed it 192 Converting samples into Neuron models 192 Technical data 193 CE Declaration of conformity 194 Index 195 Table of contents iii Neuron.book Seite iv Montag, 23. Dezember 2002 2:28 14 Neuron.book Seite 1 Montag, 23. Dezember 2002 2:28 14 Welcome to the family! Thank you for purchasing this groundbreaking electronic musical instrument. To this day, I recall the thrill that reading words much like these gave me when I brought my brand-new synthesizer home. I devoured the pages that followed in that first manual - it would become my bedside bible for many days after acquiring that cherished machine. Years have passed since; as a musician, I owned many instruments and as a designer, I contributed to the making of many more. With Neuron, I was able to make my personal dream come true - an aspiration that would not have been attainable without the close cooperation of one of the brightest minds in the music business. Neuron's synthesis engine embraces the imagination and comprehensive knowledge of Stephan Sprenger, who in March 2000 set out with me on an adventure of designing what is certainly the most powerful new development in synthesizers in recent years. Before you stands the hard-won result of this shared vision. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who worked so hard ­ sometimes to the limits of human endurance ­ to blast through barriers and turn this vision into a product that satisfies your and our standards for quality. As you get to know Neuron, you will come across a range of innovative functions. Many of these are the fruits of a Herculean development effort, and a goodly share has been implemented for the first time in an electronic musical instrument. I am certain that you will soon come to appreciate the depth and breadth of neural synthesis; its sonic potential is, in fact, tremendous. And its unique control features make it so easy to shape this instrument's jawdropping sounds. Here's hoping that you will become acquainted with your new instrument in no time at all. This manual will help you understand this machine. You will find familiar features in some areas and be confronted with completely novel features in others. However, in order to make the most of your synthesizer's potential, I recommend that you make this manual your bedtime storybook in the days ahead just as I did years ago and still do today. Thank you for the confidence in our product and in our new company. Welcome to the family! Axel Hartmann 1 Neuron.book Seite 2 Montag, 23. Dezember 2002 2:28 14 2 The Neuron Team The Neuron Team · Software: Engine: Stephan Sprenger, Prosoniq Products Software UI Soft, Bios: Josef Pogadl (Management), Jürgen Fornoff UI Hard, Bios: Puschmann Engineering, Marcus Werner · Hardware implementation: Schlafhorst Electronics GmbH, Dr. Hans-Georg Nowak (Management) · Project Management: Josef Pogadl, Axel Hartmann, Arnd Kaiser. · Design: Axel Hartmann, Design Box · Sound design: Arnd Kaiser, Bernhard Bouché, Ray Legnini, Christian Ledwig, Peter Gorges, Yellow Tools, Uwe Zahn, Peter Kuhlmann · Housing/Component Construction: Frank Schneider (Management), Klaus Weber, Werner Bernd · User Manual: Volker Fischer, bfj document partner Illustrations: Design Box, Shaun Ellwood Translation: Tom Green Thanks to: (In alphabetical order): Werner Bernd, Melisande Bernsee, Bernhard and Heidi Bouché, Thad Brown, Charlotte Clare, the Design Box Team, Wolfgang Düren, Joachim Flor, Gerd Gehrke, Detlef Glißmeyer, Uli Gobbers, Andreas Hafen, Christian Hellinger, Martin Herbst, Russ Jones, Joachim Keil, Tony Kostanjsek, Lothar Krell, Stephan Leitl, Heiko Meerz, Drew Neumann, Jörg Pauly, Susanne Pennewiss, the Prosoniq Team, Stefan Rapp, Rapp Architekten, Peter Ries, all the comp.dsp regulars, Frederic "Bo" Schelling, the Schlafhorst Electronics Team, Boris Schneider, Dieter Strobel, Terratec, Manfred Tillmann, the TSI Team, Drazen "Wanzinn kuhl(tm)" Vlahovic, Hans Zimmer Copyright No part of this operating manual may be reproduced, published, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express written permission of Hartmann GmbH. Contents are subject to change for technical reasons and due to amendments. The greatest care and diligence has been taken in compiling this manual. However, there is always the chance of an oversight. We apologize for any inconvenience should you come across an error. We are not liable for changes made to Neuron after this manual went to print. © 2002 Hartmann GmbH, 88214 Ravensburg, Germany. All rights reserved. Neuron.book Seite 3 Montag, 23. Dezember 2002 2:28 14 The manual ... If all you had needed was more reading material, you would have bought Bukowski's collected works or Keith Emerson's biography but not a neural synthesizer. We are well aware that reading operating manuals is a pain. So the question begs, "Who should read what in this manual?" ... for pros If Neuron is the latest in a long line of synthesizers owned by you, if you're a seasoned sound programmer, and if you're familiar with the theory behind envelopes and filters, you will need this book merely as a reference for individual parameters, for guidance in navigating the menus, or because you want to look up something about this or that control feature. Not so: Even if you are a bona fide synthesizer expert, its controls are sure to be new to you! This manual also offers a parameter table for every Neuron module, a list of control features and menu diagrams for quick reference ­ plenty of stuff to ponder even for the synthesizer expert. Our Quick Start Guide starts on page 16 . Its purpose is to give the eager synthesist who wants to dive right into the Neuron pool a friendly shove. ... and for not quite so professional pros In the event that you are an (absolute) beginner or are not quite sure what an envelope is good for and what a chorus does, this manual offers an explanatory and hopefully enlightening introduction for every module. ... with an index to boot! We invested considerable effort into referencing terminology in the index starting on page 195 so that you can access any desired information in a hurry. Style conventions Most of us are creatures of habit. That is why in this manual we have opted to use distinctive typeset to denote control features, parameters, and displays. Control features such as buttons, knobs, wheels, and stick controllers appear in bold. Parameters that can be selected or edited in a module as well as LEDs appear in italics. Display read-outs are shown in t y p e s c r i p t . The manual ... 3 Neuron.book Seite 4 Montag, 23. Dezember 2002 2:28 14 4 Icons In order to describe how to use the navigation stick located next to the main display in as few words as possible, we use the following shortcuts: Stick.down means that you should move the stick down once in order to perform the given operation. Stick.up/left/right means move the stick in the given direction. The confused couch potato turns up because something discussed on that page seems unclear! Icons Our couch potatoes will accompany you through this manual: You will find couch potatoes lounging about all over the book. They pop up wherever a need for further enlightenment arises, marking passages containing a key fact, cross-referencing a related topic ... ...or offering valuable tips on good-to-know stuff like tweaking sounds or programming Neuron. Heads up if you see the couch potato and his friends listening intently. If you take the hint and "listen up" too, you will discover an interesting or unusual fact. The stick controllers are Neuron's hallmark features. They enable effective, intuitive, and easy handling. The stick icon appears wherever a stick is mentioned in the text. Neuron.book Seite 5 Montag, 23. Dezember 2002 2:28 14 Specified use Neuron® is a neural synthesizer to be used exclusively for generating low-frequency audio signals for creating sounds. Any other use is improper and prohibited. Hartmann GmbH is not liable for inappropriate or improper use of the device and such use voids the manufacturer's warranty. Safety first - notes on safety The following guidelines are crucial to your safety and the longevity of the device. Read and heed! Consider also the notes on safety printed on the device's connection panel. Failure to heed the guidelines below can lead to fatal injuries through electrical shock or to the destruction of the device! · Keep the device out of the rain and away from any other splashing water. Under no circumstances, allow water to seep into the housing. Do not place any receptacle containing liquid on the device - even if this means you must do without your traditional chill-out drink during your combo's last number! · Always set up a safe distance from water; that means bathtubs and swimming pools too. Bathers and swimmers are in danger of electrical shock! · Do not operate the device in a moist environment. Humidity may not exceed 75%. · If you place the device on a stand or other platform, make sure it and the floor you are standing on are dry! CAUTION Lethal electrical shock hazard! Safety first - notes on safety 5 Neuron.book Seite 6 Montag, 23. Dezember 2002 2:28 14 6 Safety first - notes on safety · Never use faulty mains, audio, or other connecting cords. If the included mains cord is damaged or lost, use a suitable replacement cord only. In countries in which the included mains cord cannot be used, turn to a qualified specialist for help. Never connect the device to a socket that is unsuitable, damaged or improperly installed. Always unplug the mains cord from the socket by pulling the plug and never the actual cord! Do not touch the mains cord with wet hands! Never sever the mains cord's green/yellow earth or ground wire. It serves the essential function of protecting you and the device. Failure to heed the guidelines below can lead to the damage or destruction of the device. · Connect Neuron to alternating current power supplies rated from 100 to 240 V and with a frequency of 50 to 60 Hz. · Do not operate Neuron in extremely dusty or dirty environments and only up to an altitude of 2,000 meters above mean sea level. · Do not operate Neuron near heat sources. Do not expose the device to direct and intense sunlight. Do not operate it outside an ambient temperature range of 15 ° and 35 ° C. · Always ensure air can circulate freely around the device for purposes of heat dissipation. Never cover or obstruct the ventilation ducts on the side and particularly on the bottom panel of the enclosure! · Do not expose the device to powerful vibrations or mechanical shocks. · Unplug audio cords and connectors by pulling the plug rather than the cord. CAUTION Lethal electrical shock hazard! · · · · · CAUTION Danger of damage or destruction! Neuron.book Seite 7 Montag, 23. Dezember 2002 2:28 14 Safety during operation · Ensure the device is set up in a stable, level position. · Make sure that no objects make their way into the device's interior. If this does occur, switch the device off immediately and pull the mains plug. Do not open the device. Take it to an authorized service center and have a qualified technician remove the foreign object. · In combination with a connected amp, mixer, speakers, or headphones, Neuron can produce volume levels that may lead to irreparable hearing loss. Always keep a close watch on volume settings and make sure you operate your setup at a reasonable level. Notes on care, maintenance and repair · Do not open the device. There are no userserviceable parts in the device's interior. · Users are prohibited from replacing the lithium batteries in the device. Have an authorized service center do this. Note that batteries may explode if not handled properly! · Users are prohibited from replacing fuses. Have an authorized service center do this. The mains cord must be disconnected before replacing fuses. · As a rule, only qualified and authorized specialists may open the device strictly for repair purposes. · Use only a dry, soft cloth or brush to clean the housing. Do not clean the device with alcohol, solvents, or other chemicals. Safety first - notes on safety 7 Neuron.book Seite 8 Montag, 23. Dezember 2002 2:28 14 8 Unpacking / standard accessories Get yourself connected Unpacking / standard accessories After unpacking, inventory the standard accessories. The package should contain · Neuron, · a mains cord (suitable for your country's outlets), · this operating manual (sad stab at a joke), · and the registration card with warranty. Please turn to your authorized dealer if any of the standard accessories are missing! We recommend that you keep the original packaging for future transportation purposes! It is our solemn duty to keep all registered owners abreast of the latest developments and system updates! You too will enjoy this wonderful service after you fill in the warranty card and send it to your local distributor or to the address printed on the card. Once we receive your registration, we will send you ModelMaker, a software application that lets you create your own models from samples! Setting up Place your Neuron on a clean, smooth surface, making sure the device resides on a firm, stable base. When choosing a location suitable for setting up, read and heed the notes on safety on page 5. Neuron.book Seite 9 Montag, 23. Dezember 2002 2:28 14 Neuron's connectors and ports The connector panel is located on the left side of the device! That is a nice touch because your audience can admire the handsome Hartmann trademark ­ a very distinctive on button ­ rather than a rat's nest of cords. The ports are shown in detail in the illustrations on the following pages. Before cabling up ... · · · switch off all devices in the signal chain! read the guidelines on the following pages first and heed the notes on safety on page 5. turn the volume on the connected amp / mixer all the way down. stereo; better yet, in surround mode! Read the comments on master volume on page 35. Mains cord Ensure both the mains cord and the given outlet are the right type and in a state of good repair before plugging the mains cord into the socket. Read also the notes on safety starting on page 5. Neuron may be operated at mains voltages ranging from 100 V AC to 240 V AC only. The device is not equipped with an 115/230V selector, it automatically adapts to the mains voltage if available within the aforementioned range. A word on audio quality ... To allow your Neuron to unleash all the awesome might of its sonic powers and our innovative resynthesis technology to work its magic, be sure to use premium audio devices (amps, mixers, speaker). In other words, plug into the best gear you can reasonably afford. Also, be sure to run Neuron in Neuron's connectors and ports 9 Neuron.book Seite 10 Montag, 23. Dezember 2002 2:28 14 10 Stereo setup, surround setup, headphones Stereo setup, surround setup, headphones Outputs: 3x Stereo L, R or Surround Front, Back, Center/Sub: · Mono: Use the right channel of stereo output 1. · Stereo: Effects are routed through stereo output 1 only; outputs 2 and 3 remain dry. You can patch every sound of any setup to one of the three stereo outputs (out setup parameter), including the volume and pan settings for that sound. See table 5 on page 61. · Surround: Stereo output 1 carries the signals for the front channels (L, R) and stereo output 2 carries the signals for the two back channels. In surround mode, the center channel signal is routed via output 3 left; output 3 right sends a signal destined for the subwoofer. The setup menu also contains sound-related parameters for the surround channels (table 5 on page 61). Headphones: Class A stereo headphones output. In surround mode, you will hear the two front channels in your headphones. The volume of all analog audio outputs and the headphones output is controlled via the master volume knob. Whenever you work with headphones, be sure to check the volume before you strike any keys! Neuron.book Seite 11 Montag, 23. Dezember 2002 2:28 14 External controllers: Footswitches and pedals Control 4:You can connect a continuous controller of any type and polarity here. In the controller menu, you can define up to four functions for the pedal (see page 165). In the default setting, control 4 adjusts the volume of both resynators. MIDI controller number: 11 ("expression"). Switch: Port designed to take a footswitch of any type (opener or closer) and polarity. You can define functions for the switch in the controller menu (see page 167). MIDI controller number: 66. Sustain: Connect a standard sustain pedal here. MIDI controller number: 64. Neuron automatically identifies the type of connected footswitch and sustain pedal when it is powered up. If this is not the case, you can provide that information to Neuron via the basic settings parameters footswitch and sustain ped External controllers: Footswitches and pedals 11 Neuron.book Seite 12 Montag, 23. Dezember 2002 2:28 14 12 MIDI setup MIDI setup In: MIDI input. Neuron receives MIDI data from the MIDI output of a computer, MIDI keyboards, sequencer, or other MIDI controller via this input. Thru: This port receives the same signal as the in port. You can patch MIDI data "thru" to another MIDI device via this output. Out: All MIDI data generated in Neuron is sent to other MIDI-enabled devices via this MIDI output. Connect a MIDI device that you want to control via Neuron here. You will find a detailed description of Neuron's MIDI control mechanisms starting on page 178. Neuron.book Seite 13 Montag, 23. Dezember 2002 2:28 14 Digital inputs/outputs, USB connection Digital In/Out: Digital audio input and output. Designed for loss-free audio data transfer, these are S/PDIF channels in coaxial format with a fixed sampling rate of 44.1 KHz (24 bits). The serial transfer format consists of the actual audio data as well as various other info and status bits, some of which enable copy protection. For example, you could use a suitable coaxial cable (75 ohms, RCA connectors) to connect Neuron to a hard disk recording system, DAT recorder, or digital mixer. Note that the content of the digital signal sent via this port is identical to the analog signal routed out via stereo output 1. USB: Standard USB interface for connecting a PC/MAC (via USB network adapter!). For details, see page 185. Digital inputs/outputs, USB connection 13 Neuron.book Seite 14 Montag, 23. Dezember 2002 2:28 14 14 Powering up (finally!) Let the games begin... Set up your gear as follows: Connect stereo output 1 (L/R) to the inputs of your mixer or audio interface. For purposes of MIDI control, connect the MIDI In/ Out ports in the standard manner used for other synthesizers. To learn more about Neuron's connections and interfaces, see page 8. While the Neuron is booting (that is, loading all data required for operation), the main display reads Then Neuron's software is initialized. This launching process can take some time. When Neuron comes on line, it is in sound mode with sound 0 loaded. The switch lights up continuously when Neuron is up and running. Powering up (finally!) The on/off switch is the Hartmann logo located at the rear of the housing.