The Space Effect
The Space Effect is part of the Studio Setup bundle, which you may buy online and then download. The Space Effect is available as a VST plugin for Windows and as a VST- and Audio Unit plugin for Mac OS X.
About the Space Effect
The Space Effect has the same architecture as the Space Synthesizer, minus the oscillator. Therefore this description is a bit similar to the Space Synthesizer's. While the Space Synthesizer is an instrument, the Space Effect is an effect, which can be used as an insert or as a send effect. It may be used to process other plugins or external instruments, such as synths, drums or guitars.
The Space Effect has been tested with Cubase SX, Cubase VST, Garage Band, Muzys, Orion Pro, Logic, Acid Pro, Magix Music Studio, Audio Mulch and SONAR using various adapters. It should work with all VST compatible hosts on Windows and all Audio Unit compatible hosts on Mac as long as they follow the spec. In addition the Space Effect is available as a VST plugin on Mac OS X.
The plugin may process audio, such as drums, guitars, external synthesizers or other plugins / soft synths. In fact even the dullest and most boring sound can come alive when you process it with the Space Effect.
MP3 Examples
This MP3 file is 46 seconds long.
It contains a guitar recording. The first 23 seconds show how the guitar sounds clean
without
any effects. The last 23 seconds play exactly the same guitar recording, but
with the
Space Effect applied on the recording.
Here's an MP3 file which illustrates how the Space Effect was used to process a simple drum loop (for comparison,
this MP3 file illustrates how the drum loop sounds without the Space Effect in action).
Features
The Space Effect uses a resonator, to create that famous sweeping sound, and an ensemble effect to give the audio that lush and smooth sound.
Many parameters can be controlled by the built-in analog style sequencer. Odd and unusual patches can be created. For example, the resonator can be swept with an LFO that has a random shape. Or the sequencer can control the filter cutoff.
Two delays add an extra dimension to the sounds. The delay time can be synchronized to MIDI or they can run on their own.
Modulation Heaven
A wide range of exotic patches, with an ambient feel, can be created using the extensive modulation capabilities of the Space Effect. How about sequencer control of the filter's resonance parameter? Or how about modulating the resonator LFO's rate with a sample & hold noise source? Or let the plugins sequencer control the ensemble effect's vibrato depth.
Online and Slightly Shortened Version of the Manual
NOTE: This is a slightly shortened version of the manual and it's
for version 1.5. The PDF version (for v2.0) is included when you
install the software.
Overview
The Space Effect is a VST effect for Windows and Audio Unit on Mac OS X. Thus,
it
runs as a plugin to VST compatible programs on Windows, such as Cubase DX,
Acid
Pro, Logic and other programs, which can execute VST plugins. Or it can be
used with
AU compatible programs on Mac OS X.Requirements
Installation
Windows:
The plugin should be installed in your VST plugins folder, that is the
folder, which your host software (e.g. Cubase VST) uses to store all its
plugins. When the installation procedure starts, you will be asked where
this folder is located. If you don’t know, then quit the installation program
immediately, read your host software’s manual and restart the installation
procedure.
Mac OS X:
Drag the component (the SpaceEffect.component folder) to the place
where your Audio Units are kept. This is usually
[HOME]/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/.
Performance
Although the plugin contains many advanced features, especially when it comes
to
modulation, it is not hard on the CPU. We have optimized the code to make
it execute
as efficient as possible. However, it also depends on how many applications
you run
in parallell of course. If you have many background programs running, for
example in
the system tray, and if you replay a number of hard disk tracks at the same
time as the
plugin executes, then the CPU will of course be under more pressure.
The Knobs and Sliders
The fastest way to learn how the Space Effect works is to remember that the
knobs,
which are labelled with orange colored arrows are used for sequencer modulation.
Sequencer modulation
Each sequencer modulation knob selects how much the sequencer should affect
the
value of the slider next to the knob.
The more a sequencer modulation knob is turned to the left, the more it decreases
the
value of the slider, which is positioned next to it. And the more such a
knob is turned to
the right, the more it increases the value of the slider, which is positioned
next to it.
Thus, how much the value should be decreased or increased depends on the
current
value of the sequencer and how much the knob is turned.
The Different Sections
The plugin contains a number of logical sections, which process the
sound in a
certain way. Let’s go through them one by one.
Sequencer
The sequencer is used to modulate all other sections, except the stereo delay.
It’s an
analog style sequencer, which can change the sound dramatically if it’s used
the right
way.
The Steps
There are 16 knobs, each representing one step. If you use all 16 steps,
then the
sequencer runs from step 1 to step 16 and then begins at step 1 again and
repeats
forever. Each step has a positive value only going from zero, when the knob
is turned
fully anti-clockwise, to max value when the knob is turned fully clockwise.
If you want to use the sequencer to change the waveform, then you must first
turn the
sequencer modulation knob either to the left or right. If it points at 12
o clock, then the
sequencer steps won’t affect it. So if the sequencer modulation knob (in
the evolving
waveform section) is in either a left or right poisition, then turn each
step knob to select
waveform. As you tun the step knob, you can see that the waveform display
shows
which waveform the step corresponds to.
So, to summarize: If you use the sequencer to modulate waveform, then first
select
how much modulation you want by setting the sequencer modulation knob. Then
adjust each step by turning it and at the same time watching the waveform
display.
Length
If you don’t need to use all 16 steps, you can adjust the length slider to
make it shorter.
A display shows you how many step you have selected, when the slider is moved.
Speed
The speed is also adjusted with a slider. If you the sync button is deselected,
the
sequencer uses the plugin’s own clock.
Synchronization
The sequencer can also be synchronized to the host software’s tempo by selecting
the
sync button. In that case, the speed slider will decides how much the sequencer’s
speed is divided with respect to the host software’s speed. That’s why the
speed
display will show you a / character followed by a number, when the sync button
is
pressed down.
Phase
The phase knob adjusts how the sequencer should be shifted/delayed with respect
to
the host software’s position. For example, the host software has a number
of MIDI
tracks and you record at bars 0, 1, 2, 3 etc. The sequencer’s steps normally
start at a
whole bar (0, 1, 2, 3 etc) but you might want to have a slight lag sometimes.
Then you
can adjust the phase knob to make the sequencer steps start slightly after
a whole bar
in the host software.
Portamento
The porta knob adjusts the transition between each step. If the portamento
is set to
zero then the transition between each step value will be abrupt. However,
if the
portamento knob is set to max value, then there will be a ramp from a step
value to the
next. For example, assume that step 1 is set to zero and step 2 is set to
max value
(turned fully clockwise). If the portamento knob is set to max then the sequencer
will
output zero and then it will increase its output bit by bit until it reaches
max. Thus, the
transition between step 1 and 2 will be a ramp rather than an abrupt change.
This can
be used for a number of things. Here are a couple of examples.
· Modulate the ensemble amount with portamento set to max. Then
you will get
a smooth transition from no ensemble at all to max amount of ensemble
effects, when the sequencer steps are programmed from min to max.
· Modulate the filter cutoff frequency with the sequencer and
the sequencer
portamento knob set to max. Then the cutoff will “glide” between the values
rather than maxing an abrupt change.
Filter
The filter in the Space Effect is a resonant 4th order lowpass filter. It
has the following
controls.
Cutoff Frequency
There’s a slider to adjust the cutoff frequency. When you pull it down, the
sounds
eventually gets inaudible and 100% filtered out. When the slider is crannked
fully up,
the sound is not filtered at all. The cutoff frequency can be modulated by
the
sequencer. This is carried out using the sequencer modulation knob, as described
earlier.
Resonance
Resonance is a phenomena, which amplifies the frequencies near the cutoff
frequency. It can be used to creat a certain type of sounds. Experiment with
it and
you’ll notice quickly how it changes the sound. The slider has an associated
sequencer modulation knob, next to it, to make it possible to modulate this
parameter
from the sequencer.
Rate
In addition to the sequencer, the filter can be modulated by an LFO (Low
Frequency
Oscillator). The LFO moves the cutoff frequency according to a certain shape,
e.g.
sine (see shape below). If you move the rate slider up, then the movement
is carried
out faster. Pull the slider down and the movement is done slower. If the
sync button is
selected, then the movement is carried out in speed with the host software.
Then the
rate selecteds how much the LFO should be divided with the host software’s
tempo.
The rate can be modulated by the sequencer, by adjusting the sequencer modulation
knob.
Depth
The depth slider decides how much the movement, described above, should affect
the
cutoff frequency. IIf it’s set to its min value, then there’s no move at
all. If it’s pulled to
the top, then the movement goes from the current setting of the cutoff slider
to the max
value. The depth parameter can be modulated by the sequencer as well, by
adjusting
the sequencer modulation knob.
Sync (with the host software)
As mentioned earlier, the LFO can be synchronized to the host software’s
tempo. In
that case, the rate slider works as a tempo divider.
Phase
The phase knob in the filter section, decides the lag of the LFO with respect
to the host
software’s tempo. It works similar as the sequencer’s phase knob.
Shape (SRP)
When the LFO is used to sweep the cutoff frequency, the shape knob selects
which
shape the sweep should have. The knob can be used to select one of the following
three LFO modes.
1. Sine (S)
2. Random (R)
3. Pulse (P)
Sine makes the LFO sweep up, down, up, down etc. Random picks random values
for
the LFO and pulse has the shape of a square.
Resonator
The resonator in the Space Effect creates a certain type of rich sweeping
sounds,
which are often used to create powerful pads.
Frequency
The frequency slider selects which frequency the resonator should resonate
at. The
resonator is usually modulated by its LFO or by the sequencer. In that case,
the
frequency slider selects the base frequency. All modulations then either
add or
subtract from that position, depending on the depth or amount of sequencer
modulation.
Feedback
Feedback adjusts how much of the resonator’s output that should be fed back
to its
input. More feedback creates an accentuated and more powerful effect while
low
settings create a subtle and less noticable effect. NOTE that if use crank
the feedback
slider all the way up, the resonator might go wile and you can get some nasty
distortion, because you’re simple feeding too much back. The amount of feedback
can
be modulated by the sequencer by adjusting the sequencer modulation knob
for the
feedback.
Rate
Similar to the filter, the resonator can be modulated by an LFO (Low Frequency
Oscillator). The LFO moves the resonator’s frequency according to a certain
shape. If
you move the rate slider up, then the movement is carried out faster. Pull
the slider
down and the movement is done slower. If the sync button is selected, then
the
movement is carried out in speed with the host software. Then the rate selecteds
how
much the LFO should be divided with the host software’s tempo. The rate can
be
modulated by the sequencer, by adjusting the sequencer modulation knob.
Depth
The depth slider decides how much the sweep should affect the frequency.
IIf it’s set
to its min value, then there’s no move at all. If it’s pulled to the top,
then the movement
goes from the current setting of the cutoff slider to the max value. The
depth
parameter can be modulated by the sequencer as well, by adjusting the sequencer
modulation knob.
Sync (with the host software)
The LFO can be synchronized to the host software’s tempo. In that case, the
rate
slider works as a tempo divider.
Phase
The phase knob in the resonator section, decides the lag of the LFO with
respect to
the host software’s tempo. It works similar as the sequencer’s phase knob.
Shape (SRP)
When the LFO is used to sweep the resonator’s frequency, the shape knob selects
which shape the sweep should have. The knob can be used to select one of
the
following three LFO modes.
1. Sine (S)
2. Random (R)
3. Pulse (P)
Sine makes the LFO sweep up, down, up, down etc. Random picks random values
for
the LFO and pulse has the shape of a square.
Ensemble
The ensemble is used to make it sound like there are many sound sources
(oscillators).
Amount
The amount adjusts how much of the ensemble should be applied to the sound.
Note
that this slider can be modulated by the sequencer by adjusting the sequencer
modulation knob next to the amount slider.
Vibrato Rate
Vibrato can be added to the ensemble to make the sound more human and less
cold.
The rate slider selects how fast the vibrato should be. This parameter can
also be
modulated by the sequencer by adjusting the sequencer modulation knob.
Vibrato Depth
The depth slider select how much vibrato that should be applied to the ensemble.
It’s
possible to have the sequencer modulate this parameter as well.
Stereo Delay
A stereo delay can be used to add slap back delay or other effects to the
plugins
overall sound.
Left and Right Delay time
The time sliders adjust the delay time for the left and right channel delays
respectively.
The delay time is shown in a display next to the slider. Note that is the
sync button is
selected, the display shows how much the time is divided with respect to
the host
sequencer’s tempo.
Sync
When this button is clicked, the delay is locked to the host software’s tempo.
Just click
this button and the delay time with the host software’s tempo (e.g. the tempo
in
Cubase VST). When you move the time slider, the time is divided with the
tempo in
the host software.
Left and Right Feedback
This is how much of the delay that should be fed back again. Higher values
result in
more echoes, but no longer time between the echoes, just more echoes. The
time
between the echoes is adjusted with the left and right delay time sliders.
Left and Right mix
This is the wet/dry setting for the left and right delay respectively.
The Studio Setup - 12 VST or AU Plugins
The Space Effect is available as trialware, which means that you may test
drive the 30 days free trial. When the trial time has expired, the
software cannot be used unless you register. Registered users of the
Space Effect obtain not only the Space Effect, but also the other
plugins you can read about on this site.
November 20, 2006
