D16 Group Toraverb 1.2.0 User manual

Toraverb 1.2.0
/‘torav q b/
Owner’s manual
Acknowledgement: Sebastian Bachli´nski
Gary Brennan
November 25, 2009

Chapter 1
Overview
Toraverb is a studio quality reverberating effect unit with modulated tail.
Figure 1.1: Toraverb graphical interface
We can distinguish two sections there:
•Configuration and preset management
Figure 1.2: Configuration and preset management section
•Signal processing control section consists of the all remaining controls.
1

Chapter 2
Signal flow
This chapter describes the signal path through Toraverb. It explains the basic components of
the unit and its control parameters. Basic modules.
2.1 Basic modules
Internally Toraverb consists of a few basic components. These correspond to the sections on
the graphical user interface:
Early reflections - This section controls the early reflections of reverb.
Figure 2.1: Early reflections
There’re three parameters to control this section:
Size - Size of the room for early reflections only.
Diffusion - It’s the reflecting surface’s ability to spread the echo out. If this parameter
is set to Sharp, reflecting surface is perfectly flat and doesn’t distort reflected wave.
In a case of setting this value to Smooth, reflecting surface distorts wave and spread
out into different directions.
Attenuation - This parameter changes the characteristic of the wall’s surface, its dump-
ing properties.
2

Chapter 2. Signal flow 2.1. Basic modules
Early EQ - Single peak parametric EQ for early reflections’ output:
Figure 2.2: Early reflections - Parametric EQ
It’s controlled within following parameters:
Frq - Centre frequency of a peak.
Gain - Gain value for a band [−24 dB . . . 24 dB].
Bw - Width of the band [4 octaves . . . 0.5octave].
Late reflections - Parameters controlling the late reflections of reverb.
Figure 2.3: Late reflections
Size - Size of the room for late reflections only.
Diffusion - It’s the reflecting surface’s ability to spread the echo out. If this parameter
is set to Sharp, reflecting surface is perfectly flat and doesn’t distort reflected wave.
In a case of setting this value to Smooth, reflecting surface distorts wave and spread
out into different directions.
Feedback - Controls how much of wave energy is consumed every reflection. The less
value the more energy consumes every reflection, that means the feedback is weaker
then.
3

Chapter 2. Signal flow 2.1. Basic modules
Attenuation - This parameter changes the characteristic of the wall’s surface, its dump-
ing properties.
Bass cut - It’s another parameter, that controls other property of reflecting surface;
what frequencies below the set one are absorbed by the surface. We can choose
frequency from the range: [0 Hz . . . 22 kHz]
Decay time - It shows the current decay time of the whole reverberation path. Following
parameters have influence on decay time:
•Early reflections: Size,
•Early reflections: Diffusion,
•Late reflections: Size,
•Late reflections: Diffusion,
•Late reflections: Feedback
Attenuation parameters for early and late reflections have also effect on Decay
time, but it’s not taken into account for calculations.
Late EQ - Single peak parametric EQ for late reflections’ output:
Figure 2.4: Late reflections - Parametric EQ
It’s controlled within following parameters:
Frq - Centre frequency of a peak.
Gain - Gain value for a band [−24 dB . . . 24 dB].
Bw - Width of the band [4 octaves . . . 0.5octave].
Master section - There’re global reverberation parameters
4

Chapter 2. Signal flow 2.1. Basic modules
Figure 2.5: Master section
X-fader - Crossfade between early reflections output and late reflections output.
Pre-delay - Delay between dry signal and reverberation in miliseconds.
Modulation - It’s a parameter, which controls delay lines disturbance.
Wet gain - Reverberated signal amplification. [0 dB . . . + 12 dB]
FX - Crossfade between Dry and reverberated signal.
Figure 2.6: Signal reverberation
5

Chapter 2. Signal flow 2.2. Path of the signal’s flow
2.2 Path of the signal’s flow
The picture below shows the signal flow through the plug-in:
Figure 2.7: Signal flow through the plug-in
6

Chapter 3
Preset management
3.1 Browsing presets
Presets are organised into groups. Storing like this is completely compatible with the native
method used by the host application. In the host sequencer, the presets are unfolded from
hierarchical to a linear structure with 128 preset slots. The user can see those presets in the
browser as being assigned to particular groups (defined by user).
Figure 3.1: Configuration and preset management section
The user interface Preset Management controls are:
Preset name - This displays the name of currently selected preset. It also allows editing of
the preset name.
Prev/Next - Those buttons are used to navigate through all presets (whole bank), Next
button moves to the next slot, and Prev button to the previous one. When the end of a
group of presets is reached, the first slot of the next group will be chosen when the Next
button is pressed again. Similar action will be performed if we press the Prev button
when the beginning of a group is reached.
Prev + Ctrl -Prev button pressed with Ctrl1key, copies current preset slot to buffer.
Next + Ctrl -Next button pressed with Ctrl key, pastes buffer to current preset slot with
postfix copy added to its name.
Browser - Allows selection of presets using a browser menu.
1On MacOS use Apple key instead of Ctrl key.
7

Chapter 3. Preset management 3.2. Loading and Saving presets
Preset Group 1 I
Preset Group 2 I
Preset Manager
Load Preset
Save Preset
Load Bank
Save Bank
Preset 1
Preset 2
Figure 3.2: Browsing presets via context menu
It is worth mentioning that changing any of the presets is not permanent. After removing and
reloading the plug-in again, the factory presets will be recalled. However, saving the project
within the host application with Toraverb, and reloading that project will cause a recall of all
changes we have made in this project.
3.2 Loading and Saving presets
There are some additional options that add functionality to preset management. They are
placed in the context menu which is accessible from the Browse button:
Figure 3.3: Configuration and preset management section
When we click this button, the context menu is unfolded:
Preset Group 1 I
Preset Group 2 I
Preset Manager
Load Preset
Save Preset
Load Bank
Save Bank
Figure 3.4: Preset management - under Browse button
In this chapter, we’ll focus on the first 4 items:
Load Preset - Loading preset and overwrite the active slot from the file (.trprs- Toraverb
Preset).
8

Chapter 3. Preset management 3.3. Preset manager
Save Preset - Saving current preset as a file (.trprs- Toraverb Preset)2.
Load Bank - Loading whole bank of presets from file (.trprsb- Toraverb Bank).
Save Bank - Saving whole bank of presets as a file (.trprsb- Toraverb Bank).
Note: Internal files written by a Toraverb are in XML format and can be edited
in a text editor.
3.3 Preset manager
As was mentioned earlier, presets in Toraverb are organised into groups. Presets can be chosen
from the context menu (under the Browse button). Presets can also be chosen within the host
sequencer (where they appear as a flat structure). Preset manager is a tool, which allows to
easy management of the presets structure. To open it, just click the Browse button:
Figure 3.5: Configuration and preset management section
From the context menu choose Preset Manager:
Preset Group 1 I
Preset Group 2 I
Preset Manager
Load Preset
Save Preset
Load Bank
Save Bank
Figure 3.6: Preset manager - Item
The Preset Manager menu will appear.
2Before saving single preset, remember to Store it using Ctrl +Browse button if On demand preset
storing is active, which is default behavior.
9

Chapter 3. Preset management 3.4. Preset storing
Figure 3.7: Preset manager window
This shows the preset structure with the bank name as the root. A preset represents the deepest
level of the structure.
Each of the items can be renamed by double clicking on the item with the mouse.
The preset structure appears as a standard list of presets within the host application making
it fully compatible with it. As a result, no matter how the structure is represented (either as a
tree structure or flat), the maximum number of presets is 128. The number of presets in this
structure cannot be changed. We can only move the presets from one group to another (by
dragging) or changing their order in group. The Group order in the bank can also be changed
by dragging.
There are two buttons at the bottom of the Preset Manager window.
Add group - Adding the empty group in a bank.
Remove group - This removes a group from a bank – but only when it is empty. It means
that all preset slots were reallocated among the existing groups.
To exit from the Preset manager press the Cross button in the top right corner.
3.4 Preset storing
Using Next,Prev buttons within Preset Manager we can navigate through the preset bank.
Any change made in preset can be stored automatically or on demand:
10

Chapter 3. Preset management 3.4. Preset storing
. . .
Load Midi CC Map
Save Midi CC Map
Preset Storing I
Default Resources I
Quality I
About
. . .
Automatic
On Demand
Figure 3.8: Preset storing flag
Automatic - When any parameter in the current preset is changed, it is automatically stored.
On demand - If a parameter is changed, the change is not saved within the preset until the
Store button is pressed (Ctrl key + Browse button)3. Navigating to a new preset will
cause changes to be lost unless stored. This is the default.
This Preset Storing flag is stored in a configuration file and applies to all newly inserted instances
of the plug-in. Saving the configuration file is performed after closing any instance of the plug-
in.
3On MacOS use Apple key instead of Ctrl key
11

Chapter 4
Configuration
4.1 Midi control
Toraverb has an ability to assign its controls (on GUI) to any Midi Control Change code
(MidiCC), This allows control of the plug-in using external software or hardware.
4.1.1 Midi learn
To assign a Toraverb control to a midi controller:
1. From the context menu under Options button, we set Midi Learn Mode.
Midi Learn Mode
Unlink Connection
Load Midi CC Map
Save Midi CC Map
Preset Storing I
Default Resources I
Quality I
About
Figure 4.1: Options Menu
2. In the Preset name edit box, the waiting... message will appear. In this mode, plug-in
is waiting for any movement of its controls on GUI or any of controls on the external midi
controller connected to a host (with an active midi input channel directed to Toraverb).
The edit box will display the name of currently modified control.
3. When the control is set, go to the Options context menu and uncheck the Midi Learn
Mode option. Last modified control on GUI will be assigned to the last moved control
on the midi controller.
12

Chapter 4. Configuration 4.1. Midi control
Figure 4.2: Configuration and preset management section
4.1.2 Midi Unlink
To disconnect midi controller and Toraverb GUI’s control:
1. From the context menu under Options button, we set Midi Learn Mode first.
Midi Learn Mode
Unlink Connection
Load Midi CC Map
Save Midi CC Map
Preset Storing I
Default Resources I
Quality I
About
Figure 4.3: Options Menu
2. In the Preset name edit box, the waiting... message will appear. In this mode, plug-in
is waiting for any movement of its controls on GUI or any of controls on the external midi
controller connected to a host (with an active midi input channel directed to Toraverb).
The edit box will display the name of currently modified control.
3. Unlink Connection item in Options menu is activated now. Click it to disconnect
Midi CC and GUI’s control. 1
4. Uncheck the Midi Learn Mode option.
4.1.3 Loading and saving Midi Map
To save a Midi Map (mapping of GUI’s controls with MidiCC), we can use the option from the
context menu, which is accessible under the Options button:
1You’re allowed to unlink few connections one by one, by repeating steps 2 and 3.
13

Chapter 4. Configuration 4.1. Midi control
Midi Learn Mode
Unlink Connection
Load Midi CC Map
Save Midi CC Map
Preset Storing I
Default Resources I
Quality I
About
Figure 4.4: Options Menu
Load Midi CC Map - Loading a Midi Map from file (.trccmap- Toraverb Control Map).
Save Midi CC Map - Saving a current Midi Map to file (.trccmap- Toraverb Control
Map).
Note: Midi Map files written by a Toraverb are XML standardized, it means You
can re-edit them within any text editor.
4.1.4 Sound processing quality
We have to our disposal following possible grades:
Low (linear) - Linear interpolation of delay lines.
Medium (SINC8) - Sinc8 interpolation of delay lines.
Higher (SINC16) - Sinc16 interpolation of delay lines.
Highest (SINC32) - Sinc32 interpolation of delay lines.
That can be chosen from the Quality submenu:
...
Preset Changing I
Default Resources I
Quality I
About
...
Low (linear)
Medium (SINC8)
Higher (SINC16)
Highest (SINC32)
Figure 4.5: Quality control
The higher the quality of processing, the more CPU resources are requires by the plug-in, but
the better the sound quality. This setting is stored per single plug-in instance in the project
file (in host application). It is not stored within the preset.
14

Chapter 4. Configuration 4.2. Default resources
4.2 Default resources
There’re included some default presets with Toraverb or empty Midi CC map. These are loaded
every time it is started. This can be changed to point to user default presets or default Midi
CC map.
Midi Learn Mode
Unlink Connection
Load Midi CC Map
Save Midi CC Map
Preset Storing I
Default Resources I
Quality I
About
Presets I
Midi CC Map I
Figure 4.6: Default resources
The following types of resources can be replaced by user’s ones and those will be loaded every
time new instance of plug-in be loaded:
Presets - Default Toraverb’s Preset Bank (.trprsb)
Midi CC Map - Default Toraverb’s Midi CC Map (.trccmap)
4.2.1 Default presets
To set the default bank of presets, use the options from the Presets submenu:
. . .
Save Midi CC Map
Preset Storing I
Default Resources I
Quality I
. . .
Presets I
Midi CC Map I
Use Factory Presets
Use Clear Presets
Choose file
Figure 4.7: Default presets
We can choose one of following options:
Use Factory Presets - This is default one after installation of Toraverb. If You choose this
option, default bank of presets becomes the factory one provided within plug-in by pro-
ducer.
Use Clear Presets - After choosing this item from menu, the default bank will contain all
presets consisting of zeroed parameters.
15

Chapter 4. Configuration 4.2. Default resources
Choose File - It’s possible to set by user his own default bank of presets he previously made,
by using this option. Choose File opens a file dialog to browse a location where the
bank of presets made by user is saved. When user confirms, the path to that bank is
stored in the Toraverb’s configuration file. And this bank becomes the default one.
... Presets I
Midi CC Map I
Use Factory Presets
Use Clear Presets
User Defined
[User’s bank file name]
Choose file
Figure 4.8: User’s default presets
When the user’s bank is set as a default preset bank, the menu indicates this fact by
showing the checked User Defined menu item, and one row below the file name of user’s
preset bank.
4.2.2 Default Midi CC Map
The option used to set the default Midi CC map.
. . .
Save Midi CC Map
Preset Storing I
Default Resources I
Quality I
. . .
Presets I
Midi CC Map I
No Mapping
Choose file
Figure 4.9: Default Midi CC Map
Only two options are available in this submenu:
No Mapping - It is the default one, mean no default Midi CC mapping is available after
loading Toraverb into the host application.
Choose file - Similarly to selecting default preset resource, this options is used to set the
default Midi CC Map, which will be loaded every time we load Toraverb in the host
application. When we set the path to Midi CC Map using this options, it’s indicated by
showing Midi CC Map file name in this submenu:
16

Chapter 4. Configuration 4.2. Default resources
... Presets I
Midi CC Map I
No Mapping
User Defined
[User’s Midi CC Map file name]
Choose file
Figure 4.10: User’s default Midi CC Map
17

Contents
Contents
1 Overview 1
2 Signal flow 2
2.1 Basic modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.2 Path of the signal’s flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3 Preset management 7
3.1 Browsing presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.2 Loading and Saving presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.3 Preset manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.4 Preset storing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4 Configuration 12
4.1 Midi control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.1.1 Midi learn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.1.2 Midi Unlink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.1.3 Loading and saving Midi Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.1.4 Sound processing quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4.2 Default resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4.2.1 Default presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4.2.2 Default Midi CC Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
18