Using SynC Modular as a VST2 Plugin
This does not apply to BeOS version.
Warning! SynC Modular is a large and complex synthesis system, some VST2 hosts do not allow handy usage of SynC Modular as a VST2 plugin. Also some hosts do not fully support VST2 specifications. At this time only one host is known to be perfect for the purpose of running the SynC Modular - Cubase 3.7. Check back at SynC Modular home page for new info.
Warning! VST2 mode is a registered version feature of the SynC Modular. It works in evaluation version, but disables all MIDI, except the PC Keyboard option.
What is VST2 plugin synth
The latest (v2.0) enhancements to the VST protocol allow direct interfacing between synthesizers and other software (primarily sequencers). The benefits are sample-accurate MIDI timing and audio routed back to the sequencer in digital, where it can be further processed.
In this case the VST2 host (sequencer) does all interfacing with external MIDI and audio devices and the synth is used for pure synthesis.
Installation of the SynC Modular VST2 plugin
The SynC Modular can be used both as a standalone program and VST2 plugin. After installing the SynC Modular a file named SynC Modular.dll can be found in the VST subdirectory of the SynC Modular program folder. This file has to be copied to the VSTPlugIns directory of your VST2 host program (some hosts may require it to be copied to different directory, consult your VST2 host manual).
Using VST2 plugin
Start your VST2 host program. In the list of VST2 plugins you should see SynC Modular (consult your host's manual). Create an instance of this plugin. E.g. in Cubase you just select SynC Modular from the list of plugins. The SynC Modular splash screen and then main window should appear.
Notice. The splash screen appears only once in a host session.
In the Window menu of SynC Modular main window you should see a submenu entitled Instances. This is where you'll see all created instances of SynC Modular plugin. Now there's only one instance, entitled Inst1. You can rename it from your host, by editing the program name for this instance. The names are needed to match instances in host program and SynC Modular. You can switch between the instances using this menu.
Notice. Some hosts would show two instrument programs featuring the same name for SynC Modular VST2 instances. You can rename either of the programs to rename the instance.
Notice. Some hosts would create more than one instance of SynC Modular (as seen in Window->Instances menu) for a single instance of VST2 plugin. This is beyond SynC Modular's control, you'll have to find the correct (actually used) instance yourself.
Load some ensemble. You can load even multitimbral ensembles provided your VST2 host supports transmitting on different MIDI channels to VST2 plugins.
Important. Don't forget to press the Play button on the SynC Modular toolbar and also to switch VST plugin on (it is necessary e.g. in Cubase).
Now switch to your VST2 host and assign the plugin to a track (in case the host is a sequencer). In some hosts the plugin can be confused with SynC Modular MIDI pipe device (e.g. in Cubase, SynC Modular MIDI pipe looks as SynC Modular and VST instances look as SynC Modular (1), SynC Modular (2) etc).
Play the plugin as described in the host's manual.
Important. You have to match the MIDI channels for the track and for SynC Modular instrument you play in the same way you do when running SynC Modular standalone. Or (for non-multitimbral ensembles) you can set the ensemble MIDI channel to Omni, in that case ensemble responding to all channels.
Notice. Your host may do its own processing of some MIDI data, e.g. volume and pan controllers. This processing may be done in addition to or instead of these controllers being processed by the plugin. Please consult your host's manual.
Notice. Some hosts not always set the correct sampling rate for VST plugins. If you have trouble getting correct pitch and sound from the plugin, check the sampling rates for the host and plugin to match. The current sampling rate for SynC Modular plugin is displayed on the toolbar.
Saving VST2 plugins
When saving a file from your host program all VST plugin instances are likely to be saved in that file (e.g. in Cubase). However SynC Modular files are huge and it's not a good idea to save them e.g. with MIDI sequences. Therefore only a reference to SynC Modular ensemble is saved to the host's file, in the form of full file path.
When you load back that file the instances of SynC Modular are given these references and try to load the ensembles.
Warning! Not all hosts support this part of VST2 protocol. If it's not supported you'll have to reload ensembles manually when you load back your saved host file.
Notice. Also you can save a patch or a bank from your host. In both cases only a reference to the ensemble is saved as in the previous case.
You still need to save your ensembles in the same way as you do when using SynC Modular as a standalone program.
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