Synapse DUNE 2 User manual

User’s Manual

Copyright c Synapse Audio Software 2014.
All rights reserved.
Concept and Manual: Richard Hoffmann
Graphic Design: Marcin Lezak
Programming: Richard Hoffmann, Marcin Lezak
Sound Design: See Appendix
All technical specifications in the product described in this manual are subject to change without notice. The document may not be
changed, particularly copyright notices may not be removed or changed. VST is a registered trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies
GmbH. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners, and do not imply owner’s endorsement of this product, or guarantee
full compliance with owner’s standards.

Contents
1 Introduction 5
1.1 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.2 Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.3 System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.4 New features in Dune 2 . . . . . . . . . 7
1.4.1 Oscillators . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.4.2 Filter............... 7
1.4.3 Graphical Envelopes . . . . . . 8
1.4.4 Unison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
1.4.5 Arpeggiator . . . . . . . . . . . 8
1.4.6 Master Effects . . . . . . . . . . 8
1.4.7 Patch Management . . . . . . . 8
1.4.8 Audio-Rate Modulation . . . . 9
1.4.9 Multi-threaded processing . . . 9
2 Basic Operation 10
2.1 Overview................. 10
2.2 Controlling parameters . . . . . . . . . 11
2.3 MIDI Learn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.4 Adjusting Polyphony . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.5 Pitch Bend and Modulation Wheel . . 12
3 The Center Screen 13
3.1 Main................... 13
3.2 Settings ................. 15
3.3 Mod Matrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.4 Arpeggiator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
4 Sound Parameters 22
4.1 Patch Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
4.2 Oscillators 1+2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
4.2.1 Common parameters . . . . . . 24
4.2.2 Synthesis types . . . . . . . . . 25
4.3 Oscillator 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
4.4 Noise Generator . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
4.5 Ring Modulator . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
4.6 Mixer .................. 29
4.7 Filter Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
4.7.1 Filter Parameters . . . . . . . . 29
4.7.2 Filter Models . . . . . . . . . . 31
4.7.3 Filter Effect . . . . . . . . . . . 33
4.7.4 Filter Envelope . . . . . . . . . 36
4.8 Amplitude Envelope . . . . . . . . . . 37
4.9 Unison Voices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
4.10 Voice Edit/Common . . . . . . . . . . 39
4.11Master.................. 40
4.12MSEGs ................. 41
4.13LFOs................... 43
4.14 Effect Bus 1+2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
4.14.1 Distortion . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
4.14.2 EQ1............... 47
4.14.3 EQ2............... 48
3 DUNE 2 User’s Manual

4.14.4 Phaser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
4.14.5 Chorus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
4.14.6 Delay 1+2 . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
4.14.7 Reverb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
4.14.8 Compressor . . . . . . . . . . . 54
5 Modulation Matrix 57
5.1 The differential unison engine (DUNE) 58
5.2 List of Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
5.3 List of Destinations . . . . . . . . . . . 63
5.3.1 Common . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
5.3.2 Oscillator 1, 2, 3 . . . . . . . . 63
5.3.3 Ring mod/Noise . . . . . . . . . 65
5.3.4 Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
5.3.5 Amplifier . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
5.3.6 MSEG.............. 67
5.3.7 LFO ............... 67
5.3.8 Mod Matrix . . . . . . . . . . . 68
5.3.9 FX Bus 1+2 . . . . . . . . . . . 68
6 MIDI Reference 70
7 Optimizing performance 72
7.1 Optimizing your system . . . . . . . . 72
7.2 Optimizing patch settings . . . . . . . 72
7.2.1 Polyphony . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
7.2.2 Modulation Rate . . . . . . . . 72
7.2.3 Patch structure . . . . . . . . . 73
8 Troubleshooting 74
8.1 Notes click when pressing or releasing a
key.................... 74
8.2 Patches do not recall . . . . . . . . . . 74
8.3 Parameters change unexpectedly . . . . 74
8.4 The sound is distorted . . . . . . . . . 74
8.5 MIDI messages are not received . . . . 75
8.6 The CPU usage is very high . . . . . . 75
9 Legal Information 76
9.1 Trademarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
9.2 End User License Agreement (EULA) . 76
Appendix 78
4 DUNE 2 User’s Manual

1 Introduction
Thank you for choosing Dune 2!
Dune 2 is an advanced polyphonic synthesizer
VST/AU plugin, designed for creating music on a com-
puter, or playing live on stage.
The design goal was to develop a synthesizer which
offers yet higher sound quality and more flexibility
than its predecessor, Dune 1. Fast vector processing as
well as support for multiple processor cores allow the
plugin to run with a moderate CPU load on modern
systems.
Dune 2 was tested by music producers to guarantee
its ambitious design goals were met. It comes with
high quality sounds, created by experienced sound de-
signers.
1.1 Installation
Important note for Dune 1 users: Dune 2 is a
new synthesizer which is not compatible with Dune 1
in any way. Both run fine in parallel, there is no need
to uninstall Dune 1 prior to installing Dune 2.
Installation PC
Unzip "Dune20win.zip" and run SETUP.EXE to com-
mence with the installation process. The installer will
guide you through the necessary steps. You will be
asked to select the location of your VstPlugins direc-
tory. Make sure to choose the correct directory for
your host software. Refer to your host software’s man-
ual if you are unsure about where the host software’s
VstPlugins directory is located. The plugin file "Dune
2.DLL" and the manual will be placed in the chosen
directory. Presets, MIDI files and wavetables will be
placed in your user documents directory (Synapse Au-
dio/Dune 2). The next time you start your host soft-
ware, Dune 2 will appear in the VST instrument list.
If you use a 64-bit host such as Orion 64, be sure
to provide the proper VstPlugins path for the 64-bit
edition of Dune 2.
Installation Mac
Download and open the file named "dune20mac.dmg".
Afterwards, double-click on the installer icon to be-
gin the installation process. The installer will guide
you through the necessary steps. The next time you
start your host software, Dune 2 will appear in the
AU and/or VST instrument list, depending on which
format your host software supports.
5 DUNE 2 User’s Manual

1.2 Compatibility
Dune 2 should run on any VST or AU-compatible host
and comes with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
If you encounter any compatibility issues with
your host software, do not hesitate to contact us
([email protected]).
1.3 System Requirements
In order to maximize sound quality, Dune 2 employs
complex DSP algorithms that are rather CPU de-
manding. Optimized SSE-2 vector processing, as well
as support for multiple processor cores allow Dune 2 to
perform very well despite its high complexity, however.
To achieve such performance, a modern computer is
required:
•Macs require OS X 10.6 or later, and should be
equipped with a 2 GHz quad core processor or
better. PPC processors are not supported.
•PCs require Windows XP or later, and should
be equipped with a 2 GHz quad core CPU or
better. Most importantly, Windows must be op-
timized for realtime audio, in order to maximize
the benefits of Dune 2’s multi-threaded engine.
Too many software packages or services running
in the background can severely degrade perfor-
mance.
Furthermore, it is important to choose a good audio
buffer size. We recommend to use between 128 and
512 samples (at 44.1 / 48 kHz sample rate). On most
systems, this should give the ideal balance between
low-latency, realtime feel and CPU performance. Note
that using less than 128 sample buffers will disable
multi-threaded processing, as the thread synchronisa-
tion overhead becomes significant.
The memory requirement of Dune 2 is approxi-
mately 50 mb per instance, plus some memory shared
by all instances. If you plan to run many Dune 2
instances, your system should be equipped with suffi-
cient memory.
6 DUNE 2 User’s Manual

1.4 New features in Dune 2
This section provides an overview of the most impor-
tant changes since Dune 1 — new users can skip this
section.
Since Dune 2 is a new synthesizer rewritten from
scratch, there is many changes compared to Dune 1.
What both synthesizers have in common, however, is
the differential unison engine (hence, "DUNE") with
its unique modulation system. If you are familiar with
this system, making the transition to Dune 2 should
be relatively easy.
1.4.1 Oscillators
•Oscillators 1+2 now both form oscillator
stacks with up to 32 oscillators each (previously,
there was only a "Fat" mode which used 7 fixed
oscillators). Each oscillator stack can be set to
use Virtual-Analog (VA), Wavetable or FM syn-
thesis. The oscillator stacks operate in stereo
and offer detune and pan spread.
•Oscillator 3 is no longer a sub oscillator, but
can use arbitrary semi and fine tuning, for in-
creased flexibility.
•Wavetable Synthesis now allows to set arbi-
trary positions within the wavetable, for exam-
ple in between two waveforms. Modulating the
wavetable position is now much smoother than
previously (in fact perfectly smooth when choos-
ing a proper modulation source, such as a trian-
gular or sinusoidal LFO).
•FM Synthesis offers classic 3-operator fre-
quency modulation. In contrast to Dune 1, us-
ing FM does not compromise the ability to use
the full oscillator stacks. This means when both
oscillator stacks are set to 32 oscillators in FM
mode and all 8 unison voices are enabled, Dune 2
will render 1536 FM operators per key press
(64x8x3 operators). At maximum polyphony,
this is 24576 FM operators running simultane-
ously!
•The Noise Generator operates in stereo with
adjustable stereo width, and offers lowpass as
well as highpass filters for increased versatility.
1.4.2 Filter
•Zero-Delay Feedback Filters: Dune 2 in-
troduces zero-delay feedback filters, which more
closely mimic the behavior of analog hardware.
A drive parameter allows to adjust the satura-
tion characteristic (important when using strong
resonance). Most filters can reach self-oscillation
and have proper resonant tuning.
7 DUNE 2 User’s Manual

•Filter Effect: Some filter modes in Dune 1
offered extra gimmicks, such as a distortion or
bitcrush effect. Dune 2 offers a separate filter ef-
fect section with a variety of such effects as well
as auxiliary filters. The filter effect section can
be applied pre- or post-filter.
1.4.3 Graphical Envelopes
Dune 2 introduces four multiple segment envelope gen-
erators (MSEG). MSEGs can be used to draw pre-
cise custom envelopes, or they can be used in loop
mode tempo sync’ed to the host, which allows to cre-
ate rhythmic effects such as the well-known "trance
gate" effect.
1.4.4 Unison
One of the most important changes in Dune 2 is the
ability to edit all 8 unison voices directly, turning Dune
into a multi-part synthesizer. This allows to stack
completely different sounds, using different synthesis
models (VA, FM, Wavetable), a different filter, etc.
1.4.5 Arpeggiator
The arpeggiator now offers the classic up/down/random
modes known from many synthesizers, and works bet-
ter when playing live via a MIDI keyboard. The step
sequencer adds a slide feature and allows to import
MIDI files. Polyphonic sequences can be played back
as well.
1.4.6 Master Effects
The new version of Dune features two master effect
busses, each containing 9 effects rather than 6. The
new effects offer higher quality and more parame-
ters than previously. Individual unison voices can be
routed to either effect bus or both.
1.4.7 Patch Management
The patch management in Dune 2 is now entirely
based on files and folders. Each patch is a single
file (FXP), folders represent banks and categories.
When launching Dune 2, all available banks will be
scanned automatically. This greatly simplifies using
third party content, as it is no longer necessary to ex-
plicitly load banks. Sound design becomes easier, as
the file-based system allows to duplicate, remove, and
rename patches, and to sort them in arbitrary cate-
gories. Additional functions like Initialize and Revert
Patch speed up the workflow.
8 DUNE 2 User’s Manual

1.4.8 Audio-Rate Modulation
The new engine can be set to audio-rate modulation
mode, allowing all synthesizer parameters (except the
master effects) to be modulated at audio-rate. Audio-
rate modulation is very CPU-intensive, but allows to
develop new sounds with rapid modulations previously
not possible.
1.4.9 Multi-threaded processing
Most DSP algorithms employed in Dune 2 are a magni-
tude more complex than previously, in order to achieve
a yet higher sound quality. This also means a much
higher computational load, at least in theory. In prac-
tice the optimized SSE vector code, as well as the
multi-threaded engine lower the processor load sub-
stantially. On modern, optimized quad-core or better
systems, Dune 2 can even outperform Dune 1 in some
cases.
9 DUNE 2 User’s Manual

2 Basic Operation
2.1 Overview
The Dune 2 interface can be divided into four parts
(see fig. 2.1).
•The center screen (A) hosts the patch manage-
ment, global and patch settings, the modulation
matrix and the arpeggiator. The center screen is
covered in chapter 3.
•The right side (B) contains the master section
with global volume and the polyphony setting,
as well as the unison voice controls. In contrast
to its predecessor, Dune 2 allows to directly edit
the eight unison voices, either all at once or in-
dividually. This makes Dune 2 a multi-part syn-
thesizer which facilitates synthesizing more com-
plex sounds.
•The gray switch buttons (C) toggle the bottom
view between the keyboard, effect busses, LFOs,
and four graphical envelopes (MSEG).
•The remaining knobs and sliders (D) are Dune’s
main sound parameters: The oscillator stacks,
mixer, filters, and ADSR envelopes. The lay-
out roughly follows classic synthesizers, with the
oscillators on the left, followed by the filter in
the middle and the envelopes on the right. Each
unison voice has its own set of sound parameters.
All sound parameters are covered in chapter 4.
Figure 2.1: Interface overview.
10 DUNE 2 User’s Manual