Unity DS-1 turns your PowerMac into a full-featured professional MIDI-controlled sampler!
System Requirements
• Mac OS® compatible computer system with 120MHz or faster PowerPC® processor
• Operating system software version 7.6.1 or higher (OS 8 or higher recommended)
• Minimum 32 megabytes RAM (64MB or higher recommended)
• 8 MB free hard disk space
• Compatible CD-ROM drive
• 800 x 600 or higher resolution monitor with 256 (8-bit) or more colors
Recommended Additions
• MIDI controller and interface
• Quality stereo sound monitoring system or headphones
About the demo version
The Unity DS-1 demo is identical to the retail version with the following exceptions:
• The synthesizer engine can be launched 20 times only before it times out.
• Editor and MIDI Processor files cannot be saved.
• The Record To Disk (save as audio file) feature is disabled.
• Samples cannot be exported.
• Only one sound bank containing 21 programs is included. The retail version includes over 250MB of sounds, with 1,827 programs contained in 79 banks.
• The Unity DS-1 Program Cleaner is not included. It resets unused oscillators and filters, deletes unused modulation routings, deletes unused modulators, and automatically generates Controller A/B/C/D routing information and appends it to the Comments window text in the Global page.
• The Unity DS-1 File Typer is not included. It converts Unity DS-1 banks from the PC version into Mac OS format.
• The 'Launch third-party editor' button will not function.
• The Unity DS-1 QuickTime™ Driver is not included. The QuickTime driver enables QuickTime movies that contain MIDI tracks to use Unity DS-1 sounds.
Important User Manual Information
We strongly recommend reading the Unity DS-1 Manual in order to fully understand and implement the power of Unity DS-1. The manual will be installed by the Unity DS-1 Demo Installer.
The manual is provided in the Adobe Acrobat portable document ("pdf") format. To open the document, you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader application version 3.0 or higher. The manual can be printed for "hard copy" if desired from within Acrobat Reader. If you don't have Acrobat Reader, it is available as a free internet download at http://www.adobe.com.
Please familiarize yourself with important operational concepts by reading the manual before assuming there is a problem. Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are particularly important.
Welcome to Unity DS-1!
Thank you for your interest in the Unity DS-1 Digital Sampling Synthesizer from BitHeadz. Unity DS-1 is a software program that turns your computer into a full-featured, professional digital sampler. With Unity DS-1, you can recreate the sounds of acoustic instruments or any other audio source with stunning realism and control.
Unity DS-1 has all the features of dedicated hardware samplers. Extensive MIDI implementation allows real-time control of all parameters and easy integration into existing MIDI setups. You can play it “live” just like any other musical instrument with layers, splits, and full MIDI continuous control, or use it as a multi-timbral sound module running behind your favorite MIDI application on the same computer.
Using the same renowned synthesis engine as Retro AS-1 (our breakthrough software analog synthesizer), your sampled instruments can be performed with a high degree of expression, and/or manipulated beyond recognition to create new sounds of your own. And of course, it’s fully polyphonic and multi-timbral, with fast response time and more, all at a fraction of the price of hardware samplers.
Use the full-featured arpeggiator to generate analog-style “sequences”. You can even write the sampler’s complete multi-timbral stereo output to disk as an audio file for use in your favorite digital audio applications. Is it too good to be true? No! Computer hardware and software is finally fast enough to execute our latest “rocket science” music technology, and you get to enjoy the benefits of it.
Unity DS-1 will provide you with a wealth of new sonic opportunities. We hope you enjoy using Unity DS-1 as much as we enjoyed creating it!
Features
General
• Full featured, professional sampling synthesizer in software
• No additional hardware required (Windows version requires soundcard)
• Outstanding 24-bit, 48kHz sound quality
• Up to 64 note polyphony (CPU dependent)
• General MIDI support
• CPU limiting to accommodate MIDI applications
• True stereo signal path throughout
User Interface
• 100 percent programmable
• Over 200 parameters per program; up to 200 values per parameter
• Toolbar and keyboard commands for accessing common functions
• Automatic sample extraction from Audio CD’s
• Drag-and-Drop to add algorithm modules (oscillator, filter, fx, etc.)
• Drag-and-drop to import and export samples
• Configuration display gives visual indication of signal path
• Selectable graphic or slider views for envelope modulators
• Parameter values displayed in Hertz or milliseconds where appropriate
Samples
• Phase-locked stereo sample support
• All sample rates and simultaneous different rates supported
• Built-in digital audio editor
• Includes stereo recording function with level controls
• Imports Sound Designer II, AIFF, WAVE, and Akai S1000 files
• Exports samples as AIFF, WAVE, Sound Designer II, and Unity DS-1
• DSP functions include Normalize, Gain, Fade, Reverse, Crossfade Loop, EQ, and more
• Launch samples in your favorite audio editor with one click
• Selectable linear or exponential curves for envelopes
• Six low frequency oscillator (“LFO”) waveform shapes
• Ramp and Random (noise) modulators
• Source curves for routing sources and destinations
• LFO’s can be synchronized to MIDI clock
• Four continuous MIDI controller modulation sources are available simultaneously
Effects
• 2 stereo insert (serial) effects processors per voice
• 2 additional stereo global (parallel) effects processors
• 2 global effect sends per MIDI channel
• Parametric and shelf equalizers
• Multiple stereo reverb and reflection algorithms
• Stereo delays, chorus, phaser, and flange
• Overdrive and distortion effects
• Delay times can be synchronized to MIDI clock
Output
• Supports output directly to digital audio file on disk in 8,16, or 24-bit format
• Discrete audio outputs per MIDI channel with Digidesign digital audio hardware (Mac OS only)
Arpeggiator
• Multiple latch and assignment modes
• Enter notes manually or use on-screen keyboard for controller-free play
• Arpeggiator can be synchronized to MIDI clock
MIDI
• MIDI Processor enables full control of layers and splits
• 16 simultaneous MIDI channel multi-timbral
• Real-time control of all parameters simultaneously via NRPNs
• Serial port application included for direct MIDI input (Mac OS only)
• On-screen keyboard; no MIDI controller required to trigger sounds
• Excellent real-time play response time
• Full simultaneous MIDI application (such as a sequencer) compatibility
Unity DS-1 Key Concepts
This document explains a few important operational concepts to help you understand how the Unity DS-1 system operates. For complete explanations of all features and functionality, download the Unity DS-1 Manual at http://www.bitheadz.com/Updates.html.
Use it like an instrument
No additional hardware or software is required to use Unity DS-1 (a soundcard required for the Windows version). Sound programs can be triggered internally with the on-screen keyboard utility. Using a MIDI controller (such as a MIDI-compatible keyboard) and interface (not included), programs can be played in real-time like a conventional hardware sampler with layers, splits, and full MIDI continuous control.
With the included MIDI drivers, Unity DS-1 can be used as a multi-timbral sound module, running in the background behind your favorite MIDI application on the same computer. The sampler engine loads samples from disk into RAM dynamically as required for playback on each of the 16 MIDI channels.
It’s really a Sampler
Unity DS-1 has all the functionality of a dedicated hardware sampler. You can import or record mono or stereo samples (digital audio files on disk) into Unity DS-1, then process them with a variety of Digital Signal Processing (DSP) functions before placing them in a multisample (keymap).
Multisamples as oscillators
One or more mono or stereo samples are mapped across the keyboard in a multisample. Individual samples can be tuned and applied to mute groups. Up to 128 samples can be stacked on each MIDI note for switching via velocity or MIDI continuous controllers, for a total of up to 16,384 samples (128 MIDI notes multiplied by 128 samples per note) per multisample. A multisample is then selected as an “oscillator” source for further processing by the synthesis engine.
It’s also a synthesizer
Unity DS-1 has a powerful synthesis engine for manipulating multisamples into an expressive musical instrument. After selecting a multisample as an oscillator source, standard synthesis techniques such as tuning, frequency modulation emulation, filtering, modulation, and effects processing can be applied to the oscillator. Two oscillators are supported per sound. We call each complete sound that has two oscillators and all their associated parameters a “Program.”
Editor Files
All sampler voicing parameters are accessed using the Unity DS-1 Editor application. Each Editor file is a MIDI “bank” that can contain mulitple samples, multisamples, and programs. Programs within a bank can be selected with MIDI program change commands, and different Editor files can be selected with MIDI bank change commands. Multisamples within in a bank can be linked to another bank file to save RAM and disk space.
Setup Files
The Unity DS-1 MIDI Processor is a powerful performance tool that enables you to modify MIDI data in the sampler engine by programming layers (two programs sounding simultaneously), splits (two different programs on each side of the keyboard), and arpeggiations (notes in a chord played sequentially, one at time). The MIDI Processor can be thought of as our own version of the multis, performances, or combinations in hardware keyboard products. We call one complete group of layer, split, and arpeggiation settings a Setup. Each MIDI Processor file can contain dozens of setups.
Mixer Files
Multi-timbral settings can be created, modified, and saved to disk using the Unity DS-1 Mixer application. Each Mixer file contains a complete set of values for bank and program selection, volume, pan, mute, solo, and global effect send levels on each of the 16 MIDI channels. Global effects parameters can also be accessed in the Mixer, and their values are stored in the Mixer file. Mixer files enable fast and easy multi-timbral reconfigurations for use in particular MIDI environments.
MIDI
Unity DS-1 can run in the background behind your favorite MIDI application on the same CPU, providing excellent instrument timbres without additional hardware. Up to 4 simultaneous real-time modulations using standard MIDI controllers can be stored in a program for expressive performances. Additionally, almost every voicing parameter can be accessed simultaneously for real-time control using our extensive MIDI implementation.
Unity DS-1 for Mac OS includes a serial port driver that enables direct connection to a MIDI interface without the hassles of third-party MIDI operating systems such as MIDI Manager, OMS, or FreeMIDI. However, OMS and FreeMIDI drivers are included to allow for complete integration into existing MIDI setups.
Unity DS-1 for PC uses any Windows MIDI input (hardware) port for external MIDI control. Also included is a standard Windows device driver to allow MIDI connections from MIDI software applications running on the same CPU.
Polyphony
Because there is no dedicated hardware to perform certain tasks, the computer’s CPU must handle all sampler routines. Therefore, the available polyphony is dependent upon CPU type, clock and bus speed, program RAM requirements, voice complexity, and other applications that may be running simultaneously. CPU processing resources can be reserved or limited in the Unity DS-1 control panel, and polyphony can be restricted to allow use on slower computer systems.
Output
The Unity DS-1 output signal is sent to Sound Manager (Mac OS) or DirectSound (Windows), which then routes the signal to the audio outputs for connection to a mixer, headphones, stereo system, recording device, or any other audio input. Using the Record To Disk feature, the sampler output (including multi-timbral output with effects) can be recorded to disk as an audio file for use in digital audio applications.
The output of Unity DS-1 for Mac OS goes to the Sound Manager, part of the Macintosh operating system, for output to the Mac built-in audio outputs. Proper Sound Manager setup is critical for optimum performance and sound quality. Third-party digital audio expansion cards can be used for even higher fidelity and digital I/O.
The output of Unity DS-1 for PC goes to DirectSound (a sub-component of DirectX), part of the Windows 95 operating system. DirectSound then routes the signal to the sound card where the audio outputs are located.
Software Components
The Unity DS-1 package is a modular collection of eight main software components, all designed to work together while maintaining ease of use and sensible functionality grouping. Each of the components is briefly described below. For detailed component descriptions, refer to its associated reference chapter in the Unity DS-1 Manual (available as a separate download).
Unity DS-1 Editor Application
The Editor is the main sound design application; all sampler voicing parameters are accessed here. The Editor is where samples are imported and/or recorded, mapped into multisamples, and turned into programs and banks. The Editor is primarily for voicing only; it does not need to be open to play existing banks and programs. For details, see Chapter 7.
Unity DS-1 MIDI Processor Application
The MIDI Processor is a powerful software controller that allows you to make layers, splits, arpeggiations, and other “live play” controls. It receives MIDI data from the sampler engine, then processes it using a variety of functions before returning it back to the engine for audio output. The MIDI Processor does not need to be open to use the sampler. For details, see Chapter 6.
Unity DS-1 Keyboard Application
This is an on-screen keyboard application that allows you to audition Unity DS-1 sounds without using a MIDI controller or any of the other Unity DS-1 applications. It has several utility functions for selecting programs and triggering notes and chords. The Editor and MIDI Processor also have “mini keyboards” within those applications. For details, see Chapter 8.
Unity DS-1 Mixer Application
The Mixer is where you can create, edit, and save multi-timbral mixes. You can also edit the global effects processors here and set their individual send levels per MIDI channel. For details, see Chapter 9.
Unity DS-1 Status
The Status window allows you to view polyphony, CPU, and memory usage in real-time. It provides visual feedback to assist in optimizing system configuration parameters. For details, see Chapter 5.
In the Windows version, the Status window is always open when the sampler is active.
Unity DS-1 OMS Input, FreeMIDI Input, & Serial Input utilities (Mac OS only)
These utilities are used to get MIDI data from the Macintosh serial ports to the sampler engine during “live play” or anytime OMS or FreeMIDI applications are not active. They are background applications that are opened automatically when the Editor, MIDI Processor, or Mixer applications are launched. For details, see Chapter 2.
Unity DS-1 OMS & FreeMIDI drivers (Mac OS only)
These driver components are used in conjunction with third-party MIDI operating systems to run the sampler from within existing MIDI software environments. They allow you to trigger Unity DS-1 from MIDI applications running on the same computer as the sampler. For details, see Chapter 2.
Unity DS-1 Windows Device Driver (Windows only)
The device driver for our software “MIDI module” is used by the Windows MIDI Mapper and/or third-party MIDI applications to provide a multi-timbral destination for transmitting MIDI information to the Unity DS-1 sampler engine. For details, see Chapter 3.
Unity DS-1 Control Panel
The control panel is the global settings utility. It allows you to edit system configuration parameters such as polyphony, CPU usage, sample rate, MIDI controller assignments, output device, and more. For details, see Chapter 5.
Unity DS-1 Banks
The Unity DS-1 Banks folder is where the sampler banks (and the programs contained within them) are located. Bank files can reside anywhere but must be within the Unity DS-1 Banks folder to receive MIDI Bank and Program change commands. The alphabetical arrangement of banks within the Unity DS-1 Banks folder hierarchy determine the required MIDI bank and progrm change commands. For details, see Appendix A.
Unity DS-1 Engine
The system components are the host-based processors that perform the actual synthesis. This “sampler engine” performs its duties in the background at the system level, behind all other applications.
The sampler engine itself, when activated, requires the amount of system memory set in the Unity DS-1 control panel in addition to other applications (such as the Editor) being used.
More Basics
Modular System
The Unity DS-1 system is comprised of several “modular” software components. This modular approach allows you to configure and use the system in the way that works best for you. Because each component requires additional CPU processing, using only the components you need at any given time can increase the available polyphony.
Three Primary Functions
The most common uses of Unity DS-1 can be broken down into three scenarios:
1. Live performance playing Unity DS-1 as a musical instrument with a MIDI controller.
2. Using Unity DS-1 as a MIDI sound module with MIDI applications (such as a sequencer) on the same CPU.
3. Creating or modifying sound content using the Editor.
An overview of each scenario is provided in this document. In all three cases, the Unity DS-1 engine is used to generate the sounds, so let’s cover that first.
The Playback Engine
The main Unity DS-1 module is the sampler engine. The engine is the component that produces the audio signals. The other application modules (Keyboard, Editor, MIDI Processor, Mixer, MIDI driver) are components that control the engine. In order for the engine to produce a sound, it needs a Bank file (where the sampled sound content and program data resides) and MIDI information (so it knows what notes to play).
The engine loads Bank and Program data from the files within the Unity DS-1 Banks folder. Banks and Programs are created and modified in the Editor, but the Editor is not required for playback. Each Bank can contain many Programs. As MIDI Bank Change and Program Change commands are recieved by the engine, the associated sample and program data is loaded automatically into the host computer’s RAM. This loading of data from disk into memory occurs simultaneously with sound playback. The amount of sample data that can be loaded for playback is limited only by the host CPU memory. The amount of system reserved for the sampler Engine is determined by the Unity DS-1 control panel Memory parameter value.
The Engine is launched automatically when it is activated by a Unity DS-1 MIDI driver, or from one (or more) of the Unity DS-1 applications (Keyboard, Editor, MIDI Processor, Mixer, MIDI Input utilities). The default Bank and Program data is loaded upon Engine launch, and are immediately available for playback. If the Unity DS-1 MIDI driver(s) are installed and configured, simply launching a compatible MIDI application will launch the sampler Engine and it will become available as a multi-timbral sound source just like hardware sound modules.
IMPORTANT: The sampler Engine cannot be opened directly. It is only launched when activated by one of the other components.
The Engine stays active until all Unity DS-1 components (including MIDI drivers) are quit. The system memory reserved for the sampler is relinquished when the Engine is closed.
Playback Engine Recap and Illustration
Figure 3.1.1. in the Unity DS-1 manual shows how the playback engine works. The Unity DS-1 Engine is launched by a Unity DS-1 application or MIDI driver. The Engine then loads required sound data from a Bank file in the Unity DS-1 Banks folder into the host computer’s RAM. The Engine then plays those sounds using MIDI data from a Unity DS-1 application or MIDI driver. These conditions must always exist to hear output from the Engine. (The only exception: Banks opened within the Editor do not need to reside in the Unity DS-1 Banks folder in order to be audible.)
Function 1. Live Performance Using a MIDI Controller
Unity DS-1 can be played “live” just like any other MIDI sample playback sound module using a MIDI controller (such as a keyboard). The fast response time, realtime MIDI control, load-while-play, and fantastic sound quality make it well suited to highly expressive live performances. In this scenario, MIDI data is transmitted from a MIDI controller to the MIDI interface on the host computer.
The Unity DS-1 MIDI Processor application is your primary interface for live play. The MIDI Processor was designed for performance and playing the sampler in realtime is where the MIDI Processor really shines. The MIDI Processor enables you to access your favorite sounds quickly and play them normally or with splits, layers, and arpeggiations.
Launching the Unity DS-1 MIDI Processor will (optionally) automatically activate MIDI input to the Engine. The sampler is then active and will respond to incoming MIDI note, controller, and bank/program change commands in realtime.
Function 2. Using Unity DS-1 with MIDI Applications
Unity DS-1 can be used as a multitimbral MIDI sound module running behind MIDI applications (such as a sequencer) on the same CPU. You will enjoy the convenience this integration allows. You can edit your music and your sounds at your computer without ever turning your neck, and mobile musicians will love the fact that great sounds are being played by MIDI software on the same portable notebook computer!
In this scenario, MIDI is received at the Unity DS-1 Engine from the MIDI application by way of a Unity DS-1 MIDI driver. The MIDI driver is the software equivalent of the MIDI cables that you would use to hook up an external sound module. When using a MIDI application with Unity DS-1, only the Unity DS-1 MIDI driver is required to launch and use the Engine for sound playback. Unity DS-1 applications (Keyboard, Editor, MIDI Processor, Mixer) are not required and are typically not used. The MIDI application “play through” function transmits MIDI to the Unity DS-1 MIDI driver.
You can select Banks/Programs and set volume levels and other parameters from within the MIDI application if the application supports those features. Using a sequencer and standard MIDI control numbers, Unity DS-1 sounds can be modified in realtime, and those parameter edits can be recorded by the sequencer for automated playback.
Function 3. Creating and Modifying Custom Sound Content
Unity DS-1 is most often used simply as a great sounding, preset, easy to use, sample playback synthesizer. However, Unity DS-1 is one of the most programmable sampling synthesizers you can buy. The ability to record, import, and digitally manipulate samples, then process them with a complete synthesis engine that has over 250 parameters per program enables you to recreate highly expressive sounds with stunning realism or create wild new textures using any digital audio recording as the raw source.
Unity DS-1 sounds are created and modified in the Unity DS-1 Editor application. Using the Editor, you can record or import mono or stereo samples (digital audio recordings) then process them digitally with a variety of functions. Samples are then placed into a Multisample (keymap), which is a group of samples mapped to MIDI notes. The multisample is then used as source oscillator for a program. A program contains up to two stereo oscillators and all the synthesis functions such as filters, modulations, and effects, which form a complete sound Program.
The Bank file is the final output of the Editor. Multiple Programs can be contained within each Bank file. Therefore, the Bank file contains all the sample and parameter data for each Program in the Bank. Programs within a Bank can be selected with MIDI Program Change commands. A Program within one Bank can “link” to a multisample within another Bank to save disk space and memory. Banks reside inside the Unity DS-1 Banks folder, where they can be selected with MIDI Bank Change commands.
Banks and Programs Overview
Unity DS-1 Programs (each program is a complete sound) are located inside Unity DS-1 Bank files. Bank files (and the programs within them) that reside inside the Unity DS-1 Banks folder are available for selection via MIDI Bank and Program Change commands.
The alphabetical order of the Bank files within the Unity DS-1 Banks folder determines the value of the MIDI Bank Change command required to select a particular bank via MIDI. The first alphabetical bank is MIDI bank #0, the second alphabetical bank is MIDI bank #1, and so forth. If no bank change command is received, the first alphabetical bank (MIDI bank #0) in the Unity DS-1 Banks folder will be used by default.
The MIDI Program Change command required to select a particular program within a bank is determined by the order of the Program List within the bank. When a bank is opened in the Unity DS-1 Editor, all the programs within the bank are displayed in the Program List. The order of the programs in this list determines the MIDI program number required to select the program. The Program List can be rearranged by dragging programs in the list with the mouse to another location in the list. If no program change command is received immediately after a bank change command, the first program in the bank Program List (MIDI program #0) will be used by default.
When using the Unity DS-1 Keyboard, MIDI Processor, or Mixer applications, the Banks and Programs are displayed by name. Selecting a new Bank or Program from the Bank/Program pull-down menus automatically transmits the correct MIDI Bank & Program Change commands to the Engine.
To select banks via MIDI
For bank numbers 0 through 127, send controller 32 with a value between 0 and 127, with zero being the first alphabetical bank in the Unity DS-1 Banks folder. Follow the bank change command with a program change command.
To select programs via MIDI
Send a MIDI program change value between 0 and 127. If no bank change command is sent before the program change command, programs within bank 0 will be selected.
NOTE: We refer to the first program in a bank as MIDI program number 0 and the first bank as MIDI bank number 0 because these are the actual MIDI commands used. Many controllers use a numbering scheme of 1-128 but they are actually transmitting “zero based” commands.
Who is BitHeadz?
BitHeadz is a software technology company specializing in the design and development of high quality software solutions for the computer and professional music industries. Our focus is to provide advanced software synthesis, professional quality sound sets, custom interactive content, and audio applications and tools for the PC and Macintosh environments. With our established expertise in these areas, BitHeadz is committed to providing the best sounding software in the industry.
BitHeadz long-range goal is to develop interactive music applications that will target two related markets; the computer industry and the professional electronic music industry. Current industry data shows that over the next five years, as a result of the convergence of these two markets, a significant increase of professional musicians and hobbyists alike will rely on computer technology to listen, play, enjoy, and create music of all types.
