Steinberg Groove Agent 4 User manual

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English

Matthias Klag, Michael Ruf

Cristina Bachmann, Heiko Bischoff, Christina Kaboth, Insa Mingers, Sabine Pfeifer,

Kevin Quarshie, Benjamin Schütte

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 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 Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. 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. For more

information, please visit www.steinberg.net/trademarks.

4

Table of Contents

6 Installation and Setup

6 Welcome

7 Typographical Conventions

7 USB-eLicenser

8 System Requirements

8 Launching Installation via the Start Center

9 Launching Installation Manually

9 How You Can Reach Us

9 Setting Up

10 Setting Up Groove Agent as a VST

Instrument

11 Selecting Outputs

11 Using Groove Agent in an AU-Compatible

Application

12 Using the Instrument as Standalone

Application

13 Introduction

13 Window Overview

14 About Kits, Presets, and Groove Agent ONE

Content

16 Managing Your Sounds

16 Loading Kits

16 Kit Slot

17 Kit Rack

18 Kit Context Menu

19 Managing and Loading Files

20 Managing Files via the MediaBay

24 Loading Files Using the Browser

30 Common Editing Methods

30 Encoders and Sliders

30 Multi Selection and Par

ameter Controls

31 Adjusting the Value Ranges

31 Buttons

31 Value Fields

32 Using Key Commands

33 Presets

33 Handling Section and Module Presets

33 Handling VST Presets

35 Working With Pads

36 Instrument Pads

37 Using an Alternative MIDI Note Assignment

38 Pad Section

40 Pattern Section

42 Performance Section

43 Using MIDI Effects

47 Pattern Pads

47 Assigning MIDI Files to Pads

48 Assigning Multiple MIDI Files to Pads

48 Removing MIDI Files from Pads

48 Using MIDI Port B for Pattern Pads

49 Locking Pad Settings

49 Moving and Copying Pattern Pads

50 Overview Tab

52 Pattern Editor

61 Common Pad Settings

62 Pad Functions

63 Beat Agent

63 Sound Editing

64 Absolute and Relative Editing

64 Editing Selection or All

64 Assigning Samples to Pads

66 Changing the Order of Pads

67 Mapping View

68 Main Tab

71 Editing the Envelope

76 Pitch Tab

78 Filter Tab

80 Amp Tab

81

Sample Tab

91 Slice Tab

96 Pattern Editing

96 Mixing

97 Agent Mixer

98 Importing and Exporting Files

98 Importing MPC and GAK Files

98 Importing REX Files and Sliced Loops

99 Exporting Kits with Samples

99 Finding Missing Samples

5

101 Acoustic Agent

101 Sound Editing

102 About the 24 Bit and 16 Bit Sample Versions

102 Instrument Preview

102 Sound Parameters

107 Pattern Editing

108 Agent Tab

113 Mixing

113 Agent Mixer

117 Percussion Agent

117 Sound Editing

118 About the 24 Bit and 16 Bit Sample Versions

118 Instrument Preview

119 Sound Parameters

120 Pattern Editing

120 Agent Tab

123 Mixing

123 Agent Mixer

124 Agent Mixer Overview

124 Channel Parameters

125 Agent Mixer Equalizer and Effects

126 Mixing and Effect Handling

126 Mixer Page

126 AUX Mixer

127 Kit Mixer

128 Master Mixer

128 Effect Handling

129 Using the Insert Effect Slots

131 Effects Reference

131 Reverb and Delay Effects

131 REVerence

132 Reverb

135 Multi Delay

136 EQ Effects

136 Studio EQ

137 Graphic EQ

138 DJ-EQ

139 Filter Effects

139 Auto Filter

142 MorphFilter

143 Distortion Effects

143 Distortion

144 Tape Saturator

145 Tube Saturator

145 Modulation Effects

145 Chorus

146 Flanger

147 Step Flanger

148 Phaser

149 Ring Modulator

151 Frequency Shifter

153 Vintage Ensemble

154 Dynamics Effects

154 Compressor

156 VintageCompressor

157 Tube Compressor

158 Limiter

159 Brickwall Limiter

160 Maximizer

160 Expander

162 Gate

163 Envelope Shaper

164 Panner Effects

164 Stereo Pan

164 StereoEnhancer

165 Automation and MIDI Controllers

165 Automation

166 MIDI Controllers

167 Assigning MIDI Controllers

167 Setting the Parameter Range

169 Global Functions and Settings

169 Plug-in Functions Section

169 Multi Slot Section

169 Master Section

170 Performance Displays

170 The Plug-in Name and Steinberg Logo

171 Toolbar

172 The Keyboard

173 Options Page

178 Using the Standalone Version of the

Plug-In

178 Making Preferences Settings

178 Preferences Dialog

180 Selecting the MIDI Input and the Audio

Output

181 Scratch Pad

181 Transport Controls

181 The Info Icon

181 Song Position Indicator

182 Tempo and Time Signature

182 Recording Your Performance

183 Using the Metronome

183 Loading a MIDI File

183 MIDI Channel Filter

183 Saving a MIDI File

184 Master Volume

185 Mixer Routing Diagrams

188 Index

6

Installation and Setup

Welcome

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing Steinberg’s Groove Agent 4.

With the fourth incarnation of your favorite virtual drummer, Groove Agent emerges

as an entirely revamped instrument that raises the level in terms of quality,

functionality, and authenticity. The whole library was created from scratch to meet

the requirements of contemporary music producers, for both acoustic and

electronic music productions. Many innovative features have found their way into

the new version to enhance the initial design that made Groove Agent exceptional

in its class.

All the new features and functionalities are described in detail in this manual. Please

don’t forget to register at MySteinberg in order to gain access to online support

offers and additional exclusive services. And check out the official Steinberg

community at www.steinberg.net/forum for tips and tons of other useful information.

We wish you lots of musical inspiration while working with your brand-new drum

studio!

The Steinberg Team

The Agent Concept

Groove Agent 4 combines the creative power of 3 different rhythm modules: the

Acoustic, Beat, and Percussion Agents.

Each of these tools offers its own approach to drums and rhythms, with special

ways of creating your own inspiring beats in a huge range of styles. The creative

potential of each agent can even be combined with any of the others. 4 agent slots

allow you to mix and match your ideal rhythm section or combine Acoustic Agent

and Beat Agent to create ultra-modern hybrid beats.

Installation and Setup

Typographical Conventions

7

Typographical Conventions

Many of the default key commands use modifier keys, some of which are different

depending on the operating system. For example, the default key command for

Undo is [Ctrl]-[Z] on Windows and [Command]-[Z] on Mac OS X.

When key commands with modifier keys are described in this manual, they are

sho

wn with the Windows modifier key first, in the following way:

• [Win modifier key]/[Mac modifier key]-[key]

For example, [Ctrl]/[Command]-[Z] means “

press [Ctrl] on Windows or [Command]

on Mac OS X, then press [Z]”.

Similarly, [Alt]/[Option]-[X] means “press [Alt] on Windows or [Option] on Mac OS

X, then press [X]”.

USB-eLicenser

Operation of Steinberg software often requires a USB-eLicenser, a hardware copy

protection device.

The USB-eLicenser is a USB device on which your Steinberg software licenses are

stored. All hardware-protected Steinberg products use the same type of device,

and you can store several licenses on one device. Also, licenses can – within certain

limits – be transferred between USB-eLicensers.

If your Steinberg software product does not include a USB-eLicenser, you can

purchase one through the Steinberg online shop.

In the eLicenser Control Center, you can activate new licenses and check which

licenses are installed on your USB-eLicenser. After installation of your Steinberg

application, the eLicenser Control Center can be opened via the Start menu on

Windows systems or the Applications folder on Mac OS X systems.

If you are using other copy-protected Steinberg products, you may want to transfer

all licenses for your applications to one USB-eLicenser, thus using up only one USB

port of your computer. Refer to the eLicenser Control Center Help for information

on how to transfer licenses between USB-eLicensers.

Installation and Setup

System Requirements

8

System Requirements

Your computer must meet the following minimum requirements:

Launching Installation via the Start Center

From the Start Center application you can easily install your program and inform

yourself about the package contents.

• For Steinberg software delivered with an installation medium, the Start Center

lau

nches automatically as soon as you insert the disc in your computer’s

CD/DVD drive, provided that autorun is activated.

• For Steinberg software downloaded from the internet, the Start Center

laun

ches when you double-click the downloaded file.

NOTE

The installer allows you to save the content files on a different hard drive than the

program files.

PROCEDURE

1. In the Start Center, choose your preferred language.

2. Click Install.

3. Follow the instructions on screen.

Mac OS X Windows

Mac OS X Version 10.8/10.9*

Intel dual-core processor

CoreAudio-compatible audio hardware

VST 3 or AU-compatible host application for

using Groove Agent as a plug-in

Windows 7/Windows 8*

Intel or AMD dual-core processor

Windows-compatible audio hardware**

VST 3 or VST 2-compatible host application

for using Groove Agent as a plug-in

4 GB RAM

10 GB of free hard-disk space

Display resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels

DVD ROM dual-layer drive

USB-eLicenser (not included)

Internet connection required for installation, activation, account setup, and

personal/product registration.

*Native 32-bit and 64-bit program version.

**ASIO-compatible audio hardware recommended for low-latency performance.

Installation and Setup

Launching Installation Manually

9

Launching Installation Manually

If you do not want to install the program via the Start Center, you can install it

manually.

• On Windows systems, double-click the file “Setup.exe” and follow the

in

structions on screen.

• On Mac OS X systems, double-click the file “Groove Agent.mpkg” and follow

the

instructions on screen.

How You Can Reach Us

Click the Steinberg logo in the top right corner of the control panel to open a

pop-up menu containing items for getting additional information and help.

• This menu contains links to various Steinberg web pages. Select a link to

op

en the corresponding page. On the web pages, you can find support and

compatibility information, answers to frequently asked questions, links for

downloading new drivers, etc.

• To open the Operation Manual, select Help.

• You also find a menu item for the registration of your product.

As a registered user, you are entitled to technical support, you gain access to

e

xclusive offers such as software updates and upgrades, and more.

Setting Up

The following sections describe how to use Groove Agent as a plug-in in different

host applications.

NOTE

Groove Agent can also be used as a standalone application.

Installation and Setup

Setting Up

10

Setting Up Groove Agent as a VST Instrument

Steinberg DAWs provide two ways of working with VST instruments: the VST

Instruments rack and instrument tracks.

Accessing Groove Agent via the VST Instruments Rack

PREREQUISITE

You have correctly set up your Steinberg DAW, as well as your MIDI and audio

hardware, and the DAW receives MIDI data from your external MIDI keyboard.

PROCEDURE

1. Select Devices > VST Instruments.

2. In the VST Instruments window, click the Add Rack Instrument button and

select Groove Agent.

You are asked whether you want to create an associated MIDI track connected to the

VST instrument.

3. Click Create.

RESULT

Groove Agent is loaded and activated, and its control panel opens. A

corresponding MIDI track is added to the track list. The output of this track is routed

to Groove Agent.

NOTE

If you want to use Groove Agent in another VST host application, please refer to the

documentation of the corresponding application.

Accessing Groove Agent via an Instrument Track

PROCEDURE

1. In the Steinberg DAW, you can add instrument tracks in the following way:

• Select Project > Add Track > Instrument.

• In the VST

Instruments window, click the Add Instrument Track button.

The Add Instrument Track di

alog opens.

Installation and Setup

Setting Up

11

2. On the Instrument pop-up menu, select Groove Agent.

3. Click Ad

d Track to create the instrument track.

4. Click the Edit Instrument bu

tton in the Inspector to open the Groove Agent

control panel.

RESULT

Groove Agent is set up as a VST instrument in your DAW. For more information

about working with VST instruments, see the Operation Manual of your DAW.

Selecting Outputs

Groove Agent loads with a stereo output configuration by default. However, you can

use additional outputs in the Steinberg DAW. This allows you to route all kit slots to

a dedicated channel in the MixConsole.

PROCEDURE

1. To make the outputs available, open the VST Instruments window.

2. Click the Activate Outputs button for the instrument.

3. Activate the outputs that you want to use.

RESULT

The Steinberg DAW automatically adds an output channel for each additional

output to the MixConsole.

Using Groove Agent in an AU-Compatible Application

You can use Groove Agent in an AU host application, for example, Logic. The AU

version of Groove Agent is installed in your AU plug-ins folder and lets Groove

Agent work in an AU environment without any performance loss or incompatibilities.

PROCEDURE

1. For Logic Pro, open the Track Mixer and select the instrument channel that

you want to use.

2. Click in the I/O field and select AU Instruments > Steinberg > Groove

Agent.

3. Select one of the available channel configurations.

RESULT

Groove Agent is now loaded as an AU instrument.

Installation and Setup

Setting Up

12

Using the Instrument as Standalone Application

Groove Agent can be used as a standalone application, independently of any host

application. In this case, you can connect the instrument directly to your audio

hardware.

R

ELATED LINKS

Using the Standalone Version of the Plug-In on page 178

13

Introduction

Window Overview

The application interface follows a fixed-size single window concept.

The window is subdivided into several sections:

• The plug-in functions section at the top.

• The kit slot section and the kit rack below the plug-in functions section.

• The pad section on the left.

• The edit display on the right. It c

ontains the Load, Edit, Mixer, and Options

pages.

• At the bottom of the panel, you can display a keyboard.

• If you are using the standalone version of Groove Agent, you find a number of

spec

ific functions in an extra section at the top of the application window.

Introduction

About Kits, Presets, and Groove Agent ONE Content

14

About Kits, Presets, and Groove Agent ONE Content

Kits

Kits contain all information about the kit or sliced loop and about the insert effects

that are used on the mixer channel. Kits can also contain MIDI patterns.

Kits can be saved and loaded via the kit rack or the kit slot section.

Kit Rack

Kit Slot Section

Sliced Loop Kits

Instead of MIDI patterns, sliced loop kits contain the MIDI phrase that is needed to

play back the loop. Other than that, sliced loop kits are similar to regular kits, in that

they can use insert effects, etc.

Plug-in Presets (VST Presets)

A plug-in preset contains all information necessary to restore the complete state of

the plug-in. This includes all 4 kits, the MIDI patterns, as well as any insert and AUX

effects. All of these settings are also saved with the project in your host application.

Groove Agent ONE Content

Groove Agent can load Groove Agent ONE presets. The presets can either be

loaded as kits in the kit rack or the kit slot section or as plug-in presets via the preset

management menu in the plug-in header.

If you load a Groove Agent ONE preset as a plug-in preset, the global plug-in

parameters are set to the default values.

If you load a preset as a kit, all global plug-in parameters remain unchanged.

NOTE

Groove Agent ONE presets always show the icon for a plug-in preset in the

MediaBay, even if they are shown in the preset loader.

Introduction

About Kits, Presets, and Groove Agent ONE Content

15

Content Files and Folder Structure

Groove Agent comes with a large amount of ready-to-use sound content. This

content is write-protected. You can edit files while they are loaded, but you cannot

overwrite the factory content files.

To save edits to the factory content, save the files under a new name. These files

get the file name extension .vstpreset and are referred to as user content. They

can be searched and categorized in the same way as factory content.

User content is saved in a predefined folder structure on your hard disk. You can

create subfolders within this structure to facilitate moving or exchanging content.

16

Managing Your Sounds

Loading Kits

There are several ways to load kits:

• Via drag & drop from the Windows Explorer/Mac OS Finder.

• Via the context menu in the kit rack.

• By clicking the Load Kit

button at the right of the kit name in the kit slot

section.

• Via the Med

iaBay or the Browser

Kit Slot

This section shows the name of the loaded kit. In addition, the following global

controls are available:

Load button

Click this button to show the list of available kits.

You can also click the kit name to open th

is list. Right-click the kit name to

open the kit context menu.

Load Previous/Next Kit

Click these buttons to load the previous/next kit from the list of available kits.

Load Kit with Patterns

Activate this button to make sure that kits are always loaded together with

their pa

tterns.

Size

Shows the size of all loaded samples.

Managing Your Sounds

Kit Rack

17

Polyphony

Adjusts the polyphony of the kit.

MIDI Channel

Sets the MIDI channel for the kit.

MIDI Input Indicator

The MIDI symbol starts blinking if incoming MIDI signals are detected.

Velocity Curve

Sets the velocity response curve of the kit. This allows you to adapt the kit to

yo

ur hardware MIDI controller or playing style.

Song Position Counter

The song position counter shows the current song position in bars, beats, and

16t

h notes. If you activate the Play button in Groove Agent, the song position

counter always starts at 1.0.0.0 and runs until you click stop.

Tempo Display

The tempo display next to the position counter shows the tempo of the host

application.

Kit Rack

The Kit rack can be found to the right of the kit slot section. It gives you an overview

over the loaded kits and their corresponding agent, and allows you to perform some

kit editing for the selected kit via the context menu.

• To select a kit, click on it.

Managing Your Sounds

Kit Context Menu

18

Kit Context Menu

Load Kit

Opens a pop-up menu containing the available kits. Double-click a kit to load

it.

Load Kit With Patterns

Allows you to load a kit with

its MIDI patterns, if any.

Load Pattern Group

Allows you to load a predefined set of MIDI file assignments and play

parameter settin

gs for the 16 pads of the selected group.

Save Pattern Group

Allows you to save the 16 pads of the current group and their settings as a

pattern group.

Delete Pattern Group

Allows you to delete a pattern group.

Save Kit

Saves the kit. If you try to overwrite w

rite-protected factory content, a dialog

opens that allows you to save the edited kit under a new name.

Save Kit As

Allows you to save the kit under a new name.

Remove Kit

Removes the kit and its patterns from the slot.

Managing Your Sounds

Managing and Loading Files

19

Revert to Last Saved Kit

Reverts to the kit that was originally loaded on the slot. If the kit was loaded

w

ithout patterns, only the kit and no patterns are loaded.

Cut Kit

Copies the kit and its patterns and removes it from the slot.

Copy Kit

Copies the kit and its patterns.

Paste Kit

Pastes the copied kit into the slot. If th

e slot already contains a kit, it is

replaced.

Rename Kit

Allows you to rename the kit.

Reset Agent

Loads the In

it preset of the agent.

Import

Allows you to import MPC

and GAK files.

Export Kit With Samples

Exports the kit together with its associated s

amples.

NOTE

Samples that are part of protected content, such as the VST Sound content,

cannot be exported.

Managing and Loading Files

On the Load page, you can switch between the MediaBay and the Browser. These

can be used to manage, navigate to, load, and preview different file types.

The Med

iaBay gives you access to presets, such as multis and kits.

In the Browser, you can browse for samples and presets. The Browser also shows

samples that are part of VST Sound content.

• To switch between Med

iaBay and Browser, click the corresponding button

on the Load page.

Managing Your Sounds

Managing and Loading Files

20

Managing Files via the MediaBay

In the top section of the MediaBay, you specify which sounds to look for. The lower

section presents the corresponding results.

• To adjust the size of the two sections, drag the divider at the top of the results

list.

Applying Filters

Category Filter

You can filter the results list based on up to 3 filter criteria using the configurable

attribute columns. Standard attributes are Style and Sub Style.

Only the files that match the filter are displayed in the results list.

• To define the filter, click on specific values in the columns.

• To refine the filter, select mor

e values from other columns.

• To select different filter criteria, click the column header and select a different

attribu

te from the submenu.

Instrument Set Filter

Use the Select Content Set pop-up menu to search a specific content set only. By

default, the search is performed in all installed content sets.

Managing Your Sounds

Managing and Loading Files

21

Results List

The results list shows all files that have been found according to the category filter.

Text Search

In the text search field on the results list toolbar, you

can enter text contained

in the name or any of the attributes of a preset that you are looking for. The

results list updates immediately and the Category search section above

shows all categories that contain presets matching the text search.

To reset the text-based result filter, click the Reset but

ton next to the search

field.

View Filters

The toolbar has 2 filter buttons to define which

preset types to display: multis

or kits. In the results list, the corresponding icon is shown to the left of the

preset name.

Rating Filter

You can limit the results list according t

o the rating of the presets. Use the

rating slider to define the minimum rating.

Content Filter

The content filter buttons allow you to defin

e whether to show all presets, only

the factory presets, or only your user presets.

Columns

The columns show all the attribute values

for the presets that match the filters

that you set up in the top section.

Setting Up the Result Columns

You can select which attribute columns to display by clicking the Set up

Re

sult Columns button on the toolbar.

Results Counter

The number of presets that match the filter

criteria is displayed at the right of

the toolbar.

Configuring the Results List

• To configure which attributes are shown in the results list, click the Set up

Result Columns button in the upper right corner of the results list and

activate the corresponding entries. New attributes are added at the right of

the list.

• To reorder the columns in the results list, drag the column headers to another

position.

• To change the sorting of the list entries, click the column header. The triangle

in

the column header shows the sorting direction.

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