Document Outline

• Credits
• About this manual
  • Suggested further reading
  • Printing this manual
• Ch.1: Introduction
  • 1:1 Welcome to DCAM: Synth Squad
    • DCAM: Synth Squad at a glance
    • A note on effects
  • 1:2 Shared aspects of all instruments
    • DCAM: Discrete Component Analogue Modelling
    • Voices, Unison voices and polyphony
    • TransMod modulation
    • Performance controllers and MIDI Learn
  • 1:3 Interface basics
    • Loading presets: preset pickers
      • • Drop-down preset menu
      • • Prev/Next preset buttons
      • • Preset browser
      • Other Preset picker controls
        • Save preset
        • Tools menu
        • Preferences
        • Load to Mod Slot
        • Audio stream indicator
        • MIDI indicator
      • Preset browser
        • Searching and filtering
    • Controlling parameters: initial values (Main view)
      • Fine control over parameters
    • Controlling parameters: TransMod modulation depths
    • TransMod slots
    • Rotary selectors and drop-down menus
    • Numerical text-boxes
    • Buttons
    • Indicator LEDs
    • Parameter context menu
      • Reset Param
      • Clear Param Mod
      • Clear Param All Mod
      • Lock ScopeUnlock Scope
      • Clear Learn
      • Snapping/unit options for tuning and filter cutoff controls
        • Just
        • Harmonic
        • Equal
        • Off
    • On-screen keyboard and performance controllers
      • MIDI Learn button
      • Panic button
• Ch.2: Strobe
  • 2:1 Overview
    • Strobe highlights
  • 2:2 Oscillator section
    • Oscillator controls
      • Tuning: Pitch & Fine
      • Sync
      • Sync & Detune
    • Waveform mixing controls
      • Main osc and sub-osc mixer
    • Pulse Width controls
      • PW & Sub PW
    • Direct modulation
  • 2:3 Filter section
    • Filter controls
      • Power
      • Cutoff and Res (resonance)
      • Drive
      • Mode
    • Direct modulation
  • 2:4 Amp section
    • Amp
    • Pan
    • Level
    • Analogue
  • 2:5 Other functions
    • Built-in Arpeggiator
    • Settings, Glide and Keying controls
    • Visualizer Scope
  • 2:6 Modulation
    • Gateable modulators
      • LFO
      • Ramp
      • Mod Envelope
      • Amp Envelope
    • Glide
    • Keytracking (modulation from keyboard pitch)
  • 2:7 Strobe signal flow
• Ch.3: Cypher
  • 3:1 Overview
    • Background
    • Programming with Cypher
  • 3:2 Oscillator section
    • Pitch, Fine & Scale
    • Power
    • Wave
    • FM from 3 & WM from 2
    • Sync to 1
    • Beat
    • Phase
    • Low
    • Key
    • Blend (S+H - Osc - Noise) and Pink
    • Ring mod
    • Gain
    • Filter Mix
  • 3:3 Shaper section
    • Power button
    • Post button
    • Mode
    • Drive
    • LPF
  • 3:4 Filter section: shared controls
    • Cutoff
    • Env1 & Env2
    • Route
    • Spread
  • 3:5 Filter section: individual controls for filters 1 and 2
    • Power
    • Type
    • Mode
    • Drive
    • Scale
    • Res (Resonance)
    • Keytrack
    • FM from 3
  • 3:6 Amp section
    • Amp
    • Pan
    • Level
    • Analogue
  • 3:7 Other functions
    • Built-in Arpeggiator
    • Settings, Glide and Keying controls
    • Visualizer scope
  • 3:8 Modulation in Cypher
    • Gateable modulators
      • LFO1 and LFO2
      • Ramp
      • ModEnv1 and ModEnv2
      • Amp Envelope
    • Glide
    • Keytracking (modulation from keyboard pitch)
    • Oscillators as LFOs
    • Beating rates as LFOs
  • 3:9 Cypher signal flow
    • Osc section
    • Shaper-Filter and Amp sections
• Ch.4: Cypher’s oscillators in detail
  • 4:1 Introduction to audio-rate modulation
    • Basics of audio-rate modulation
    • Audio-rate modulation implementations
  • 4:2 Frequency modulation
    • Oscillator FM in Cypher
      • Harmonic tuning
      • FM depth
      • Demonstrating osc FM in Cypher
      • Thru-zero oscillator FM
    • Filter FM
    • Envelopes and LFOs
    • Programming hints
  • 4:3 Wave modulation
    • Continuous waveshape of Cypher’s oscs
    • Audio-rate waveform modulation
      • Wave Mod and FM
      • Effects of wave shape
  • 4:4 Audio-rate sample and hold
    • Using audio-rate sample & hold
  • 4:5 Variable-depth oscillator sync
    • Main uses of osc sync
    • Variable-depth osc sync in Cypher
      • Minimum (0) and maximum (1) settings
      • Settings between 0 and 1
      • Using variable-depth osc sync in Cypher
  • 4:6 Beat detune
    • Using the Beat control
      • Normal detuning
      • Beat detuning
    • Beat rates as TransMod modulators
    • Usage with other oscillator functions
• Ch.5: Amber
  • 5:1 Overview
    • Divide-down synthesis explained
    • Implementations of divide-down synths
    • String synths in popular use
    • Amber: the next step in divide-down synthesis
      • Synth and Ensemble sections
      • Contents of a single Amber voice
  • 5:2 Master tuning controls
  • 5:3 Synth section
    • Paraphonic oscillator control
      • Level controls: 8’, 4’ and Nse
      • Inv (invert)
      • Paraphonic ADSR envelopes and VCAs
      • Vel (Velocity)
      • LP and HP (paraphonic 1-pole tone filters)
    • Filter stage (polyphonic multimode resonant filter)
      • Power
      • Cutoff and Res (Resonance)
      • Mode
  • 5:4 Ensemble section
    • Paraphonic oscillator control
      • Level controls: 8’, 4’ and 2’
      • Inv (Invert)
      • Paraphonic AR envelopes and VCAs
      • Vel (Velocity)
      • LP and HP (paraphonic 1-pole tone filters)
    • Formant filter stage
      • Formant filter controls: Power, Freq, Gain, Scale & Notch
  • 5:5 Ensemble section chorus stage
  • 5:6 Mixer / Amplifier stage
    • Synth and Ens. (Synth Amp and Ensemble Amp)
    • Syn Route
    • Pan
    • Level
    • Analogue
  • 5:7 Perform controls
    • Range
    • Mode
  • 5:8 Other functions
    • Settings, Glide and Keying controls
    • Visualizer scope
  • 5:9 Modulation
    • Paraphonic architecture and polyphonic modulation
    • Gateable modulators
      • LFO
      • Ramp
      • Mod Envelope
    • Synth and Ensemble Envelopes
      • Synth envelope
      • Ensemble envelope
    • Glide
    • Keytracking (modulation from keyboard pitch)
  • 5:10 Amber signal flow
• Ch.6: Common synth functions
  • 6:1 Arpeggiator (Strobe and Cypher only)
    • Arpeggiator and LFO
    • Arpeggiator and Keying controls
    • Arpeggiator controls
      • Power
      • Rate
      • Note
      • Range
      • Octave
      • Gate
  • 6:2 Keying controls
    • Priority
    • Hold
  • 6:3 Glide controls
    • Legato and Retrig
    • Glide Mode
    • Pitch GlideVel Glide (Velocity Glide)
  • 6:4 Settings
    • Voices and Unison
    • Bend Up and Bend Dn (Down)
    • Tune
  • 6:5 Preferences panel
    • Oversampling
      • Realtime
      • Render
    • Perf. Controls (Performance controllers)
    • Managing settings
      • Save as Defaults and Load Defaults
      • Load Factory
      • Apply and Cancel
  • 6:6 Visualizer scope
    • Locking and unlocking the Scope
    • Parameter value display
  • 6:7 FX versions of synth plugins
  • 6:8 MIDI Learn and host automation
    • MIDI Learn
      • Using the MIDI Learn system
        • Assigning a MIDI CC to a parameter control:
        • Viewing existing assignments
        • Removing assignments
        • Saving MIDI Learn assignments for future sessions
        • Reverting to defaults
    • Host automation
  • 6:9 Program change panel
    • Using the PC panel
      • Saving program change lists
      • Loading a program change list
      • Exporting the program change list as a preset collection
      • Clearing the program change list
• Ch.7: Modulation
  • 7:1 Introduction to modulation in DCAM: Synth Squad
    • The TransMod system explained
  • 7:2 TransMod system overview
    • Main view
    • TransMod Slot views
    • Basic TransMod system operations
      • Selecting a TransMod slot
      • Selecting a modulation source
      • Creating modulation depths
      • The effect of TransMod modulation
    • Scaling
      • Selecting a modulation scaler
      • Scaling examples
  • 7:3 Using the TransMod system
    • Setting initial value of controls (Main view)
    • Setting TransMod modulation depths
    • Managing modulation with the parameter context-menu
      • Reset Param
      • Clear Param Mod
      • Clear Param All Mod
    • Managing TransMod slots with the slot context menu
      • Copy/Paste, Swap With...
      • Clear Mod
      • Clear All Mod
    • Mouseover indicators and slot highlighting
      • Control to slot highlight
      • Active slot highlight
      • Current slot highlight
      • Slot to control highlight
    • Load to Mod Slot
      • Patch-morphing effects
      • Usage hints
  • 7:4 Velocity and Performance controllers
    • Velocity
      • Velocity Glide
    • Performance controllers
  • 7:5 Gateable modulators
    • Types of gating behaviour (Gate parameter settings)
      • Poly
      • PolyOn
      • Mono
      • Song
      • Other gateable modulators
    • Envelope
      • ADSR controls
      • Sync
      • Loop
      • Linear
    • LFO
      • Rate and Sync
      • Phase
      • Mode
      • Mono
      • Swing
      • PW (Pulse Width)
    • Ramp
      • Delay
      • Rise
      • Mult
      • Sync
  • 7:6 Glide, voices and unison
    • Glide
      • Pitch Glide
      • Vel Glide (Velocity Glide)
      • Modulation of Glide times
      • Other parameters that affect Glide
      • Using Glide in Amber
    • Voices and Unison
      • Voice card manipulation in classic polysynths
      • Examples for using voice and unison TransMod sources
  • 7:7 Tracking the keyboard
    • Pitch keytracking
      • Keytrack controls in Strobe
      • Keytracking controls in Cypher
      • Keytracking in Amber
      • Using keytracking in the TransMod system
    • Keyboard zones
  • 7:8 Summary of TransMod sources
    • Monophonic sources
      • Mono source sub-menu
        • Common MIDI controllers
        • Monophonic gate/trigger sources
        • Song phase
      • Perf source sub-menu
    • Polyphonic sources
      • Poly source sub-menu
        • Polyphonic keyboard input
        • Polyphonic gate/trigger sources
        • Alt (alternating voice) sources
        • Voice and unison sources
          • Unison sources
          • Voice sources
      • Random source sub-menu
      • Synth source sub-menu
        • LFOs
        • Envelopes & Ramps
        • Additional Synth sources in Cypher
          • Oscillators as LFOs
          • Oscillator beating rates as LFOs
• Ch.8: Fusor
  • 8:1 What is Fusor?
    • FuseMod
  • 8:2 Interface Overview
    • Fusor LCD
    • Macro controls
    • Edit page buttons
    • Edit workspace
    • Keyboard and performance controls
    • Status display
  • 8:3 Global page
    • Device and preset pickers
      • Edit and Power buttons
      • MIDI channels
    • Synth channels
      • Synth and insert FX controls
      • Aux Sends
      • Aux 1-3 routing
      • Main out routing
      • Direct out routing
      • Routing options
    • Aux FX, Mixer and Master insert FX
      • Aux FX and Master insert FX device and preset pickers
      • Aux FX return levels
      • Mixer
      • Master Vol (Master Volume)
  • 8:4 Input device pages
    • Key Map page
      • Power
      • Key Low
      • Break Low
      • Break High and Key High
      • Transpose
      • Vel Scale
      • Velocity Curve and Low/High velocity
      • Key map display
      • Destinations
    • MonoMod page
      • LFO
      • Envelope followers
      • Visualizer scope
    • Animator page
  • 8:5 Synth channel pages
    • Synth1, Synth2 and Synth3 pages
      • Routing MIDI events to a synth
      • Modulation
    • FX1, FX2 and FX3 pages
  • 8:6 Aux FX and Master FX pages
    • Aux FX page
    • Master FX page
  • 8:7 Fusor FX suite
    • Overview
      • Wet Mix control
    • Effect types
      • Gain
      • Gate (Noise Gate)
      • EQ
      • EQ-Filter
      • Comp Chan
      • Comp Bus
      • Delay
      • Phaser, Flanger and Chorus
      • RingMod
      • TinCanVerb
      • Filter Mod
      • FreqShift (Frequency Shifter)
      • BitCrusher
      • Drive
      • Freezer
      • Breverb algorithms
      • Amber Chorus and Amber Formants
    • X4 Quad FX
      • Common parameters
      • X4-Filter
      • X4-Drive
      • X4-Comb
      • X4-Delay
  • 8:8 Modulation in Fusor
    • FuseMod
    • Devices that can be modulated
    • Using the FuseMod system
    • FuseMod modulation sources
      • ‘Syn’ FuseMod sources
    • Using FuseMod modulation within synths’ TransMod slots
      • Macro source sub-menu
      • Macro sources S+H sub-menu
      • Synth sources sub-menus
  • 8:9 Animator: global controls
    • Architecture overview
    • Preset pickers
    • Engine selector
    • Engine type
      • 1. Arpeggiator (section 8:10)
      • 2. Note Sequencer (section 8:11)
      • 3. Modulation Sequencer (section 8:12)
      • 4. Advanced (section 8:13)
    • Clocking
      • Steps
      • Step Duration
      • Multiplier
      • Swing
    • Important note about clocking and triggering
    • Driving devices with Animator
    • Animator Graph editor
      • Using the Graph editor
      • X-Gap
      • Y-Qtz
    • Graph lanes
      • Pitch (Arp, Note Seq and Advanced modes)
      • Velocity (Arp, Note Seq and Advanced modes)
      • Gate (All modes)
      • Shift (All modes)
      • Duration (Arp, Note Seq and Advanced modes)
      • Repeat (Arp, Note Seq and Advanced modes)
      • Mod. Value (All modes)
      • Mod. Glide (All modes)
    • Advanced engine type Graph modulation
  • 8:10 Animator: Arpeggiator engine type
    • Destination
    • Arp/Seq section
      • Arp. Mode
      • Oct. Range
    • Graphs section
      • Duration
    • Triggering section
      • Arp Hold
    • Using the Advanced engine type as an arpeggiator
      • Switching between engine types
  • 8:11 Animator: Note Sequencer engine type
    • Destination
    • Arp/Seq section
      • Oct Range
      • Oct. Mode
    • Graphs section
      • Pitch, Velocity & Duration
  • 8:12 Animator: Modulation Sequencer engine type
    • Destination
    • Graphs section
      • Mod Value
      • Mod Glide
  • 8:13 Animator: Advanced engine type
    • Introduction
      • Using the Advanced engine type alongside other engine types
    • Destination
    • Pattern memories
      • Link Pattern – All Engines
      • Link Edits – All Engines
      • Link Edits – All Patterns
    • Graph offset controls and modulation
      • Mute
      • Sw (Swing)
    • Triggering section
      • Latch / Hold
      • Trigger Mode
        • NoteScale and NoteWrap
        • NoteScale
        • NoteWrap
      • Clock Source
    • Arp/Seq section
      • Arp. Mode & Oct. Range
      • Oct. Mode
      • Constrain
      • Arp. Poly
    • Key Input section
      • Priority
      • Use Vel
    • Oct Advance section
      • Advance Arp On
      • Advance Oct. FirstReverse Oct. First
  • 8:14 Fusor signal flow
• Appendix 1: Standalone application and plugin usage
  • Using the synth standalone applications
    • Windows operation
    • Mac operation
    • Tempo and time signature
    • I/O Settings
      • Audio Devices
      • Audio Channels
      • Audio Buffer Size
      • Sample Rate
      • MIDI Ports
      • Sync to MTC
      • ASIO Control Panel... (Windows only)
  • Using DCAM: Synth Squad as RTAS plugins in Digidesign Pro Tools 7.x
    • Launching a plugin
    • Setting up additional output monitoring for Fusor
    • Recording the output as audio
  • Using DCAM: Synth Squad as AU plugins in Apple Logic 7.2 or later
    • Launching a plugin
    • Setting up additional output monitoring for Fusor
    • Recording the output as audio
  • Using DCAM: Synth Squad as AU plugins in Apple Logic 8
    • Launching a plugin
    • Setting up additional output monitoring for Fusor
    • Recording the output as audio
  • Using DCAM: Synth Squad as VST or AU plugins in Ableton Live
    • Launching a plugin
    • Setting up additional output monitoring for Fusor
    • Recording the output as audio
  • Using DCAM: Synth Squad as AU plugins in Digital Performer
    • Launching a plugin
    • Setting up additional output monitoring
    • Recording the output as audio
  • Using DCAM: Synth Squad as VST plugins in Cubase 4
    • Launching a plugin
    • Recording the output as audio
  • Using DCAM: Synth Squad as VST plugins in Sonar
    • Launching a plugin
    • Recording the output as audio
  • Using DCAM: Synth Squad as VST plugins in FL Studio
    • Launching a plugin
    • Setting up additional output monitoring for Fusor
    • Recording the output as audio
  • Using DCAM: Synth Squad as VST plugins in Reaper
    • Launching a plugin
    • Setting up additional output monitoring for Fusor
    • Recording the output as audio
  • Potential problems
    • Missing plugin
      • Windows
      • Mac
• Appendix 2: Strobe filter modes
• Appendix 3: Cypher waveshaper modes
• Appendix 4: Fusor – Overloud Breverb algorithms
  • Breverb Hall
    • Time (Sec)
    • Size
    • Diffusion
    • Shape
    • Spread
    • Predelay (Sec)
    • LowHigh
  • Breverb Plate
    • Time (Sec)
    • Size
    • Diffusion
    • Predelay (Sec)
    • Shape
    • LowHigh
  • Breverb Room
    • Time (Sec)
    • Size
    • Diffusion
    • Decay
    • Predelay (Sec)
    • LowHigh
  • Breverb Inverse
    • Time (Sec)
    • Diffusion
    • Predelay (Sec)
    • LowHigh
• Appendix 5: Host automation parameters
  • Strobe
  • Cypher
  • Amber
  • Fusor