Xils lab miniSyn'X User manual

miniSyn'X
User Manual
www.xils-lab.com

Table of contents
1 INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................................................4
2 FEATURES........................................................................................................................................................5
3 INSTALLATION...............................................................................................................................................6
3.1 SERIAL NUMBER..............................................................................................................................................6
3.2 WINDOWS (WINDOWS 7,8,10,11)....................................................................................................................6
3.3 MA (OSX 10.9 AND LATER).........................................................................................................................6
4 QUICK START..................................................................................................................................................7
4.1 LAUN H, PLAY...............................................................................................................................................7
4.2 TOOLBAR........................................................................................................................................................7
5 QUICK VIEW....................................................................................................................................................8
5.1 ADJUSTING THE INSTRUMENTS PARAMETERS (KNOBS, SWIT HES)......................................................................8
6 PRESET MANAGEMENT.............................................................................................................................10
6.1 MAIN TOOLBAR............................................................................................................................................10
6.2 PRESET MENU................................................................................................................................................11
6.3 SORT MENUS : HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT PAT H FOR YOUR TRA K QUI KLY.....................................................12
6.3.1 Sorting Menu: Additional Functions ..................................................................................................14
6.4 A/B OMPARISON SLOTS................................................................................................................................15
7 MINIS N'X GLOBAL PARAMETERS : LA ERS, MODES, STEREO, POL PHON , EFFECTS.15
7.1 LAYER MODES : SINGLE, SPLIT AND DOUBLE................................................................................................16
7.2 GLOBAL PARAMETERS TIED TO LAYERS MODES : STEREO, BALAN E, POLYPHONY.........................................16
7.3 LAYERS MANAGEMENT : OPY, EX HANGE, GANG EDIT MODE....................................................................17
8 EAS SOUND DESIGN WITH THE LA ERS : SMART LOAD, RANDOM LOAD, AND LOAD
LA ER FUNCTIONS..........................................................................................................................................18
9 MINIS N'X MODULES DESCRIPTION....................................................................................................19
9.1 SYNTHESIS....................................................................................................................................................19
9.1.1 Oscillators...........................................................................................................................................19
9.1.2 Oscillators synchronization.................................................................................................................21
9.1.3 Multimode Filter..................................................................................................................................21
9.1.4 nvelope Generators...........................................................................................................................22
9.1.5 Noise Generator..................................................................................................................................23
9.1.6 LFO......................................................................................................................................................23
9.1.7 Glide/Portamento and Velocity Modulation........................................................................................24
9.1.8 Joystick (Bend/LFO)............................................................................................................................25
9.1.9 Master ...............................................................................................................................................25
9.2 SEQUEN ER...................................................................................................................................................26
9.2.1 Sequencer display module...................................................................................................................27
9.3 VIRTUAL KEYBOARD.....................................................................................................................................28
9.3.1 Chorus.................................................................................................................................................28
10 OPTION MENU.............................................................................................................................................29
10.1 MAIN..........................................................................................................................................................29
10.2 REMOTE ONTROL WITH MIDI ..............................................................................................................29
10.3 DISPLAY OPTIONS.......................................................................................................................................30

10.4 MIS ..........................................................................................................................................................30
11 CREDITS........................................................................................................................................................30

1 Introduction
Thank you for choosing the miniSyn'X !
The miniSyn'X is a virtual instrument based on the architecture of one of the most iconic of all
vintage polyphonic synthesizers. So revered that it is still in use today by some famous
synthesizer masters.
We at ILS-lab do our best to offer you authentic recreations of these great synthesizers and
then take it even further : What can be done with today’s computers allows us to take these
emulations beyond what was feasible when these products were first created. Our goal is to be
true to the original in sound and modulation routings and then add features that were just not
before possible. And often that are not feasible on any other synthesizer, be it hardware or
software.
Ring Modulation, Cross Pulse Width Modulation and Hard Synchronization between the
oscillators and an unique sophisticated glide circuit allow the recreation of some of the patches
that made this synthesizer a must have in the ancient times.
If you not yet developed your skills as a sound designer, we have included more than 200
presets especially designed for the MiniSyn’ by professional sound designers. So you can fuel
your synthesizer dreams as soon as you load the miniSyn'X into your DAW.
Please enjoy this very powerful sound creation tool. We love what we do and we want you to
get the most enjoyment you possibly can from our labors. We also want to hear from you.
So “like” us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/ ILSLabs and join in the
conversation
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2 Features
The miniSyn'X offers:
Oscillators ( Up to 10 oscillators per patch )
•Two aliasing-free oscillators providing saw, triangle, pulse or square wave forms.
•Pulse Width modulation on all oscillators waveforms
•Hard synchronization between the two oscillators
•Ring-Modulation, Pulse Width Cross Modulation between the two oscillators
Filters ( Up to 2 per patch )
•One multi-mode self -oscillating filter, providing 12 and 24 low pass, 6 and 12 band pass
and a 12 high pass filter per synthesizer engine
Miscellaneous
•Advanced Glide/Portamento module
•Two envelope generators (ADSR) ( Up to 4 per patch in split/Double mode )
•One Cumulative Waveform MIDI syncable polyphonic LFO ( 2 per patch in Split/Double
mode )
•One sine monophonic LFO ( Assigned to the Joystick )
•One 128 steps polyphonic sequencer ( 4 Lines )
•Fat and warm 3 modes Chorus
Structure an ergonomy
•2 independent identical synthesizer engines, that can be associated in 3 modes ( Single,
Double, Split )
•Easy Sound Creation Module ( Smart Load )
•Gang Edit Mode ( In Double & Split Modes )
•Adaptative UI design ( YOSWYN : You only see what you need )
•Entirely automatable via Midi Cc Control
•Two GUI sizes: 1024 and 2048 pixels width
The miniSyn'X is available in the following formats:
•Mac OSX 10.9 an later: VST, VST3, Audio Unit, AA
•Win ows 7,8,10,11: VST, VST3, AA
Minimum system requirements: 1 Gigabyte of RAM and a 2 GHz processor.
The miniSyn'X is a plug-in and is not available as a standalone application
Notice: The screen resolution must be set at least to 1024 pixels width.
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3 Installation
3.1 Serial number
The miniSyn'X only uses a simple serial number protection.
When you launch the miniSyn'X for the first time, it will ask for this number.
After submitting, you must close the plug in and reload it it once in your host to complete the
registration. This serial number will never be asked for again, even when installing updates.
Tip: It is always a good idea to back up this serial number, or to print it, in case you should
have to reinstall miniSyn'X (i.e. if you encountered a HD crash for example, or have to
reinstall your OS).
3.2 Windows (Windows 7,8,10,11)
To install miniSyn'X on Windows P, Vista or Windows 7, launch miniSyn'X installer file.
Please download the latest version from the ILS-lab website.
http://www.xils-lab.com/pages/miniSyn _Downloads.html
Once you have accepted the license agreement, you will be asked to select the installation directory.
A destination directory is provided as a default. Presets and various files, like this manual, used by
miniSyn'X will be stored in this directory. Please note that this location is different from the VST
install directory, which you will need to specify in the next step of the installer.
Once the installation directory is specified, you will be asked to select the VST plug-in directory, with
a suggested default location. Keep this default directory if you do not use the VST version.
Important notice for Vista or Win ows 7: be sure to use a folder write enable and owned by the
user (do not use “c:/program files” for instance). Otherwise you will have to run your music
application with “administrator rights”.
The RTAS plug-in and its table control management Pro-Tools are directly copied into the following
directory: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Digidesign\DAE\Plug-Ins
3.3 Mac (OSX 10.9 and la er)
To install miniSyn'X on a computer equipped with Mac OS 10.9 or later, download the latest
version from the ILS-lab website to make sure you have the latest version of the software.
http://www.xils-lab.com/pages/miniSyn _Download.html
Then launch the install program, miniSyn .pkg, and follow the instructions.
Warning: the install program will ask you for your system password.
The various files of miniSyn' will be copied into the following directories:
Library/Application Support/Digidesign/Plug-Ins
Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components
Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST/
Library/Application Support/Documentation/ ILS-lab/miniSyn
..users/username/Library/Preferences/ ILS-lab/miniSyn
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4 Quick Start
4.1 Launch, Play
When you open the miniSyn'X in your host, an Init preset is loaded.
It is a simple two-oscillators sound, which can be seen as a basis for your sound design.
You can directly use this preset, a simple, or load one of the more than 250 factory presets
provided.
To browse the factory-preset library, just select a category of instruments, using the bank drop
down menu at the left of the miniSyn'X Tool Bar. (See Picture Below)
You can then use the up and down arrows located at the right of the preset name, or open the
whole bank list by clicking on the triangle located at the left of the preset name (See Picture
Below)
Note: We have also provided different Init Patches, which can be seen as a good basis to begin
to design new presets.
4.2 Toolbar
Note: The toolbar at the top of the interface allows you to load or save presets, make a comparison
between settings A and B, or modify the options. These functions are described in detail later in this
manual.
Click on the PRESET arrow to show the available presets in the current sorted group. Please note
that selecting a new preset without saving your current settings will erase any changes you have
made to those settings.
Click on the sort arrow button to display the current sorted group and to choose the preset within
it.
You can sort presets by: Author, Feeling, Type, Style, Bank or Projects.
Please note that the miniSyn'X will display presets by instruments categories (Type) by default.
Click on the sorting label over the sorted group name, to sort your preset according to your
preferences.
Please note that the miniSyn'X’s powerful Preset management is fully detailed in chapter 6 of this
manual.
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5 Quick View
5.1 Adjus ing he ins rumen s parame ers (Knobs, swi ches)
On the miniSyn'X, most sound parameters, like the pitch of an oscillator, or the filter’s Cut-Off
frequency are controlled using Knobs.
To adjust the parameters of the miniSyn'X with the mouse, you have two axes: horizontal and
vertical : Both will give the same results.
•To increase a parameters value, click and drag the knob to the right, or to the top
•To decrease a parameter value, click and drag the knob to the left or, to the bottom.
If you right-click on a parameter, or if you hold shift while clicking, you can adjust the parameter
with fine precision (Tip : the ? button of the toolbar opens an info panel summarizing these
shortcuts).
Keyboar shortcuts
In addition we have provided different soft keys combination to perform several very useful
tasks:
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Win ows:
•CTRL+left click: reset parameter to its default value.
•CTRL+right click or CTRL+Shift+left click: initialize the default value of the parameter.
•Win+Alt+CTRL + click: open the MIDI Control panel, with the parameter already selected.
OSX:
•Apple+left click: reset parameter to its default value.
•Apple+Shift+left click: initialise the default value of the parameter
•Apple+Alt+CTRL + click: open the MIDI Control panel, with the parameter already selected.
Note: Other GUI elements and controls, like the LED Switches, or the dropdown
menus, will be described in the following sections of this manual, when you’ll
need to use them.
The switches are simpler: just left click to change their state. A right click will
change the state only while the button is pressed, and return to the previous
state when it is released.
When a parameter is chosen via a drop down menu, just click on the button or
label and select the item.
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6 Preset Management
6.1 Main Toolbar
In the toolbar you can find two buttons, displaying the category name (Bank, Author, Type, Style,
Feeling or Project), which open the sort management menus.
The two first text fields show the current sorting group and the third shows the current preset.
Clicking on the arrow on the left of the category or preset names opens the corresponding menus.
Note: When a parameter is modified, the name of the preset is followed by a *, indicating that the
current settings of the miniSyn' no longer matches the stored preset.
When you want to save a modified preset, click on the Save or Save As button.
In order to prevent you from erasing them, the Factory presets cannot be modified. When you edit a
Factory preset, the Save button will be grayed, and you will have to use the Save As function to
save it in another bank.
If you edit any other preset than a Factory one, the Save and Save As function will both be
available.
The main difference is that the Save function will save the preset under its current name, and with its
current tags, overwriting the previous incarnation of the preset, while the Save as function opens a
dialog box where you can modify the name of the preset, the bank in which it will be stored, and all
its tags
The settings of the miniSyn'X are then saved in the currently displayed preset, and the *
disappears. Click on the Save As button to save this preset with another name and/or to other
sorting groups.
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