This Paper provides detailed information on:
Using PlugIns on our systems and …
Some precise information about our Fairlight Partner Program.
CC-1 Technology offers users expanded creative opportunities with dedicated ReWire implementation to provide access to sound design tools and an Audio bridge with to up to 64 simultaneous VST PlugIns. The PC-based architecture of CC-1, whilst delivering a new industry benchmark for performance, also enables a level of independence and modularity never before available to audio professionals.
Fairlight has created IP cores implementing many of the software standards by which devices exchange data within the PC environment. These include ReWire and ASIO, the latter interfacing to a standard VST environment running in the FPGA. This can self-instantiate VST PlugIns from hard disk, organize channel I/O in ASIO format, and run a huge number of calculation-intensive programs. Using any these interfaces opens the way for two-way traffic between processes in the PC environment, with third-party products either using CC-1 as an off-board accelerator, or providing host-based processes which CC-1-based products can access. The best of both worlds !
Let’s first talk about VSTs and VSTi …
VST (Virtual Studio Technology) is an audio PlugIn standard created by Steinberg. The VST PlugIn standard is certainly the most widespread PlugIn standard in use today, with thousands of available PlugIns. A VST effect is a type of VST PlugIn that is used to process audio. A VST Instrument is typically used to synthesize sound or play back sampled audio.
Using VST Effects on Fairlight systems.
Some typical scenarios include:
• Insert a VST Compressor or EQ PlugIn directly on a track or live input, busses, and Auxes.
• Patch an Aux Output to a Live Input, then insert an VST Reverb or Flanger on the Live input.
Now all channels feeding the Aux will be routed through the VST Effect.
Please note that Fairlight supports VST effects from Mono to 5.1 - and beyond. These can be inserted on mono channels or on Link Groups.
Link groups are designed for controlling groups of feeds in multi-channel formats. Link groups simplify many tasks associated with working in surround formats and share many of the operational features of surround format buses. Link groups can include up to eight members. The simplest link group has two members and fulfils the function of a stereo channel.
If a stereo VST Effect is inserted on a LCR, LCRS or 5.1 Link Group, the left and right channels will be allocated to left and right Link Group channels automatically.
Alternatively, a Link Group can be “opened up” and a PlugIn can be applied to specific member(s) of the link group as desired. If mono channels are used, the PlugIn is inserted in the first mono channel and each adjacent mono channel until all PlugIn channels have been allocated.
Using VST Instruments on a Fairlight
While Dream II does not include a MIDI sequencer, VST Instruments can still be played “live” through the system.
This can be useful for:
• Foley, using a VSTi sampler
• Live musical performance
• Tuning vocals with a VSTi sampler and MIDI controller with pitch wheel
• Live effects triggering with a VSTi sampler
VSTi’s can easily be recorded to tracks or inserted on Lives depending on your needs.
Let’s give one example of how to set up a VST on a channel, let’s say … On a Constellation equipped with a CAP (Control assignment Panel)
1) Call a particular channel using the <Call> soft key on a fader strip.
2) Now, on the top of the CAP panel, Hit the softkey <Insert>
3) Now, on the main LCD display, Hit the softkey <Add PlugIn>
4) The main LCD display will switch into a new mode, and by using the Jog Wheel … you can quickly scroll through all the PlugIns installed on the system.
There are 177 different VST PlugIns available to choose from, and I have chosen N° 2, which is Amplitude 2 from IK Multimedia.
5) Now all that is required is to hit the <Add> softkey in order to place this PlugIn
on the “called” channel.
** Please note ** that you can also use the <Add To Fav> softkey, to place this PlugIn in a preferential list that can be later called by using the <Fave> softkey.
6) What will happen next is that the PlugIn will quickly “pop-up” on the screen. If desired, you can immediately start using a mouse or the trackball to control all parameters.
7) What is even better is that PlugIn control is also automatically mapped to the fader surface.
We use what we call ‘Fleximap’ files, which simply map VST PlugIn controls to the Fader Panel's surface, providing real-time and even Automated control over PlugIn parameters. Faders, Pan-Pots, and switches can all be used to control and write Automation. Our systems ship with quite a few Fleximaps for popular PlugIns, and in all cases a Fleximap file is automatically generated on a fresh PlugIn load. You can even edit your own Fleximaps.
You can also use the <PlugIns> softkey on the CAP panel to toggle between fader control and your current “mix based” fader set.
Clip Based PlugIns
Need a compressor on just a single clip? This time, let’s do this on the Xynergi controller … just hit the <Wave> key to go into the Wave menu.
Now hit the <Render PlugIn> softkey under the main display window.
You can now use the Jog-Wheel to search for a desired PlugIn to be used on this clip.
Now hit the <Edit> Softkey and this will bring up the PlugIn. Park the timeline on the clip that you would like to process and hit the <Preview> softkey. The clip will automatically start looping and you can now adjust all parameters in real time.
Once that you have what is desired … hit the <Render> soft key. And this will directly render your PlugIn processing directly to the clip.
In addition … you have not lost anything because the original clip is still there! It sitting
underneath as a layer so that you can quickly go back and process the original recording if required.
All good stuff ! Last but not least … Do not forget that:
With CC-1 … You get full processing on every channel including EQ (8 bands), Dynamics (3 stages), 3D surround panning, 32 mix busses access to 12 multi-format auxiliary sends, insert send and return on every channel (Note: for PlugIn calculations….that’s 968 EQ bands, 288 stages of Dynamics, 96 surround panners, 96 channels of insert send and returns.)
Not to mention !
· Real time – Clip/Range based EQ.
· Real time – Clip/Range based level.
· and - Clip based gate.
ReWire is a software protocol jointly developed by Propellerhead and Steinberg. ReWire
enables remote control and data transfer among digital audio editing and related software.
The ReWire protocol is designed to allow a number of ReWire Clients to communicate with a single ReWire Mixer. Only one ReWire mixer can be active at a time. Fairlight is always the ReWire Mixer. The ReWire Mixer can accept up to 256 inputs from each of the connected ReWire clients. Fairlight systems currently supports 96 of these ReWire inputs. When a ReWire Mixer and ReWire Client are connected together, transport controls and position information are automatically transmitted in both directions between the Mixer and Client(s).
Running ReWire Session
ReWire opens Fairlight to a long list of powerful third-party tools, including sequencing software like Reason and Ableton Live, and sound design tools like Celemony Melodyne and even software samplers like Tascam Gigastudio.
Rewire inputs can be instantly patched to any channel using the Patch I/O page
A composer might show up to a session with a MIDI sequence composed in Ableton
Live. The entire composition could be routed to Fairlight inputs via ReWire during a mix to picture session, giving the composer complete flexibility to make adjustments to the score “on the fly” based on feedback from the client.
A music session might feature drum loops and synth bass that have been sequenced in Reason. The Fairlight can be used to record live guitar and vocal tracks, with the Reason tracks fed as ReWire sources via Live Inputs to the cue system for the artists.
FAIRLIGHT PARTNER PROGRAM
About the Partner Program
The Fairlight (Manufacturer) Partner Program streamlines the integration of third-party software applications into the open architecture of its CC-1-powered family of products offering greater system versatility, functionality and control. Select manufacturers from around the world can apply for the Fairlight Partner Program. Partners are divided into two categories. “GOLD Partners” are able to connect their products via industry-standard Virtual Studio Technology (VST) or ReWire interfaces, while “PLATINUM Partners” can integrate their software more directly with Fairlight products.
Here are two examples of our current Platinum Partners, who provide powerful offline and integrated processing PlugIns:
· New Zealand based Serato Research, with Pitch ‘n Time FE.
· UK Based Synchro Arts, with VocAlign Project.
Serato Pitch ‘n Time FE ( Fairlight Edition ) provides excellent time compression and expansion. Change length without changing pitch, or pitch without changing length, and hear the result in real time as you jump from clip to clip. Pitch ‘n Time FE is fully integrated into Fairlight Systems, allowing for fast, intuitive operation.
Step 1 To enter the Wave Menu, press the WAVE key.
Step 2 Press the Pitch ‘N Time softkey. The Pitch ‘N Time FE popup appears.
Use the keyboard and mouse to adjust parameters: --- Select an Algorithm
- Polyphonic – best suited for music
- Vocal – best suited for voice
- Varispeed – varispeed mode
- Press the preview soft key or “Preview” button to audition your settings in real time.
- Tempo changes speed without changing pitch. Use the tempo slider to set the desired
tempo or press the fit range soft key to capture the current range length or press the edit
soft key to edit the output duration or type a value in the “Output” box.
- Pitch changes pitch without changing tempo. Use the pitch slider to set the desired pitch.
** Note: Pitch ’n Time FE requires an iLok USB Security Key and a valid license. Licenses can be purchased at http://www.serato.com
Synchro Arts Vocalign
VocAlign is the unique audio software solution for music and audio post that will adjust the timing of one audio signal to match the timing of another. Align Lead vocal doubles, Backing vocals , Instrumental tracks, ADR (replacement dialogue tracks), Foreign language dialogue or Sound effects. VocALign is a great tool, which seriously reduces the time taken to re-record dialog or vocals, saving money by drastically reducing production and studio time.
VocAlign is fully integrated into the Fairlight environment, and is extremely simple to use:
Step 1 To enter the Wave Menu, press the WAVE key.
Step 2 Select two tracks for VocAlign Processing. The first selected track serves as the guide
track. VocAlign will attempt to match the second track to the guide track. Note that
VocAlign cannot process clips longer than 120 seconds.
Step 3 Press the {VocAlign} soft key. The VocAlign popup will appear.
Step 4 Adjust VocAlign parameters or use defaults … Hit <Render> as seen above.
Done !
** Note: Vocalign Project can be purchased at http://www.synchroarts.co.uk/.
We are constantly talking to developers and manufacturers and are very open and supportive to collaborate with others! Every collaboration helps us grow and above all offer more and more productive audio and video tools for you, the end user to use and appreciate. Bring it on!
Here is the current list of our current Platinum partners:
- New Zealand owned and operated, Serato Audio Research
- Synchro Arts
- Dark Matter Digital who offers a range of popular file interchange software. For more information visit http://www.darkmatterdigital.com/
- Creative Network Design, Inc., a leading provider of cross-platform media asset management solutions, including audio and video management software solutions for the professional audio and video industries. For more information visit http://www.netmixpro.com
IK Multimedia - is the developer of Amplitube, T-RackS, Classik Studio Reverb and many
other popular VST PlugIns. http://www.ikmultimedia.com/
Waves - is the world’s leading developer of audio processors and PlugIns, with limiters, compressors, equalizers, reverb, Ultramaximizers, maxxbass®. http://www.waves.com/
Ableton - Ableton is an AG company who produces music software including Ableton Live and Ableton Operator. These are used for track editing in real-time. http://www.ableton.com/
Bias Sound Creative - Award-winning audio editing, processing & mastering tools.
http://www.bias-inc.com/
Magix - The creators of samplitude and sequoia, audio editing, mastering and media authoring software. http://www.samplitude.com/eng/seq/
Algorithmix - Algorithmix develops digital audio software and hardware for quality conscious third parties all over the world. State-of-the-art PlugIns for sound mastering, restoration, and forensic audio. http://www.algorithmix.com/
AudioEase - develops highly regarded professional audio software tools. Their flagship product is the convolution reverb – Altiverb. http://www.audioease.com/
One last announce for collaboration … OpenCube Technologies. OpenCube is a pioneer in the field of video/IT technology integration. We are working very closely with their professional high-performance software tools for efficiently managing the emerging MXF file format ! http://www.mxftk.com/
And the list will grow!
The PC-based architecture of CC-1, whilst delivering a new industry benchmark for performance, enables a level of independence and modularity never before available to audio professionals. Why should a craftsman not make use of all of these tools if they will promote a greater communication and expressiveness? This is our goal … To give you the tools that you need to express your own uniqueness.