Sugar Bytes NEST User Manual

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NEST

USER MANUAL

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Page 1 NEST USER MANUAL...
Page 2 Table of Content What is Nest Overview Get Started Managing Wires Clock Start Presets The 12 Wiring Scenes The Modules The Sound Page Mode Synth/Drums Plug-ins MIDI Modulation Assign Final Output Header & Settings Screen Host Integration Installation/Uninstallation Contact...
Page 3 What is Nest? Nest is what you could call a sandbox MIDI generator. It is like having a MIDI Sequencer laid out on the breadboard, having all the internals ready to play with. Nest provides all possible MIDI sequencer functionalities, but on a modular circuit level.
Page 4: Sound Page
Overview Similar to many of our products, it‘s a fwo faced demon. The user interface is divided into two main pages. The Wire page and Sound page, plus options page. On the Wire Page we create an opus of MIDI data, and on the Sound Page we turn that data into sound. The math is as follows: We generate 8 voices of MIDI on the wire page.
Page 5: Get Started
Get Started When you open up Nest for the first time and switch through some presets, you might be blown away by the monstrous amount of wires and modules, which you might never have heard about before. But bear with us, as this is the moment where all the magic begins.
Page 6 Nest can be triggered per MIDI notes or per internal sequencer. Clicking the Gear Icon on top right opens up the 'Clock Start' option. If the clock option is set to HOST, Nest will sync to your host’s clock. If it's set to MIDI, Nest 's sequencer will be triggered by a MIDI note only.
Page 7 Let‘s do the Modules! In order to make a plan, you need to know what tools are at hand. Learning the modules as good as possible will be rewarded with awesome results. Multiplexer and Demultiplexer Shift Registers Converters Clock Delay/Hold/ClockDivider/Envelope Counters Logic If/Else...
Page 8: Multiplexer & Demultiplexer
Multiplexer & Demultiplexer These modules refer to the 4051 multiplexer IC. It is used to convert parallel and serial data, and basically they work like radio buttons. An address, defined by 3 bits, is given to the multiplexer, which will determine, which of the 8 inputs is sent to the output. This is the classical sequencer operation, where you have 8 steps, which are addressed by a clock.
Page 9 Demultiplexer (DEMUX) Here we have the 4051 the other way around. One input signal is sent to one of 8 outputs. You could spread a rhythm over different voices/sound generators or have an 8-entry table to write pitch into. The B Mode here as well switches to binary address mode, where the counter is bypassed and the address is applied directly, using three address bits.
Page 10: Shift Register
Shift Register Derived from a classic, the 4015 shift register with an added preset memory. The best image for a shift register is a bucket brigade. We have 8 individuals, each one holding a bucket. The clock tells them to pass their buckets onward. When a clock event arrives, the first individual will give its bucket to the second individual and sample a new bucket from the data input.
Page 11 Converters Here we have a 7-bit AD DA converter. The use of such a converter is to turn analog voltage into digital numbers and vice versa. The number of bits defines the highest number that can be presented. With 7 bits, we have a value range between 0 and 127, which is perfect for working with MIDI. Now what do we do with that thing? AD Converter The AD Converter will convert a number to 7 bits.
Page 12 Clock Here we have 8 clock division, ready to trigger things in a monotonic fashion. Tempo: Global Tempo division, which is then divided down further by the clock divider. Swing: Each 2nd step of the global tempo divider is delayed. Three clocks are available: Straight (Clock): 8 Straight clock divisions, based on the global division.
Page 13: Clock Divider
Delay/Hold/ClockDivider/Envelope Here we have 4 modules to choose from. Delay Sometimes a trigger is working better in the future or the past, which is when the delay comes in handy. The delay time is based on 16th notes. In: Data input for the things that should be delayed. Time: the delay time, given by the number of 16th notes Out: Data output for the delayed things.
Page 14 Time: Decay time given in 16th notes. Data Output for the envelope curve, which is a float value between 0 and 1. It must be multiplied to a bigger value, as Nest overall works with values between 0 and 127. Refer to the Math module for multiplication.
Page 15 Sample and hold is mainly used as a randomizer in old synthesizers, but it can do far more than just that. Snatching a value from any data stream at a certain moment is a true superpower. It is only overpowered by the Shift Register, which packs 8 sample and holds into one module.
Page 16 Counters These counters increment values according to arriving clock events, wrapping around at a given number. Counters are good for many things. They usually run sequencers, but they also are the main tools when generating pitch. Here you can create melodies that go up or down at any time, at any interval.
Page 17 Logic Logic Gates are the key operators of computing. We feed triggers to the inputs A and B, select a rule and enjoy the result on the output. Use Logic Gates to merge gates or create new sequences/triggers from existing ones, or set rules based on value comparation. Logic Gates operate with binary values, 0 being LOW (no signal), 1 and above being HIGH (signal).
Page 18 NOT inverts a logic state (HIGH or LOW). Input values above 0 will come out as 0, while input value 0 will come out as one. Let‘s do the Modules! The Sound Page Header Settings Screen Table of Content...
Page 19 If/Else The basics of computing come in quite handy, so we included it in the game in the form of an IF/ELSE module. It operates on various conditions, comparing inputs A and B, while inputs C (true) or D(false) are forwarded to the Output port. If A (condition) B, we select input C, otherwise we select input D.
Page 20 Gate To Trigger and Flop (TRIG and F/2) Gate To Trigger Generally, only one high state can be imminent. If a high state is added to an existing high state, the resulting state just remains high. Use gate to trig to shorten gate events. Let’s say you use the very slow 16/1 clock, which has a lifetime of 8/1 (with a 16th clock resolution this would be half a bar) to trigger a gate.
Page 21 Math Triggers and gates are just expressed by the pair of LOW and HIGH, but when Pitch and Velocity enter the game, we need numbers. And in the MIDI game, numbers are quite finite, as we use 0-127 to control our equipment. We can generate numbers using digital to analog converters, MIDI inputs, counters, or adding up triggers.
Page 22 Invert Invert a value (1 will be -1). The input value is inverted, so 1 will become -1. Constants The Constants are automatable, MIDI remotable controls, which can serve as real-time controllers for your performance. Usually, they are used with the MATH module to set fixed operators, but can also be used to offset the values of certain operations. Let‘s do the Modules! The Sound Page Header...
Page 23 Oscillators These oscillators provide no audio but control signals. These “Low Frequency Oscillators“ are running at divisions of the host BPM. They provide different kinds of waveforms servings individual purposes, while the frequency can be modulated. RAMP Rising Ramp Falling Ramp SINE Sinus Waveform NOISE...
Page 24 But they might as well just serve your generative music adventures with numbers, which are valuable goods in this game. Down to the flesh! Of course, Nest can be controlled from MIDI. Here we have the data arrival. Pitch+Transpose control: Receive MIDI pitch here and apply transpose (use -60 in order to transpose the complete pitch output at the offset jack).
Page 25 Arpeggiator The Arpeggiator is one of the main data sources in our game, as it connects us to the world of polyphonic pitch. Still we convert your chords to serial pitch, but we do not ignore them! The arp covers up to 8 voices and uses an up/down counter in order to address these voices. Finally, you are served with a pitch sequence on the ArpP Output and a Gate sequence at the ArpG output.
Page 26 Sequencer Full blown 16 step gate/value sequencer with control over position, Sequencer Edit Window restart. While the sequencer has an inbuilt clock, you can write data Click the little sequencer in the Wire page to open the Sequencer Edit into it, modulate the read position and restart the internal clock. Window.
Page 27 Gate/Velocity/Pitch MIDI out Here we send our MIDI out to the world. We have 8 voices available, each one can be addressed with Gate, Pitch and Velocity. Pitch: Here we provide a transpose control, which makes it easy to offset the pitch voices with each other and set up a default chord. Gate: We expect Low (0) or High (>0) Inputs here.
Page 28 Scale Use the Scale Module to tailor the output pitch of all outgoing voices to a certain scale and root note. Additionally the module features an input, to transpose all outgoing pitch. Click the Scale icon to open the scale editor. Here you can activate keys that are allowed in your scale.
Page 29 CC/AUTO (Mod Out) Modulation data, which is in the 0-127 range, can be sent to MIDI CCs or plug-in automation, using the convenient learn feature. Additionally, there is an offset control which sets the lowest value being sent. In order to send a modulation to an automatable parameter in your VST2 Plug-in, use the Learn Button on the Sound Page. Let‘s do the Modules! The Sound Page Header...
Page 30 The Sound Page Controls the sound generating engines / Plug-in Hosting...
Page 31 Mode Synth / Drums All factory presets are running on internal sound engines. We made these, so things are a bit easier at the start of a new patch, and also to make sure that drums can be included easily at any time. 3 kinds of Synth are included: Channel 1 and 2: Subtractive Synthesizer with presets, 2 Oscillators, Filter,...
Page 32 Attention! On a MacBook with Apple M1 Silicon CPU make sure to launch the related version, native ARM64 or Intel. Nest will not be able to run Intel-based plug-ins under Rosetta 2 in a DAW that is running natively on Apple Silicon (and vice versa)! So to use your ARM64 compatible plug-ins you should launch Nest within a native Apple Silicon version of your DAW.
Page 33 MIDI MIDI data can be passed on to any individual MIDI channel per voice. The 4 sound channels can create overlapping MIDI data, because the channel assignment is generic. Overlapping MIDI Data will be merged and might lead to funny results. Open UI Open the graphical user interface of the selected sound generator/plug-in.
Page 34 Modulation Assign Modulation is sent from the wiring page at the channels A, B, C and D. Here you can receive from these channels, and send assign them to your sound devices. ABCD: Activate this button to assign the modulation channel to this sound channel. Each button is then represented by a menu, which offers either MIDI CC numbers and names, VST2 automation parameters from a loaded plug-in, or parameters of the internal synthesizer, depending on the selected work mode.
Page 35: Master Volume
1,2,3,4 Here you activate/deactivate each channel. Master Volume Here you can set the final output volume. If audio is sent on single outs, it addresses all outputs. Reverb Here we have the reverb, which works as a send effect for the internal sound generators. Therefore, each sound generator includes a “Reverb“...
Page 36 Header & Settings Screen Manage your presets, design up to 12 Wiring Scenes and set your overall preferences. Let‘s do the Modules! The Sound Page Header Settings Screen Table of Content...
Page 37 Undo/Redo Set back or redo your last operating step with the curved arrows. Quick access to this manual or the link to open the Sugar Bytes website Gear icon Opens up the Settings Screen where you find some global settings and functions.
Page 38: Settings Screen
It creates a wide variety of RGB relationships, and is only based on the parameter value, with no randomization involved. UI Scaling Adjust the Nest user interface to your monitor screen size. Hold down the Ctrl key and press the + to increase the size or - to decrease the size. Let‘s do the Modules!
Page 39 Load or save your current MIDI CC assignment. Recursive Correction Nest is basically a giant matrix, where inputs and outputs can be connected without limits. This leads to huge numbers of feedbacks, where things go in and out and in again, and so on.
Page 40: Host Integration
Host Integration Nest works as a VST2 / AU / AAX plug-in in the most common DAW hosts. Make sure that Nest is installed in the plug-ins folder used by your DAW. Some hosts need to perform a plug-in rescan when a newly installed plug-in is launched for the first time.
Page 41: Ableton Live
Cubase Perform a full rescan in the Cubase plug-in manager. Make sure that the Nest.dll (Win) or Nest.vst (macOS) file is contained in Cubase‘s assigned VST Plug-ins folder. Load Nest as Instrument into an Instrument track. Ableton Live When using macOS, we recommend using the VST version of Nest in Live. Please note: With Ableton Live, plug-ins sometimes will be marked as unloadable and not rescanned automatically.
Page 42 MIDI CC Assigments MIDI LEARN Right-click any control to open up the MIDI learn popup window. Click Learn to assign incoming MIDI CCs. Click Clear to remove the assignment. When using the Standalone version of DrumComputer: If CC Preset Isolate is enabled in the MIDI Settings of DrumComputer MIDI Learn settings won't change when loading presets. If CC Preset Isolate is unchecked the CC Map will be recalled with the related preset.
Page 43: Installation
The standalone version and manual will be installed into: Presets will be installed into Windows: C:\Program Files\Sugar Bytes\Nest \Users\YOURLOGINNAME (your home folder)Documents\Sugar Bytes\Nest macOS: /Applications/Sugar Bytes/Nest Important: Do not relocate Nest presets after installation! macOS Windows Default installation paths: Default installation paths: C:\Program Files\VSTPlugins /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST/...
Page 44 The serial number is requested during installation. If the serial number is missing or incorrect, the product will not produce any sound. Check About Screen (click the SB logo) of Nest to verify whether your serial number is VALID. Manually entering the correct serial number there or performing a quick reinstall, should fix any issues.
Page 45 Contact Sugar Bytes GmbH | Made of passion Sugar Bytes are: Rico Bernhardt & Robert Fehse Greifswalder Str. 29 | 10405 Berlin, Germany Vincent Miethe phone:+493060920395 Nadine Purrmann Let‘s do the Modules! The Sound Page Header Settings Screen Table of Content...