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John Bowen Solaris V5 User Manual

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5
V
User Guide
John Bowen
By
and Brent Garlow

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Summary of Contents for John Bowen Solaris V5

  • Page 1 User Guide John Bowen and Brent Garlow...
  • Page 2 Solaris version 5 synthesizer plugin for Sonic|Core platform User Manual © 2008 John Bowen Synth Design Written by John Bowen and Brent Garlow 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    SOLARIS USER GUIDE | III Contents Introduction What’s new in V5? ......vi Installation .
  • Page 4 iv| Table of Contents Filters ........19 Filter Page Views .
  • Page 5 SOLARIS USER GUIDE | V Master Volume and Poly Level MIDI Implementation MIDI Clock ....... . . 41 Step Sequencer .
  • Page 6 Put the synth .dev fi le in the following location: SFP/ Devices/Synths/ Hello, and thank you for purchasing Solaris V5. Many hours of thought and work lay behind the design of So- Put the Solaris v5_0.pre and other included preset laris.

  • Page 7: Solaris Synthesizer

    USER INTERFACE DESIGN | 7 Solaris Synthesizer The Solaris architecture is based on subtractive syn- sible by clicking on the light blue page tab buttons that thesis, which begins with waveforms rich in harmonic appear generally in the upper portion of the section. (or inharmonic, in the case of noise) content that are For example, the Filter section has page tab buttons progressively shaped by fi...

  • Page 8: Signal Flow

    8 | SOLARIS SYNTHESIZER Likewise for the Filter Mixer section – the fi rst four Sound Source Page Tab Label knobs are mixer inputs, and you can select from the Rotor processors Rotor Source popup lists below each knob to determine the signal input for each of these.

  • Page 9: Oscillators

    OSCILLATORS | 9 glissando with the samples, and when doing so, oc- Oscillators casional pitch ‘glitches’ made be heard. The Oscillator section—located on the top left of the Main page—contains pages for each of the oscilla- No Track, MIDI Sync, and Low Freq Mode tor pairs/sound sources available in Solaris.

  • Page 10: Sound Sources

    10 | SOUND SOURCES Sound Sources Since the origins of the Solaris come from the Orion Multimode Oscillators (MM) Custom (which borrowed the Prophet 5 concept for Osc 2 modulation), you will fi nd that the MM Osc 2 ap- pears in the modulation lists in 2 forms - unaltered and shaped: Whenever you see ‘MMosc 2’...

  • Page 11: Red Dwarf Ex Module Slots (Rdx)

    WAVETABLE OSCILLATORS (WT) | 11 Figure 3: MIDI clock sync for MM OSC 2 The Multimode Oscillator #2 acts as the source for ‘hard synching’ of the Modular Window oscillators. When MM Osc 2 is set to Low Range or MIDI Clocks, the hard sync signal will be aff ected.

  • Page 12: Wave Oscillators (Wav)

    12 | SOLARIS SYNTHESIZER Wave Oscillators (Wav) Figure 7: Oscillator Types Available for RDX Slots When you want to use these in a Mixer or Mod Source Figure 8: Wave Oscillator Pair list, just select RDX 1 or RDX 2. You will also note that, unlike all the other oscillator pairings, you can indepen- These oscillators allow the loading and playback of dently select Osc 1 and Osc 2’s type, so you can mix...

  • Page 13: Audio Out

    CEM OSCILLATORS (CEM) | 13 fi rst Enable the desired section with the blue buttons, CEM Oscillators (CEM) then open the appropriate Modular Window by clicking on the Show button. You can then drag in the desired Modular modules as needed. (Each Window has a text fi...

  • Page 14: Linear Frequency Modulation

    14 | SOLARIS SYNTHESIZER (or to itself, a technique called Feedback FM), the Amp FM Oscillators (FM) Mod control is used to control the amount of frequency modulation. The Amp Mod control can be set by the knob or by any of the modulation sources listed in its source selector.

  • Page 15: Am Synthesis (Am/Xmult.)

    ROTOR PROCESSORS (ROTOR) | 15 Rotor Processors (Rotor) Clicking back to ‘X-Fade’ displays the initial Crossfade (Xfade) control for the Rotor, as well as a modulation path for this parameter. The higher the crossfade num- ber, the smoother the transition from one input to the next will be.

  • Page 16: X Mult (Multiplier)

    16 | SOLARIS SYNTHESIZER The (X-Fade Amt) amount the ‘dry’ signal and the • Algorithm Description ‘multiplied’ signals will be cross faded Clip Multiplies the two input signals and Factor Eff ect clips the result. Creates two strong sidebands (stronger than those gen- Source goes to both inputs erated by Shift) around the carrier's Source goes to 1 input, with the output of the...

  • Page 17: Vector Synthesis (Vector)

    VECTOR SYNTHESIS (VECTOR) | 17 control. (Negative amounts increase the level from -1 to -63, but with the phase inverted.) Switching the display by using the Vector button (next to Mixer) shows the X/Y pad, with the mixer controlled by the small gray dot. Grabbing this with the mouse will move the mix accordingly, from corner to corner, etc.

  • Page 18: Sound Modifi Ers

    18 | SOUND MODIFIERS Sound Modifi ers Solaris provides an extensive array of sound modi- control over some a dynamic aspect of the sound, and fi ers to shape the frequency, harmonic content, and most have a Mod Source popup list associated with amplitude of the included sound sources.

  • Page 19: Envelope Follower

    ENVELOPE FOLLOWER | 19 Mod Source Description Wav 2 Output of Wav Osc 2 ( sample playback) CEM 1 Output of CEM Oscillator 1 CEM 2 Output of CEM Oscillator 2 ModCh1 Output of Modular Window 1 ModCh2 Output of Modular Window 2 FM 1 Output of FM Oscillator 1 FM 2...

  • Page 20: Filter

    20 | SOUND MODIFIERS can have a different combination of sound sources The Filters sent to each of the fi lters at the same time. There is a gain boost after the fi lter signal, and the signal output path from each fi lter is then sent to the pan and level section.
  • Page 21 FILTERS | 21 Filter Type Description Filter Type Description Retro LP A 4-pole, 24 dB slope fi lter with 4 Pole High- The Retro version of this 4 pole 24 characteristics of old modular sys- pass R dB/octave slope Highpass fi lter, tems.
  • Page 22 22 | SOUND MODIFIERS Filter Type Description Filter Type Description Comb The comb fi lter is essentially a 2 Pole Notch This fi lter permits the complete delay with feedback, but the input suppression of specifi c frequencies signal is not passed through. It without affecting nearby frequency emphasizes (resonates at) frequen- ranges.

  • Page 23: Filter Mixer

    FILTERS | 23 Filter Type Description Control Description Accepts any RD series II fi lter mod- Blue LED On/Off to unload Mixer from the ule, so that you can customize the switch fi lter used here Mix Mod Enable/Disable to load/unload Mix Modular A Modular Window is available for Enable LED...

  • Page 24: Filter Outputs Summary Page (Outputs)

    24 | SOUND MODIFIERS when on. You will need to Enable the Mix Mod for these controls to work. (When disabled, the Mixers work normally.) Filter Mix Eff ects (MixFX) You can add effects to each fi lter mixer, pre- or post- Figure 23: Filter Output Panel fi...

  • Page 25: Vibrato Lfo (V-Lfo)

    LFOS | 25 between each discrete step. The SMO also has pink and white noise as possible selections for its ‘waveshape’ . Using noise obviously negates the fre- quency controls, and in fact, only the SMO Level modulation is relevant. Vibrato LFO (V-LFO) The Vibrato LFO is dedicated to the vibrato effect and...

  • Page 26: Auxilliary Lfos (Lfos)

    26 | SOUND MODIFIERS Auxilliary LFOs ( LFOs) Figure 29: Vibrato LFO Page 4 If you use Retrig, the LFO is switched to polyphonic mode, as retriggering is polyphonic by nature. New: Additional depth modulation, rate modula- tion, and a separate controller table for the Mod Figure 30: Auxilliary LFO Panel Wheel as it applies to the Vibrato LFO.

  • Page 27: Control Shaper

    CONTROL SHAPER | 27 The Envelope Follower is monophonic, and uses very little DSP , so it is always enabled (does not unload from the DSP when the LFO Mix/Blend LED is off). Control Shaper Figure 31: LFO Mix/Blend/ Envelope Follower Panel This is a new concept to provide a more complex sub- audio modulation signal.

  • Page 28: Looping Envelope (Lpeg)

    28 | SOUND MODIFIERS Envelope Generator Segment Modulation Each envelope segment can be modulated by a num- ber of sources – Velocity, Keytrack, Mod Wheel, CC 1-4, and RD Slots 1-8. A negative amount will cause shorter time values with higher velocities; a positive value will cause longer values with higher velocities.
  • Page 29 ENVELOPE GENERATORS | 29 Looping Envelope (LpEG) Control Description Level Mod This control determines how much modulation will be applied to the amount values of the 8 envelope segments. The modulation source can be selected from the popup menu below the Level Mod control. The range for this control is -/+ 63.
  • Page 30 30 | SOUND MODIFIERS Figure 35: Looping Envelope Diagram...

  • Page 31: Eff Ects

    EFFECTS | 31 Eff ects Cross Delay (Delay) Cross Flanger (Flanger) Figure 37: Cross Delay Panel The Cross Delay effect in Solaris is actually two differ- Figure 36: Cross Flanger Panel ent delay effects, a ‘normal’ stereo delay and a cross delay.

  • Page 32: Formant Filters (Formf)

    Overdrive circuit can be placed before or after the 3 Figure 38: Formant Filters Panel Band EQ, using the routing switch. The Formant Filters in Solaris v5.0 are the same as the “Vocal Filter” Modular II module. The Formant Filters FX Insert/BP Noise/CC (Misc.)
  • Page 33 EFFECTS | 33 Control Description CC Knob These four knobs are freely assign- Assign able MIDI Controller knobs. Right- clicking over each knob will bring up the MIDI Ctrl Assignment Window, and you can add or subtract a controller assignment from here. Simply moving a MIDI hardware controller will enter the controller number desired, and the clicking on the Midi+ or Midi- will...

  • Page 34: Global Settings

    34 | GLOBAL SETTINGS Global Settings The Global Settings section is arranged into 6 tabbed Control Description pages, which can be accessed by clicking on the page Unison This should normally be set to All, buttons at the top of the panel. To access pages 3-6, Voices however there is an ‘intelligent as- click on the More button.

  • Page 35: Polyglide (Glide)

    EFFECTS | 35 PolyGlide (Glide) Control Description Global The global glide mode setting: Por- New: Independent Exponential Glide tamento, Glissando, fi ngered Porta- mento, fi ngered Glissando. Glissando is ‘quantized portamento’. It’s as if you were sliding your fi nger up a guitar neck, with discreet semi- tone intervals being played as you slide.

  • Page 36: Tables

    36 | GLOBAL SETTINGS In each of the corners you will see small numeric Tables displays. The lower two are MIDI Note values; the up- per values control how much the note value is scaled (should be a percentage, but for simplicity I used 0-127 for everything, where 127 = 100%).

  • Page 37: Step Sequencer

    EFFECTS | 37 Step Sequencer Figure 47: Step Sequencer Page 1 Figure 48: Step Sequencer Page Solaris’ Step Sequencer allows you to develop com- some problem when Sequence HOLD switches were plex, pattern-based sequences that can be used to set ON, and you stopped the sequence advance at control the vast modulation possibilities of the syn- that point (the synth would drone on and on, since the thesizer.

  • Page 38: Global Controls

    38 | STEP SEQUENCER to the next step. When Ext L Trig Level is selected, the Global Controls input signal connected to the External Left input will create a trigger depending on the threshold set (ExtL MIDI Clock Settings Trig Level). Reset will move the sequence to start at the fi...

  • Page 39: Pattern Keys

    PAGE 1 CONTROLS | 39 values are copied from the buffer into the new pattern settings until you get the desired effect. location. The fourth row produces the actual control values for Split On – you can use your MIDI keyboard (or incom- each sequence row.

  • Page 40: Master Volume And Poly Level

    40 | MASTER VOLUME AND POLY LEVEL Master Volume and Poly Level really take notice of the Env Time modulation (hence, a very short attack time will not reveal any great change when modulation is applied). The Solaris has two volume level knobs – the Master Volume and the Poly Level.

  • Page 41: Midi Implementation

    MIDI CLOCK | 41 MIDI Implementation MIDI Clock Division Description 1/2T Half note triplets MIDI Clocks are derived from the incoming MIDI signal. Most software sequencers provide a stream of MIDI 1/4P 1.5 Quarter note (3 eighth notes) Clock ‘ticks’ along with the standard MIDI events. To Quarter notes use an external clock source of a software sequencer, 1/4T...

  • Page 42: Expanding Solaris

    42 | EXPANDING SOLARIS Expanding Solaris This section supposes that you have access to RD depending on the desired affect. modules from Zarg Music or Modular 2 from Cream- The Outputs are Control and Audio. Connect the Out of ware Audio (Sonic | Core). These modules are not the envelope to the Control Output.

  • Page 43: Expanding Solaris With Rd Modules

    EXPANDING SOLARIS WITH RD MODULES | 43 there is no control surface needed for that module (for Expanding Solaris with RD Modules example, the 18 dB Lowpass has no resonance, so no control panel). Overview You will need to adjust the main synth’s controls and the ‘mini’...
  • Page 44 44 | EXPANDING SOLARIS preset list modules to accomplish this. You will fi nd the list. In general, it is easier (and probably better) to use the RD list by selecting the button labeled ‘ Modular Presets’ in slots and the Modular Templates, as this allows use of the new the Modular section.

  • Page 45: Red Dwarf Ex Module Slots (Rdx)

    SOLARIS USER GUIDE | 45 Index Super Modulation Oscillator (SMO) 24 Symbols Linear Frequency Modulation 14 3 Band Equalizer (EQ/OD) 32 Loop 28, 29 Looping Envelope (LpEG) 28 Low Freq Mode 9 AM 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 19 Auxilliary LFOs (LFOs) 26 Master Volume 8, 40 MIDI Clock 10, 25, 26, 31, 38, 41 MIDI Implementation 25, 26, 31, 41...
  • Page 46 46 | Index sideband 16 Signal Flow 8 Step Sequencer 7, 37, 38, 39, 41 step sequencer 18, 38 Sync 9, 13, 14, 25, 26, 31, 32 Tables 36 Tuning and Unison (Tune/Uni) 34 User Interface 7 Vibrato LFO (V-LFO) 25 Wavetable Oscillators 11 wavetable 11 XTC 44...
  • Page 47 John Bowen Synth Design www.johnbowen.com...

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