Waldorf F2 Lector Vocoder Plugin
Foreword
Thank you for purchasing the Waldorf Lector Vocoder plugin.
Lector is a unique vocoder for musical alienation of audiosignals. It contains a polyphonical synthesizer based on the legendary Waldorf sound engine. Lector puts in your hands a sonic toolset for a wide range of diverse applications.
What to read?
The biggest problem with any manual is to cover both the needs of an absolute expert and a beginner alike. There are people who read a manual cover to cover while others don’t even touch it. The latter is the worst choice, especially when the manual describes a Waldorf instrument.
If you decide to read the following manual, we promise you a lot of fun while reading about and working with Lector.
Your Waldorf Team
Hint
Waldorf Music GmbH is not liable for any erroneous information contained in this manual. The contents of this manual may be updated at any time without prior notice. We made every effort to ensure the information herein is accurate and that the manual contains no contradictory information. Waldorf Music GmbH extends no liabilities in regard to this manual other than those required by local law. This manual or any portion of it may not be reproduced in any form without the manufacturer’s written consent.
Waldorf Music GmbH, Lilienthalstrasse 7, D-53424 Remagen, Deutschland
Overview
User Interface of Lector
1 Parameter of the Input section/Carrier signal
2 Parameter of the Lector Synthesizer
3 Parameter of the Vocoder filterbank
4 Effects section
Introduction
About this Manual
This manual was written to help you to become familiar with Lector. It will also aid experienced users with routine tasks.
To avoid confusion, the terminology in this manual is based on the Lector parameter names. You will find the various terms explained in a glossary at the end of this manual.
We also used a uniform set of symbols to show you topics of particular interest or significance. Important terms are highlighted in bold letters.
Symbols
Caution – The comments that follow this symbol will help you avoid errors and malfunctions.
✻ Example – Real-world examples to try out.
Highlighted Control Features and Parameters
All of the Lector´s buttons, controls and parameters are highlighted in bold letters throughout the manual.
Example:
• Turn the Cutoff dial.
The Lector’s different modes and parameters are illustrated in a depiction of the display. The value range of a continuous parameter is indicated from low to high with both values shown in italic letters, separated by three dots.
Example: Resonance 0…100%
Installation
Our software is no longer based on an eLicenser. No new installations of our software can be made with an eLicenser. Our new licensing system is completely software-based.
With one license, the software can be installed and used on up to 3 computers simultaneously. Older licenses can be converted into our new licensing system.
For older licenses purchased before 2016, please contact our support. https://support.waldorfmusic.com
If you have a current license, it can be found in your “myWaldorf” customer account under: License keys.
Here you will find your activation mail and activation key as well as the download-links for
MacOS and Windows to download the desired installer.
Download the version for your operating system, unpack the ZIP file and install the purchased plug-in.
Open your host program (e.g. Cubase, Logic, ProTools, Studio One etc.) and check the virtual instruments for your new software. Open it the same way you usually open virtual instruments in your host software. Here you can select the desired plug-in and open it. The plug-in will start in demo mode. Enter the email and the key for the activation into the provided fields. This is usually done with copy/paste. If you cannot click in the second field, use the TAB key on the keyboard. Then press the Enter key to complete the activation.
Next time you will start the Waldorf Plug-In, it will start in full authorized mode.
If you have any questions, please have a look at the FAQ
www.waldorfmusic.com/produkt-faq
or write an email to: support@waldorfmusic.com
Basic Operation
Lector has been optimized for a screen resolution of at least 1024×768 pixels. If the resolution of your screen is lower you will have to scroll your window.
Key Combinations
• If you hold down the [CTRL] key (PC) or Command key (Mac) on your computer keyboard and click on any control, its value is automatically set to its default value (e.g. Cutoff is set to 20000Hz, Bands is set to 42 or EQ Treble is set to 0).
• If you use a computer mouse with scroll wheel you can use it to change parameters. Move your mouse pointer over the desired value and use the scroll wheel to change it. If you hold down the [SHIFT] key you can increase the resolution.
• If the dial control mode of your host application is set to “circle mode” (you change a value by dragging around the dial in a circle), then you can temporarily change to “up/down mode” by holding down [ALT].
Control Elements
Using Lector’s controls is simple. There are some different types of control elements:
Dials
To set a value, click on the dial, hold down the mouse button and drag around the dial in a circle or move the mouse up and down. This depends on the setting of your host application. Alternatively you can edit values by using your mouse scroll wheel.
Pop-up Menu
Click on the corresponding parameter to open a pop-up menu where you can choose the desired parameter.
Switches
Switches are represented by “LEDs”. If a function is active, its “LED will be lit red. To activate/deactivate a function, click on its “LED”.
Appendix
What is a Vocoder?
A Vocoder is a circuitry to process the frequency content of one signal with the frequency content of another signal.
This is done by splitting up the analysis signal (also known as Speech signal) with bandpass filters into several frequency bands. The volume of each frequency band is then evaluated with an envelope follower and theresulting envelope is used to control the volume of a bandpass filter that processes the synthesis signal (also known as Carrier signal). The synthesis signal therefore is filtered by as many bandpass filters as the analysis signal was so that each analysis filter finds its synthesis filter counterpart.
This technique was already developed in World War II, but the plan was to use it to encrypt speech when transmitted by radio, rather than using it to create musically useful sounds.
How to use the Vocoder in a musical context?
You should feed a Vocoder with speech, drum loops or any other collection of external audio material you like.
Use Cases
Lector in Latch Mode
This use case is great for quickly and effectively altering the sound of a voice (especially “robot voices”) or percussion, as the pitch would not be tracked or controlled externally.
1. Choose a track where you would like the audio to be processed. Alternatively you can choose a virtual instrument track (e.g. sample player).
2. load Lector directly in one of the channel´s insert slots.
Glossary
Aliasing
Aliasing is an audible side effect arising in digital systems as soon as a signal contains harmonics higher than half the sampling frequency.
Amount
Describes to which extent a modulation influences a given parameter.
Amplifier
An amplifier is a component that influences the volume level of a sound via a control signal. This control signal is often generated by an envelope or an LFO.
Analysis Signal
The analysis signal of a vocoder is the signal that is being analyzed. Typically, this signal can be speech or a vocal performance.
Attack
An envelope parameter. “Attack” is a term that describes the ascent rate of an envelope from its starting point to the point where it reaches its highest value. The Attack phase is initiated immediately after a trigger signal is received, i.e. after you play a note on the keyboard.
Carrier Signal
The carrier signal is the sound source that carries the analysis sound. In the case of Lector, the carrier will either be the built-in synthesizer or an external channel when the Lector Carrier Plug-In or the host integrated sidechain function is used.
Clipping
Clipping is a sort of distortion that occurs when a signal exceeds its maximum value. The curve of a clipped signal is dependent of the system where the clipping takes place. In the analog domain, clipping effectively limits the signal to its maximum level. In the digital domain, clipping is similar to a numerical overflow and so the polarity of the signal’s part above the maximum level is negated.
Product Support
If you have any questions about your Waldorf product, feel free to contact us via one of the four options listed below:
1. Send us an email message. This is the most efficient and fastest way to contact us. Your questions will be forwarded immediately to the resident expert and you will quickly receive an answer.
support@waldorfmusic.de
2. Send us a letter. It will take a bit longer, but it is just as dependable as an email.
Waldorf Music GmbH
Lilienthalstr. 7 53424 Remagen, Germany
Documents / Resources
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Waldorf F2 Lector Vocoder Plugin [pdf] User Manual F2 Lector Vocoder Plugin, F2, Lector Vocoder Plugin, Vocoder Plugin, Plugin |