HALion Sonic SE 3.3.0

Operation Manual
Introduction
Conventions
In our documentation, we use typographical and markup elements to structure information.
Program Versions
HALion Sonic SE comes in two versions: one is installed together with a Steinberg DAW, the other can be downloaded for free from the Steinberg web site.
How You Can Reach Us
Click the Steinberg logo in the top right corner of the control panel to open a pop-up menu containing items for getting additional information and help.
About the Documentation
The documentation is available online and can be downloaded in PDF format from steinberg.help.
Setting Up
You can use the free version of HALion Sonic SE as a plug-in in different host applications.
Window Overview
The HALion Sonic SE window is divided into several sections.
Common Editing Methods
Buttons
HALion Sonic SE contains two different types of buttons: On/Off buttons and push buttons.
Value Fields
You can enter or edit values in the available value fields using your keyboard or mouse. To enter key ranges or the root key, for example, you can use an external MIDI keyboard.
Using Key Commands
Presets
HALion Sonic SE offers two types of presets: section/module presets and VST presets. Section and module presets store and recall the setup of a specific component on the HALion Sonic SE panel. VST presets contain all information necessary to restore the complete state of the plug-in.
Global Functions and Settings
Plug-in Functions Section
The plug-in functions section at the top of the window gives you access to global functions that affect both the currently loaded programs, and the general working of the plug-in.
Plug-in Name and Steinberg Logo
Toolbar
Performance Controls
The performance controls are located in the lower part of the window.
Quick Controls
Quick controls allow you to remote-control any parameter inside the program.
Trigger Pads
You can use the trigger pads to trigger single notes or whole chords and to switch between FlexPhraser or arpeggiator variations.
Options Page
Managing Your Sounds
The following sections describe how to load, save, and manage the different kinds of sound files in HALion Sonic SE. If you are using the version of HALion Sonic SE that is part of a Steinberg DAW, the sounds that come with the program are available in the form of programs, layers, and multis.
Programs, Layers, and Multis
Loading Programs
HALion Sonic SE can load the program content that comes with Steinberg’s DAWs and VST Sound Instrument Sets, as well as any compatible user content created with HALion 6.
Slot Rack
The Slot Rack has 16 slots. Each slot can hold a program, that is, you can work with 16 programs at the same time.
Managing and Loading Files
You can use the MediaBay to manage, navigate to, and load different file types.
Editing Programs
You can make settings for the programs and their layers on the Edit page.
Editing the Factory Content
Which content is available for HALion Sonic SE depends on which Steinberg DAW you are using. However, even though the available programs and layers may differ between versions, they use the same macro page.
Included Instruments
Depending on the Steinberg DAW that you are using, you can find additional instrument content that was created using two instruments: Trip, a virtual analog synth, and Flux, a wavetable synth.
Trip
Trip is a virtual analog synth that comes with three oscillators, a sub oscillator, a ring modulator, and a noise generator.
Flux
Flux is a wavetable synth that uses HALion’s wavetable synthesis. It provides two main wavetable oscillators, a classical sub oscillator, and a flexible noise generator.
Automation
Automation Page
All assigned automation parameters are shown on the Automation page.
Setting Up Automation
MIDI Editing and Controllers
MIDI Page
The MIDI page gives you access to the MIDI slot parameters of HALion Sonic SE.
MIDI Controllers
You can assign the parameters volume, pan, mute, solo, send FX 1–4, and the quick controls of each slot to a MIDI controller. In addition to the slot parameters, you can also assign the parameters of the AUX FX and most of the edit parameters.
Mixing and Effect Handling
Mix Page
The Mix page gives you access to the audio parameters of HALion Sonic SE. This comprises the level and pan settings, as well as the AUX effect sends and the output selector. To monitor the output levels, each slot also features a level meter.
Effect Handling
Effects Reference
Reverb Effects
Delay Effects
EQ Effects
Filter Effects
Distortion Effects
Pitch Shift Effects
Modulation Effects
Dynamics Effects
Spatial and Panner Effects
Legacy Effects
Using the Standalone Version of the Plug-In
You can use the free version of HALion Sonic SE independently from a host application.
Making Preferences Settings
You can configure the standalone version of HALion Sonic SE in the Plug-In Preferences dialog.
Preferences Dialog
The Plug-In Preferences dialog has several pages on which you can make settings.
Selecting the MIDI Input and the Audio Output
Scratch Pad
The scratch pad allows you to record and play back MIDI files in Standard MIDI File format. You can load existing MIDI files and you can record your own files and save them.
Loading a MIDI File
You can load MIDI files in Standard MIDI File format (file name extension .mid).
Saving a MIDI File
Master Volume