Expressive Double Reeds

User Manual v. 1.0

Operating systems
PC: Windows 7, Vista or XP, 32 or 64 bit

Mac: Intel only, Mac OS 10.5, 10.6 or 10.7

Computer
The Expressive Double Reeds provides unprecedented realism and expressiveness. However,
it’s a demanding software in terms of CPU load. A modern PC or Mac with at least 1,6 GHz
Core2Duo CPU is required.

Less powerful systems may also prove satisfactory, but may require larger buffer sizes, involving
higher latencies, and may even reduce the amount of simultaneously playable instruments
down to 1.
Note: This may not represent a real problem though. Using the freeze
feature or bouncing the single MIDI tracks to audio is a useful remedy.

Important note on CPU load

Loading multiple instruments on a single instance of Kontakt leads to a
less efficient use of the multiple cores, and to an increased CPU
load. In case you are experiencing excessive CPU load and/or dropouts, we
strongly recommended to use a separate instance of Kontakt for each
instrument.

Audio Interface (sound card)

A good quality audio hardware with suitable low latency drivers (ASIO for the PC) is
required. Buffer size should be kept to 256 (recommended) or 512 samples (higher
latency, but less CPU load).

Midi interface
A MIDI interface is required if using a MIDI keyboard, another MIDI controller or an
external sequencer, unless the connection is made via USB.
Keyboard or Windcontroller
A five-octave midi keyboard, mappable from C-2 to C5, with pitchwheel, modwheel, and
an expression pedal or breath controller, constitutes the minimum requirements for real
time playing. Six-octave keyboards with several physical MIDI controllers, including
expression and sustain pedals, or a Windcontroller, are recommended for full
exploitation of the expressiveness of the instrument.

Sequencer
If real time playing is not contemplated (you will miss a great fun though), using a
sequencer may obviate the need for several physical MIDI controllers, while maintaining
full control of the instrument expressiveness. “The Expressive Double Reeds” has
been thoroughly tested on several sequencers, including Cubase, Ableton Live,
Digital Performer, Logic and Sonar.

Like a real instrument, and differently from conventional sample libraries, The
Expressive Double Reeds allows continuous transition across the dynamics
(from ppp to fff), free from any side effects. To accomplish this, a suitable
continuous physical MIDI controller, such as an expression (CC11) or volume
(CC7) pedal, a breath or a windcontroller (CC2) is absolutely necessary.

WITHOUT THIS CONTROLLER THE INSTRUMENT WILL NOT WORK, DISPLAYNG A WARNING.

Tip:Logic users, deactivating The Expressive Double Reeds

track my reduce the CPU load, and greatly improve the overall
performance.

Tip:Sonar users might experience hanging notes upon stopping the

[Link] is due to the fact that Sonar sends an “All-Notes-Off” command
when the Stop button is [Link] problem can be easily solved by checking the
box “Accept all notes off/ all sounds off”under “Instrument Options -> Controller”,
as shown below.
 Introduction
The Expressive Double Reeds is an exceptionally versatile, dynamic, flexible and
expressive musical instruments, used in a vast majority of musical styles. It covers
an incredibly wide dynamic range. With its rich, warm sound it is a perfect blender, if
used in combination with other instruments. With its full, bright fortissimo it is an
indispensable instrument in any spectacular, “Hollywoodlike” orchestration.

The real Double Reeds is extremely difficult to play, requiring advanced skills and
intensive practicing. It is also extremely difficult to emulate, a true challenge for
developers of virtual instruments. That's why we chose it next. We believe the results
are outstanding. And, unlike the real one, our virtual Expressive Double Reeds is very
easy to play…All these instruments are now at your fingertips… You can really PLAY
them – shaping the sound like a real player does. But please, read the manual first and
learn more about how to do it in the best way.

It is easy and intuitive but, like every music instrument, “The Expressive Double
Reeds” needs some practice and experience. You will certainly learn it very
quickly! The demonstrations we prepared show how realistic our instruments are. If
you want to learn more about how this has been achieved, please visit
[Link]
 The Graphical Interface

This is how the instrument looks upon loading. A warning message appears, reminding
you that:

An Expression controller (CC11, CC7 or CC2) is absolutely necessary for proper

functioning of the instrument.

Upon receiving the appropriate CC (from your keyboard or other midi sources, such as
a windcontroller or sequencer), the warning disappears, and the instrument is fully
functional. The grey button in the lower right corner opens a drop down menu.

You may choose among several options:

Expression Curve
It is well known that midi keyboards have different and uneven velocity response, and
this may heavily influence the performance of a virtual instrument. To obviate this
problem, the instrument includes automatic detection of any velocity inhomogeneities
or non-linearity emitted by the keyboard, and provides automatic remapping to any
desired curve. If “Vel. curve” is selected in the drop down menu, the velocity mapping
GUI will be displayed:

As a default, velocity mapping is disabled. Velocity mapping is activated by clicking on

the “Mapping” button until it turns yellow.

Now, the relationship between in (X axis) and out (Y axis) velocity values is represented
by the upper graph. A straight line, from bottom left to top right means linear
mapping, i.e. no changes. The graph can be directly edited with your mouse, so that
you can program any velocity response you need.

To compensate for a nonlinear behaviour of your keyboard, an automatic calibration

procedure is provided. Just click on “Calibration”, and the GUI will appear like this:

Now what you have to do is to hit any key at random

velocity, trying to cover the whole velocity range. Each
new output velocity will appear as a new bar in the
ower panel. The overall velocity curve output of your
keyboard will progressively be updated in the upper
panel.

The response of a nonlinear keyboard.

After you’re finished with the automatic mapping

procedure, i.e. when you notice, that no new velocity
bar appears anymore, disable “Calibration” by
clicking on it until it turns grey.
Since now, compensation for nonlinearity of
note-on velocities will be carried out if “Mapping” is active (i.e. yellow). You may also
correct the compensated curve with your mouse. Please note that all changes will be
maintained upon storing and reloading the instrument.
Controller Knobs – Advanced Parameters
All the controllers needed for proper functioning of the instrument are mapped to
virtual knobs in three GUI panels, which can be activated by a drop down menu. The
function of each controller is indicated by the associated label. The virtual knobs
permit to monitor the incoming midi data, but can also be used to directly control the
instrument. This allows users of keyboards without physical MIDI controllers or knobs,
to explore the expressive capabilities of the Expressive Double Reeds.

Please note that, for realistic and expressive playing, the controller knobs
cannot substitute the essential controllers, such as CC11,
modwheel (C1) and pitchbend, which must be provided by your keyboard or
sequencer.

The three “Controllers” GUIs, show each MIDI-controlled function, the associated CC
number and its current value. Each knob is bidirectionally mapped to its CC. This means
that you may set each CC by moving the associated knob. Conversely, any incoming
MIDI CC will be mirrored by the corresponding knob, and its current value will be
shown on the display panel.

MIDI CC Mapping
Three different CC-remapping panels allow remapping of all controllers to any CC. MIDI
CC Mapping 1, MIDI CC Mapping 2 and MIDI CC Mapping 3.

Note: CC128 (Pitchbend) cannot be remapped nor used to control other

parameters. If one tries to do so, the remapper will automatically
switch to CC129.
Wind controller Mode
This option opens the Wind Controller panel.

By clicking on “Use Windcontroller” button, you will activate the universal

Windcontroller mode. The selected mode will appear on the main view GUI. WC mode
automatically maps the Dynamics to CC2, and gives complete (100%) control of
Portamento Time (see below) to CC5.

Breath controller Mode

This option opens the Breathcontrol panel. By clicking on “ Breathcontroller” button,
you will activate the breath controller mode. The selected mode will appear on the
main view GUI. BC mode automatically maps the Dynamics to CC2.

Transpose
This option opens the Transpose panel. This is the most convenient way of transposing
the incoming midi flow in order to cope with the mapping of the instrument.

Note: When transposing, always use the Transpose knob described above, or
the transpose function of your MIDI source. Do not use “MIDI Transpose”
function of the Kontakt software (Instrument Options), since it does not transpose
the key switches and limits the instrument range.

Micro Tuning [cents]

This option opens the Microtuning panel.

This is an entirely new feature, coping with the requirements of musicians using non-
temperate scales.

Our approach to microtuning yields maximal flexibility, allowing user-defined scales,

where the extent of detuning (range +60/-60 cents) can be precisely set for each note
by means of a sliding bar. The scale can be saved and recalled as a preset.

The reference note, and the overall % amount of detuning can be fit to each preset by
acting on the "Key" button and the "Amount" knob, respectively.
Note: Using the sustain pedal for this purpose requires that the
"CC only option is enabled under Instrument Options -> Controller (see
below). This corresponds to the default setting.

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