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Xils lab PolyKB III User Manual

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  • Page 1 PolyKB III User Manual www.xils-lab.com...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION..........................4 2 FEATURES............................5 3 INSTALLATION..........................6 ........................6 ICENSER DRIVERS ..........................6 OK DRIVERS 3.3 W 7,8,10)......................6 INDOWS INDOWS 3.4 M (OSX 10.7 )......................7 AND LATER 4 QUICK START..........................8 4.1 L ..........................8 AUNCH 4.2 T ............................8 OOLBAR 4.3 A )............9 DJUSTING THE INSTRUMENTS PARAMETERS NOBS...
  • Page 3 6.6.3 Phaser..........................42 6.6.4 EQ............................42 7 OPTION MENU..........................44 7.1.1 Main............................44 7.1.2 Display..........................44 7.1.3 Misc............................45 8 SPECIAL TIPS..........................46 8.1.1 Voices management......................46 8.1.2 Sequencer and Arpeggio synchronization................47 8.1.3 How to modify a preset to make it V2 compatible..............47 9 CREDITS............................49...

  • Page 4: Introduction

    1 Introduction Thank you for choosing the PolyKB III ! The PolyKB III is a virtual instrument based on the architecture of a venerable vintage polyphonic synthesizer, which proposed a very unusual, advanced, and revolutionary waveform-morphing feature. Waveform morphing allows you to change the sound of your oscillators in a continuous way.

  • Page 5: Features

    Minimum system requirements: 1 Gigabyte of RAM and a 2 GHz processor. The PolyKB III is a plug-in and is not available as a standalone application Notice : The screen resolution must be set at least to 1024 pixels width.

  • Page 6: Installation

    To download the latest PACE drivers, please go to: 3.3 Windows (Windows 7,8,10) To install the PolyKB III on Windows 7 and later, launch the PolyKB III installer file polykb_II_eLicenser_win_setup_VXXX.exe or polykb_II_ilok_win_setup_VXXX.exe. Please download the latest version from the XILS-lab website (download->selected product->full installers)

  • Page 7: Mac (Osx 10.7 And Later)

    C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins 3.4 Mac (OSX 10.7 and later) To install the PolyKB III on a computer equipped with Mac OSX 10.7 or later, double-click the file polykb_II_elicenser_osx_setup_VXXX.dmg or polykb_II_ilok_osx_setup_VXXX.dmg. Please download the latest version from the XILS-lab website.

  • Page 8: Quick Start

    4 Quick Start 4.1 Launch, Play When you open the PolyKB in your host, an Init preset is loaded. You can directly use this preset, a simple one oscillator standard sound which can be seen as a basis for your sound design, or load one of the 250 factory presets provided. To browse the factory-preset library, just select a category of instruments, using the bank drop down menu at the left of the PolyKB Tool Bar.

  • Page 9: Adjusting The Instruments Parameters (Knobs, Switches)

    Please note that the PolyKB will display presets by instruments categories (Type) by default. Click on the sorting label over the sorted group name, to sort your preset according to your preferences Please note that the PolyKB III powerful Preset management is fully detailed in chapter 6 of this manual.

  • Page 10: Preset Management

    Note: When a parameter is modified, the name of the preset is followed by a *, indicating that the current settings of the PolyKB III no longer matches the stored preset. When you want to save a modified preset, click on the Save or Save As button.

  • Page 11: Sort Menus

    In this menu, other actions are also available: Delete Preset: use this to delete the current preset (a popup confirmation window appears). This option is only available if the current preset is not a factory one. Export Preset: Use this function to export the current preset in an external file (.epkb format). This file can be imported later as a new bank.

  • Page 12: Sorting Menu: Additional Functions

    • ALL (this item is not used for sorting the preset) Then these primary results can be filtered according to a second criteria, which you can choose in a similar list in the second sort menu. Sometimes a picture is better than a lot of text, so you’ll find below an example where you can find out how to select all the basses designed by a given Sound Designer.
  • Page 13 function with care: If the bank does not contain any factory presets, ALL PRESETS IN THIS BANK WILL BE PERMANENTLY DELETED. Rename: modifies the current group name. Selecting this choice will open a window where the new name will be entered. Use Factory: enables or disables the display of factory presets.

  • Page 14: Advanced Preset Manager

    5.5 Advanced Preset Manager The preset manager provides two mode : Current Preset Mode and Browser (or Tag) Mode. Current Preset Mode : This mode allows you to change any of the criteria of the current preset and save them as well as the current settings. Click on a criteria and choose a new one in the menu.

  • Page 15: A/Bcomparison

    Clicking on the “Save As” icon would open the Global Preset manager in Current Preset mode. Selecting “Save As” in the Sequencer preset menu would open the Sequencer Preset manager in Current Preset mode. On each criteria, right-clicking would open a contextual menu. You can then rename, delete, export a criteria.

  • Page 16: Polykb Modules Description

    6 PolyKB modules description The PolyKB contains two main cabinets: the first one is dedicated to the synthesis part, which brings the controls to set oscillators, filters, envelopes etc. The other one is used to set the sequencer & arpeggiator controls, and to open and operate additional panels.
  • Page 17 Below is a view of the various available waveforms through the waveform setting Triangle - Saw Saw- double Saw Saw - Square Square-Pulse...

  • Page 18: Oscillator 2 Or 3 Special Features. Optional Noise Oscillator

    6.1.2 Oscillator 2 or 3 Special features. Optional Noise Oscillator The oscillator 2 or 3 can be used in various ways according to the state of the following switches: SYNC: Active when the red diode is lit. Hard synchronization between oscillator 1 and oscillator 2.

  • Page 19: Filters

    6.1.3 Filters The PolyKB’s filter is an accurate dynamic 4 poles self-oscillating low pass High Pass or Band pass filter, according to the following switches : Each filter has its own input selector switches and a mixer allows to finely set their relative level. With these switches every audio paths are possible, parallel, serial or both, using Osc1, Osc2, Osc3 or Noise are independent inputs.

  • Page 20: Envelopes

    FREQUENCY: This knob sets the cut-off frequency of the filter. RESONANCE: This knob sets the resonance (or quality factor) of the filter. When set to the maximum the filter self oscillates. That means that it outputs a kind of sine wave even without any audio signal feeding its input.
  • Page 21 hold). Then when the note in off, it goes into the “release” stage, while the output continuously decreases to zero, depending to the Release setting. ATTACK: set the time over which the output increases. DECAY: set the time the output decreases to the sustain level.

  • Page 22: Lfo1/2

    6.1.5 LFO1/2 The PolyKB proposes two Low Frequency Oscillators, which can be used as modulation sources. RATE: sets the frequency of the LFO Waveforms : The various switches select the different available LFO waveform(s) Please not that you can select different waveform simultaneously, and can therefore built unusual and very complex LFO waveform when cumulating several waveforms.

  • Page 23: Matrix Modulation Sections

    6.1.6 Matrix Modulation sections The PolyKB features four complete modulation sections allowing a very large sound palette. The Modulation matrix is used to connect sources (or modulators ) to different synthesizer parameters, like the volume, or the cut off, which are in this context called destinations, or targets. The sources are then used to modify the target parameters value, with a certain amount.

  • Page 24: The Hardwired Modulation Matrix

    6.1.6.1 The hardwired Modulation Matrix This section has five fixed modulation sources, the LFO1, the Noise (or LFO2), the ADSR2, the VCO2 and Velocity, and different targets for these sources, like the pitch of the Oscillators, the Filter Cut Off, or the Waveform settings.
  • Page 25 amount, of modulation is quite close to the standard pulse width modulation if you choose the Square Waveform, and will give you special results with other waveforms. ROW ONE LFO 1 ( Knob ) : set the level of the LFO1 output used for the modulation RST ( Switch ) : Allow the LFO to be reset on each newly triggered note.

  • Page 26: Velocity To Vca, Vcf, And Envelopes Assignation

    6.1.6.2 VELOCITY to VCA, VCF, and Envelopes Assignation : Here you can assign the velocity to several important parameters like Global Volume, Filter Cut Off, or to control certain envelope segments. Le label [+] allows selecting the way the velocity is applied to the VCA. The modulation can be additive (+) or multiplicative (x).

  • Page 27: The Dropdown Matrix Modulation

    6.1.6.3 The Dropdown Matrix Modulation The two other modulation section offers freely assignable sources and modulations. It is not hardwired and is located in the “User Mod” panel As stated before this particular Modulation Matrix allows both customs sources and destinations, making it a very powerful sound design tool.
  • Page 28 Most sources like ADSR 1, 2, Velocity, Pressure ( After-touch), LFO1 and 2, or Mod Wheel are self-explanatory. Seq Pitch means that the pitch of the note played by the PolySequencer will determine the modulation. The Higher the note, the more modulation.

  • Page 29: Preset Compatibility With Version 1

    Please note that here again the green and red diodes are used to specify positive or negative modulations The switches have three states allowing positive (Green Led On) or negative (Red Led On) modulation. When no diode is lit, either green or red, no modulation occurs, and the path between the source and the destination is broken.

  • Page 30: Main Level And Keyboard Settings

    Modulations Version 2 Modulations Version 1 Please consult our 9.1.3 section at the end of this manual to get more detailed information about compatibility modes. 6.1.7 Main level and keyboard settings Other Keyboard settings located in the ARP/KEYB panel OUTPUTS: The knob Outputs beneath the arpeggiator section controls the general output level of the PolyKB, SPACX ON: This switch enables or disables the SPACE XY voice spacing effect (see below).
  • Page 31 NBR VCES : The available number of voices can be set thanks to the menu displayed on the right of the OUPUTS knob. This number, form 1 to 16 is useful to limit the CPU usage when long decay or release is needed.

  • Page 32: Arpeggiator

    6.2 Arpeggiator The PolyKB features a simple but very powerful arpeggiator. When on, this module reads the note hold on the keyboard and, instead playing them at the same time, it will play each note after the other. There are three modes available: Up, the notes are played from the lower to the higher.

  • Page 33: Sequencer

    6.3 Sequencer The PolyKB has a powerful polyphonic sequencer that can help you to create complex sequences and incredible special effects. As the output values of the PolyKB’s sequencer are hidden, it can perhaps be a little confusing at first. But the power and versatility of this concept, in contrast to most other analogue sequencers of the time, is a good reason to get to know it! First to know, this sequencer is polyphonic.

  • Page 34: Sequencer Display Module

    Prev: go to the previous step Max/Current display: The digital display beneath the Max current label shows the current number of steps and the maximum number the sequencer will reach before looping. Click on the label to see the sequencer’s preset name. In this mode you can click into the display to edit and change the name. Clicking on the maximum step number will increase (left click) or decrease (right click).
  • Page 35 Clicking on the + or – changes the display view, wile the slider on the right allows you to browse inside this view. Clicking on the +/- rotate allows decal the sequence from 1 step left or right. Clicking on the loop opens a window with a bigger screen for the sequencer. The sequencer memorize the pitch but also the velocity of the entered note.

  • Page 36: Virtual Keyboard

    6.4 Virtual keyboard The PolyKB’s keyboard lets you play notes that are sent to synthesizer. The keyboard also highlights the MIDI note information that the PolyKB receives. To the left of the keyboard are two dedicated wheels, one for the modulation and the other for the pitch bend. The output of the modulation wheel and details of which modules it modulates are set in the modulation section of the PolyKB The pitch bend wheel is directly connected to the keyboard follow circuits and modifies the pitch they calculate...

  • Page 37: Special Effect And Stereo Modules. Additional Modulation Tools And Settings Panels

    6.5 Special Effect and Stereo modules. Additional modulation tools and settings panels By clicking on the button at the left of the user interface, you can access to some very fun and useful display and modulations modules. We have already seen the sequencer display module where you can see and edit the sequences, but you will find the SPACE XY, a powerful Dynamic Stereo Modulation YX pad, and the VOICE XY, a Polyphonic Modulation YX pad.
  • Page 38 DYN: This button opens a menu to select the way voices will be dynamically moved. Aquarium, for a random effect, Magnet for exchanging the position of each voice, Path for the voice to follow a recorded path. PATH mode: In that dynamic mode, each voice is following a recorded path. The path is creating by right-clicking on a dot and drawing on the pad.

  • Page 39: Voicexy

    6.5.2 VOICE XY The VOICEXY is the 4th Modulation Matrix available in the PolyKB III 6.5.2.1 VOICE XY Modulation Sources In this matrix the sources are fixed, as they are fixed by the order in which the notes are played on the Keyboard, or triggered by the Arpegiattor or the Polyphonic sequencer.

  • Page 40: Voicexy Destinations

    6.5.2.2 VOICE XY Destinations The points on the four axis can control the same destination parameters than described in the User- modulation panels (section 6.1.6.3) 6.5.2.3 Operating the VOICE XY : Each voice is represented by a Red Circle, just move the points across the Pad to give them the position you wish.

  • Page 41: Effects Modules

    PATH mode: In that dynamic mode, each voice is following a recorded path. The path is creating by right-clicking and drawing on the pad. Double clicking would delete a path. When clicking on a dot, the voice number is displayed. When several dots are displayed at the same place, each click would go through the next dot, allowing you choosing the one you want to change.

  • Page 42: Delay

    6.6.1 Delay Dry/Wet: set the mix level between the initial signal and the processed signal Time: set the time delay (right or left) Feedback: set the amount of the delayed signal which is reused (left and right) Sync: set the time delay according to the tempo (the time will change each time the current tempo of the host application changes) 6.6.2 Chorus...
  • Page 43 6.6.5 Reverb DELAY: Set the time before the reverberated signal occurs LEVEL: Set the output level of the Reverberation unit DAMP: Set the amount for damping ( Hi frequencies level roll-off ) TY: Use the three positions selector to choose your Reverb algorithm. The three Reverb algorithms are ( from bottom to top) : Large, Medium and small HP: Insert a high pass filter for the input.

  • Page 44: Option Menu

    7 Option menu This menu allows to choosing the global settings. These settings are defined for all the instances of the PolyKB. Each time an option is changed, the related option file is saved. 7.1.1 Main In the toolbar, the Options button opens a menu for selecting various options for the PolyKB. This menu shows the following options settings: PolyKB About: displays information about the XILS 3 (version, build date and credits).

  • Page 45: Misc

    will take upon the next launch of the PolyKB. Reduced GUI small (width 1000p) : Select the 1000 pixels width graphic interface. This option will take upon the next launch of the PolyKB. 7.1.3 Misc Init settings from current settings: initializes the default values of the PolyKB from the current settings.

  • Page 46: Special Tips

    8 Special tips 8.1.1 Voices management Here are some rules about the voices management, which could change the sound without understanding why. Available voices number: This is the number of voice the synthesizer can manage. But the sequence always gets priority. This means that if this number is 1 and there are 3 selected voices within the sequencer, three voices will be play.

  • Page 47: Sequencer And Arpeggio Synchronization

    8.1.2 Sequencer and Arpeggio synchronization How to synchronize the Sequencer and the Arpeggio each other or within your music software application could be difficult when you don't understand some of the following rules. Synchronization of the two modules : The Arpeggio and the Sequencer are sharing the same clock system only when they are MIDI synced or when the sequencer is trigged by the keyboard.
  • Page 48 Set the amount of the VOICEXY according to the following rule : replace an amount of x% by  (x%+100)/2 Click on the [+] over the velocity. This will allow the velocity to by multiply and so being more  accurate when controlling the VCA When a VCA is used as a destination (Oscillators, noise, output levels), you have to tune its ...

  • Page 49: Credits

    9 Credits Thanks to the artists and musician who help us a lot during the PolyKB I, II and III development: Boele Gerkes, Boris d hegenbart-matsui, Celmar Engel, Cliff Douse, Drew Neuman, Georges Poropat, Kevin Lamb, Laurent Bourgeon, Simon Ball, Tim Blake The presets were done by: Celmar Engel, Cliff Douse, Drew Neuman, EmptyVessel (Greg Colde)Frank Sieben, Georges Poropat, Julian Ray, Kevin Lamb, Kire, Lotuzia, Luftrum, Peter Schelfhout , Soundsdivine, Status (Daniel...

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