Solid State Logic DUENDE PCIe User manual

DDUUEENNDDEE PPCCIIee
User Guide
82S6M 120A

1. Introduction
2. System Requirements 2
Windows/P 2
Apple Macintosh 2
3. Installation 3
Software & Hardware Installation (P ) 3
Software & Hardware Installation (Mac) 3
4. Operational Overview 4
4.1 Duende P Ie Preferences/ ontrol Panel 5
4.2 Launching a Duende P Ie plug-in 6
4.3 DSP Resource Management 7
4.4 Guidelines for Plug-in Delay ompensation 8
5. Duende P Ie EQ and Dynamics hannel Strip 12
5.1 Introduction 12
5.2 Input Section 12
5.3 Filter Section 13
5.4 Equaliser Section 14
5.5 Dynamics Section 17
5.6 Advanced Signal Routing Options 20
6. Duende P Ie Stereo Bus ompressor 21
Introduction 21
Parameter Description 21
7. Duende P Ie Support 22
Contents

Printing History
February 2008:: First Edition

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ongratulations on your purchase of Duende P Ie – the SSL processing solution for your audio workstation. As you’re sat here
reading this, the chances are that you have a pretty good understanding of who we are and our outstanding reputation in audio
recording technology. How did we get here? Well, there were no great plans to make SSL into a major manufacturer of mixing
consoles when it all started back in the seventies – the company began with nothing more than an enthusiasm for music and
the concept of recording. Along the way that spirit, coupled with a passion for excellence in music recording tools, helped build
a multi-million dollar international business. The SSL HQ may be a little bigger now than it was in the seventies, but passion
and innovation still lies at its heart.
In 2005, we decided to embark on a technology project to figure out how we could take the processing power of a console and
squeeze it into a 1U rack, so we could serve up the SSL sound to home and project studio owners who don’t have the budget
(or the floor space!) required to install a large-format console.
Drawing on our unique understanding of audio processing and years of DSP know-how, our team of engineers set about
creating the SSL processing solution for your DAW environment. We knew we needed serious DSP horsepower to
accommodate our powerful algorithms, and we knew it had to come in a package that could integrate seamlessly with the
most popular workstations… And so Duende was born.
Originally in a 19" rack format, now referred to as Duende lassic, Duende P Ie delivers the complete SSL mix experience
without the need for an external firewire connected unit.
Duende P Ie offers complete integration into the most popular workstation environments with one simple P I-e connection.
The different processing blocks appear as VST/AU/RTAS plug-ins – and include an authentic SSL channel strip with filters,
E and G series EQ and dynamics processing, as well as the legendary SSL Bus ompressor. We hope you will enjoy mixing
your music with Duende P Ie.
For product news and software updates please register at www.solid-state-logic.com/duende.
1. Int oduction

Windows/PC
• Minimum of Intel Pentium IV 1GHz or equivalent
• 512MB RAM (1GB recommended)
• Windows XP Service Pack 1 or higher
Windows Vista
• 80MB of free hard disk space
• Approved VST or RTAS* compatible host application
• One available P Ie (P I Express) slot. Please visit
www.solid-state-logic.com/duende for details on
compatible computers
• 17" or larger colour monitor with screen resolution of
1024 x 768 or higher recommended
• Internet onnection (for product registration and to
download software updates)
Apple Macintosh
• Mac PowerP G4/G5 or Intel 1GHz or higher
• 512MB RAM (1GB recommended)
• Mac OS X (‘Tiger’, version 10.4.8 or higher)
Mac OS X (‘Leopard’, version 10.5.1 or higher)
• 60MB of free hard disk space
• Audio Units, VST or RTAS* compatible host
application
• One available P Ie (P I Express) slot. Please visit
www.solid-state-logic.com/duende for details on
compatible computers
• 17" or larger colour monitor with screen resolution of
1024 x 768 or higher recommended
• Internet onnection (for product registration and to
download software updates)
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2. System Requi ements
Plug-in formats
VST and RTAS* versions are provided for use under Windows XP on the P platform
VST, AU and RTAS* formats are provided in a universal binary format for both Intel and PowerP Macs
Most Duende P Ie plug-ins will take one ‘slot’ at 44.1/48kHz in mono. Please see the Duende P Ie manual for more
information on DSP resource management.
* RTAS support is provided by the included FXpansion VST-RTAS wrapper: www.fxpansion.com

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Software & Hardware Installation (PC)
1) Power down the computer and remove the power lead.
2) Remove the cover(s) to gain access to the P Ie sockets.
3) Locate a free P Ie socket and ensure that the rear panel
blanking plate is removed.
4) Plug your Duende P Ie card into the P Ie socket and
secure the mounting bracket to the computer case
5) Re-fit the cover(s) to the computer and re-connect the
power lead.
6) Switch the computer on. The Add New Hardware
Wizard should appear. Ignore this; DO NOT press
‘Next’ and DO NOT press ‘ ancel’.
7) Insert the Duende Installation D in your D/DVD
drive.
8) Double click the D icon to view the D content. If
Autorun is enabled this will happen automatically.
9) Double click the SSL Duende Setup icon.
10) Follow the on-screen instructions, making sure to attend
to the Add Hardware Wizard when prompted.
Software & Hardware Installation (Mac)
1) Power down the computer and remove the power lead.
2) Remove the cover(s) to gain access to the P Ie sockets.
3) Locate a free P Ie socket and ensure that the rear panel
blanking plate is removed.
4) Plug your Duende P Ie card into the P Ie socket and
secure the mounting bracket to the computer case.
5) Re-fit the cover(s) to the computer and re-connect the
power lead.
6) Switch the computer on.
7) Insert the Duende installation D in your D/DVD
drive.
8) Double click the D icon to view the D content.
9) Launch the Duende Installer by double clicking the
Duende Installer icon.
10) Follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Installation
Please note that this document is intended to be
read alongside the ‘Installation Guide’ provided
with Duende PCIe, alternatively you can
download a copy from:
www.solid-state-logic.com/duende

Once your Duende P Ie hardware and software has been properly installed, Duende P Ie plug-ins are accessed and used just
like any host-based plug-in. You can run Duende P Ie plug-ins simultaneously with your other host based plug-ins in any
combination.
All Duende P Ie plug-ins support up to 40bit 96kHz operation. Please note that Duende P Ie plug-ins use twice as much DSP
resources at 96kHz.
Duende P Ie parameters are changed by dragging, rotating or clicking knobs and buttons, whose behavior varies slightly
depending on which software is being used to host the plug-ins. Generally the further away the mouse pointer is from the
knob, the more resolution is available for parameter adjustment.
When the mouse cursor is hovered over a knob it’s value is displayed in the appropriate units. At any point you can see exactly
what value a knob has without touching it. If you have a mouse with scroll wheel, it can be used to change the knob position.
Windows XP:
To reset a knob to its default value hold 'Ctrl + click' on that knob.
For very fine adjustment, hold 'SHIFT' whilst dragging.
OS X:
To reset a knob to its default value hold 'Command + click' on that knob.
For very fine adjustment, hold 'SHIFT' whilst dragging.
Every Duende P Ie plug-in parameter can be automated so long as parameter automation is supported by the host application.
The method for recording and editing automation varies from host to host. For specific instructions on using automation with
the host consult the host application documentation.
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4. Ope ational Ove view

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4.1 Duende PCIe Preferences/Control Panel
Windows XP S X
The Duende P Ie Preferences/ ontrol Panel shows information about your Duende P Ie(s) such as serial number
(Authentication ID), firmware version and driver version. It also displays DSP resource information and allows you to easily
see how much DSP you have available at any time.
Windows XP:
The panel can be found in ‘Start Menu>Programs>Solid State Logic>Duende’ or in the Windows control panel.
OS X:
The panel can be found by navigating to 'Apple Menu>System Preferences>SSL Duende'.
Each mono plug-in loaded into Duende P Ie will take up one slot, a '1' representing a used slot and a ‘Ø’ or '–' representing
an unused slot. At 44.1 and 48kHz there are 32 slots available and at 88.2 and 96kHz there are 16 slots available. A stereo
version of a plug in will take up 2 slots.

4.2 Launching a Duende PCIe plug-in
Each host application has its own particular methods for
instantiating (launching) a plug-in. onsult the host
application documentation for specific instructions on loading
and using plug-ins within the application.
Launching a Duende PCIe channel strip in Logic 8 Launching a Duende PCIe channel strip in Cubase 4
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