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Concepts
Concepts
Omnisphere has been designed to accommodate a wide range of operations, from basic interaction with Factory Patches to comprehensive and complex sound design. The Omnisphere interface provides an intuitive workflow which offers all the depth and flexibility you…
MIDI Learn Concepts
Concepts » MIDI Learn and Automation » MIDI Learn Concepts
MIDI Learn is an immensely powerful feature that allows you to remote control virtually any on-screen parameter (including FX menu selections) with a MIDI controller. It is a very flexible system that can adapt to the MIDI device you use and allows changes made to…
Architecture and Hierarchy
Concepts » Architecture and Hierarchy
Omnisphere is a uniquely powerful synthesizer that takes well-known elements of synthesis a step further to provide inspiration for any level of musician, producer, composer, or sound designer. Omnisphere can quickly provide production-ready sounds with its factory…
The Mixer
The Mixer
The MIXER page provides a complete overview of all the Parts in a MULTI. All eight Parts are displayed in a traditional eight-channel mixer layout, with each Part having the following adjustable settings: MIDI Channel Output Channel MUTE and SOLO Patch Name…
Sonic Extensions FX
The FX Page » Sonic Extensions FX
Each Sonic Extension includes two ultra high-quality custom FX units designed and created by Spectrasonics specifically for that Extension. However, Sonic Extension FX are not limited to the Sonic Extension for which they were built. They can be applied to ANY…
Sonic Extension Effects
Sonic Extensions » Sonic Extension Effects
Each Sonic Extension includes two ultra high-quality custom FX units designed and created by Spectrasonics specifically for that Extension. However, Sonic Extension FX are not limited to the Sonic Extension for which they were built. They can be applied to ANY…
Mixer and Jumbo Views
Live Mode » Mixer and Jumbo Views
When Mixer View is selected, this area displays the basic mixer controls for each of the eight Parts. In addition to Level, Mute, and Solo, there is a Folder icon to access the Patch Browser, Latch and Trigger selectors, the Settings Zoom icon, and the Stop All…
Host Automation
Concepts » MIDI Learn and Automation » Host Automation
All MIDI-Learnable parameters in Omnisphere can also be automated using the Host Automation feature. Each host handles Host Automation differently, so it’s important to understand how your specific software will interact with Omnisphere. Enabling Host Automation…
Sync
The Layer Pages » LFOs » Sync
The SYNC switch determines how the LFO rate behaves. When SYNC is enabled, the LFO rate is locked to the host’s tempo and the values assigned to the RATE knob will change. Instead of displaying a value in Hz, the values are displayed in rhythmic values. See the…
Pitch Options
System » Pitch Options
Master Tune This is Omnisphere’s selectable Master Tune parameter. Any tuning change you make in Master Tune will affect all other tuning settings in the instrument. Global sets the master frequency for all Patches and/or Multis. Multi allows you to save a…
The FX Page
The FX Page
Effects are an important part of Omnisphere’s sound palette, and are used to enhance the sonic character of Patches and Multis. They can add space, density, movement, alter the timbre, and shape the sound in many interesting ways. The high-quality, built-in FX…
Using Multis
Performing Live with Omnisphere » Using Multis
If your live gig is relatively straightforward and you don’t need to change Patches frequently, loading one Patch at a time remotely is often the simplest way to go. However, if you anticipate needing more sounds or you just want to have options to switch…
Multis
Concepts » Architecture and Hierarchy » Multis
A Multi is comprised of all eight Parts, four Aux FX Racks, a Master FX Rack and a Master Mixer. It also includes any Live Mode and Stack Mode settings, and all MIDI Learn assignments. Therefore, saving a Multi is saving the entire state of the instrument for…
Importing .tun Files
The Main Page » Importing .tun Files
We’ve made it simple to import your own .tun scale files into Omnisphere. Here’s how: 1. Create a User folder in the Tuning File folder located here: MacOS HD/Users/Username/Library/Application Support/Spectrasonics/STEAM/Omnisphere/Settings…
Parts and Patches
Concepts » Architecture and Hierarchy » Parts and Patches
In Omnisphere, a Part can be thought of as an entire synthesizer, complete a multitude of parameters: oscillators, modulation routings, FX etc. A Patch is a snapshot of settings for those parameters and is loaded into a Part. A Patch is the most commonly used type…
Performance Optimzation
Concepts » Performance Optimzation
The vast majority of Omnisphere Patches will play comfortably within your host, without over-stressing the computer’s CPU or memory. However some Patches employ sophisticated effects or large numbers of streamed samples, and those may require special attention.…
Clear, Save, Copy, and Paste
Concepts » The Header » Utility Menu » Clear, Save, Copy, and Paste
The Utility Menu provides options to Initialize or Clear Multis, Patches and Layers, and to Save Multis and Patches. There are also functions that allow Part and Layer settings to be copied and pasted. Initialize vs. Clear (Multi, Patch, and Layer) When you…
FAQ
User Audio » FAQ
Can I import my mp3 files? No. Omnisphere supports only standard stereo or mono PCM, .wav, and aif files. See USER AUDIO – Audio File Properties for more info. Can I rename the files, once they are imported? You can create, rename, move, or delete…
Satellite Integration
Concepts » Satellite Integration
Omnisphere 2 can fully integrate Trilian and Keyscape as Satellite instruments within the Omnisphere® interface. Not only is it a significant expansion of new Patches and Soundsources, this capability allows Omnisphere 2 users to harness and apply the full…
Parameter Values
Concepts » Interface Conventions » Parameter Values
Adjusting Knobs and Sliders will display their current setting or value in a floating display above the controls. Holding down the SHIFT key while adjusting Knobs and Sliders allows for more precise adjustments. Enter Parameter Value Precise settings can be…
Amplifiers
The FX Page » Amplifiers
Omnisphere includes nine amplifier models for unique sonic coloration. From clean, bell-like tones and fat, classic tube distortion, to sounds you can only get from the cheesiest transistor radio…
Knobs and Sliders
Concepts » Interface Conventions » Knobs and Sliders
Using a mouse, Knobs and Sliders (vertical and horizontal) are adjusted by clicking and dragging. Most Knobs and Sliders in Omnisphere can be MIDI-Learned for direct control from a MIDI device. Knobs NOTE: Knobs are controlled by vertical (up and down) or…
Switches
Concepts » Interface Conventions » Switches
Switches let you toggle certain parameters ON/OFF or switch between multiple options. When a parameter is enabled or selected, the switch will be highlighted. For example on the Layer Pages, switches toggle between SAMPLE Mode and SYNTH Mode, toggle LFO Sync ON/OFF, or…
Drop-Down Menus
Concepts » Interface Conventions » Drop-Down Menus
A downward facing arrow indicates that a drop-down menu is available. There are numerous drop-down menus in the Omnisphere interface, which provide access to settings, Presets, MIDI Learn, Automation, and other functions.
The Main Page
The Main Page
The Main Page can be considered Omnisphere’s “dashboard.” It allows quick changes to the Patch that has been loaded and there are useful performance controls that appear here exclusively. The parameter controls in the MAIN page affect the…
Loading Third-Party Libraries
The Browsers » Loading Third-Party Libraries
The most convenient method for sharing and/or adding third-party sounds is through the use of .omnisphere files (see Sharing), which contain all Patches and Soundsources being shared, as well as additional organization and information by the developer. If your…
Reset Defaults and Preferences
Concepts » The Header » Utility Menu » Reset Defaults and Preferences
The Utility Menu lets you perform a “factory reset” by selecting “Reset Defaults and Preferences.” After selecting this option, a message will be displayed, warning you that this action will overwrite your default Multi and User Preferences. A…
Buttons
Concepts » Interface Conventions » Buttons
Buttons are used for choosing sections or selecting from among multiples of a single type. When selected, buttons will be highlighted in blue. For example, there are 8 LFO buttons. When one of them is highlighted it means it is selected, and that LFO’s settings are…
Browsing Sounds
Concepts » Satellite Integration » Browsing Sounds
While Trilian’s browser operates in the same manner as the browser in Omnisphere, Keyscape’s Patch organization is slightly different. When opening Keyscape sounds in Omnisphere, the sounds are presented in a manner that conforms to Omnisphere’s Patch…
Dual Live Mode
Live Mode » Dual Live Mode
Dual Live Mode is designed to be used with two independent MIDI controllers. It divides the eight Parts into two sets of four (Parts 1~4 and Parts 5~8) and each set can receive MIDI messages on its own MIDI channel. Activating Dual Live Mode To activate Dual Live…
Utility Menu
Concepts » The Header » Utility Menu
The Utility Menu is located in the upper left-hand corner of the Header and gives you access to some of Omnisphere’s fundamental functionality. This menu contains a MIDI Learn and Automation sub-menu as well as Undo/Redo commands. Here, you can Save, Clear,…
Hardware Profiles Menu
Concepts » The Header » Hardware Profiles Menu
Clicking on the HW Menu button to the left of the Multi Name Display reveals the Hardware Profiles Menu. From here, you may select or deactivate any of the Hardware Profiles, as well as Save User Tweaks and Restore Factory Defaults, save your changes to the…
Loading Satellite Sounds
The Browsers » Loading Satellite Sounds
One of the powerful features of Omnisphere is Library Integration. If you also have Keyscape and/or Trilian installed, the libraries for those satellite instruments will appear in the Browser DIRECTORY menu along with your other Omnisphere libraries. The…
MIDI Learn
Concepts » The Header » MIDI Learn
The Utility Menu provides the MIDI Learn and Automation options that apply to the entire plug-in. These include MIDI Learn Templates, Unlearn All, and access to a ‘Current Assignments’ Report. See the MIDI Learn & Automation section for…
Live / Stack Mode Indicators
Concepts » The Header » Live / Stack Mode Indicators
When either LIVE MODE or STACK MODE is enabled, you’ll see the respective label displayed on the left side of the Omnisphere header.
Publishing a Library
Sharing » Publishing a Library
The Publish Library feature was created for third-party developers of Omnisphere Libraries. It allows developers to easily export or “publish” a library of tagged and categorized Multis, Patches, any associated Soundsources, and custom images in a single…
Save as Default Multi
Concepts » The Header » Utility Menu » Save as Default Multi
Saving a Multi preserves the entire state of the plug-in for future recall. A Multi stores all of the settings from the MIXER page, the Multi FX, the LIVE MODE and STACK MODE pages, all MIDI Learn & Automation assignments, as well as all of the settings (including…
Using Satellite Instruments
Concepts » Satellite Integration » Using Satellite Instruments
Keyscape’s keyboards and Trilian’s basses come equipped with controls that permit you to modify them in many creative ways . For those who want to delve even deeper, users can open any of the sounds from the Keyscape and Trilian libraries inside our flagship…
Magnify Window
Concepts » The Header » Utility Menu » Magnify Window
Omnisphere’s interface can be enlarged to accommodate different screen resolutions. Choose your preferred size in the Utility Menu / Magnify Window sub-menu: Magnify Window 0.8x – Scaled down to 80% Magnify Window 0.9x – Scaled down to…
Zoom Icon Buttons
Concepts » Interface Conventions » Zoom Icon Buttons
One of the features of Omnisphere’s interface design is that it only reveals its depth and complexity on an as-needed basis. The Zoom Icon Buttons provide access to Zoom Views, where you can view expanded information or interact with Omnisphere’s more…
Sample Mode / Soundsources
Concepts » Architecture and Hierarchy » Oscillators » Sample Mode / Soundsources
Soundsources allow Omnisphere’s signal path to begin with sampled sounds instead of DSP waveforms. Soundsources are based on a ‘map’ of audio samples stored in the Core Library of Omnisphere in Spectrasonics’ proprietary STEAM format. A Soundsource can be…
MIDI Learn and Automation
Concepts » MIDI Learn and Automation
Understanding Parameter Control There are three ways to control parameters in Omnisphere: Modulation, MIDI Learn, and Automation. Deciding which type of Parameter Control to use depends on a number of factors including which host you use, which parameters you…
Using Omni TR
Performing Live with Omnisphere » Using Omni TR
OMNI TR turns an iPad into a performance-oriented, remote control surface for Omnisphere. It is particularly useful when using Multis in LIVE MODE since with OMNI TR you can remotely select which parts to play using the iPad multi-touch screen—an excellent way to…
Parameter and Browser Scrolling
Concepts » Interface Conventions » Parameter and Browser Scrolling
Omnisphere lets you adjust parameters by scrolling with your mouse, trackball, trackpad, or Windows MultiTouch when the cursor hovers over any scroll bar, knob, slider, menu, or browser.
Master Volume Control
Concepts » The Header » Master Volume Control
The Master Volume slider controls the output of the entire plug-in and includes a meter, providing a reference to the output signal. Range -inf dB to 9.54 dB
Indicator Switches
Concepts » Interface Conventions » Indicator Switches
The Indicator Switch LEDs found below the Page buttons can be both status indicators and toggles. The blue LEDs below ORB, A, B, C, D, and ARP indicate whether the feature is enabled or not, and double as a toggle to enable/disable them. The LED below MAIN…
Scenes
Sonic Extensions » Scenes
Scenes are a unique feature found only in Sonic Extensions — they are part of every Custom Control layout. A Scene is a snapshot of the Custom Controls and therefore a unique sound in itself. Every Sonic Extensions Patch has five factory Scenes. Depending on the…
Up/Down Steppers
Concepts » Interface Conventions » Up/Down Steppers
Steppers (up/down arrows) are located throughout the Omnisphere interface, and are used to step through values or load saved settings, incrementing or decrementing one at a time. In the picture above, clicking the arrows will step through the different LFO…
QuickStart
Getting Started » QuickStart
This QuickStart provides an overview of the essential things you’ill need to know in order to get started using Omnisphere. Omnisphere is a powerful software instrument and can be run as a standalone application or hosted in any software DAW. Omnisphere…
Navigation Buttons
Concepts » The Header » Navigation Buttons
The Navigation Buttons in the header are used to select and view any of the eight Parts, the Multi Section, or the System Page. Only one button can be selected at a time. Part Select Buttons (1 ~ 8) Buttons 1–8 are Part Select Buttons. Selecting a Part lets…
Aux Sends
The Mixer » Aux Sends
Each of the four Aux Sends has its own FX Rack (accessed by selecting the FX Button at the top of the MIXER). The AUX1–AUX4 knobs let you control the amount of FX applied to the Part. NOTE: The Aux Sends FX are shared by all 8 Parts in the MULTI. Please see the…
Recording
The Orb » Recording
The Orb’s movements, whether manual or INERTIA-based, can be captured with the Orb’s built-in recorder. These movements can be saved as part of the Patch. This simple feature adds a dynamic quality to a sound that is unique and quite difficult to…
Folder Icon Buttons
Concepts » Interface Conventions » Folder Icon Buttons
Besides the Mini-Browser, there are three Full Browsers built into Omnisphere, one each for Multis, Patches, and Soundsources. All three Full Browsers have identical functions, but access different parts of the Core Library. Anywhere that you see a Folder icon,…
Contextual Menus
Concepts » Interface Conventions » Contextual Menus
Contextual Menus are an important part of the Omnisphere interface, and provide convenient access to many important functions. Right/Control-clicking almost anywhere in the Omnisphere interface will bring up a contextual menu. The contents of the menu will depend…
Install .omnisphere
Concepts » The Header » Utility Menu » Install .omnisphere
Adding sounds to your library that have been Shared by other Omnisphere users is simple! Omnisphere sounds that have been shared using the Sharing feature are conveniently collected into a single .omnisphere file, which can be added to your library in a single…
The Orb
The Orb
The innovative Orb feature is both a remarkable sound manipulation tool and an intuitive performance interface—it can be thought of as a “circular controller.” With a single click of the mouse, it is possible to instantly manipulate a sound in a…
Full Browser Overview
The Browsers » Full Browser Overview
NOTE: When using Satellite Instruments inside Omnisphere, its Soundsources, Patches, and Multis will also display unique images which identify the instrument or feel of the selected sound. When you open a Keyscape or Trilian Patch in Omnisphere, the Custom…
Multi Display
Concepts » The Header » Multi Display
This part of the Header contains the Multi Name Display, Multi Steppers, and a Folder icon for access to the Multi Browser. Selecting the Folder icon, or anywhere inside the Multi Name Display, will open the Multi Browser. After a MULTI has been loaded, the name of…
Layers
Concepts » Architecture and Hierarchy » Layers
Omnisphere’s Layer pages are where the majority of sound design and editing decisions are made. Each Layer has an independent set of synthesis controls that will only affect the individual Layer. These include oscillator selection, a dual-filter section,…
Synth Mode / DSP
Concepts » Architecture and Hierarchy » Oscillators » Synth Mode / DSP
Synth Mode employs your computer’s processor through the use of DSP (Digital Signal Processing) to synthesize wavetables in real-time. A wavetable is a collection of single-cycle waveforms that can be swept through smoothly (using the Shape slider), creating…
Modifier Keys
Concepts » Interface Conventions » Modifier Keys
There are a number of Omnisphere functions that are modified by combining a mouse-click (or click and drag) with one of three Key Modifiers: the Command/Control key, Shift key, or the Option/Alt key. In the manual these are referred to as: Control-Click (Mac…
Mute and Solo
The Mixer » Mute and Solo
Mute Selecting the M Button mutes the audio output for that Part. However, the Part is still playing in the background when muted, and will continue to use CPU resources. Solo Selecting the S Button will Solo a Part. When the Solo button is selected, only that…
Custom Controls
Sonic Extensions » Custom Controls
Two of the main advantages of Sonic Extensions Patches are Custom Controls and Scenes. Custom Controls Exclusive to Sonic Extensions, Custom Controls allow for quick sound customization from a single page. Each Sonic Extensions Patch has a unique layout that…
Save User Tweaks
Hardware Synth Integration » Save User Tweaks
When you load a HW profile, Omnisphere is instantly set up to perform a large number of sophisticated actions with the touch of a knob. You might be using your hardware synth to instantiate Omnisphere effects, create modulation routings, control multiple scaled…
Link Omnisphere GUI
Hardware Synth Integration » Link Omnisphere GUI
When a Hardware Profile is loaded, Omnisphere follows your moves on the hardware synth by automatically switching to the relevant page. If you adjust the envelope on the hardware synth, Omnisphere will display that envelope’s zoom page. If you adjust an…
Oscillators
Concepts » Architecture and Hierarchy » Oscillators
An oscillator can be thought of as the smallest building block of a sound and the best place to start when creating a new Patch from scratch in Omnisphere. The signal path of Omnisphere starts with its oscillators, so oscillator settings will affect all of the…
Sonic Extensions
Sonic Extensions
Sonic Extensions is a completely new experience for Omnisphere — an innovative brand of products built by Spectrasonics. Available as an optional purchase, each Sonic Extension focuses on a specific aesthetic with a unique interface, a vast array of stunning,…
Reference Guide
Concepts » The Header » Utility Menu » Reference Guide
Selecting this option from the Utility Menu will open the online Omnisphere Reference Guide. The Reference Guide will be displayed using your default Web Browser. If you’d like to hide the Table of Contents sidebar in order to display any of the images in a…
The Header
Concepts » The Header
The top area of the Omnisphere interface is the Header. The Header is visible from any page in Omnisphere (except when any Full Browser is open) and is the primary navigation area of the interface. The Header contains the Utility Menu, Multi Information, (including…
Sonic Extensions
Concepts » Sonic Extensions
Sonic Extensions is a completely new experience for Omnisphere — an innovative brand of products built by Spectrasonics. Available as an optional purchase, each Sonic Extension focuses on a specific aesthetic with a unique interface, a vast array of stunning,…
MIDI Learn Menus
Concepts » MIDI Learn and Automation » MIDI Learn Menus
The MIDI Learn Menu provides MIDI Learn options that affect the entire plug-in. It is accessed via the Utility Menu or by Right/Control-clicking any empty area of the Omnisphere interface. MIDI Learn Template All MIDI Learn and Automation assignments are saved…
STEAM Engine
Concepts » STEAM Engine
The STEAM Engine® is the core technology created by the Spectrasonics in-house development team, and is used as the basis of all Spectrasonics performance instruments, including Omnisphere, Keyscape, and Trilian. Like our core S.A.G.E. technology, used for…
Browser Filters
The Browsers » Operation » Browser Filters
In the Full Browser, the filters can be used in two modes: Attributes and File Directory. When using the Mini-Browser, only Attributes Mode is available. NOTE: Selecting Sound Match hides the browser filters and automatically finds sounds similar to the one that is…
Miscellaneous
System » Miscellaneous
This area provides global options for the instrument’s Startup Page, Round Robin settings, and preferences for how the Layers behave in the interface. Startup Page Preference Omnisphere’s default startup page is the Main Page. This menu allows you to select…
Scale
The Main Page » Scale
One of Omnisphere’s versatile features is its ability to utilize different tunings including historical temperaments, microtonal and kalimba scales, as well as user-created temperaments. Omnisphere can import any .TUN scale file. Each Part can have a single…
Selecting Parts
Live Mode » Selecting Parts
To get the most out of LIVE MODE, it can often be more convenient to switch Parts by other means than the mouse — via Windows Multitouch, by MIDI-Learning the Part switches, or by using Omni TR our remote control app for the iPad . To MIDI-Learn a Part,…
Mixer Controls
Live Mode » Mixer Controls
Displays the basic Mixer Controls for each of the eight Parts, and includes a Mute button, Solo button, a Level slider, and a Folder icon to access the Patch Browser. Any changes made using the Mixer Controls on the LIVE MODE page will be reflected on the MIXER…
FX Descriptions
The FX Page » FX Descriptions
There are 58 different professional-quality internal FX Units to choose from in Omnisphere (which can be expanded up to 66 via Sonic Extensions). For more detailed descriptions of the controls and operation, please click on the FX Unit names. DYNAMICS Tube…
Displaying and Navigating Results
The Browsers » Operation » Displaying and Navigating Results
There are numerous options available for navigating through the sounds and changing how they are organized and displayed. These tools let you sort sounds in various ways, and because there are many thousands of sounds to explore, these controls help you delve deeper…
Browser Footer
The Browsers » Mini-Browser Overview » Browser Footer
The Mini-Browser footer provides additional sorting options, a Shuffle button, Up/Down stepper arrows, and an Audition button. Mini-Browser Up/Down Arrow Keys When enabled you can use the arrow keys in your ASCII keyboard to step through Patches or Multis in…
Settings Zoom
Live Mode » Settings Zoom
The SETTINGS page allows the configuration of LIVE MODE parameters. These include the Part selection methods LIVE MODE responds to, as well as settings for MIDI Channel, Modes, and Display Formats. Settings in DUAL LIVE MODE When Dual Live Mode is enabled, the…
Optimizing Performance
Performing Live with Omnisphere » Optimizing Performance
The vast majority of Omnisphere Patches will play comfortably in your host, without over-stressing the computer’s CPU or memory. However, certain Patches employ more sophisticated effects or large numbers of streamed samples, and those may require special…
