AAX
Avid Audio eXtension – Avid’s proprietary, cross-platform plug-in format for Pro Tools.
Audio Unit
Apple introduced the Audio Unit (AU) plug-in specification in Mac OS X. Since this plug-in standard is native to OS X 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 applications. Although it is not cross-platform, many host applications like Logic, GarageBand, Digital Performer, Ableton Live, and others have adopted the Audio Unit plug-in as one standard.
AU
Abbreviation for Audio Unit.
AUX Send
An alternate variable audio output used to send a signal to a dedicated FX rack for additional FX processing. In RMX, there are four AUX Sends per Part on the Mixer Page that route audio to corresponding AUX FX racks. For example, Aux Send knob 1 routes audio to AUX FX rack 1, etc. AUX Send knobs control the volume sent to the AUX FX racks. More…
AUX Return
An AUX Return routes audio from an AUX FX Rack directly to Output A—the Master Fader. There are no dedicated AUX Returns in RMX, but there are ways to accomplish the same functionality. More…
Automation
As you manipulate controls on the RMX interface, the host’s automation records these movements and plays them back. These recorded movements can also be edited from inside the host application. You can also use a hardware control surface to adjust RMX’s parameters as well. More…
Bar
A vertical line on a musical staff that indicates the beginning or end of a measure. Synonymous with measure.
Bi-Polar Control
This kind of control has more than one function within its movement range. Usually, there is a center detent position where the control is off. Moving one direction from the detent position activates one function and moving the other way from the detent position activates a different function. The Master Filter on the Edit Page is an example of this: in the center position, the filter is off. Moving the slider to the left of the center detent position activates a Low Pass Filter. Moving the same slider to the right of the center detent activates a High Pass Filter.
Browser
The area of RMX that offers access to the libraries of sounds and Grooves. More…
Buss
A path which routes audio from one or more sources to a particular destination.
Bypass
Disengaging an FX Unit so that it no longer affects the audio. Doing this saves CPU power. More…
Center Detent
This is the neutral position of a parameter’s knob or slider, especially in reference to bi-polar controls. When in this position, the function is disengaged and does not affect anything.
Clone
To duplicate—used in MIDI Learn terminology. Duplicates the current set of MIDI Learn parameters from Part 1 to Parts 2-8. This is a great time-saver when setting up an external hardware MIDI controller. You can set up Part 1 with all the MIDI Learn parameters you like, then clone Part 1 to all the other Parts. More…
Column
A vertical list of available choices in the Browser. More…
Combo Groove
A multitrack groove that plays several audio sub-components simultaneously. In a MIDI File, Combo Grooves will have more than one tier of MIDI notes playing at a time. Not all Grooves with the word “Combo” in them used this multitrack playback technique.
Compressor / Limiter
A device for reducing the effective dynamic range of an input signal by preventing it from rapidly exceeding or falling below a selected amplitude threshold. The first part of a compander, it is used to make loud parts of a signal softer and soft parts louder. Beyond the threshold, the ratio of the signal’s input level to its output level (e.g., 2:1, 4:1) is user-selectable. A compressor is commonly used to keep levels within an acceptable range, but because it can slow a signal’s rate of decay below the threshold, compressors are also used to add sustain to instruments such as electric guitar and bass. The limiter acts like a compressor, but operates only at the top end of the dynamic range. The limiter has a faster attack time (0.1ms to 1ms) than the compressor alone (1ms to 10ms). A compressor/limiter is traditionally inserted between the outputs of a device and the inputs of the mixer or mastering recorder. More…
Cycle
One Cycle has been completed when something runs from its start point to its end point. This can refer to things like Grooves or LFO waveforms.
Defaults
These are predetermined settings that RMX recalls when it is first instantiated, cleared, reverted, or when a global mode is changed. Spectrasonics provides factory defaults, but you can replace them with your own settings. More…
Directory
Used in reference to a folder on the computer’s drive. More…
Drop-Down Menu
One of these menu lists appears when you click on an RMX display window with a downward arrow—a menu appears to “drop down.” Synonymous with pop-up menu.
DSP
Digital Signal Processing—refers to the manipulation of digital audio in a computer. The more processing you would like to do, the faster and more powerful computer you need.
Edit Group
One or more Slices, Grooves, or Sounds that can be isolated and treated independently in RMX.
Edit Group Creation
Edit Groups can be created automatically or manually. An Edit Group is created when slices are assigned to it, so the terms “Creation” and “Assignment” are often interchangeable.
Edit Group Assignment
The process of moving Slices from one Edit Group to another. There are two types of Assignments: Auto-Assigns and Manual Assigns.
Edit Group Membership
When a Slice is assigned to an Edit Group, it’s considered a “member” of that Edit Group. Membership status is indicated by bold typeface and can be seen in more detail via the Value Display’s “Slice Edit Group” option.
Edit Group Selection
The process of choosing an Edit Group by clicking on its name. Selecting an Edit Group will automatically activate it.
Edit Group Activation
Turning an edit group “ON.” Edit Groups can be assigned without activating them. Selecting an Edit group activates it. Edit Groups can also be de-activated without losing the slice assignments. RMX can have a total of 16 activated Edit Groups simultaneously per Part, but there is no limit to how many can be assigned or created. A check mark indicates an active Edit Group.
Elements
The audio files of the SAGE format, which also include key-mapping and timing information. An Element can be a Groove, a Sound Menu, or a Kit Module. Elements are always contained and presented within a Suite. More…
Engine
The core software code that structures the operation of audio functions in a plug-in. The engine developed by Spectrasonics that is responsible for running Stylus RMX is S.A.G.E. – The Spectrasonics Advance Groove Engine. More…
Expander
A signal processing device which is the inverse of a compressor, providing the gradual attenuation of signals that fall below a user-defined threshold. This process, known as expansion, reduces background noise and at the same time increases the dynamic range of the input signal. More…
Fader
A controller in the form of a slider that usually affects the loudness/softness of audio levels. Placing a fader at Unity or 0 gain means that the audio channel is outputting the same audio level as is being sent to the channel. Most faders allow you to make the volume louder and softer than the original signal. Also used to refer to any type of slider. Synonymous with Slider. More…
Folders / Sub-Folders
An organizational tool on a computer that allows grouping of files (also known as a Directory). A sub-folder is a folder inside another folder (also known as a sub-directory).
Footer
The section at the bottom of the RMX GUI that remains constant no matter which RMX Page you’re viewing. More…
FX Slot
An area where an FX Unit can be loaded. There are three FX Slots per FX Rack. More…
FX Unit
An FX Unit is an internal RMX software signal processing plug-in which gets loaded into an FX Slot. Each FX Unit is a real-time sound processor. Currently, there are 33 FX Units in Stylus RMX. More…
FX Rack
The area designated to load FX Units. An FX Rack consists of three FX Slots. More…
FX Parameter
Any knob, slider, drop-down menu, or button that a user can select and adjust. The result is a change in the sound passing through the FX Unit (unless it is bypassed).
FX Preset/Patch
Saving all the current parameter settings of a single FX Unit creates an FX Patch. Users can save custom FX Patches for later recall in any session. Patch is synonymous with Preset. More…
FX Rack Preset/Patch
Saving all the parameter settings of an entire FX Rack creates an FX Rack Patch. An FX Rack Patch can be any combination of up to three FX Units with any settings. Users can save custom FX Rack Patches with custom names. These FX Rack Patches will be available for later recall in any session. Patch is synonymous with Preset. More…
Global
Anything that affects the status of the entire plug-in. More…
Groove
An audio loop that usually involves percussive sounds, but can also be tonal. Synonymous with Loop. An RMX Groove Element is usually between one and eight measures long.
Groove Control®
A proprietary sound development method for sliced audio—introduced by Spectrasonics—involving cutting a groove into Slices of audio based on the rhythmic content at the best possible sound quality for various types of audio sources. This allows you to change the tempo of the groove—but not the pitch—with results that are of higher sound quality than other methods of tempo change. Spectrasonics has developed many techniques to ensure that every Groove Control® product adheres to its strict standards. As a result, GC grooves can be played at MANY different tempos and maintain a high standard of audio quality. Only Spectrasonics and ILIO Entertainments are licensed to produce Groove Control products. More….
Groove Control® Library
Before Stylus, Groove Control® products were presented as standard CD-ROM sample libraries for professional hardware samplers like Roland and Akai. Now with SAGE technology, Groove Control libraries are released as SAGE Xpanders™, and provide real-time control and cutting-edge flexibility within Stylus RMX. More…
Groove Menu
The concept of presenting multiple grooves at the same tempo across a range of notes on the same part. Groove Menu MIDI Mode in RMX arranges all the Groove Elements in a selected Suite to trigger playback on different MIDI notes. There can be up to 64 Grooves present on the keyboard at once in a large Suite. More…
GUI
Graphic User Interface – In Stylus RMX, this is the plug-in window and all the pages that you see and manipulate.
Host/Host Application
A computer application or hardware device capable of loading Virtual Instrument software plug-ins. Also known as a Sequencer or DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). Logic, Digital Performer, Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Cubase, Nuendo, GarageBand, Traktion, and FL Studio are all examples of software hosts that work with Stylus RMX.
Instance
When you open a Stylus RMX plug-in your host, there is one instance of RMX in your session. If your computer is powerful enough, you can run several instances of RMX at once.
Instantiation / De-Instantiation
The process of opening/closing plug-ins from your host. Synonymous with Loading/Unloading, Opening/Closing, Loading/Deleting, etc.
Iteration
Refers to cycles that have been completed. When working with Chaos Captures, the Capture tool saves 16 iterations of the altered Groove. Each iteration can be different. Synonymous with Pass. More…
Inverted
Reversed or negative polarity modulation.
Keyboard
1. An external MIDI controller capable of triggering notes via piano-style keys.
2. Also a text-entry ASCII computer keyboard. There are several keyboard-mouse combinations that provide access to RMX features.
Kit Mode
Stylus RMX is capable of operating as a classic drum machine-style sound module in Kit Mode. In the global Kit Mode, there are no loops. Instead, individual drum hits are presented in a General MIDI-compatible way. More…
Kits
When in Kit Mode, you can save the entire current state of RMX as a Patch and give it a custom name. Then later you can reload the Kit Patch or share it with someone else on another computer. A Kit is the same concept as a Multi patch, but it is specifically for use in the global Kit Mode. A large library of factory Kits are available in Kit Mode. More…
Knob
A control that can be turned clockwise and counterclockwise. A knob can be used to control a wide variety of parameters.
Learn (MIDI Learn)
MIDI Learn is capable of linking an external physical controller with virtually any parameter inside Stylus RMX for remote performance control and automation applications. More…
LFO
Low Frequency Oscillator – a continuous, cyclical modulator that can be used to affect a sound in many ways. For example, you can use it to “auto-pan” audio, produce tremolo, or filter sweeps. More…
Limiter
See Compressor/Limiter.
List
A display menu of available options, presented vertically.
Loop
Playing the same audio repeatedly using the same start and end points so that once the end point is reached, the audio begins again immediately from the start point. Loop often refers to drum patterns, but it can apply to any source audio that is repeating in a cyclical manner. In RMX, we use the term “Groove Element” instead of Loop, because the Groove Elements in SAGE are far more flexible than any standard audio loops.
Master Directory
The top-most organizational directory in RMX that offers the broadest categories from which to choose. More…
Measure
A group of beats consisting of a primary beat followed by one or more secondary beats. Bar lines usually denote the beginning and end of a measure. Synonymous with Bar.
Menu
Two different meanings:
1. Refers to a collection of sounds or Grooves that are mapped on a single keyboard layout for easy access.
2. Refers to a user interface software pop-up/drop down list of options.
Menu Item
Refers to the items in the list of a pop-up/drop-down menu in the GUI.
MIDI CC
MIDI Continuous Controller (or sometimes Control Change). MIDI has 128 possible controllers. RMX can respond to any of them using the MIDI Learn feature. More….
Modes
RMX has two global modes of operation: Multi Mode and Kit Mode More…
RMX also has two modes that are independent for each Part: MIDI Mode and Trigger Mode. More…
Multi Mode
This is the global mode of RMX that is intended for working with Groove and Sound Menu Elements. More…
Multi Patch
The entire current state of RMX in Multi Mode can be saved for later recall and given a custom name. More…
Multitimbral
The ability to operate and play uniques sounds on more than one MIDI channel at a time. RMX is 8-Part Multitimbral. More…
Omni
Through the MIDI Learn function, Stylus RMX can be set up to respond to any incoming MIDI CC messages on any channel. More…
Page
RMX has five main editing screens: STANDARD EDIT, EASY EDIT, FX, CHAOS, and MIXER. The Browser is also a type of page. Sub-pages include the three different parameter pages for the LFOs and Envelopes.
Parameter
An RMX control that can be manipulated to affect the audio. RMX has over 20,000 parameters.
Part
Each RMX Part can load its own sounds and operate independently of the other Parts. A Part can be a single Groove, a Groove Menu, a Sound Menu, or a Kit Module. There are 8 Parts in RMX. Each one has its own numbered button in the Footer. Parts 1~8 correspond to MIDI Channels 1~8. More…
Pass
One Pass has been completed when a Groove has played from start to finish.
Patch
A pre-saved set of parameters—also known as a Preset. A Factory Patch is a Patch created by Spectrasonics and a User Patch is one that you can save and name yourself. The name comes from early synthesizer days when many physical patch cords were used to route signals and create sounds by connecting parts of the synthesizer together with the patch cords.
Peak
Peak value is the maximum instantaneous overage from zero by an audio waveform, as measured by a peak meter (PPM). The peak value of a sound is also the maximum instantaneous pressure excursion of the sound.
Pitch Shift
The process of changing the frequency of a sound. It can be changed so that it is higher or lower. More…
Plug-In
A software application that runs within a host application and provides additional functionality.
Pop-up Menu
A list that seems to appear from nowhere. An example of this is the FX Patch pop-up menu. Cntrl-Right-Click anywhere on an FX Slot and a list appears. Synonymous with drop-down menu.
Power Filter
A great-sounding filter developed in cooperation with Gmedia from their renowned impOSCar synthesizer. Be careful when using it though, because the Power Filter can be VERY loud and it requires a fair amount of DSP power from your computer. More…
Preset
A set of parameters that has been previously saved and is available for recall. Synonymous with Patch.
ReCycle™
A software application developed by Reason Studios (formerly Propellerhead Software) that allows the slicing of audio files. Slicing an audio file with ReCycle results in a REX file which can be converted and imported into RMX using the REX file import utility feature in the Stylus RMX Standalone. More…
Retrigger
When this parameter is activated, RMX resets an LFO waveform back to its beginning phase position at the start of each measure. More…
Reverse
Plays a sample backwards. More…
REX
A file format generated by the ReCycle™ application. A REX file consists of sliced audio and timing/stretch information. REX files can be converted and imported into RMX using the REX file import feature in the Stylus RMX Standalone More….
RMS Compression
Root Mean Square. A formula for describing the level of a signal. RMS is derived by squaring all of the instantaneous voltages along a waveform, averaging the squared values, and taking the square root of that number. For sine-like signals, average power = RMS (voltage) * RMS (current).
RTAS
Real Time Audio Suite – Avid’s legacy, cross-platform plug-in format for Pro Tools.
S.A.G.E.
Spectrasonics Advanced Groove Engine – SAGE was developed by Spectrasonics’ in-house software development team and is the basis for Stylus RMX. More…
SAGE Xpander
Extra Groove libraries included with RMX Xpanded. They contain a great variety of sounds and genres that are different from the Core Library.
Additionally, there are four SAGE Xpander titles available from ILIO Entertainments. More…
Sample Start
Parameter that controls how far from the beginning of a sample it is triggered. When Reverse is engaged, this controls the end point. More…
Sequence
A computer file saved by a sequencer/DAW that contains tracks of MIDI notes and audio files.
Sequencer
A computer application that allows recording, entry, and editing of MIDI notes and audio files. Also, known as a “host” if the sequencer is compatible with plug-ins.
Settings
When switching from Element to Element, this button controls whether RMX resets all the parameters to their defaults or leaves them where they are. When it’s ON, it resets everything. When it’s OFF, it leaves the parameters where they are. This allows you to leave the current parameter settings intact while browsing new audio elements in the Browser. More…
Slice Menu
A mode in RMX that places all the Slices of a single Groove Element across a keyboard (range of MIDI notes) More…
Slices
When an audio file is cut into several pieces, each piece is called a Slice.
Slider
A control that you move back and forth or up and down depending on its orientation. Moving a Slider can control a wide variety of parameters. Synonymous with Fader.
Sound Menu
A mode in RMX that places numerous individual non-looped sample hits across the keyboard range for real-time playing as a sound module. Sound Menus do not trigger when clicked from the interface like Groove elements. More…
Sound Directory
A Directory that contains Suites—the Sub-Directory of a Master Directory More…
Standalone
A software program that is capable of running on its own without a host application. More…
Sub-Page
These are pages within a main Editing Page. For example, on the FX Page, there are 6 FX sub-pages.
Suites
A Directory that contains Elements. Suites are contained within Sound Directories. More…
Sync
Abbreviation for Synchronization. When this feature is ON, RMX locks corresponding parameters to the host’s tempo and then adjustments can be made using rhythmic values like ¼ notes, 1/8 notes, and 1/16 notes. Otherwise the parameter is controlled by Cycles per second. More…
Time Signature
The Time Signature of a piece of music is noted at the beginning in the form of two numbers—one on top of the other. The bottom number indicates the unit of measurement (4 = quarter note, 8 = eighth note, etc.) and the top number indicates the number of these units or beats in one measure. More…
Transport
- In RMX, these are the PLAY and STOP buttons.
- In a host, these are the PLAY, STOP, FAST FORWARD, REWIND, and RECORD buttons. More…
Trigger
The process of initiating playback of a sound or Groove. In RMX, triggering a sound or groove is the command given to play it. There are various ways to trigger, depending on the current mode settings and element types:
- Pressing a note on a MIDI keyboard
- Pressing the All Play button
- Pressing a Part Play button
- Clicking the name of a Groove Element
Tube
An electronic device which consists of various types of electrodes (anode, cathode, etc.) and a heating element, all contained in a vacuum. Its simplest form, the diode, is used as a rectifier. The triode is functionally similar to a transistor. Tubes are called “valves” in the UK.
Unity
When a parameter is set so that it does not make any changes to the passing signal.
Unity Gain
The state when a signal is neither attenuated nor amplified. Most signal processing devices have Unity Gain, which means they neither amplify sound nor cause insertion loss, and therefore can be added into an audio system at various places without upsetting the overall gain of the system.
Unlearn
Parameters that have been linked (MIDI_Learned) to a physical controller can be unattached via this feature of the MIDI Learn section. More…
Value Definitions
• 8x – this value stretches a cycle of a parameter such as an LFO across 8 bars.
• 1/8 – this value cycles a parameter such as an LFO every 1/8 note.
• 1/8D – this value cycles a parameter such as an LFO every dotted 1/8 note.
• 1/8T- this value cycles a parameter such as an LFO every triplet 1/8 note.
Valve
See Tube.
VST
Virtual Studio Technology – a cross-platform plug-in platform created by Steinberg.
Wrapper
A software application that creates an environment that allows a plug-in from one platform to operate in a host with another platform for which it was not originally written.
Example: VST->RTAS wrapper.
