Fxpansion DCAM Synth Squad Operation Manual User Manual

10Controlling parameters: initial values (Main view)When the ‘Main’ view is selected, only the initial value of a control can be adjusted.The initial

100Appendix 2: Strobe filter modes10 20 50 100 200 500 1000Hz4030201001020dBL210 20 50 100 200 500 1000Hz4030201001020dBL410 20 50 100 200 500 1000Hz40

101Appendix 3: Cypher waveshaper modes2 1 1 2Input V1.00.50.51.0Output VDiode2 1 1 2Input V1.00.50.51.0Output VOTA2 1 1 2Input V1.00.50.51.0Output VOp

102Appendix 4: Fusor – Overloud Breverb algorithmsThis adapted version of Overloud’s Breverb provides high-end artificial reverberation effects within

103Breverb RoomTime (Sec)Sets the duration of the reverberation tail. It is also influenced by the Size parameter.SizeSets the apparent size of the aco

104Appendix 5: Host automation parametersNote that the VST plugin specification does not allow very long parameter names (a maximum of 7 characters).

105Cypher0 Perf1 Performance controller 11 Perf2 Performance controller 22 PerfX (reserved for future use)3 PerfY (reserved for future use)4 FiltCutof

106100 Lfo2Sync LFO 2 Sync101 Lfo2Mono LFO 2 Mono102 Lfo2Gate LFO 2 Gate103 RampDelay Ramp Delay104 RampRise Ramp Rise105 RampMultiplier Ramp Mult106

107Amber0 Perf1 Performance controller 11 Perf2 Performance controller 22 PerfX (reserved for future use)3 PerfY (reserved for future use)4 FltCut Syn

108FusorNote that the VST plugin specification does not allow very long parameter names (a maximum of 7 characters). Therefore, in the VST plugin versi

11TransMod slotsWhen you first launch a DCAM synth, it displays its Main view. The Main view only edits the ‘basic state’ of the synth – the initial va

12Parameter context menuRight-click (or CTRL-click) on any control to show its parameter context menu, which offers a number of functions and options

132: Strobe2:1 OverviewStrobe is a performance synthesizer, designed to be easy to program so that you can get on with playing great-sounding music! A

142:2 Oscillator sectionPulse Width direct mod: KeyPulse Width direct mod: LFOPulse Width direct mod: EnvOctave buttons for sub-oscsPitch direct modul

152:3 Filter sectionFilter cutoff direct mod: KeyFilter cutoff direct mod: LFOFilter cutoff direct mod: EnvFilter PowerStrobe’s filter is its main sou

162:4 Amp sectionStrobe’s amp section can be overloaded like that of a real analogue synth VCA (voltage-controlled amplifier). There is a waveshaping s

172:6 ModulationStrobe contains several modulators that feature direct routings and depth controls for certain destinations. These sources can also be

182:7 Strobe signal flowThe following signal flow diagram represents a single voice of Strobe. Only direct modulation is shown – there are many further

193: Cypher3:1 OverviewCypher features a dual-filter/waveshaper architecture and a highly complex, versatile set of 3 modelled oscillators. While it ca

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203:2 Oscillator sectionThis section is a brief overview of Cypher’s oscillator functions. Please read chapter 4 to gain a full understanding of the o

21PhaseEach osc’s phase can be set with the Phase parameter.With the Rset (Reset) button enabled, the phase is reset to the value defined by the Phase

223:4 Filter section: shared controlsCypher’s dual-filter section features a number of controls for each filter, while others are shared between them. T

23ScaleEach filter’s Scale control offsets its cutoff frequency relative to the master cutoff by positive or negative amounts. At the centre position,

243:8 Modulation in CypherThis section covers parameter modulation in Cypher (control-rate modulation). For a detailed guide to Cypher’s audio-rate mo

253:9 Cypher signal flowThe following signal flow diagrams represent the Osc section and the Shaper-Filter/Amp sections of a single Cypher voice. Only

26Shaper-Filter & Amp sections

274: Cypher’s oscillators in detail4:1 Introduction to audio-rate modulationBasics of audio-rate modulationWhile subtractive synthesis – using a filter

28Oscillator FM in CypherHarmonic tuningCypher’s pitch control unit/snapping options (see section 1:3) allow you to specify each osc’s frequency as ei

29Thru-zero oscillator FMThe term ‘thru-zero FM’ refers to the ability to modulate the frequency of an oscillator beyond zero into negative frequency

3Contents5 Credits5 About this manual6 1: Introduction6 1:1 Welcome to DCAM: Synth Squad6 DCAM: Synth Squad at a glance6 A note on e

304:3 Wave modulationWave Modulation uses audio-rate modulation of an oscillator in order to vary its timbre. However, unlike oscillator FM, it modula

314:4 Audio-rate sample and holdCypher features the ability to sample and hold (S+H) an oscillator using the frequency of another, at audio-rate. A sa

324:5 Variable-depth oscillator syncCompared to FM, oscillator synchronization is far more common on classic analogue synthesizers. This is because it

33Using variable-depth osc sync in Cypher2. Fully turn up Osc2’s Gain control.1. Change the osc section’s unit/snapping options to Equal.3. Play a

344:6 Beat detuneWhen two detuned oscillators play together, their differing frequencies cause an audible ‘beating’ effect against one another. The rh

355: Amber5:1 OverviewAmber represents one of the first attempts to realistically model classic string-ensemble synthesizers from the 1970s. These inst

36Amber: the next step in divide-down synthesisAmber’s design builds on the string synthesizer legacy, while retaining crucial elements that made them

375:2 Master tuning controlsThe Pitch and Fine controls allow you to tune the master oscillator bank. Due to Amber’s paraphonic architecture, these co

385:4 Ensemble sectionFormant filter PowerParaphonic oscillator controlPolyphonic formant filterParaphonic oscillator controlLevel controls: 8’, 4’ &

395:6 Mixer / Amplifier stageSynth & Ens. (Synth Amp and Ensemble Amp)The mixer/amplifier stage features separate Amp controls for the Synth and En

451 7: Modulation51 7:1 Introduction to modulation in DCAM: Synth Squad51 The TransMod system explained52 7:2 TransMod system overview52

405:8 Other functionsSettings, Glide and Keying controlsThese parameters are included in all DCAM: Synth Squad synths, and are described in sections 6

41Synth and Ensemble EnvelopesThese envelopes are not gateable modulators like other envelopes in DCAM Synth Squad – they can only be gated by keyboar

425:10 Amber signal flowThe following signal flow diagram represents a single voice of Amber. Only direct modulation is shown – there are many further

436: Common synth functions6:1 Arpeggiator (Strobe and Cypher only)Arpeggiators turn a number of keys held down simultaneously into a repeated arpeggi

44OctaveThis setting is dependent on the number of octaves specified with the Range parameter, and dictates how the octave shifts occur. Multiple octav

456:3 Glide controlsThis section contains a number of controls that relate to glide functions and gateable modulator retriggering.It also contains the

466:5 Preferences panelPreferencesThe preferences panel stores global settings that are not stored within presets. They are unique to each plugin in D

476:6 Visualizer scopeEach synth in DCAM: Synth Squad features a real-time context-sensitive visualizer scope. This should not be regarded as an oscil

486:8 MIDI Learn and host automationMIDI LearnDCAM: Synth Squad features an easy-to-use MIDI Learn system that gives absolute control of a parameter’s

49Removing assignmentsClearing a parameter’s MIDI Learn assigment• Use the Clear Learn command in the control context menu (right-click or CTRL-clic

5CreditsDSP Programming Andrew SimperAdditional Programming Angus Hewlett Steve Baker Paul Chana SKoT McDonald Caleb ReachProject Co-ordination

506:9 Program change panelThe program change panel, or PC panel, is opened within the preset browser, using the Show PC Panel button. Clicking this bu

517: Modulation7:1 Introduction to modulation in DCAM: Synth SquadThere are two ways of modulating parameters within Amber, Cypher and Strobe:• Direct

527:2 TransMod system overviewEach DCAM synth features 9 different ‘views’:Main view: controls can set initial values of parameters8 additional ‘Tra

53Basic TransMod system operationsSelecting a TransMod slotChoosing a source for a TransMod slot. This example shows the Monophonic source sub-menu (s

547:3 Using the TransMod systemSetting initial value of controls (Main view)When the ‘Main’ view is selected, only the initial value of a control can

55Managing modulation with the parameter context-menuRight-clicking or CTRL-clicking on a control brings up the parameter context menu, which contain

56Load to Mod SlotThe TransMod system includes a feature that allows you to load the initial parameter values from a separate preset as the current Tr

577:4 Velocity and Performance controllersVelocity and performance controllers are special cases in DCAM: Synth Squad. They are the default sources fo

587:5 Gateable modulatorsThe term ‘gateable modulators’ in DCAM: Synth Squad refers to LFOs, Ramps and Envelopes. LFOs and Ramps are actually ‘trigger

59EnvelopeAn envelope allows you to shape a sound over time, from its beginning to its end. It is sometimes called a ‘contour’.The Amp Envelope is dir

61: Introduction1:1 Welcome to DCAM: Synth SquadDCAM: Synth Squad at a glanceDCAM: Synth Squad contains 4 individual devices:Strobe• souped-up perform

60LFORate & SyncThe Rate parameter controls the rate or speed of the LFO’s cycle. If the Sync button is enabled, BPM-based units are used. When th

61PW (Pulse Width)Again, you probably won’t have seen a pulse width control on an LFO before. This function changes the curve of each LFO cycle in a s

627:6 Glide, voices and unisonGlideAll the synths in DCAM: Synth Squad feature 2 types of Glide. Pitch (Pitch Glide)The Pitch Glide control sets the g

637:7 Tracking the keyboardPitch keytrackingIt is usually vital to modulate parameters according to the pitch of keyboard input. This type of modulati

647:8 Summary of TransMod sourcesDCAM: Synth Squad features a wide variety of interesting modulation sources to use with TransMod slots (either as sou

65Perf source sub-menuThis sub-menu contains the two performance controllers, shown to the left of the pitch-bend wheel on each synth’s on-screen keyb

66Alt (alternating voice) sourcesThese output a different value for each alternating voice played via the same note on the keyboard. This allows you t

67• MRand2+-Identical to MRand1+- but using pink noise• MRand2+ As above but uni-polar• VMRand1+-A random number per voice, per parameter, that is gen

688: Fusor8:1 What is Fusor?Fusor is a layering and performance environment for any combination of 3 DCAM synth instances. Although it provides a full

69EditToggles visibility of the Edit workspace and page buttonsStatusToggles visibility of the Status displayKeysToggles visibility of the keyboard an

71:2 Shared aspects of all instrumentsDCAM: Discrete Component Analogue ModellingDCAM: Synth Squad has been built by accurately analysing and modellin

708:3 Global pageThe Global page performs several functions:• MIDI input channel routing to various parts of Fusor • Mixing and routing of channels, a

71Synth channelsAux Send LevelsSynth and insert FX controlsEach of the 3 synth channels feature the following:• Synth device & preset pickers • 3

728:4 Input device pagesKey Map pageIn this example, the lower part of the keyboard is mapped to Synth 1, and the upper part is mapped to Synths 2 &am

73MonoMod pageThis page contains Fusor’s additional monophonic modulation sources:• 4 LFOs • 4 envelope followers with hard-wired audio sourcesThese m

748:5 Synth channel pagesEach synth channel features 2 pages:Synth A single instance of Strobe, Cypher or Amber can be launched in each Synth pageFX E

75FX1, FX2 and FX3 pagesFX slot device and preset pickersFuseMod slotsFX slotsFX selectorEach synth channel features 3 insert FX slots. 4 FuseMod slot

768:7 Fusor FX suiteOverviewFX can be used in the following ways in Fusor:• 3 insert FX in each of the 3 synth channels • 3 aux FX with sends from eac

77RingModThis effect is used for radical timbral shifts and experimental effects. It multiplies the input signal with its internal oscillator, the sha

78Breverb Hall Breverb Room Breverb Plate Breverb InverseThe 4 Breverb algorithms, licensed from Overloud Technologies, provide high-end digital rever

79X4-DriveEach band can be set to one of 4 Modes – ‘Diode’, ‘OTA’, ‘OpAmp’ and ‘HalfRect’ – with each offering a different distortion flavour. There is

81:3 Interface basicsLoading presets: preset pickersPreset nameLoad to Mod SlotPreferencesTools menuSave presetPreset browserPrev/Next presetAudio str

808:8 Modulation in FusorFuseModFusor’s modulation system, FuseMod, is very similar in concept to the TransMod system in Strobe, Cypher and Amber. It

81All of these modulation sources operate monophonically since the sources and destination devices throughout Fusor are monophonic in nature.However,

828:9 Animator: global controlsAnimator is Fusor’s built-in step-sequencer and arpeggiator. Many classic analogue synths feature a performance sequenc

83Engine typeEach of the engines can be set to any one of four engine types. The controls available in the engine are dependent on the current engine

84Animator Graph editorThe main ‘LCD’ display in Animator is the Graph editor, which allows you to draw pattern events to use with Animator’s various

85Shift (All modes)Shift values represent offsets from grid divisions – you can use them to make arpeggios and sequences feel less robotic and mechani

868:10 Animator: Arpeggiator engine typeThe Arpeggiator engine type features minimal controls for simple operation. In addition to the controls listed

87Using the Advanced engine type as an arpeggiatorThe Advanced engine type allows more varied and complex arpeggiator behaviour.• You can set the Tri

888:12 Animator: Modulation Sequencer engine typeThe Modulation Sequencer engine type allows you to send sequenced parameter modulation values (set vi

898:13 Animator: Advanced engine typeIntroduction2317654The Advanced engine type offers many features that are not possible in the other engine types.

9Preset browserThe preset browser allows you to browse through presets ‘in-context’.Load presetRefreshPrev/Next presetSearch fieldShow PC panel Categor

90Pattern memoriesEach engine features 12 pattern memories, each of which is a distinct set of Graph lanes, with independent engine and clocking setti

91Trigger ModeThis drop-down menu specifies how the sequencer or arpeggiator pattern is triggered and played. All modes require the Fusor transport to

92Arp/Seq sectionArp. Mode & Oct. RangeThese controls are identical to those in the Arpeggiator and Note Sequencer engine types. See section 8:10

93Advance Oct. First Reverse Oct. FirstThese buttons control how the arpeggiator organises its note queue when multiple octaves are in use (when Oct.

948:14 Fusor signal flowThe following signal flow diagram represents Fusor’s signal flow. FuseMod modulation inputs/outputs are shown where appropriate.

95Appendix 1: Standalone application and plugin usageUsing the synth standalone applicationsThe DCAM: Synth Squad synths and Fusor are provided as sta

96Using DCAM: Synth Squad as RTAS plugins in Digidesign Pro Tools 7.xDCAM: Synth Squad requires Pro Tools 7 or later. For best performance, version 7.

97Using DCAM: Synth Squad as VST or AU plugins in Ableton LiveOn Mac, Ableton Live supports both VST and AU plugins. There is no real difference betwe

98Using DCAM: Synth Squad as VST plugins in SonarLaunching a plugin1. With a project open, use the Insert menu to insert Strobe, Cypher, Amber or Fus

99Potential problemsMissing pluginWindows• You must make sure that your host application is set to use the VST plugins folder to which you installed