User’s Manual Chrome Tone Guitar Amp Modeling and Effects McDowell Signal Processing, LLC
Chrome Tone User’s Manual Chrome Tone User’s Manual Special Thanks to: • Jake Thorne, resident guitar nut and gear hound, • Stan Cotey and Scott Fafrak for all the gear • Lyle Workman, Jake Schaefer, and Gil Gowing for all the tracks and feedback, • Our beta sites, and • Rob Barrett, Jr. our #1 customer from the entire McDSP development team. Copyright Notice: Copyright 1998-2008 McDowell Signal Processing, Limited Liability Company All Rights Reserved.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual Table of Contents Chrome Tone User’s Manual Copyright Notice: Support Table of Contents 2 2 2 3 McDSP’s Chrome Tone License Agreement 4 Chapter 1:Introducing Chrome Tone 5 Chapter 2:Installing Chrome Tone 6 System Requirements Installing the Chrome Tone plug-in on Mac OS X Installing the Chrome Tone plug-in on Windows XP Authorizing the Chrome Tone plug-in Registering your Chrome Tone plug-in Starting the Chrome Tone plug-in: Exiting the Chrome Tone plug-in 6 7 8 9 11 1
Chrome Tone User’s Manual McDSP’s Chrome Tone License Agreement The software described in this manual is furnished under a license agreement and may be used only in accordance with the terms of the agreement. McDowell Signal Processing, Limited Liability Company License and Warranty: The software which accompanies this license (the “Software”) is the property of McDowell Signal Processing, Limited Liability Company or its licensers and is protected by copyright law.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual Chapter 1: Introducing Chrome Tone Congratulations on purchasing Chrome Tone, the plug-In that brings the world of custom guitar amps, boutique outboard gear and pedal effects inside Pro Tools. The Chrome Tone plug-In is a collection of effects that includes distortion, compression, gating, chorus, flange, EQ, wah, tremolo, spring reverb, and tape delay. These effects can all be used together in a single stacked configuration, or as independent effects.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual Chapter 2: Installing Chrome Tone System Requirements Operating System Chrome Tone is compatible with both Mac OS X 10.4.x and Windows XP. Configurations Chrome Tone is available in TDM, RTAS, and AudioSuite configurations. Applications Pro Tools™ 7.x or higher is required for TDM, LE, and M-Powered systems. Additionally, a Third Party software application that supports the Digidesign TDM, RTAS, or AudioSuite plug-in Standard may be supported. See http://www. digidesign.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual Installing the Chrome Tone plug-in on Mac OS X The Chrome Tone plug-in Package includes this manual, ReadMe and Release Notes, a folder of presets for the Chrome Tone Plug-in, and the Chrome Tone plug-in. Two copies of the Chrome Tone Licensing Agreement are included - one in this pdf manual and a second as a separate text file. The Chrome Tone plug-in manual requires that Adobe Acrobat reader (or similar .pdf reader) is installed.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual Installing the Chrome Tone plug-in on Windows XP The Chrome Tone plug-in Package includes this manual, ReadMe and Release Notes, a folder of presets for the Chrome Tone Plug-in, and the Chrome Tone plug-in. Two copies of the Chrome Tone Licensing Agreement are included - one in this pdf manual and a second as a separate text file. The Chrome Tone manual requires that Adobe Acrobat reader (or similar .pdf reader) is installed.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual Authorizing the Chrome Tone plug-in Authorizing with a pre-programmed iLok Smart Key McDSP bundles such as the Classic Pack come with a preprogrammed iLok Smart Key. Simply insert the iLok into any available USB port on your computer. The iLok’s indicator light will illuminate when the iLok has a proper connection. The plug-ins included in the bundle require no further authorization steps.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual their copy of the plug-in. A dialog is displayed soliciting this information. Note that the product registration card enclosed with the plugin MUST ALSO be filled out as well and returned to McDSP via mail (or fax to 707-220-0994). This additional mail-in registration will entitle the user to future upgrades and advance information from McDSP. iLok License Card and Removable Chip • Once the plug-in is personalized, click the ‘Next’ button to continue.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual com account only when you are ready to retain all the needed iLok.com account information (User ID and Password). • A ‘Finished’ dialog is displayed showing what authorization method was used. • Click ‘Finish’ to exit the Authorization Wizard. Registering your Chrome Tone plug-in To register your Chrome Tone plug-in with McDSP, fill out and return the product registration card enclosed with the boxed plug-in package by mail.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual Chapter 3: The Quick Start Tour: The Chrome Tone Amp, Wah, and Stack Configurations Start Pro Tools™ and Instantiate the Chrome Tone Amp configuration • Launch Pro Tools™ and Open a Pro Tools™ Session. • Verify the Display-> Mix Window Shows->Inserts View option is checked. • In one of the inserts of a stereo master fader, select the Chrome Tone Amp configuration. Note the Chrome Tone plug-In will operate on master or regular audio tracks in mono or stereo versions.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual The Controls Noise Gate Distortion Compression Designed to minimize the amount of noise heard at the output of the Chrome Tone Amp plug-In. The Noise Gate controls are: The Chrome Tone Amp Distortion section provides a wide range of distortion tones from light to heavy. The Distortion controls are: Provides a compressor and sustainer to further amplify and compress the incoming signal.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual A Look at the Chrome Tone Wah Configuration The Chrome Tone Wah is a full featured modulated filter, configured as a Wah in default mode, and as a variety of other filters as per the 14 selectable types available. The Wah, like the Tremolo and Chorus configurations, has a Dynamics and Auto section for triggering modulation of the Wah filter (or Tremolo gain, or Chorus delay length). The Dynamic section acts as an envelope follower with adjustable attack and decay times.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual The Controls Dynamic Auto Gives complete control over an envelope follower used to modulate the Wah (or other selected filter) frequency. The Wah controls are: Gives complete control over an LFO (low frequency oscillator) used to modulate the Wah (or other selected filter) frequency. The Wah controls are: • Threshold - the level at which the envelope follower is triggered.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual A Look at the Chrome Tone Stack Configuration The Chrome Tone Stack configuration is a combination of the Wah, Tremolo, Amp, and Chorus configurations, grouped into pages of controls. Each control page is setup exactly as the individual configurations. Page selector and bypass controls are found in the upper left hand corner of the user interface. Clicking the Page labels displays the controls for that page.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual • Click on the text box to highlight the numeric value and then use the arrow keys to increase or decrease the numeric value, or • Use the
Chrome Tone User’s Manual Chapter 4: Using the Chrome Tone plug-in A Closer Look at the Chrome Tone Amp The Chrome Tone Amp incorporates the essential elements of a guitar amplification system into a single interface. Cabinet simulation, multiple distortion types, noise gating, compression and sustain circuits, EQ, and reverb are all included in the Amp configuration. Fig 4.1 – Chrome Tone Amp Configuration Page 18 mcdsp.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual Pre The primary source of noise in most guitar signal paths is dc and 60 Hz hum. These unwanted signals are automatically removed with the low cut filter in the Pre section. The low cut frequency range extends down to 75 Hz, and a variety of Pre types are available to color the input signal (subtle bass boosting, more gentle filter roll offs, vintage pre models). A common use of products like Chrome Tone is to re-amp the already recorded guitar track.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual Distortion The Chrome Tone Amp Distortion section provides a wide range of distortion tones from light to heavy. The Distortion controls are: • Drive - selected amount of gain (emphasis) of selected frequencies into the distortion circuit.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual of Chrome Tone development. For each cabinet type (1x12, 2x12, 4x10, and 4x12), a varitey of measurement (and cabinets) were evaluated to bring a group of sounds that are very useful not for only guitar, but also for other ‘amped sound’ applications. A Closer Look at the Chrome Tone Wah The Chrome Tone Wah is a full featured modulated filter, configured as a Wah in default mode, and as a variety of other filters as per the 14 selectable types available.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual The Wah controls are: • Threshold - the level at which the envelope follower is triggered. When the input signal rises above the threshold, the envelope ‘opens’ at a rate determined by the Attack control. When the input signal drops below the threshold, the envelope ‘closes’ at a rate determined by the Decay control. . • Depth - the amount (positive or negative) the envelope follower affects the Wah (or other filter) frequency (or Tremolo gain, or Chorus delay length).
Chrome Tone User’s Manual Wah Section Using the Chrome Tone as a Wah, the wah-effect can be created in one of three ways: 1) move the frequency control itself (manual wah); 2) modulate the frequency control from a base setting with the Dynamic section (enveloped wah); or 3) modulate the frequency control from a base setting with the Auto section (auto wah). These three techniques can be extended to any of the other filter types in the Wah configuration.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual A Closer Look at the Chrome Tone Chorus The Chorus effect is the modulation a set of delay lines to create a more spatial or sonically rich sound. This effect is common in guitar and keyboards, and a variety of other instruments. The Chrome Tone Chorus uses the same Dynamic and Auto sections found in the Wah configuration to modulate the gain in its tremolo circuit.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual A Closer Look at the Chrome Tone Stack The Chrome Tone Stack configuration is a combination of the Wah, Tremolo, Amp, and Chorus configurations, grouped into pages of controls. Each control page is setup exactly as the individual configurations. Page selector and bypass controls are found in the upper left hand corner of the user interface. Clicking the Page labels displays the controls for that page.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual Chapter 5: Support and More Information Trouble Shooting How do I authorize the plug-in? • McDSP plug-ins can be authorized via a license card and an iLok. Refer to the installation details provided in Chapter 2: Installing McDSP Plug-ins. • McDSP Plug-in demos can be requested from www.mcdsp.com when an iLok.com account user name is provided. Demo authorizations are then placed in your account for transfer to your iLok.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual On Windows XP, when starting ProTools I get a ‘Initialization Error’ message box saying ‘Updated driver required. The driver version is incompatible with this product and requires updating,’ How do I fix this? • If you just installed McDSP plug-in for the first time, you need reboot your PC and relaunch ProTools. If you just upgraded ProTools or installed a different company’s plug-in, most likely an older version of PACE’s driver was incorrectly installed.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual Reference Section Chrome Tone Amp Specifications Parameter Settings Function LOW/CUT 75 to 1000 Hz Selects the point where low frequency signals are reduced. Filter slopes vary between -12 dB/Oct and -6 dB/Oct depending on PRE TYPE. Pre Type (popup) Flat, Low Bump, Vintage I, Vintage II, Vintage III Selects the coloring of the input signal. The ‘Flat’ mode is the original mode. Other modes add coloring appropriate for guitar and other ‘amped sound’ applications.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual Chrome Tone Specifications, Common Items on Chrous, Tremolo and Wah Pages Parameter Settings Function -24 to 24 dB Determines the input gain of the effect section. THRESH -40 to 0 dB Level at which the envelope follower is triggered. When the input signal rises above the threshold, the envelope ‘opens’ at a rate determined by the Attack control. When the input signal drops below the threshold, the envelope ‘closes’ at a rate determined by the Decay control.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual Chrome Tone Specifications Chorus Parameter Settings Function CHORUS TYPE Flange, Chorus 1, Chorus 2, Analog Delay (in Stack configuration only) Selects between Flange, Chorus 1, and Chorus 2 modes. In the Stack configuration, an Analog Delay mode is also available for up to 1 second of analog delay.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual Chrome Tone Amp The Chrome Tone Amp incorporates the essential elements of a guitar amplification system into a single interface. Cabinet simulation, multiple distortion types, noise gating, compression and sustain circuits, EQ, and reverb are all included in the Amp configuration. Chrome Tone Wah (Stack shown) Page 31 mcdsp.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual Chrome Tone Tremolo The Tremolo effect is the modulation of the volume (gain) of a signal path. This effect is common in guitar and keyboards, and a variety of other instruments. The beating, or volume movements can add life to an otherwise dull performance. Chrome Tone Chorus The Chorus effect is the modulation a set of delay lines to create a more spatial or sonically rich sound. This effect is common in guitar and keyboards, and a variety of other instruments.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual DSP Delay The delay incurred by any of the Chrome Tone plug-In configurations is ZERO samples. On HD systems the delay is 1 (ONE) sample. There is still a two sample delay from the TDM connection to the Chrome Tone plug-In. This is the absolute minimum number of delay samples a TDM plug-In can have.
Chrome Tone User’s Manual Many of the Chrome Tone plug-In configurations can operate on the same dsp, depending on the configuration’s dsp requirements. Below the percentages of each HD or HD Accel dsp used by a single instantiation of a Chrome Tone plugIn configuration are shown: Maximum Instantiation Counts per HD & HD Accel DSP at 48 kHz sample rate with full pull up mode (Stereo).
www.mcdsp.com Copyright 2008 by McDowell Signal Processing,LLC. All trademarks are property of their respective owners. McDSP is a trademark of McDowell Signal Processing,LLC. Analog Channel, Channel G, Chrome Tone, CompressorBank, FilterBank, MC2000, ML4000, Revolver, Synthesizer One, Emerald Pack, Classic Pack and Project Studio are Copyrighted 1998-2008 by McDowell Signal Processing,LLC.
