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Authorization
Getting Started » Authorization
Omnisphere authorization can be done immediately from any computer connected to the Internet. 1. After instantiating Omnisphere in your host or running the standalone, click the Omnisphere Splash Screen. You will now see the Omnisphere Authorization System…
SE Authorization
Sonic Extensions » SE Authorization
Once you’ve purchased and installed your Sonic Extension(s), you’ll need to authorize Omnisphere to use them. 1. After you’ve installed your Sonic Extension(s), launch Omnisphere. The Splash Screen will show you which Sonic Extensions need to be…
Authorization Troubleshooting
Sonic Extensions » SE Authorization » Authorization Troubleshooting
If you select one of the Sonic Extensions Patches or FX units and see the following Notice, it means that Omnisphere hasn’t yet ben authorized to use it. Follow the steps detailed here on how to authorize your Sonic Extension(s) in Omnisphere. If you are…
Authorization Troubleshooting
Getting Started » Authorization » Authorization Troubleshooting
If you are returned to the Welcome to the Omnisphere Authorization System after reopening the instrument, that means the plug-in did not accept the Response Code and it may have been incorrectly entered. Try authorizing again with the instructions given in the…
Getting Started
Getting Started
Welcome to the Omnisphere Reference Guide! Software 2.8.6c Soundsources v2.6.2c Patches v2.8.2c This Reference Guide is your source for comprehensive information about the functions and features of the Omnisphere system and all its components. Selecting…
Omni TR – Getting Started
Concepts » Omni TR » Omni TR – Getting Started
Omni TR brings Omnisphere’s interactive features closer to the music creation process by letting you create setups and modify sounds very quickly. Your fingers can activate patches, tweak filters, re-mix, bend, and spin amazing performance possibilities from the…
Installation
Getting Started » Installation
Omnisphere can be installed from a USB drive or direct download. The following pages have instructions for performing default and custom installations for both Mac and Windows. Please refer to the Authorization section of this guide for further…
Omni TR Setup and System Requirements
Concepts » Omni TR » Omni TR – Getting Started » Omni TR Setup and System Requirements
System Requirements The Omni TR iPad app requires iOS 4 (or higher) and is compatible up through iOS13 and iPadOS. OmniTR works with Omnisphere 1.5 (or higher) on both macOS and Windows systems (Windows users will need to install Bonjour Printer Services from…
SE Installation
Sonic Extensions » SE Installation
Sonic Extensions are downloadable products available at www.sonicextensions.com for registered Omnisphere 2 users. The following pages contain instructions for installing your Sonic Extension(s) for both macOS and Windows. Refer to the Authorization to make sure…
USB Drive (Win)
Getting Started » Installation » USB Drive (Win)
Follow this set of instructions to install Omnisphere 2 from your USB installation drive to your Windows system. You’ll need over 64GB of free space available on your hard drive in order to install the instrument. NOTE: These screenshots are taken in…
Download (Win)
Getting Started » Installation » Download (Win)
Omnisphere 2 is available as a download for registered users through our Webstore/Techshop. Once you downloaded Omnisphere 2 via the Download Manager, follow this set of instructions to install it on your Windows system. You’ll need roughly 128GB of free space…
Download (Mac)
Getting Started » Installation » Download (Mac)
Omnisphere 2 is available as a download for registered users through our Webstore/Techshop. Once you download Omnisphere 2 via the Download Manager, follow this set of instructions to install it on your Mac system. You’ll need roughly 128GB of free space…
Browser Header
The Browsers » Full Browser Overview » Browser Header
The Full Patch Browser Header contains the Browser Title, the Part selector drop-down menu, a Memory Meter, controls that let you apply filtering options using the Directory Menu, buttons that allow selection of the three browsing modes (Attributes, File…
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…
USB Drive (Mac)
Getting Started » Installation » USB Drive (Mac)
Follow this set of instructions to install Omnisphere 2 from your USB installation drive on to your Mac system. You’ll need over 64GB of free space available on your hard drive in order to install the instrument. NOTE: These screenshots are taken in macOS…
Sharing Projects
Sharing » Sharing Projects
Sharing Projects lets you assign sounds to a specific Project and share them with other users. This method uses the Project features located in the Full Browsers. You can share any combination of Patches, Multis, and User Soundsources with a few simple steps. All the…
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…
Download (Win)
Sonic Extensions » SE Installation » Download (Win)
Sonic Extensions are downloadable products available to registered Omnisphere 2 users through the Sonic Extensions Shop. Once you’ve purchased your Sonic Extension(s), follow these instructions for installation on Windows. The size requirements for each Sonic…
Smart Update
Getting Started » Smart Update
Omnisphere 2 includes our “Smart Update” system which makes it easy to keep your collection of Spectrasonics instruments up to date. This efficient system will automatically compile any needed updates into a single download. Running one installer will get your…
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…
Browser Filters
The Browsers » Mini-Browser Overview » Browser Filters
In Attributes Mode, there are four selectable Browser Filters, which display Category and three context-sensitive Attributes for searches based on the tags that have been added to the sounds. When a Category or an Attribute has been changed from All, the title…
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…
Download (Mac)
Sonic Extensions » SE Installation » Download (Mac)
Sonic Extensions are downloadable products available to registered Omnisphere 2 users through the Sonic Extensions Shop. Once you’ve purchased your Sonic Extension(s), follow these instructions for installation on macOS. The size requirements for each Sonic…
Directory Menu
The Browsers » Operation » Directory Menu
The Directory Menu lets you filter by libraries. Select the Directory Menu down arrow or name display to open the menu. After selecting a Library, only the sounds in that Library will be displayed in the Full or Mini-Browsers. You can further refine the search by…
Results and Info
The Browsers » Mini-Browser Overview » Results and Info
After filtering using Attributes Mode or using Sound Match to find similar sounds, the list of results is displayed in the lower area of the Mini-Browser. Information about the loaded Patch is displayed in the middle area of the Main Page. When this area is…
Browser Filters
The Browsers » Full Browser Overview » Browser Filters
The four-column layout of the Full Browser Filters provides both hierarchical and Attributes-based filtering functions and operates in two distinct modes. In Attributes Mode, the Full Browser Filters display selectable Category and context-sensitive Attributes…
Marking Sounds
The Browsers » Operation » Marking Sounds
Sounds can be marked with two purposes: for sharing them and for adding them to Projects. To mark a sound, shift+click on it in the Browser. The sound will be with highlighted with a pale blue bar and a dot. To unmark a sound, shift+click on it again. To…
Copy Protection FAQs
Legal » Copy Protection FAQs
Do Spectrasonics Virtual Instruments use copy protection? Yes, we have our own system. Once you’ve installed and opened the plug-in, you’ll need to authorize the plug-in on our web site, via your User Account. It’s fast and easy, and you’ll get…
Orb as Mod Source
The Orb » Orb as Mod Source
The Orb can be used as a modulation source. Using the DICE provides interesting and surprising results instantly, however using the Orb as a modulation source gives the user flexibility and full control over the parameters it modulates. The Orb is seamlessly…
Orb as Mod Source
Concepts » Omni TR » The Orb » Orb as Mod Source
The ORB can be used as a modulation source. Using the DICE creates interesting and surprising results instantly, however using the ORB as a modulation source gives the user flexibility and full control over the parameters it modulates. The ORB is seamlessly…
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…
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…
Moving the STEAM Directory
Getting Started » Moving the STEAM Directory
After installation, you might want to move the large STEAM folder directory (containing all the sound files) to a secondary drive in order to free up space on your internal drive. Locating STEAM macOS 10.12 (or later) Select the Go menu at the top of your screen…
Search Field
The Browsers » Operation » Search Field
Click anywhere in the Search Field to enter search text. Press the Enter/Return key to view the filtered results. The Search function will check Names, Tags, Keywords, and even Notes to determine the search results. Selecting Attributes in the Browser Filters…
Support
Support
Many common technical support questions can be answered by checking the related section of this Reference Guide or by logging in and navigating to our Knowledgebase. NOTE: It’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest version of Omnisphere, as we continue to…
Browsing Sounds
Sonic Extensions » Browsing Sounds
Browsing and selecting Sonic Extensions sounds works in the same way it does in Omnisphere. Select a Sonic Extension from the Sonic Extensions Directory. Patches are available for browsing on the left in the Mini-Browser, where you can select them with your…
The Browsers
The Browsers
Omnisphere ships with a large library of sounds, so it requires sophisticated search, filtering and browsing capabilities. The Browsers in Omnisphere were designed to provide an intuitive and convenient way to quickly find exactly what you need from a library…
Omni TR Troubleshooting
Concepts » Omni TR » Omni TR – Getting Started » Omni TR Troubleshooting
If you press the “Connect” button and don’t see your computer in the list, please take the following steps: Check to make sure you have Omnisphere version 1.5 or newer installed on your computer. Check to make sure “Accept Omni TR…
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…
Keyboard
Getting Started » Omnisphere Standalone » Keyboard
The Omnisphere Standalone comes with an optional on-screen keyboard. From the View Menu, select “Keyboard” or hit “Command/Control-K.” The floating Keyboard window opens along the bottom edge of the interface, but it can be moved anywhere on your…
Arpeggiator
Arpeggiator
An arpeggiator receives incoming MIDI notes, and outputs a sequenced pattern of notes based on a defined set of rules. Although similar in concept to a step sequencer, an arpeggiator has a number of differences that set it apart. Like a step sequencer, an…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Setup
Concepts » Satellite Integration » Setup
In order to enable Omnisphere Library Integration, you must have your Satellite Instrument registered in your Spectrasonics account and installed on your system. If you already have Omnisphere on your system, you will be asked to reauthorize it after you have…
Bias
The Layer Pages » Modulation » Bias
Bias is a useful Modulation Source which can be applied to any of Omnisphere’s modulatable targets. Bias has a user-defined “Bias Point” (any key on the keyboard), which can be thought of as a fulcrum from which a linear boost or decrease can be applied above…
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…
Lite Version
The Browsers » Operation » Lite Version
Some of the sounds included in the Omnisphere Factory Library are quite large, and can place a heavy demand on available memory and take a longer time to load. Lite Version is a feature located in the Full Browsers and provides added flexibility when loading…
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…
Mod Matrix Zoom
The Layer Pages » Modulation » Mod Matrix Zoom
Selecting the Zoom icon on the Modulation header will open the MOD MATRIX ZOOM view. This view offers precise control over all of the modulation routings in the Patch. The advantage of this zoom view is that the many routings can be displayed for editing…
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…
Flow Capture
Getting Started » Omnisphere Standalone » Flow Capture
FLOW CAPTURE is a special recording function built into the Omnisphere Standalone app that lets you grab spontaneous musical moments without having to open your DAW. It records audio, MIDI, and .omnisphere formats simultaneously, so it’s perfect for those…
Special Articulations
The Layer Pages » Oscillators » Soundsource Zoom » Special Articulations
There are two types of additional Soundsources loaded in the background that are automatically triggered depending on how a passage is performed. These consist of Release Noise articulations and Legato Soundsources (samples of actual Legato performances).…
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…
Creating a Library
Sharing » Creating a Library
Patch Library To create a Patch Library, first make sure your host is not running, then locate the “Current Categories.zip” file here: Spectrasonics/STEAM/Omnisphere/Settings Library/Patches/Current Categories.zip Before uncompressing the Current…
Interface Conventions
Concepts » Interface Conventions
The Omnisphere interface is designed for all types of users, ranging from composers to performers to sound designers. This chapter explains important interface conventions that will help you get the most out of it.
Gain
The Layer Pages » Filters » Gain
By default the Filter GAIN is set at 0.0db. Changing this control alters the output level of the Filters. E.G. if the Filter is closed down and the tone is dark and low in output, the level can be compensated by using the FILTER GAIN control. More commonly,…
Sharing Sounds
Sharing » Sharing Sounds
When you want to share only one type of sound at a time, (Multis, Patches, or User Soundsources), this is the quickest and simplest method. NOTE: You can share User Soundsources by themselves, without Patches or Multis, but if a Patch or Multi you are sharing employs…
Resonance
The Layer Pages » Filters » Resonance
Resonance is also called ‘Q’ or Emphasis in synthesizers, because it emphasizes the cutoff point of the filter. Resonance can often increase the loudness of the Filter, so its a good idea to use this control along with the Filter Gain, so that audio clipping…
Latency
Performing Live with Omnisphere » Latency
In order to reduce latency (the time between pressing the key and hearing the sound), it’s best to keep your hardware buffer size as low as possible. This is especially true of Patches with sharp transients (attacks), such as piano or other percussive sounds,…
Flex-Mod
The Layer Pages » Modulation » Flex-Mod
Flex-Mod is the quickest way to set up a modulation routing. By right-clicking on the control to be modulated, you’ll get a pop-out menu where you can select “Modulate” and select from the list of available sources. The first group of modulation…
Hard Sync
The Layer Pages » Oscillators » Synth Mode » Hard Sync
HARD SYNC is a feature on some analog synthesizers which gave the timbre a “throaty” diphthong type of sonic characteristic when swept. Hard Sync was popularized on synthesizers like the Prophet 5 and the early Oberheim synthesizers for a more metallic…
Rate
The Layer Pages » LFOs » Rate
The RATE knob controls the speed of the LFO’s cycle and has two modes. These modes depend on the state of the LFO SYNC button. SYNC OFF – The LFO’s rate is not synchronized with the host tempo and the LFO’s rate is measured in Hz. The rate increases as…
Adding Sounds
Sharing » Adding Sounds
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. Files with the extension .omnipshere can be added to…
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…
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.…
Velocity Curve
The Main Page » Velocity Curve
The Velocity Curve allows you to refine and scale the MIDI velocity information coming from your controller as it enters Omnisphere to get the best response for your playing style. Omnisphere has four velocity curve presets available on the Main Page. The first…
Key Tracking
The Layer Pages » Filters » Filter Zoom » Key Tracking
The KEY control on the FILTER ZOOM page is identical to the KEY slider on the LAYER pages. The Filter Key Tracking is a dedicated modulation control. It determines to what extent the cutoff frequency will track the keyboard. The higher the KEY value is set, the…
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,…
Nylon Sky
Sonic Extensions » Extensions » Nylon Sky
This inspiring Sonic Extension is based on the most expressive nylon guitar ever done for Omnisphere — but that’s just the beginning! Nylon Sky combines this extremely deeply-sampled instrument with Omnisphere’s synthesis power and the gorgeous new Sky FX…
BPM Delay
The FX Page » Delays » BPM Delay
The BPM Delay offers a single “true-stereo” delay unit that is always in-sync with the host’s tempo. The feedback and drive controls can produce some cool sounds with the built-in resonant filtering. MINI-SLIDER Controls the mix of the dry signal and…
Unclean Machine
Sonic Extensions » Extensions » Unclean Machine
Get ready for the ultimate LO-FI experience! After the wild success of the “Retroland” category in Omnisphere with producers, we decided it was time to develop an entire Sonic Extension dedicated to these iconic sounds. With the ultra-vibey new Unclean FX and a…
BPM Delay X2
The FX Page » Delays » BPM Delay X2
The BPM Delay X2 offers dual monoaural delays that are always synchronized to the host’s tempo. The feedback and drive controls can produce some cool sounds with the built-in resonant filtering. MINI-SLIDER Controls the mix of the dry signal and the…
BPM Delay X3
The FX Page » Delays » BPM Delay X3
The BPM Delay X3 offers triple LCR mono delays that are always synchronized to the host’s tempo. The feedback and drive controls can produce some cool sounds with the built-in resonant filtering. MINI-SLIDER Controls the mix of the dry signal and the processed…
Radio Delay
The FX Page » Delays » Radio Delay
Radio Delay is essentially a hybrid of a dual-mono BPM-style delay, but with the delayed signals running through the Valve Radio distortion filter. This produces cool, dual-filtered echo effects that sound like they are coming from distorted old speakers or…
Grain Controls
The Layer Pages » Oscillators » Oscillator Zoom » Granular » Grain Controls
GRAIN DEPTH Moving this slider to the right increases the number of grains which are created from the Soundsource. The higher the number of grains, the higher the demand on the CPU. Excellent results can usually be obtained without using a lot of GRAIN DEPTH, so…
Importing User Audio
User Audio » Importing User Audio
Omnisphere allows you to import your own audio to use as Soundsources and to create your own Patches and Multis. You can process and manipulate your own audio in creative ways using Omnisphere’s powerful synthesis capabilities. You might want to import a…
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…
Wavetables
The Layer Pages » Oscillators » Synth Mode » Wavetables
Click the down-arrow to the left of the Waveform display to reveal a drop-down menu listing Omnisphere’s DSP wavetables. There are over 500 wavetables in Omnisphere and they are listed in the directories below. Use the SHAPE slider to get an idea of the sonic…
Sampling/Trademark FAQs
Legal » Sampling/Trademark FAQs
The purpose of this document is to clear up any confusion regarding the sampling of Spectrasonics Virtual Instruments. We get a lot of questions about this topic from other sound designers, so we’d like to make sure our policies are clear and upfront. The…
Frequency Modulation
The Layer Pages » Oscillators » Oscillator Zoom » Frequency Modulation
FM stands for Frequency Modulation. FM has been a feature on synthesizers since the 1960s, but it became mainstream in the 1980s with Yamaha’s DX/TX series of digital synthesizers. It was well-known for producing glassy, metallic, and other harmonically complex…
Ring Modulation
The Layer Pages » Oscillators » Oscillator Zoom » Ring Modulation
RING is short for Ring Modulation, which is similar in concept to FM (and the parameters are exactly the same as those in the FM sub-page). In Ring Modulation the frequencies of both oscillators are multiplied, which changes their overall…
Step Modifiers
Arpeggiator » Step Modifiers
Step Modifiers are powerful, flexible tools that add specific behaviors to any Step, allowing you to create complex and creative Patterns. Click on the square pane above each Step to reveal the Step Modifier menu, then make a selection from the 5 fly-out…
Main
The Layer Pages » Oscillators » Oscillator Zoom » Main
The Main OSCILLATOR ZOOM Sub-Page contains many of the controls already present in the Layer Page, with some additions and a different layout. Some of the controls will change depending on the selected Oscillator mode. TRANSPOSE TRANSPOSE works like MIDI…
