Tascam 4 - Manual

6 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 3. Th e wave view has a new mode in which the sample is drawn as if the amplitude envelope has already been applied to it. Th is mode is toggled by a small button near the zoom and unzoom buttons. 4. Giga 4 supports a unique audition sample for each instrument in a .GIG ...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 7 If an instrument is already loaded into GigaStudio, you can also launch the Editor from the Loaded Instruments pane. Right-click on the instrument and choose Edit. Th e Editor will open with the selected instrument loaded. Th is can take a few moments if the instrument i...

8 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Th is will launch the editor and open the selected .gig fi le. You can open multiple .gig fi les at once by selecting several of them and hitting the Enter key. Opening a .GIG file from the Instrument Editor With the Instrument Editor open, you can open any .gig fi le us...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 9 T his window is very similar to the Open dialog in other programs, but there are a few features that are specific to GigaStudio: Th e Recent dropdown list contains a list of the most recently used folders. Selecting a folder in this list causes the window to jump directl...

10 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Anatomy of a .GIG File Above is a graphic representation of the components of a GigaStudio File. Getting familiar with these will make it much easier to know what you are doing when editing and creating GigaStudio Instruments. Th e basic elements are: • Banks. A bank is...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 11 Banks A GigaStudio file can contain up to 128 instruments, each assigned to a bank. By default, all instruments are assigned to bank 0 , but banks can be numbered from 0 to 16383. Bank numbers are used when GigaStudio responds to MIDI bank select messages. Banks also he...

12 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Dimensions Regions are futher subdivided by dimensions. A dimension can have up to 128 splits each triggering a different sample. A dimension tells GigaStudio which sample to trigger based on the position of its assigned MIDI controller. Samples A .gig file also contain...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 13 Chapter 2: Creating a Giga Instrument Giga instruments can range from the very simple (an instrument can be made from a single sample) to the extremely complex. In any case, the general procedure for creating an instrument consists of the same basic steps: 1. Create a n...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 15 By arranging your samples into folders that match your instrument’s splits, you’ll be able to use the Editor’s more powerful mapping features such as folder drag-and-drop, and the Instrument Wizard. Creating sample folders When you create a new .gig fi le, you will alwa...

16 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual The Import samples command 1. To import individual samples into a folder, right-click on the folder and choose Import samples. You can right-click anywhere in the Sample Window, but the samples will be imported to the currently selected folder. 2. Th is will bring up th...

18 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual The Import directory command Th is command is used to import an entire directory of .wav fi les at once. Th e samples are imported into a new folder named aft er the source directory. 1. Right-click in the Sample Window and choose Import directory . Th is will bring up ...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 19 Importing Samples from the Windows Desktop Often the most convenient way to import directories and samples is to drag and drop them directly from the Windows Explorer into the Sample Window. You can drag samples from the Windows Explorer to any folder in the Sample Wind...

20 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 3. You can do this with more samples and put them in any of the folders. In this example, we put some Kick samples in the “Import Sample” folder where the crash samples are. Th en we put some Snare samples in the “Default Sample Group” folder. Importing Sample Folders f...

22 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 4. Click on the check boxes to open or close the folders to display or hide the samples. Now the samples are imported, organized and ready to be mapped into instruments. Importing Pitch Information If you are building a melodic instrument (as opposed to, say, a drum kit...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 23 To use this feature, you must visit the Preferences dialog ( Edit-Preferences on the main menu) and specify either the note-number or note-name method. You will get the best results when the pitch indication is set off by spaces, and when there are no numbers elsewhere ...

24 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 3. Th is will create a new region, which will also be indicated in the Velocity Window below. 4. In this case, the Velocity Window shows a single solid block of color, and the words “Not mapped” because no sample is yet mapped to the region. (Actually, if a sample is hi...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 27 5. Th ese non-contiguous regions can then be moved around the Region Window. Th ey will maintain their relationship with each other wherever you put them. Again, regions are not allowed to overlap, so the editor will not allow you to drop one region on top of another. C...

28 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Th e Dimension Controller dialog appears: We’ll explain this dialog in more detail in the next chapter. For now, just click the Add button a few times. Th is adds new splits to the Velocity dimension. When you click OK, the splits will be visible in the Velocity window....

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 29 1. Select Edit-Preferences from the main menu. 2. In the Preferences dialog, fi nd the section called Velocity splits for manually created regions . Select the number of velocity splits you want. You can also check the Stereo box to create stereo regions. 3. With the se...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 31 Now each velocity split is mapped to the correct sample. When mapping unpitched samples such as most drums, use the same technique, but drag the samples with the right mouse button. Th is will automatically turn off pitch tracking in the region, preventing the sample fr...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 33 3. If you drop samples into the Region Window using the right mouse button, you’ll get a slightly diff erent result. In this case the samples are mapped in alphabetical order and pitch tracking is turned off in each region, so that the samples play back at their native ...

36 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Stack on single region. Unlike all of the other options, this modifi es only the single focus region (highlighted orange in the Region Window). Enough splits are created within the region to hold the dropped samples (since a dimension can have at most 128 splits, you ca...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 37 More About Sample Mapping Before we close this chapter we’ll mention a few last topics related to mapping samples. Pitch Tracking When you map a sample to a split, the Pitch Tracking parameter for that split will be enabled or disabled, depending on which mouse button y...

38 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 2. Th is will remove any sample that was mapped to this split, indicated by “Not mapped” where the sample name would ordinarily be. Mono and Stereo Samples When you map a sample, the region will automatically change to mono or stereo if necessary to match the properties...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 39 Chapter 3: Tutorial: Creating a Multi-Dimensional Instrument In the simplest possible Giga instrument, each region would be mapped to a single sample, and you would hear that sample whenever one of the region’s keys is pressed. However, regions are usually divided furth...

40 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Smart MIDI processor. Th is special dimension is used in conjunction with Intelligent MIDI (iMIDI) rules such as the Pattern Alternator, Repetition Mode, and Legato Mode. Logic in the iMIDI rule will determine which split plays at any given time. iMIDI rules are explain...

42 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual • If you click on the bottom split, it highlights and the name “Soft” appears in the Velocity Window header at the top. • If you click on the top split, it highlights and the name “Loud” appears in the Velocity header. As you can see, naming these dimensions makes it ea...

44 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 7. Play E2 on your MIDI keyboard to hear the results. Play soft and loud and notice how the sample changes depending on how hard you play. When you cross the halfway point, it switches from the soft to the loud sample. Th is is indicated visually as well in the Velocity...

46 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 6. Play the bass note again at various velocities. When you play loud, the top velocity is selected and highlighted as if you clicked on it with the mouse. A lower velocity selects the bottom split the same way. Also, the samples light up in the Sample Window. Th is all...

48 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 7. To make the new Staccato samples sound when the Mod Wheel is pushed up, leave the upper Mod Wheel split selected while dragging the Staccato samples into the appropriate Velocity splits: Th is gives us a fully two-dimensional region. You can switch between the loud a...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 49 3. Click on the Down button to move the Sustain split below the Staccato split. Click OK to close the dialog. 4. Now the Staccato samples are on the left (Mod Wheel down) and the Sustain samples are on the right (Mod Wheel up). 5. You can do the same thing with the Velo...

50 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Change to Sustain Pedal 1. Click on the header of the Mod Wheel dimension split to start the Dimension Controller dialog. 2. In the Control Source list, select “(64) Sustain pedal” and click OK. 3. Th e dimension controller is changed to the Sustain Pedal. 4. Now, inste...

52 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 5. Alternatively, the Keyswitch range can be set numerically in the Instrument Properties window. Double-click on the instrument to get to this window. 6. You will need to reload the instrument to hear this change. 7. Now, triggering C4 will change to the Sustain sample...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 53 Examples: • Use a MIDI controller to change between fi ltered and unfi ltered playback of the same sample. • Change between diff erent envelope settings for amplitude, fi lter, or pitch. • Change between diff erent velocity curves or velocity levels. Load and play the T...

58 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Chapter 4: Tutorial: Advanced Drum Kit In this lesson, we will create a full drum kit that will utilize many of the Editor’s advanced features. Since this is a drum kit, all of the mapping will be “drag and drop” using the right mouse button (remember that dragging with...

64 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 20. Right-click on the Kick Drum region and choose Copy region from the context menu. 21. Now, right-click in the empty space under the note D2. Th is will bring up the context menu again. Choose Paste region(s) here. 22. Now we have two identical regions of the Kick Dr...

68 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Mod Wheel Back: snares ON Mod Wheel Forward: snares OFF A note about dissimilar regions As a side note, look at the Region Window and notice that the Kick regions are now drawn with diagonal hatching when a Snare region is selected, and vice versa. Th e hatching indicat...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 71 9. Select the “Snares Off ” dimension. 10. Now map out the “Tom-Floor” Samples using the right mouse button. Th ese samples do not have any snare buzz in them. 11. Repeat these steps for the Middle and High Toms. Mid Tom: • Select the A2 Region. • Select the Snares On d...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 83 Chapter 5: The Instrument Wizard Up to this point, everything has been done manually with the drag-and-drop method. To better understand the Instrument Wizard, you need to be familiar with the manual method of mapping samples and creating dimensions. Also, certain instr...

84 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Organizing by Folders Th e Instrument Wizard can also map out complex dimension and velocity splits but to do this, the various splits need to be organized into separate folders. For example, if we have a piano that is 4 velocities with sustain pedal up and down samples...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 89 With the region-per-sample layout, we are limited to one envelope per group of keys: With the chromatic region layout we get one envelope per half step. All of the keys in each region are mapped to the same samples , but we can adjust parameters independently for each n...

92 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 11. Th e Dimension Control window shows the Keyswitch splits and the descriptive names that were entered in the Instrument Wizard. 12. Th e Dimension display also shows the descriptive names of the dimension and the individual splits. Th e instrument is now mapped. Save...

94 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Th e Layer dimension could use the Mod Wheel to gradually fade in the Tremolo layer. Th e Sustain Pedal would switch to Staccato samples. Th is is just quick hint of the complexity and creativity available when using the Instrument Wizard. Load Status Th e load status o...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 95 Load Indicator Lights Not loaded. Th e .gig file is not loaded. You need to click the Download button to load it to the selected MIDI channel. Loaded. Th e .gig fi le is loaded. Th e instrument you hear matches the settings you have made in the Editor. Save and reload r...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 97 Chapter 6: Main Menu Commands In this chapter we’ll document the Editor’s main menu, one item at a time. File Menu New: [Alt] + [F] + [N] or [Ctrl] + [N] Creates a new and empty .gig file. Open… [Alt] + [F] + [O] or [Ctrl] + [O] Opens an existing .gig file. Th is comman...

98 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual When a .gig file is selected in the large browser window at left, a list of the samples in that file appears in the smaller box to the right. T o hear any sample in the list, select it and press the P lay button . T he Audition button plays the audition sample for the c...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 99 A note about large .gig files Physically, Giga instrument fi les are limited to 2 GB in size, but Giga instruments can be much larger than this because they can span multiple files. You don’t need to be concerned with the 2 GB limit when working in the Editor, because w...

100 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Rearrange wave pool for best fi t. When this box is checked, the Editor will try to match the maximum file size as closely as possible. Th at is, if the maximum size is 2 GB, the Editor will try to fi nd just the right combination of samples to make each file as large ...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 101 Articulation fi les provide a compact means of storing variations on a set of instruments, without the need to save multiple copies of the same samples. Th ey also off er a means of long-distance collaboration, and a way for sound developers to distribute updates to cu...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 103 • Select a folder in the Sample Window where you want the imported samples to go and then choose Import samples . • Use the browsing window that comes up to navigate to the .wav fi les you want to import. • Select the waves and click on the Open button. Th ey will show...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 105 Convert stereo to mono Converts all stereo samples to mono, in addition to any format conversion specifi ed. You can opt to derive the mono sample from the left, right, or combined channels of the stereo source. Any stereo regions in the fi le will be reconfi gured as ...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 107 Th ere are two modes of operation, corresponding to the two main ways of using Giga crossfades: Layers within a single instrument. Th is mode is used to apply crossfades to a single instrument which contains a layer dimension . Normally in a layer dimension, all of the...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 109 Temp directory. Th e directory where the Editor will save temporary fi les. For example, if you make extensive edits to a .gig file and then issue the Save command, the file is first assembled in the temp directory and only then moved to its fi nal location. Samples ex...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 111 will add that file's directory to the Editor's recent list, and vice versa. When the box is unchecked, the two applications maintain independent lists. Disable dragging samples to other applications. By default, you can drag samples out of the editor and drop them on t...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 113 Tall Velocity Window: [Alt] + [V] + [V] Checking this menu option causes the velocity window to expand to fi ll the entire height of the Editor window. It’s useful when you have a large number of velocity splits. Window Menu Th is is the same as the Window menu seen in...

114 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Chapter 7: Editor Windows and Context Menu Commands Th is chapter presents a window-by-window tour of the Editor. Many of the Editor’s features are available by right-clicking in the various windows to bring up a context menu. Th e context menus are described in detail...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 115 Banks Creating a New Bank 1. Double-click on an instrument to bring up the Instrument Properties. You can change the Bank and Patch number here among other things. In this example, we will change this instrument to Bank 3. Th is will create a new Bank and move the inst...

116 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 1. To Delete a Bank, select the Bank you wish to delete with the mouse. Keep in mind that when you delete a Bank, you also delete any Instruments within it. (Th e samples are not deleted however.) 2. Go to the Edit menu and click Delete bank . 3. Or right-click on the ...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 117 Paste Bank 1. Go to the Edit menu and choose Paste bank . You can also use [Ctrl] + [V] on the computer keyboard. 2. Or right-click on the Bank to bring up the Bank context menu and choose Paste bank . 3. If the bank already exists in the fi le you are pasting into, yo...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 119 2. Select Paste instrument from the Edit menu or use [Ctrl] + [V] on the computer keyboard. 3. Or right-click on the bank and select Paste instrument. 4. Now the instrument is copied to the bank. If the copied instrument’s bank and patch number are already occupied, yo...

120 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Instrument Properties Th ere are two ways to open the Instrument Properties dialog. • Double-click on an instrument. • Right-click on an instrument and choose Properties from the Instrument context menu. Name. Th e instrument name, with a maximum length of 63 character...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 121 Tuning Adjust (cents). You can adjust the global tuning of the entire instrument in cents over a range of 7 octaves up or down. Values between –50 and 50 are more likely to be used. Th is is handy for tuning instruments from diff erent libraries to match each other. En...

122 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual The Sample Window Th e Sample Window is the area of the Instrument Editor interface where the instrument samples are imported and organized. Within a .gig fi le, samples are a shared resource: a sample can be mapped to more than one region and to more than one instrume...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 123 A tiny letter “A” indicates that this is the Audition Sample for the currently selected instrument. A blue-green wave icon indicates that this sample has been compressed with GigaStudio Disk Acceleration. A red asterisk indicates a sample that is either freshly importe...

124 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Properties (sample only) Brings up the Sample Properties window shown below. Whenever you map a sample to a region, the unity note, fi ne tuning, and loop points defi ned here will be copied into that region’s articulation. If you want these values applied to regions t...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 125 Import directory • Th is command lets you import an entire folder of samples. • Use this window to fi nd sample folders. • Only one folder at a time can be imported this way. Alternatively, you can simply drag and drop a folder from the Windows desktop into the Sample ...

126 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual • Th is is a good option if you have made audio changes to your samples outside GigaStudio aft er having mapped out the instrument. • Instead of having to rebuild the whole instrument, you can batch replace the samples from here. • A common use for this feature is to r...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 127 For each instrument in a .gig fi le, there is a designated “audition sample” in the wave pool. Th is can be a quick demo or even an audio tutorial specifi c to the instrument. From the QuickSound Explorer, audition samples can be played as a preview before loading an e...

128 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Move sample(s) to folder (sample only) Moves the selected sample to a diff erent folder. Samples may also be dragged and dropped between folders. New sample folder Creates a new, empty sample folder. Wave pool statistics Clicking on this will bring up the Wave Pool Sta...

130 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual The Region Window Th e Region Window shows the locations of regions on the keyboard, and allows you to add, move, and delete regions. Region Zoom Buttons Use these buttons to zoom the region window view horizontally. Note that the Region Window has no horizontal scroll...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 131 Keyswitch Region Th is gray region represents the area of the keyboard reserved for use by the Keyswitch dimension. It should be placed where it will not overlap the instrument’s performance range. Th e Keyswitch region can be moved or resized like any other region. Wh...

132 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Selecting Regions To select a single region, simply click that region with the left mouse button. Th e fi rst region you select turns orange: To select a range of contiguous regions, select the region at one end of the range, and then hold down the SHIFT key while clic...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 133 By stretching a single chromatic note region both right (upward in pitch) and left (downward in pitch) in range it is possible to cover several octaves with a single region. A region can be moved to a diff erent area of the keyboard by clicking in the middle area of th...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 135 When regions are pasted, the accompanying samples may also be pasted, but only if they are not already present in the target file. Paste region(s) here Th is is similar to the regular Paste command, but the Editor will attempt to place the regions at the location neare...

136 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual The Waveform Window T his window displays the audio waveform and several of the editing parameters. Th e parameters are accurately aligned on top of the waveform and they can be edited here using the mouse. If changes are made to these parameters elsewhere, the changes...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 137 Th e envelope display is color coded: • Th e amplitude envelope is drawn in yellow. • Th e fi lter envelope is drawn in violet. • Th e pitch envelope is drawn in blue. LFO View When an LFO parameter is selected in the Parameter Window, the corresponding LFO waveform is...

138 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Loop and Start Offset markers Th ese markers indicate the loop points and start off set for the sample. Th ey can be moved with the mouse by grabbing the triangular handles. • Sample Start Off set: blue marker • Loop Start: green marker • Loop End: red marker The Dimen...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 139 The Velocity Window While a velocity dimension is not fundamentally diff erent from any other dimension, the Velocity Window acts as a focal point for the dimension display and has a number of special features: • Samples are mapped here and sample names are displayed h...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 141 Velocity Split Points Velocity Split points are displayed by horizontal divider lines. Th ese are adjustable by dragging them with the mouse. Velocity Splits are created and named in the Dimension Controller window. Th e Velocity Split order can also be changed here as...

142 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual While it’s common to map a single sample to a single region in this way, much more powerful mapping operations can be performed by dropping multiple samples or entire folders. Th e possibilities are listed on the next page: Action Result Drop a single sample onto a vel...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 143 The Dimension Controller dialog Click on the header bar at the top of the Velocity window to open the Dimension Controller dialog. Th is is where you defi ne the properties of a dimension. Control source. Specifies the controller that will determine which split in this...

144 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual The Velocity Context Menu Right click in the Velocity dimension window to bring up the context menu. Copy articulation Copies all of the articulation parameters of the selected split to the clipboard, so that you can paste them into another region or split. Paste artic...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 145 Force to mono (stereo) Forces the region to be either mono or stereo. Since mono and stereo samples cannot be mixed within a region, if any incompatible samples are currently mapped to the region, they will be unmapped. Delete split Deletes the selected split. Tall vel...

146 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Dimension Controllers Every dimension has a control source which helps determine which sample will play back at any given moment. Th e available control sources are: Velocity. Th is is the traditional “velocity switch”, typically using the velocity with which the key i...

148 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual The Dimension Context Menu Right-click on an active dimension window to bring up the context menu. Copy articulation Copies all of the articulation parameters of the selected split to the clipboard, so that you can paste them into another region or split. Paste articul...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 149 Now back to the selection lock buttons. If you know you'll be making broad edits to your instrument, rather than zeroing in on individual splits, the lock buttons can provide a safety net that relieves you of the need to pay constant attention to the selection state. W...

150 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Chapter 8: Articulation Parameters Reference In the sections that follow, we'll describe the articulation parameters one category at a time. Amplitude and Filter Envelope Settings Envelope 1 (amplitude) aff ects the Volume of playback over time. Envelope 2 (fi lter) af...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 151 An envelope, in its simplest terms, is a representation of a sound’s dynamic properties as they change over time. All acoustic sounds have their associated envelopes. Th e three primary aspects of any given sound that can be quantified in terms that can be manipulated ...

152 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Decay 2 Time (sec) Th e Decay 2 Time is measured in seconds (0.000-60.000) or is set to “Infi nite” which overrides the time setting. Th is parameter determines how long the Sustain section of the envelope will last. A Decay 2 Time will cause the sample level to sustai...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 153 • Off. No response to the MIDI control source. • Low. Very light response to the MIDI control source. • Medium. Medium response to the MIDI control source. • High. More drastic response to the MIDI control source. Th is allows the MIDI controller to aff ect only one, t...

154 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Th e Frequency may have any value between 0.1 and 10 Hz and sets the rate at which the LFO oscillates. Internal depth Use the internal depth to apply a fixed LFO depth. • Amp LFO +/- 1200 Volume Oscillation • Filter LFO +/- 1200 Filter Resonance • Pitch LFO +/- 1200 Pi...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 155 When “Internal” is selected, the LFO depth is fi xed at the value specifi ed by the “Internal depth” parameter (above). When Mod Wheel or the alternate controller is selected, the LFO depth varies according to MIDI control between zero and the value specifi ed by the “...

156 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Filter Settings Filters shape the timbre of a sound by altering (fi ltering) the amplitude of specifi c frequency ranges. Th is can be used to make an instrument’s character warm, dull, bright, or thin depending on the type of filter and its settings. Filters can be us...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 157 Cutoff frequency Th is sets the maximum fi lter cutoff frequency. Th e range is 0-127. Th is parameter is only available if the Cutoff Controller is set to “None”. Cutoff controller Instead of setting a fi xed cutoff frequency, this parameter allows you to assign a MID...

158 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Resonance Resonance (“Q”) creates a peak in amplitude at the specifi c cutoff frequency, and is used to generate classic analog synth textures. Th e maximum resonance is set close to the point of self-oscillation, and will resonate according to the frequency content of...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 159 Th e range is 0-127, with a default value of 60 (middle C). Velocity scale Th is value is used to scale the currently selected velocity curve in order to specify a much larger number of filter velocity responses. For example, if you want the fi lter to scale from a low...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 161 Velocity curve set to “Special”: Response Settings In the Filter section above we described the Filter velocity response curves, which defi ne how the fi lter responds to changes in MIDI velocity. Th e next section is concerned not with the fi lter, but with the way si...

162 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Th e velocity split point is also visible in the velocity dimension window. Modifying the velocity ranges is one way to adjust the feel of the instrument. Velocity response curve Together with the Velocity curve range, defi nes the amplitude velocity response. Th e cur...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 163 Release curve range Works in conjunction with the Release response curve , above. Refer to the previous section for diagrams of the response curves. Release trigger decay Th is parameter determines the rate of attenuation for the amplitude of an existing release- trigg...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 165 Th is setting enables or disables the Pitch Tracking of samples across the keyboard. It is typically disabled for non-pitched samples such as drums, percussion, loop, and sound eff ects and enabled for melodic instruments. Pitch tracking will transpose the sample based...

166 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Because editing individual crossfade points is tedious and must usually be coordinated with the crossfades in adjacent layers, a graphical Crossfade Editor is provided. You can launch the Crossfade Editor (pictured below) by clicking the “...” button that appears in th...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 167 Sample Settings Th is section allows you to override the unity note and fi ne tuning of individual samples. Th ere are some special considerations to be aware of when editing this part of the articulation: • When you change a value in this section, only the single spli...

168 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Dynamic Expression Filter (DEF) Th e Dynamic Expression Filter (DEF) provides a phase corrected, 7 th order, morphing fi lter for adding expressiveness before and after sustaining note-on events. Th is fi lter can accurately and continuously morph frequency responses o...

170 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual With Aft ertouch chosen as the DEF Modulator source, it is possible to offset the filter curve by a value between 0 and 64. When the minimum Aftertouch Offset value of 0 is used, the incoming aftertouch values utilize the full dynamic range of the DEF fi lter curves. W...

172 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Chapter 9: Editing Parameters in the Region Window Th e previous section explained the various articulation parameters and described editing them numerically in the Parameter Window. While that method of editing is useful when you want to be very precise or detailed, t...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 173 Next, select the region or regions that you want to edit. Drag any one of the blue markers to adjust the parameter. Drag Modes When you drag a parameter in the Region View, it usually aff ects all of the selected regions. But the exact eff ect is determined by the curr...

174 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Before After Drag with linear scaling In this mode the parameter is scaled across the keyboard. Th e lowest or highest region (or both, if you drag a region in the middle) remains fixed while other regions are adjusted proportionally. Before After For example, you coul...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 175 Before After Changing the Vertical Resolution Th e scale for the axis is displayed at the right side of the Region View. Th e scale changes depending on the parameter being displayed. For many parameters, you can change the vertical resolution by moving the slider besi...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 177 Chapter 10: Macros A Macro is a time saving feature that allows you to save any particular parameter edit or group of edits to be reused later. For example, if you have spent a lot of time coming up with the perfect Envelope and Filter settings, you don’t want to have ...

178 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 3. Th e “Save articulation macro” dialog appears. Enter a name for the macro in the Save as box. You can also associate a hot key with the new macro. Click in the Hot key box, and then type a key on the computer keyboard. You can also do a combination using the [SHIFT]...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 179 Applying Macros Once you have saved a macro, you can apply it at any time to the regions and splits that are currently selected. One method is to click on any selected velocity or other dimension split and choose “Apply macro” from the context menu. Th e menu will list...

180 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Editing Macros While you can’t actually edit the contents of a macro once it’s created, you can change its name or its hot key assignment. Click on the Edit Macros button near the bottom of the editor window: Th e Articulation Macros dialog is displayed: To change a ma...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 181 Chapter 11: Intelligent MIDI (iMIDI) Rules iMIDI rules are bits of extra logic which can be added to a Giga instrument. Th ey range from the simple to the very complex. For example, when the Transposition Rule is added to an instrument it simply transposes every note s...

182 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 3. Add and edit your iMIDI rule (the current version of GigaStudio supports one rule per instrument). Click OK to apply the rule. 4. Save the instrument as a performance instrument. Use the instrument performance option (.gsi fi le) or custom performance settings to sa...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 183 3. Add and edit your iMIDI rule (the current version of GigaStudio supports one rule per instrument). Click OK to apply the rule. 4. Save the .gig fi le to embed the rule. 5. Whenever this instrument is loaded in the future, its iMIDI rule will be loaded as well. Using...

184 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Pattern Alternator Initialization window 3. Click on the Edit button to edit the settings of the rule. See the sections on the individual rules for details on editing. 4. When you are fi nished, click OK to close the Rule Manager. Next we’ll discuss each of the availab...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 185 The MIDI Filter Rule Th is rule allows you to filter any type of MIDI event or group of events so that the instrument will ignore them. Simply check the box of any event that you want to be ignored. Th e Reset All button will uncheck all the boxes. Th e Filter All butt...

186 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Some audio examples of the Legato Rule can be found in the “Editor Tutorial Files” directory for this chapter: Trumpet Without Legato.wav. T his is how typical sampled instruments sound. T here is no connectivity between the notes. Trumpet With Legato.wav. Now we hear ...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 187 Alternate Non-Legato Key 1 and 2. Th ese keys provide alternate sustaining samples when pressed. You can toggle between the Default and Alternate Sustain articulations by pressing these keys between notes. Th is is good for repeating the same note within a phrase. Inst...

188 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Th e Smart MIDI splits should be laid out as follows: 1. Legato Up 1 (half step) 2. Legato Up 2 (whole step) 3. Legato Up 3 (minor 3 rd ) 4. Legato Up 4 (major 3 rd ) 5. Legato Up 5 (perfect 4 th ) 6. Legato Up 6 (diminished 5 th ) 7. Legato Up 7 (perfect 5 th ) 8. Leg...

190 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Play the keyboard and watch how the articulations advance from left to right each time you play a note in the top pattern. Also notice how the names of the articulations change in real time as well. T h is helps you identify which articulation is assigned to which numb...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 191 Try changing some of the numbers around and play the keyboard again, noticing the diff erence in the order of the samples. You can also change the number of articulations in the pattern, by dragging the split count indicator up or down: Alternatively, click on the spli...

192 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Saving a Pattern Alternation rule Like any iMIDI rule, the Pattern Alternation rule can be saved into a .gig fi le from the Instrument Editor, linking the rule permanently to the instrument. However, it’s more common to save this rule into an instrument performance (.g...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 193 Note to trigger. Th e MIDI note that will be triggered by the controller. Note On/Note Off . Determines whether the controller will trigger a Note On or Note Off message. Override pedal. If you are defi ning a Note Off trigger, check this box if you want the Note Off t...

194 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Th is rule was created to enhance sample libraries that rely on the real ambience of the room or hall they were recorded in for a lush and authentic reverb tail. By putting the release of the recordings on the release trigger, the results are stunning. However, there i...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 195 Designing a custom filter MIDI fi lters are designed in the upper third of the Rule Builder dialog. Incoming MIDI: Event Select an incoming MIDI event type from the drop down list. Incoming MIDI: Data-1 • Th is will change depending on the type of incoming MIDI event. ...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 197 Modify Existing Filter Choose an existing Filter from the Filter List to edit it. Th is avoids having to create an existing fi lter from scratch. Delete and Up/Down arrows Select any Filter from the Filter List and delete it or move it up and down with these buttons. F...

198 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Functionality Th e following parameters are available for customizing your Mando-Tremolo rule: Tremolo Rate controller. Used to assign a MIDI controller input to the real-time rate of the tremolo playback. Minimum Tremolo Rate. Measured in Hertz over milliseconds Maxim...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 199 Playzone Th e playzone defi nes the musical keyboard region over which the rule will be applied. By default the software will initialize the playzone to be the entire valid region of your instrument. Auto detect polyphonic mode Th is feature enables the sampler to auto...

200 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual A fast portamento time (lower CC value) is excellent for trills over short intervals (up to a perfect fourth if the fi lters are well calibrated) but not as good for longer intervals. Conversely, long intervals or glissandos can be well simulated with slower portamento...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 201 Th e Custom PRF mode (Portamento Reshaping Filter) of the Legato Portamento rule incorporates region specifi c PRF fi lter settings as well as extended portamento controls like slide range, velocitiy sensitivity, and slide curve type. How it works To put it simply, the...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 203 Upward tuning reference Selects the PRF’s ‘Upward long’ interval tuning reference. 1-31 = specifi ed in semitones, 0 = defaults to octave. Th e ‘Upward short’ interval tuning reference is fi xed at a minor third (3 semitones). Downward tuning reference Selects the PRF’...

204 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Downward Long – Controls the target fi lter settings for the Downward Long Interval as defi ned by the ‘Downward Tuning Reference’ value. Th e PRF/DEF fi lters were designed specifi cally to address and emulate the characteristics of samples whose pitch and dynamics ha...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 205 Additional PRF Tips and Considerations Short and Long Interval Calibration If you are going to create both short and long interval settings, be aware that when a long interval is played it first goes through the short interval fi lter settings and then morphs between s...

206 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Mono Rule: Legato mode with connecting samples Overview Th e legato mode with connecting samples enabling developers to simulate legato transitions without the need for interval specific sampling. Th ere are two modes this version of rule: normal and target tracking. D...

208 TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual Following is a simple example of how the sample will connect two notes using the above layout assuming no Round Robin dimension: Time Continuing on with the above example: Time Instrument Behavior: Target Tracking mode Target Tracking mode extends the rule to provide a...

TASCAM GigaEditor 4 Manual 209 Th e transitional and secondary release will trigger exactly the same way as defi ned in the normal mode. If the sound developer does not wish to have a secondary release or transitional sound, then the instrument layout must leave these dimension splits mapped to a nu...