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Getting Started

Welcome to the Omnisphere Reference Guide! Software 2.8.7c Soundsources v2.6.2c Patches v2.8.3c This Reference Guide is your source for comprehensive information about the functions and features of the Omnisphere system and all its components. Selecting…

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…

Velocity Curve Operation

The Main Page » Velocity Curve » Velocity Curve Operation

Once you understand the Omnisphere VELOCITY Curve settings, you’ll find them easy to use. You can customize and adapt existing ones, as well as create and save your own. ADJUSTING VELOCITY CURVES When adjusting velocity curve settings it’s important to keep…

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…

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…

Part Number and MIDI Channel

The Mixer » Part Number and MIDI Channel

Part Number Each of Omnisphere’s eight Parts is numbered along the far left of the MIXER page. MIDI Channel By default, Parts 1–8 are assigned sequentially to MIDI Channels 1 ~ 8. However, each Part in a MULTI can be set to respond to any one of 16 MIDI…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Operation Modes

Stack Mode » Operation Modes

There are three ways that Part Regions can be used in STACK MODE: NOTES Part Regions are mapped to a MIDI Note range. VELO Part Regions are mapped to a specific Velocity range. CC Part Regions can be switched or cross-faded using MIDI CC…

Notes Mode

Stack Mode » Operation Modes » Notes Mode

When NOTES Mode is selected, Part Regions are mapped to a MIDI note range, allowing you to map splits, layers, and positional crossfades across the keyboard. Each of the 128 lines in the grid correspond to a MIDI Note number, and Regions can be mapped over a…

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…

Extensions

Sonic Extensions » Extensions

Available as an optional purchase, each Sonic Extension focuses on a specific aesthetic with a unique interface, a vast array of stunning new sounds, and purpose-built Custom Controls — an advanced way of interacting with Omnisphere. Additionally, each Extension…

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…

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…

Velocity Curve Zoom

The Main Page » Velocity Curve » Velocity Curve Zoom

Clicking the Zoom icon next to the different Velocity Curve presets opens the VELOCITY CURVE ZOOM. This page provides detailed controls to modify the velocity curve of a Patch. The Velocity curve settings are global to the Part—meaning they will be applied to…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Download (Win)

Getting Started » Installation » Download (Win)

Omnisphere 2 is available as a download for registered users through our Webstore. 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 available…

Download (Mac)

Getting Started » Installation » Download (Mac)

Omnisphere 2 is available as a download for registered users through our Webstore. 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 available on your…

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…

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…

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…

Vintage EQ3

The FX Page » Equalizers » Vintage EQ3

The Vintage 3-Band EQ is modeled after the great fixed-frequency design of the vintage Pultec™ EQP series tube equalizers, which are renowned for their extremely musical and fat tones that can provide a lot of gain without getting harsh. [LOW] FREQ Drop-down…

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…

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…

Vintage EQ2

The FX Page » Equalizers » Vintage EQ2

The Vintage 2-Band EQ us modeled after the great fixed-frequency design of the vintage Pultec™ EQP2-A model tube equalizer. The unique characteristic of this classic design is that on each EQ band, the same frequency can be broadly cut and boosted simultaneously,…

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…

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 AUX 1~AUX 4 knobs let you control the amount of FX applied to the Part. For more information about how Omnisphere’s FX system works, refer to the…

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…

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 +…

Support

Many common technical support questions can be answered by checking the related section of this Reference Guide or by navigating to our Knowledgebase. NOTE: It’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest version of Omnisphere, as we continue to add new…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Type

The Layer Pages » Filters » Filter Zoom » Type

The Filter Type menu allows you to select the Filter algorithm to be used in FILTER 1 or FILTER 2. Omnisphere comes with a wide range of filter types. Each of the two stereo filters has the same thirty-four types available. Because of the flexible Dual-Filter…

Curves Menu

The Layer Pages » Envelopes » Envelope Zoom » Curves Menu

All of Omnisphere’s twelve dedicated Envelopes are capable of generating contours with hundreds of points. Right/Control-clicking anywhere in the Envelope display will bring up the Envelope Curves Menu with a list that allows points to be added or removed,…

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…

Edit

The Layer Pages » Envelopes » Envelope Zoom » Edit

There are four different automated Envelope adjustments, which provide a simple way to double or halve the total number of Envelope points as well as quickly change their playback rate. Repeat Every time ‘Repeat’ is selected, all of the…

Cutoff

The Layer Pages » Filters » Cutoff

The primary function of the filter is to remove, hence “cut off,” frequencies from the sound. Omnisphere’s filters can remove frequencies in a variety of ways, from Lowpass, High Pass, Band Pass, and Notch filters, to more specialized types.…

Cutoff

The Layer Pages » Filters » Filter Zoom » Cutoff

The CUTOFF control in the Filter Zoom is identical to the CUTOFF control on the Layer pages. The primary function of the filter is to remove, hence “cut off” frequencies from the sound. Omnisphere’s filters can remove frequencies in a variety of ways,…

Presets

The Layer Pages » Filters » Presets

Omnisphere has a wide variety of customized filter configurations, called Presets. The presets represent the settings of Omnisphere’s complex dual stereo filter. Filter presets can be selected, copied, pasted, and saved from this menu. *If you find a Patch that…

Filter Zoom

The Layer Pages » Filters » Filter Zoom

The FILTER ZOOM in Omnisphere provides precise control over each Layer’s Dual-Filter. The two stereo filters are represented on the left and right. The central area controls the routing and contains the shared controls. Each of the two stereo filters can have any…

Pitch Controls

The Layer Pages » Oscillators » Oscillator Zoom » Granular » Pitch Controls

PITCH GRAINS This slider sets how often the grains will be transposed in pitch. The PITCH GRAINS parameter and the ones below it, INTERVAL, GLIDING, and DIRECTION menu, are interdependent. When the PITCH GRAINS parameter is set to 0, the INTERVAL, GLIDING, and…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

Pitch Controls

The Layer Pages » Layer Page Basics » Pitch Controls

TRANSPOSE TRANSPOSE works like MIDI transposition and pitch changes are made in semitones. Changes in pitch don’t affect the sound quality of the Oscillator. This control is most often used to set the Oscillators at different semitone values, such as…

Trigger Mode

Live Mode » Latch and Trigger Modes » Trigger Mode

Trigger Mode enables real-time quantization of incoming MIDI notes, so that multiple Parts will always play in sync. Trigger Mode is accessed from the LIVE MODE page using the LATCH View button. NOTE: Trigger Modes can also be viewed and accessed from the…

Latch and Trigger Modes

The Main Page » Latch and Trigger Modes

Latch and Trigger Modes Latch and Trigger Modes extend the performance capabilities of Omnisphere, especially when used together with LIVE MODE and/or STACK MODE. Used together, they enable a wide range of creative performance, live remixing, and composition…

Adding Images to a Library

Sharing » Adding Images to a Library

Omnisphere’s interface has several pages where images are shown as a visual representation of a sound. Patches, Multis, and Soundsources can have unique images displayed in different pages of the instrument. You can include…

Groove Lock

Arpeggiator » Groove Lock

GROOVE LOCK is one of Omnisphere’s most innovative features. In the past, arpeggiators have always had a fixed timing, so they’ve had limited usefulness in genres outside of electronic music. With GROOVE LOCK you can lock the groove of the ARPEGGIATOR to the…

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…

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…

Glossary

AAX Avid Audio Extension. AAX is Avid’s proprietary, cross-platform plug-in format for Pro Tools. Apple Silicon Apple’s in-house CPU chips used in M-series processors. All current Spectrasonics instruments support Apple Silicon. AU Abbreviation for Audio Unit. AU…

Performance Optimization

Concepts » Performance Optimization

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.…