Synclavier REGEN User manual
Synclavier
USER MANUAL
Copyright © 2022 Synclavier Digital Corporation Ltd.
Thank-you for purchasing the Synclavier Regen. You now have on your desk,
one of the most powerful digital synthesizers ever conceived. You also own a
piece of synthesizer history, this being the first new hardware Synclavier in 30
years.
In the intervening years, there have been software emulations that have
largely sought to recreate the experience and feature-set of the Synclavier II. This
product is more than that. It contains the same Synclavier II DSP engine, but it’s
been extended and enhanced to take advantage of the increased computing
power available today, and to make it compelling in a modern setting, just as the
original was compelling for the many happy owners of its era.
In short, a real Regen-eration of Synclavier.
Synclavier Digital would like to thank the following people for their
contributions during the development of this product: Anthony Marinelli, Ben
Rachlis, Leith Fleming-Smith, Gary Chang, Kevin Maloney, Paul Schilling, Jamie
Lidell, Geoff Farr, and Drew A Neumann.
Notes
• Synclavier is a registered trademark of Synclavier Digital Corporation Ltd.
All other products, logos or company names quoted in this manual are
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
• Information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice
and does not represent a commitment on the part of Synclavier Digital.
WARNINGS
Synclavier Regen comes with a 12 month warranty on manufacturing defects. If
you look after your Regen, it is going to be operational for many years to come.
Safety instructions
Please read and follow these safety instructions. Treat the unit itself and the
power adapter with equal care.
• This product is not designed for use by young children. Adult supervision
is suggested.
• If the AC power adapter is damaged, do not use it. Instead, contact
Synclavier Digital Corporation Ltd for a replacement.
• The AC adapter is in standby mode when connected. The primary circuit is
always active as long as the cord is connected to the outlet. Do not cover
the adapter while it is connected. If the product malfunctioning, remove
the adapter from the outlet. If the adapter is malfunctioning, first cut the
power to the receptacle in use before removing the adapter.
• Do not expose this product to water, direct sunlight, moist, dusty, or other
extreme environments.
• This product is not safety grounded and only approved for indoor use or
in similar environments.
• Do not use this product near heat sources such as radiators, ovens, or
amplifiers.
• Do not obstruct the ventilation slots on the sides of this unit. Fire hazard.
• Do not cover, enclose, or place things on top of the unit. This unit is not
designed to operate in an enclosed space. Fire hazard.
• Pull out all cables including power during thunderstorms.
• Do not use flammable substances such as alcohol or gasoline near the
product.
• For service and repairs, use only shops authorized by Synclavier Digital
Corporation Ltd.
• Do not open the casing on this product. There are no user repairable parts
inside.
• Use this product on a stable, flat surface. If the product is mounted on a
VESA mount, ensure that the proper VESA hardware is used an all screws
are tightened. Do not drop this unit from a height.
• Connect the AC adapter to a power outlet located near the product.
• Do not use this product or the sounds you create with it in such a way that
it risks harming your hearing, or risks harming the hearing of others.
• Always transport or ship this product in the packaging provided. The
packaging provides support. If you use standard bubble-wrap for
packaging, the product will be inadequately supported and damage may
occur.
WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm — www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
This product must be recycled as Electronic Waste. The packaging and any
printed material should be sorted and recycled.
SYNCLAVIER REGEN DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
This unit complies with the RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances)
directive.
USA
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is
operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction
manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this
equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference, in which case the
user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.
Properly shielded and grounded cables and connectors must be used in order to meet
FCC emission limits. Synclavier Digital is not responsible for any radio or television
interference caused by using other than recommended cables and connectors or by
unauthorized changes or modifications to this equipment. Unauthorized changes or
modifications could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device
must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Canada
NOTICE: This class A digital apparatus meets all the requirements of the Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment Regulation.
AVIS: Cet appareil numérique de la classe A respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement
sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada.
This product complies with the requirements of European Directive 89/336/EEC.
This product may not work correctly by the influence of an electrostatic discharge. If an
electrostatic discharge disrupts the operation of your Regen, simply restart the unit.
EU
This product complies with the requirements of European Directive 2014/30/EU.
This product may not work correctly by the influence of an electrostatic discharge. If an
electrostatic discharge disrupts the operation of your Regen, simply restart the unit."
#
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 1
1.1. Using this Manual 1
1.2. Getting around Regen 3
1.3. Configurations 8
1.4. Panels Summary 11
USER SETTINGS 24
2.1. Home & Settings 24
2.2. Help 29
LIBRARY 30
3.1. Preset Timbres 30
3.2. Tags 34
3.3. Samples 37
3.4. Reverbs 40
3.5. Sessions 41
3.6. Saving 48
SESSION 53
4.1. Tracks 53
4.2. Studio 59
PLAYING WITH TIMBRES 63
5.1. Timbres 63
5.2. Timbre Effects 69
5.3. Note FX 79
5.4. Note Filter 82
PARTIALS & SOUND DESIGN 84
Synclavier Regen User Manual 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1. Using this Manual
Synclavier Regen was designed to be intuitive, so users with previous
synthesizer experience should become productive without extensive reference to
this manual, but at some point in your journey, it’s advisable to read it. Regen has
also been designed to be a deep sound design platform, and some techniques
and shortcuts will not be self-evident solely from experimentation with the
machine. Please at least read the Cheat Sheet section at the end of this chapter
that covers things that will not be self-evident from exploring the unit without
documentation.
People learn in different ways, and while lots of the text within these pages is
necessarily dry, we have broken this up with tables, diagrams, walkthroughs and
so on. We are intending to create companion tutorial videos for each
walkthrough. If you’re reading this before the video is made, don’t fear, the
walkthroughs in this manual are self-contained, and you may find that going
through these yourself is preferable to passively watching a video, in any case.
Synclavier Regen User Manual 2
We’ve included help pages within the product itself, accessible via the [?]
button. Their aim is to act as a reminder to the various parameters and functions
of Regen rather than as an exhaustive explanation.
As you read further into this manual, the content becomes deeper. It’s written as
a top-down. So first covering basic operation, such as loading and saving timbres
using the Library, then assembling sessions and tweaking tracks, going deeper
into sound design, starting with modifying timbre-level parameters and finally,
partials. This is to make the content more digestible, but also allows for different
types of users that will require different levels of knowledge, to read only as
much as required. For example, the gigging musician may only be interested in
loading timbres and playing them, while the music producer may be interested
in arranging many timbres in sessions, and finally the sound designer will want
to know every in and out of the product. Of course, the lines are often blurred
and you may be wearing one hat one day and another hat another day. Just know
that as you read further, you will be going deeper into Pandora’s box.
Conventions in this Manual
The User interface is divided into panels. Each is surrounded by a perimeter
border and has a clear title. The exception to this rule is the SELECTOR panel
which has no border and its title is, in fact, ‘PARTIALS or TRACKS’.
The convention for this manual is that panel titles are written in ALL CAPS.
Another convention is button legends, including screen-printed hard buttons and
soft button legends for the 3 option buttons, are in boldface and have the first
letter capitalized, like the legends themselves. Labels are titles that appear on the
main display, and sometimes they will be selectable from a list. Labels also
appear capitalized in the manual, as they are on Regen,.
Pro tips and asides are written in text surrounded by a border.
Walkthrough sections are written in indented block
quotes. You should read the walkthroughs as you
encounter them, even if you don’t intend to follow them
Synclavier Regen User Manual 3
at that time, since they present information not
necessarily covered elsewhere in the text.
Example timbres, samples, sessions, and reverbs, are often cited in the text. They
will be capitalized and followed by square brackets [] containing their speed dial
code (for timbres) or position number.
Tags are always shown in lower case, even at the start of a sentence, just like
on the Regen displays, and prepended with the # symbol.
1.2. Getting around Regen
Rear Connections
Synclavier Regen rear panel
MIDI
MIDI IN and MIDI THRU ports are provided on 1/8” TRS connectors. The
connection scheme is Type A — the MIDI standard for TRS — see https://
www.midi.org/midi-articles/trs-specification-adopted-and-released
Phones
A 1/4” TRS stereo headphone connector. Not suitable for headphones lower than
a 32 ohm rating.
Balanced Outputs
Stereo pair of XLR connections for master audio output. DC coupled. +4 dBU
with 11.4dB headroom.
GND LIFT
Synclavier Regen is designed to be connected to a variety of commercial and pro-
level audio gear. If you experience clipping of output, you may want to set the
Synclavier Regen User Manual 4
switch positions to GND. If you experience ground-loop feedback (hum) you can
try setting the switches to the LIFT positions. Use a small flat screwdriver to
carefully change switch positions.
Single-Ended Outputs
Stereo pair of 1/4” TS connectors for master audio output. DC coupled. -10dbV
with 11.1dB headroom.
NB: Phones, Balanced, and Unbalanced outputs can all be used
simultaneously with no ill effect as they each have their own driver-stage circuit.
ON-OFF
Push-button style power button. Start-up sequence takes around 22 seconds to
complete. Before shutting off power, you should put your unit to sleep, by
pressing the Sleep option button, accessible from the Home screen; that way all
the current settings will be stored, for when you next power-up the unit..
PWR
USB-C connection for incoming power only. Use power adapter supplied, which
is rated for 5.1V and max 3A. The included power supply has been selected for
low ripple-noise for minimal interference and therefore superior audio quality of
the product. If you have damaged your power adapter, you can contact
Synclavier Digital via the website for advice on a replacement.
HOST
USB-B connection. When Regen is in DAW mode, you can connect a USB cable
here to a computer “host” (Mac, Windows, Linux). “Synclavier Regen” will show
in your host machine’s MIDI destinations and you can send MIDI data to it from
a DAW or similar software. NB: When in Controller mode, the Accessories USB
connectors cannot be used, so accessories such as a MIDI keyboard will have to
be routed through your host computer.
Accessories
USB-A connections. You can connect USB accessories, such as MIDI keyboards,
sequencers, and controllers, to these connections. Regen is also MPE compatible,
Synclavier Regen User Manual 5
which opens up the possibility of using this recent breed of expressive MIDI
controller. NB: When Regen is in DAW mode, these ports do not function and all
interfaces would have to connect to your host computer.
These ports would also be where you would connect a USB Audio Interface if
you wanted to use your own, and a Synclavier® Knob, if you have one.
You can also connect a USB QWERTY keyboard for typing timbre names if
you’re engaged in sound design and will be saving a lot of timbre presets.
Synclavier Regen is a synthesizer, but to get sounds out, you’ll have to feed
MIDI in. There are lots of MIDI keyboards and interfaces on the market that
will do an admirable job of supplying MIDI information.
SD Card (not shown on diagram)
This is a slot in the side for a user’s SD card. FAT32 format is recommended, but
some other formats are recognized. This is to hold user samples and to save your
own timbres. Each SD card can contain many “libraries” of timbres and samples,
each one will be a different folder (directory).
NB: Never remove an SD Card if a warning message is showing or the BUSY
light is lit.
Cooling Slots
There are arc-shaped cooling slots on the left side panel, above the SD card slot.
There’s also one large cooling slot that runs the length of the right side panel.
There should be clearance around these slots to allow air flow in and out, so
don’t place your Regen up against a wall, other surface, or other device, without
leaving adequate room to breathe. If these slots are blocked, devices inside the
unit could overheat, causing a system malfunction.
VESA Mount
The bottom panel is equipped with a VESA mount — look for the four larger
threaded holes in a square configuration, 100mm wide. These accept M4 screws,
no more than 10mm long. VESA standard brackets are commonly sold to hold
Synclavier Regen User Manual 6
display monitors. Using one will mean you can get your Regen in the position
and angle you desire for an ergonomic setup. Follow the instructions that come
with the bracket. Most brackets will accommodate the 100 by 100 mm hole
pattern and carry the 1.8kg Regen weight with attached cabling, but do check
before purchasing a bracket.
User Interface
Synclavier Regen top panel
As in the original Synclavier II system, all buttons on Regen also provide
annunciation feedback in the form of LED backlighting and their relative
brightness dictates state information:
Synclavier Regen User Manual 7
Brightness Level State Meaning
Dim Not Selectable
Medium Selectable
Bright Selected
In some environments, such as near a window, it may be difficult to discern
the brightness of modes. For these environments, we have provided a brightness
setting. Settings will be covered in the following chapter.
Multi-coloured Buttons
Most buttons are single-coloured, but two notable exceptions are the Switcher
button and the Enter/Back button.
The Enter/Back button, in addition to being selectable or not, also serves two
functions. Enter can confirm a selection or drill down into a submenu. Enter
function is denoted by green. Back will cancel an operation or traverse from a
subpage to a main page. Back is denoted by blue.
The Switcher button can be red or blue. These two colours indicate the two
main layers of Regen. If the Switcher button is lit Red, this means the machine is
in PARTIALS view and the 12 selector buttons on the right-hand-side represent
the 12 partials; when Blue, it is in TRACKS view and the 12 selector buttons
represent the 12 tracks. Pressing the switcher button changes views. (Much more
on these views/layers later in the manual).
Each Track can be empty or contain 1 timbre. Other synthesizers may use
the word preset for timbres. This is simply Synclavier’s word for a sound
preset. Since Synclavier was one of the earliest digital synthesizers, that over
time grew into a foundational DAW, some of the terms used, such as timbre
and soundfile, have been ingrained into our customers, so it might be
confusing to update them to, for instance, preset and sample.
The 12 Selector buttons are unique in that they’re touch sensitive and and
backlit by RGB (multicoloured) LEDs.
Synclavier Regen User Manual 8
Single-coloured Buttons
The single-colour buttons are grouped as follows:
Colour Meaning
Red Parameters related to partials.
Blue Parameters related to timbres.
White Overall functions and session parameters.
The different colours are very useful. You’ll know when you’re changing a
partial-level parameter or a timbre-level parameter by the colour of the selected
button. The colours are also useful when loading and saving presets: you’ll be
reminded what bits are loaded or saved by the colour of the library button. All
this and more will be covered later in the manual.
1.3. Configurations
Synclavier Regen supports two mutually-exclusive modes: Controller and DAW.
Controller Mode
Select this mode from the Home page’s Settings to operate Synclavier Regen as
the MIDI host. An example connections configuration is shown below:
Synclavier Regen User Manual 9
Of course, some stuff featured is optional: you don’t need headphones and
speakers; you may choose to use only a sequencer or keyboard; etc. And there’s
lots of stuff not featured that you may decide to use in your setup: you could
send the MASTER audio out through effects boxes or a loop station; and since
you have two sets of audio outputs that can be used simultaneously, you could
send one to an amplifier and one to an audio recorder, for example.
Always use only the supplied power adapter, fitted with the correct spade for
your country’s power outlets. This power adapter has been selected for voltage
and current ratings as well as low ripple noise.
Here’s another set-up possibility, that uses a sequencing keyboard that allows for
multiple MIDI tracks simultaneously. A QWERTY keyboard is also connected for
easy entry of timbre names and descriptions. NB: When audio is sent over USB to
an Audio Interface, as in this set-up, the internal DAC is disabled, so you can’t
also use the audio outputs or headphone output, but the MASTER Volume
controls do still work.
It’s likely you’ll want to use the power adapter supplied with the audio
interface even if it can be bus-powered, as this will mean less burden on the
Regen power, and possibly less power-supply noise. Also, some keyboards that
Synclavier Regen User Manual 10
have large display of lots of LEDs will state in their manual that they only work
at full brightness when connected to a dedicated power adapter.
DAW Mode
Select this mode from the Home page’s Settings to operate Synclavier Regen as a
MIDI client. An example connections configuration is shown below:
Synclavier Regen User Manual 11
In this configuration, the computer takes up the host duty and routes MIDI
messages in from keyboards and controllers. You can assign multiple MIDI
tracks (up to 12) in your DAW for Regen and configure each to send data on a
MIDI channel that you have a Regen instrument assigned. If you connect the
audio from Regen to your Audio Interface, you should be able to record the
audio mix back to your DAW on an AUDIO track.
NB: In DAW mode the USB Accessories ports do not work, so MIDI interfaces
have to be connected to your host computer.
DAW mode is also also the one to use to connect Regen to an iPad. You can
run a DAW application to route MIDI through an audio interface or HUB into
Regen. See an example iPad set-up below:
1.4. Panels Summary
This summary section is worth reading before diving into the other sections of
the manual that cover the functions in depth, so you, at minimum, have a broad
understanding of all functions before zooming-in on one. Rarely does a function
behave in isolation. For example, the FM modulation is controlled by parameters
on the OSCILLATOR and ENVELOPE panels.
Synclavier Regen User Manual 12
NAVIGATION
The NAVIGATION panel contains the main display. This display will present
one of many “pages” containing useful information and feedback for the current
function that the user is concerned with.
There are 3 Option buttons below the display, numbered, for the purposes of
this manual, left to right 1.,2.,3. If these are selectable, they will be dimly lit and a
legend will appear on the display immediately above the button. These Option
buttons typically portray different parameters of the function the user had
selected — for instance, if you tap Vibrato, you will be presented with Wave,
Rate, and Depth — 3 vibrato parameters that can be adjusted by selecting the
corresponding selector button and using the Swiper to change the value. Option
buttons can also be used to access sub-pages.
Below the Option 2 button is the Enter/Back button. When red, this button’s
function is Enter — used, for instance, to select a Timbre to load when browsing
the library. When blue, this button’s function is Back — used to cancel an
operation or traverse up from a sub-page to a page.
The Left and Right arrows either side of the Enter/Back button will be dimly
lit if selectable. They typically navigate to other available pages — for instance, if
you go right from the main Vibrato page, you get access to Invert, Quantize, and
Bias parameters. In some cases Arrow Left and Right are used to navigate
within a page, such as in the case of changing the brightness on the Settings
page.
The philosophy of the Option buttons is that their legends depict what the
button does, not what the state is. For example, when changing the sort
method of timbres in a Library, Option 1’s legend is “Change Sort” but the
current state — alphabetical, by tag — is portrayed on the main display,
discerned by the formatting of the timbres.
VK DISPLAY
The VK DISPLAY is so called, because it mimics the display from the Synclavier
II VPK edition. As per its namesake, it’s the area that displays the most pertinent
Synclavier Regen User Manual 13
information: for instance, when you load a timbre, its name will appear on the
VK display; if you copy or paste a partial, the VK will provide confirmation
messages; when you change a parameter value using the Swiper, a real readout
of the value is given in the VK in a zoomed view; and so on.
SWIPER
The Swiper is a touch sensitive strip with 7 bits accuracy (resolution 128
positions). To use it, lightly swipe your finger or thumb up and down the strip.
It was placed on the left-hand-side with a 1.3” sweep of the bottom left corner
of the enclosure, to facilitate easy swiping with a left thumb, but you can of
course use whichever digit is most convenient.
The Swiper is used to scroll lists or modify parameter values. For most
parameters, 2 full swipes is enough for full scale change — for example, the
Vibrato Depth will change from 0 to 25 semitones with two full upward swipes.
The Swiper is intelligent and changes its resolution depending on the
parameter being changed. Nudge Up and Nudge Down buttons are provided —
tapping those will always increment or decrement the parameter value by the
smallest unit possible.
NB: If, during a swipe action, your finger covers the Nudge Up or Nudge
Down areas, it will not be recognized as a tap, but the swipe action will continue.
The Swiper supports Fine mode: hold one finger on Nudge Down and then
use another finger to swipe, and the rate of change will be lower than normal.
OVERALL
Buttons not surrounded by a panel border contain controls and parameters that
pertain to system-level settings.
The Home button, no matter what state the system is in, will return you
to the home page. From here, you can view or change settings, or put the unit to
sleep. Press Home twice and any playing sounds will be muted (sometimes
called a MIDI panic feature).
Table of contents
