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Hardware Synth Integration
Hardware Synth Integration
Hardware Synth Integration transforms popular hardware synthesizers into hands-on controllers for Omnisphere’s extensive synthesis capabilities. Bridging the gap between software and hardware, this feature allows users to create and modify Omnisphere sounds in…
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 Hardware Profiles
Hardware Synth Integration » Loading Hardware Profiles
You can access Omnisphere’s list of Hardware Profiles by clicking on HW button in the header. From the drop-down menu, select the hardware synth you want to use to control Omnisphere. When a profile is selected from the HW Menu, the HW menu button is…
Using Hardware Synth Integration Live
Performing Live with Omnisphere » Using Hardware Synth Integration Live
One of the great things about using a hardware synth on a live gig is that you can reach for a knob and tweak the sounds in real time. If your live setup includes one of the hardware synths we support, you can use it to control Omnisphere by using Hardware Synth…
Synth Mode
The Layer Pages » Oscillators » Synth Mode
When the OSCILLATOR is in Synth Mode, Omnisphere uses DSP wavetables generated in real-time by the STEAM engine. A wavetable is a collection of single-cycle waveforms that can be swept through smoothly (using the SHAPE slider), creating dynamic timbral changes.…
Synth Controls
The Layer Pages » Oscillators » Oscillator Zoom » Harmonia » Synth Controls
. When the OSCILLATOR is set to SYNTH mode, all of the HARMONIA features in SAMPLE mode are available, as well as a second set of options that are unique to SYNTH mode. This special set of controls allows independent waveform control over each HARMONIA voice.…
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…
Supported Hardware Synths
Hardware Synth Integration » Supported Hardware Synths
These are the models currently supported by Omnisphere’s Hardware Synth Integration. Access Virus A Access Virus B Access Virus C Access Virus Indigo 1 Access Virus Indigo 2 Access Virus T1 Alesis Andromeda A6 Behringer DeepMind Sequential…
What is a Hardware Profile?
Hardware Synth Integration » What is a Hardware Profile?
Omnisphere Hardware Profiles convert the supported hardware synths into hands-on controllers for Omnisphere. When a Hardware Profile is loaded, Omnisphere is instantly linked to that hardware synth. By translating MIDI messages from the hardware, it triggers…
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…
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…
Performing Live with Omnisphere
Performing Live with Omnisphere
Bringing Omnisphere to the gig lets you bring your favorite studio sounds into the live performance arena. With today’s fast laptops and by using either our standalone application or instantiating Omnisphere as a plug-in inside your DAW of choice, you’ll…
Patch Browser Categories
The Browsers » Patch Browser Categories
Omnisphere includes thousands of Factory Patches, so having a basic understanding of how Patches are organized is essential to navigating the Patch Browser efficiently. Here are descriptions of the kinds of sounds in each Factory Patch Category: ARP + BPM ARP +…
Oscillators
The Layer Pages » Oscillators
The Oscillator is the heart of Omnisphere’s vast synthesis capabilities. It has a “split-personality” since each of the 4 Layers’ Oscillators can have either high-definition, streaming sample-playback or dynamic, real-time, DSP-generated…
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…
Signal Path
The Main Page » Signal Path
Whether you are using hardware or software, the path through which an audio signal travels defines its characteristics. The SIGNAL PATH menu presents two options: Normal and Shared. Normal In Normal Mode, the signal paths of each of the four Layers are…
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…
Modulation Targets
The Layer Pages » Modulation » Modulation Targets
A Modulation Target is a parameter that can be controlled by a source. Target is another word for Destination. Omnisphere has an extensive set of nearly 100 different Modulation Targets. They are grouped in six categories: Oscillator Pitch Coarse – The…
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…
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…
Unison
The Layer Pages » Oscillators » Oscillator Zoom » Unison
In vintage analog polyphonic synthesizers, Unison was used to trigger all of the voices cards of the synthesizer at the same time for a rich, detuned, monophonic sound. Omnisphere takes Unison to the next level by offering polyphonic Unison, with numerous…
Phase
The Layer Pages » Oscillators » Synth Mode » Phase
The PHASE control will have an audible effect ONLY when it is combined with another Layer, as phase changes can only be perceived as a reaction between two audio signals. The best way to understand the PHASE control is to set up a SYNTH sound on Layer A (with the…
Stack Mode Note Regions
Live Mode » Stack Mode Note Regions
Omnisphere allows the Part-splitting, layering, and fading features of STACK MODE to be used in combination with LIVE MODE. There are times in live performance when splits are desired and you need to switch instantly between Parts. This can be achieved by clicking…
Shape
The Layer Pages » Oscillators » Synth Mode » Shape
The SHAPE control is unique to the SYNTH Oscillator in Omnisphere. Moving this slider sweeps through the waveforms on the selected wavetable, and depending on the wavetable, can create subtle or dramatic changes. The waveform display will dynamically change as the…
User Audio
User Audio
Omnisphere is an extremely powerful synthesizer that allows you to import your own audio to use as Soundsources for the creation of your own Patches and Multis. This lets you creatively morph, meld, and mangle your own audio the same way you can with the included…
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…
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…
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).…
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…
Waveforms
The Layer Pages » LFOs » Waveforms
Each of Omnisphere’s LFOs can have its own waveshape. There are nine available LFO waveforms. Sine – A smooth c-shape that begins positive and then curves negative and back again. Useful for sweeps and vibrato. Triangle – A…
Attributes
The Browsers » Edit Tags » Attributes
ATTRIBUTE TYPES All of Omnisphere’s factory sounds have at least three ATTRIBUTE TYPES assigned to them, and can have up to eight ATTRIBUTE TYPES. Each ATTRIBUTE TYPE can have multiple ATTRIBUTE ASSIGNMENTS. Required & Optional Types There are two kinds of…
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…
Selecting, Linking, and Soloing Layers
The Layer Pages » Layer Page Basics » Selecting, Linking, and Soloing Layers
Selecting Layers To select a Layer and bring its controls into focus, (even if more than one Layer is ON—indicated by LEDs under the Layer tabs or highlighted Layer Selection buttons in the Footer—click on the desired Layer tab or Layer Selection button. …
Omni TR
Concepts » Omni TR
The Omni TR (Touch Remote) iPad app uses the tactile advantages of the iPad as a performance-oriented touch surface—creating a true hands-on experience for musicians. One of the big differences between software and hardware synths is the hands-on aspect-the…
Trigger Mode
Stack Mode » Latch and Trigger Modes » Trigger Mode
Trigger Modes control the playback timing of incoming MIDI notes, providing real-time quantization as those notes are played. When the STACK MODE page is open, you can access the Trigger Mode settings for a Part by Right/Control-clicking on the Part Region. …
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,…
Dynamics
The FX Page » Dynamics
Omnisphere includes seven dynamics processors, modeled on the finest studio hardware from the past 6 decades. These units provide precise dynamic control, as well as a variety of sonic colors. Tube Limiter Tape Slammer Modern…
Latch Mode
Stack Mode » Latch and Trigger Modes » Latch Mode
When Latch Mode is enabled for a Part, repeatedly playing a note will toggle the note ON / OFF. When it is toggled ON, the note will continue to sustain, even if the note is released. Playing the same note again will toggle it OFF. When the STACK MODE page is…
Sounds License Agreement
Legal » Sounds License Agreement
Spectrasonics instruments come with two License Agreements, one for the software itself and another covering usage of the sounds. Below is an example of our standard Sound License Agreement. We encourage potential users to see the Licensing FAQs section which answers…
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…
CC Mode
Stack Mode » Operation Modes » CC Mode
When CC Mode is selected, Part Regions can be switched or cross-faded using MIDI Control Change messages from a MIDI hardware slider, knob, or wheel. Each Region can be mapped to specific values across the MIDI CC’s range. The MIDI CC number that STACK MODE uses is…
Latch Mode
Live Mode » Latch and Trigger Modes » Latch Mode
When Latch Mode is enabled for a Part, repeatedly playing a note will toggle the note ON/OFF. When it is toggled ON, the note will continue to sustain, even if the note is released. Playing the same note again will toggle it OFF. NOTE: Any latched notes will stop…
Legal
Legal
The following answers to common questions about our Licensing and Copy Protection policies apply to licensed Spectrasonics users: What are the basic principles of the standard license agreement? Single-user music production/performance: Allowed Multiple users: Not…
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…
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…
Remote Loading of Sounds
The Browsers » Operation » Remote Loading of Sounds
Loading sounds remotely can be very handy in live and studio situations. In addition to using Omni TR, you can achieve this by using any MIDI controller. This section will cover how to do it via MIDI using a variety of messages: Program Changes, Continuous…
Seismic Verb
The FX Page » Sonic Extensions FX » Seismic Verb
Included with Seismic Shock, Seismic Verb is definitely NOT your average reverb! It combines unique algorithms with extreme compression techniques for awe-inspiring results. With a crazy range – from punchy overtones to massive detuned tails – it’s also…
Seismic Verb
Sonic Extensions » Sonic Extension Effects » Seismic Verb
Included with Seismic Shock, Seismic Verb is definitely NOT your average reverb! It combines unique algorithms with extreme compression techniques for awe-inspiring results. With a crazy range – from punchy overtones to massive detuned tails – it’s also…
Live Mode
Live Mode
LIVE MODE is a powerful feature that allows you to switch and layer Patches seamlessly. LIVE MODE was designed for use in a live performance environment, but is also an inspiring way to interact with the sounds of Omnisphere in composition and production…
Remote Loading of Patches and Multis
Performing Live with Omnisphere » Remote Loading of Patches and Multis
Loading sounds remotely can be very handy in live situations and with Omnisphere, you can do this using any MIDI controller. Since Omnisphere’s Browser is MIDI-Learnable, you can have as many Patches or Multis available to you at a gig as you need. NOTE:…
Glossary
Glossary
Audio Unit Apple introduced the Audio Unit (AU) plug-in specification in MacOS. Since this plug-in standard is native to MacOS—and not to any specific host or platform (like TDM or VST)—Apple has encouraged companies to adopt it as a standard for all Mac audio…
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.…
Seismic Pump
The FX Page » Sonic Extensions FX » Seismic Pump
Included with Seismic Shock is a unique new side-chaining effect called Seismic Pump. Requiring no special routing, this innovative effect creates dramatic tonal movement and timbral shifts on anything you put through it — using all kinds of creative shapes.…
Seismic Pump
Sonic Extensions » Sonic Extension Effects » Seismic Pump
Included with Seismic Shock is a unique new side-chaining effect called Seismic Pump. Requiring no special routing, this innovative effect creates dramatic tonal movement and timbral shifts on anything you put through it—using all kinds of creative shapes.…
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…
