topprevnextend operation manual

1. Overview

  1. Features of Exciton
  2. New Features of Version 2
  3. System Requirements
  4. About This Manual

1.1. Features of Exciton

Exciton is a software synthesizer (virtual instrument) on VST host applications for Windows (98/ME/XP/2000) and Macintosh (OS8/9).

64 voice polyphonic (max)

Number of voices is variable from 1 to 64. Unison mode (triggering the all voices for one key) enables you to create fat lead sounds. Portamento is available for both polyphonic and unison modes.

Oscillator

Exciton has two oscillators. Four waveforms (sine, triangle, sawtooth and pulse with PWM) are available for each oscillators. High sound quality is achieved with the new-designed DSP algorithm. You can select oscillator's sound quality (High/Middle/Low) for all waveforms. High quality oscillators achieve high S/N ratio with complete alias elimination. Middle quality oscillators are sufficient for most usage with preserving CPU resource low. On the other hand, low quality oscillators generate alias noise for middle and high tones. You can use low quality oscillators for creating weird noise.

Furthermore, each oscillators have their unique features. OSC1 has an oscillator sync function. You can lock OSC1's pitch with OSC2 pitch. OSC2 has a FM function and can be modulated its frequency with OSC1. You can also modulate FM depth with envelopes and LFO's.

Mixer

Exciton's mixer has a ring modulation (multiplication of two oscillators) function. You can use it for generating new harmonics with nonlinear effect. It also has a noise generator with the noise color adjustment.

Filter

Four filter types (lowpass / highpass / band pass / band reject) are available. Four slopes (6/12/18/24dB/Oct) can be selected for lowpass and highpass filters. Two slopes (12[6+6]/24[12+12]) can be selected for band pass and band reject filters. Their design is based on the properties of vintage analog synthesizers. You can also oscillate a filter like an analog synthesizer.

Furthermore, Exciton's filter has unique saturation parameters. It is useful for creating rich and complex sounds. You can use the filter saturation for distorting sounds, controlling filter oscillation, making complex tones using nonlinear effects and so on.

Envelope

Two ADSR envelope generators are available for modulation sources. An envelope also has an attack/decay curve selectors. You can use fast attack curve for percussions, or use slow attack curve for pads. Decay curve selection is also useful for creating various sounds.

LFO

Two LFO's are available for modulation sources. Six waveforms (sine, triangle, sawtooth, square, sample & hold and random) can be combined (64 waveform combinations in total) for each LFO's.

Also, both LFO's have various mode functions. Polyphonic/monophonic modes are available. You can synchronize LFO speed to the sequencer tempo. You can also trigger LFO waveform with MIDI note-on key.

Effect

Exciton has a built-in effect processor base on a stereo modulation delay. It can be used for variable purposes (e.g. stereo delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, overdrive, etc.). You can specify delay time with a sequencer BPM.

Modulation

Two modulation sources from ENV1/ENV2/LFO1/LFO2 are assignable for oscillators and a filter. One of ENV1/ENV2 and one of LFO1/LFO2 can be used for an amplifier. All modulation can be set to both positive/negative directions and has a velocity sens control individually.

Furthermore, eight assignable modulation slots are available. You can assign the modulation source, sens, destination and its depth with various settings.


1.2. New Features of Version 2

New features and changes of version 2 are as follows.

Oscillator

Filter

ENV1/2

LFO1/2

Effect

New Sections

Others


1.3. System Requirements

Exciton runs on a VST host application (Steinberg Cubase series, Emagic Logic series, etc) for Windows (98/ME/XP/2000) and Macintosh (OS 8/9) (it does not support stand-alone processing). System requirements and recommended environments for working with Exciton are as follows.

These requirements are examples only. If you have another VST host application, Exciton will work superbly in most cases. Before purchasing the product, please download the demo version software and check it in your environment. The demo version is free to try.

Mac OS X version is also planned to be supported.

Exciton is based on VST 2.0 client interface by Steinberg. Basically, it has been checked with Steinberg Cubase series and Emagic Logic series. It has also been checked with some other VST host applications.

It is difficult to check with all VST hosts. But Exciton works fine with almost all VST host applications which has an appropriate VST host interface. However, if you have a VST host application and has a problem with running Exciton on your host application, please report to the info@groovecube.com with email. We will try to fix a problem as soon as possible.

A system performance depends on other applications and plugins and so on. Especially, if you are using a heavy plugin (e.g. high quality reverberator) at the same time with Exciton, it may affect a system performance.

Exciton may run on old CPU's (ex: Macintosh before G3 or Windows machine before Pentium III). But there should be some special consideration to take care for CPU and other system resources (adding extra memory, prevent running other applications and plugins, etc.). You should also take care for the number of voices and refrain from using high quality oscillators.


1.4. About This Manual

1. Overview (this chapter) is an introduction of Exciton and this document.

2. Panel Descriptions describes Exciton GUI panels.

3. Installation explains how to install the software on your environment.

4. Basic Operations explains how to select a program, play sounds, editing sound parameters and so on.

5. Parameter Reference is a main part of this document. Detailed explanations of sound-making parameters are made for each sections.

6. MIDI Implementation Chart is a general specifications for MIDI I/O functions.

Paragraphs surrounded by colored boxes have special meanings.

A paragraph surrounded by a silver (light gray) box is a table of contents. You can click each items to jump to its content.

A paragraph surrounded by a blue box explains a detailed explanation of sound parameters, systhesis processes or technical informations.

A paragraph surrounded by a red box contains an important notice.

A paragraph surrounded by a green box explains a technique for making sounds and other useful information.

This manual is written by a Japanese author. There may be plenty of grammar errors and mistakes in this manual. We welcome your advice. If you have one, please report to info@groovecube.com to make it better.


topprevnextend GC