USER MANUAL
Information in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Applied Acoustics Systems DVM Inc. The software described in this manual is furnished under a license agreement. The software may be used only in accordance of the terms of this license agreement. It is against the law to copy this software on any medium except as specifically allowed in the license agreement.
Contents 1 Introduction 9 1.1 System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 1.2 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 1.3 Authorization and Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 1.3.1 Step 1: Generating the Challenge Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 1.3.2 Step 2: Generating the Response Key and Registering your Product . . . . 11 1.3.
CONTENTS 4 3.2.5 Alternate Strum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 3.2.6 Playing Individual Strings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 3.3 Pitch Bend Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 3.4 Aftertouch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 3.5 Modulation Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 3.6 Hold Pedal . . .
CONTENTS 5 6 5 Presets and MIDI maps 39 5.1 Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 5.1.1 The Preset Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 5.1.2 The Program list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 5.2 Playing and Changing Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 5.3 Editing and Saving Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CONTENTS 6.2.5 The Pickups Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 6.3 The Amplifier Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 6.4 The Multi-Effect Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 6.4.1 Delay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 6.4.2 Chorus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 6.4.3 Flanger . . . . . . . . . . .
CONTENTS 7 8 9 7 Utility Section 67 7.1 The MIDI LED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 7.2 MIDI channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 7.3 Compare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 7.4 Reverb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 7.5 Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CONTENTS 10 Using Strum Electric as a Plug-In 74 10.1 Window Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 10.2 Audio and MIDI Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 10.3 Automation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 10.4 Multiple Instances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 10.5 Saving Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Introduction 1 Introduction Strum Electric is a synthesizer dedicated to the emulation of electric guitars. The synthesizer is entirely based on the A|A|S physical modeling technology and uses no sampling nor wave tables. Instead it produces sound by solving, on the fly, mathematical equations modeling the different components of a guitar and how they interact.
Introduction Keep in mind that the computational power required by Strum Electric depends on the number of voices of polyphony and the sampling rate used. These computer configurations will enable you to play the factory presets with a reasonable number of voices. 1.2 Installation Mac OS Insert the Strum Electric program disc into your CD-ROM drive. Open the CD icon once it appears on your desktop. Click on the Strum Electric Install icon and follow the instructions of the installer.
1.3 1.3.1 Authorization and Registration 11 Step 1: Generating the Challenge Key After launching the installer for the first time, a pop-up window will appear asking you if you wish to authorize your product now or later. If you are ready to authorize Strum Electric now, click on the Next button otherwise click on the Authorize Later button. If your computer is connected to the internet, we recommend that you authorize your product now. Figure 1: Choosing to authorize Strum Electric now or later.
Introduction Figure 2: Enter your serial number in the pop-up window. Figure 3: The challenge key appears automatically after entering the serial number. support issues, and notify you of product updates promptly. This information is kept completely confidential. Registration of your product will entitle you to receive support and download updates when available, as well as take advantage of special upgrade prices offered from time to time to registered A|A|S users.
1.3 Authorization and Registration 13 Figure 4: Enter your registration information on the A|A|S webserver. key will appear on-screen. Figure 5: Generation of the response key on the A|A|S server. If your computer is not connected to the internet, take note of your serial number and challenge key and proceed to an internet connected computer. Launch your browser and go to the unlock page of the A|A|S website at: http://www.applied-acoustics.com/unlock.
Introduction 1.3.3 Step 3: Completing the Unlock Process The response key corresponding to your serial number and challenge key will be printed in your browser window. In order to complete the unlock process, copy the response key and paste it into the corresponding field of the installer window of Strum Electric. If you obtained your response key from another computer, type the response key by hand in the installer window. Figure 6: Final step of the unlock process.
1.4 Getting Started 15 Figure 7: Authorization has been successful. 1.3.4 Obtaining your Response Key and Registering by Fax or over the Phone: Should you not have access to the internet, A|A|S support representatives are available to assist you in the unlock and registration process Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm EST. You may contact us by phone at: • North America Toll-free number: 1-888-441-8277 • Outside North America: 1-514-871-8100 • Fax Number: 1-514-845-1875 • Email: support@applied-acoustics.
Introduction • Mac OS - Double-click on the Strum Electric icon located in the Applications folder. Before you start exploring the factory presets, take a moment to set up you audio and MIDI configuration as explained below. Audio Configuration Audio configuration tools are available from the Audio menu. The Audio Settings function allows you to select an audio output device from a list, organized by driver type, of those available on your computer.
1.5 Getting Help 17 application for the first time, this “tree view” will include a destination folder for imported presets as well as a Presets folder. To open a folder, click on the “+” symbol on Windows or I symbol on Mac OS which will reveal the folder content. The preset library is different from the program list and can be viewed as a repository containing all the presets available to the application.
Introduction • Worldwide: 1-514-871-8100 • Fax: 1-514-845-1875 • Email: support@applied-acoustics.com Our online support pages contain downloads of the most recent product updates, and answers to frequently asked questions on all A|A|S products. The support pages are located at: www.applied-acoustics.com/support.php 1.6 Forum and User Library The A|A|S community site contains the Strum Electric user forum, a place to meet other users and get answers to your questions.
An Overview of Strum Electric 2 19 An Overview of Strum Electric Strum Electric is a synthesizer which was designed with the goal of enabling keyboard players to easily create realistic guitar tracks. This is a task which is usually difficult to achieve due to the very different nature of these two types of instruments. Strum was therefore designed to reproduce not only the sounding mechanism of a guitar but also the main elements of the playing technique of a guitar player.
2.2 An Overview of Strum Electric Strumming On a guitar, notes and chords are triggered by the action of the picking hand (usually right hand). The resulting sound is very typical of a guitar as the guitarist triggers the strings sequentially, more or less rapidly, with an up and down motion of the hand. Strings can also be played individually, in different order, to create arpeggio patterns.
2.4 Signal Flow 21 Figure 8: Graphical user interface of Strum Electric GS-1. the vibration signal of the individual strings of the guitar. The motion of the strings is the input signal of the pickup module which reproduces the effect of single coil or humbucker-fitted pickups. The output signal from this module constitutes the output signal from the guitar itself. This is the signal which is sent to the amplifier module which simulates a two-channel amplifier with speaker cabinet.
An Overview of Strum Electric Figure 9: General architecture of Strum.
Keyboard Layout 3 23 Keyboard Layout Strum reacts to MIDI signal differently than a traditional synthesizer. It uses a special keyboard layout and associates signals from standard MIDI controllers with specific effects or techniques on the guitar. In this chapter, we will describe how the keyboard is used to play Strum. The MIDI signal received by Strum is interpreted in terms of the fretting hand (usually left hand) and picking hand (usually right hand) of a guitar player.
Keyboard Layout 3.2.2 Palm Muted Downstroke and Upstroke Palm muting is a technique which consists in partially muting the strings with the help of the picking hand by letting it lightly touch the strings near the bridge. The pick (or fingers) is then dragged across the strings in a downward or upward motion. In Strum, the palm muted downstroke and upstroke are obtained by depressing MIDI note number 73 (C#5) and 75 (D#5) respectively. 3.2.
3.3 Pitch Bend Wheel 25 • MIDI note 77(F5): Alternate bass. When the chord played by Strum is not inverted and the chord includes a fifth (natural, lowered or raised) then the alternate bass is the fifth. If the bass is played on the lowest string (sixth string), then the alternate bass will be played on the fifth string if possible except in the case of the open G chord where it is played on the fourth.
3.4 Keyboard Layout Aftertouch In Strum, bending can be controlled using monophonic aftertouch (also known as channel pressure on certain controllers). The pitch of the note can be increased in this way by up to one tone depending on the settings of the Bend control of the Aftertouch section of the interface. If a chord was just strummed, the highest note of the chord is bended. If an individual note was just played, this note is bended. 3.
3.6 Hold Pedal 27 Figure 10: Sections of the MIDI keyboard as used by Strum.
4 Playing Strum Playing Strum Strum can be played in different ways, directly from a MIDI keyboard or using MIDI loops. In this section we describe these different approaches an how to reproduce specific techniques used by guitar players. We conclude this section by describing the different voicing options used by Strum. 4.1 Auto-Strum Mode and Strumming Keys Notes and chords are triggered as they are played on the keyboard when the Auto-Strum mode is selected.
4.2 4.2.2 Playing with Auto-Strum 29 Chord Change Figure 12: Re-triggering a downstroke. Once a chord has been played, the chord detection, voicing and strumming modules are only triggered when a new note is played; releasing notes from a chord has no effect. Consequently, Strum holds the current chord as long as all its notes are not released. This can be used to make rapid chord changes.
4.2.4 Playing Strum Hammer-On and Pull-Off Hammer-on and pull-off are playing techniques used by guitar players to play legato or grace notes. The hammer-on effect is obtained by first picking a note and then hammering down another finger onto the same string at a higher fret. The pull-off effect is almost the opposite of the hammer on. It is obtained by first picking a note and then sharply pulling-off the finger from the fretboard in order to hear a second fretted note on the same string.
4.3 Using the Strumming Keys 31 In the case where only one or two notes are played on the keyboard, the notes can be triggered from both the downstroke or upstroke strumming key and the Range parameter is ignored. If no note is played on the keyboard, the downstroke and upstroke keys trigger a strum over the range defined by the Range parameter but the strings are muted. The effect is the same as using the muffled down- and upstroke keys which are described below. 4.3.
Playing Strum Figure 16: Scratching with the arp keys. higher or the same note as the bass key (arp 6 key). The most useful arp keys are therefore usually the bass, arp 4, arp 3 and arp 2 keys (E5, G5, A5 and B5). A good position to play arpeggios is to use the thumb to play the bass, the index to play the arp 4 key, the middle finger for the arp 3 key, the ring finger for the arp 2 key and finally the little finger for the arp 1 key.
4.4 Specific Techniques 4.4 Specific Techniques 4.4.1 33 Trills This technique consists in switching rapidly between two notes by using hammer-ons and pull-offs. With Strum, a trill is played by holding the first note and depressing and releasing the second note. The interval between the notes must be one or two semi-tones. 4.4.2 Tremolo Picking This technique consists in repeating the same note very rapidly.
Playing Strum Another technique which can be used to obtain partial strums consists in releasing strumming keys before the strum is completed. In this way, the strings still not strummed, are not played. In other words, partial strumming is achieved by playing staccato on the strumming keys while full strums are obtained by playing them normally. This technique is easier to perform when the strumming speed is relatively slow.
4.5 Using MIDI Loops 35 When the Auto-Strum mode is switched on, one first plays the note which should not be bended and then the second one. The bending effect is then obtained by moving the pitch wheel or using the aftertouch. This will only work, however, for intervals larger than one tone because otherwise Strum always automatically triggers a hammer-on or pull-off when intervals of one or two semitones are played legato.
Playing Strum mode off, chords are then triggered following the pattern of strumming keys in the MIDI loop. In other words, chords are plucked on the keyboard and strumming patterns are applied to them through the MIDI loop player. Note that loops are note limited to strumming keys and can also include melodies and chords. 4.5.1 Creating MIDI Loops Loops for Strum are easily created in your favorite sequencer by respecting the following rules: • All the events must be on MIDI channel 1.
4.6 Chord Voicing 4.6 Chord Voicing 37 On the guitar, there are usually many different ways to play the same chord. Each of these positions or voicing sounds differently and suits different musical styles. The specific voicing chosen by Strum for a chord depends on the Type parameter from the Chord section of the interface. One can choose between three types of chords: • Open Chords. These are chords played with a combination of fretted notes and open strings.
Playing Strum type allows one to play chords on the keyboard using any voicing and still obtain a guitar chord in root position. Finally, the Playing Position parameter from the Chord section allows one to specify the lowest fret on which the lowest note of a chord should be played. This control gives Strum an indication of the position on the neck where chords should be played and chords are voiced accordingly when possible.
Presets and MIDI maps 5 39 Presets and MIDI maps Strum Electric comes with several factory presets covering a wide range of sounds. This collection of presets lets you play and familiarize yourself with this synthesizer without having to tweak a single knob. Soon, however, you will be experimenting and creating your own sounds and projects that you will need to archive or exchange with other users. You may also want to control the parameters of Strum Electric with a specific MIDI controller.
Presets and MIDI maps 5.1.2 The Program list Presets are loaded into the synthesis engine of Strum Electric from a list of 128 numbered presets called programs. The name of the current program and its number are displayed in the left of the toolbar at the top of the application window. The entire list of programs can be viewed by clicking on the H button left of the program number. It is important to note that presets in the program list and in the preset library are stored in different locations.
5.3 Editing and Saving Presets 41 • In the browser, double-click on a preset icon. • Drag and drop presets from the browser onto the Strum Electric interface. • Select a preset by clicking on its icon and use the Enter key from the computer keyboard. Once a preset has been selected in the library, it is possible to navigate in the library using the Arrow keys from the computer keyboard. A preset is selected when its name is highlighted.
Presets and MIDI maps by using the Redo command from the Edit menu or the Ctrl-Y/Apple-Y command. The number of Undo levels is unlimited and this command is effective on any control of the interface but not on the different Save commands. Once a preset has been modified, it is also possible to move back and forth between the current state of the preset in the program list and its original version archived in the preset library.
5.5 5.5.2 Organizing the Preset Library 43 Copying and Moving Presets and folders Presets and folders can be copied and moved from one location to another. First select an item by clicking on its icon and use the Copy command from the Edit menu (Ctrl-C/Apple-C shortcut) in order to copy it. Then click on the destination folder and use the Paste command from the Edit menu (Ctrl-V/Apple-V shortcut) in order to paste it. Groups of items can be copied and pasted at the same time.
5.5.6 Presets and MIDI maps Locating a Preset in the Browser It might sometimes be helpful to locate in the preset library the preset currently being played or in other words, that corresponding to the current program. To rapidly locate the current preset in the browser, use the Locate Program in Browser command from the Programs menu or the Ctrl-L/Apple-L shortcut. The Locate command will automatically expand the folder containing the currently used preset and select the preset. 5.5.
5.8 Backuping Presets and MIDI Maps 5.8 Backuping Presets and MIDI Maps 45 There are basically two ways to backup your presets and MIDI maps: exportation and database backup. The database backup is more efficient when there is a large number of elements to backup. The exportation methods consists in using the Export command from the File menu as explained in section 5.7. Once you have exported the elements you wish to archive, just save the export file(s) to your usual backup location or medium.
Presets and MIDI maps however, as recovering material from this backup file will remove the factory library which you have just installed and force you to redo the operation. Using the Export command before restoring the factory library is much simpler. Note that the restore of the factory library is actually performed the next time you re-open the application. It is still possible to cancel this operation before exiting the application by using the Cancel Library Restore command from the File menu.
Parameters 6 47 Parameters This section can be used as a reference on the different controls appearing on Strum’s graphical interface. We begin by describing the behavior of the different types of controls appearing on the interface 6.1 General Functioning of the Interface 6.1.1 Tweaking Knobs All the knobs on the interface are selected by clicking on them. Once selected, they can be controlled in different ways depending on the effect you want to achieve.
6.1.3 Parameters Drop-down Menus and Displays Clicking on a display with a small down-pointing triangle on its right, such as the Type control of the Multi-Effect module, reveals a drop-down menu with a set of possible settings for the control. Adjustment of the control is obtained by clicking on a selection or using the up and down arrows and the Enter key of the computer keyboard. 6.1.
6.2 The Guitar Modules 49 The Pick/Fingers, Strings, Hammer-On, Palm-Mute modules are related to the modeling of the individual strings of the guitar. The Pickups module on the right of the guitar shape represents the action of pickups and allows one to ajdust their volume and select different combinations of pickup positions. The different knobs in this view are so-called offset knobs. Each of them is related to a specific parameter of the strings or body of the instrument.
6.2.2 Parameters The Pick/Fingers Module The Pick/Finger module allows one to control the excitation of the string with a pick or fingers. The Edge parameter is used to control the rounding of the edge of the plectrum. Turning this clockwise increases the sharpness of the edge resulting in a brighter sound. The Position parameter allows one to modify the pick position on the strings while playing. This is a parameter used by guitarists to change the tone of the sound.
6.2 6.2.4 The Guitar Modules 51 The Palm-Mute Module Palm muting is a technique used by guitar players to muffle the strings slightly while simultaneously playing the strings with the picking hand. It is obtained by letting the side of the picking hand touch the strings just before the bridge. In Strum, palm muting is achieved by using special strumming keys as explained in section 3.2. The resulting sound of this effect can be adjusted with the help of the Tone knob.
6.3 Parameters The Amplifier Module Strum Electric is equipped with a versatile 2-channel amplifier with speaker cabinet and spring reverb. With relatively few parameters, this amplifier module allows one to obtain a rich variety of sounds for different music styles. The amplifier section of this module is switched on or off using the first On button located at the top of the module. The Channel selector allows one to switch between the two channels of the amplifier.
6.4 The Multi-Effect Module 6.4 The Multi-Effect Module 53 The Multi-Effect module allows one to process the output signal from the guitar and the amplifier. There are in fact two sets of effects, a first one called Pre which can be applied before the amplifier and a second one, Post, which can be used for processing the output from the amplifier. The Pre and Post effects are activated by switching on or off by clicking on the corresponding On button.
Parameters adjust the ratio of “dry” and “wet” signal in the output signal from the module. When the knob is adjusted in the left position, only the original or “dry” signal is sent to the output while in the right position only the processed or “wet” signal is sent to the output. The Depth knob is used to control the amplitude of the effect while the Rate knob is used to fix the modulation frequency of the effect if the Sync function is off. 6.4.
6.4 The Multi-Effect Module 55 Auto Wah effect the value of the center frequency increases from the value fixed by the Freq knob. Turning this knob clockwise increases the excursion of the center frequency. Finally, the Rate knob controls the frequency or rate of the modulation of the center frequency of the filter. In the case of the Wah Wah effect, turning this knob clockwise increases the rate of the modulation if the Sync function is off.
6.4.7 Parameters Tremolo The Tremolo effect introduces a low frequency modulation of the amplitude of the sound. When the effect is used in stereo mode, the sound also bounces with a 180 degree phase shift from left to right. The Shape parameter is used to adjust the shape of the waveform which creates the tremolo effect. In its leftmost position, the wave is triangular while in its rightmost position it is a square wave.
6.5 Edit Mode 57 Finally, note that some of the parameters are framed by a lighter color background. This simply means that these parameters can be controlled from the general view obtained when clicking on the All button. 6.5.1 The Strings Module The vibrational motion of a string can be decomposed into two different components, one perpendicular to the plane of the body of the guitar and the other one parallel to that plane.
Parameters When these knobs are turned fully to the left, the string vibration is perfectly harmonic. Turning the knobs clockwise increasingly detunes the partials toward higher frequencies resulting in a more dissonant sound. 6.5.2 The Pick/Fingers Module The Pick/Finger module allows one to control the parameters related with the excitation of the string. It can simulate the excitation of the string with a pick or with a finger.
6.5 Edit Mode 59 The excitation force produced by the plectrum when interacting with the string is determined by the Jut, Speed, Stiffness and Damping parameters. The Stiffness and Damping parameters determine the flexibility of the plectrum or in other words the resistance it exerts against the string. Increasing the value of these parameters will mainly increase the amplitude of the sound. The Stiffness parameter is used to control the stiffness of the plectrum used.
6.5.3 Parameters The Hammer Module The Hammer module is used to control hammer-on et pull-off effects as explained in section 6.2.3. In Strum, hammer-ons and pull-offs are triggered when legato playing on the keyboard is detected. The two parameters of this section are Tone and Amp. The Tone knob is used to set the harmonic content of the excitation produced by the finger moving on the string as explained above.
6.5 Edit Mode 6.5.6 61 The Pickups Module The Pickups module simulates the action of the pickups on the guitar. There are two pickups in Strum, labeled Neck and Bridge, which can be adjusted in various ways in order to obtain tonal colors of different guitar types. They are activated by using the N, B or + selector on the main view of the interface as explained in section 6.2.5.
Parameters 6.6 Performance Parameters 6.6.1 Chord Display The Chord Display is where Strum displays the name of the detected chord or note and the corresponding voicing selected.
6.6 Performance Parameters 63 lowest note of the guitar voicing is always the root of the chord played on the keyboard and detected by Strum. In lowest position, the lowest note of the voicing follows the lowest note played on the keyboard. It is also possible to tell Strum in which neck position to play chords using the Playing Position parameter. The position is specified in fret number and indicates the lowest fret on which the lowest note of the chord should be played.
Parameters possible to scan the loops in the same folder using the skip forward and skip backward buttons. The loops are scanned in alphabetical order starting from the currently loaded loop. Once a loop has been selected, it might be necessary to modify it. A loop can rapidly be exported to the MIDI track of a sequencer by using the Drag MIDI button. To export the loop, click on the Drag MIDI button, then drag-and-drop the file onto a MIDI track of a sequencer.
6.6 Performance Parameters 65 The Range parameter under velocity in the Strumming section allows one to modulate the number of strings played with the MIDI velocity signal received by the program. This is used to emulate the fact that the number of strings in a chord played by a guitarist may vary depending on the intensity of the playing. When in its middle position and playing mezzo forte on the keyboard, the lowest and highest strings in the chord will be excluded from the strumming.
6.6.7 Parameters Aftertouch In addition to the pitch wheel, monophonic aftertouch (channel pressure) can be used to control a bending effect. The depth of the effect is controlled using the Depth knob from the Aft. Touch section. In its center position, the depth is equal to 1 semitone. 6.6.8 Hold Pedal The hold pedal MIDI controller can have two functions in Strum.
Utility Section 7 67 Utility Section The utility section is located at the top of the Strum Electric interface and it includes important Strum parameters and monitoring tools. 7.1 The MIDI LED The MIDI LED blinks when the synthesizer receives MIDI signal. If the application is not receiving MIDI signal, make sure that the right MIDI device is selected using the MIDI Settings command from the MIDI menu. 7.
7.6 Utility Section Level Meter The level meter allows one to monitor the RMS (root means square) level of the left (L) and right (R) output channels from the synthesizer. As soft clipping is applied to the output signal in order to limit its amplitude, it is important to make sure that the amplitude of the signal remains within values that ensure that no distortion is introduced in the signal at the output. The 0 dB mark on the level meter has been adjusted to correspond to -20 dBFS (full scale).
Toolbar 8 69 Toolbar The toolbar at the top of the Strum Electric interface window allows you to monitor important information related to your current set-up. 8.1 Program Display Located on the left of the toolbar, displays the number and name of the program currently loaded in the synthesis engine. The + and − buttons on the left of the program number, or alternatively the + and − keys on the computer keyboard, are used to navigate upwards and downwards in the program list.
9 Audio and MIDI Settings Audio and MIDI Settings This chapter explains how to select the audio and MIDI devices used by Strum Electric as well as how to create and edit MIDI links and MIDI maps. When referring to commands that are different on Windows and Mac OS systems, the commands are listed in the following order: Windows command/Mac OS command. 9.1 Audio Settings 9.1.
9.2 MIDI Settings 9.2.2 71 Creating MIDI Links Every control on the Strum Electric interface can be manipulated by an external MIDI controller. In most cases this is much more convenient than using the mouse, especially if you want to move many controllers at once. For example, you can map the motion of a knob on the interface to a real knob on a knob box or to the modulation wheel from your keyboard.
Audio and MIDI Settings • Note that the range of a knob can be inverted by setting the value of Maximum Value to a smaller value than that of Minimum Value. • Click on the OK button and the link appears in the list of controllers linked to the control. • Click on the OK button again to confirm the change and to leave the MIDI Links window.
9.3 Latency Settings 9.2.7 73 Defining a Default MIDI Map It is possible to define a default MIDI map that will be loaded automatically when Strum Electric is launched. • First select a MIDI map by clicking on its icon in the browser and choose the MIDI Link Info command from the Edit or the Ctrl-I/Apple-I keyboard shortcut. One can also rightclick/control-click on the MIDI map icon and choose the MIDI Link Info command. • To change the default MIDI map select the Mark As Default option. 9.2.
10 Using Strum Electric as a Plug-In Using Strum Electric as a Plug-In Strum Electric is available in VST, AudioUnit and RTAS formats and integrates seamlessly into the industry most popular multi-track recording and sequencing environments as a virtual instrument plug-in. The plug-in versions will work exactly the same way as the standalone version, except for the audio, MIDI, and latency configurations that will be taken care of by the host sequencer.
10.6 MIDI Channel 10.6 MIDI Channel 75 Make sure that the MIDI controller, sequencer and Strum Electric all use the same MIDI channel. If you are not certain of the channel used by your controller or sequencer, set the MIDI channel of Strum Electric to Omni. 10.7 MIDI program change MIDI program changes are supported in the plug-in versions of Strum Electric.
Quick Reference to Commands and Shortcuts 11 Quick Reference to Commands and Shortcuts File Menu Command Windows New Folder. . . Mac OS Description Apple+Shift+N New Folder in the Browser Open Preset Ctrl+O Apple+Option+O Open the selected preset Save Preset Ctrl+S Apple+S Save the current preset Save Preset As. . . Save MIDI Links Save the current preset under a new name Ctrl+Shift+S Apple+Shift+S Save the current MIDI links Save MIDI Links As. . .
Quick Reference to Commands and Shortcuts Edit Menu Command Windows Mac OS Description Undo Ctrl+Z Apple+Z Undo last command Redo Ctrl+Y Apple+Shift+Z Redo last command Copy Ctrl+C Apple+C Copy selected item Paste Ctrl+V Apple+V Paste Delete Del Info. . .
Quick Reference to Commands and Shortcuts Audio Command Windows Mac OS Description Audio Settings Display the Audio Settings window Audio Control Panel Display the Latency Settings window if DirectSound is used, the ASIO control panel when ASIO drivers are used and the Audi MIDI setup configuration tool on Mac OS systems
Quick Reference to Commands and Shortcuts 79 MIDI Command Windows Mac OS Description MIDI Settings Display the MIDI Settings window Learn MIDILink MIDI link learn mode for the last control touched Add MIDI Link Enables one to add a MIDI link on the last controlled touched Forget MIDILink Drop a MIDI link Set MIDI Link Minimum Value Limit the value of a MIDI link to a minimum value Set MIDI Link Maximum Value Limit the value of a MIDI link to a maximum value Edit MIDIlinks Display the Edit
Quick Reference to Commands and Shortcuts Programs Menu Command Windows Mac OS Description Locate Program in Browser Ctrl-L Apple-L Locate the current program in the browser and select it Rename Program Ctrl-R Apple-R Rename the current program in the program list Switch to Program Ctrl-P Apple-P Change the current program Save All Programs Save the entire program list including modifications to programs.
Quick Reference to Commands and Shortcuts 81 Help Menu Command Windows About Srum Electric GS . . . User Manual Mac OS Description Display the About Stum Electric window F1 Display the user manual Quick Reference Sheet Display the keyboard layout reference sheet Authorize Strum Electric . . . Display the Authorization window. Active only if the application has not been authorized. Visit www.applied-acoustics.com . . . Launch the browser and go to the AAS website. Join the user forum . . .
12 Appendix A - List of Chords Detected by Strum Appendix A - List of Chords Detected by Strum We present here a list of the main chords recognized by Strum and for which it can find a guitar voicing. The following guidelines should be kept in mind: • The chords are presented using C as the root. They can be transposed in any key. • For all chords, inversions are recognized except if they conflict with another chord from this list.
Appendix A - List of Chords Detected by Strum 83 List of Chords recognized and voiced by Strum Cadd9 C9 C9 (no 5) Cm9 Cm9 (no 5) C9sus4 C9sus4 (no 5) C9]5 C9[5 CMaj9 CMaj9 (no 5) CmMaj9 CmMaj9 (no 5) CMaj9[5 C6 9 Cm6 9 Cm6 9 (no 5) Cm11 Cm11 (no 5) C13 C13 (no 5) Cm13 Cm13 (no 5) C13[9 C13[9 (no 5) CMaj13 CMaj13 (no 5) C7[9 C7[9 (no 5) C7]9 C7]9 (no 5) C7[5[9 C7[5]9 C7]5[9 C7]5]9 C7]11 Cm7 11 Cm7 11 (no 5) CMaj7]11 C7[9]11 C7]9]11 C7]9]11 (no 3) C7 13 C7 13 (no
Appendix A - List of Chords Detected by Strum List of Chords - Example of a possible position on the keyboard.
Appendix A - List of Chords Detected by Strum 85 List of Chords - Example of a possible position on the keyboard.
Appendix A - List of Chords Detected by Strum List of Chords - Example of a possible position on the keyboard.
Appendix A - List of Chords Detected by Strum 87 List of Chords - Example of a possible position on the keyboard.
Appendix A - List of Chords Detected by Strum List of Chords - Example of a possible position on the keyboard.
Appendix B - Parameter Override Keyswitches 13 89 Appendix B - Parameter Override Keyswitches We present here a list of keyswitches which can be used in a MIDI loop in order to temporarily override the value of certain parameters from the playing style section of the interface and ensure that a MIDI loop is always played exactly as intended by its creator. These special keyswitches correspond to the first MIDI notes which are below the playing range of the guitar. 13.
Appendix B - Parameter Override Keyswitches • 6(F#-1): Slow Strum - 40% if Strum Speed < 40%, 50% if Strum Speed > 50% • 7(G-1): Minimum 50% - Value of Strum Speed if > 50%, otherwise 50% • 8(G#-1): Minimum 65% - Value of Strum Speed if > 65%, otherwise 65% • 9(A-1): Minimum 80% - Value of Strum Speed if > 80%, otherwise 80% The following keyswitches are used to adjust the strumming range.
13.6 Velocity Section 13.6 Velocity Section This override key is used to adjust velocity modulation on the palm mute.
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License Agreement 93 5. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.
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Index aftertouch, 26, 66 alternate strum, 24, 66 amplifier, 52 apply offset, 48 arp keys, 24, 28 arpeggios, 24, 31 ASIO drivers, 70 audio, 70 configuration, 16, 70 device, 70 format, 70 auto wah, 54 auto-strum, 20, 28, 64 auto-wah, 53 bass and chords, 34 bend, 25, 26 browser, 16, 39 customizing, 45 hide, 44 resize, 44 buffer size, 70, 73 buttons tweaking, 47 cabinet, 52 challenge key, 10, 11 chords change, 29 change of pitch, 29 detection, 19 detection time, 62 display, 62 drop, 37 list, 82 lowest, 37 movab
creating, 42 deleting, 43 renaming, 43 forum, 18 general parameters, 48 getting started, 15 guitar level, 51 hammer-on, 30, 50, 60 help, 17 hold pedal, 66 import, 44 individual strings, 24 installation, 10 knobs, 47 tweaking, 47 latency, 70, 73 level meter, 68 loop player, 63 MIDI, 70 device, 70 loop player, 63 receiving, 67 settings, 70 MIDI channel, 67 MIDI configuration, 16 MIDI controller, 71 MIDI LED, 67 MIDI links, 17 creating, 71 deactivate, 72 editing, 71, 72 factory, 45 range, 71 MIDI loops cre
INDEX palm muting, 24 parameters, 47, 48 partial strumming, 33 peak, 68 performance, 9 performance parameters, 62 phaser, 53, 54 pick, 58 pick/fingers, 50, 58 picking, 24 pickups, 51, 61 bridge, 51, 61 cutoff, 61 humbucker, 61 neck, 51, 61 position, 51, 61 resonance, 61 single coil, 61 trim, 61 ping pong delay, 53 pitch bend, 25 pitch wheel, 65 plug-in, 17 audio parameters, 74 automation, 74 MIDI channel, 75 MIDI parameters, 74 MIDI program change, 75 multiple instances, 74 performance, 75 saving projects,
tape delay, 53 toolbar, 69 tremolo, 53, 56 tremolo picking, 33 trills, 33 tuning, 65 undo, 42 unlocking, 10 upstroke, 23, 30 user library, 18 utility section, 67 velocity, 66 vibrato, 26 voicing, 19 volume, 67 VU meter, 68 wah wah, 53, 54 website, 18 INDEX