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Native Instruments BATTERY 4 Manual

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  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents 1. Disclaimer ......................... 1 2. Welcome to BATTERY ....................2 2.1. Document Conventions ..................3 3. Getting Started ......................4 3.1. Installing BATTERY ..................... 4 3.2. Setting up BATTERY as Stand-Alone Application ............ 4 3.3. Setting up BATTERY as Plug-in in a DAW ............... 5 4.
  • Page 3 11.5.1. Solid G-EQ ....................36 11.5.2. 3-Band EQ ....................36 11.5.3. Lowpass ....................36 11.5.4. Highpass ....................37 11.5.5. Bandpass ....................37 11.5.6. Peak/Notch .................... 38 11.5.7. Effect ..................... 38 11.6. Compressor ....................39 11.7. TM (Transient Master) ..................40 12.
  • Page 4 16.5. Cell Rendering ....................72 16.6. Usage Data ..................... 74 17. Audio and MIDI Settings ..................75 17.1. Audio Page ..................... 75 17.2. Routing Page ....................76 17.3. MIDI Page ....................... 77 18. Missing Samples ....................79 19. Supported File Types ....................80...

  • Page 5: Disclaimer

    The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Native Instruments GmbH. The software described by this document is subject to a License Agreement and may not be copied to other media. No part of this...

  • Page 6: Welcome To Battery

    WE LCOME TO BATT ERY 2. Welcome to BATTERY BATTERY is the cutting-edge drum sampler designed for the 21st century. It combines a supercharged library, tailor-made for electronic and hip hop music, with a radically-intuitive workflow that focuses on creativity. Instantly find and arrange sounds with a new, tag-based browser, and route powerful new effects with drag-and-drop simplicity.

  • Page 7: Document Conventions

    WE LCOME TO BATT ERY 2.1. Document Conventions In this document the following formatting is used to highlight useful information: Italics Indicates paths to locations on your hard disk or other storage devices Bold Highlights important names, concepts, and software interface elements. [Brackets] References keys on a computer’s keyboard The following three icons represent different types of information:...

  • Page 8: Getting Started

    Before you can make music with BATTERY, you must install the necessary software using Native Access. If you are new to Native Instruments, you will first have to create your Native ID. To learn more about Native Access, visit our support page here.

  • Page 9: Setting Up Battery As Plug-In In A Daw

    GET TIN G STAR TED 4. Go to the MIDI tab and change the Status for your MIDI controller to On using the drop-down menu. If you do not intend to play BATTERY via MIDI, you can omit this step. 5.

  • Page 10: Overview Of Battery

    OV ERVIEW OF BATTE RY 4. Overview of BATTERY BATTERY has an intuitive and flexible user interface, with designated areas for drum and sample programming, browsing, automation, modulation, and an effects and routing section. The BATTERY interface consists of the following key sections: 1.
  • Page 11 OV ERVIEW OF BATTE RY • Master page: Consists of group effects, controls for the Reverb and Delay send effects, and Buses for routing and mixing cells with additional effects processing. Refer to Master Page.

  • Page 12: Header

    HEADER 5. Header The Header at the top of BATTERY provides access to global functions such as Kit management, master level control, tempo, and voice management. It also hosts the main menu that offers file, editing, and layout options. The Header consists of the following elements: 1.
  • Page 13 HEADER using BATTERY as a plug-in in a session with a host software, and will be recalled the next time you load that session.

  • Page 14: Main Menu

    MAIN MENU 6. Main Menu The main menu provides access to common file and editing options, preferences, audio and MIDI settings, cell layout, tools (such as Batch Resave), and the Help menu. To open the Main menu: • Click the drop-down menu in the Header, then select File. The Main menu 6.1.

  • Page 15: Edit

    MAIN MENU • Save Kit as...: Saves the current Kit under a new name to a specific location on your computer. (Windows: [Ctrl]+[Shift]+[S] / Mac OS: [Cmd]+ [Shift]+[S].) The subsequent saving dialog presents you with additional options for saving a Kit: •...

  • Page 16: Tools

    • Online Battery Documentation: Opens a submenu with links to various documentation items. • Visit Battery 4 on the web: Opens the BATTERY 4 product homepage in your standard web browser. • Visit the Knowledge Base: Opens the NI Knowledge Base in your standard web browser.

  • Page 17: Sidebar

    SIDE BAR 7. Sidebar The Sidebar is located on the left side of BATTERY's interface and contains the Library Browser, the File Browser, and the Automation page. These are accessed by clicking the respective tab at the top of the Sidebar. The Sidebar contains the following key sections: 1.
  • Page 18 SIDE BAR 1. Kits/Samples: Selects between Kits and Samples. The selected filter displays the list of available results in the Library. • Kits: Displays all Kits available in the Library. Narrow your selection with the tags in the Category window, and select whether to display factory kits or your own user Kits with the Factory/User buttons.

  • Page 19: Files Browser

    SIDE BAR 4. Search field: Enables you to search the Library using a specific term, to narrow down the selection in the Selection/Results window. 5. Selection/Results window: Lists Library content according to your selection. 6. Loop button (circular arrow icon): Continuously loops the currently previewed sound when active.
  • Page 20 SIDE BAR 1. Favorites bar: Add locations on your hard drive to the Favorites bar by right-clicking an item in the Selection/Results window, and selecting the Add to Favorites entry. 2. Navigation bar: Enables you to navigate through your computer's file structure. •...

  • Page 21: Automation Page

    SIDE BAR 7. Info button: Displays additional information for the currently selected item in the Selection/ Results window. 8. Import button: Allows you to import files from your file system to the Library. Refer to Importing Files to the Library to learn about importing samples from your file system to the Library, and the Library's convenient tagging system.
  • Page 22 SIDE BAR 1. Host/MIDI: Selects between the two types of parameter control automation (Host automation and MIDI automation). 2. Control mapping entry: Displays a new control mapping entry in the mapping list when Add New... is selected. • Host mapping: The entry will be labeled Drag to any Knob or Slider..You can then drag and drop the selection cross hair onto a parameter control in the user interface.

  • Page 23: Cell Matrix

    CEL L MAT RIX 8. Cell Matrix The Cell Matrix is BATTERY's central interface for viewing and editing the content of a Kit. It consists of up to 128 cells that are arranged in a flexible number of rows (maximum of eight) and columns (maximum of 16).
  • Page 24 CEL L MAT RIX • In focus: When you click on a cell, it is in focus and highlighted with a colored frame. The Quick Access area and the Edit area show the parameters and settings specific to this cell. •...

  • Page 25: Cell Colors

    CEL L MAT RIX • Routed to side-chain input: When a cell is routed to the side-chain input of the Compressor module on the Master page, the cell displays SC in its lower right corner. For more information, refer to Compressor. 8.3.

  • Page 26: The Cell Context Menu

    CEL L MAT RIX 1. Right-click the cell to open the context menu. 2. Select a color from the Cell Color submenu by clicking on it. The cell shows the selected color. You can change the color of multiple cells by selecting them before opening the context menu.
  • Page 27 CEL L MAT RIX • Replace Sample...: Opens the file browser that allows you to replace the cell's content with a sample from your hard drive. • Render Cell in Place: Renders the cell and all of its effects into a new sample that replaces the existing cell content.

  • Page 28: Quick Access Area

    QUICK ACCE SS AR EA 9. Quick Access Area The Quick Access area provides quick access to the most frequently used tools for cell editing. The Quick Access area is located below the Cell Matrix, and consists of the Waveform control, Sample selector, and the Quick Access controls.
  • Page 29 QUICK ACCE SS AR EA 3. Quick Access controls: This area controls the basic sonic characteristics, and the MIDI key assignments of the selected cell(s). • Tune knob: Changes the pitch of the cell and all sample layers contained, with a range of +3 to-3 Octaves.

  • Page 30: Main Page

    MAIN PAGE 10. Main Page The Main page holds the basic tools for adjusting the sound of the individual cells within your Kit; pitch and volume envelope modules, basic filters, a sample engine selection, a one-knob compressor, and send controls for delay and reverb effects can be found here. The Main page in the Edit area.

  • Page 31: Pitch Envelope

    MAIN PAGE • Release: Adjusts the time it takes to return to zero level after receiving a MIDI note-off command (for instance, the MIDI trigger ends). Release control is not available in AHD mode (see envelope mode selectors description above). In case you selected multiple cells before activating the envelope, the most recently selected cell (with a colored frame) will be displayed in the Waveform Control;...

  • Page 32: Engine

    MAIN PAGE The Velocity module. • To Volume: Adjusts how input velocity will affect the volume of triggered cells. When set to 0 %, velocity will not affect the volume of the triggered cell, for instance., no matter how hard you hit the key or pad, the output volume will always be 100% of the cell's volume setting.

  • Page 33: Filter

    MAIN PAGE • Sampler: In Sampler mode, BATTERY stores sample data in the system memory, reads it out from memory, and applies any needed pitch-shifting by re-sampling the audio data. • Standard: Activates BATTERY's standard sampler engine. • Vintage: Activates vintage interpolation modes, which emulate the sonic characteristics of two legendary samplers often used in Hip Hop and electronic music.

  • Page 34: Compressor

    MAIN PAGE The Filter module. • Power: Activates/deactivates the filter. • High Cut: Sets the frequency above which the signal will be attenuated. • Low Cut: Sets the frequency below which the signal will be attenuated. 10.6. Compressor A one-knob control feedback compressor to smooth out the audio signal. The Compressor module contains the following parameters and controls: The Compressor module.
  • Page 35 MAIN PAGE The Sends module. • Delay: Determines the amount of signal to be sent to the Delay module on the Master page. • Reverb: Determines the amount of signal to be sent to the Reverb module on the Master page. Refer to Master Page for instructions on adjusting the delay and the reverb module.

  • Page 36: Effects Page

    E FFE CT S PAG E 11. Effects Page The Effects page consists of a number of effects that can be applied to the selected cell. You can make subtle changes and adjustments or radically change the character of your sounds. The Effects page in the Edit area.

  • Page 37: Using Effect Presets

    E FFE CT S PAG E 2. Select Render Cell in Place. The newly rendered sample is loaded in the cell. The effects are deactivated automatically. 11.2. Using Effect Presets Each effect on the Effects page comes with a set of presets that you can access using the Preset menu.

  • Page 38: Saturation

    E FFE CT S PAG E 2. Go to either the Factory or User submenus and select a preset from the list. The effect settings contained in the preset are loaded in the module. 11.3. Saturation The Saturation module emulates the behavior of analog circuits when signal levels go into overdrive and clipping.

  • Page 39: Filter / Eq

    E FFE CT S PAG E • Module On/Off: Activates or deactivates the module. • Preset menu (arrow button): Opens the Preset menu that enables you to load factory presets or save and recall your own user presets. • Bits: Adjusts the amount of available quantization values by setting the bit depth. Each sample of the signal is quantized to the available values.

  • Page 40: Solid G-Eq

    E FFE CT S PAG E • Filter controls: Adjust the available parameters for the selected filter mode. Since filters require a considerable amount of CPU power, it is recommended to switch this module off when it is not in use. 11.5.1.

  • Page 41: Highpass

    E FFE CT S PAG E You can select the filter type using the Type selector: • Ldr 1P: 1-pole ladder filter with a -6 dB/octave slope • Ldr 2P: 2-pole ladder filter with a -12 dB/octave slope • Ldr 4P: 4-pole ladder filter with a -24 dB/octave slope •...

  • Page 42: Peak/Notch

    E FFE CT S PAG E • Cutoff: Adjusts the cutoff frequency. • Reso: Adjusts the resonance amount of the filter. Turning the control to the right makes the frequency content at the cutoff frequency more pronounced. • Gain: Adjusts the output level of the filter. Setting Gain to high values can be used to apply a soft saturation effect.

  • Page 43: Compressor

    E FFE CT S PAG E • Phaser: Classic phaser effect that produces a number of peaks and troughs in the frequency spectrum. The following controls are available in this mode when the Vow or Phaser filter types are selected: •...

  • Page 44: Tm (Transient Master)

    E FFE CT S PAG E • Release: Adjusts the release time, which is the time it takes the compressor to stop applying gain reduction after the control signal falls below the threshold. • Makeup: Adjusts the amount of gain added to the signal after the compression. You can use this control to compensate for the gain reduction applied by the compressor and thus increase the overall loudness of the signal.
  • Page 45 E FFE CT S PAG E • Output: Adjusts the output level of the module.

  • Page 46: Modulation Page

    MODULAT ION PAG E 12. Modulation Page The Modulation page allows you to modulate your sound with a variety of sources, including LFOs (Low-Frequency Oscillators), envelopes, aftertouch, and external MIDI controllers. The Modulation page in the Edit area. This can not only add dynamics and color to a patch, but in conjunction with a software sequencer host, it can automate functions that add dramatic, real-time changes.

  • Page 47: Modulation Envelope

    MODULAT ION PAG E 12.2. Modulation Envelope When triggered, the envelope adds a modulation signal that varies over time in a non-periodic way. The Modulation Envelope module contains the following settings and options: The Modulation Envelope module. • Envelope mode selection menu: The two envelope symbols on the right side of the module header let you choose between two basic types of volume envelopes: •...
  • Page 48 MODULAT ION PAG E The Modulation Slots module. • Modulation Source selection menu: Selects the modulation source. • Inv. button: Changes the amount of the Modulation Amount slider into a negative value. • Modulation Amount slider: Determines the depth of the effect on the modulation destination. The range is from 0% to 100%.

  • Page 49: Setup Page

    SE T UP PAGE 13. Setup Page The Setup page provides tools specifically designed for drum playing and programming. You can use them to fine-tune cells/Kits or create totally new sounds out of the existing library content. All effects/parameters are cell-based, which means that each cell can have totally different settings. •...

  • Page 50: Voice Groups

    SE T UP PAGE 13.2. Voice Groups The Voice Groups module allows you to create virtual groups with limited voices. This can be useful when, for example, simulating a real drum set, where an open and a closed hi-hat would never occur at the same time, you'd assign both cells to a voice group and set the Voices setting to 1, which would allow only one of the cells in the voice group to play at a time.

  • Page 51: Cell Activation

    SE T UP PAGE Take some hi-hat sounds and set them to exclusive voice groups, for example, with the open hi-hat assigned to voice group 1 and the closed hi-hat to voice group 2. Now the open hi-hat sound can be set to more voices, five, for example. This allows some audio trails to be heard.

  • Page 52: Articulation

    SE T UP PAGE • Condition 1 and 2: The Condition menus provide the following options: • Always: Always Sets no condition for when a MIDI note triggers a cell. This is the default setting. • Start on Key: Activates a cell with a specific key/pad (range) on your keyboard. The two key- number fields (Key Min and Key Max) will appear right next to the menu when this option is selected.

  • Page 53: Midi Echo

    SE T UP PAGE • Power: Activates/deactivates the module. • Articulation: There are ten different articulation presets available in the articulation selection menu. Depending on the articulation selected, the buttons below will have different functions. Use them to adjust articulation parameters such as velocity, speed, or depth of the effect. •...

  • Page 54: Humanize

    SE T UP PAGE • Feedback: Sets the number of echoes from 1 to 100. If you feel that adjusting this control has no effect, make sure to check the Velocity To Volume modulation settings in the Velocity module on the Main page (refer to Main Page).

  • Page 55: Editor Page

    E DIT OR PAGE 14. Editor Page The Editor page contains audio editing tools, a loop editor, and a layer and mapping editor, all of which provide you with extensive editing features for cells, down to the level of editing individual sample layers within a cell.
  • Page 56 E DIT OR PAGE • Plug-in: Once you make a destructive edit in the Wave Editor, BATTERY asks you whether or not to store your edited samples. By clicking Yes, edited samples are stored as new files on the hard drive when you save your DAW project file. You can change the location for edited samples on the Engine page of the Preferences.

  • Page 57: Loop Editor

    E DIT OR PAGE • Reverse: Reverses the sample. 9. Snap: When activated, all markers snap to the next location where the waveform crosses the zero line, or to another marker. 10. Full (play icon): Plays the whole sample, from start to finish, i.e. from Start marker (S) to End marker (E).

  • Page 58: Mapping Editor

    E DIT OR PAGE 11. X-Fade: Blends the end of a loop with its beginning to create a more seamless transition. The display field shows the length of the section being mixed in, with samples being the unit of length. . 12.
  • Page 59 E DIT OR PAGE • Set Velocity Crossfades: Applies a crossfade between sample layers to provide a smoother transition, useful if the velocity range over which a layer is triggered overlaps with that of another layer. Selecting this menu entry brings up a dotted line in the Sample Block, which represents the crossfade velocity boundaries of the layer.

  • Page 60: Master Page

    MAST ER P AGE 15. Master Page The Master page consists of a number of effects that can be applied to all cells or a selection thereof, controls for the Reverb and Delay send effects that each cell can be sent to, and the Buses area that facilitates routing and mixing of cells with additional effects processing.

  • Page 61: Buses

    MAST ER P AGE • To apply an effect to all cells assigned to the respective bus or the Master, click the Module On/Off button in the upper left corner of the module to activate the effect. • To change the order of effects, move the module to the left and right by clicking and dragging the matrix symbol in the upper right corner.

  • Page 62: Convolution Mode

    MAST ER P AGE • Module On/Off: Activates or deactivates the module. • Mode selector: Selects either the algorithmic (envelope symbol, right) or the convolution reverb (waveform symbol, left) mode. The following sections describe each of the modes in detail. •...

  • Page 63: Algorithmic Mode

    MAST ER P AGE 15.3.2. Algorithmic Mode • Module On/Off: Activates or deactivates the module. • Size: Resizes the impulse response, affecting both the time and the color of the reverb. • Predelay: Adjusts the duration of the predelay, which is the time it takes for the reverb effect to set in.

  • Page 64: Filter / Eq

    MAST ER P AGE • Pan: Adjusts the stereo spread of the delay repetitions. When set to 0, all delay repetitions are located at the center of the stereo image. When turning Pan to the right, the delay repetitions alternate between the left and right stereo channel. When set to 100, the delay repetitions alternate between the extremes of the stereo image.

  • Page 65: 3-Band Eq

    MAST ER P AGE • LM: Low-mid frequency band • HM: High-mid frequency band • H: High frequency band The following controls are available in this mode: • Freq: Adjusts the filter frequency of the respective frequency band. • Bell: Switches the L and H frequency bands to a bell instead of a shelf filter. •...

  • Page 66: Highpass

    MAST ER P AGE • Gain: Adjusts the output level of the filter. Setting Gain to high values can be used to apply a soft saturation effect. This control is not available when selecting the AR filter types. 15.5.4. Highpass Highpass mode is a resonant filter that attenuates frequency content below the cutoff frequency, creating a brighter sound.

  • Page 67: Effect

    MAST ER P AGE • Ldr Peak: Ladder peak filter that boosts frequency content at the cutoff frequency. The amount of boost can be set using Reso. • Ldr Notch: Ladder notch filter that attenuates frequency content in two narrow bands above and below the cutoff frequency.

  • Page 68: Compressor

    MAST ER P AGE • Sharp: Adjusts the resonance amount. Turning the control to the right makes the effect more pronounced. • Size: Adjusts the filter frequency, effectively shifting the position of the effect in the frequency spectrum. 15.6. Compressor The Compressor module is a classic studio effect that shapes the contour and dynamics of a signal.

  • Page 69: Tm (Transient Master)

    MAST ER P AGE • Mix: Blends the input signal with the effect signal, facilitating parallel compression. When the control is turned fully to the left, only the input signal is sent to the output. Turning the control to the right adds the compressed signal to the output. When turned fully to the right, only the compressed signal is sent to the output.

  • Page 70: Saturation

    MAST ER P AGE 15.8. Saturation The Saturation module emulates the behavior of analog circuits when signal levels go into overdrive and clipping. This reduces signal peaks and add the same time adds harmonic content to the signal, creating the warm and full sound associated with analog saturation. When taken to the extreme, the module can be used to create distortion effects.
  • Page 71 MAST ER P AGE • Module On/Off: Activates or deactivates the module. • Preset menu (arrow button): Opens the Preset menu that enables you to load factory presets or save and recall your own user presets. • In Gain: Adjusts the input level of the module, effectively controlling the amount of limiting applied to the signal.

  • Page 72: Preferences

    PRE FERENCES 16. Preferences The Preferences panel lets you specify various default settings for BATTERY. To open the Preferences panel: • Click on the application menu button in BATTERY's Header, select Edit, then Preferences..The following pages are available in the Preferences panel: •...
  • Page 73 PRE FERENCES Preferences – General page • Cell Matrix: • Warning Before Deleting Cells: Check this option to display a warning before deleting a cell(s) from the Cell Matrix. • Warning Before Deleting Row / Column: Check this option to display a warning before deleting a row or column of cells from the Cell Matrix.

  • Page 74: Library

    PRE FERENCES 16.2. Library The Library page allows you to edit the locations of all BATTERY's library files (both factory and user) that appear in the Browser. The Library tab contains the following settings and options: Preferences – Library page •...
  • Page 75 PRE FERENCES Preferences – Engine page • Performance: • Multiprocessor Support (Standalone): Sets the number of CPUs to be utilized by BATTERY in stand-alone mode. When using BATTERY as a plug-in, multiprocessor support will be handled by your host software. •...

  • Page 76: Loading

    PRE FERENCES 16.4. Loading The Loading page provides various options for opening kits and samples in Battery. The Loading tab in the Preferences contains the following settings and options: Preferences – Loading page • Kits: • Template Kit: Sets a Kit for BATTERY to start each new instance with. You can select the Factory Default Kit, or the Kit currently loaded to be used as BATTERY's default Kit.
  • Page 77 PRE FERENCES The Cell Rendering tab in the Preferences contains the following settings and options: Preferences – Cell Rendering page • MIDI Settings: This section determines the characteristics of the rendered cell based on the settings of the cell to be rendered during conversion. •...

  • Page 78: Usage Data

    The Usage Data tab contains the following option. Preferences – Usage Data page • Usage Data Tracking: Sets the option to track and send anonymous usage data. When activated, this data is sent to Native Instruments, helping us improve our products.

  • Page 79: Audio And Midi Settings

    AUD IO AN D MID I SET TING S 17. Audio and MIDI Settings The Audio and MIDI Settings panel allows you to configure the BATTERY stand-alone application for your audio and MIDI hardware, including the audio routing from BATTERY to your audio interface.

  • Page 80: Routing Page

    AUD IO AN D MID I SET TING S The Audio page of the Audio and MIDI Settings panel. • Driver: Selects the type of device driver used to communicate with the audio interface. • Status: Displays the status of the connection with the audio interface. •...

  • Page 81: Midi Page

    AUD IO AN D MID I SET TING S The Routing page of the Audio and MIDI Settings panel. • Outputs: Assigns BATTERY's outputs to the physical outs of your audio interface. Click the fields in the right column to select the desired outputs via a drop-down menu. 17.3.
  • Page 82 AUD IO AN D MID I SET TING S • Inputs: Displays a list of all the available MIDI inputs of your system. You can activate/ deactivate each input by clicking the fields in the Status column, which displays the current status of the corresponding port.

  • Page 83: Missing Samples

    MISS ING SAMPLES 18. Missing Samples The Missing Samples dialog allows you to resolve issues regarding samples that are missing upon loading Kits. This can happen when you have moved files or folders outside of BATTERY. In case of missing samples, you will be presented with the Missing Samples dialog. The Missing Samples dialog contains the following settings and options: The Missing Samples dialog, informing you about the samples missing, and where BATTERY expected to find them.

  • Page 84: Supported File Types

    SU PPORT ED FILE TYPES 19. Supported File Types The following file types are supported by BATTERY. Native BATTERY Files File Type Related Software File Extension Possible Drag-and-Drop Targets BATTERY 4 .nbkt Cell Matrix Cell BATTERY 4 .nbcl Cell BATTERY 3 .kt3...

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