APPLIED ACOUSTICS SYSTEMS STRINGSTUDIO User manual

USER MANUAL

2
Information in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on
the part of Applied Acoustics Systems DVM Inc. The software described in this manual is furnished under a
license agreement. The software may be used only in accordance of the terms of this license agreement. It is
against the law to copy this software on any medium except as specifically allowed in the license agreement.
No part of this manual may be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated, distributed or converted to any
electronic or machine-readable form in whole or in part without prior written approval of Applied Acoustics
Systems DVM Inc.
Copyright c 2005 Applied Acoustics Systems DVM Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in Canada.
Program Copyright c 2005 Applied Acoustics Systems, Inc. All right reserved.
String Studio VS is a Trademark of Applied Acoustics Systems DVM Inc. Windows 98, 2000, NT,
ME, XP and DirectX are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Macintosh,
Mac OS, QuickTime and Audio Units are registered trademarks of Apple Corporation. VST Instruments
and ASIO are trademarks of Steinberg Soft Und Hardware GmbH. RTAS is a registered trademarks of
Digidesign. Adobe and Acrobat are trademarks of Adobe Systems incorporated. Unauthorized copying,
renting or lending of the software is strictly prohibited.
Visit Applied Acoustics Systems DVM Inc. on the World Wide Web at
www.applied-acoustics.com

Contents
1 Introduction 7
1.1 Systemrequirements ................................. 7
1.2 Installation ...................................... 8
1.3 Authorization and Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
1.3.1 Unlocking String Studio onWindowsXP .................. 9
1.3.2 Unlocking String Studio onMacOS..................... 12
1.3.3 Obtaining your response key and registering by fax or over the phone: . . . 17
1.4 Gettingstarted..................................... 17
1.4.1 UsingMIDILinks .............................. 18
1.4.2 Using MIDI program changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
1.4.3 Using String Studio as a Plug-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
1.5 Gettinghelp...................................... 19
1.6 ForumandUserLibrary ............................... 19
1.7 Aboutthismanual................................... 19
2 Browser and Presets 21
2.1 PlayingPresets .................................... 21
2.2 Editing and Saving Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
2.3 DeletingPresets.................................... 22
2.4 DocumentingPresets................................. 22
2.5 DefiningaDefaultPreset............................... 23
2.6 Locating a Preset in the Browser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
2.7 MIDImaps ...................................... 23
2.8 Exporting and Importing Presets and MIDI maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
2.9 Customizingthebrowser............................... 24
3 Architecture of String Studio 25
3.1 GeneralSignalFlow ................................. 26
3.2 ModulationSources.................................. 27
3.3 OutputEffect ..................................... 28

4 CONTENTS
4 Parameters 29
4.1 General Functioning of the Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
4.1.1 TweakingKnobs ............................... 29
4.1.2 Buttons.................................... 29
4.1.3 Drop-down menus and Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
4.1.4 InvertingaSignal............................... 30
4.1.5 BypassingaModule ............................. 30
4.1.6 Resetting a Module and Copying Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
4.1.7 ModulationSignals.............................. 30
4.2 TheStringModule .................................. 31
4.3 TheExcitatorModule................................. 32
4.3.1 Plectrum ................................... 32
4.3.2 Hammer.................................... 33
4.3.3 Bow...................................... 33
4.4 TheBodyModule................................... 34
4.5 TheDamperModule ................................. 35
4.6 TheTerminationModule............................... 36
4.7 TheGeometryModule ................................ 37
4.8 ThePickupmodule.................................. 37
4.9 TheDistortionmodule ................................ 38
4.10TheEQmodule.................................... 38
4.11TheFilterModule................................... 39
4.11.1 Resonant Low-Pass Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
4.11.2 Resonant High-Pass Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
4.11.3 Band-PassFilter ............................... 41
4.11.4 NotchFilter.................................. 42
4.11.5 FormantFilter ................................ 42
4.12TheFilterEnvModule ................................ 43
4.13TheLFOModule................................... 44
4.13.1 WaveShape.................................. 44
4.13.2 Rate...................................... 45
4.13.3 Fade-In.................................... 45

CONTENTS 5
4.14TheKeyboardModule ................................ 46
4.14.1 Tuning .................................... 46
4.14.2 ModeandPriority .............................. 46
4.14.3 Unison .................................... 47
4.15ThePortamentoModule ............................... 47
4.16TheVibratoModule.................................. 47
4.17TheArpeggiatorModule ............................... 48
4.17.1 ArpeggioPatterns............................... 48
4.17.2 RhythmicPatterns .............................. 49
4.17.3 Rate and Synchronization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
4.17.4 Latchmode.................................. 49
4.18 The Output Effect Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
4.18.1 TheClockModule .............................. 50
4.18.2 TheChorusModule ............................. 50
4.18.3 TheDelayModule .............................. 50
4.18.4 TheReverbmodule.............................. 51
4.18.5 Topology ................................... 51
4.18.6 TheOutputModule.............................. 52
4.18.7 TheRecorderModule ............................ 52
5 Toolbar 53
5.1 PresetDisplay..................................... 53
5.2 MIDImap....................................... 53
5.3 PolyphonyComboBox................................ 53
5.4 MIDIChannelcombobox .............................. 53
5.5 ValueDisplay..................................... 53
5.6 CPUmeter ...................................... 53
5.7 MIDILED ...................................... 54

6 CONTENTS
6 Audio and MIDI Settings 55
6.1 AudioDeviceSettings ................................ 55
6.2 MIDISettings..................................... 55
6.2.1 Selecting a MIDI Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
6.2.2 CreatingMIDILinks............................. 55
6.2.3 EditingMIDILinks ............................. 56
6.2.4 DeletingMIDILinks............................. 57
6.2.5 CreatingaMIDIMap............................. 57
6.2.6 Creating the MIDI Program Change Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
6.3 AudioControlPanel ................................. 58
6.4 LatencySettings.................................... 58
7 Using the String Studio as a Plug-In 60
7.1 WindowSize ..................................... 60
7.2 Synchronization to the Host Sequencer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
7.3 Audio and MIDI parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
7.4 Automation ...................................... 60
7.5 MultipleInstances................................... 60
7.6 SavingProjects .................................... 61
7.7 MIDIchannel..................................... 61
7.8 MIDIprogramchange ................................ 61
7.9 Performance...................................... 61
8 Quick reference to commands and shortcuts 62
9 License Agreement 65

Introduction 7
1 Introduction
The String Studio is a synthesizer dedicated to the emulation of string instruments. The synthesizer
is entirely based on the A|A|S physical modeling technology and uses no sampling nor wave tables.
Instead it produces sound by solving, on the fly, mathematical equations modeling the different
components involved in string instruments and how they interact. This elaborate synthesis engine
responds dynamically to the control signals it receives while you play thereby reproducing the
richness and responsiveness of real string instruments.
String Studio features three types of excitators (hammer, pick, and bow) an accurate model
of a string, a model of the fret/finger interaction, a damper model and different types of sound-
boards. The combination of these different elements allows for the reproduction of a wide range
of string instruments. String Studio is also equipped with a distortion module, filters and a com-
prehensive output effect stage to add the finishing touch to the sound. Finally, String Studio offers
a wide range of performance features, including keyboard modes, portamento, vibrato and legato
functions, a programmable pattern arpeggiator, and a complete set of MIDI features for optimal
controller integration.
Before discussing the synthesizer in more detail, we would like to take this opportunity to thank
you for choosing an A|A|S product. We sincerely hope that this product will bring you inspiration,
pleasure and fulfill your creative needs.
1.1 System requirements
The following computer configuration is necessary to run the String Studio:
Mac OS :
•Mac OSX 10.2 (Jaguar) or later.
•G4 733 MHz Processor
•256 MB RAM
•1024 x 768 or higher screen resolution
•MIDI Keyboard (recommended)
•Ethernet Port
•Quicktime 4.0 or later
Windows :
•Windows 98SE/2000/XP
•PIII 800 MHz
•128 MB RAM
•1024 x 768 or higher screen resolution
•DirectX or ASIO supported sound card

8 Introduction
•MIDI Keyboard (recommended)
Keep in mind that the computational power required by the String Studio depends on the num-
ber of voices of polyphony and the sampling rate used. These computer configurations will enable
you to play the factory presets with a reasonable number of voices.
1.2 Installation
Mac OS
Insert the String Studio program disc into your CD-ROM drive. Open the CD icon once it
appears on your desktop. Click on the String Studio Install icon and follow the instructions of the
installer.
If you purchased this software online, simply double-click on the installer file that you have
downloaded and follow the instructions of the installer.
Windows
Insert the String Studio program disc into your CD-ROM drive. Launch Explorer to view the
content of the CD-ROM and double-click on the installer file to launch the installer.
If you purchased this software online, simply double-click on the installer file that you have
downloaded and follow the instructions of the installer.
1.3 Authorization and Registration
During the installation procedure, the authorization page will appear. The String Studio uses a
proprietary challenge/response copy protection system which requires you to provide some infor-
mation before using the program. You will need:
•A valid email address
•Your product serial number (on the back of the sleeve of your CD or in your confirmation
email for downloads)
Achallenge key is a long string of capital letters and numbers that is generated uniquely for
each machine during the registration process. In other words, for each machine you install this
program on you will receive a different challenge key. The response key is another unique string of
capital letters and numbers generated from the data encrypted in the challenge key.

1.3 Authorization and Registration 9
1.3.1 Unlocking String Studio on Windows XP
Step 1: Generating the challenge key
After launching the installer for the first time, a pop-up window will appear asking you to enter
your serial number. Type your serial number as it appears on the back of the sleeve of the String
Studio CD-ROM. If you purchased String Studio online, an email with your serial number will
have been sent to you at the address which you provided during the purchase process.
Figure 1: Enter your serial number in the pop-up window.
After entering your serial number, click on the Next button and your challenge key will appear
automatically in the window.
Figure 2: Challenge key appears automatically after entering the serial number.

10 Introduction
Step 2: Generating the Response key and Registering your Product
If your computer is connected to the internet, the installer will automatically launch your web
browser and connect you to the unlock page of the A|A|S web server. Your serial number and
challenge key will automatically be printed in the form. Enter your email address and click on the
Submit button.
Figure 3: Enter your registration information on the A|A|S webserver.
The next form asks you to provide additional information about yourself including your mailing
address and phone number. This information will be used to register your product. Note that
only a valid email address is required to register your product. We nevertheless recommend this
information be provided to ensure our support team is able to contact you to resolve any future
support issues, and notify you of product updates promptly. This information is kept completely
confidential. Registration of your product will entitle you to receive support and download updates
when available, as well as take advantage of special upgrade prices offered from time to time
to registered A|A|S users. Note that this if you already purchased or registered another A|A|S
product, the information that you have already supplied under the same email address will appear
in the form. Feel free to update this information if it is outdated. Click on the Submit button and
your response key will appear on-screen.
If your computer is not connected to the internet, take note of your serial number and challenge
key and proceed to an internet connected computer. Launch your browser and go to the unlock
page of the A|A|S website at:
http://www.applied-acoustics.com/unlock.htm
Enter your email address, serial number, and challenge key, and click next. You will then
receive your response code on-screen as described above.

1.3 Authorization and Registration 11
Figure 4: Generation of the response key on the A|A|S server.
Step 3: Completing the unlock process
The response key corresponding to your serial number and challenge key will be printed in your
browser window. In order to complete the unlock process, copy the response key and paste it into
the last field of the installer window of String Studio. If you obtained your response key from
another computer, type the response key by hand in the installer window. Finally, click on the
Finish button in order to complete the unlock process.
Figure 5: Final step of the unlock process. Enter your response key in the window.
After unlocking String Studio, it will be launched. You will not need to re-unlock your software
unless:
•You reformat or upgrade your hard drive

12 Introduction
•You change or upgrade your operating system
•You uninstall the program
1.3.2 Unlocking String Studio on Mac OS
Generating the challenge key Automatically
After launching the installer for the first time, a pop-up window with information on the unlock
process will appear. Click on the right arrow to continue.
In the second window, shown in Figure 6, you will be offered to unlock String Studio Automat-
ically or Manually. If your computer is connected to the internet, choose Automatically and click
on the right arrow. If your computer is not connected to the internet, please follow the instructions
at the end of this section.
Figure 6: Choose the Automatic unlock mode if your computer is connected to the internet, other-
wise choose the manual method.
In the third window, shown in Figure 7, type your email address and click on the right arrow.
In the fourth window, see Figure 8, enter your serial number as it appears on the back of the sleeve
of the String Studio CD-ROM. If you purchased String Studio online, an email with your serial
number will have been sent to you at the address which you provided during the purchase process.
Click on the right arrow.
At this point, the installer will automatically launch your browser and connect you to the reg-
istration page of the A|A|S server as shown in Figure 9. You will be asked to provide additional

1.3 Authorization and Registration 13
Figure 7: Enter your email address.
Figure 8: Enter your serial number.
information about yourself including your mailing address and phone number. This information
will be used to register your product. Note that only a valid email address is required to regis-
ter your product. We nevertheless recommend this information be provided to ensure our support

14 Introduction
team is able to contact you to resolve any future support issues, and notify you of product updates
promptly. This information is kept completely confidential. Registration of your product will en-
title you to receive support and download updates when available, as well as take advantage of
special upgrade prices offered from time to time to registered A|A|S users. Note that this if you
already purchased or registered another A|A|S product, the information that you have already sup-
plied under the same email address will appear in the form. Feel free to update this information if
it is outdated. Click on the Next button and your challenge key will appear in the window as shown
in Figure 10. Copy the response key and paste it in the String Studio installer window as illustrated
in Figure 11. Click on the Start button to complete the unlock process.
Figure 9: Enter your registration information on the A|A|S webserver.
Figure 10: Generation of the response key on the A|A|S server.

1.3 Authorization and Registration 15
Figure 11: Final step of the unlock process. Enter your response key in the window.
Generating the challenge key Manually
If your computer is not connected to the internet, choose Manually in the second page displayed
by the installer, as shown in Figure 12, and click on the right arrow.
In the third window, the same as in Figure 7, type your email address and click on the right
arrow. In the fourth window, please refer to Figure 8, enter your serial number as it appears on the
back of the sleeve of the String Studio CD-ROM. If you purchased String Studio online, an email
with your serial number will have been sent to you at the address which you provided during the
purchase process. Click on the right arrow and your challenge key will be displayed as illustrated
in Figure 13. For convenience, click on the Save Registration Information... button to save this
information in a text file.
Take note of your serial number and challenge key and proceed to an internet connected com-
puter. Launch your browser and go to the unlock page of the A|A|S website at:
http://www.applied-acoustics.com/unlock.htm
Enter your email address, serial number, and challenge key, and click next. You will then
receive your response code on-screen as shown in Figures 9 and 10.
In order to complete the unlock process, go back to the sixth String Studio installer window
and type your response key as shown in Figure 11. Finally, click on the arrow button and on then
on the Start button in order to unlock your synthesizer.
Once the unlock process will have been completed, String Studio will be launched. You will
not need to re-unlock your software unless:

16 Introduction
Figure 12: Choose the manual unlock mode if your computer is not connected to the internet.
Figure 13: Generation of the challenge key during manual installation.
•You change your computer
•You uninstall the program

1.4 Getting started 17
1.3.3 Obtaining your response key and registering by fax or over the phone:
Should you not have access to the internet, A|A|S support representatives are available to assist
you in the unlock and registration process Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm EST. You may contact
us by phone at:
•North America Toll-free number: 1-888-441-8277
•Outside North America: 1-514-871-8100
•Fax Number: 1-514-845-1875
•Email: [email protected]
1.4 Getting started
The String Studio comes with a wide range of factory presets right out of the box which amounts to
a huge range of sounds before you have even turned a single knob. As you would expect, the best
way of coming to grips with the possibilities String Studio offers is simply to go through the presets
one at a time. We recommend that you first start using the String Studio in standalone mode.
Using String Studio in standalone mode
•Windows - Double-click on the String Studio icon located on your desktop or select String
Studio from the Start >All Programs >menu.
•Mac OS - Double-click on the String Studio icon located in the Applications folder.
Before you start exploring the factory presets, take a moment to set up you audio and MIDI
configuration as explained below.
Audio Configuration
This menu allows you to select a port from a list, organized by driver type, of those available
on your computer. If you have ASIO drivers available, these should be selected for optimum
performance. Multi-channel interfaces will have their outputs listed as stereo pairs.
•Windows - Select your sound card port from the list in the Audio Configuration dialog
from the Edit >Preferences >Audio Settings ... menu.
•Mac OS - Select your audio device from the list in the Audio Settings dialog from the String
Studio >Preferences >Audio Settings ... menu.
For more detailed information on audio configuration, sampling rate selection and latency ad-
justments, please refer to section 6.4.

18 Introduction
MIDI Configuration
•Windows - Select your MIDI port from the list in the MIDI Configuration dialog from the
Edit >Preferences >MIDI Settings ...menu.
•Mac OS - Select your MIDI port from the list in the MIDI Settings dialog from the String
Studio >Preferences >... menu.
For more detailed information on MIDI configuration, MIDI links and MIDI maps, please refer
to section 6.2.
Exploring the factory presets
The browser on the left of the String Studio interface is similar to the browser your operating system
generates to display the contents of your hard disk, or your email program uses to organize your
mail and address book. When launching the application for the first time, this “tree view” will
include a destination folder for imported presets as well as different folders containing different
categories of factory presets. To open a folder, click on the “+” symbol which will reveal the
folder content. To load a preset, double-click on a preset icon (blue knob).
The Browser makes it easy to organize presets in whatever manner you choose. To create a
new preset folder, click in the browser to select this region of the interface, and choose New Folder
from the File menu. You can now save new presets in this folder or copy or move existing presets
to this folder by dragging preset icons from one folder to the other or using the Copy and Paste
commands from the Edit menu.
1.4.1 Using MIDI Links
Every parameter on the String Studio interface can be linked to an external MIDI controller. To
assign a MIDI Link, right-click (control-click on Mac) on a control (knob, button or slider) and a
contextual menu will appear. Select Learn MIDILink and move a knob or slider on your MIDI
controller to activate the link. To deactivate the link, right-click (control-click on Mac) on the
control and choose the Forget MIDILink command.
1.4.2 Using MIDI program changes
MIDI program changes have been assigned to a selection of factory presets. The factory library
can therefore be explored using MIDI program changes.

1.5 Getting help 19
1.4.3 Using String Studio as a Plug-in
The String Studio integrates seamlessly into the industry most popular multi-track recording and
sequencing environments as a virtual instrument plug-in. The String Studio works as any other
plug-in in these environments so we recommend that you refer to your sequencer documentation
in case you have problems running the String Studio as a plug-in.
1.5 Getting help
A|A|S technical support representatives are on hand from Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm EST.
Whether you have a question on String Studio, or need a hand getting it up and running as a plug-in
in your favorite sequencer, we are here to help. Contact us by phone, fax, or email at:
•North America Toll Free: 1-888-441-8277
•Worldwide: 1-514-871-8100
•Fax: [phone]
•Email: [email protected]
Our online support pages contain downloads of the most recent product updates, and answers
to frequently asked questions on all A|A|S products. The support pages are located at:
www.applied-acoustics.com/faq.htm
1.6 Forum and User Library
The A|A|S community site contains the String Studio user forum, a place to meet other users and
get answers to your questions. The community site also contains an exchange area where you will
find presets for your A|A|S products created by other users and where you can make your own
creations available to other users.
http://community.applied-acoustics.com/php/community
http://community.applied-acoustics.com/php/forum
1.7 About this manual
In the next chapter, the use of presets and the browser are described in detail. Chapter 3 describes
the general architecture and signal flow of String Studio. In Chapter 4, the different modules and
controls are reviewed in detail. Chapter 5 describes the different functionalities available from the
toolbar while Chapter 6 explains the different functionalities related to Audio and MIDI and their
settings. General issues involved in the use of String Studio as a plug-in in different host sequencers
is covered in Chapter 7. Finally a list of available commands and shortcuts is given in Chapter 8.
Throughout this manual, the following conventions are used:

20 Introduction
•Bold characters are used to name modules, commands and menu names.
•Italic characters are used to name controls on the interface.
•Windows and Mac OS keyboard shortcuts are written as Windows shortcut/Mac OS shortcut.