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Release Date: March 23, 2021
© Sample Fuel, LLC, 2021.
© Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH, 2021.
All rights reserved.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Table of Contents
4 … Introduction
4 … Loading the VST Sound Instrument Set
4 … Loading and Saving Presets
5 … Plug-in Controls
5 … Performance Control Section
5 … Quick Controls
5 … Sphere
7 … Macro Page Parameters
7 … Automating Parameters
8 … SIMPLE/ADVANCED
8 ... Simple Page
10 ... Advanced Pages
11 … The Master Section
13 … The Synth Section
17 … The FX Section
18 … The Modulation Section
19 … The Arpeggiator Section
20 … The Midi Player Section
21 … The XY Section
22 … The About Section
23 … Factory Presets
23 … Naming Scheme
23 … The Browser Tab
24 … Additional Resources
INTRODUCTION
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Introduction
PAD MOTION LAYERS is a very unique instrument that utilizes 4 Sample and Granular layers in one
engine powered by Steinberg's FREE HALion Sonic SE platform. Furthermore, you can load the
instrument set as a program in HALion, HALion Sonic, and HALion Sonic SE. For further instructions on
how to use HALion Sonic SE, HALion Sonic and HALion, follow the links below to their respective
manuals:
• HALion Sonic SE
• HALion Sonic
• HALion
PAD MOTION LAYERS is a 4 layered sample/granular engine that cycles through all layers and is
powered by the PAD MOTION LAYERS Engine. Presets can load patches in up to 16 slots that can be
used multi-timbral or layered by assigning patches to the same midi channel. The main concept behind
its design is to provide you with a "SIMPLE Page" that provides all the functionality you would reach for
during composing or performing. There is an incredible amount of functionality and sound design
capabilities contained in the additional pages we provide all with the same concept of being simple and
intuitive.
Loading the VST Sound Instrument Set
To load the instrument set in HALion, HALion Sonic, or HALion Sonic SE, load any
of the presets that come with PAD MOTION LAYERS library.
Loading and Saving Presets
When you are working with a Steinberg DAW, the Load and Save dialogs contain
MediaBay functionality, allowing you to make use of tags, for example.
• To load a preset, click the name field in the plug-in functions section and select the
preset in the dialog.
• When a preset is loaded, you can step through the available presets using the left
and right arrow buttons to the left of the preset name field.
• To save a preset, click the floppy disk icon to the right of the preset name and
enter a name for the preset.
• In a non-Steinberg DAW, you can only save presets in the predefined folder or a
subfolder of this folder. If you save presets using the preset manager of the DAW
that you are using, these presets are only accessible within this DAW and not in
other host applications.
PLUG-IN CONTROLS
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Plug-In Controls
Performance Control Section
The performance control section in the lower part of the plug-in panel contains additional
elements that can quickly modify the instrument playback: Quick Controls and Sphere.
Quick Controls
The eight potentiometer controls at the bottom are called quick controls. They allow you
to remote-control the most important sound parameters for the preset. The quick control
assignments cannot be modified in the VST Sound Instrument Set. You can modify the
assignments in HALion or HALion Sonic.
In PAD MOTION LAYERS, these 8 pre-assigned controls are assigned to both layers
allowing you to control for example the cutoff filter offset for both layers at the same
time with one knob.
The Motion knob can control all the motion and pulsing of a patch. It defaults to full
motion but can dial the motion all the way down to no movement at all. A very creative
way to control many LFO's, Step Filters, and User Envelopes all with one simple knob.
* PAN LFO, Wavetable LFOs and the ARP is excluded from the Motion Quick control knob.
Sphere
The sphere is the ball on the bottom right of the HALion products. It is a two-dimensional
control, which allows you to adjust two quick controls simultaneously by dragging the
mouse horizontally and vertically within the sphere. The Sphere assignments cannot be
modified in the VST Sound Instrument Set. You can modify the assignments in HALion or
HALion Sonic.
In PAD MOTION LAYERS, the Sphere controls are pre-assigned to Hi Pass Filter Cutoff and
Resonance for both layers.
PLUG-IN CONTROLS
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The small triangles for indicating the horizontal and the vertical axis are only available if
parameters are assigned to Sphere H and V.
Center Horizontal/Center Vertical
You can set up the sphere to stay where you move it to or return to the center
automatically. This can be defined for each axis separately.
To do so, right click the Sphere and activate or deactivate the “Center Horizontal” or
“Center Vertical” options on the context menu for the sphere.
MACRO PAGE PARAMETERS
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Macro Page Parameters
The Macro pages for the PAD MOTION LAYERS VST Sound Instrument set is divided into 8 pages.
• SIMPLE/ADVANCED
o SIMPLE
o ADVANCED
▪ MASTER SECTION
▪ SYNTH
▪ FX
▪ XY
▪ ABOUT
Automating Parameters
All of the Macro page parameters can be automated, except for the Polyphonic
parameters in the Master section and the Step, Level, and Snap parameters in the
Stepmod section on the Motion Page.
MACRO PAGE PARAMETERS-SIMPLE
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SIMPLE/ADVANCED
THE SIMPLE PAGE
The SIMPLE Page allows the user to make quick tweaks to the instrument without being overwhelmed
by too many parameters. This page is split into 4 different sections.
• Upper Section contains:
o SIMPLE/ADVANCED Switches: These switch between the SIMPLE or ADVANCED views
o Layer Bypass: This will Bypass the currently viewed layer.
o Layer Lo Pass Cutoff and Resonance
o Layer Main Volume
o Layer Course Tune and Octave Control
o Layer Hi Pass Cutoff and Resonance
• Upper Middle Section:
o Sample Engine Layer controls:
• Bypass: switches the sample layer state on or off
• Mute: Mutes the sample layer
• Solo: Solos the sample layer
• Sample/Grain Switch: Switch between sample and grain synthesis
MACRO PAGE PARAMETERS-SIMPLE
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• Sample Preset Selector: Selects between 900 different sample sources for the
sample layer
• Volume: Controls the level of the sample layer
• Pan: Controls the location of the sample layer in the stereo field
• Tune: Fine tune control of the sample layer
• Filter Type: Drop down menu that allows the user to choose between 24 different
filter types
• Filter Cutoff: Controls the filter cutoff amount
• Filter Resonance: Controls the filter resonance amount
• Distortion Amount: Adjust the amount of distortion
• Distortion Type: Switch the distortion type or turn off (Classic)
• Modulation Faders: Controls the amount of modulation of the corresponding
control. Modulation types are LFO, User Envelope, Step Modulator and GATE
(specifically for the Volume)
• Lower Section
o Motion Contains two preassigned LFO’s. On assigned to Volume and the other to Pan.
For each LFO, the parameters are as listed:
▪ Bypass: Enable-disable LFO
▪ Waveform: Type of waveform
▪ Retrigger: Set the retrigger mode
▪ Sync: Enable-disable tempo sync
▪ Rate: Specify the rate of the LFO
▪ Shape: Specify the shape of the waveform
▪ Phase: Tweak the phase of the LFO waveform
o Modulation Contains: Modwheel and Aftertouch modulation parameters such as:
▪ Bypass
▪ Amount
▪ Destination
To learn more specifics about any of these parameters you can consult the HALion Operation manual.
Link found on the Additional Resources Page.
MACRO PAGE PARAMETERS-ADVANCED PAGE
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ADVANCED PAGE
The ADVANCED Page offers more complex controls and parameters to the user.
When switching to the ADVANCED Page, the Upper section remains fixed and is referred to as the
Master Section. This section all about having instant access to all the parameters that you will use most
of the time without the need to jump to other screens.
The Lower section is where you will find more in-depth parameters for the Oscillators, Motion Controls,
FX, and filter controls via XY Pads.
MACRO PAGE PARAMETERS-MASTER SECTION
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MASTER SECTION
The MASTER Section is all about having instant access to all the parameters that you will use most of the
time without the need to jump to other screens. The master section consists of:
• SIMPLE/ADVANCED switches
• Master/Voice/Unison Switches
• Layer Bypass
• Main Volume
• Level Meter
• Master
o Octave
o Course Tune
o Fine Tune
o Key Follow
o Pitchbend parameters.
• Voice
o Mono/Poly Switch
o Polyphonic Voice Count
o Trigger Mode
o Glide On/Off
o Glide Fingered
o Glide Sync
o Glide Time
• Unison:
o Unison On/Off
o Voices
o Detune
o Pan
o Delay
o Distribution
• Hi Pass Cutoff, Filter Type and Resonance
• Lo Pass Cutoff, Filter Type and Resonance
• Amplitude and Filter Velocity
• Mod Wheel Bypass, Amount and Destination
• AfterTouch Bypass, Amaount and Destination
• 4 Layer XY: Balance the levels of all 4 layers. (Can be automated by right-clicking the X-button or
Y-button to the left of the XY to learn)
• Layer Controls:
MACRO PAGE PARAMETERS-MASTER SECTION
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o Layer Bypass
o Layer Mute
o Layer Solo
o Layer Pan
o Layer Volume
o Layer Switch: Switch between layers by clicking the layer name ( ex: Click where it shows
“Layer 1”)
o LFO Bypass
o Step Modulator Bypass
o User Envelope Bypass
o Gate Bypass
Towards the right are the two Volume and Pan LFOs, identical to the ones found on the Simple Page.
Underneath the LFOs are the section switches for the Synth Section, FX Section, Motion Section, XY
Section, and the About Section.
MACRO PAGE PARAMETERS-SYNTH SECTION
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THE SYNTH SECTION
The PAD MOTION LAYERS SYNTH section has 4 main sample/granular engines each with identical
parameters and functions. The user can switch between them by clicking on the name of the layer above
the Synth Setcion (ex. Layer 1, Layer 2, Layer 3, Layer 4).
You can choose between 900 different samples for each layer. The 4 sample layers will play
simultaneously and sound as a pad.
Sample Layer Parameters:
• Bypass: switches the sample layer state on or off
• Mute: Mutes the sample layer
• Solo: Solos the sample layer
• Sample Waveform Display: Displays the current sample waveform of the sample
player
• A sample browser/loader that allows you to switch between any of the available
682 possible sample/multi-sample choices that can be used for sound design patch
creation.
• Playback mode
o Normal: Sample is played back from the dictated Sample Start to Sample
End (respecting the loop settings if there are any)
o Reverse: Sample is played back from the Sample End to the Sample Start
(this function will ignore loop settings).
o One Shot: Sample playback ignores loop settings and plays back from the
Sample Start to the Sample End
o Reverse One Shot: Sample playback ignores loop settings and plays back
from Sample End to Sample Start
• Sample Start: Dictates the position of the sample start maker
• Sample end Dictates the position of the sample end maker
MACRO PAGE PARAMETERS-SYNTH SECTION
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• Fixed Pitch: If enabled, the root key of the note played is ignored and the sample
plays back at the recorded pitch
• Release Start: Dictates the position of the cursor when you release the key
• Release Offset: Enables the user to tweak the release start of every sample
• Crossfade: Enables the user to set the crossfade
• Crossfade Curve: Enables the user to set the curve of the crossfade
• Fade In: Enables the user to the set Fade In length
• Fade In Curve: Enables the user to the set Fade In curve
• Fade Out: Enables the user to the set Fade Out length
• Fade Out Curve: Enables the user to the set Fade Out curve
• Loop
o No Loop: No loop is set, sample is played back without a loop
o Continuous: Loop is set and sample is played back until amplitude envelope
release
o Alternate: Loop is set and sample playback alternates directions when the
cursor reaches the loop markers
o Once: loop is repeated only once
o Until Release: Loop is set but only loops for as long as the key is pressed.
Upon release, the sample no longer loops
o Alt until Release: Loop is set and sample playback alternates directions until
the key is released.
• Loop Start: Dictates the start position of the loop sustain marker
• Loop End: Dictates the end position of the loop sustain marker
• Crossfade: Enables the user to define the crossfade length of the loop
• Crossfade Curve: Enables the user to define the crossfade curve amount of the loop.
• Crossfade Tuning: Dictates the tuning of the loop.
• Volume: Controls the level of the sample layer
• Pan: Controls the location of the sample layer in the stereo field
• Tune: Fine tune control of the sample layer
• Attack: This is an amplitude attack offset for the sample layer.
• Decay: This is an amplitude decay offset for the sample layer.
• Sustain: This is an amplitude sustain offset for the sample layer.
• Release: This is an amplitude release offset for the sample layer.
• Hi Pass: This adjust a layer specific Hi Pass cutoff.
• Filter Attack: This is a filter attack offset for the sample layer.
• Filter Decay: This is a filter decay offset for the sample layer.
• Filter Sustain: This is a filter sustain offset for the sample layer.
• Filter Release: This is a filter release offset for the sample layer.
• Filter Type: Drop down menu that allows the user to choose between 24 different
filter types
• Filter Cutoff: Controls the filter cutoff amount
• Filter Resonance: Controls the filter resonance amount
• Filter Envelope Amount: Knob that adjusts the degree to which the filter envelope
affects the filter
• Filter Distortion Type: Drop down menu that allows the user to choose between 7
different distortion types or they can choose no distortion type (Classic/None).
MACRO PAGE PARAMETERS-SYNTH SECTION
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• Filter Distortion: Knob that adjusts the amount of distortion. (No applicable if
Classic/None, HALion 3 or Waldorf is chosen in the Filter Distortion Type Drop
Down)
• Filter Fatness: Knob that adjust the amount of fatness (Only applicable if HALion 3
or Waldorf is chosen in the Filter Distortion Type Drop Down)
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Grain Layer Parameters:
• A sample browser/loader that allows you to switch between any of the available 682 possible
sample/multi-sample choices that can be used for sound design patch creation.
• Playback mode
o Normal: Sample is played back from the dictated Sample Start to Sample End
(respecting the loop settings if there are any)
o Reverse: Sample is played back from the Sample End to the Sample Start (this function
will ignore loop settings).
o One Shot: Sample playback ignores loop settings and plays back from the Sample Start
to the Sample End
o Reverse One Shot: Sample playback ignores loop settings and plays back from Sample
End to Sample Start
• Sample Start: Dictates the position of the sample start maker
• Sample end Dictates the position of the sample end maker
• Crossfade: Enables the user to set the crossfade
• Fade In: Enables the user to the set Fade In length
• Fade Out: Enables the user to the set Fade Out length
• Loop
o No Loop: No loop is set, sample is played back without a loop
o Continuous: Loop is set, and sample is played back until amplitude envelope release
o Alternate: Loop is set an1d sample playback alternates directions when the cursor
reaches the loop markers
o Once: loop is repeated only once
o Until Release: Loop is set but only loops for as long as the key is pressed. Upon release,
the sample no longer loops
o Alt until Release: Loop is set and sample playback alternates directions until the key is
released.
• Loop Start: Dictates the start position of the loop sustain marker
• Loop End: Dictates the end position of the loop sustain marker
• Crossfade: Enables the user to define the crossfade length of the loop
• Crossfade Curve: Enables the user to define the crossfade curve amount of the loop.
• Crossfade Tuning: Dictates the tuning of the loop.
• Grain: Dictates the number of grains per channel of the sample
• Grain Shape: Dictates the shape of the grain
• Speed: Dictates the speed of playback of the grains in the sample
• Direction: Dictates the speed of the playback at finer amounts and dictates the direction of the
grains
• Level: Determines the level of the oscillator
• Rnd Level (Random Level): Randomizes the level for each new grain
MACRO PAGE PARAMETERS-SYNTH SECTION
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• Width: Narrows or widens the stereo width of the oscillator
• Auto G: Automatically adjust the level of the grains using quieter sample parts
• Position: Set the playback position of the grains
• Rnd Pos (Random Position): Sets the range of the random playback position.
• Spread (Position Spread): Spreads the playback positions of the grains
• Offset (Position Offset): Offsets the position of the grains for each channel
• Duration: Increases or decreases the grain duration
• Rnd Dur (Random Duration): Applied separately to each channel, this parameter can help widen
the panorama of the playback
• Spread (Duration Spread): Sets each grain to a different duration
• Offset (Duration Offset): This parameter can also help widen the panorama of the sound.
Positive value creates longer durations for the left channels and shorter durations for the right
channels and vice versa
• Pitch: User can transpose the pitch of the grains
• Rnd Pitch (Random Pitch): Applied separately for each channel, randomizes the pitch range.
• Spread (Pitch Spread): Detunes the pitch of each grain within the specified range
• Offset (Pitch Offset): Pitch is offset across the channels. Positive values detune the pitch by
increasing the right channels and decreasing the left and vice versa.
• Key Follow: Depending on the notes played, the grain duration changes by whatever value is
specified with this parameter
• Center Key: Resets the center key by what is specified
• Follow (Zone Pitch): When enabled, duration is affected by the register of the note played.
• Length: Shortens or lengthens the length of the grainl (independent of grain duration)
• Rnd Length (Random Length): Randomizes the grain length
• Spread (Length Spread): Sets each grain to a different length
• Offset (Length Offset): Positive settings shorten right channel grains and lengthens left channel
grains and vice versa.
To learn more specifics about any of the parameters, you can consult the HALion Operation manual.
Link found on the Additional Resources Page.
MACRO PAGE PARAMETERS-FX SECTION
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The FX SECTION
The FX section provides you with 18 different insert effects to enable or disable. The different effects
are:
• Compressor
• Envelope Shaper
• Vintage Compressor which is at the end of the signal chain before the reverb to act like a
"Mastering Compressor".
• Distortion module with 4 distortion effect types.
• Guitar Amplifier modeling effect. Control over amp heads and cabinets as well as
microphone position.
• Chorus
• Phaser
• Flanger
• Ring Mod FX
• Stereo Widener
• Vintage Ensemble
• Main Synth Filter with VCF section that has 24 filter shapes and five distortion modes.
• 4 Band Fully Parametric EQ
• Morph Filter with 2 filter shapes that can be controlled via the automatable XY controller
right on the Morph Filter FX module.
• 2 independent stereo Delays with 3 modes.
• Efficient Algorithmic Reverb with many parameters to tailor its sound.
• Convolution Reverb with many impulse choices.
* Additionally, there is a complete suite of 61 audio effect processors in total available via the AUX FX Sends
in the mixer portion of HALion Sonic SE.
MACRO PAGE PARAMETERS-MODULATION SECTION
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MODULATION SECTION
The Modulation section provides an LFO, a Step Modulator, a User Envelope and a Gate (specific to the
Volume). The user can adjust the amounts of modulation by adjusting the respective slider next to the
destination.
The user can switch between the LFO/Step Modulator page and the Gate page.
The user can bypass the LFO by clicking the LFO switch. The LFO has a frequency rate or when set to
sync will automatically lock to the tempo and also has amount, note division, shape and phase
controls. The LFO can modulate the Cutoff, Distortion, Volume, Pan and Tune.
Next to the LFO is the Step Modulator. The Step Modulator can be bypassed by clicking the Step
Modulator switch. The Step Modulator comes equipped with a Step parameter, Triplet toggle switch,
Frequency Rate, Grid Snap, Sync Mode, Slope Mode and Slope Amount, Sync Mode, Polarity Switch,
Reset, Step Forward and Step Backward buttons and Step Modulator Presets.
Switching to the Gate page, the Gate modulation will show and can be bypassed by clicking the Gate
switch. The Gate modulation features all the same parameters as the Step Modulator. It is preassigned
to the Volume Parameter. It also includes an amount knob to adjust the amount of modulation. This
knob is the same as the slider next to the Volume.
To the right, the user will find the User Envelope, Amp Envelope and Filter Envelope. The Amp and Filter
Envelope are alternatives to using the respective knobs. The User Envelope can be used to modulate the
Volume, Tune, Cutoff and Distortion parameters. The User Envelope can be bypassed by clicking the
User Envelope switch. The user can draw the shape of the envelope they wish to use and add nodes by
double clicking. Double clicking on a node can also delete the node.
MACRO PAGE PARAMETERS- ARPEGGIATOR SECTION
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ARPEGGIATOR SECTION
This is an advanced 32-step Arpeggiator based on Yamaha’s legendary Motif Technology with extensive
programming and modulation features. The Arpeggiator offers many parameters for programming
phrases and altering tempo, groove and swing. Three additional controller lanes are available for quick
and easy step modulation for oscillator and filter parameters.
The phrases of the arpeggiator can be recorded internally and exported to the DAW via drag and drop to
make them accessible as editable MIDI events. Additionally, you can store and trigger 8 different
phrases on the fly in real time without ever losing sync.
The entire Arpeggiator settings can be locked to keep phrases even when browsing the available
presets.
*The default HALion CC’s for the C1, C2, & C3 bypass are CC110, CC11, & CC112. You will want to avoid those
when assigning custom CCs to controls.
To learn more specifics about any of the parameters, you can consult the HALion Operation manual.
Link found on the Additional Resources Page.
MACRO PAGE PARAMETERS- THE MIDI PLAYER SECTION
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THE MIDI PLAYER SECTION
This is a simple midi file phrase player that you can drag and drop midi files to and from your
DAW. Additionally, you can store and trigger 8 different phrases on the fly in real time without ever
losing sync.
To learn more specifics about any of the parameters, you can consult the HALion
Operation manual. Link found on the Additional Resources Page.
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