FXpansion DCAM Synth Squad Operation Manual - Manual (Page 95)

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Appendix 1: Standalone application and plugin usage
Using the synth standalone applications
The DCAM: Synth Squad synths and Fusor are provided as standalone applications, which can be useful for live performance.
The FX versions of the synths (MIDI-controlled audio effects) are not available as standalone applications.
They are also very useful as a means of authorizing DCAM: Synth Squad, as the plugin-initializing mechanisms of many hosts
can disrupt proper authorization.
Please note that if you require advanced functionality such as multiple outputs or synchronization (except slaving to MTC), you
should use a suitable host, such as Plogue Bidule (www.plogue.com).
Windows operation
You’ll find the Strobe, Cypher, Amber and Fusor standalone applications in these locations:
Start • Programs • FXpansion • DCAM Synth Squad (if you chose to install a start menu shortcut)
C:\Program Files\FXpansion\<instrument> (for example, C:\Program Files\FXpansion\Strobe)
The Windows standalone application is a basic host program that runs the Synth Squad VST plugins. In order to function, it
requires the various .dll files to be in the same folder as the standalone application .exe files.
Mac operation
Run the Strobe, Cypher, Amber or Fusor applications in your Applications folder.
The Mac standalone application is a basic host program that runs the Synth Squad AU plugins. In order to function, it requires
that the AU plugins exist in the Library/Audio/Plug-ins/Components folder.
Tempo and time signature
When running the standalone applications, you cannot set the tempo and time signature.
If you want to use synced LFOs, envelopes, and other parameters, you must use the DCAM: Synth Squad plugins in a host.
I/O Settings
The I/O Settings menu in the standalone application is located in the standard OS menu. It alllows you to make various settings
for audio and MIDI input and output.
Audio Devices
Using this sub-menu, select the desired audio interface device with which you want to use the standalone application.
On Windows, ASIO and MME devices are shown. For best results, a good ASIO device is recommended. If your audio interface
lacks an ASIO driver, it is often possible to achieve very good results using the ASIO4ALL free universal ASIO driver, which can
be downloaded from www.asio4all.com
On Mac OSX, all installed CoreAudio devices are shown in the menu.
Audio Channels
This part of the sub-menu shows the available stereo output pairs for the currently selected Audio Device.
Currently, only 1 stereo channel can be selected – the standalone application does not support multiple output channels at this
time. If you need to set up more than a stereo output, please use the plugins in a suitable host that supports this feature.
Audio Buffer Size
The standalone application attempts to detect the current buffer size setting for your audio device. In some cases this may not be
possible, due to the device’s driver not properly responding to the standalone application’s request. In such cases, set the Audio
Buffer Size to the same value as that defined in your audio device’s control panel.
Sample Rate
Again, the standalone application attempts to detect the current sample rate setting for your audio device. In some cases this may
not be possible, due to the device’s driver not properly responding to the standalone application’s request. In such cases, set the
Sample Rate to the same value as that defined in your audio device’s control panel.
MIDI Ports
This sub-menu shows all detected MIDI ports in your system. Click a MIDI port to enable MIDI input from the port to the
standalone application.
You can select more than one MIDI port in order to combine MIDI input devices if required.
Sync to MTC
Enabling the Sync to MTC function results in the standalone application responding to MIDI timecode in order to synchronize with
another device. You must make sure that the currently enabled MIDI ports include the port on which the MTC is being transmitted.
The standalone application can only sync to an external MTC source. It cannot send out its own MTC or other sync methods such
as MIDI clock. If you need such functionality, please use the plugins in a suitable host that supports these features.
ASIO Control Panel... (Windows only)
This function brings up the ASIO control panel for your audio device, in which you can adjust its settings if required.
This function is not available on Mac – in order to adjust your audio card’s settings on Mac, you must directly launch its particular
companion software/control panel.