UFCEXR-20-1Multimedia Sound Production

Virtual Instruments and Effects Devices

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UFCEXR-20-1Multimedia Sound Production

Agenda

Overview of Technologies Virtual Instruments Effect Modules System Resource Requirements Examples

UFCEXR-20-1Multimedia Sound Production

Overview of Technologies

Virtual instruments and effect devices are usually ‘classic’ audio hardware devices or real instruments recreated in software.

They typically plug-in to a ‘host’ application such as Logic and may be used as ‘standalone’.

Two main technologies Virtual Studio Technology (VST) (PC and OSX) developed by Steinberg Labs, and Audio Units (AU) developed by Apple Computers.

Virtual instrument types available include synthesizers, pianos, guitars drums and other acoustic and electronic instruments

UFCEXR-20-1Multimedia Sound Production

Virtual Instrument: Synthesizer

Korg Legacy Collection: MS-20

UFCEXR-20-1Multimedia Sound Production

Virtual Instrument: Grand Piano

Synthogy : Ivory

UFCEXR-20-1Multimedia Sound Production

Virtual Instrument: Organ

Native Instruments: B4 II

UFCEXR-20-1Multimedia Sound Production

Virtual Instrument:Drum Kit

Toon Track: EZdrummer

UFCEXR-20-1Multimedia Sound Production

Virtual Instrument:Modelling Synthesizer

Logic Studio: Sculpture

UFCEXR-20-1Multimedia Sound Production

Virtual Effect:Pitch Correction

Logic:Pitch Correction

UFCEXR-20-1Multimedia Sound Production

Virtual Effect:Guitar Amp Pro

Logic: Guitar Amp Pro

UFCEXR-20-1Multimedia Sound Production

System Requirements

Virtual instruments and effect devices based on VST plug-ins are normally stored in a common folder on a PC’s system drive.

On OSX Audio Units are stored in /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components. Plugins VST or AU will normally be created for a particular version of

the host operating system e.g. some plug-ins may not work with earlier or later versions.

System memory (RAM) will also determine how many instruments and effects a host application can manage to support at the same time.

If the virtual instrument is based on audio samples then plenty of disk space is usually required - especially for virtual pianos - and disk access time (latency) will also influence performance and ‘playability’.

Many manufactures provide ‘demo’ versions that have limited functionality or time-out after a certain period e.g. Native Instruments.

UFCEXR-20-1Multimedia Sound Production

References

MS 20 Synthesizer: http://www.korg.co.ukIvory Piano: http://www.synthogy.comB3 II: http://www.native-instruments.comEZdrummer: http://www.toontrack.com

Sculpture: ‘Logic Studio Instruments and Effects’ page 151Pitch Correction: ‘Logic Studio Instruments and Effects’ page 455Guitar Amp Pro: ‘Logic Studio Instruments and Effects’ page 21