Table of Contents
Advertisement
Quick Links
Advertisement
Table of Contents
Summary of Contents for Aurora Sound Studio HD
- Page 1 Aurora Sound Studio HD & Aurora Sound Studio User Manual...
- Page 2 About Aurora Sound Studio HD Welcome to Aurora Sound Studio HD for the iPad, the fun way to create musical compositions. Whether you’re a complete musical novice or a seasoned musician Aurora is an inspirational tool for creative live music.
-
Page 3: Table Of Contents
Getting Started ........................ 5 Musical Scales ......................6 Selecting a Scale ......................6 Blocks and Layers....................... 7 The Note Grid ......................7 Changing Layers ......................7 Changing Blocks......................7 Creating a New Song ....................8 Copy and Paste......................8 Transposing......................... 8 Note Length ........................ - Page 4 Deleting Files ......................30 Saving Bundles ......................30 Data Exchange ......................31 Record to MIDI - Only available on iPad HD version..........31 Aurora Song Library ..................... 32 Sharing Songs ......................32 Uploading A Song..................... 32 Downloading Songs ....................33 User Profiles......................
-
Page 5: Getting Started
Getting Started Aurora allows you to create a song with up to 14 different tracks, each track having it's own assigned instrument. We call these tracks layers, and a group of layers we call a block of layers. Songs are constructed out of blocks which you can eventually piece together into a complete song. -
Page 6: Musical Scales
Musical Scales One of the best things about Aurora is that you really don't need any musical knowledge to create great sounding tunes. By default each block is assigned the 'Major C' scale, but you are free to choose any scale you like. The advantage of this is that you can never hit a bum note. -
Page 7: Blocks And Layers
Blocks and Layers A song is constructed using one or more blocks, one block for the verse, one for the chorus etc. Each block consists of 14 layers, each layer or voice containing musical notes. Each layer is associated with an instrument which is shared between all blocks. In other words, you can assign any instrument of your choice to a layer, but that instrument cannot be changed when moving from one block to another. -
Page 8: Creating A New Song
Creating a New Song To wipe the current layers and blocks and start a new song press the 'File' menu key and select 'New' from the menu. This will wipe all data and set the tempo to 80bpm. You can adjust the tempo of the new song from the 'Song Settings' dialog in the 'Edit' button menu. -
Page 9: Note Length
Note Length Creating sequences of 16th notes can be rather limiting, especially if you want to play 1/32 or 1/64 note hi-hats. To help solve this problem you can specify a different note length for each layer. Press the 'Edit' menu button and select 'Note Length' from the menu. You can even choose eighth and quarter notes, which make the pattern seem much longer than 16 beats and stops the pattern from sounding so repetitive. -
Page 10: Play Modes
Play Modes Changing Modes The 'Mode' bar runs along the bottom of the main window and is used to select various editing and performance modes. There are several modes available allowing you to construct blocks, add automation, mix tracks and finally piece everything together as a finished composition. Some modes such as the XY and Atomizer, are performance modes which can be used to modify songs in real-time. -
Page 11: Record Mode
Record Mode This 'Mode' allows you to toggle, paint or erase groups of notes. Toggle Simply tapping on an unlit light sets a note, tapping on a lit note removes the note. Paint This mode allows you to quickly lay a row of notes by simply dragging your finger over the screen. -
Page 12: Automation Mode
Automation Mode This mode allows you to make real-time changes of layer and instrument parameters such as effect levels, song tempo, panning, and much more. Each layer of every block can hold it's own unique automation. Select the 'Automation Type' from the combo box popup list at the top right of the grid. Now simply touch the grid to make parameter changes. -
Page 13: Song Mode
Song Mode Song mode allows you to piece together multiple blocks into a completed song. To create a song press the 'Loop Play' button start the sequencer, then simply select a block (vertical column from the grid), select a song position 1-199 and press the 'Add' button. Repeat this process adding blocks to the song chain. -
Page 14: Atomizer Mode
Atomizer Mode The Atomizer allows you slice and dice audio in real-time. It achieves this by buffering audio passing through the mixer and allowing you to mix slices of captured audio with your song. The grid is split horizontally into note lengths whilst the vertical axis represents volume. Pressing the RECORD button allows you to reverse the slice. -
Page 15: Instruments
Instruments Drum kit Instrument A drum kit is a type of instrument that can be assigned to a layer. Each note on the piano roll represents a different drum or percussion sound, which means a drum kit consists of up to 12 samples. You can modify or create your own drum kits using samples stored on your device or using the built-in sampler. -
Page 16: Drum Filter
Drum Filter The drum filter works in a similar manner to the VCF found on the Synthesizer instrument. The filter can be utilized by both Automation and XY modes to product real- time filtering effects. Sampler Instrument A sampler is a type of instrument that can be assigned to a layer. It uses a small sound sample which is optionally looped and pitch shifted to create its sound. -
Page 17: Loop Points
Loop Points Loop Points are used by the Sampler to artificially extend the length of sound samples. A sample plays until the 'End Loop' point is reached at which point playback continues from the 'Start Point'. This process is repeated until a note is released, at which point the remainder of the sample is played. -
Page 18: Edit Synthesizer
Edit Synthesizer A synthesizer has two oscillators which create tones based on sine, square, saw or more advanced waveforms. When these tones are mixed together they create a unique tone which is the basis of the sound. Toggling between 'Osc1' and 'Osc2' displays the wave type, tuning and volume level of that oscillator. -
Page 19: Padsynth Instrument
PadSynth Instrument The PadSynth is an instrument that can be assigned to a layer. It is especially useful for creating string and bell sounds which aren't possible using the traditional synthesizer. It uses a special technique called additive synthesis, which allows you to build sounds from their harmonic components. -
Page 20: Edit Harmonics
Edit Harmonics This dialog allows you to change the tonal content of a PadSynth. You can add and mix up to 32 harmonics using the 8 sliders. By default the sliders control harmonics 1-8, but you can select another bank of harmonics from the buttons provided. -
Page 21: Mixers
Mixers Live Mix Mode - Only available on iPad HD version Live Mix mode is used to set the volumes of individual layers, adjust the master volume, and set up effect send and return settings. If an individual layers volume is too loud and clipping occurs a red light will appear in the top row of that layer. -
Page 22: Master Mixer - Only Available On Ipad Hd Version
Master Mixer - Only available on iPad HD version The mixer can be accessed from the bottom toolbar button and is a more comprehensive alternative to the Live Mix option found on the Mode Bar. The mixer is used to adjust relative volumes, panning and effect levels of each layer in your song. -
Page 23: Layer Properties
Layer Properties The Layer Properties dialog can be accessed via the 'Edit' button, and allows you to modify parameters associated with the currently selected layer. Layer Effect: Allows you to specify one of the 5 animation types for this layer. Volume: Specifies the volume of notes played on this layer Pan: Specifies if the sound is positioned to the left or right of the stereo field. -
Page 24: Instrument Settings
Instrument Settings ADSR Settings ADSR stands for Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release and is used to control the volume envelope from the moment you trigger a note, to the moment you release the note. Attack: Is the amount of time taken for the voice to reach it's maximum volume. Decay: How quickly the sound reduces in volume after the initial peak. -
Page 25: Lfo Settings
LFO Settings LFO stands for Low Frequency Oscillator, and is essentially a very slow sine wave used to manipulate the sound in pleasurable ways. The LFO is responsible for producing effects such as vibrato, tremolo and wahwah. Speed: The speed of the oscillator. Attack: How quickly the effect is applied to the voice. -
Page 26: Advanced
Advanced Random Mode You can turn on random mode for each layer if you wish. This allows you to lay several notes on a layer and have them play randomly. You can still control the timing by carefully placing notes horizontally on the grid. Use in conjunction with 'Loop Point' automation to create morphing arpeggios. -
Page 27: Record To File
Record to File This dialog allows you to capture your performance to a file on your iPhone. This file can later be transferred by an FTP client and played on your desktop computer. The output files can be extremely large as the files are recorded in uncompressed WAV format. This format requires approx 5Mb for 30sec of audio at 44KHz You can reduce the sample rate in Program Settings in order to reduce the size of the output file. -
Page 28: Visual Effects
Visual Effects One of the appealing things about this program is that it is not all about the music. Having visual feedback helps enhance the performance, but there are times when you would like the effects to be more subtle or remove them completely. You can change the effects type for an individual layer from the Layer Properties dialog, or modify all layers globally from the Program Settings dialog, found in the 'File' menu. -
Page 29: Program Settings
Program Settings This dialog allows you to specify global program settings which are retained after you exit the program. Visualization Allows you to specify the length of visual light effect when a note is being played. Master Volume This adjusts the master volume of your device. Global Tuning Allows you to tune all instruments by +/- 1 semitone. -
Page 30: Managing Files
Deleting Files There will come a time when you need to delete one or more files from Aurora, whether that be songs, samples, patches or recordings. Regardless of the type of file, you can always delete a file from the file browse dialogs using the standard iPhone swipe gesture. -
Page 31: Data Exchange
Data Exchange This option is accessible via the 'File' menu button, under 'Imports / Exports'. The data exchange dialog activates a limited FTP server on your iPhone giving access to 4 locations on your device. Sequences: This is the location in which your songs are saved. Samples This is the location that all samples recorded by the sample recorder are stored. -
Page 32: Aurora Song Library
You can share your completed songs with other Aurora users by uploading them to the Aurora server. When a song is uploaded, you will be given a Song ID which can be used to retrieve the song at a later date. You can also search for a song by 'Song Name' or 'Artist' if you are unsure of the Song ID. -
Page 33: Downloading Songs
You can setup your profile from Settings icon in your devices home screen. Simply select Settings, then scroll down and tap on Aurora. To send your profile to the Aurora server select 'Update Profile' from the 'Import Export' sub-menu within Aurora. -
Page 34: Tips And Tricks
Tips and Tricks Learn how to use the note length feature in order to make your loops more dynamic. 1)Loops using only 16th notes can become very repetitive and uninteresting. 2) Rather than creating a pattern for each chord of your song you can simply copy and paste to a new block and change the root note of the block. -
Page 35: Troubleshooting
“X” Close icon will appear in the corner of each app. Close all the apps then Run Aurora again and it should work with no problems. If you use your task bar to close unused apps it will help free up memory on your iPad. - Page 36 Further information on Limelight Software’s 4Pockets range of products can be found at www.4pockets.com Online Support and Discussions on Aurora Sound Studio can be found at http://www.facebook.com/LimelightSoftwareLimited...