Steinberg VST Instruments Sample Fuel Pad Motion Layers User manual

Brand: Steinberg

Model: VST Instruments Sample Fuel Pad Motion Layers

Type: User manual

Steinberg VST Instruments Sample Fuel Pad Motion Layers is an advanced instrument that combines Sample and Granular synthesis with an intuitive user interface. Its unique PAD MOTION LAYERS Engine powers up to 16 sample/granular layers, allowing for complex and evolving soundscapes.

With its comprehensive macro page parameters, you can easily tweak the sound's character, motion, and effects. The simple page provides quick access to essential controls for effortless sound shaping during live performances or composition.

The modulation section offers a range of options to add depth and movement to your sounds, including LFOs, user envelopes, and a step modulator. The XY section features two XY pads for controlling multiple parameters simultaneously, enabling expressive and dynamic sound manipulation.

This PDF provides improved access for vision-impaired users. Please note that due to the complexity and

number of images in this document, it is not possible to include text descriptions of images.

The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a

commitment on the part of Sample Fuel, LLC or Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. The software

described by this document is subject to a License Agreement and may not be copied to other media

except as specifically allowed in the License Agreement. No part of this publication may be copied,

reproduced, or otherwise transmitted or recorded, for any purpose, without prior written permission by

Sample Fuel, LLC. Registered licensees of the product described herein may print one copy of this

document for their personal use.

All product and company names are ™ or ® trademarks of their respective holders.

Release Date: March 23, 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

 
Table of Contents 
 
 
 
…    Introduction 
…    Loading the VST Sound Instrument Set 
…    Loading and Saving Presets 
…    Plug-in Controls 
…    Performance Control Section 
…    Quick Controls 
…    Sphere 
…    Macro Page Parameters 
…    Automating Parameters 
…    SIMPLE/ADVANCED 
...  Simple Page 
... Advanced Pages 
… The Master Section 
… The Synth Section 
… The FX Section 
… The Modulation Section 
… The Arpeggiator Section 
… The Midi Player Section 
… The XY Section 
… The About Section 
… Factory Presets 
… Naming Scheme 
… The Browser Tab 
… Additional Resources 
 
 
   

INTRODUCTION

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

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

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

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 
7 
 
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

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

• 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

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

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

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

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

• 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

• 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)

•

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

• 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

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

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

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

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.

Page is loading ...

Steinberg VST Instruments Sample Fuel Pad Motion Layers User manual

Steinberg VST Instruments Sample Fuel Pad Motion Layers User manual

Steinberg VST Instruments Sample Fuel Pad Motion Layers User manual

Related papers

Other documents