Halo Operation Manual (Revision B) Haloownersmanual
Ensoniq Corporation Halo Owner's Manual haloownersmanual Ensoniq Corporation - Halo - Owner's Manual
Ensoniq Corporation Halo Operation Manual halo_operation_manual Ensoniq Corporation - Halo - Operation Manual
Ensoniq Corporation Halo Operation Manual halo_operation_manual Ensoniq Corporation - Halo - Operation Manual
Ensoniq Corporation Halo Owner's Manual haloownersmanual Ensoniq Corporation - Halo - Owner's Manual
User Manual: Synthesizer Manuals
Open the PDF directly: View PDF .
Page Count: 264 [warning: Documents this large are best viewed by clicking the View PDF Link!]
- Introduction
- Important Safety Instructions
- Safety Instructions - German
- Safety Instructions - French
- Setup
- Instant Gratification
- Basic Operations
- Arp/Beats Menu
- Controllers Menu
- Realtime Control Functions
- Keyboard Channel
- Keyboard Transpose
- Local Control On/Off
- Keyboard Velocity Curve
- Channel Aftertouch On/Off
- Footswitch Function
- Foot Pedal Function
- Trigger Buttons Function
- Trigger Buttons
- Preset Select Buttons
- Preset Select Send Buttons
- Knob Preset Quick-Edit
- Real-time Controller Assignment
- MIDI Footswitch Assign
- Calibrate Controllers
- Tempo Controller
- Base Tempo
- Realtime Control Functions
- Global Menu
- MIDI Menu
- Programming Basics
- Preset Edit Menu
- Preset Name
- Four Layer Architecture
- Defining Layer Parameters
- Selecting an Instrument
- Defining Key Range
- Defining the Velocity Crossfade Range
- Defining the Real-time Crossfade Range
- Transposing the Instrument
- Tuning
- Amplifier
- Volume Envelope
- Chorusing the Layer
- Sound Start Offset and Delay
- Non-Transpose Mode
- Solo Mode
- Assign Group
- Glide
- Z-Plane Filters
- Halo Filter Types
- Filter Envelope
- Auxiliary Envelope
- Low Frequency Oscillators (LFOs)
- PatchCords
- Pitch Bend Range
- Mix Output
- Common Preset Parameters
- Effects
- Save/Copy Menu
- Preset Programming
- Appendix
- Index
![](asset-1.png)
Halo Operation Manual
i
Operation Manual
© 2002 E-MU / ENSONIQ
All Rights Reserved
FI12326 Rev. B
E-MU World Headquarters Europe, Africa, Middle East
E-MU / ENSONIQ E-MU / ENSONIQ
1600 Green Hills Road Suite 6, Adam Ferguson House
Scotts Valley, CA USA Eskmills Industrial Park
95066 Musselburgh, East Lothian
Telephone: 831-438-1921 Scotland, EH21 7PQ
Fax: 831-438-8612 Tel: +44 (0) 131-653-6556
Internet: www.emu.com Fax: +44 (0) 131-665-0473
Important Notice:
In order to obtain warranty service on your Halo unit, the serial number sticker
must be intact and you must have a sales receipt or other proof of purchase. If
there is no serial number sticker on the Halo, please contact E-MU-ENSONIQ at
once.
This product is covered under one or more of the following U.S. patents:
4,404,529; 4,506,579; 4,699,038; 4,987,600; 5,013,105; 5,072,645;
5,111,727; 5,144,676; 5,170,367; 5,248,845; 5,303,309; 5,317,104;
5,342,990; 5,430,244 and foreign patents and/or pending patents. All other
trademarks belong to their respective companies. Specifications and features are
subject to change without notice.
![](asset-2.png)
ii
ENSONIQ
Table of Contents
Introduction ............................................................................. 1
Product Description .......................................................................................1
Important Safety Instructions .................................................. 3
Safety Instructions - German ................................................... 6
Safety Instructions - French ..................................................... 8
Setup ...................................................................................... 13
Unpacking....................................................................................................13
Connection Instructions..............................................................................14
Basic Setup ..............................................................................................14
Performance Setup ..................................................................................15
Studio Setup ............................................................................................16
Instant Gratification ............................................................... 19
Playing Demo Sequences ........................................................................19
Auditioning Presets .................................................................................20
Selecting and Quick Editing Presets .......................................................20
Exploring Beats Mode .............................................................................22
Exploring the Master Arpeggiator ...........................................................24
Multi-Channel Arpeggiator ....................................................................26
Time to Save? .......................................................................................28
Basic Operations .................................................................... 29
Power Switch ...........................................................................................29
Volume Control ......................................................................................29
Channel +/- Buttons ...............................................................................29
Data Entry Control .................................................................................29
Cursor Buttons ........................................................................................30
Pitch & Mod Wheels ...............................................................................30
![](asset-3.png)
Halo Operation Manual
iii
Edit Section.................................................................................................. 30
Global Button .........................................................................................30
Controllers Button .................................................................................. 31
Arp/Beats Button .................................................................................... 31
MIDI Button ...........................................................................................31
MIDI Panic Button .................................................................................. 31
Audition Button ...................................................................................... 31
Compare Button ..................................................................................... 31
Save/Copy Button ...................................................................................32
Preset Edit Button ...................................................................................32
Home/Enter Button ................................................................................ 32
Real-time Controller Knobs ......................................................................... 32
Knob Functions ...................................................................................... 33
Quick Edit mode ................................................................................. 33
Screen View Buttons ....................................................................................34
Main ........................................................................................................ 34
Multi ....................................................................................................... 34
Mix Screen .............................................................................................. 34
Demo Mode ............................................................................................ 35
Command Functions................................................................................... 36
Preset Selection .......................................................................................36
Trigger Mode ........................................................................................... 36
Preset Menu Jump Keys .......................................................................... 36
Main Screen ................................................................................................. 37
MIDI Channel Selection ......................................................................... 37
Preset Selection .......................................................................................37
Channel Volume .................................................................................... 38
Channel Pan ........................................................................................... 39
Channel Arpeggiator ..............................................................................39
Sound Navigator ..........................................................................................40
Preset Category ....................................................................................... 40
Instrument Category ..............................................................................40
Multisetups .................................................................................................. 41
Restoring Multisetups ............................................................................. 41
Multisetup Name ....................................................................................42
Saving Multisetups .................................................................................42
Arp/Beats Menu ......................................................................43
Beats ............................................................................................................. 44
Beats Mode .............................................................................................. 46
Status ................................................................................................... 46
Beats Channel .....................................................................................46
Trigger Channel ..................................................................................46
Beats Controllers ..................................................................................... 49
Beat Velocity Group 1-4 ...................................................................... 49
Beat Xpose Group 1-4 ......................................................................... 49
Beat Busy ............................................................................................49
Beat Variation ...................................................................................... 50
![](asset-4.png)
iv
ENSONIQ
Beats Keys Layout ...................................................................................51
1-Bar Trigger Option ...........................................................................51
Beats Keys Offset .....................................................................................52
Beats Part Velocity ..................................................................................52
Beats Part Transpose ...............................................................................53
Beats Part Group .....................................................................................54
Master Riff ...............................................................................................54
Riff Tempo ..............................................................................................55
Riff Controllers .......................................................................................55
MIDI Song Start ......................................................................................56
Arp/Riff MIDI Out ...................................................................................56
Arpeggiators .................................................................................................57
Arp Controllers .......................................................................................58
Arpeggiator Resolution ........................................................................58
Arpeggiator Extension .........................................................................58
Arpeggiator Velocity ............................................................................58
Arpeggiator Gate ..................................................................................58
Arpeggiator Interval ............................................................................58
Master Arpeggiator Parameters ....................................................................58
Status .......................................................................................................59
Mode .......................................................................................................59
Note Value ..............................................................................................60
Arpeggiator Pattern Speed ......................................................................60
Pattern .....................................................................................................60
Velocity ...................................................................................................61
Gate Time ................................................................................................61
Extension Count .....................................................................................62
Extension Interval ...................................................................................62
Sync .........................................................................................................63
Pre-Delay .................................................................................................63
Duration ..................................................................................................64
Post-Delay ...............................................................................................64
Recycle ....................................................................................................65
Keyboard Thru ........................................................................................65
Latch .......................................................................................................65
Send MIDI System Exclusive Data ...............................................................66
Editing a User Arpeggiator Pattern ........................................................67
Pattern Step Number ...............................................................................67
Key ..........................................................................................................67
Key Offset ............................................................................................68
Tie ........................................................................................................68
Rest ......................................................................................................68
Skip ......................................................................................................68
End .......................................................................................................68
Velocity ...................................................................................................69
Duration ..................................................................................................69
Repeat ......................................................................................................69
User Pattern Name ..................................................................................70
Multichannel Arpeggiating..........................................................................70
![](asset-5.png)
Halo Operation Manual
v
Controllers Menu ....................................................................71
Realtime Control Functions ........................................................................ 72
Keyboard Channel .................................................................................. 72
Keyboard Transpose ................................................................................ 72
Local Control On/Off .............................................................................72
Keyboard Velocity Curve ........................................................................ 73
Channel Aftertouch On/Off ...................................................................74
Footswitch Function ............................................................................... 74
Foot Pedal Function ................................................................................ 75
Trigger Buttons Function ........................................................................ 75
Trigger Buttons ....................................................................................... 76
Trigger Button Select ........................................................................... 76
Latch on/off ........................................................................................76
MIDI Key ............................................................................................. 76
MIDI Channel .....................................................................................76
Velocity ............................................................................................... 76
Preset Select Buttons ............................................................................... 77
Trigger Button Select ........................................................................... 77
Preset Location .................................................................................... 77
Preset Number ..................................................................................... 77
Preset Name ......................................................................................... 77
Category .............................................................................................. 77
Preset Select Send Buttons ...................................................................... 78
Trigger Button Select ........................................................................... 78
Bank MSB ............................................................................................78
Program Change Number ...................................................................78
Bank LSB .............................................................................................. 78
Knob Preset Quick-Edit ........................................................................... 79
Real-time Controller Assignment ........................................................... 79
MIDI Footswitch Assign ......................................................................... 80
Calibrate Controllers .............................................................................. 80
Tempo Controller ...................................................................................81
Base Tempo ............................................................................................. 82
Global Menu ...........................................................................83
Defining Global Parameters......................................................................... 84
Master Transpose/Tune .......................................................................... 84
Master Bend Range .................................................................................84
Master Velocity Curve ............................................................................ 85
Mix Output ............................................................................................. 86
Master Effects............................................................................................... 88
Effects Mode ........................................................................................... 88
Effects Multi Mode Control ....................................................................88
Master FXA Algorithm ............................................................................89
A Effect Types ......................................................................................89
FXA Parameters: Decay/HF Damping FxB -> FxA .................................. 90
FXA Send Amounts ................................................................................. 90
Master FXB Algorithm ............................................................................ 90
B Effect Types ...................................................................................... 91
![](asset-6.png)
vi
ENSONIQ
FXB Parameters: Feedback/LFO Rate Delay Time ...................................91
FXB Send Amounts .................................................................................91
Miscellaneous Parameters ............................................................................92
Edit All Layers Enable .............................................................................92
User Key Tuning .....................................................................................92
Screen Viewing Angle .............................................................................92
MIDI Menu ............................................................................. 93
Keyboard Outputs MIDI .........................................................................94
Knobs Output MIDI ................................................................................94
Transmit MIDI Clock ..............................................................................94
MIDI Enable ............................................................................................94
Receive Program Change ........................................................................95
MIDI Program Change -> Preset .............................................................95
MIDI SysEx ID .........................................................................................96
MIDI SysEx Packet Delay ........................................................................97
Send MIDI System Exclusive Data ..........................................................97
MIDI Mode ..............................................................................................98
Omni ...................................................................................................98
Poly ......................................................................................................98
Multi ....................................................................................................98
Programming Basics .............................................................. 99
Modulation ................................................................................................100
Modulation Sources ...................................................................................101
Random Sources ....................................................................................102
Modulation PatchCords.............................................................................102
Envelope Generators..................................................................................103
Tempo-based Envelopes ....................................................................104
Envelope Repeat ................................................................................104
Low Frequency Oscillators (LFOs) .............................................................105
Clock Modulation ......................................................................................106
Modulation Destinations...........................................................................108
Modulation Processors...............................................................................109
Preset Modulation Processors ....................................................................111
Using the Modulation Processors .........................................................113
More Examples ......................................................................................115
Dynamic Filters ..........................................................................................117
What is a Filter? ....................................................................................118
Parametric Filters ..................................................................................121
The Z-Plane Filter ..................................................................................122
Signal Flow .................................................................................................123
MIDI Channels & Real-time Controls .......................................................124
Bank Select Commands ........................................................................126
Stereo Mix Outputs ....................................................................................127
![](asset-7.png)
Halo Operation Manual
vii
Preset Edit Menu ..................................................................129
Preset Name .......................................................................................... 130
Four Layer Architecture ............................................................................. 130
Selecting Layers ....................................................................................131
Defining Layer Parameters.........................................................................132
Selecting an Instrument ....................................................................... 132
Sound Navigator ...............................................................................132
Defining Key Range .............................................................................. 133
Defining the Velocity Crossfade Range ................................................ 135
Defining the Real-time Crossfade Range .............................................. 137
Transposing the Instrument ................................................................. 140
Tuning .................................................................................................. 141
Background: Transpose vs. Coarse Tuning ....................................... 141
Amplifier ............................................................................................... 141
Volume Envelope ................................................................................. 142
Selecting the Mode ............................................................................ 142
Defining the Volume Envelope ........................................................ 143
Chorusing the Layer ............................................................................. 144
Sound Start Offset and Delay ...............................................................144
Non-Transpose Mode ........................................................................... 145
Solo Mode .............................................................................................145
Assign Group ........................................................................................146
Glide ..................................................................................................... 147
Z-Plane Filters ....................................................................................... 148
Halo Filter Types ................................................................................... 148
Filter Types ........................................................................................ 148
Filter Parameters ................................................................................ 150
Filter Envelope ...................................................................................... 151
Defining the Filter Envelope ............................................................. 152
Auxiliary Envelope ............................................................................... 152
Low Frequency Oscillators (LFOs) ........................................................ 153
Shape ................................................................................................. 153
Sync ................................................................................................... 154
Rate .................................................................................................... 154
Delay ................................................................................................. 156
Variation ........................................................................................... 156
PatchCords ............................................................................................ 157
Modulator Polarity ............................................................................ 158
Pitch Bend Range .................................................................................. 160
Mix Output ........................................................................................... 160
Common Preset Parameters....................................................................... 161
Preset Effects .........................................................................................161
FXA Algorithm ...................................................................................... 163
A Effect Types ....................................................................................163
FXA Parameters ..................................................................................... 164
FXA Send Amounts ............................................................................... 164
FXB Algorithm ...................................................................................... 164
B Effect Types .................................................................................... 164
FXB Parameters ..................................................................................... 165
![](asset-8.png)
viii
ENSONIQ
FXB Send Amounts ...............................................................................165
Preset Patchcords ..................................................................................165
Initial Controller Amount ....................................................................167
Keyboard Tuning ..................................................................................168
Preset Links ...........................................................................................170
Preset Tempo Offset ..............................................................................171
Audition Riff Selection ..........................................................................171
Play Solo Layers ....................................................................................171
Effects ................................................................................... 173
Effects Overview.........................................................................................173
The Effects Sends ..................................................................................173
Effect Types ................................................................................................175
Effect Parameters ...................................................................................175
Decay .................................................................................................176
High Frequency Damping .................................................................176
Feedback ............................................................................................176
LFO Rate ............................................................................................176
Delay ..................................................................................................176
Effects Programmed in the Preset ..............................................................177
Master Effects .............................................................................................178
Effects Mode ..........................................................................................180
Flexible Effects Control .........................................................................180
Using the Effects Channel Settings in Multi Mode ..........................182
Effect B Into Effect A .............................................................................182
General Effect Descriptions........................................................................184
Reverb ...................................................................................................184
Chorus ...................................................................................................185
Doubling ...............................................................................................185
Slapback ................................................................................................185
Stereo Flanger ........................................................................................185
Delay .....................................................................................................186
Stereo Delay ..........................................................................................186
Panning Delay .......................................................................................186
Dual Tap ................................................................................................186
Vibrato ..................................................................................................186
Distortion ..............................................................................................186
Save/Copy Menu .................................................................. 187
Saving a Preset ......................................................................................187
Copying Information.................................................................................188
Copy Preset ...........................................................................................188
Copy Layer ............................................................................................188
Copy PatchCords ..................................................................................189
Copy Preset PatchCords ........................................................................190
Copy Arpeggiator Settings ....................................................................190
Copy Arpeggiator Pattern .....................................................................191
Copy Preset Bank ..................................................................................191
![](asset-9.png)
Halo Operation Manual
ix
Sound Authoring .......................................................................................192
Rename Flash SIMM .............................................................................193
Duplicate Flash ..................................................................................... 194
Create Random Preset .......................................................................... 195
Preset Programming .............................................................197
Editing Presets............................................................................................197
Changing the Instrument .................................................................... 197
Changing the Tuning of an Instrument .............................................. 198
Chorus .................................................................................................. 199
Volume Envelope ................................................................................. 199
Working with Filters ............................................................................. 202
Adding the Filter Envelope ...............................................................203
Changing Filter Types .......................................................................205
Envelope Repeat ................................................................................ 206
Practice Modulating .............................................................................. 206
Troubleshooting ................................................................................... 207
Linking Presets........................................................................................... 208
Appendix ...............................................................................209
Front Panel Knob Functions...................................................................... 209
Knob Controller Descriptions .............................................................. 210
Presets ........................................................................................................ 210
Preset Categories ................................................................................... 210
Jam Presets ............................................................................................ 210
Preset Listing.............................................................................................. 211
Riff Listing.................................................................................................. 216
Instrument Listing ..................................................................................... 220
Keyboard Velocity Curves.......................................................................... 224
Master Velocity Curves .............................................................................. 227
PatchCord Amount Chart .........................................................................229
Expansion Sound Sets................................................................................ 230
Installing Sound SIMMs............................................................................. 232
MIDI........................................................................................................... 234
Received Channel Commands .............................................................241
Technical Specifications............................................................................. 242
Warranty .................................................................................................... 243
Index .....................................................................................245
![](asset-a.png)
x
ENSONIQ
![](asset-b.png)
Halo Operation Manual
1
Introduction
Product
Description
Upgradable Sounds
Halo contains a new collection of presets designed for music composition
in a wide variety of styles.These sounds are rich in harmonic texture and a
perfect complement to the Z-plane filters. Halo contains three additional,
user-upgradable sound SIMM sockets, allowing you to mix and match
sound sets according to your needs. New sounds can be added as easily as
plugging in a new 16MB or 32MB SIMM module. Each sound set has been
meticulously crafted to be the finest of its kind. Samples are expertly
matched across the keyboard and perfectly looped to create realistic instru-
ments which form the exceptionally playable presets.
1024 Presets & more
Halo contains 512 user presets and 512 factory ROM presets, but it can be
expanded with literally thousands of ROM presets.
(ROM presets are
automatically added when sound SIMMs are installed. As an example, a 32 MB
SIMM may contain up to 1024 ROM presets.)
Halo’s Sound Navigator makes it
easy to find the exact sound you want. It’s powerful, yet simple to use.
Velocity & Pressure Sensitive Keyboard
The five-octave, velocity sensitive keyboard with aftertouch allows you to
perform live or record via MIDI into an external computer/sequencer. The
keyboard action is extremely responsive, capturing all the subtle nuances of
your performance.
Multi-Function Controllers
Multi-function buttons allow you to trigger arpeggiators and notes inter-
nally or on any of your other MIDI devices. They can act as preset select
buttons or Beats Mute or MIDI Trigger buttons (latched or unlatched).
Four real-time controller knobs are also multi-function controls. These
knobs make it a snap to edit and modify internal preset parameters. The
controllers are fully programmable and can control internal preset or other
MIDI equipment. They can also be programmed to adjust multiple internal
parameters at once, allowing complex levels of control. For example, a
single knob can simultaneously turn up filter cutoff, while detuning one
![](asset-c.png)
2
ENSONIQ
Introduction
Product Description
sample, and adjusting the release time of the volume envelope. Virtually
every synth parameter in the Halo is controllable using the real-time knobs
or by any internal or external control source.
SuperBeats
Beats Mode is a whole new way to create dynamic, original music. With
Beats, you trigger, latch and unlatch synced loops and grooves from the
sixteen trigger keys. Simply select a
bts:
preset and go. Then use Halo’s
perfomance controls to alter and mutate the rhythm or the sound itself.
Multi-Channel Arpeggiators
Halo’s Rhythmic Pattern Generator/Arpeggiator can play up to 16 synchro-
nized arpeggiator patterns at once using a different sound for each! Patterns
can be edited using pattern flow commands such as: delay for 2 bars, play
for 4 bars, hold for 2 beats and repeat. You can program or download 100
user patterns in addition to the 200 factory patterns.
Ultra Powerful Synthesizer
The extremely flexible yet easy to use synthesizer makes it easy to build
sounds of any kind. Up to 4 four layers can be switched or crossfaded using
key position, velocity, real-time controllers or any modulation source. 64
voice polyphony ensures that you can play and sequence the most complex
material. Halo also contains 50 different 2nd to 12th order resonant &
modeling filters which are used to shape and modify over 1200 waveforms
contained in 32 megabytes (MB) of ROM.
Sixty-four modulation sources include three multistage envelopes and two
LFOs per layer, as well as full MIDI control over virtually every parameter.
The digital patch bay, with 24 cords per layer, (and 12 more cords per
preset) lets you connect modulation sources to 64 destinations in any
imaginable way. The patch bay also contains a set of arithmetic modifiers,
allowing you to create complex synthesis models. Synth parameters as well
as arpeggiator and BEAT tempos can be controlled from Halo’s internal
clock (or an external MIDI clock). Up to 8 LFOs and 12 envelopes can be
perfectly synchronized at different rates.
24-bit Effects
Once you have created your preset, you can add richness to your sound
using Halo’s 24-bit stereo effects. You can choose a different effects setup for
each preset from over 60 algorithms. Halo’s effects section is actually two
separate effects processors with control over each wet/dry mix level on four
effects sends. Effects Processor “A” contains primarily ambiance algorithms
like reverb and delays, while effects processor “B” contains primarily
spectral algorithms such as chorus, flange, phase, distortion, and delay.
Effects can be linked to each preset or used globally for increased flexibility.
Other features include multiple solo, voice assignment and performance
modes for expressive control, 12 user-definable alternate tunings, and, of
course, an extensive MIDI implementation.
![](asset-d.png)
Halo Operation Manual
3
Important Safety Instructions
Grounding Instructions
Important Safety Instructions
Use in countries other than the U.S.A. may require the use of a different
line cord or attachment plug, or both. Refer all servicing to qualified service
personnel. There are no user serviceable parts or adjustments inside the
unit. There are no user serviceable parts inside the power supply enclosure.
WARNING:
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this
product to rain or moisture.
Grounding
Instructions
This product must be grounded. If it should malfunction or break down,
grounding provides a path of least resistance for electric current, reducing
the risk of electric shock. This product is equipped with a cord having an
equipment-grounding conductor and a grounding plug. The plug must be
plugged into an appropriate outlet properly installed and grounded in
accordance with all local codes and ordinances.
Danger!
Improper connection of the equipment’s grounding conductor can result in
the risk of electric shock. Check with a qualified electrician or service
personnel if you are in doubt as to whether the product is properly
grounded. Do not modify the plug provided with this product. If it will not
fit the outlet, have a proper outlet installed by a qualified technician.
User
Maintenance
Instructions
1.
The Halo (Model Number 3725) should be kept clean and dust free.
Periodically wipe the unit with a clean, dry, lint free cloth. Do not use
solvents or cleaners.
2.
There are no user lubrication or adjustment requirements.
Caution -
Servicing instructions are for use by qualified personnel only. To reduce
the risk of electric shock, do not perform any servicing other than that contained
in these operating instructions unless you are qualified to do so. Refer all servicing
to qualified service personnel.
![](asset-e.png)
4
ENSONIQ
Important Safety Instructions
User Maintenance Instructions
INSTRUCTIONS PERTAINING TO A RISK OF FIRE,
ELECTRIC SHOCK, OR INJURY TO PERSONS
READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS:
When using electric products, basic precau-
tions should always be adhered to, including the following:
1.
Read all instructions before using Halo.
2.
To reduce the risk of injury, close supervision is necessary when using
Halo near children.
3.
Do not use Halo near water — for example near a bathtub, washbowl,
kitchen sink, in a wet basement, on a wet bar, or near or in a swimming
pool.
4.
Do not expose the unit to drips or splashes. No liquid-filled objects,
such as vases, shall be placed on the Halo.
5.
The Halo should be situated so that its location or position does not
interfere with its proper ventilation.
6.
The Halo should be located away from heat sources such as radiators,
heat registers, fireplaces, stoves, or ovens.
7.
No open flame sources, such as lit candles, should be placed on the
Halo.
8.
The Halo is designed for use in moderate climates.
9.
The Halo should be connected only to a power supply of the type
described in the operating instructions and marked on the product.
10.
Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not
spilled into the enclosure of Halo through openings.
11.
This Halo is equipped with a grounding-type plug
(a grounding plug has
two blades and a third grounding prong)
. This is a safety feature. If you are
unable to insert this plug into the outlet, do not defeat the safety
purpose of the plug. Contact an electrician to replace your obsolete
outlet.
12.
Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly at
plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the
unit.
13.
Unplug the Halo from the power outlet during lightning storms or
when left unused for a long period of time.
14.
This product, in combination with an amplifier and headphones and
speakers, may be capable of producing sound levels that could cause
permanent hearing loss. Do not operate for a long period of time at a
high volume level or at a level that is uncomfortable. If you experience
any hearing loss or ringing in the ears, consult an audiologist.
15.
Only use attachments and accessories specified by ENSONIQ.
16.
Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. The Halo should be
serviced by qualified service personnel when:
A. The power supply cord or plug has been damaged; or
B. Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the unit; or
This symbol is intended to
alert you to the presence of
important operating and
maintenance (servicing)
instructions in the literature
accompanying the unit.
This symbol is intended to
alert you to the presence of
uninsulated dangerous
voltage within the product’s
enclosure that may be of
sufficient magnitude to
constitute a risk of electric
shock to persons.
![](asset-f.png)
Halo Operation Manual
5
Important Safety Instructions
Radio and Television Interference
C. The unit has been exposed to rain or moisture; or
D. The unit has been dropped or damaged in any way; or
E. The Halo does not operate normally or exhibits a marked change in
performance.
Save These Instructions
Heed All Warnings
Follow All Instructions
Radio and
Television
Interference
The equipment described in this manual generates and uses radio-
frequency energy. If it is not installed and used properly —that is, in strict
accordance with our instructions— it may cause interference with radio
and television reception.
This equipment has been tested and complies with the limits for a Class B
computing device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart J of Part
15 of the FCC rules. These rules are designed to provide reasonable
protection against such interference in a residential installation. However,
there is no guarantee that the interference will not occur in a particular
installation, especially if a “rabbit ear” TV antenna is used.
If Halo does cause interference to radio or television reception, you can try
to correct the interference by using one or more of the following measures:
•
Turn the television or radio antenna until the interference stops.
•
Move Halo to one side or the other of the television or radio.
•
Move Halo farther away from the television or radio.
•
Plug Halo into an outlet on a different circuit than the television or
radio.
•
Consider installing a rooftop antenna with a coaxial lead-in between the
antenna and television set.
Copyright
Information
It is the policy of E-MU / ENSONIQ to allow all users free, complete and
unrestricted use to all of the presets, beats, riffs, patterns, and audition files
contained in our products. However, we are unable to grant you a license to
re-use, modify, create derivative works from, sell or redistribute the demon-
stration files (demos). In most cases, these compositions are copyright
protected by their respective authors and are licensed to E-MU / ENSONIQ
for product demonstration purposes only. Please contact E-MU / ENSONIQ
with additional questions.
![](asset-10.png)
6
ENSONIQ
Safety Instructions - German
Wichtige Sicherheitsvorschriften
Safety Instructions - German
Wichtige
Sicherheits-
vorschriften
In Ländern ausserhalb den U.S.A. können andere Kabel oder Stecker
notwendig werden. Zur Verminderung des Risikos von Feuer oder eines
elektrischen Schlages übergebe man den Service an qualifizierte Fachleute.
Das Gerät niemals Regen oder Nässe aussetzen.
Erdungsin-
struktionen
Das Gerät muss geerdet sein. Bei einem Defekt oder Ausfall bietet Erdung
dem elektrischen Strom den Weg des geringsten Widerstandes und
reduziert das Risiko eines Schlages. Dieses Gerät ist mit einem geerdeten
Kabel und Stecker ausgerüstet. Der Stecker muss in eine passende,
einwandfrei montierte und geerdete Steckdose in Übereinstimmung mit
den örtlichen Vorschriften eingeführt werden.
Gefahr
Unvorschriftsgemässer Anschluss des Gerätes kann zum Risiko eines
elektrischen Schlages führen. Im Zweifelsfalle über die ordnungsgemässe
Erdung soll ein qualifizierter Elektriker oder eine Serviecestelle beigezogen
werden. Ändern Sie den mitgelieferten Stecker nicht. Sollte er nicht in die
Steckdose passen, soll die einwandfreie Installation durch einen qualifi-
zierten Techniker erfolgen.
Unterhaltsin-
struktionen
für anwender
1.
Halo (Modell Nummer 3725) soll sauber und staubfrei gehalten werden.
Das Gerät mit einem sauberen und säurefreien Tuch periodisch
abreiben. Keine Lösungs- oder Reinigungsmittel anwenden.
2.
Schmieren und Justieren sind nicht notwendig.
3.
Bei weiteren Servicefragen wende man sich an eine qualifizierte Service-
stelle.
Vorsicht
Diese Gebrauchsanweisungen sind nur für qualifizierte Techniker
beabsichtigt. Um die Gefahr eines elektrischen Schlages zu vermeiden,
sollen Sie keine Arbeit unternehmen, die nicht in diesen Instruktionen
vorgeschrieben ist. Wenden Sie Sich bei weiteren Servicefragen an eine
qualifizierte Servicestelle.
![](asset-11.png)
Halo Operation Manual
7
Vorsicht
INSTRUKTIONEN BETR. FEUERRISIKO,
ELEKTROSCHOCK ODER VERLETZUNG VON
PERSONEN
WARNUNG; Beim Einsatz elektrischer Geräte sollten
folgende Vorsichtsmassregeln stets beachtet werden:
1.
Lesen Sie vor dem Einschalten des Halo alle Instruktionen.
2.
Zur Vermeidung von Verletzungsrisiken müssen Kinder bei einge-
schaltetem Halo sorgfältig überwacht werden.
3.
Halo nicht in der Nähe von Wasser in Betrieb nehmen -- z.B. in der
Nähe von Badewannen, Waschschüsseln, auf nassen Gestellen oder am
Swimmingpool.
4.
Halo stets so aufstellen, dass seine Belüftung nicht beeinträchtigt wird.
5.
Halo nicht in der Nähe von Hitze aufstellen, wie Heizkörper, offenem
Feuer, Öfen oder von Backöfen.
6.
Halo ausschliesslich mit einem Netzgerät gemäss Bedienungsanleitung
und Gerätemarkierung verwenden.
7.
Dieses Gerät kann bei Verwendung von Kopfhörern und Verstärkern
hohe Lautpegel erzeugen, welche zu bleibenden Gehörschäden führen.
Arbeiten Sie nicht während längerer Zeit mit voller Lautstärke oder
hohem Lautpegel. Stellen Sie Gehörverlust oder Ohrenläuten fest,
wenden Sie sich an einen Ohrenartz.
8.
Halo kann mit einem polarisierten Kabelstecker (mit ungleichen
Stiften) ausgerüstet sein. Das geschieht für Ihre Sicherheit. Können Sie
den Stecker nicht in die Steckdose einführen, ändern Sie nicht den
Stecker ab, sondern wenden Sie sich an einen Elektriker.
9.
Das Netzkabel des Halo bei längerem Nichtgebrauch aus der Steckdose
ziehen.
10.
Vermeiden Sie sorgfältig das Eindringen von Gegenständen oder
Flüssigkeiten durch die Gehäuseöffnungen.
11.
Das Gerät soll durch qualifizierte Serviceleute gewartet werden, falls:
A. das Netzkabel beschädigt wurde, oder
B. Gegenstände oder Flüssigkeit in das Gerät gelangten,
C. das Gerät Regen ausgesetzt war, oder
D. das Gerät nicht normal oder einwandfrei arbeitet, oder
E. das Gerät stürzte oder sein Gehäuse beschädigt wurde.
12.
Servicearbeiten sollten nur qualifizierten Fachleuten anvertraut werden.
Dieses Symbol weist den
Anwender auf wichtige
Gebrauchs- und Service-
Vorschriften in den beilieg-
enden Drucksachen.
Dieses Symbol verweist auf
nicht-isolierte Stromspan-
nungen im Geräte-Innern,
welche zu einem elektrischen
Schlag führen könnten.
![](asset-12.png)
8
ENSONIQ
Safety Instructions - French
Instructions de Sécurité Importantes
Safety Instructions - French
Instructions
de Sécurité
Importantes
Une utilisation dans des pays autres que les U.S.A. peut nécessiter l’usage
d’un cordon d’alimentation différent. Afin de réduire les risques d’incendie
ou d’électrocution, référez-vous à un personnel de service qualifié, et
n’exposez pas cet appareil à la pluie ou à l’humidité.
Instructions
de Mise à la
Te r r e
Cet appareil doit être relié à la terre. Dans le cas d’une malfonction
éventuelle, la terre fournit un passage de moindre résistance pour le
courant électrique, réduisant ainsi les risques d’électrocution. Le Halo est
équipé d’un cordon muni d’un conducteur et d’une fiche devant être
branchée dans une prise appropriée et reliée à la terre en conformité avec
les normes locales.
Danger
Une connexion incorrecte peut résulter en des risques d’électrocution.
Vérifiez avec un technicien qualifié si vous avez des doutes quant à la
connexion. Ne modifiez pas vous-même le cordon d’alimentation livré avec
cet appareil; s’il ne rentre pas dans la prise, faites-en installer un autre par
un technicien qualifié.
Instructions
de
Maintenance
1.
Le Halo (Model 3725) doit être maintenu propre et sans poussière.
Nettoyez-le périodiquement à l’aide d’un chiffon propre et non-
pelucheux. N’utilisez pas de solvants, ou d’autres produits de nettoyage.
2.
Aucune lubrification et aucun réglage ne sont nécessaires de votre part.
3.
Pour tout autre service, référez-vous à un personnel qualifié.
Instructions Concernant les Risques d’Incendie,
d’Electrocution, ou de Blessures Corporelles.
ATTENTION: Lorsque vous utilisez des appareils électriques,
certaines précautions élémentaires doivent toujours être prises,
incluant les suivantes:
![](asset-13.png)
Halo Operation Manual
9
Safety Instructions - French
Instructions de Maintenance
Ces instructions de dépanage sont destinées uniquement aux personnes
qualifiées. Afin d’éviter les risques d’électrocution, n’effectuez que les opéra-
tions décrites dans ce manuel, à moins que vous ne soyez qualifiê pour cela.
Faites effectuer toute r’eparation par une personne qualifié.
1.
Lisez bien toutes les instructions avant d’utiliser le Halo.
2.
Afin de réduire les risques de blessures, une attention particulière est
nécessaire en la présence d’enfants en bas âge.
3.
N’utilisez pas le Halo dans ou près d’endroits humides - par exemple
près d’une baignoire, d’un lavabo, dans les toilettes, dans une cave
humide, sur un bar fréquenté, en présence d’un bull-dog en rut, ou
dans une piscine pleine. Protégez cet appareil de tout liquide,
éclaboussure ou fuite.
4.
Le Halo doit être placé de façon à ce que sa position n’interfére pas avec
sa propre ventilation.
5.
Le Halo doit être placé loin de sources de chaleur telles que des radia-
teurs, cheminées, fours, ou groupies en chaleur.
6.
Le Halo doit uniquement être connecté à une alimentation du type
décrit dans les instructions d’opération et tel qu’indiqué sur l’appareil.
7.
Une attention particulière doit être observée quant aux objets pouvant
tomber et aux liquides pouvant être versés sur et à l’intérieur de le Halo.
8.
Le Halo peut être équipé d’une fiche secteur polarisée (avec une broche
plus large que l’autre). C’est une mesure de sécurité. Si vous ne pouvez
pas brancher cette fiche dans une prise, ne neutralisez pas cette sécurité.
Contactez plutôt un électricien pour remplacer la prise obsolète.
9.
Evitez de marcher sur le cordon d’alimentation ou de le coincer,
particuliêrement prês des prises de courant, des boitiers ‘electriques dt
du point de sortie de l’appareil.
10.
Le cordon d’alimentation de le Halo doit être débranché lorsque ce
dernier n’est pas utilisé pendant une longue période.
11.
Cet appareil, combiné avec un amplificateur, des haut-parleurs, et/ou
un casque, est capable de générer des niveaux sonores pouvant
occasionner une perte de l’ouïe permanente. Ne travaillez pas trop
longtemps à un volume trop élevé ou même inconfortable. Si vous
observez une perte de l’audition ou un bourdonnement dans les
oreilles, consultez un O.R.L.
12.
N’utilisez que les accessoires sp’ecifi’es par ENSONIQ.
Ce symbole vous alerte de la
présence d’instructions
importantes d’opération et
de maintenance dans la
notice accompagnant
l’appareil.
Ce symbole vous alerte de
la présence d’un voltage
non-isolé dangereux à
l’intérieur de l’appareil,
pouvant être d’une
magnitude suffisante pour
constituer un risque
d’électrocution.
![](asset-14.png)
10
ENSONIQ
Safety Instructions - French
Interférences Radio et Télévision
13.
Cet appareil doit être examiné par un personnel qualifié lorsque:
A. Le cordon d’alimentation a été endommagé, ou
B. Des objets sont tombés, ou du liquide a été versé sur/à l’intérieur
de l’appareil, ou
C. Le Halo a été exposé à la pluie, ou
D. Le Halo est tombé, ou
E. Le Halo ne fonctionne pas normalement, ou affiche un
changement radical de performance.
14.
Tout service doit être effectué par un personnel qualifié.
SAUVEGARDEZ CES INSTRUCTIONS
Interférences
Radio et
Télévision
L’appareil décrit dans cette notice génére et utilise une énergie de
fréquence-radio. S’il n’est pas installé et utilisé correctement - c’est à dire en
suivant strictement nos instructions - il peut occasionner des interférences
avec la réception d’une radio ou d’une télévision.
Cet appareil a été testé et est conforme aux normes de Classe A en accord
avec les spécifications du paragraphe J de la section 15 des lois FCC. Ces lois
sont désignées pour fournir une protection raisonnable contre de telles
interférences dans une installation résidentielle. Toutefois, il n’est pas
garanti qu’aucune interférence n’apparaisse dans des installations
particulières, et plus spécialement lorsqu’une antenne de télévision en
«oreilles de lapin» est utilisée.
Si le Halo occasionne des interférences , vous pouvez essayer de les corriger
en utilisant une ou plusieurs des mesures suivantes:
•Tournez l’antenne de la télé ou de la radio jusqu’à ce que les inter-
férences disparaissent.
•Déplacez le Halo d’un côté ou de l’autre de la télé ou de la radio.
•Eloignez le Halo de la télé ou de la radio.
•Branchez le Halo sur une prise différente que la télé ou la radio.
•Installez une antenne sur le toit munie d’une connexion coaxiale entre
elle et le poste de télévision.
![](asset-15.png)
Halo Operation Manual 11
Declaration of Conformity
Declaration of Conformity
Manufacturer:
E-MU / Ensoniq
1600 Green Hills Road
Scotts Valley, CA 95067-0015 USA
We hereby declare that the equipment listed herin conforms to the
harmonized standards of the following European Commission Directives:
89/336/EEC and 72/23/EEC.
Trade Name: Halo
Model Number: 3725
Under 89/336/EEC as amended by 92/31/EEC, and 93/68/EEC
In accordance with EN 55103-1:1996, Emission Environments E4
In accordance with EN 55103-2:1996, Immunity Environments E4
Test information is contained in a report by Atlas Compliance and
Engineering, Inc.
Dated July 5, 2001
Report No.: 0126EMUx17_103
Under 73/23/EEC as amended by 93/68/EEC
In accordance with EN 60950 with amendments A1, A2, A3, A4, A11
This Declaration is made July 5, 2001
![](asset-16.png)
12 ENSONIQ
Safety Instructions - French
![](asset-17.png)
Halo Operation Manual 13
Setup
This section thoroughly describes how to set up your new Halo for use.
Setup includes unpacking instructions, how to hook up the unit to your
sound system and, most importantly, how to turn the thing on and off.
Unpacking Carefully remove Halo from the packaging material. Take care to save the
packing materials in case you need to transport the unit. Check to make
sure all components are included and in good condition. If there are
missing or damaged components, contact ENSONIQ immediately for
replacement or repair.
The Halo box should include the following components:
•Halo unit
•Power cable
•This operation manual
![](asset-18.png)
14 ENSONIQ
Setup
Basic Setup
Connection
Instructions
Power Switch & AC Receptacle
The AC power switch is located on the rear panel. There is no 110/220 Volt
power selector switch since Halo utilizes an auto-switching power supply
which accepts from 100V-250V, 50-60Hz.
MIDI Output
The Halo can control other MIDI instruments by connecting a MIDI cable
between the MIDI out of Halo and the MIDI Input of the other instrument.
The Right Main output
jack carries a mono mix of the
left and right channels when the
Left Main plug is not plugged in.
The Left Main output jack is a
stereo jack carrying both
channels when the right output
jack is empty.
Outputs
In order to reproduce Halo’s wide dynamic range and frequency response,
use a high quality amplification and speaker system and a stereo setup is
highly desirable The headphone output is the same as the Main output
signal. The headphone jack is located on the left side of the front panel.
Footswitch & Footpedal
Connect a momentary footswitch and a Control Pedal for additional
control. Halo auto-senses either normally-open or normally-closed switches
See page 15 for information about how the footpedal should be wired.
Basic Setup
![](asset-19.png)
Halo Operation Manual 15
Setup
Performance Setup
Performance Setup
MIDI In/MIDI Out
Halo can be connected to a computer/sequencer via the MIDI In and MIDI
Out ports. Halo to playback complex multitimbral sequences.
Audio Outputs
Two pairs of programmable stereo outputs (Main and Sub 1) are provided.
The internal effects are available only on the Main outputs. Specific presets
(or MIDI channels) can be routed to one of these stereo pairs in order to be
processed further or mixed separately.
Footswitch & Footpedal
The footswitch input accepts either a normally-open or normally-closed
momentary footswitch. The footpedal input can sense either 0-5 volts on
the ring of a stereo jack or a pedal with the potentiometer wired as shown
at left. The footswitch and Pedal inputs are programmable in the
Controllers, Footswitch menu and the Preset Edit, PatchCord menu.
Rear Panel
RLRLIN OUT THRU
OUTPUTS
MIDI SWITCH PEDAL
SUB 1 MAIN
FOOT
Amp
Mixer
MIDI In
Additional
MIDI
Devices
MIDI
Interface
Out In
Out
Computer
Footswitch
Foot Pedal
Ground Tip
Ring
Ground
Tip
Ring
FootPedal Wiring
![](asset-1a.png)
16 ENSONIQ
Setup
Studio Setup
Studio Setup
MIDI In
In this setup, Halo is additionally controlled by another MIDI keyboard.
MIDI Thru
MIDI Thru transmits an exact copy of the messages received at the MIDI In
jack. It does NOT send keyboard or controller information generated from
Halo (Use the MIDI Out port to send Halo data to another instrument.)
Audio Outputs
The Sub 1 output jacks are stereo jacks. The tip of each jack (accessed when
a standard phone plug is inserted) connects to the left or right output of
that group.
If you insert a stereo plug into one of the Sub Outputs, the ring of the plug
serves as a signal Return which sums into the Main outputs.
Rear Panel
RLRLIN OUT THRU
OUTPUTS
MIDI FOOT
SWITCH
FOOT
PEDAL
SUB 1 MAIN
Sub Output
Return
(To Main Output)
Tip Ring
To Effect From Effect
SEND/RETURN CABLE
Send/Return
Main Outs to Mixer In
Effect Device
Additional
MIDI
Devices
MIDI Controller
(MIDI Keyboard or Sequencer)
MIDI Out
MIDI In
Signal is sent out on tip of plug and
returned to main outputs via ring of plug.
EMULATOR
PRESET
SAMPLE
SEQUENCER
PAGE
LEVEL
PRESET SELECT
REAL TIME CONTROLLERS ASSIGNABLE KEYS
ENTER
EXIT
RETURN
0.987654321 Computer
![](asset-1b.png)
Halo Operation Manual 17
Setup
Studio Setup
Therefore, the Sub 1 jacks can serve as effect sends and returns
in order to further process selected instruments and then
return them to the main mix.
You can use the Sub 1 jacks as send/returns in order to further process
selected Halo presets without using the effects bus on the mixing board. In
a pinch, the effect returns can be used to sum additional instruments into
the main outputs. It’s like having an extra line mixer when you need more
inputs!
You can use the Sub 1 jacks as effect returns to the Main Outputs.
Note that the Effects Processors are only routed to the Main Outputs.
MAINS
RL
R Bus
L Bus
Output Section
Tip
Ring
Tip
Ring
SUB 1
RL
Effects
Processors
![](asset-1c.png)
18 ENSONIQ
Setup
Studio Setup
![](asset-1d.png)
Halo Operation Manual 19
Instant Gratification
This section presents step-by-step instructions for the most fundamental
operations to get you up and running as quickly as possible.
Playing Demo
Sequences
Halo has several factory demonstration sequences that let you hear what
this incredible machine can do. The actual number of demo sequences
depends on which ROM sounds sets are installed. You can play these demo
sequences by accessing the Demo Sequence page.
To Play a Demo Sequence:
1. Press and hold the Main and Mix buttons at the same time to enter the
Demo Sequence page. The screen shown above appears.
2. Select a sequence using the data entry control. The Enter LED will be
flashing.
3. Press the Enter button to begin playing the selected sequence. The
following screen appears.
4. Press the Enter button again to stop playing the sequence.
5. When a demo sequence plays to the end, the next demo will automati-
cally begin playing. The screen will display the new demo name.
6. With the sequence stopped, press any other button to Exit demo
sequence mode.
DEMO SEQUENCES HALO
Uncanny 1
PLAYING: UNCANNY 1
Press ENTER to stop
![](asset-1e.png)
20 ENSONIQ
Instant Gratification
Auditioning Presets
Auditioning Presets The front panel audition button allows you to hear any preset in Halo
without even playing a note! When the Audition button is pressed, the
button’s LED will illuminate and a short “Riff” (programmed as part of the
preset) will play. The Riff is latched on and plays continuously until the
button is pressed again. Presets can be changed while Audition is latched.
OO
OO To audition presets with
their programmed effects, switch
to Omni or Poly mode (located
in the MIDI menu).
The top line of the Main display changes to show the MIDI Bank Select
controller values needed to select the preset being auditioned. This is an
extremely handy feature when sequencing.
To Audition a Preset:
1. Select a preset by turning the data entry control while the cursor is
anywhere on the lower line of the main screen (shown below).
2. Select a preset by turning the data entry control while the cursor is
anywhere on the lower line. The preset number field (shown above) is
the normal position of the cursor and pressing the Enter button will
return the cursor to this position.
3. Press the Audition button on the front panel. The Audition LED will
illuminate and a short riff will play the selected preset.
4. Continue to select and audition presets.
5. Press the Audition button again to turn Audition mode off. The LED
will extinguish.
6. Play the keyboard.
7. Be sure to check out the Pitch Wheel, controller knobs and Mod Wheel.
Selecting and Quick
Editing Presets
The first thing you’ll do with the Halo is select and play the factory
provided presets. Halo comes standard with 8 banks containing 128 presets
each. See “Main Screen” on page 37.
Bank MSB:008 LSB:2 HALO
125
2
key: SynhissOrgan
C01 V127 P01R A:off User
125
2
key: SynhissOrgan
Preset
Number
Bank
Number
Channel
Number
Initial
Volume
Setting
Initial
Pan
Setting
Arpeggiator
Setting
Blinking
Cursor
Preset
Name
Preset
Location
Preset
Category
![](asset-1f.png)
Halo Operation Manual 21
Instant Gratification
Selecting and Quick Editing Presets
The first four banks are USER locations that can be overwritten and used to
store your own presets. The presets that come stored in the USER presets are
duplicated in banks 0-3 of the “Halo” ROM bank, so feel free to overwrite
them with your own presets. You won’t be losing anything.
The ROM Card identifier is shown in the top right of the display. The preset
is identified in the bottom line of the main screen (the screen that appears
when you press the Mode/View Preset button).
Each bank of 128 presets is identified by a superscripted Bank Number to the
right of the preset number. The bank numbers reset to 0 at the start of each
ROM card you have installed. So with the “”HALO ROM installed, the USER
banks will go from 0-3, then start over from 0-3 for the Halo ROM banks.
The four User Banks can hold 512 custom presets. Feel free to overwrite these since the
factory user presets are duplicated in nonvolatile ROM.
To the right of the preset number and bank is the preset Category name
followed by the Preset Name.
To Change the Preset:
1. Select the main Preset Selection screen by turning off all the menu
buttons below the LCD.
2. The cursor will be located under the first character in the Preset Number
field. This is the “Home” position which is selected instantly when you
press the Home/Enter button. Pressing either of the two cursor buttons
repeatedly also gets you there.
OO
OO You can select presets
from the Preset Number, Bank
Number, Preset Category or
Preset Name fields.
3. Turn the data entry control knob on the front panel to select a new
preset number. If you turn the knob slowly, the presets advance one
number for each “click” of the knob. If you spin the knob quickly, the
numbers advance much faster (more than one number per click).
HALO
HALO
HALO
HALO
Bank 0
Bank 1
Bank 2
Bank 3
Bank 0
Bank 1
Bank 2
Bank 3
128 Presets
128 Presets
128 Presets
128 Presets
128 Presets
128 Presets
128 Presets
128 Presets
}
USER
USER
USER
USER
Bank Organization
The User Banks
are duplicated
in the Halo
ROM bank.
![](asset-20.png)
22 ENSONIQ
Instant Gratification
Exploring Beats Mode
4. Play the keyboard (or press the Audition button) and listen to the
sounds made by your Halo!
5. TRY OUT ANY OF THE CONTROLLER KNOBS on the front panel and
note how they change the sound of each preset! Don’t worry about
ruining the sound, the values are automatically reset as soon as you
select a new preset. The three buttons labeled A-D, E-H, I-L allow the
four controller knobs to control twelve functions.
Exploring Beats
Mode
Halo contains a 16-track play-only sequencer that is optimized for live
performance and groove creation. Halo contains dozens of special 16-part
Beats Riffs. Beats Riffs are normally used in conjunction with a “bts:” preset
containing the appropriate percussion mapping. Before you start exploring
beats, make sure the Halo is properly set up.
Beats Setup:
Set the Trigger Buttons to Beats Mode
1. Press the Controllers button on the front panel.
2. Turn the data entry control clockwise until you fin the “TRIGGER
BUTTONS FUNCTION” screen.
3. Set the lower line of the display to read, “Play Beats Parts”.
4. Press the Controllers button on the front panel again to exit the menu.
Set the Trigger Buttons to be Triggers
5. Press the Triggers button in the Command Functions section of the
front panel. OK, now you’re ready to start playing Beats.
Playing Beats:
Selecting Beats Presets
1. Press the right cursor button twice so that the cursor is located
beneath the Category field.
2. Turn the data entry control until bts: is shown in the Category field.
OO
OO If you don’t select a
“bts:” preset, only the first
trigger key will work.
Riffs marked “bts:” have 16
parts. Riffs without “bts:” have
only 1 part.
3. Press the right cursor button so that the cursor is underneath the
Preset Name field.
4. Now turning the data entry control selects ONLY bts: presets!
Play Beats
5. Press any of the sixteen front panel Trigger Buttons. Notice that each
button brings in a specific part. The chart below shows which buttons
control which part in bts: presets.
![](asset-21.png)
Halo Operation Manual 23
Instant Gratification
Exploring Beats Mode
6. Also notice that the Audition LED comes on when Beats begin playing.
Beats are simply multitrack Audition Riffs. Use the Audition button to
turn Beats on and off.
The Arp/Beats LED
flashes in time with the Base
Tempo.
• Change the Base Tempo from
the last screen in the Controllers
menu.
7. Try out a few different bts: presets.
Get Busy!
Two of the Controller knobs are programmed to control Beats. Check it out!
8. Press the M-P button in the Controllers section. Its LED will light.
9. Now turn the Mod 1 knob with a Beats Riff playing. Mod 1 is controls
the Beats Busy parameter which adds or subtracts parts from the Beat.
10. Turn the Mod 2 knob with a Beats Riff playing. Mod 2 is controls the
Beats Variation parameter. Beats Variation changes which parts are
playing without changing the number of parts. This makes it easy to try
out different combinations of Beat Parts.
To Play Beats on a different MIDI channel:
Beats can be assigned to a certain MIDI channel while you play the
keyboard on another channel. (Make sure you have Beats mode set up correctly
as described in “Beats Setup” on page 22.)
1. Press the Arp/Beats button. The screen shown below appears.
2. Set the Beats Channel (BtsCh) to 01.
3. Select any bts: preset on channel 1 (main screen).
4. Press any of the sixteen Beats buttons to start your Beat playing. (Do
NOT start Beats by pressing the Audition button.)
OO
OO Wrong FX? In Omni
mode, the FX assigned to
channel 2 will be used. In Multi
mode, the Master FX settings
will be used. See pages 88 & 98.
5. Press the + Channel button to the left of the LCD to select channel 2.
6. Select a preset to jam along with the Beat.
7. The Trigger Keys now play Beats and the other keys play the preset on
channel 2.
8. The Audition button can be used to turn the Beat off. (If you try to use it
to turn Beats on while on channel 2, the Riff on channel 2 will play.)
Alt. Groove
5. Kick2
6. Snare2
7. Hihat2
8. Perc2
Perc / Fills
9. Perc3/Fill1
10. Perc4/Fill2
11. Perc5/Fill3
12. Perc6/Inst.
Instr/Wild
13. Inst1/Wild1
14. Inst2/Wild2
15. Inst3/Wild3
16. Bass
Main Groove
1. Kick1
2. Snare1
3. Hihat1
4. Perc1
BEATS MODE Status: P
BtsCh: Basic TrigCh:Basic
![](asset-22.png)
24 ENSONIQ
Instant Gratification
Exploring the Master Arpeggiator
Exploring the Master
Arpeggiator
Halo’s multi-channel Pattern Generator/Arpeggiator is one of the greatest
features ever put in a synth. Let’s explore the Master Arpeggiator.
To Arpeggiate a Single Preset:
1. Select a preset. Note that the factory presets all have prefixes which
describe the type of sound. For this investigation it might be best to
choose a preset with the prefix “arp,” for arpeggiator. These presets are
optimized for use with the arpeggiator.
2. Set the Arp parameter in the main preset selection screen to “M” for
Master Arpeggiator.
3. Press the Arp/Beats button in the Edit section of the front panel to
access the master Arpeggiator menu, then use the data entry control to
scroll to the screen shown below.
4. Make sure the arpeggiator Status is “on.” Play the keyboard to start
arpeggiating.
5. Press either cursor key repeatedly to move the cursor below the Status
field.
6. Turn the data entry control clockwise one click. The Mode screen
appears.
7. Use the cursor keys to move the cursor to the Mode field (up, down, up/
down, forw asgn, backw asgn, forw/backw, random, pattern). Try out
the different modes as you play the keyboard.
8. Move the cursor back to the lower left position and explore the other
parameters. The Note Value parameter changes the rate of the arpeggios.
By the way, note value is a divisor based on the Master Tempo. Try
changing the tempo, but come right back.
C01 V127 P01R A:M HALO1
1233 arp: OrbisTabula1
MASTER ARPEGGIATOR
Status on
MASTER ARPEGGIATOR
Mode up
![](asset-23.png)
Halo Operation Manual 25
Instant Gratification
Exploring the Master Arpeggiator
9. Let’s check out the pattern generator. Go back to the Mode screen and
set the mode to “Pattern”.
10. Now advance to the Pattern screen (shown below) and move the cursor
to the Pattern Number field (the second field from the left).
OO
OO See the Arpeggiator
Chapter for detailed information
on creating Patterns.
11. Try the various patterns. There are 200 permanent factory patterns and
100 user locations to store the patterns you create. Each pattern can
have up to 32 notes.
MASTER ARPEGGIATOR
Pattern 38
0
Inversions
![](asset-24.png)
26 ENSONIQ
Instant Gratification
Multi-Channel Arpeggiator
Multi-Channel
Arpeggiator
Halo is totally amazing in its ability to run up to 16 arpeggiators at once!
Even two or three patterns at once can create very complex sequences and
dynamic landscapes of sound.
Here’s one way to access this ultra-powerful feature. There is one arpeg-
giator for each MIDI channel. First you’ll assign three of the Trigger Keys to
MIDI channels 01-03. Next, you’ll assign arpeggiator presets to these
channels. Then you’ll become addicted to this new way of making music.
Program the Trigger Keys
1. Press the Controllers button, then turn the data entry control until the
screen shown below appears.
2. Move the cursor to the lower line and turn the data entry control to
select “Play Note Events”. This sets the Trigger Buttons to play note
events instead of selecting Beats parts.
3. Move the cursor back to the top line and scroll to the screen shown
below.
4. Move the cursor until it is underneath the Latch field and turn Latch
mode On.
5. Move the cursor until it is underneath the Channel field (Ch) and set
the Channel to 01.
6. Move the cursor until it is underneath the Trigger field (T1) and
change the Trigger to T2 (trigger button 2).
7. Turn Latch On for trigger button 2 and set the channel to 02.
8. Change the Trigger to T3 (trigger button 3).
9. Turn Latch On for trigger button 3 and set the channel to 03.
Set up the Presets
10. Press the Main button (located beneath the Data Entry Control). The
preset select screen appears.
TRIGGER BUTTONS FUNCTION
Play Beats Parts
T1 TRIGGERS Latch: on
Key:C3 Ch: Basic Vel: 064
![](asset-25.png)
Halo Operation Manual 27
Instant Gratification
Multi-Channel Arpeggiator
11. Move the cursor underneath the Category field (as shown above) and
select the “arp” category.
12. Move the cursor underneath the preset name and select any “arp”
preset for channel 1.
13. Press the “+” Channel select button (located to the left of the LCD), so
that C02 is displayed.
14. Select any other “arp” preset for channel 2.
15. Select channel 03 and choose another arp preset.
Select Trigger Mode
16. Press the Selector Button in the upper left corner of the Command
Functions section. Pressing this button will switch between Track
Enable/Mute and Triggers mode. Select Triggers mode.
Play it!
17. Now press Trigger Buttons 1, 2 and 3. You should be hearing three
arpeggiators playing at once.
18. Change the arp preset on the current MIDI channel. Since the cursor is
located on the preset name, all your selections will be in the arp
category.
19. Press the Channel button and change the arp presets for channels 1, 2
& 3. Since each factory preset has differently programmed arpeggiator
settings, changing the preset not only changes the sound, but the
arpeggiator as well.
20. You can also play the keyboard. You’ll be playing the preset currently
showing in the display.
21. Adjusting the front panel Controller Knobs modifies the preset
showing in the LCD.
22. Press the M-P button in the Controllers section to select the Arp control
functions. Adjust the Arp Velocity and Arp Gate Time. Then change
the MIDI channel and do it for another arp pattern.
OO
OO Sometimes a simple
volume change will bring out
hidden voices and patterns.
23. Press the Mix button so that “VOLUMES” is selected. This screen lets
you blend the volume of every arpeggiator preset.
There’s lots more to the arpeggiators. To find out more, refer to the
arpeggiator chapter beginning on page 43.
C01 V127 P00 A:P HALO
026
3
arp:Hollographik
![](asset-26.png)
28 ENSONIQ
Instant Gratification
Multi-Channel Arpeggiator
Time to Save?
If you want to SAVE everything exactly as it is, continue on.
Multisetups save your
entire Halo setup. Find out more
on page 84.
1. Press the Multi button (located directly under the Data Entry Control).
2. Rotate the data entry control until you get to the menu shown below.
3. Press the right cursor button to move to the lower line.
4. Name your Multisetup so you can find it later, then press Enter.
5. Scroll to the next screen using the data entry control.
6. Move the cursor to the lower line, select a location and press Enter.
MULTISETUP NAME
User Setup
SAVE SETUP TO
002 User Setup
![](asset-27.png)
Halo Operation Manual 29
Basic Operations
Basic Operations
The Halo front panel contains an LCD screen, 35 buttons, and 4 real-time
controller knobs. Functions are grouped logically and the controls are
arranged for ease of use.
Power Switch The power switch is located on the rear panel next to the AC power
receptacle.
Volume Control This control is the master volume control for all audio outputs. The Volume
Control does not affect any editing or user interface operations.
The front panel volume control is a digital attenuator. For maximum
dynamic range, turn this knob all the way up and control the volume from
your mixer or amplifier.
Channel +/- Buttons These very handy buttons, located to the left of the LCD, serve as a shortcut
to increment or decrement the MIDI Channel (in Preset mode), Layer (in
Preset Edit mode) or Step Numbers (in Arpeggiator Edit mode).
Data Entry Control The data entry control is a stepped, variable control switch used to change
parameter values. The wheel increments or decrements the current value
![](asset-28.png)
30 ENSONIQ
Basic Operations
Edit Section
one unit with each click. This control incorporates acceleration, which
advances the value faster if the data entry control is turned quickly.
Cursor Buttons These buttons, located just above the Data Entry Control, move the cursor
to the next parameter on the display. (The cursor is a little flashing line
underneath one of the parameters in the display.) Press either cursor button
until the cursor is underneath the desired parameter. The cursor buttons
have an auto-repeat feature which advances the cursor when the button is
held continuously.
The cursor can be moved bidirectionally using the data entry control while
either cursor select button is held down (for example, press and hold the
right cursor button and turn the data entry control).
Pitch & Mod Wheels These two controls, located to the right of the keyboard, are performance
expression controls. The left “Pitch Wheel”, is spring-loaded and is
normally used to bend the pitch up and down while playing. The center
position is off. The pitch bend range is set using the “Pitch Bend Range”
parameter in the Global menu (page 84).
The right “Mod Wheel” is programmed to add vibrato in most of the
factory presets. Like all the controllers in Halo, the Mod Wheel can be
programmed to control any synthesizer parameter. See PatchCords on
page 102 and page 157 for more information.
Edit Section
Global Button The Global menu contains parameters that affect the entire machine. An
illuminated LED in the button indicates that you are in the Global menu.
For more information about the Global menu, see page 83
![](asset-29.png)
Halo Operation Manual 31
Basic Operations
Edit Section
Controllers Button The Controllers menu contains parameters that are related to the front
panel controller knob and button triggers. An illuminated LED in the
button indicates that you are in the Controllers menu. For more infor-
mation about the Controllers menu, see page 71.
Arp/Beats Button The Arpeggiator menu contains parameters that are related to Beats mode
and the Master Arpeggiator. Beats is a 16-track play-only sequencer that is
optimized for live performance and groove creation. An illuminated LED in
the button indicates that you are in the Arp/Beats menu. For more infor-
mation about the Arp/Beats menu, see page 43.
MIDI Button The MIDI menu contains parameters that are MIDI related. An illuminated
LED in the button indicates that you are in the MIDI menu. For more infor-
mation about the MIDI menu, see page 93.
MIDI Panic Button Pressing the MIDI and Home/Enter buttons simultaneously sends a MIDI
“All Notes Off” and “All Sound Off” for all 16 MIDI channels. This immedi-
ately kills all sounding notes internally and over MIDI.
Audition Button When the Audition button is pressed, the LED next to the button will
illuminate and a short “Riff” (programmed as part of the preset) will play.
The Riff is latched on and plays continuously until the button is pressed
again. Presets can be changed while Audition is latched on. See “Bank Select
Commands” on page 126 for more information on selecting banks via MIDI.
The top line of the Preset display changes to show the MIDI Bank Select
controller values needed to select the preset being auditioned. This handy
feature lets you know the exact Bank and Preset number.
Compare Button The Compare button allows you to toggle between an edited version of a
preset and the original, unedited version. When a preset has been edited,
the Save/Copy LED flashes. Press the Compare button, lighting its LED, to
hear the unedited preset. Press the Compare button again to hear the edited
preset. If edits are made to the preset while listening to the compared
original version, compare mode is aborted and the compare LED goes off.
Bank MSB:008 LSB:3 HALO1
0723 sfx: Slicer
MSB LSB
Preset #
![](asset-2a.png)
32 ENSONIQ
Basic Operations
Real-time Controller Knobs
Save/Copy Button The Save/Copy button is used to save changes to a preset, copy data
between presets, randomize presets and to move other types of data.
Selected groups of parameters, such as PatchCord settings, can be copied
between Presets and/or between Layers using this menu. The menu is
context-sensitive and will start at the appropriate save screen. See Save/
Copy on page 187 for more information.
The LED in the button illuminates to indicate that you are in the Save/
Copy menu. The LED also illuminates when any preset parameter has been
changed in the Preset Edit menu (or if the front panel knobs have been
moved with Quick-Edit mode enabled).
Preset Edit Button The Preset Edit menu allows you to create and edit presets. An illuminated
LED in the button indicates that you are in Preset Edit mode. For more
information about the Preset Edit menu, see page 129.
Home/Enter Button The Home/Enter button is dual purpose. In general, this button acts as the
“Home” button. For example, when in an Edit menu, this button snaps the
cursor to the page name field of the current screen. When viewing the
Preset Select screen, this button snaps the cursor to the preset number field.
The flashing green LED of the Home/Enter button indicates that pressing
the button will initiate a particular operation.
Real-time
Controller
Knobs
The Real-time Controller Knobs serve dual purposes. Knobs Preset Quick
Edit (page 79) can be enabled to use the knobs for editing in the Preset Edit
menu.
1. Quick Edit - Real-time control of internal synthesizer parameters and
“Quick Editing” the initial settings of the real-time controllers
2. Programmable Knobs - Real-time control of MIDI continuous
controllers on external synthesizers
![](asset-2b.png)
Halo Operation Manual 33
Basic Operations
Real-time Controller Knobs
Knob Functions Quick Edit mode
The Real-time controller knobs provide direct control of the Halo’s synthe-
sizer parameters when the Controller Function Select is set to Quick Edit.
There is an LED next to each of the control knobs which illuminates to
indicate that the knob setting has been changed from the value
programmed in the preset (“Knobs Preset Quick Edit” mode must be
enabled in the Controllers menu). If the knob position is returned to the
original setting, the LED is extinguished.
OO
OO Quick Edit knob
movements can be recorded into
an external sequencer.
Initial controller values can be stored in every preset. When you move a
knob with Quick-Edit enabled, the Initial Controller Value is updated with
the knob’s new value. The knob’s LED lights indicating that the preset value
has been changed. The MIDI A-L values are stored in the corresponding
Initial Controller Amount parameter in the Preset Edit menu (see “Initial
Controller Amount” on page 167). The Save/Copy button LED flashes to
remind you that the preset has been edited. “Quick-Edits” made to a preset
are lost if you select another preset before saving them.
The three rows of knobs always control the preset on the basic MIDI
channel (the channel showing on the preset select screen), when the
control switch is set to Quick Edit.
The labels (Filter Cutoff, Filter Q, Filter Attack, Filter Decay, etc.) printed on
these rows show how the factory ROM presets are programmed to respond.
(The controls may not exactly conform to the front panel labels depending on the
preset.) You can change the way a preset responds to MIDI A-L messages
from the Preset Edit menu (PatchCords). The knobs only generate a
message when you move a knob to a new value. The current value jumps to
the new value.
To Quick-Edit a Preset:
1. Select Quick Edit mode using the Controller Function Select button.
2. Use the Control Knobs to change the sound of the current preset as
desired.
3. Press the Save/Copy button. You may have to turn the data entry
control so that the display reads, “Save PRESET to.”
4. Press the right cursor button to select the bottom row.
5. Optional: Select a new preset location if you don’t want to overwrite
the current preset, or if the current preset is a ROM preset.
6. Press the Enter button to save the preset.
![](asset-2c.png)
34 ENSONIQ
Basic Operations
Screen View Buttons
Screen View
Buttons
The Screen View buttons switch between three display modes.
Main This button instantly switches the display to the Main Screen shown below.
This screen is used for changing presets, changing MIDI channels and
setting the volume and pan positions for each MIDI channel. See page 37
for more information.
Multi This button switches the display to the Multisetup menu. A Multisetup is a
group of parameters that you might associate with a particular performance
setup or song. See page 41 for detailed information about Multisetups.
Mix Screen This button switches the display to the Mix screens (volume & pan). The
mix screens allow you view and adjust the volume and pan settings for all
16 channels. This is particularly useful when playing back a MIDI sequence.
The volume and pan settings for all 16 channels are saved with the Multi-
setup (page 41).
C01 V127 P01R A:off User
0793 kit: Hide & Seek
RESTORE MULTISETUP
000 User Setup
VOLUMES Chan: 01 Vol: 127
![](asset-2d.png)
Halo Operation Manual 35
Basic Operations
Screen View Buttons
Demo Mode Pressing the Main and Mix buttons simultaneously calls up the Demo
Sequence page. Halo has several factory demonstration sequences that let
you hear what this incredible machine can do. The actual number of demo
sequences depends on which ROM sounds sets are installed.
To Play a Demo Sequence:
1. Press and hold the Main and Mix buttons at the same time to enter the
Demo Sequence page. The screen shown above appears.
2. Select a sequence using the data entry control. The Enter LED will be
flashing.
3. Press the Enter button to begin playing the selected sequence. The
following screen appears.
4. Press the Enter button again to stop playing the sequence.
5. When a demo sequence plays to the end, the next demo will automati-
cally begin playing. The screen will display the new demo name.
6. With the sequence stopped, press any other button to Exit demo
sequence mode.
PANS Chan: 01 Vol: 127
right
left
DEMO SEQUENCES HALO
UNCANNY 1
PLAYING: UNCANNY 1
Press ENTER to stop
![](asset-2e.png)
36 ENSONIQ
Basic Operations
Command Functions
Command
Functions
The Command Functions section serves multiple purposes which are listed
below.
•Beats Part enable/disable. See page 22.
•Assignable & latchable note triggers. See page 76.
•Preset select keys. See page 77.
•External preset select keys. See page 78.
•Preset Edit menu jump keys. See below.
Preset Selection When the preset selection LED is lit, the command buttons can be used to
quickly select sixteen of your favorite presets. In this mode, pressing one of
the comand buttons selects the preset you have assigned to the button.
See page 77 for more information.
Trigger Mode Select Triggers mode by pressing the mode select button so that the
“Triggers” LED is illuminated. Now the 16 buttons work like keyboard
notes. Each of the 16 buttons can be assigned to any MIDI note, on any
MIDI Channel (01-16), with any velocity (0-127), and can be set to be
latched or momentarily on. Latched note will hold until the button is
pressed again. Latched notes will be indicated by the LEDs. Trigger keys are
assigned from the Controllers menu. See page 76 for more information.
Preset Menu
Jump Keys
Whenever you are in the Preset Edit menu, the sixteen command buttons
function as “jump” buttons to the various screens in the Preset Edit menu.
The jump location is labelled directly below each button.
Pressing a jump button instantly takes you to the first screen in the selected
category. Pressing the button again takes you to the second screen in the
category and so on. Repeated pressing will rotate you back to the first
screen in the category.
![](asset-2f.png)
Halo Operation Manual 37
Basic Operations
Main Screen
Main Screen The Main Screen is accessed by pressing the Main button located directly
under the data entry control. From this screen you can examine or change
the Preset, Volume, Pan Position and Preset Location for each of the 16
MIDI channels.
MIDI Channel
Selection
To Change the MIDI Channel:
1. Press the Main button to display the Main screen.
2. Press the Channel inc/dec buttons located to the left of the liquid
crystal display to select channels 01 through 16. The preset, volume
and pan settings for each channel will be displayed as you scroll
through the channels.
The channel number shown in the main screen is the “Basic MIDI Channel”
when in Omni or Poly modes.
Preset Selection To Change the Preset:
1. Press the Main button to display the Main screen.
2. Press either cursor key until the cursor is underneath the preset
number. (The cursor is a little flashing line underneath one of the
parameters in the display.) As you rotate the data entry control, the
preset number and name changes.
3. The displayed preset is assigned to the displayed MIDI channel. Presets
are arranged into banks of 128, as shown in the diagram at left.
Using the screen above as an example, the superscripted number 2 in the
second line of the display identifies the current bank number.
•Select banks independently of the of the preset number by locating the
cursor on the Bank field and turning the data entry control.
C01 V127 P01R A:off User
0793 kit: Hide & Seek
Bank Contents
128 RAM Presets
128 RAM Presets
128 RAM Presets
128 RAM Presets
128 ROM Presets
128 ROM Presets
128 ROM Presets
Depending on
ROM sets installed
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
??
USERROM 1
C01 V127 P01R A:off User
Number
Preset
Bank Number
0793 bts: Logic
![](asset-30.png)
38 ENSONIQ
Basic Operations
Main Screen
This chart shows the MSB and LSB numbers needed to select preset banks over MIDI.
Select a bank, then send the program change number. Without a bank select command,
presets are selected from within the current bank.
Channel Volume Channel Volume sets the volume of the selected MIDI channel in relation
to the other channels. This is the same parameter as MIDI volume control
#7, and changes made over MIDI are shown in the display.
To Change the Channel Volume:
1. Press the Main button to display the Preset Select screen.
2. Press either cursor key until the cursor is underneath the volume value.
3. Rotate the data entry control to select a volume level. The Channel
Volume range is 000-127.
HALO
HALO
HALO
HALO
Bank 0
Bank 1
Bank 2
Bank 3
Bank 0
Bank 1
Bank 2
Bank 3
00
00
00
00
08
08
08
08
00
01
02
03
00
01
02
03
USER
USER
USER
USER
MIDI BANK SELECT
cc00 cc32
MSB LSB
0793 bts: Logic
Volume
C01 V127 P01R A:off User
![](asset-31.png)
Halo Operation Manual 39
Basic Operations
Main Screen
Channel Pan Channel Pan sets the stereo position of the selected MIDI channel. This
control operates like the balance control on your home stereo system.
Channel Pan is the same parameter as MIDI pan controller #10, and
changes made over MIDI are shown in the display.
Note: Pan settings in the preset ADD algebraically with the Channel Pan
setting. Therefore, if the pan setting in the preset were set to “63R,” moving
the Channel Pan setting full left would return the sound to the center
position.
To Change the Channel Pan:
1. Press the Main button to display the Preset Select screen.
2. Press either cursor key until the cursor is underneath the pan field.
3. Rotate the data entry control to select a pan value. 64L indicates a hard
left pan, 63R indicates a hard right pan. With a setting of “00,” the
sound is centered in the stereo field.
Channel Arpeggiator This function controls the arpeggiator for each MIDI channel. When the
channel arpeggiator mode is set to Off, then there is no arpeggiation on
that channel, regardless of what is set up in the Master Arpeggiator or
preset. If the channel arpeggiator is On, the preset’s arpeggiator is used,
regardless of whether or not it is turned on in the Preset Edit menu. This
lets you turn on arpeggiation from the main screen.
If the mode is set to “P” (for preset), the preset’s arpeggiator settings and
on/off status is used. If the mode is set to “M” (for master), the master
arpeggiator settings and on/off status (located in the Arp menu) are used.
See the “Arp/Beats Menu” on page 43 for more information.
To Play the Arpeggiator (Quick Start):
1. From the Main screen, press either cursor key repeatedly until the
cursor is underneath the arpeggiator field (A:).
2. Rotate the data entry control to select “P” for preset.
3. Press either cursor key repeatedly until the cursor is underneath the
Preset Category field and select “arp:” using the data entry control.
4. Press the right cursor button to move it to the Preset Name field.
5. Play notes or chords on the keyboard. Change presets as desired to
audition the various patterns and presets.
0793 bts: Logic
C01 V127 P01R A:off User
Pan Position
![](asset-32.png)
40 ENSONIQ
Basic Operations
Sound Navigator
Sound
Navigator
Sound Navigator allows you to search through preset and instrument
categories to find the type of sound you’re looking for. Each preset and
instrument has a name and a three letter preset category. You can create
your own categories in order to group favorite presets. The preset category
is assigned in the Preset Edit menu (Preset Name). Instrument categories are
fixed.
Preset Category When you want to find presets in a particular category, you simply change
the category field in the Main screen, then move the cursor to the preset
name field to scroll through all the presets in the selected category.
When the cursor is on the Preset Category field, turning the data entry
control selects different preset categories. The Name Field will change to
show the first preset in each category.
To Change the Preset Category:
1. From the Main screen (shown above), press either cursor key repeatedly
until the cursor is underneath the preset category field.
2. Rotate the data entry control to select one of the preset categories.
Preset Categories are displayed in alphabetical order.
To Select a Preset within a Category:
1. After selecting a category, move the cursor to the Preset Name field.
2. Rotate the data entry control to scroll through the presets in the
selected category. Note that the preset numbers will no longer change
sequentially.
Instrument Category When the cursor is on the Instrument Category field (Preset Edit menu),
turning the data entry control selects different instrument categories. The
Name Field changes to show the first instrument in each category. Move
the cursor back to the instrument name to choose other instruments in the
selected category.
C01 V127 P00 A:off User
0641 w al: Raverotic
Preset Category Preset Name
L1 INSTRUMENT ROM:HALO
0641 wal: Raverotic
![](asset-33.png)
Halo Operation Manual 41
Basic Operations
Multisetups
Multisetups A Multisetup is a group of parameters that you might associate with a
particular performance setup or song. It is like a “snapshot” of the current
configuration of the Halo. There are 64 setups numbered 0-63. All the
Multisetups are user programmable except 63, the factory setup.
A Multisetup includes ALL the following parameters:
•Preset/Volume/Pan/Arp assignments for each of the 16 MIDI channels.
•Multisetup Name
•ALL Controllers menu parameters
•ALL Global Menu parameters, except…
User Key Tuning Tables
•ALL Arp Menu parameters, except…
User Arp Patterns
•ALL MIDI Menu parameters, except…
MIDI Program Change->Preset Map
When a Multisetup is selected, it overwrites the current Preset/Vol/Pan/Arp
selections on all MIDI channels. It also overwrites the Controllers, Global,
Arp, and MIDI menu parameters (with the exceptions noted above).
If you make changes to any of these menus, Halo will retain the changes,
even if power is turned off. They are of course, overwritten when you
restore a Multisetup.
Restoring
Multisetups
Halo contains 64 Multisetup locations. These are all User locations except
location 63, which is a factory defined Multisetup.
Multisetups can be restored using a MIDI Bank Select command.
Select: cc00 = 80, cc32 = 00, (dec) then send a Program Change command
corresponding to the Multisetup you wish to select.
To Restore (Select) a Multisetup:
1. Press the front panel Multisetup button (below the Data Entry Control).
2. Scroll to the Restore Multisetup screen using the data entry control. The
menu page most recently selected since powering up Halo will be
displayed. The cursor appears below the first character of the screen
heading on line one.
RESTORE MULTISETUP
003 Jazzercide
![](asset-34.png)
42 ENSONIQ
Basic Operations
Multisetups
3. Press either cursor button to move the cursor to the bottom line of the
screen.
4. Now, use the data entry control to select a Multisetup. The Enter LED
will be flashing.
5. Press the Enter button to load the selected Multisetup.
Multisetup
Name
Multisetups can be named to make it easier to remember their purpose.
1. Scroll to the “Setup Name” screen (shown below) using the data entry
control.
2. Press either cursor button to move the cursor to the bottom line of the
screen.
3. Change the characters using the data entry control. Change the cursor
position using the cursor buttons.
4. Press Enter or move the cursor to the top line when you’re finished
naming the multisetup.
Saving
Multisetups
To Save a Multisetup:
1. Set the Preset, Volume, Pan and Arp settings (in Main mode) for all
channels. Set the Global, MIDI, and Controllers menu parameters the
way you want them.
2. Press the Multi button, then scroll to the “Save Setup” screen (shown
below) using the data entry control.
3. Press either cursor button to move the cursor to the bottom line of the
screen.
4. Now, use the data entry control to select the destination location. The
Enter LED will be flashing.
5. Press the Enter button to save the Multisetup.
MULTISETUP NAME
020 User Setup 23
SAVE SETUP TO
020 Destination Multisetup
![](asset-35.png)
Halo Operation Manual 43
Arp/Beats Menu
Arp/Beats Menu
Halo’s Beats mode allows you to trigger, latch and unlatch synced loops and
grooves from separate keys on your keyboard. Simply select a bts: preset
and play the 16 trigger keys to bring specific Parts in and out. This is Macro-
Music!
Halo can also run up to 16 simultaneously synced arpeggiators, each with a
different preset sound. The arpeggiators can either play one of 7 chord
arpeggios or can be set to play a pattern, which is a stored sequence of
notes. Combined with Beats, the sheer number of musical permutations is
staggering!
To enable the Arpeggiator/Beats menu:
Press the Arp button, lighting the LED. The Arp screen displays the menu
page most recently selected since powering up Halo. The cursor appears
below the first character of the screen heading on line one.
Arp parameters are
automatically saved to the
current multisetup when you exit
the menu, but you may wish to
save to another location.
If another Multisetup is
“Restored” any unsaved
changes will be lost if you
haven’t saved the Multisetup.
To select a new screen:
Press the Home/Enter button or press the Cursor button repeatedly until
the cursor is below the screen title heading on the top line of the display.
Rotate the data entry control to select another screen.
To modify a parameter:
Press either Cursor button repeatedly (or hold down the right cursor button
while turning the data entry control) until the cursor is below the desired
parameter value. Rotate the data entry control to change the value.
To access a submenu:
The Master Arpeggiator screens have submenus which are accessed by
pressing the cursor buttons to move the cursor to the lower left corner of
the display. Select the submenu function using the data entry control.
To save Arpeggiator parameters:
Press the front panel Multi button and scroll to “Save Setup To”. Select a
Setup number and press Enter. See “Saving Multisetups” on page 42.
To return to the previously selected Mode/View screen:
Press the Arp/Beats button, turning off the LED.
![](asset-36.png)
44 ENSONIQ
Arp/Beats Menu
Beats
Beats Halo contains a 16-track play-only sequencer that is optimized for live
performance and groove creation. Halo contains dozens of special 16-part
Beats Riffs created by some of the best producers in the business. Beats Riffs
are normally used in conjunction with a “bts:” preset containing the appro-
priate percussion mapping, but any preset can be selected and used.
The Beats channel is selected from the Beats enable screen in the Arp/Beats
menu.
Here’s how it works. Each of the 16 parts is assigned to a trigger key on the
selected Trigger MIDI channel. Each part is brought in or out by pressing
that key. Keys can also be Latched (press the key once to turn the part on, press
it again to turn the part off). Other control keys allow you to Mute All Parts,
Clear All Parts, and Start & Stop the beat. The 16 parts are arranged in the
following manner:
For each Beats Riff, you have 2 Grooves, 4 Fills which correspond to the
four parts of the Main and Alternate groove, and 4 Instrument parts. By
adding and removing parts, you control the complexity of the groove.
__
__ Beats (bts:) Riffs are
special 16-part riffs made
especially for use with Beats
mode. A Riff without the bts:
prefix only has Part 1 recorded.
Each part can also be scaled by Key Velocity, allowing you to fade parts in
and out (if velocity is routed to volume) as you play, or can be Transposed
over a six octave range.
Each part can be assigned to any one of four Groups, which allow multiple
parts to be triggered from a single key. You can only access Groups using
the keyboard trigger keys. See the Factory Setup diagram on the next page.
OO
OO By assigning Trigger
Buttons (page 76) to the
keyboard Beats Layout Keys, you
can trigger Beats and MIDI notes
using the Trigger buttons.
Trigger layouts are saved with the Multisetup.
Alt. Groove
5. Kick2
6. Snare2
7. Hihat2
8. Perc2
Perc / Fills
9. Perc3/Fill1
10. Perc4/Fill2
11. Perc5/Fill3
12. Perc6/Inst.
Instr/Wild
13. Inst1/Wild1
14. Inst2/Wild2
15. Inst3/Wild3
16. Bass
Main Groove
1. Kick1
2. Snare1
3. Hihat1
4. Perc1
![](asset-37.png)
Halo Operation Manual 45
Arp/Beats Menu
Beats
The chart above shows the Factory Multisetup assignment of each Part, the 4 Groups and
the Control Keys. These assignments can be modified to suit your personal preference,
then saved in one of the Multisetup locations.
OO
OO Starting Beats mode
with the Start/Stop key allows
you to start the sequencer rolling
silently. Then you can bring Parts
in and out using the “Busy”
control.
•Start/Stop Trigger Starts the beat sequencer from the beginning of
the sequence. When latched, pressing once starts
and pressing again stops. When unlatched, the
sequence runs as long as the key is held.
Once the Beats sequencer is started, it continues to
run even if no triggers are active.
Start/Stop doesn’t clear latched parts when it stops
the sequencer. Any trigger played after stopping
will not only start the sequencer and play that trig-
ger's part, but also play all previously latched parts.
•Clear Parts Clears any enabled parts. This control provides a
quick and easy way to shut off all latched Parts.
Latch mode has no effect on this key.
OO
OO If Mute is set to 1-bar,
the Part mutes for 1 bar then
un-mutes.
•Mute Mutes all Parts while held, but the Beats sequencer
continues running.
•Trig Hold When this key is held, all other Trigger Keys
behave as if they were in Latch mode.
Multisetup 63
Factory Setup
Main
Groove
Alternate
Groove
HiHat 1
Kick 2
Kick 1
Snare 2
Perc 2
Perc 4/Fill 2
Perc 6/Fill 4
Inst 1/Wild 1
Inst 3/Wild 3
Group 1
Group 2
Group 4
Perc 1
Snare 1
HiHat 2
Perc 3/Fill 1
Perc 5/Fill 3
Inst 2/Wild 2
Inst 4/Wild 4
Group 3
C-1 C0
Start/Stop
Mute Clear Parts
Trig. Hold
C-2
![](asset-38.png)
46 ENSONIQ
Arp/Beats Menu
Beats Mode
The Beats sequencer plays as long as any Beats triggers are active. Beats Riffs
can also be Restarted using a MIDI Song Start command even if the Beats
channel is not currently selected. The Audition LED illuminates whenever
the Beats sequencer is running (even if no Parts are playing).
Pressing the Audition button or starting a Demo causes the Beats sequencer
to stop. Pressing the Audition button plays selected Parts on “bts:” presets.
All Arp/Beats parameters are saved with the Multisetup. (See “Multi-
setups” on page 41 for more information.)
Beats Mode This screen turns Beats mode on and has several other features which allow
flexible control over Beats mode. There are several status modes that
determine when Beats will be turned on and which Riff will be used.
Beats and BEAT Triggers can be set to different MIDI channels. This allows
you to perform on two MIDI channels at once with a keyboard that only
transmits on a single MIDI channel.
The Basic Channel is the
MIDI channel currently displayed
in the Main Screen.
Status
•Off . . . . . . . Beats mode off.
•On . . . . . . . . Beats mode on. The Riff assigned in the preset is used.
•P . . . . . . . . . Beats mode is turned on ONLY if the Riff assigned in the
preset is a “bts:” riff. The Riff assigned in the preset is used.
(Default setting)
•M. . . . . . . . . Beats mode on. The Master Riff is used (Arp/Beats menu).
Beats Channel (BtsCh)
•01-16 . . . . . Selects the MIDI channel on which Beats play.
•Basic . . . . . . Beats play on the MIDI channel displayed in the Main Screen.
Trigger Channel (TrigCh)
•01-16 . . . . . . . Selects the MIDI channel on which Trigger Keys will be active.
•Basic . . . . . . . . Sets the Trigger Keys to the MIDI channel displayed on the
Main Screen.
BEATS MODE Status: P
BtsCh: Basic TrigCh:Basic
BEATS MODE Status: P
BtsCh: Basic TrigCh:Basic
![](asset-39.png)
Halo Operation Manual 47
Arp/Beats Menu
Beats Mode
Beats Setup:
Set the Trigger Buttons to Beats Mode
1. Press the Controllers button on the front panel.
2. Turn the data entry control clockwise until you fin the “TRIGGER
BUTTONS FUNCTION” screen.
3. Set the lower line of the display to read, “Play Beats Parts”.
4. Press the Controllers button on the front panel again to exit the menu.
Set the Trigger Buttons to be Triggers
5. Press the Triggers button in the Command Functions section of the
front panel. OK, now you’re ready to start playing Beats.
Playing Beats:
Selecting Beats Presets
__
__ If you don’t select a
“bts:” preset, only the first
trigger key will work.
Riffs marked “bts:” have 16
parts. Riffs without “bts:” have
only 1 part.
1. Press the right cursor button twice so that the cursor is located
beneath the Category field.
2. Turn the data entry control until bts: is shown in the Category field.
3. Press the right cursor button so that the cursor is underneath the
Preset Name field.
4. Now turning the data entry control selects ONLY bts: presets!
Play Beats
5. Press any of the sixteen front panel Trigger Buttons. Notice that each
button brings in a specific part. The chart below shows which buttons
control which part in bts: presets.
6. Also notice that the Audition LED comes on when Beats begin playing.
Beats are simply multitrack Audition Riffs. You can use the Audition
button to turn Beats on and off.
7. Try out a few different bts: presets.
Get Busy!
Two of the Controller knobs are programmed to control Beats. Check it out!
8. Press the M-P button in the Controllers section. Its LED will light.
Alt. Groove
5. Kick2
6. Snare2
7. Hihat2
8. Perc2
Perc / Fills
9. Perc3/Fill1
10. Perc4/Fill2
11. Perc5/Fill3
12. Perc6/Inst.
Instr/Wild
13. Inst1/Wild1
14. Inst2/Wild2
15. Inst3/Wild3
16. Bass
Main Groove
1. Kick1
2. Snare1
3. Hihat1
4. Perc1
![](asset-3a.png)
48 ENSONIQ
Arp/Beats Menu
Beats Mode
9. Now turn the Mod 1 knob with a Beats Riff playing. Mod 1 is controls
the Beats Busy parameter which adds or subtracts parts from the Beat.
10. Turn the Mod 2 knob with a Beats Riff playing. Mod 2 is controls the
Beats Variation parameter. Beats Variation changes which parts are
playing without changing the number of parts. This makes it easy to try
out different combinations of Beat Parts.
To Play Beats on a different MIDI channel:
Beats can be assigned to a certain MIDI channel while you play the
keyboard on another channel. (Make sure you have Beats mode set up correctly
as described in “Beats Setup” on page 47.)
1. Press the Arp/Beats button. The screen shown below appears.
2. Set the Beats Channel (BtsCh) to 01.
3. Select any bts: preset on channel 1 (main screen).
4. Press any of the sixteen Beats buttons to start your Beat playing. (Do
NOT start Beats by pressing the Audition button.)
OO
OO Wrong FX? In Omni
mode, the FX assigned to
channel 2 will be used. In Multi
mode, the Master FX settings
will be used. See pages 88 & 98.
5. Press the + Channel button to the left of the LCD to select channel 2.
6. Select a preset to jam along with the Beat.
7. The Trigger Keys now play Beats and the other keys play the preset on
channel 2.
8. The Audition button can be used to turn the Beat off. (If you try to use it
to turn Beats on while on channel 2, the Riff on channel 2 will play.)
BEATS MODE Status: P
BtsCh: Basic TrigCh:Basic
![](asset-3b.png)
Halo Operation Manual 49
Arp/Beats Menu
Beats Controllers
Beats Controllers Beats can be controlled using the front panel real-time controllers or
external MIDI continuous controllers. Controllers are patched to Beats
via the Preset PatchCords located in the Edit menu. The following Preset
PatchCord destinations control Beats.
Beat Velocity Group 1-4 (BtsVelG1 -> BtsVelG4)
Parts assigned to one of the four Beats groups can have their velocity scaled
by the controller input. Since most “bts” presets have velocity controlling
volume, this control can be used to mix the relative levels of the Groups.
Beats velocity works as a percent addition. An input value of 0 (or no Cord)
means change the velocity by 0%. A full scale modulation setting of 100%
in the PatchCord adds 100% to the velocity value 100% + 100% = 200%. A
PatchCord setting of -100% subtracts 100% from the velocity (making it 0).
Beat velocity scalings are reset with a preset change.
Beat Xpose Group 1-4 (BtsXpsG1 -> BtsXpsG4)
Parts assigned to one of the four Beats groups are transposed by the
controller input. Transpose works by shifting the keyboard position and
not by changing the tuning of individual notes. Therefore, on a Beats
presets (bts), where different instruments are assigned to each key,
Transpose has the effect of changing the instrument used by a particular
part. This control ADDS to the Part Transpose set in the Beats Transpose
screen (page 53). Beat transpose offsets are reset with a preset change.
Beat Busy (BtsBusy)
The Mod 1 controller
knob is assigned to Beats Busy.
This destination determines which parts are enabled. Beat Busy will accept
either positive or negative values.
•Positive values Add parts to whatever parts are triggered
•Negative values Remove parts that are triggered.
Snare
Fun Scratch
808 Snare
Machine Kick
Kick
Tick
909 Click
Simmons Tom
909 Tom
Tom Wave
909 Tom
Waver Tom
909 Tom
Cymbal
Ride Cymbal
Splash Cymbal
Splashy Cymbal
Ride Cymbal
Bongo Tone
Bongo Tip
Low Conga
Timbale 3
Agogo Hi-Tone
Cabasa
Guiro
Guiro
Guiro
Wood Block
Wood Block
Triangle Mute
Triangle Open
Kick Crowd
Original
Part
Transposed
+12
![](asset-3c.png)
50 ENSONIQ
Arp/Beats Menu
Beats Controllers
OO
OO A PatchCord amount of
50% is enough to drive Beat
Busy to the maximum setting.
Suppose the pitch wheel (which can output both positive and negative values)
were connected to Beat Busy and four Key Triggers are down. As the pitch
wheel is moved from center to fully up, the remaining parts will be enabled
until the pitch wheel is fully up and all parts are playing. Moving the pitch
wheel from center to fully down, the four triggered parts are sequentially
removed until at the most negative position of the wheel, no parts are
playing.
OO
OO Hot Tip!
The Bidirectional Mod Wheel:
Set Mod Wheel to BtsBusy with a
Cord amount of +100, then add
a DC bias to BtsBusy with a Cord
amount of -50. Wheel now adds
or subtracts “Busyness”.
The Busy control acts on the Beats condition whenever the control is
changed. Playing more triggers without changing the Busy control simply
adds them until the Busy control is changed again, at which point it will
possibly add or subtract parts as needed.
The interaction between the Busy control, Triggers, Part Velocity and Group
Velocity can get complicated, but works according to this rule:
WHICHEVER CONTROL WAS LAST CHANGED TAKES OVER
When interacting with the Group Velocity scale control, the Busy control
ignores group velocity even when it is set to zero, enabling and disabling
parts as necessary. If the Group Velocity is changed after the Busy control, it
takes control, scaling parts as it deems necessary.
The Busy control does take the Part velocity into account when adding and
subtracting parts. If a part has a velocity of 0%, it is removed from the list of
parts that the Busy control adds or subtracts. Therefore, you can use the
Part Velocity control to remove parts you don’t want to hear.
OO
OO Cool Tip! Connecting
Key Pressure to Beat Busy at
50% increases BEAT complexity
the harder you press.
Beat Variation (BtsVari)
The Mod 2 controller
knob is assigned to Beats
Variation.
Beat Variation varies which Parts are brought in and out using the Beat
Busy control. Increasing this control mixes up the order in which Parts are
brought in and out, thus providing even more permutations to the Beat.
Played
Beat
Busy
Brings in Parts
Removes Parts
Positive controller values bring in new Parts and negative controller values remove
Parts that are latched or held. In this example, the Pitch Wheel is connected to
Beat Busy since it outputs negative as well as positive values.
![](asset-3d.png)
Halo Operation Manual 51
Arp/Beats Menu
Beats Keys Layout
Beats Keys Layout This screen assigns the Beats triggers to keyboard notes on the Beats
channel. For each Part, Group and Control Key you can select the following
options:
__
__ Save your Beats Keys
Layouts and all other Arp/Beats
parameters using “Save Setup”
function in the Multisetup
menu.
•Key . . . . . . . . . Selects which keyboard key triggers the Part
•Latch. . . . . . . . The first key press turns the Part on, the next turns it off.
•Unlatch . . . . . . The Part plays only while the key is held.
•1-bar . . . . . . . . The Part plays for one bar then stops.
1-Bar Trigger Option
The 1-bar option requires a bit of explanation. When a trigger key is pressed
before the last beat of the measure, the part will continue playing until the
end of the measure. If the Trigger Key is pressed after the last beat of the
measure, the part waits until the next measure before playing. Then it plays
for the entire measure and stops. The time signature and the measure
bounds are determined by the particular Beats Riff you are playing.
BEATS KEYS LAYOUT
Part 1 Key: C1 unlatch
12341234
Trig Key
pressed before
the last beat
Part continues
to end of measure
then stops.
Measure 1 Measure 2
12341234
Trig Key
pressed
here
Part begins at
next measure and
plays entire measure
Measure 1 Measure 2
![](asset-3e.png)
52 ENSONIQ
Arp/Beats Menu
Beats Keys Offset
Beats Keys Offset This function slides the Beats Trigger keys (assigned in the previous screen) up
and down the keyboard. This makes it easy to change the keyboard location
of the trigger keys without having to re-assign each key. A positive offset
moves the group of triggers up the keyboard by the designated number of
keys. Negative offsets move the trigger group lower on the keyboard.
Beats Keys Offset slides the entire group of beats triggers up or down the keyboard.
Beats Part Velocity Each note of a Beats Riff can have its recorded velocity scaled by a value
(from 0 to 120%) of the recorded velocity or the actual played velocity of
the trigger key can be used (trigger vel). For example, if a note’s velocity is
80, scaling by 110% will increase the note’s velocity to 88. This feature
allows you to control the mix of the different parts in advance or “on-the-
fly” as you play. If a part’s velocity is set to 0%, that part will be removed
from the mix.
To Set the Velocity for each Part:
1. Press the left cursor button to move the cursor under the Part field.
2. Select the Part number using the Data Entry Control. Parts 1-16 can be
selected. (All parts, shown as an “A”, can be edited at once if “Edit All
Layers” is enabled in the Master menu.)
3. Move the cursor to the bottom line using the cursor keys and adjust the
Velocity Scaling percentage using the Data Entry Control.
4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 for all the Parts you wish to adjust.
5. Press the Enter/Home button or use the cursor keys to move the cursor
back to the screen heading.
BEATS KEYS OFFSET
+000 keys
Trigger
Keys
Positive OffsetNegative Offset
P1 BEATS PART VELOCITY
Scaled by: trigger vel
Select Part
![](asset-3f.png)
Halo Operation Manual 53
Arp/Beats Menu
Beats
Beats Part Transpose Each Part of a Beat Riff can be transposed up to 36 semitones up or down.
Transpose works by shifting the keyboard position and not by changing the
tuning of individual notes. Therefore, on a Beats preset (bts:), where
different instruments are assigned to each key, Transpose has the effect of
changing the instrument used by a particular part. On a preset where a
single sound covers the entire keyboard, Transpose will actually transpose
the sound.
To set the Transposition for each Part:
1. Press the left cursor button to move the cursor under the Part field.
2. Select the Part number using the Data Entry Control. Parts 1-16 can be
selected. (All parts, shown as an “A”, can be edited at once if “Edit All
Layers” is enabled in the Master menu.)
3. Move the cursor to the bottom line using the cursor keys and adjust the
Transposition in semitones using the Data Entry Control.
4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 for all the Parts you wish to adjust.
5. Press the Enter/Home button or use the cursor keys to move the cursor
back to the screen heading.
P1 BEATS PART TRANSPOSE
+00 semitones
Select Part
Snare
Fun Scratch
808 Snare
Machine Kick
Kick
Tick
909 Click
Simmons Tom
909 Tom
Tom Wave
909 Tom
Waver Tom
909 Tom
Cymbal
Ride Cymbal
Splash Cymbal
Splashy Cymbal
Ride Cymbal
Bongo Tone
Bongo Tip
Low Conga
Timbale 3
Agogo Hi-Tone
Cabasa
Guiro
Guiro
Guiro
Wood Block
Wood Block
Triangle Mute
Triangle Open
Kick Crowd
Original
Part
Transposed
+12
![](asset-40.png)
54 ENSONIQ
Arp/Beats Menu
Beats
Beats Part Group This screen is where you assign Parts to one of the four Groups. By
grouping, you can play multiple parts with a single key. A part can be in
one and only one group, or in no groups.
To Assign a Part to a Group:
__
__ All Parts assigned to a
Group will stop playing when
the Group key is triggered, then
untriggered even if the individual
Parts in the Group are latched.
1. Press the left cursor button to move the cursor under the Part field.
2. Select the Part number using the Data Entry Control. Parts 1-16 can be
selected. (All parts, shown as an “A”, can be edited at once if “Edit All
Layers” is enabled in the Master menu.)
3. Move the cursor to the bottom line using the cursor keys and select the
Group (1-4 or none) using the Data Entry Control.
4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 for all the Parts you wish to assign.
5. Press the Enter/Home button or use the cursor keys to move the cursor
back to the screen heading.
Master Riff The Master Riff is selected from this screen. The Master Riff is used when
Master (M) is selected for Beats in Beats mode enable screen.
To Assign the Master Riff:
1. Use the cursor buttons to move the cursor to the lower line of the
display.
2. Select the desired Riff using the Data Entry Control. (Beats Riffs are
identified by the bts: prefix.)
3. If there is more than one ROM in Halo you can select Riffs from either
ROM set. Move the cursor under the ROM ID and select using the Data
Entry Control.
4. Press the Enter/Home button or use the cursor keys to move the cursor
back to the screen heading.
P1 BEATS PART GROUP
Group: 2
Select Part
MASTER RIFF HALO
Plays: TranzAmbient 1
![](asset-41.png)
Halo Operation Manual 55
Arp/Beats Menu
Beats
Riff Tempo This setting determines whether Riff Tempo (the tempo stored with each
Riff) or the Current Tempo (the Base Tempo from the Master Clock) will be
used for Beats.
To control the Riff Tempo from MIDI clock, set Riff Tempo to “use current
tempo” and Base Tempo to “use MIDI”.
To Set the Riff Tempo Mode:
1. Use the cursor buttons to move the cursor to the lower line of the
display.
2. Select “use riff tempo” or “use current tempo” using the Data Entry
Control.
3. Press the Enter/Home button or use the cursor keys to move the cursor
back to the screen heading.
Riff Controllers Riffs contain real-time control information. This function allows you to
turn these controllers On or Off for the Riffs. This control affects Audition
Riffs as well as Beats Riffs.
To Turn Riff Controllers On or Off:
1. Use the cursor buttons to move the cursor to the lower line of the
display.
2. Select “use riff controllers” or “ignore riff controllers” using the Data
Entry Control.
3. Press the Enter/Home button or use the cursor keys to move the cursor
back to the screen heading.
RIFF TEMPO
use riff tempo
RIFF CONTROLLERS
use riff controllers
![](asset-42.png)
56 ENSONIQ
Arp/Beats Menu
MIDI Song Start
MIDI Song Start This function enables or disables MIDI Song Start for the Arpeggiator and
Riffs. The MIDI Song Start option restarts the arpeggiator and/or Riff (BEAT)
to the beginning when a MIDI Song Start command is received. This is
useful for synchronizing arpeggios and Beats when recording into, or
playing along with a sequencer. You can choose to resync: Arp, Riff, both
Arp and Riff, or disable MIDI Song Start.
Arp/Riff
MIDI Out
This parameter selects whether or not the Arpeggiator and/or Riff (Beats)
note data is sent to the MIDI out port. This feature lets you use Halo as an
arpeggiator or sequencer for your other MIDI instruments. It also lets you
record the arpeggios and Riffs into a MIDI sequencer. You can choose to
transmit: Arpeggiator data, Riff data, both Arp and Riff data, or nothing.
MIDI SONG START
resyncs arps & riffs
ARP/RIFF MIDI OUT
don’t transmit
![](asset-43.png)
Halo Operation Manual 57
Arp/Beats Menu
Arpeggiators
Arpeggiators An arpeggiator moves a pattern of notes sequentially over a range of the
keyboard. Halo has the unique ability to play a different arpeggiator on
each MIDI channel!
Arpeggiator settings can be defined as part of the preset (using the Arp
parameters in the Preset Edit menu), or globally in the Arpeggiator menu.
The preset and master arpeggiators have the same parameters which we
define in this chapter.
The Arp field in the main screen defines which arpeggiator settings will be
used. “M” uses the master Arpeggiator settings and on/off status (as defined
in the Arpeggiator menu). “P” uses the preset’s arpeggiator settings and on/
off status (as defined in the Edit menu). Choosing “On” uses the preset’s
arpeggiator settings regardless of whether or not it is turned on in the Edit
menu and Off turns off the arpeggiator regardless of the settings and status
specified in either menu.
__
__ SAVE your Arp setups
and name them using the “Save
Setup To” function located in the
Multi menu. See“Saving
Multisetups” on page 42.
All arpeggiators share Halo’s master clock and its current setting. The
master clock can be Halo’s internal clock or an external MIDI clock
(page 82). Although the arpeggiators use the master clock setting, the
tempo divisor can be unique for each arpeggiator setup.
Arpeggiator modes include up, up/down, forward assign, backward assign,
forward/backward assign and random as well as play Patterns. Patterns are
pre-recorded sequences of notes and rests. All key-on notes play the
pattern. For example, if you play a chord, all the notes in the chord play the
pattern in harmony. Halo contains 200 factory patterns and 100 user
definable patterns.
Arp Settings in the
Preset are Used
C01 V127 P00 A:P USER
0473 arp: Sine Drum
![](asset-44.png)
58 ENSONIQ
Arp/Beats Menu
Master Arpeggiator Parameters
Arp Controllers The Arpeggiators can be controlled using the front panel real-time
controllers or external MIDI continuous controllers. Controllers are
patched to Arps via the Preset PatchCords located in the Preset Edit menu.
See “Preset Patchcords” on page 165. The following Preset PatchCord destina-
tions control the Arpeggiators.
Arpeggiator Resolution (ArpRes)
This control changes the Arpeggiator Note Value, which defines the length
of the notes when playing arpeggiated chords. It adds to the note value set
in the Arpeggiator Note Value screen. See “Note Value” on page 60.
Arpeggiator Extension (ArpExt)
This control changes the Arpeggiator Extension Count. It adds to the
extension count programmed in the Arpeggiator Note Value screen. See
“Extension Count” on page 62.
Arpeggiator Velocity (ArpVel)
This control changes the Arpeggiator Velocity Value. It scales the velocity
value set in the Arpeggiator Note Value screen. See “Velocity” on page 61.
Arpeggiator Gate (ArpGate)
This control changes the Arpeggiator Gate Time. It adds to the gate time set
in the Arpeggiator Gate Time screen. See “Gate Time” on page 61.
Arpeggiator Interval (ArpIntvl)
This control modulates the Arpeggiator Extension Interval. It adds to the
extension programmed in the Arpeggiator Extension Interval screen. See
“Extension Interval” on page 62.
Master
Arpeggiator
Parameters
The Master Arpeggiator is defined in the Arp menu. The Arpeggiator mode
selected on the Main Screen determines whether the Master arpeggiator or
the Preset menu arpeggiator settings are used.
To Access the Master Arpeggiator Parameters:
1. Press the Arp menu button lighting the LED. The Arpeggiator menu
screen displays the menu page most recently selected since powering up
Halo. The cursor appears below the first character of the screen heading
on line one.
2. Use the right cursor button to advance the cursor to the first field in the
bottom line of the screen.
3. Now, use the data entry control to access the various Master
Arpeggiator parameters.
4. Save your Arpeggiator settings using the “Save Setup” function on the
Multi menu.
![](asset-45.png)
Halo Operation Manual 59
Arp/Beats Menu
Master Arpeggiator Parameters
Status The Status parameter turns the Master Arpeggiator on and off. The Channel
Arpeggiator setting in the main screen overrides this setting. For example, if
you set the Arpeggiator in the main screen to “off,” and turn it “on” here, it
still will not play.
Mode The Mode parameter determines the direction or pattern mode of the
arpeggiated notes.
The eight arpeggiator modes are:
•Up Held notes arpeggiate continuously from lowest to
highest pitch.
•Down Held notes arpeggiate continuously from highest to
lowest pitch.
•Up/Down Held notes arpeggiate continuously from lowest to
highest pitch, then from highest to lowest, then repeat
this cycle.
•Fwd Assign Held notes arpeggiate continuously in the order in
which the keys were pressed.
•Bkwd Assign Held notes arpeggiate continuously in the reverse order
in which the keys were pressed.
•Fwd/Bkwd Held notes arpeggiate continuously in the order in
which the keys were pressed, then arpeggiate in the
reverse order that they were pressed. The cycle is then
repeated.
•Random Held notes arpeggiate continuously in a random
fashion.
•Pattern Held notes play the selected pattern (see “Pattern” on
page 60 for details).
MASTER ARPEGGIATOR
Status off
MASTER ARPEGGIATOR
Mode up
![](asset-46.png)
60 ENSONIQ
Arp/Beats Menu
Master Arpeggiator Parameters
Note Value The Note Value determines the duration of each note played. This
parameter is used in non-pattern mode only.
Following is a list of possible Note Values and the relative number of clocks
used for each.
Note value has no effect
when the mode is set to
“pattern.”
Note Value MIDI Clock
Double Whole Note..................... 192
Dotted Whole Note........................144
Double Note Triplet........................128
Whole Note.................................... 96
Dotted Half Note..............................72
Whole Note Triplet........................... 64
Half Note ....................................... 48
Dotted Quarter Note ........................36
Half Note Triplet............................... 32
Quarter Note.................................. 24
Dotted Eighth Note..........................18
Quarter Note Triplet.........................16
8th Note......................................... 12
Dotted 16th Note ...............................9
8th Note Triplet.................................. 8
16th Note......................................... 6
Dotted 32nd Note ...........................4.5
16th Note Triplet................................ 4
32nd Note ........................................ 3
Arpeggiator Pattern
Speed
The Arpeggiator Pattern Speed parameter lets you change the playback rate
of Patterns by 1/4x, 1/2x, 1x (normal), 2x or 4x normal speed.
Pattern This field lets you choose the pattern used when the arpeggiator Mode is set
to “Pattern.” There are 200 factory programmed patterns and you can
create an additional 100 user definable patterns (see “Editing a User Arpeg-
giator Pattern” on page 67).
MASTER ARPEGGIATOR
Note Value 1/8 dot
MASTER ARPEGGIATOR
Pattern 991 Pattern Name
![](asset-47.png)
Halo Operation Manual 61
Arp/Beats Menu
Master Arpeggiator Parameters
Velocity The Velocity parameter determines the velocity at which each note arpeg-
giates. Velocity can be defined by the velocity value specified (from 1
through 127), or by the actual velocity of the played note (played). Bear in
mind that velocity values do not have an effect on the sound unless the
preset is programmed to respond to velocity.
Controller Knob O is
programmed to control Arp
Velocity.
Gate Time The Gate Time parameter works together with the Note Value parameter.
Just as Note Value defines the length of a note, the Gate Time sets the
percentage of the Note Value time played. This can have a dramatic effect
on the sound depending on how the envelope generators are programmed.
Controller Knob P is
programmed to control Arp Gate
Time.
The note-on time is used
for the start-of-time when
calculating note durations. See
“Duration” on page 64.
With a Gate Time setting of 100% the note is held on until the next note
starts. The envelope generators never advance to the Release stages. With a
Gate Time setting of 50%, the note is released halfway through the note
cycle and the envelope generators proceed to their release stages until the
next note occurs. Refer to the following illustration.
MASTER ARPEGGIATOR
Velocity played
MASTER ARPEGGIATOR
Gate 100%
Gate
Time
100%
Selected Note Value (8th notes, 16th notes, etc.)
75%
50%
25%
key-on
time
key-on
time
key-on
time
![](asset-48.png)
62 ENSONIQ
Arp/Beats Menu
Master Arpeggiator Parameters
Extension Count The Extension Count parameter specifies how many times the Extension
Interval is carried out. With an Extension Count of 0, the arpeggio plays
only the notes pressed. With an Extension Count of 1, the arpeggio plays
the notes pressed, then plays the same notes (in the same order), trans-
posed by the Extension Interval amount. The cycle is then repeated.
For example, with the Extension Interval set to 12 (an octave) and an
Extension Count of 2, and with the Arpeggiator Mode set to Fwd Assign, if
you played E2, then C2, then G2, the arpeggiated sequence would consist
of: E2, C2, G2, then E3, C3, G3, and then E4, C4, G4. The Extension Count
values range from 0 through 15. Refer to the following illustration.
Extension Interval The Extension Interval specifies the additional intervals played when you
press a key. For example, suppose you played C2 with an Interval of 7 (a
Major 5th), Up mode, and an Extension Count of 2. The arpeggio alternates
between C2 and G2.
The Extension Interval values range from 1 through 16.
MASTER ARPEGGIATOR
Extension Count 4
123 456 789
Extend 1
Back
Played
Extend 2
MASTER ARPEGGIATOR
Extension Interval 7
![](asset-49.png)
Halo Operation Manual 63
Arp/Beats Menu
Master Arpeggiator Parameters
Sync The Sync parameter defines when a note is played in relation to when the
key is pressed. When set to “Key Sync”, the note sounds the instant a key is
pressed. When set to “Quantized”, the note does not sound until the next
occurrence of the selected note value.
The following diagram illustrates how Key Sync and Quantize work.
Pre-Delay The Pre-Delay value determines how long the arpeggiator is delayed before
becoming active after the first “note-on.” During the pre-delay period,
notes are played normally (as if the arpeggiator was off). After the pre-delay
period has elapsed, the arpeggiator kicks in. Once you release all the keys
on the controller, the pre-delay starts over with the next note-on. In combi-
nation with the Duration parameter, Pre-Delay lets you create many more
variations in the arpeggio patterns. Please refer to the diagram on page 65.
You can play the preset normally as long as you don’t hold the notes longer
than the Pre-Delay. If you do, the arpeggiator starts in. When used in
conjunction with multiple arpeggiators, Pre-Delay allows you to offset the
time between the different patterns.
MASTER ARPEGGIATOR
Sync key sync
Quarter Notes
Quarter Notes
Key Sync
Key
Pressed
Quantize
Note Sounds
Immediately
Note Doesn't Sound until
the Next Quarter Note
MASTER ARPEGGIATOR
Pre-Delay off
![](asset-4a.png)
64 ENSONIQ
Arp/Beats Menu
Master Arpeggiator Parameters
Duration This parameter defines how long the arpeggiator plays before stopping. The
Duration is specified in note values. Therefore if an arpeggio were running
at a 16th Note Value and the Duration were set to a whole note, the arpeg-
giator would play 16 steps before stopping. After the duration has elapsed,
the arpeggiator remains inactive until the key is released. If Duration is set
to Off, the arpeggio repeats as long as the notes are held (Infinite Duration).
Duration can be used to modify the patterns and increase the possible
pattern combinations and variations. Because this parameter limits the
length of arpeggiator play time, it can change the arpeggio pattern when
the Duration is less than the length of the arpeggio. You can set the
arpeggio to repeat continuously using the Recycle function described below.
Post-Delay This parameter is only relevant when both the “Duration” and “Recycle”
parameters are not in the “Off” state. The Post-Delay value determines how
long the arpeggiator is delayed after the Duration period. Please refer to the
diagram on page 65. During the post-delay period, notes are played normally
(as if the arpeggiator was off). After the post-delay period has elapsed, the
arpeggiator either jumps to the beginning of the Pre-Delay period or to the
beginning of the Duration period depending on the Recycle setting.
If the arpeggiator is playing an extension when the Duration expires, the
notes in the extension will continue to sound during the Post-Delay (and
Pre-Delay if on). On the next pass through the Duration period, the
extension continues where it left off.
Post-Delay increases the number of possible variations in the beat and
allows the recycle loop to be set to an exact measure of time.
MASTER ARPEGGIATOR
Duration 1 / 1d
MASTER ARPEGGIATOR
Post-Delay off
![](asset-4b.png)
Halo Operation Manual 65
Arp/Beats Menu
Master Arpeggiator Parameters
Recycle Recycle enables the pattern or arpeggio to repeat. This parameter works
together with the Duration and Pre/Post Delay parameters to allow the loop
to be set to an exact measure of time. The “on/No-PreDelay” option
bypasses the predelay period. With Recycle turned Off, the pattern or
arpeggio stops at the end of the Post-Delay period.
Keyboard Thru When enabled, Keyboard Thru merges the notes not arpeggiated with the
notes being produced by the arpeggiator. This gives the effect of two parts
playing at once.
Latch With Latch mode On, any notes you play remain on until you press them
again. Latched notes can also be halted by turning Latch off in this screen,
or by turning off the Arpeggiator for the channel in the main screen.
Keys
Pressed
Arp PlaysNotes Sound Notes Sound
Pre-Delay Duration Post-Delay
R
e
c
y
c
l
e
o
n
R
e
c
y
c
l
e
o
n
/
N
o
-
P
r
e
D
l
y
MASTER ARPEGGIATOR
Recycle on/No-PreDly
MASTER ARPEGGIATOR
Keyboard Thru off
MASTER ARPEGGIATOR
Latch on
![](asset-4c.png)
66 ENSONIQ
Arp/Beats Menu
Send MIDI System Exclusive Data
Use the Key Range parameter to set the keyboard range for the arpeggiator.
Notes inside the range will arpeggiate while notes outside the specified
range will not arpeggiate. Use the Extensions parameters to exceed the
upper boundary of the Key Range (see the information about Extensions
beginning on page 62).
Move the cursor under the first key and use the data entry control to define
the lowest key to be arpeggiated. Move the cursor under the second key
value and use the data entry control to define the highest key to be arpeg-
giated.
Send MIDI
System
Exclusive Data
Transmits the Arpeggiator Patterns via the MIDI out port as MIDI System
Exclusive data to another Halo or to a computer/sequencer for backup.
Using the cursor key and the data entry control, select the MIDI data you
want to transmit. See Send MIDI System Exclusive Data in the Master chapter
for additional details about recording SysEx.
User Patterns
Transmits all the User patterns.
000 to 990
Transmits only the individual pattern you have selected.
Send data as you would
a regular sequence. Sending
data in one huge chunk may
clog the MIDI input buffer on
Halo.
MASTER ARPEGGIATOR
Key Range C-2->G8
SEND MIDI SYSEX DATA
All User Arp Patterns
![](asset-4d.png)
Halo Operation Manual 67
Arp/Beats Menu
Send MIDI System Exclusive Data
Editing a User
Arpeggiator Pattern
Halo lets you create and edit your own arpeggiator patterns. Using the Edit
User Pattern menu, you can create up to 100 user patterns and each pattern
can be up to 32 steps in length.
When you edit a pattern, you are writing directly into memory—no Save
command is required (however, you must exit the Arp module). This is
different from the Edit menu where you must Save a preset before it will be
overwritten. If you want to modify an existing pattern and keep the
original, you must first COPY the pattern you want to edit to another
location using the function in the Save/Copy menu (See page 191). Refer to
the instructions below and the following parameter descriptions to create
your own patterns.
Bank 0 = User Patterns
Bank 1 = Factory Patterns
Bank 2 = Factory Patterns
To Select the Pattern to Edit:
OO
OO Before editing a Pattern,
select Master Arpeggiator (M) in
the main screen and set the
Arpeggiator to the Pattern you
are editing. This lets you hear
the Pattern as you edit it.
1. From the Edit User Pattern screen shown above, move the cursor to the
bottom line and select the pattern you want to edit. The Enter LED
begins flashing. Press Enter to move back to the Home position.
2. Select the next screen in the list, “User Pattern Edit”. This is where you
edit the currently selected pattern.
3. Move the cursor to the lower line of the display. For each step, you can
select: key, velocity, duration, and number of repeats.
Pattern Step Number You can set up to 32 steps for each arpeggiator pattern. This field selects
which step you will be editing from 1 to 32.
Key This parameter defines what happens during the current step. The Key
parameter can do one of five different operations. Following is a description
of each of the key functions and how to use them.
EDIT USER PATTERN
011 DRUMnBASS 1
PTRN KEY VEL DUR RPT
S01 +0 ply 1/8 2
Pattern Step
number
Key offset Velocity Duration Repeat
![](asset-4e.png)
68 ENSONIQ
Arp/Beats Menu
Send MIDI System Exclusive Data
Key Offset
This parameter defines not the actual note of the arpeggiator playback, but
instead specifies the amount of offset, in semitones, from the original note
played. You can set a Key Offset from -48 to +48 for each step. For example,
if you play a “C” on the keyboard with the Key Offset amount for the first
step set to “+1,” the first step in the pattern will be “C#.”
Tie
This function extends the duration of notes beyond the values given in the
duration field by “tying” notes together. You can tie together any number
of consecutive steps.
__
__ IMPORTANT: The Gate
function in the arpeggiator
MUST be set to 100% when
using the tie function, otherwise
the tied note is retriggered
instead of extended.
Rest
Instead of playing a note, you can define the step as a Rest. The Duration
parameter specifies the length of the rest. Rests can be tied together to form
longer rests.
Skip
This command simply removes the step from the pattern. The Skip feature
makes it easy to remove an unwanted step without rearranging the entire
pattern. You’ll be happy to know that the velocity, duration and repeat
parameters are remembered if you decide to put the step back later.
End
This command signals the end of the pattern. Any steps programmed after
the step containing the End command are ignored.
Played
Note
+ OffsetOffset
+12-12 0 +24-24 +36-36-48 +48
+2
Step 1
tie
Step 2
-5
Step 3
![](asset-4f.png)
Halo Operation Manual 69
Arp/Beats Menu
Send MIDI System Exclusive Data
Velocity Each note in the pattern plays using either a preset velocity value (from
1 through 127), or using the actual velocity of the played note (ply).
Note: Velocity values will not have an effect on the sound unless velocity is
programmed to do something in the preset.
Duration This parameter sets the length of time for the current step, defined as a note
value, based on the Master Tempo. The selectable note durations are
described below.
Repeat Each step can be played from 1 to 32 times. A repeat setting of “1” indicates
the step will be played one time (not repeated one time or played twice).
To Edit a User Pattern:
1. The first field in the Edit User Pattern field defines the pattern’s step
number. Start with the pattern Step 01.
2. Define the Key Offset, Velocity, Duration and Repeat values.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until you have setup the desired number of steps
in the pattern.
4. Set the Key Offset to “End” on the last step in the pattern.
1/32 32nd Note
1/16t 16th Note Triplet
1/32d Dotted 32nd Note
1/16 16th Note
1/8t 8th Note Triplet
1/16d Dotted 16th Note
1/8 8th Note
1/4t Quarter Note Triplet
1/8d Dotted Eighth Note
1/4 Quarter Note
1/2t Half Note Triplet
1/4d Dotted Quarter Note
1/2 Half Note
1/1d Dotted Whole Note
1/1t Whole Note Triplet
1/2d Dotted Half Note
1/1 Whole Note
2/1t Double Whole Note
Triplet
2/1 Double Whole Note
![](asset-50.png)
70 ENSONIQ
Arp/Beats Menu
Multichannel Arpeggiating
User Pattern Name The User Pattern Name page lets you enter a name for any User Arpeggiator
Pattern.
To Name a User Pattern:
1. From the Pattern Edit screen shown above, position the cursor under
the PTRN field.
2. Turn the data entry control clockwise. The following screen appears.
3. Move the cursor to the bottom line and edit the Pattern name using
the data entry control and Cursor keys.
4. Move the cursor to the “Home” position (shown above) by pressing the
Home/Enter button.
5. Turn the data entry control counter-clockwise one click to return to
the Pattern Edit screen.
6. Turn the data entry control counterclockwise multiple clicks to jump
back to the main Arpeggiator menu screen.
Multichannel
Arpeggiating
Presets with the arpeggiator assigned will play when they receive note-on
data from the keyboard or external MIDI source.
Please refer to the instructions on page 26 to learn one way to perform
using multiple arpeggiators.
PTRN KEY VEL DUR RPT
S01 +0 ply 1/8 2
USER PATTERN NAME
000 Mod Cycle
![](asset-51.png)
Halo Operation Manual 71
Controllers Menu
The Controllers menu contains functions related to the keyboard, knobs or
trigger buttons of Halo. For example, the Command Function Trigger Keys
are programmed in this menu. All Controllers menu data is saved with the
Multisetup. See page 41 for more information about Multisetups.
To enable the Controllers menu:
Press the Controllers button, lighting the LED. The Controllers Menu
screen displays the menu page most recently selected since powering up
Halo. The cursor appears below the first character of the screen heading on
line one.
To select a new screen:
Press the Home/Enter button or press the Cursor button repeatedly until
the cursor is below the screen title heading. Rotate the data entry control to
select another screen.
To modify a parameter:
Press either Cursor button repeatedly (or hold down the right cursor button
while turning the data entry control) until the cursor is below the desired
parameter value. Rotate the data entry control to change the value.
To return to the previously selected Mode/View screen:
Press the Controllers button, turning off the LED.
![](asset-52.png)
72 ENSONIQ
Controllers Menu
Keyboard Channel
Realtime
Control
Functions
This section describes how set up the Realtime Controllers on Halo.
Realtime Controllers are performance controls such as the controller knobs,
velocity & pressure sensitive keyboard, and the trigger buttons.
Keyboard Channel This option allows you to select which channel is controlled by the
Keyboard, Knobs as well as the Pitch & Mod Wheels. You can select any of
the 16 channels or “Basic”. If the “Basic” channel is selected, the keyboard
and knobs always control the preset showing in the Main screen.
in Quick Edit mode the
front panel knobs only control
the “Basic Channel”.
Keyboard Transpose This option allows you to offset the transposition of the keyboard in
semitone intervals. This is allows you to easily play in different keys with
the keyboard and lets you access different groups of instruments in a drum
map. The transpose range is ±36 semitones.
Local Control On/Off Local Control is used to disconnect the keyboard and controllers (knobs,
wheels, footswitches) from the sound generating section. Even though
disconnected from the internal synthesizer, the keyboard and controllers
are still transmitted over MIDI. Local Control is normally turned Off when
recording into an external MIDI sequencer (set sequencer to Echo Thru).
Played data and recorded data are merged in the computer sequencer and
then sent back to the module. This feature can also be used if you want to
control another MIDI sound generator from the keyboard and knobs
without playing internal sounds.
KEYBOARD CHANNEL
Channel: Basic
KEYBOARD TRANSPOSE
+00 semitones
LOCAL CONTROL ON/OFF
on
![](asset-53.png)
Halo Operation Manual 73
Controllers Menu
Keyboard Velocity Curve
Turning Local Control Off allows you to use the Echo Thru feature on your sequencer
while sequencing. In conjunction with Echo Thru, Local Control Off allows you to record
into the external sequencer and hear the correct sounds whether you are recording or
playing back the sequence.
Keyboard Velocity
Curve
The velocity response of the keyboard can be adjusted using any of 17
curves in order to customize the dynamic feel of the keyboard to your
individual playing style. This curve adjusts the output of the Halo keyboard
before it is sent to the MIDI output port and to the Master Velocity Curve
described on page 85.
The Keyboard Velocity
Curve diagrams are located on
page 227.
The Keyboard Velocity Curve modifies the velocity data from the keyboard keys. This data
is sent to the MIDI output port and through the Master Velocity Curve before reaching
the Synthesizer. Incoming MIDI data is filtered through the Master Velocity Curve only.
MIDI
Out
MIDI
In
KEYBOARD VELOCITY CURVE
soft #2
Keyboard
Velocity Curve
Master
Velocity Curve
Internal
Synthesizer
MIDI OUT MIDI IN
Instrument Amp
L
R
Z-Plane
Filter
![](asset-54.png)
74 ENSONIQ
Controllers Menu
Channel Aftertouch On/Off
Channel Aftertouch
On/Off
The keyboard generates channel aftertouch messages. Aftertouch is
generated when you continue to press the keys after the note has been
played. Aftertouch can be a very useful controller for adding a bit of vibrato
or creating a volume swell. Aftertouch is routed to the Pressure source in
the PatchCord screen. This control allows you to turn aftertouch on or off
without having to modify each preset.
Footswitch Function The footswitch jack on Halo’s rear panel can be programmed to perform a
variety of functions. The footswitch jack is designed to accept a momentary
footswitches which shorts the tip and ground. Halo senses either normally-
on or normally-off switches on power-up.
The following functions can be controlled via the footswitches.
•MIDI Footswitch In this mode the footswitch is routed to the
“FootSw1” PatchCord source in the Preset Edit,
Cords menu. (See pages 159 and 166.) It is also trans-
mitted out on the Footswitch Controller number as
programmed in the Controllers menu. (See page 80.)
•Tap Tempo Pressing the footswitch allows you to tap in the
current tempo with your foot.
•Channel + Pressing the footswitch increments the MIDI
channel number.
•Channel - Pressing the footswitch decrements the MIDI
channel number.
•Preset + Pressing the footswitch increments the current
preset number.
•Preset - Pressing the footswitch decrements the current
preset number.
CHANNEL AFTERTOUCH
on
FOOTSWITCH JACK FUNCTION
MIDI FtSw
![](asset-55.png)
Halo Operation Manual 75
Controllers Menu
Foot Pedal Function
Foot Pedal Function The foot pedal jack on Halo’s rear panel can be programmed to perform a
variety of functions. The foot pedal input can sense either 0-5 volts on the
ring of a stereo jack or a foot pedal with the potentiometer wired as shown
at left.
The following functions can be controlled via the foot pedal jack.
•Foot Controller In this mode the Foot Pedal is routed to the
“Pedal” PatchCord source in the Preset Edit, Cords
menu. (See pages 159 and 166.) It is also transmitted
out on MIDI Continuous Controller #4 on the basic
MIDI channel.
•Channel Volume The Foot Pedal controls the volume of the current
channel. (The MIDI channel currently showing in
the main screen.) Channel volume is pre-effect—
reverb or echoes will continue to sound even when
the pedal is off.
•Master Volume The Foot Pedal controls the overall volume of the
Halo. This duplicates the function of the Master Vol-
ume knob on the front panel. Master volume is
post-effect—effects will be cut off when the pedal is
off.
Trigger Buttons
Function
This option selects the function of the front panel “Triggers” button. The
“Triggers” button can be used either to Play Beats Parts or to Play Note
Events.
•Play Beats Parts In this mode and when the Triggers button is
selected, the sixteen command buttons turn Beats
parts on and off.
•Play Note Events In this mode and when the Triggers button is
selected, the sixteen command buttons work like
keyboard notes. Each button can be assigned to any
MIDI note, on any MIDI Channel (01-16), with any
velocity (0-127), and can be set to be latched or
momentarily on.
Ground Tip
Ring
Ground
Tip
Ring
Pedal Wiring
FOOT PEDAL FUNCTION
FootCtrl
TRIGGER BUTTONS FUNCTION
Play Note Events
![](asset-56.png)
76 ENSONIQ
Controllers Menu
Trigger Buttons
Trigger Buttons This screen allows you to program the 16 trigger buttons to play note
events. Note: This screen is not available when the “Trigger Buttons
Function” (see previous page) is set to “Play Beats Parts”.
Set the previous screen to “Play Note Events”. Select Triggers mode by
pressing the mode select button so that the “Triggers” LED is illuminated.
Now the 16 buttons work like keyboard notes. Each of the 16 buttons can
be assigned to any MIDI note, on any MIDI Channel (01-16), with any
velocity (0-127), and can be set to be latched or momentarily on. Latched
notes will hold until the button is pressed again. Latched notes will be
indicated by the LEDs.
OO
OO By assigning Trigger
Buttons to the keyboard Beats
Layout Keys (page 51), you can
trigger Beats and MIDI notes
using the Trigger buttons.
Simply move the cursor from the “TRIGGERS” field and play a note to enter
the MIDI key and velocity. Pressing a Trigger Button anytime while in this
screen automatically selects that trigger button for programming!
OO
OO Latched buttons are
especially useful for triggering
arpeggiated presets.
To Setup the Trigger Buttons:
1. Press the Controllers button. Its LED will illuminate.
2. Turn the data entry control to select the “TRIGGERS” screen.
3. Use the left/right cursor controls to select the fields shown above.
4. Select the MIDI key, the MIDI channel, the Velocity and Latch on/off
for each of the 16 trigger buttons.
5. Save the Multisetup if you want to save these settings. See page 42.
To Play the Trigger Buttons:
1. Press the Controllers button. Its LED will illuminate.
2. Turn the data entry control to select the “TRIGGERS BUTTONS
FUNCTION” screen.
3. Move the cursor to the lower line and select “Play Note Events”.
4. Press the Command Functions “Triggers” button so that its LED
illuminates.
5. Play the Trigger buttons.
T1 TRIGGERS Latch:off
Key: C3 Ch: 01 Vel: 127
Trigger Button Select Latch on/off
MIDI Key MIDI Channel Velocity
![](asset-57.png)
Halo Operation Manual 77
Controllers Menu
Preset Select Buttons
Preset Select Buttons The 16 command buttons can also be used for preset selection. Each button
can be programmed to select any preset on the Basic MIDI channel. For
your next song, selecting another Multisetup (page 41) selects another
group of sixteen presets.
In Preset Select mode, whenever the current preset on the basic channel
matches any of the 16 “favorites” assigned to the Preset Select buttons, its
LED will illuminate.
The Basic MIDI channel
is the channel currently showing
in the main screen.
Select Preset Select mode from the Command Functions. Now the 16
buttons are programmable preset selection buttons.
When a preset is selected using the Preset Select buttons, the cursor is
automatically located underneath the Preset Name field. This feature
makes it easy to select other presets of the same type.
Quick Method of Programming the Preset Select Buttons:
1. Select the preset you want from the Main screen.
2. Press and hold the Preset Select button, then press one of the sixteen
Trigger buttons.
3. The preset will be stored in the trigger button you selected.
To Program the Preset Select Buttons from the Menu:
1. Press the Controllers button. Its LED will illuminate.
2. Turn the data entry control to select the “PRESET - SELECT” screen.
3. Use the left/right cursor controls to select the fields shown above.
4. Select the desired preset for each of the 16 trigger buttons.
5. Save the Multisetup if you want to save these settings. See page 42.
To Use the Preset Select Buttons:
1. From the main preset selection screen, press the Preset Select button.
Its LED will illuminate.
2. Press any of the 16 buttons to select a new preset.
T1 PRESET - SELECT User
0060 bas: Fatty
Trigger Button Select Preset Location
Preset Number Preset Name
Category
![](asset-58.png)
78 ENSONIQ
Controllers Menu
Preset Select Send Buttons
Preset Select Send
Buttons
Suppose you wanted to send another MIDI program change message to an
external synthesizer. The 16 command buttons can also send external MIDI
program changes on the Basic MIDI channel. Each button can be
programmed to select any preset from 0-127, in any bank.
Select Preset Select mode from the Command Functions. Now the 16
buttons are programmable preset selection buttons.
To Program the Program Change Send Buttons:
1. Press the Controllers button. Its LED will illuminate.
2. Turn the data entry control to select the “PRESET - SELECT SEND”
screen.
3. Use the left/right cursor controls to select the fields shown above.
4. Select the desired program change and bank for each of the 16 trigger
buttons. (If you don’t want to send an external program change, set the
fields to “off”.)
5. Save the Multisetup if you want to save these settings. See page 42.
To Send an External Program Change:
1. From the main preset selection screen, press the Preset Select button.
Its LED will illuminate.
2. Press one of the 16 buttons to send the program change.
T1 PRESET - SELECT SEND
MSB:015 LSB:003 PROG: 127
Trigger Button Select
Bank MSB Program Change
Number
Bank LSB
![](asset-59.png)
Halo Operation Manual 79
Controllers Menu
Knob Preset Quick-Edit
Knob Preset
Quick-Edit
“Quick-Edit” changes the initial controller setting in the preset whenever
you move a Control Knob. This parameter selects whether or not the front
panel Controller Knobs are used to Quick-Edit the currently selected preset.
See “Preset Edit Button” on page 32 in the Operations chapter for more
details.
Real-time Controller
Assignment
Use these three pages to assign sixteen real-time control sources. Each MIDI
Controller is assigned a letter (A - P). The front panel Controller Knobs and
sixteen MIDI controller numbers share the first 12, A-L controller routings.
These screens let you select which MIDI real-time controllers numbers
will be received (from 1 to 31 and from 64 to 95) and which controller
numbers will be transmitted over MIDI if the front panel controls are
turned. The PatchCord routing and amount in the Preset Edit menu
determine what effect the controller has on each preset. Real-time
controllers are shown in the PatchCord menu as MIDI A through MIDI P.
The Real-time Controller assignment also specifies which controller
numbers are transmitted when the “Knobs Output MIDI” is enabled (see
“Knobs Output MIDI” on page 94).
OO
OO Tip: Halo factory presets
have certain synth parameters
assigned to each controller letter
and so these are “Global”
controller assignments.
For example, assigning a MIDI
controller to “A” in this screen
would let you control filter Fc for
all the factory presets. See
“Front Panel Knob Functions” on
page 209.
KNOBS PRESET QUICK-EDIT
disabled
The front panel knobs
use the controllers A-L.
External MIDI controllers can
be assigned to letters M-P.
REALTIME CONTROLLER #
A: 74 B: 71 C: 25 D: 26
REALTIME CONTROLLER #
E: 73 F: 75 G: 85 H: 72
REALTIME CONTROLLER #
I: 78 J: 77 K: 27 L: 28
REALTIME CONTROLLER #
M: 01 N: 03 O: 82 P: 83
![](asset-5a.png)
80 ENSONIQ
Controllers Menu
MIDI Footswitch Assign
Note: Controllers 7 and 10 are already assigned to Volume and Pan for each
MIDI channel. Controllers 91 & 93 are the standard controller numbers for
reverb and chorus send amounts, but are not assigned.
Following are a few of the standardized MIDI Controller numbers as
defined by the MIDI manufacturers association. The controllers shown in
Bold are automatically routed to the destination (volume & pan) or have
their own PatchCord source. Others, such as Portamento Time, can be
routed using a PatchCord to have the desired effect.
MIDI Footswitch
Assign
Like the MIDI Controllers, you can assign three MIDI footswitches to MIDI
footswitch numbers. Footswitches numbers are from 64-79. Destinations
for the footswitch controllers are programmed in the PatchCord section of
the Preset Edit menu. The rear panel footswitch 1 is connected to
footswitch controller 1 in this screen. Pressing the footswitch transmits on
the MIDI controller number programmed here. Footswitches 2 & 3 route
incoming MIDI footswitch data to the PatchCord section of Halo.
Calibrate Controllers This screen allows you to calibrate the Pitch Wheel, Modulation Wheel,
Aftertouch, and Foot Pedal controller. The controls should be recalibrated
periodically in order to compensate for normal changes in the controls
themselves. If a control doesn’t seem to be responding properly, it may
simply need to be recalibrated.
The Controllers should
ALWAYS be calibrated after you
reinitialize user data. (And you
should always reinitialize user
data after updating the
operating system.)
1 - Modulation Wheel
2
- Breath Controller
4
- Foot Pedal
5
- Portamento Time
6 - Data Entry
7 - Volume
8 - Balance
9 - Undefined
10 - Pan
11 - Expression
FOOTSWITCH CONTROLLER #
1: 64 2: 65 3: 66
Rear panel footswitch input
CALIBRATE CONTROLLERS
Start Mod Wheel
![](asset-5b.png)
Halo Operation Manual 81
Controllers Menu
Tempo Controller
To Calibrate the Controllers:
1. Press the Global button. Its LED will illuminate.
2. Turn the data entry control to select the “CALIBRATE CONTROLLERS”
screen shown below.
3. Move the cursor to the lower line of the display and rotate the Data
Entry Control to select the control to be calibrated. The choices are:
•Mod Wheel •Pitch Wheel •Foot Pedal •Aftertouch
4. Press Enter to select a control, then follow the instructions given in the
display. You will be asked to mover the control through its entire range
(minimum through maximum), then press Enter.
5. In the case of the Pitch Wheel, you first move the wheel through its
min-max range and leave the wheel resting in its center position. Then
press Enter.
Tempo Controller This function allows a MIDI controller to change the Base Tempo of the
Master Clock. The Master Clock is used by the arpeggiators, clock divisor
PatchCords, tempo-based envelopes and synced LFOs. (See “Clock
Modulation” on page 106.) You can assign any controller number from 0-
31, mono key pressure, or the Pitch Wheel to change the Global Tempo.
A different controller can be used to change the tempo up or down. The
Pitch Wheel can be assigned to both the up and down parameters to vary
the tempo up and down from a single controller. If any other controller is
assigned to both the up and down parameters, Halo redefines the center of
the controller’s range as zero (so it acts like a pitch wheel).
MIDI Controller values are added to the Base Tempo with a range of ±64.
When the controller is set to “off” the tempo returns to its original setting.
Controllers are only recognized on the selected MIDI channel, unless Halo
is in Omni mode, in which case all channels are accepted. This control has
no effect when using an external clock.
CALIBRATE CONTROLLERS
Start Mod Wheel
TEMPO CONTROLLER# CHAN
Up: 03 Down: 09 16
![](asset-5c.png)
82 ENSONIQ
Controllers Menu
Base Tempo
Base Tempo Halo contains an internal Master Clock which runs the arpeggiators,
synchronizes the LFOs when in tempo-based mode, controls the times of
tempo-based envelopes, and can be used as a modulation source in the
PatchCords section.
You’ll notice that there are two tempo values shown in the display.
•Base Tempo - This is the base tempo setting before being modified by
the Tempo Controller (if engaged). See “Tempo Controller” on page 81.
The Arp/Beats LED
flashes in time with the Base
Tempo.
•(Current Tempo) - This is the actual tempo! The current tempo is
equal to the base tempo modulated by the MIDI controller specified in
the Tempo Controller screen. If no MIDI Tempo controller message has
been received since the last Base Tempo change, the Current Tempo will
be equal to the Base Tempo.
To Change the Base Tempo:
1. Move the cursor to the lower line of the display.
2. Adjust the Base Tempo using the data entry control.
OO
OO You can also tap tempo
using a footswitch. See page 74.
3. To Tap Tempo - Tap the Enter button at least three times. Keep tapping
to continuously update the tempo on each tap. The tap tempo range is
25-300 bpm. The Base Tempo values range from 1 through 300 beats
per minute (BPM).
To Use an External MIDI Clock:
1. Move the cursor to the lower line of the display.
2. Turn the data entry control all the way counter-clockwise and select
“ext” to use an external MIDI clock source.
BASE TEMPO TAP->enter
120 bpm (current: 182)
![](asset-5d.png)
Halo Operation Manual 83
Global Menu
The Global menu contains functions that affect the overall operation of
Halo. For example, changing the Master Tune parameter changes the
tuning of all the presets, not just the one currently displayed.
To enable the Global menu:
Press the Global button, lighting the LED. The Global Menu screen displays
the menu page most recently selected since powering up Halo. The cursor
appears below the first character of the screen heading on line one.
__
__ Warning: Global Menu
changes are automatically saved
when you exit the menu. If the
power is turned off before you
exit the menu any changes you
have made will be lost.
To select a new screen:
Press the Home/Enter button or press the Cursor button repeatedly until
the cursor is below the screen title heading. Rotate the data entry control to
select another screen.
To modify a parameter:
Press either Cursor button repeatedly (or hold down the right cursor button
while turning the data entry control) until the cursor is below the desired
parameter value. Rotate the data entry control to change the value.
To return to the previously selected screen:
Press the Global button, turning off the LED.
![](asset-5e.png)
84 ENSONIQ
Global Menu
Defining Global Parameters
Defining
Global
Parameters
Global setup parameters affect overall performance, range, and global
effects. This section describes the Global parameters and how to define
them.
Master Transpose/
Tune
The Transpose parameter transposes the key of all presets, in semitone
intervals. The transpose range is ± 24 semitones.
Master Tune adjusts the fine tuning of all presets so that you can tune Halo
to other instruments. The master tuning range is ± 1 semitone in 1/64th
semitone increments (1.56 cents). A master tune setting of “+00” indicates
that Halo is perfectly tuned to concert pitch (A=440 Hz).
Master Bend Range The Master Bend Range parameter sets the range of the pitch wheel. This
affects only presets that have their individual Pitch Bend range (defined in
the Preset Edit menu) set to Master. See page 160. The maximum pitch bend
range is ±12 semitones or one octave in each direction.
MASTER TRANSPOSE TUNE
+00 semitones +00
MASTER BEND RANGE
+/- 7 semitones
![](asset-5f.png)
Halo Operation Manual 85
Global Menu
Defining Global Parameters
Master Velocity
Curve
Incoming velocity data or internal keyboard velocity can be altered by one
of thirteen velocity curves. These curves are designed to adapt Halo to a
external MIDI controller. You can select one of thirteen global velocity
curves or to leave the data unaltered (linear). To adjust Keyboard velocity,
see “Keyboard Velocity Curve” on page 73.
The Master Velocity curve
is normally set to “Linear” and
the Keyboard Velocity Curve is
used to adjust the keyboard feel.
The two curves can also be
combined if you wish.
For a complete list of
all available velocity curves,
see “Master Velocity Curves”
on page 228 of the Appendix.
MASTER VELOCITY CURVE
13
Keyboard
Velocity Curve
Master
Velocity Curve
Internal
Synthesizer
MIDI OUT MIDI IN
Instrument Amp
L
R
Z-Plane
Filter
The Master Velocity
Curve filters MIDI In as
well as data from the
Keyboard Velocity Curve.
Linear
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100
Played Velocity
120
Result Velocity
Curve 2
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100
Played Velocity
120
Result Velocity
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100
Played Velocity
120
Result Velocity
Curve 9
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100
Played Velocity
120
Result Velocity
Curve 13
![](asset-60.png)
86 ENSONIQ
Global Menu
Defining Global Parameters
Mix Output The Mix Output parameter allows you to override the routing assignments
made in each preset and instead assign the outputs according to MIDI
channel. For each of the 16 MIDI channels, you can select Send 1-4, or
Preset. When Preset is selected, the output assignment defined in the Preset
Edit menu is used.
The Output Routing field (pointed to by the arrow) reflects the true
routing of Send 2 or Send 3 to either:
1) the effects processor input or… 2) the rear panel submix jacks.
Since the Sub 1 output is NOT being used, the signal is routed through the
effects processors, then on to the main outputs. If a plug were inserted into
one of the Sub 1 jacks the destination field would read “Sub1” for Send 2
and the dry signal would be routed directly to the Sub 1 outputs on the
back panel.
Send Routings
Send 1 - Main Outputs
Send 2 - Subout 1 or Main Outs
Send 3 - Main Outs
Send 4 - Main Outputs
The Sends function as effect processor inputs (effect sends). Send 2 is also
used to route sounds to the Sub 1 outputs on the back panel. When a plug
is inserted into the associated Submix jack on the back panel, the Dry
portion of the Send is disconnected from the effects processor and the
signal is routed directly to the output jack. The Arrow points to the actual
output routing. If you don’t want the wet portion of the signal in the main
mix, turn down the Send Level. The entire Send is disconnected from the Effects
Processors even if only one plug is inserted into the Submix jack.
The four Effect Sends allow you to get the most out of the two effect
processors. For example, with Effect B set to an echo algorithm, you could
route one MIDI channel to Send 3 and set the effect amount to 80%.
Another MIDI channel could be routed to Send 4 with an effect amount of
only 5%. This is almost like having two different effects!
The Mix Output function is also useful when sequencing since it lets you
route specific MIDI channels to specific Sub outputs (on the back panel)
where there they can be processed with EQ or other outboard effects.
channel 16: Send 1->main
MIX OUTPUT
Indicates that the dry signal is
routed to the Main output jacks.
channel 15: use preset
MIX OUTPUT
![](asset-61.png)
Halo Operation Manual 87
Global Menu
Defining Global Parameters
Send 2 can be routed to the effects processors or to rear panel submix jacks. When a plug
is inserted into a Submix jack, the dry portion of the Send is disconnected from the
effects processor and is routed directly to the Submix output jacks.
MIDI Channel 1
MIDI Channel 2
MIDI Channel 3
MIDI Channel 16
MIDI CHANNEL
Preset
S
E
N
D
1
S
U
B
1
M
A
I
N
OUTPUT SECTION
& EFFECTS PROCESSORS
Hall 1
Effect
A
Chorus
Effect
B
B➟A
Jack
Detect
FX Sends
Send 2 10%
Send 3 0%
Send 4 0%
Send 1 15%
FX Sends
Send 1 0%
Send 4 15%
Send 3 20%
Send 2 0%
S
E
N
D
2
S
E
N
D
4
S
E
N
D
3
![](asset-62.png)
88 ENSONIQ
Global Menu
Master Effects
Master Effects The digital effect processors can be programmed as part of the preset (using
the Preset Edit menu) so that effects will change along with the preset.
However, there are only two effect processors, and so you cannot have a
different effect on each preset when in Multi mode.
The Master Effects settings assign the effect processors “globally” for all
presets to provide a way to use the effects in Multi mode. Detailed infor-
mation is presented in the Effects chapter (see Effects on page 173).
Effects Mode The FX Mode page enables or bypasses the effects. When the FX Mode is set
to “bypass,” the effects are turned off on a global scale. This includes Effects
programmed in the preset.
Effects Multi Mode
Control
The routing scheme for the two stereo effects processors provides a lot of
versatility. When in multi mode, you can “use master settings” which
applies the Master effects settings to all 16 MIDI channels.
If you want more control, you can use the “channel” setting which applies
the effects settings of the preset on a specified channel to all the other
channels. Changing the preset on the specified channel changes the effect.
If you are in Omni or Poly modes this parameter is disabled and the
message in parentheses explains that Halo is currently in Omni mode.
FX MODE
enabled
FX MULTIMODE CONTROL
use master settings
FX MULTIMODE CONTROL
preset on channel 1
FX MULTIMODE CONTROL
(using Omni mode)
![](asset-63.png)
Halo Operation Manual 89
Global Menu
Master Effects
Master FXA
Algorithm
This function selects the type of effect used for the “A” effect. The following
effect types are available.
A Effect Types
MASTER FXA ALGORITHM
Room 1
1. Room 1
2. Room 2
3. Room 3
4. Hall 1
5. Hall 2
6. Plate
7. Delay
8. Panning Delay
9. Multitap 1
10. Multitap Pan
11. 3 Tap
12. 3 Tap Pan
13. Soft Room
14. Warm Room
15. Perfect Room
16. Tiled Room
17. Hard Plate
18. Warm Hall
19. Spacious Hall
20. Bright Hall
21. Bright Hall Pan
22. Bright Plate
23. BBall Court
24. Gymnasium
25. Cavern
26. Concert 9
27. Concert 10 Pan
28. Reverse Gate
29. Gate 2
30. Gate Pan
31. Concert 11
32. Medium Concert
33. Large Concert
34. Large Concert Pan
35. Canyon
36. DelayVerb 1
37. DelayVerb 2
38. DelayVerb 3
39. DelayVerb 4 Pan
40. DelayVerb 5 Pan
41. DelayVerb 6
42. DelayVerb 7
43. DelayVerb 8
44. DelayVerb 9
![](asset-64.png)
90 ENSONIQ
Global Menu
Master Effects
FXA Parameters:
Decay/HF Damping
FxB -> FxA
This page lets you define the parameters of the selected Effects algorithm.
Use this page to setup the effect decay, high frequency damping amount
and to route “B” effects through the “A” effects. See “Effect Parameters” on
page 175 for more details.
FXA Send Amounts These parameters set the effects amounts for each of the four stereo effects
busses. See “Master Effects” on page 178 for detailed information.
Master FXB
Algorithm
This parameter selects the type of effect used for the “B” effect. The
following effect types are available.
FXA DECAY HFDAMP FxB>FxA
040 096 001
FXA SEND AMOUNTS 1:100%
2: 50% 3: 10% 4: 0%
MASTER FXB ALGORITHM
Chorus 1
![](asset-65.png)
Halo Operation Manual 91
Global Menu
Master Effects
B Effect Types
FXB Parameters:
Feedback/LFO Rate
Delay Time
The FXB parameters setup the characteristics of the effect. Use this page to
define the feedback amount, the LFO rate and delay amount for the
selected type “B” effect. See “Effect Parameters” on page 175 for details.
FXB Send Amounts These parameters set the effects amounts for each of the four stereo effects
busses. See the Effects chapter for detailed information.
1. Chorus 1
2. Chorus 2
3. Chorus 3
4. Chorus 4
5. Chorus 5
6. Doubling
7. Slapback
8. Flange 1
9. Flange 2
10. Flange 3
11. Flange 4
12. Flange 5
13. Flange 6
14. Flange 7
15. Big Chorus
16. Symphonic
17. Ensemble
18. Delay
19. Delay Stereo
20. Delay Stereo 2
21. Panning Delay
22. Delay Chorus
23. Pan Delay Chorus 1
24. Pan Delay Chorus 2
25. Dual Tap 1/3
26. Dual Tap 1/4
27. Vibrato
28. Distortion 1
29. Distortion 2
30. Distorted Flange
31. Distorted Chorus
32. Distorted Double
FXB FEEDBK LFORATE DELAY
000 003 0
FXB SEND AMOUNTS 1:100%
2: 50% 3: 10% 4: 0%
![](asset-66.png)
92 ENSONIQ
Global Menu
Miscellaneous Parameters
Miscellaneous
Parameters
Edit All Layers Enable This function allows you to turn the Edit All Layers feature on or off. “Edit
All Layers” is an Edit menu feature which allows you to select all layers (the
letter “A” appears in the layer field) in order to edit all four layers simulta-
neously. Because this feature can be confusing to the beginning
programmer, it can be disabled here in the Global menu.
User Key Tuning User Key Tuning lets you create and modify 12 user definable tuning tables.
The initial frequency of every key can be individually tuned, facilitating the
creation of alternate or microtonal scales.
Using the cursor keys and the data entry control, select the user table
number, the key name, the coarse tuning and the fine tuning. The key
name is variable from C-2 to G8. Coarse Tuning is variable from 0 to 127
semitones. The fine tuning is variable from 00 to 63 in increments of 1/64
of a semitone (approx. 1.56 cents). For each preset, the specific tuning table
is selected in the Preset Edit menu. See page 168.
OO
OO The user key tuning can
be used to tune individual
percussion instruments.
Screen Viewing
Angle
This function changes the viewing angle of the display so that you can read
it easily from either above or below the unit. The angle is adjustable from
+7 to -8. Positive values will make the display easier to read when viewed
from above. Negative values make the display easier to read from below.
EDIT ALL LAYERS
enabled
USER KEY TUNING Table: 1
Key: C1 Crs: 036 Fine: 00
VIEWING ANGLE
+0
![](asset-67.png)
Halo Operation Manual 93
MIDI Menu
Most of the parameters in Halo that relate to MIDI are contained within
this menu. You can merge MIDI data, change the continuous controller
assignments, turn program changes off or on, and lots more.
MIDI menu settings are saved with the current Multimap.
To enable the MIDI menu:
Press the MIDI button, lighting the LED. The MIDI Menu screen displays
the menu page most recently selected since powering up Halo. The cursor
appears below the first character of the screen heading on line one.
__
__ Warning: MIDI Menu
changes are automatically saved
when you exit the menu. If the
power is turned off before you
exit the menu any changes you
have made will be lost.
To select a new screen:
Press the Home/Enter button or press the Cursor button repeatedly until
the cursor is below the screen title heading. Rotate the data entry control to
select another screen.
To modify a parameter:
Press either Cursor button repeatedly (or hold down the right cursor button
while turning the data entry control) until the cursor is below the desired
parameter value. Rotate the data entry control to change the value.
To return to the previously selected Mode/View screen:
Press the MIDI button, turning off the LED.
![](asset-68.png)
94 ENSONIQ
MIDI Menu
Keyboard Outputs MIDI
Keyboard Outputs
MIDI
This option allows you select whether or not the keyboard, pitch/mod
wheel and footswitch data is transmitted on the MIDI output port. When
this option is set to: “don’t transmit”, the keyboard, pitch/mod wheels, and
footswitch only control the “current” preset. (The current preset is the one
currently showing in the Main screen). The footswitch is transmitted on the
MIDI CC number defined for Footswitch 1 in the Controllers menu.
Knobs Output MIDI This function allows you to select whether or not knob data is transmitted.
The knobs transmit on the controller numbers defined by the Real-time
Controller Assign parameter (See page 79).
Transmit MIDI Clock This option enables or disables the transmission of MIDI clock from the
MIDI out port. When Halo is running on its own internal clock (page 82) it
transmits 24 MIDI clocks per quarter note. When Halo is slaved to an
external MIDI clock, it mirrors the incoming clock data.
MIDI Enable MIDI Enable lets you turn each MIDI channel on and off independently
when in Multi mode. This feature is helpful when you have other devices
connected to the same MIDI line and do not want the Halo unit to respond
to the MIDI channels reserved for the other devices.
KEYBOARD OUTPUTS MIDI
transmit
KNOBS OUTPUT MIDI
don’t transmit
TRANSMIT MIDI CLOCK
off
MIDI ENABLE
channel 01: On
![](asset-69.png)
Halo Operation Manual 95
MIDI Menu
Receive Program Change
Because the MIDI Enable function only makes sense if you are in Multi
mode, Halo disables this feature when in Omni or Poly mode.
Receive Program
Change
Use this function to instruct Halo to utilize or ignore incoming MIDI preset
changes or Bank Select commands for each channel. Use the cursor buttons
to select the channel number field, then use the data entry control to select
a channel number. Use the cursor button again to select the On/Off field
and the data entry control to change the value.
MIDI Program
Change -> Preset
You can also remap incoming MIDI program changes to a different
numbered preset. This is a handy feature when your master keyboard
cannot send a bank change or you want to reorder preset numbers. Any
preset can be mapped to any incoming MIDI program change number.
For example, you could set up the Program -> Preset map to call up preset
#12 whenever Halo receives MIDI program change #26.
The four fields shown below are editable.
The Program->Preset
Change only works for program
changes received in Bank 0.
channel 16: On
MIDI ENABLE
In Multi
Mode
(using Omni mode)
MIDI ENABLE
In Omni
Mode
RECEIVE PROGRAM CHANGE
channel 01 : on
MIDI PROG CHNG -> PRESET
000 User 0000
Incoming Program
Change in Bank 0
ROM Bank Program No. Bank No.
![](asset-6a.png)
96 ENSONIQ
MIDI Menu
MIDI SysEx ID
OO
OO Programs and presets are
the same thing. We use the word
“Preset” for MIDI Program.
In this chart, program changes 10-29 have been remapped to new preset numbers. All
other presets are selected normally.
MIDI SysEx ID This page defines the MIDI system exclusive (SysEx) device ID number. The
SysEx ID lets an external programming unit to distinguish between
multiple Halo units connected to the same preset editor. In this case each
unit must have a unique SysEx ID number.
__
__ WARNING: When
transferring SysEx data from one
Halo to another, the ID numbers
of both units must be the same.
Selected
Program Mapped
Program
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09
30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39
40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49
50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59
60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69
70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79
80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89
90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99
100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109
110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119
120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127
44 91 50 01 15 88 99 78 32 88
34 73 106 55 43 75 120 121 100
12
41
0000000000
201000 0 0
10 00200 00 2
0000000000
0000000000
0000000000
0000000000
0000000000
0000000000
0000000000
0000000000
0000000000
00000000
MIDI SYSEX ID
000
![](asset-6b.png)
Halo Operation Manual 97
MIDI Menu
MIDI SysEx Packet Delay
MIDI SysEx Packet
Delay
The MIDI SysEx Packet Delay command lets you specify the amount of
delay between MIDI SysEx packets going out of Halo so that your computer
sequencer can record this large chunk of data over a longer period of time.
On playback from the sequencer, the SysEx data will be fed more slowly
into Halo so that the its input buffer does not overflow, causing an error.
Many sequencers allow you to “Time Stamp” SysEx data as it is recorded.
This is the preferred mode for recording SysEx data.
The packet delay range is from 0 through 8000 milliseconds. A delay value
of zero allows full speed MIDI transfer. If you are experiencing data trans-
mission errors, try increasing the delay value until the problem disappears.
Send MIDI System
Exclusive Data
This command transmits MIDI System Exclusive (SysEx) data to the MIDI
Out port of Halo. The MIDI data can be sent to a computer, sequencer or to
another Halo. When transferring data between two Halo’s be sure both
units have the same SysEx ID number! Using the cursor key and the data
entry control, select the type of MIDI data you want to transmit. Following
are descriptions of the types of MIDI data that can be transmitted.
Current Multisetup
Transmits all parameters in the Global menu except Tuning Tables,
Program/Preset Map and Viewing Angle. Transmits the entire Controllers
menu.
Program /Preset Map
Transmits the MIDI Program -> Preset Map.
Tuning Tables
Transmits all 12 user User Tuning Tables.
__
__ WARNING: When
transferring SysEx data from one
Halo to another, the ID numbers
of both units must match.
Bank 0 User Presets
Transmits all the user defined presets in Bank 0.
Bank 1 User Presets
Transmits all the user defined presets in Bank 1.
Bank 2 User Presets
Transmits all the user defined presets in Bank 2.
Bank 3 User Presets
Transmits all the user defined presets in Bank 3.
Any Individual Preset
Transmits only the selected preset.
MIDI SYSEX PACKET DELAY
300 milliseconds
![](asset-6c.png)
98 ENSONIQ
MIDI Menu
MIDI Mode
The Enter LED will be flashing. Press the Enter button to confirm the
operation. To receive MIDI data, simply send the MIDI data into Halo from
another Halo or from a computer/sequencer.
To Record MIDI SysEx Data into an External Sequencer:
1. Setup the sequencer to receive system exclusive data.
2. Place the sequencer into record mode, then Send MIDI Data.
To Receive MIDI SysEx Data from an External Sequencer:
Simply play back the sequence containing the SysEx data into Halo.
MIDI Mode MIDI Mode selects one of the three MIDI modes: Omni, Poly or Multi.
The MIDI Mode Change parameter specifies whether mode changes made
through an external MIDI controller are accepted or ignored.
The MIDI modes are as follows:
Omni
Responds to note information on all MIDI channels and plays the preset
currently displayed in the main screen.
Poly
Responds only to note information received on the currently selected MIDI
channel (on the preset selection screen) and plays that channel’s associated
preset.
Multi
Responds to data on any combination of MIDI channels and plays the
specific preset associated with each of the MIDI channels. You must select
multi mode for multitimbral operation.
SEND MIDI SYSEX DATA
bank 1 user presets
MIDI MODE CHANGE
multi ignored
![](asset-6d.png)
Halo Operation Manual 99
Programming Basics
This chapter explains how Halo sounds are constructed and contains
important background information on how to create your own custom
presets.
Your initial involvement with Halo will most likely be using the existing
presets and selecting MIDI channels. While the factory presets are very
good, there are some things you will probably want to change eventually,
perhaps the LFO speed, the filter frequency or the attack time. You may also
want to make your own custom presets using complex modulation
routings. This module will do far more than you ever imagined and there
are whole new classes of sound just waiting to be discovered.
Each preset can consist of up to four instrument layers. Each of the four
layers can be placed anywhere on the keyboard and can be crossfaded or
switched according to key position, velocity, or by using a real-time control
such as a wheel, slider, pedal, LFO or envelope generator. A preset can also
be “linked” with up to 2 more presets creating additional layering or splits.
Halo has an extensive modulation implementation using two multi-wave
LFO’s (Low Frequency Oscillators), three multi-stage envelope generators
and the ability to respond to multiple MIDI controllers. You can simulta-
neously route any combination of these control sources to multiple desti-
nations.
There are 512 user locations (USER Banks 0-3) available to store your own
creations or edited factory presets. It’s easy and fun to edit or create your
own unique presets.
![](asset-6e.png)
100 ENSONIQ
Programming Basics
Modulation
Modulation To modulate means to dynamically change a parameter, whether it be the
volume (amplitude modulation), the pitch (frequency modulation), and so
on. Turning the volume control on your home stereo rapidly back and
forth is an example of amplitude modulation. To modulate something we
need a modulation source and a modulation destination. In this case, the
source is your hand turning the knob, and the destination is the volume
control. If we had a device that could turn the volume control automati-
cally, we would call that device a modulation source.
Turning the volume control back and forth on your home stereo is an example of
Amplitude Modulation.
Halo is designed so that each of the variable parameters, such as the
volume, has an initial setting which is changed by a modulation source.
Therefore in the case of volume, we have an initial volume that we can
change or modulate with a modulation source.
Two main kinds of modulation sources on Halo are Envelope Generators and
Low Frequency Oscillators. In the example above, an envelope generator
could be routed to automatically turn the volume control as programmed
by the envelope. Or, a low frequency oscillator could be routed to turn the
volume up and down in a repeating fashion.
Positive modulation adds to the initial amount. Negative modulation
subtracts from the initial amount.
Summing Nodes
All the modulation inputs on Halo are summing nodes. This means that
you can connect as many modulation sources as you want to an input (such
as Pitch or AmpVol). Modulation sources are simply added algebraically—
connecting two knobs one set to -100 and the other set to +100 yields a net
value of zero.
![](asset-6f.png)
Halo Operation Manual 101
Programming Basics
Modulation Sources
Modulation
Sources
Modulation sources include Envelope Generators, Performance Controllers and
Low Frequency Oscillators. In the previous example, an envelope generator
was routed to automatically turn the volume control as programmed by the
envelope, or, a low frequency oscillator could be routed to turn the volume
control up and down in a repeating fashion. The following is a list of the
modulation sources used in Halo.
Keyboard Key
Which key is pressed.
Key Velocity
How fast the key is pressed.
Release Velocity
How fast the key is released.
Gate
High if the key is pressed, low when the key is released.
OO
OO Tip: Try routing Key
Glide to Filter Frequency if you
want the filter to smoothly
follow pitch in solo mode.
Routing Key Glide to Pan creates
another interesting effect.
Key Glide
A smoothly changing control source based on the Glide Rate and the
interval between the last two notes played.
Pitch and Mod Controllers
Synthesizer pitch bend and modulation controllers.
Keyboard Pressure (mono aftertouch)
Key Pressure applied after the keyboard key is initially pressed.
Pedal
A continuously variable pedal controller.
Miscellaneous Controllers A -P
Any type of MIDI continuous controller data.
Low Frequency Oscillators (2 per layer)
Generate repeating waves.
Envelope Generators (3 per layer)
Generate a programmable “contour” which changes over time when a key
is pressed.
Noise & Random Generators
Generate spectrums of noise and random signals.
Footswitches
Change a parameter when the switch is pressed.
Clock Divisor
The master tempo clock can be divided and used as a modulation source.
![](asset-70.png)
102 ENSONIQ
Programming Basics
Modulation PatchCords
Random Sources Random modulation sources can be used when you want the timbre of the
sound to be “animated” in a random or non-consistent manner.
•Key Random 1 & 2 generate different random values for each layer
which do not change during the note.
•The White & Pink Noise Generators produce varying random values.
Both white and pink noise sources are low frequency noise designed
for control purposes. Either noise source can be filtered even more by
passing it through a lag processor.
•The Crossfade Random function generates the same random value
for all layers in a preset. This source is designed to be used for cross-
fading and cross-switching layers, although you may find other uses.
Modulation
PatchCords
When setting up modulation with the Halo, you define a modulation
source and a modulation destination. Then, you connect the source to the
destination using “PatchCords.” Halo’s PatchCords are connected in the
software. Halo has 24 general purpose PatchCords for each layer.
The controller Knobs
assignments printed on the front
panel are the system defaults.
You can change any of these
assignments using the Real-time
Controller Assignment page in
the MIDI menu (see page 94 for
details).
You can connect the modulation sources in almost any possible way to the
modulation destinations. You can even modulate other modulators. Each
PatchCord also has an amount parameter which determines “how much”
modulation is applied to the destination. The modulation amount can be
positive or negative. Negative values invert the modulation source.
Modulation
Source
LFO 1
Destination
Amount +/-
Amp
Volume
Modulation
Source
LFO 1
LFO 2
Amp Env
Filt Env
Aux Env
Wheel
Pressure
etc.
Amp Vol
Pitch
Pan
LFO Rate
Aux Env
Env Atk
Glide
etc.
Destination
-+
![](asset-71.png)
Halo Operation Manual 103
Programming Basics
Envelope Generators
Envelope
Generators
An envelope can be described as a “contour” which is used to shape the
sound over time in a pre-programmed manner. There are three envelope
generators per layer and all of them are the rate/level type.
This is how the rate/level (time based) envelopes work: When a key is
pressed, envelope starts from zero and moves toward the Attack 1 Level at
the Attack 1 Rate. As soon as it reaches this first level, it immediately begins
the next phase and moves toward the Attack 2 level at the Attack 2 rate. As
long as the key is held down, the envelope continues on through the Decay
1 and Decay 2 stages. If the key is still held when the envelope reaches the
end of Decay 2, it simply waits there for you to release the key. When you
release the key, the envelope continues into the Release 1 and Release 2
stages, stopping at the end of the Release 2 stage. Halo’s envelope gener-
ators provide great flexibility for programming both complex and simple
envelopes.
__
__ If two adjacent segments
have the same level in a “time-
based” envelope, the segment
will be skipped. Adjacent
segments must have different
levels for the rate control to work.
ADSR mode: To create
a standard ADSR envelope: Set
Atk1, Atk2 & Dcy1 Level to 100,
Rls 1 & 2 level to 0, and Atk2,
Dcy1, Rls2 Rates to 0. Program
Atk1, Dcy2 and Rls1 segments
as you wish. See page 201.
All three envelope generators have the six stages described above. The
Volume Envelope generator controls the volume of the voice over time.
The Filter Envelope generator is a general purpose envelope most often
used to control the filter frequency. Unlike the Volume Envelope, however,
the Filter Envelope can have a negative level value as well as a positive
level. There is also an Auxiliary Envelope generator which is a general
purpose envelope. The Auxiliary Envelope is identical to the Filter Envelope
and can have negative as well as positive levels. You can adjust the time of
each stage to create myriad envelope shapes, which in turn shape the
sound over time.
OO
OO By routing the Auxiliary
or Filter Envelopes to control the
pitch (PatchCords) you can
easily hear the shape of the
envelopes you are creating.
•Volume envelopes contour the way the volume of a sound changes
over time determining how we perceive that sound. For example, a
bell struck with a hammer is instantly at full volume, then slowly dies
away. A bowed violin sound fades in more slowly and dies away
slowly. Using Halo’s Volume Envelope, you can simulate the different
types of natural instrument volume envelopes by programming them
appropriately.
Atk1
Atk2
Dcy1
Dcy2
Rls1
Rls2
Key
Down
Key
Released
Sustain
Level
time
level
![](asset-72.png)
104 ENSONIQ
Programming Basics
Envelope Generators
Tempo-based Envelopes
Tempo-based envelopes are based on Time which is controlled by the
Master Tempo (located in the Global menu). The Master Tempo rate scales the
time of the Tempo-based envelope segments. The Master Tempo can be set
to use an external MIDI clock so that the envelope times can be synchro-
nized to external sequencer or arpeggiator tempo changes. See page 82.
Envelope Repeat
The Envelope Generators can also be made to repeat. When the envelope
repeat function is On, the Attack (1&2) and Decay (1&2) stages will
continue to repeat as long as the key is held. As soon as the key is released,
the envelope continues through its normal Release stages (1 & 2).
Only the Filter and
Auxiliary Envelopes have the
repeating feature.
The diagram above show how the looping envelopes work. When the key is
pressed the envelope goes through its regular Attack 1, Attack 2, Decay 1
and Decay 2 stages. In non-looping mode, the envelope would hold at the
end of the Decay 2 stage until the key was released. In looping mode
however, it jumps back to the Attack 1 stage and repeats the first four
stages. It continues to loop through these four stages until the key is
released where it immediately jumps to the Release 1 stage.
= Initial Setting
= Increase Master Tempo
= Decrease Master Tempo
Tempo-Based Envelopes
Atk1
Atk2
Dcy2
Dcy1
Rls1
Rls1
Key Down Key Released
time
level
Repeat Re..
![](asset-73.png)
Halo Operation Manual 105
Programming Basics
Low Frequency Oscillators (LFOs)
Low
Frequency
Oscillators
(LFOs)
A Low Frequency Oscillator or LFO is simply a wave which repeats at a slow
rate. The Halo has two multi-wave LFOs for each channel. The LFO
waveforms are shown in the following illustration.
By examining the diagram of the LFO waveforms, you can see how an LFO
affects a modulation destination. The shape of the waveform determines
the result. Suppose we are modulating the pitch of an instrument. The sine
wave looks smooth, and changes the pitch smoothly. The square wave
changes abruptly and abruptly changes from one pitch to another. The
sawtooth wave increases smoothly, then changes back abruptly. The
sound’s pitch follows the same course. Controlling the pitch of an
instrument is an easy way to hear the effects of the LFO waves.
Try combining the
Pattern LFOs, or controlling the
amount of one with another, or
combining them with the clock
divisors.
Like the Auxiliary Envelope, LFOs can be routed to control any real-time
function such as Pitch, Filter, Panning, or Volume. A common use for the
LFO is to control the pitch of the sound (LFO -> Pitch). This effect is called
vibrato and is an important performance effect. Many presets use this
routing with the modulation wheel controlling “how much” LFO
modulation is applied. Another common effect, Tremolo, is created by
controlling the volume of a sound with the LFO (LFO -> Volume).
Triangle
Square
Sine 1,2 Sine 1,3,5
Sine
Sawtooth
25% Pulse
33% Pulse
12% Pulse16% Pulse
Random
Pat: Fifth+Octave
C
C
G
Pat: Octaves
+ Octave
- Octave C
FG
Pat: Sus4 trip
C
G
A#
Pat: Neener
Hemi-quaver
Sine + Noise
LFO Tricks & Tips:
•The Random LFO wave is
truly random and is different
for each voice and layer.
•The Pattern (Pat) waveforms
will sound the same on
different layers and voices.
•Sine + Noise is very useful for
simulating trumpet and flute
vibrato.
★
When routing Hemi-quaver
to Pitch:
+38 = major scale
-38 = phrygian scale
+76 = whole tone scale
(+38) + (+76) = diminished
(two cords)
odd amount = S+H sound
Note: References to musical
intervals in the pattern LFO
shapes are with the LFO
routed to pitch and a
PatchCord amount of +38.
![](asset-74.png)
106 ENSONIQ
Programming Basics
Clock Modulation
You might use the LFOs to add a slight bit of animation to the sound by
routing the LFO to control the filter. For this effect, set the LFO “amount”
low for a subtle effect.
When a PatchCord amount is a negative value, the LFO shape is inverted.
For example, inverting the sawtooth wave produces a wave that increases
abruptly, then smoothly glides down.
Clock
Modulation
You can use the Master Clock as a modulation source, to trigger the Filter or
Auxiliary Envelope generators, trigger Sample Start, synchronize the LFOs,
or directly as a square wave modulation source. The Clock source is
available in eight divisions (octal whole note, quad whole note, double
whole note, whole note, half note, quarter note, eighth note, sixteenth
note). You can use the different rates separately or in conjunction to create
complex “synchro-sonic” rhythm patterns. You can also use a MIDI Clock
as the Master Clock to synchronize to an external MIDI device such as a
drum machine or sequencer. (See Master Tempo in the Global menu.)
Envelopes are triggered
on the positive going edge of the
clock. LFOs are triggered on the
negative going edge of the clock.
Clocks are routed exactly like the other modulations sources using the
PatchCords. The PatchCord Amount MUST be positive (+) for the clock to
pass. By modulating the PatchCord Amount, you can route the divided
clocks using real-time controllers or other modulation sources.
When an LFO is triggered by a clock, the LFO wave resets to zero every time
the clock wave goes low. If the LFO rate is close to the clock rate, the LFO
virtually synchronizes with the clock. If the two rates are far apart, the
waveform of the LFO will be mildly or radically altered.
The tempo of the master
clock is set in the Global menu.
LFO Trigger causes the LFO to reset each time the clock waveform goes low.
Inverted Sawtooth
Negative Amount
+-
Sawtooth
Clock
LFO Wave
Triggered LFO
![](asset-75.png)
Halo Operation Manual 107
Programming Basics
Clock Modulation
LFOs can also be perfectly synchronized with the clock at any of 25 note
divisions. This allows you to create very cool “synchro-sonic” effects that
work perfectly at any tempo. Choosing one of the note divisors in the LFO
rate screen selects the synced LFO function.
There are many possibilities for clock modulation and retrigger. For
example, you can create a repeating six segment curve of any shape by
triggering the Filter or Auxiliary Envelope generators with the clock. A few
other possibilities are listed below.
•Turn different voice layers on and off using different clock divisors.
•Switch between Auxiliary and Filter Envelope retriggering using a
slider or footswitch.
•Retrigger LFOs or Envelopes using noise or other LFOs to create
random or semi random effects.
•Alter the LFO waveform by modulating the rate of a triggered LFO.
•Route multiple clocks with different divisors to the same destination
(such as pitch) to create complex patterns. (Hint: Adjust the PatchCord
Amounts.)
Adding these two clocks together in equal amounts produces a stairstep waveform.
Adding multiple clocks with unequal amounts produces complex repeating patterns.
LFO Synced to 1/4 Note Clock
Quarter
Note
Eighth
Note
Quarter
Note
8th
Note
16th
Note
![](asset-76.png)
108 ENSONIQ
Programming Basics
Modulation Destinations
Modulation
Destinations
The PatchCords section of the Preset Edit menu is where you connect
sources to destinations. Each PatchCord has an amount associated with it
which controls how much modulation is applied.
The PatchCords screen above and the diagram below show how
modulation sources are connected to destinations. The modulation sources
can control any of the destinations in the layer.
All the modulation
destinations are summing
nodes. This means that you can
connect as many modulation
sources as you want to a
destination. Modulation sources
are simply added algebraically
— connecting two sources, one
with a value of -100 and the
other with a value of +100 yields
a net value of zero.
•Note-on modulation sources, such as key, velocity and gate output a
single value at note-on time. Realtime modulation sources such as
LFOs, envelope generators and modulation wheels output
continuously changing values.
The possible modulation routings are completely flexible as shown in the
diagram above. Multiple sources can control the same destination, or a
single source can control multiple destinations.
L1 PATCHCORD #01
ModWhl -> RTXfade +036
Instrument Amp
L
R
Envelope
Gen.
Freq. Gain Vol
Start Offset
Pitch
Glide
Chorus
Pan
Layer
Z-Plane
Filter
Envelope
Gen.
Envelope
Gen.
LFOs
Mod
Wheel
MIDI
Controls
Mod.
Proc.
Key #
Velocity
Gate
![](asset-77.png)
Halo Operation Manual 109
Programming Basics
Modulation Processors
Modulation
Processors
Modulation processors are devices which can modify modulation sources
such as LFOs and envelope generators before they are applied to a desti-
nation. Modulation processors let you create patches and do tricks which
would not be possible otherwise. These modulation processors are indepen-
dently programmable on each of the four layers.
Switch
Outputs a digital “1” when the input is greater than “0”.
Summing Amp
Lets you add several modulation signals together before applying them to a
destination. This processor can save PatchCords when routing the output
to multiple destinations.
Lag Processors
Slows down rapid changes in the input signal. The output “lags” behind the
input at a pre-programmed rate. There are two lag processors, Lag 0 and Lag
1. Lag 1 has a longer lag time than Lag 0.
Absolute Value
This function inverts negative input values and outputs only positive
values. This device is also called a full wave rectifier.
Switch
(above zero)
Sum
DC
Lag
Processor
Absolute
Value
![](asset-78.png)
110 ENSONIQ
Programming Basics
Modulation Processors
Diode
The diode blocks negative input values, passing only positive values.
Flip-Flop
The output of this processor alternates between a digital “1” and digital “0”
each time the input goes positive from zero or a negative value. With an
LFO input, the output will be a square wave of half the input frequency.
The value of a digital
“1” is equal to the PatchCord
amount.
Quantizer
With the input PatchCord set to 100%, the output value is limited to 16
discrete values. The value of the input PatchCord controls the number of
steps. The value of the output PatchCord controls the size of the steps.
4x Gain
This processor amplifies the modulation source by a factor of 4.
Lag Inputs
OO
OO Summing Amps can be
useful in complicated patches
where you want to control a
combination of modulation
signals with a single patchcord.
The Lag processors can be used as 2 additional summing amps. Lag0sum
and Lag1sum are modulation sources which equal the sum of PatchCords
connected to the Lag in destination. The summing amp is located before
the lag processor as shown in the following illustration.
Diode
Flip-Flop
xy xy
Quantizer
# of
Steps
Size of
Steps
4x
Gain
Lag
Sum Node
Lag 0 sum
Lag 0
![](asset-79.png)
Halo Operation Manual 111
Programming Basics
Preset Modulation Processors
Preset
Modulation
Processors
There are also two “Preset Level” modulation processors located in the
“Preset Patchcords” screen of the Edit menu. It is important to understand
that although the preset processors originate at the Preset Level PatchCords,
their output is used in the Layer PatchCords.
Preset Lag
OO
OO Preset Modulation
Processors start working as soon
as the preset is selected. The
Layer Modulation Processors
take effect only when a key is
pressed.
Like the Layer Lag processors (described on page 109) the Preset Lag slows
down rapid changes in the input signal. The output “lags” behind the input
at a pre-programmed rate. Unlike the layer level lag processors, the preset lag
takes effect as soon as the preset is selected. In contrast, the layer level lag
processors begin acting only after a keyboard key has been depressed. The
Preset Lag also has a Lag Amount input which controls the lag time. Positive
lag amounts increase the lag time. A MIDI controller (front panel knob) is
commonly used to control lag amount.
The preset lag can be used to “spin-up” and “spin-down” an LFO which
controls some other effect, perhaps left/right panning, pitch, or the filter. A
MIDI footswitch could be used as the input to the lag which acts to slow
down the instantaneous change of the switch. The slowly changing output
value is then routed using a layer patchcord to crossfade between layers or
change the speed of an LFO.
Preset Ramp
This processor generates a positive or negative going slope whenever the
first key is depressed on the MIDI channel.
Preset
Lag
Lag Amount
(+ value = longer)
ex. footswitch
Preset Ramp
1st Note
Played
time
increase
original
value
Positive Rate
Preset Ramp
decrease
original
value
1st Note
Played
time
Negative Rate
![](asset-7a.png)
112 ENSONIQ
Programming Basics
Preset Modulation Processors
The preset ramp instantly resets when all notes have been released and the
next first key on the MIDI channel is pressed. The Ramp Rate polarity
(+ or -) determines if the ramp will be positive or negative going. The value
of the ramp rate sets the increment. Large values produce fast ramps and
small values produce slow ramps. Multiple inputs can be connected to the
ramp rate (just like all the other destinations in Halo).
The patch below shows an application for the Preset Ramp which generates
an adjustable decay envelope ONLY on the first note played to bring in the
sound from another layer. Instead of routing the output to the Amp
Volume you could just as easily route it to control Pitch, LFO Speed or any
other destination you can think of. Study this patch if you want to learn a
few new tricks using the patchcords.
1. DC - Sets initial ramp Fast-Positive (+100)
2. Decay Knob - Inverted value slows ramp as the knob value is increased.
OO
OO The combination of the
DC & Perc. Decay Time Cords
has the effect of reversing the
Percussion Decay Time knob.
The decay time increases as the
knob is turned up.
3. Ramp Out Cord - Inverts Ramp slope (downward).
4. Amp Vol - Initial setting is Off (-96dB). Ramp cannot overcome this
negative bias.
5. Perc. Amt - When this knob is turned up, the positive bias on the Amp
is restored so that so that the Ramp can now affect Amp Volume.
6. Volume Envelope - Fast Attack, Full Sustain, No Release
Invert
Preset
Ramp
Out
Rate
Cord
-100
Cord
+100
DC
Cord
-100
R
L
Pan
Percussion
Instrument
Amp
Vol
Z-Plane
Filter
Initial Setting
-96 dB (off)
Perc. Amount
(MIDI H)
Decay Time
(MIDI G)
Cord
+100
Layer
Cords
Preset
Cords
One Layer
Real Rocket Science
![](asset-7b.png)
Halo Operation Manual 113
Programming Basics
Preset Modulation Processors
Using the
Modulation
Processors
Modulation processors are inserted into a modulation routing as shown in
the following diagram.
The modular analog synthesizers of yesteryear were incredibly flexible,
partly because processing devices could be connected in any order.
Modulation processors are designed according to this modular concept.
They can be linked and used in a wide variety of ways limited only by your
imagination. Consider the following example:
The patch illustrated above is programmed by setting the PatchCord
screens as shown below.
This particular modulation shifts the overall pitch up a fifth when the key
velocity exceeds 64. Velocities below 64 play at normal pitch. Notes with
velocities of 64 and above are raised a perfect fifth. The Velocity “~” source
scales the played velocity around zero. In other words, low velocities (below
64) will have negative values and high velocities (64 and above) will be
positive. A velocity of 64 would be zero. The Switch module only outputs a
“1” if the input value is greater than zero. This digital “1” value can be
scaled through the attenuator on the PatchCord to raise or lower the pitch
by any amount. In this case, a scaling value of +22 raises the pitch by a
perfect fifth. The amount of the PatchCord on the input to the switch is
unimportant because ANY velocity value equal or greater than 64 will flip
the switch. If the input PatchCord amount were a negative value however,
the action of the velocity would be reversed and velocities less than 64
would raise the pitch and velocities equal or greater than 64 would play the
original pitch.
Switch
Velocity
~
Pitch
Cord Cord
Switch On when
Velocity > 0
Switch value
is Scaled by
Cord Amount
L1 PATCHCORD #01
Vel+- -> Switch +100
L1 PATCHCORD #02
Switch -> Pitch +022
![](asset-7c.png)
114 ENSONIQ
Programming Basics
Preset Modulation Processors
But what if you want the velocity switch point to be something other than
64? Thanks to modulation processors, it can be done. Here's how.
Connect the DC level to the input of the switch along with the velocity
value. Note that more than one modulation source can be applied to the
input of a processor.
DC offset adds a fixed value based on the PatchCord Amount setting. If
applied to the switch along with the velocity, it changes the velocity value
required to trip the switch. By setting the DC amount to a negative
amount, higher velocity values are required to trip the switch. Setting the
DC value to a positive value would bring the velocity switch point down.
The PatchCord screens for this patch are shown below.
Switch
Velocity ~
Pitch
Cord
Cord
21 Cord
Switch On when
Velocity > 0
Switch value
is Scaled by
Cord Amount
DC
L1 PATCHCORD #01
Vel+- -> Switch +100
L1 PATCHCORD #02
DC -> Switch -021
L1 PATCHCORD #03
Switch -> Pitch +022
![](asset-7d.png)
Halo Operation Manual 115
Programming Basics
Preset Modulation Processors
More Examples To derive a smooth random function you could route the Pink Noise
generator through one of the Lag Processors. A smooth random wave is
useful in small amounts to add a degree of natural variation to timbre when
routed to filter cutoff. Normal pink noise is low pass filtered audio
frequency noise with a 3 dB/octave slope to give equal energy per octave.
Halo pink noise is actually more like very low frequency filtered noise, but
it is perfect for use as a random control source.
The Quantizer can generate interesting whole-tone scales when envelope
generators or LFOs are routed to the input. The quantizer turns a smoothly
changing input signal into a series of steps. By routing the output of the
quantizer to Pitch and adjusting the PatchCord amounts, you can control
both the number of steps and the pitch interval of each step.
The input PatchCord amount controls how many steps will be generated.
With a sawtooth wave (LFO+) feeding the input and the PatchCord amount
set to 100%, sixteen steps are generated. The output PatchCord amount
controls the size (or interval) of the steps.
Try setting up the following patch exactly as shown below using your
favorite preset as a starting point.
Lag
Processor
Pink
Noise Filter
Cutoff
Cord Cord
Lag Smooths
Pink Noise
Smooth
Random Function
Quantizer
Number
of
Steps
Size
of
Steps
Cord Cord
L1 LFO1 SHAPE SYNC
sawtooth key sync
L1 LFO1 RATE DELAY VAR
0.35Hz 000 000
![](asset-7e.png)
116 ENSONIQ
Programming Basics
Preset Modulation Processors
OO
OO The 4x Amp can be used
to get more steps or increase the
interval of the Quantizer.
OO
OO Experiment with this
patch by connecting other
sources and destinations to the
Quantizer.
This patch generates an ascending arpeggio every time a key is pressed. A
diagram of the patch is shown below. The patch is very straightforward
except for the DC offset which was added to bring the pitch down into
tune. (Sometimes you have to fix a problem, but using the mod processors
there's usually a way around it to achieve the desired result.)
You can start to see some of the possibilities (and there are many).
Whenever you find yourself wishing for some esoteric type of control, take
a minute to think and see if there is a way to achieve the desired result
using the modulation processors.
L1 PATCHCORD #01
LFO1+ -> Quantize +030
L1 PATCHCORD #02
Quantize -> Pitch +100
L1 PATCHCORD #03
DC -> Pitch -050
Quantizer Pitch
Number
100%
LFO+
DC
Size
100%
Cord Cord
Cord
-50%
![](asset-7f.png)
Halo Operation Manual 117
Programming Basics
Dynamic Filters
Dynamic
Filters
The block diagram of the Halo’s signal path is shown below.
To understand how a filter works, we need to understand what makes up a
sound wave. A sine wave is the simplest form of sound wave. Any
waveform, except a sine wave, can be analyzed as a mix of sine waves at
specific frequencies and amplitudes.
Any waveform can be analyzed as a mixture of sine waves.
One way to represent complex waveforms is to use a chart with frequency
on one axis and amplitude on the other. Each vertical line of the chart
represents one sine wave at a specific amplitude and frequency.
Instrument Amp
L
R
Freq. VolQ
Retrigger
Pitch
Glide
Glide
Start Offset
Pan
Z-Plane
Filter
20
40
60
80
100
40 80 160 360 720 1440 2880
Frequency
...
Amplitude
![](asset-80.png)
118 ENSONIQ
Programming Basics
Dynamic Filters
What is a Filter? Most sounds are complex waves containing many sine waves of various
amplitudes and frequencies. A filter is a device which allows us to
remove certain components of a sound depending on its frequency. For
example, a low-pass filter lets the low frequencies pass and removes only the
high frequencies as illustrated in the following diagram.
A filter that lets only the high frequencies pass is called a high-pass filter as
illustrated in the following diagram.
20
40
60
80
100
40 80 160 360 720 1440 2880
Frequency
...
Amplitude
Output of Filter
Low Pass
Filter
Cutoff Frequency
20
40
60
80
100
40 80 160 360 720 1440 2880
Frequency
...
Amplitude
Filter Output
Initial Frequency
High Pass
Filter
![](asset-81.png)
Halo Operation Manual 119
Programming Basics
Dynamic Filters
A filter which only lets a certain band of frequencies pass is called a
band-pass filter.
A notch filter is just the opposite of a band-pass filter and is used to
eliminate a narrow band of frequencies.
Another control found on traditional filters is called Q or resonance. A
lowpass filter with a high Q emphasizes the frequencies around the cutoff
frequency. The following chart shows how different amounts of Q affect
the low-pass filter response. In terms of sound, frequencies around the
cutoff tend to “ring” with high Q settings. If a filter with high Q is slowly
swept back and forth, various overtones are “picked out” of the sound and
amplified as the resonant peak sweeps over them. Bells and gongs are real
world examples of sounds which have a high Q.
20
40
60
80
100
40 80 160 360 720 1440 2880
Frequency
...
Amplitude
Center Frequency
Filter
Output
Band Pass
Filter
Frequency
Amplitude
Low Q Med Q High Q
![](asset-82.png)
120 ENSONIQ
Programming Basics
Dynamic Filters
Another characteristic of a filter is the number of poles it contains. Tradi-
tional synthesizer filters were usually either 2-pole or 4-pole filters. The
Halo has selectable 2, 4, and 6-pole low-pass filters. The number of poles in
a filter describes the steepness of its slope. The more poles, the steeper the
filter's slope and the stronger the filtering action. The tone controls on your
home stereo are probably one-pole or two-pole filters. Parametric equalizers
are usually either two-pole or three-pole filters.
In terms of vintage synthesizers, Moog and ARP synthesizers used 4-pole
filters, Oberheim and Eµ synthesizers were famous for their 2-pole filter
sound.
Using a filter, we have a way to control the harmonic content of a sound.
As it turns out, even a simple low-pass filter can simulate the response of
many natural sounds.
For example, when a piano string is struck by its hammer, there are initially
a lot of high frequencies present. If the same note is played softer, there are
fewer high frequencies generated by the string. We can simulate this effect
by routing keyboard velocity to control the low-pass filter. The result is
expressive, natural control over the sound.
If you use an envelope generator to control the cutoff frequency of a filter,
the frequency content can be varied dynamically over the course of the
note. This adds animation to the sound as well as simulates the response of
many natural instruments.
Frequency
Amplitude
4-pole
Lowpass
6-pole
Lowpass
2-pole
Lowpass
![](asset-83.png)
Halo Operation Manual 121
Programming Basics
Dynamic Filters
Parametric Filters A more complex type of filter is called a parametric filter or Swept EQ. A
parametric filter allows control over three basic parameters of the filter. The
three parameters are: Bandwidth, Frequency and Gain. The Bandwidth allows
you to select the width of the range of frequencies to be boosted or cut, the
Frequency defines the center frequency of the bandwidth, and the Gain
parameter either boosts or cuts the frequencies within the selected band by
a specified amount. Frequencies not included in the selected band are left
unaltered. This is different from a band-pass filter which attenuates
(reduces) frequencies outside the selected band.
The parametric filter is quite flexible. Any range of frequencies can be either
amplified or attenuated. Several parametric sections are often cascaded in
order to create complex filter response curves.
If four parametric filter sections were cascaded, it would be possible to
create the following complex filter response.
Many natural instruments have complex resonances which are based on
their soundboard or tube size. The resonance shown above would be impos-
sible to create using a normal synthesizer filter.
Boost
Cut
Freq.
0 dB
+18 dB
-18 dB
Bandwidth
Frequency
Amplitude
Parametric
Filter
10
Linear Frequency - Hertz
dB Magnitude
-5
0
5
15
20
500 10,000 15,000 20,000
4 Parametric Equalizers
![](asset-84.png)
122 ENSONIQ
Programming Basics
Dynamic Filters
The Z-Plane Filter A Z-plane filter is a filter which can change its function over time. In a
Z-plane filter, we start with two complex filter types and interpolate
between them using a single parameter. See the following diagram.
The Z-plane filter has the unique ability to change its function over time.
Filters A and B represent two different complex filters or “frames.”
Changing a single parameter, the Morph, changes many complex filter
parameters simultaneously. Following along the Morph axis you can see
that the filter response smoothly interpolates between the two filters. This
is the essence of the Z-plane filter. Through the use of interpolation, many
complex parameters are condensed into one manageable entity.
Consider, as an example, the human vocal tract, which is a type of complex
filter or resonator. There are dozens of different muscles controlling the
shape of the vocal tract. When speaking, however, we don't think of the
muscles, we just remember how it feels to form the vowels. A vowel is really
a configuration of many muscles, but we consider it a single object. In
changing from one vowel to another, we don't need to consider the
frequencies of the resonant peaks. You remember the shape of your mouth
for each sound and interpolate between them.
This Z-plane filter sweep can be controlled by an envelope generator, an
LFO, modulation wheels or pedals, keyboard velocity, key pressure, and so
on. In fact, any of the modulation sources can control the Z-plane filter.
Because creating the complex filtering is difficult and very time consuming,
we have created 50 different filters and installed them permanently in ROM
for your use. You simply select and use the filters in a manner similar to
choosing an instrument. Because there are so many types of instruments
and filters to choose from, the number of possible permutations is
staggering.
Frequency
Amplitude
Morph
Morph
B Filter
A Filter
![](asset-85.png)
Halo Operation Manual 123
Programming Basics
Signal Flow
Signal Flow Going back to the Signal Path diagram for a single channel we can
reexamine the complete signal path.
Instrument
This is the sampled sound wave. The pitch of the instrument can be
modulated by any modulation source. The sample start point can be
changed only at the time the note is played.
Z-Plane Filter
The Z-Plane Filter is used to shape the harmonic content of an instrument.
The filter envelope is commonly used to shape the harmonic content
dynamically over time but the filter frequency can be modulated by any
source. The Q parameter can be modulated only at note-on time. There are
50 types of filters available. See “Halo Filter Types” on page 148 for a
complete list of the filters.
Digitally Controlled Amplifier (DCA)
Together with the Volume Envelope, the DCA is used to shape the volume
contour of a sound. The DCA can be controlled by any modulation source.
Velocity is often used as a modulation source for the DCA so that the harder
you play, the louder the sound becomes.
Pan
Adjusts the balance of sound to the left and right channels. Pan can be
modulated by any modulation source.
R
L
Volume
Pan
Volume
Envelope
Instrument
Pitch Sample
Start
Z-Plane
Filter DCA
Filter
Envelope Velocity
Freq Q
![](asset-86.png)
124 ENSONIQ
Programming Basics
MIDI Channels & Real-time Controls
MIDI Channels
&
Real-time
Controls
The MIDI real-time controllers may seem confusing at first, but they are
really very simple once you understand them. You already know that there
are 16 MIDI channels per MIDI cable. Each MIDI channel uses three basic
types of messages; note on/off, preset changes, and continuous controller
messages. Halo can also send real-time control information, which simply
means control occurring in real-time or “live.” Real-time control sources
include such things as controller knobs, pitch wheels, modulation wheels,
control pedals and aftertouch. These are used to add more expression or
control.
The front panel control knobs send out real-time controller information on
separate continuous controller numbers. There is a set of 32 continuous
controller numbers for each MIDI channel. Some continuous controllers,
such as modulation wheel, volume, and pan have standardized numbers.
For example, volume is usually sent on continuous controller #7. The front
panel controller knobs on are pre-programmed to control the Halo.
The following MIDI
controls are automatically routed
in Halo:
Pitch Wheel pwh
Modulation Wheel 01
Pedal 04
Volume 07
Pan 10
Expression 11
Any MIDI controller can be routed to any modulation destination. First,
you have to know which controller numbers your keyboard transmits. Most
modern MIDI keyboards let you select a controller number for each control
on the keyboard. For example, it may let you select a number from 0-31 for
the data slider. The realtime controller numbers that the keyboard
transmits must match the numbers Halo is receiving, otherwise nothing
will happen when you move the controls.
Suppose you wanted to send the four data knobs on another keyboard via
MIDI to Halo. Halo can handle up to 16 MIDI controllers (A-P) of your
choosing. “MIDI A-P” are simply names for the internal connections that
link external MIDI continuous controllers to the PatchCord section of Halo.
There are two parts to the connection. First, MIDI controller numbers are
assigned to the letters A-P in the Controllers menu. Next, the letters A-P are
connected to synthesizer control parameters in the PatchCord section of
the Preset Edit menu. The PatchCord Amount scales the amount of each
controller by a positive or negative value.
The factory presets have the MIDI A-P controls connected to standard
synthesizer functions (marked on the front panel). By choosing any four of
the 16 standard functions, the four sliders on your keyboard will work the
Note
On/Off
Continuous
Controllers
MIDI
Channel 16
Program
Change
Note
On/Off
Continuous
Controllers
MIDI
Channel 3
Program
Change
Note
On/Off
Continuous
Controllers
MIDI
Channel 2
Program
Change
Note
On/Off
Continuous
Controllers
MIDI
Channel 1
Program
Change
![](asset-87.png)
Halo Operation Manual 125
Programming Basics
MIDI Channels & Real-time Controls
same on every preset. The chart below shows how this might work if your
keyboard transmitted the slider settings on MIDI controllers 21-24.
Control MIDI Controller # Routing Standard Function
Slider 1 74 A Controls Filter Frequency
Slider 2 71 B Controls Filter Resonance
Slider 3 25 C Controls Filter Attack
Slider 4 26 D Controls Filter Decay
MIDI A-P are internal connections which simultaneously carry front panel controller knob
data and MIDI continuous controller data.
The front panel controller knobs work just like MIDI real-time controllers.
The four controller knobs can be assigned to the first 12 letters A-L. The
front panel knob and incoming MIDI controller messages assigned to that
letter, both control the same parameter that you select in the PatchCord
screen. Letters M-P can be used to route 4 more external MIDI controllers.
Patchcord Destinations
16 Control
Knobs
+-
MIDI
Menu Preset Edit
Menu
A
B
C
P
MIDI
Amount
+-
+-
+-
A
B
C
P
Cord
Cord
Cord
Cord
Key Sustain
Fine Pitch
Pitch
Glide
Chorus Amount
Sample Start
Sample Loop
Sample Retrigger
Filter Frequency
Filter Q
Amplifier Volume
Amplifier Pan
Amplifier Crossfade
Volume Envelope Rates
Volume Envelope Attack
Volume Envelope Decay
Volume Envelope Release
Filter Envelope Rates
Filter Envelope Attack
Filter Envelope Decay
Filter Envelope Release
Aux. Envelope Rates
Aux. Envelope Attack
Aux. Envelope Decay
Aux. Envelope Release
LFO 1 & 2 Rates
LFO 1 & 2 Trigger
Lag Processor
Summing Amp
Switch
Absolute Value
Diode
Quantizer
4x Gain
Cord 1-24 Amount
FXA Send 1-4
FXB Send 1-4
Preset Lag In
Preset Lag Amount
Preset Ramp Rate
Preset
Cords
0
1
2MIDI
Controller
A
31
95
64
0
1
2MIDI
Controller
P
31
95
64
0
1
2MIDI
Controller
C
31
95
64
0
1
2MIDI
Controller
B
31
95
64
![](asset-88.png)
126 ENSONIQ
Programming Basics
MIDI Channels & Real-time Controls
Bank Select
Commands
When the original MIDI specification was developed, no synthesizer had
more than 40 preset locations. At that time being able to select up to 128
presets didn’t seem like much of a limitation. So it was that the original
MIDI specification provided for the selection of up to 128 presets.
Musicians wanted MORE presets and so the MIDI specification was later
amended to include Bank Select Commands. It was decided that Bank
Select Commands would use Continuous Controllers 0 and 32 to allow the
selection of up to 16,384 banks of 128 presets (over two million presets).
Because Bank Selects are implemented using Continuous Controllers, the
Bank Selections can be made per channel. (This is getting better and better.)
For each MIDI channel, you can select any of 16,384 banks and then one of
the 128 presets in the bank. Of course no synthesizer has 16,384 banks
(yet), but hey, it’s nice to know it’s possible (for that really BIG project).
Continuous Controller (CC) 0 is the MSB (most significant byte) and CC 32
is the LSB (least significant byte). Normally you send both the MSB and LSB
controllers to implement a bank change.
When you press the
Audition button, the Bank Select
MSB and LSB are displayed on
the top line of the display.
Halo remembers the MSB and the LSB that were last sent (or last changed
from the front panel). For example, if you have already set the Bank MSB to
04, you need only send the LSB to change banks within the Halo sound set.
See the MIDI Bank Select chart below.
The selected bank remains selected until you change it (either via MIDI or
by changing the bank from the front panel). Standard MIDI Program
Change commands select from 128 presets within the selected bank.
HALO
HALO
HALO
HALO
Bank 0
Bank 1
Bank 2
Bank 3
Bank 0
Bank 1
Bank 2
Bank 3
00
00
00
00
08
08
08
08
00
01
02
03
00
01
02
03
USER
USER
USER
USER
MIDI BANK SELECT
cc00 cc32
MSB LSB
![](asset-89.png)
Halo Operation Manual 127
Programming Basics
Stereo Mix Outputs
Stereo Mix
Outputs
This feature is useful for adding signal processing (EQ, reverb, etc.) of
individual sounds prior to final mixdown.
The routing can be performed according to MIDI channel from the Mix
Output screen in the Global menu. Simply assign each channel to the
desired output.
To route a particular preset to a Send, first go to the Mix Output screen in
the Global menu and set the MIDI channel to “use preset”.
Next set the Mix Output routing in the preset to the desired output (for
each layer). Yes, you can send each layer to a different send if you want.
By sending different amounts of presets to the effects, subtle or striking
effects can be achieved using the two effect processors. This feature allows
you to get the most out of two effects since you can have eight different
mixes.
For more information, refer to the diagram on the following page or, See
“Mix Output” on page 86.
MIX OUTPUT
channel 01: Send 1->main
Global
Menu
MIX OUTPUT
channel 01: use preset
Global
Menu
L1 MIX OUTPUT
Send 2 -> main
Preset Edit
Menu
![](asset-8a.png)
128 ENSONIQ
Programming Basics
Stereo Mix Outputs
The Mix Output screen in the Global menu assigns each MIDI channel to a
Send (1-4) or to “Preset”.
The Mix Output screen in the Preset Edit menu is ONLY used if the Global
Mix Output is set to “Preset”. Otherwise the Preset Edit menu Mix Output
settings are ignored.
S
U
B
1
M
A
I
N
OUTPUT SECTION
& EFFECTS PROCESSORS
FX Sends Hall 1
Effect
A
FX Sends Chorus
Effect
B
B➟A
Jack Detect
PRESET
Mix
Output
Mix Output
Send 1
Send 1 15%
Send 2 10%
Send 3 0%
Send 4 0%
Send 1 0%
Send 2 0%
Send 3 20%
Send 4 15%
GLOBAL MENU
PRESET
EDIT MENU
Ch 1
SEND 2Ch 2
SEND 3Ch 3
SEND 4Ch 16
S
E
N
D
1
S
E
N
D
2
S
E
N
D
3
S
E
N
D
4
![](asset-8b.png)
Halo Operation Manual 129
Preset Edit Menu
The Preset Edit Menu contains four layers of preset parameters that you can
modify and then save as preset information in one of the user preset
locations. There are four instrument layers in the Preset Edit menu. See the
illustration on page 130 for a description of the Preset Layer model.
While the Preset Edit
menu is activated, all incoming
MIDI preset changes on the
selected channel are ignored.
To Access the Preset Edit Menu:
Press the Preset Edit button, lighting the LED. The Preset Edit Menu screen
displays the menu page most recently selected since powering up Halo. The
cursor appears below the first character of the screen heading on line one.
To Scroll through Layers:
Place the cursor below the layer field. Rotate the data entry control to select
a layer (1-4).
__
__ If there is no “A” option
in the Layer field, you must
enable the “Edit All Layers”
function in the Global Menu
(page 92).
You can also select All Layers by choosing “A” in the layer field. When All
Layers is selected, the existing parameter value for any field will be
displayed if the values of all four layers are equal. If the values of all four
layers are NOT equal, the value of layer 1 will be displayed with flashing
characters. If you change the parameter value, all layers will assume the
new value and the display will stop flashing.
To Scroll through Pages:
Whenever you are in the Preset Edit menu, the sixteen command buttons
function as “jump” buttons to various screens in the Preset Edit menu,
which are labelled below each button. Pressing a jump button instantly
takes you to the first screen in the selected category. Pressing the button
again takes you to the second screen in the category and so on. Repeated
pressing will rotate you back to the first screen in the category.
You can also change pages by placing the cursor below the page title field.
This will automatically be done when you press the Home/Enter button.
Rotate the data entry control to scroll through the pages.
To Change a Parameter:
Place the cursor below the parameter field. Rotate the data entry control to
change the parameter value.
![](asset-8c.png)
130 ENSONIQ
Preset Edit Menu
Preset Name
Preset Name The Preset names consists of two parts: a 3 letter preset category and a 12
letter preset name. Position the cursor under the character location and use
the data entry control to change the character.
The preset category is used in conjunction with the Sound Navigator
feature. Using the Sound Navigator, a category is selected and the presets in
that category are listed in alphabetical order. Creating categories makes it
easier to find specific sounds when you need them. For more information
on Sound Navigator, see Sound Navigator in Chapter 2: Operations.
You can also select
characters using the keyboard.
Four Layer
Architecture
Halo provides a 4 layer instrument structure. Each layer is a complete
synthesizer voice with 50 filter types, over 64 modulation sources, more
than 64 modulation destinations and 24 patchcords to connect everything
together. In addition, the four layers can be crossfaded or switched by key
position, velocity or any real-time modulation source.
PRESET NAME
0001 syn: VOSIM-Voc
Instrument
Layer 1
Z-Plane Filter
DCA
R
L
Pan
Instrument
Layer 2
Z-Plane Filter
DCA
R
L
Pan
Instrument
Layer 3
Z-Plane Filter
DCA
R
L
Pan
Instrument
Layer 4
Z-Plane Filter
DCA
R
L
Pan
![](asset-8d.png)
Halo Operation Manual 131
Preset Edit Menu
Selecting Layers
Selecting Layers In most of the Preset Edit screens, the selected layer is shown in the upper
left corner of the display. Layers 1-4 or All can be selected by positioning
the cursor on this field and using the data entry control to change the layer.
In the screen shown below, Layer 1 is selected.
When “All Layers” (A) is selected, the existing parameter value for any field
will be displayed if all layers are equal. If the layer parameter values are
NOT equal, the value of Layer 1 will be displayed with flashing characters.
If you move the data entry control all values will be equal to this new value
and the parameter value will no longer flash.
L1 INSTRUMENT ROM:HALO
0305 bas:Moog Sub
![](asset-8e.png)
132 ENSONIQ
Preset Edit Menu
Selecting an Instrument
Defining Layer
Parameters
The Preset Edit menu parameters define the four layers and include the
instrument assigned to the layer, the ranges of the layer, tuning, envelopes,
filters, and patch cords. These parameters are defined for each layer on an
individual basis (based on the currently selected layer). See “Common
Preset Parameters” on page 161 for global preset settings.
Selecting an
Instrument
The Instrument parameter defines which of the available instrument
sounds is played by the current layer.
To select an instrument for the selected layer(s), move the cursor to the
bottom line of the display and change the instrument using the data entry
control.
Sound Navigator
Sound Navigator also works to help select Instruments although the
category names are predefined. When the cursor is on the Instrument
Category field, turning the data entry control selects different instrument
categories. The Name Field will change to show the first instrument in each
category. Move the cursor to the instrument name to select instruments in
the selected category.
Selecting Categories of Instruments using Sound Navigator.
L1 INSTRUMENT ROM: HALO
ROM SIMM Name
0078 bas : Booty Q 2
Instrument Category Instrument Name
L1 INSTRUMENT ROM: HALO
0078 bas : Booty Q 2
1. Choose Category 2. Scroll through Instruments
![](asset-8f.png)
Halo Operation Manual 133
Preset Edit Menu
Defining Key Range
Defining Key Range The Key parameter defines the range on the keyboard used by the current
layer. The Key range is from C-2 through G8.
To define the range, set the low key value and the high key value.
You can select key numbers by simply pressing the desired keyboard key
when the cursor is positioned on the low or high key field in the display.
Layers can be crossfaded according to key position by adjusting the Low
and High Fade parameters. The first Fade field determines how many
semitones it takes the layer to Fade In from the low key. The second Fade
field determines how many semitones it takes the layer to Fade Out to the
high key. The screen shot above and the diagram below show Layer 1 being
faded out over a one octave range.
With a High Fade value of zero (as in layer 3 of the diagram), the layer
simply switches off at the high key.
C-2 C-1 C0 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 G8
Middle C
L1 KEY: LO FADE HIGH FADE
C-2 000 C2 012
Fade In Fade Out
C-2 C-1 C0 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 G8
Layer 1
Layer 2
Layer 3
Layer 4
Switch
![](asset-90.png)
134 ENSONIQ
Preset Edit Menu
Defining Key Range
To Switch Layers According to Key Position:
The Key Range parameter allows you to create a “split” keyboard with up to
four sounds adjacent to each other on the keyboard. This is shown in the
diagram below.
Just assign the low and high key range for each of the four layers with Fade
set to zero. Set the Low and High Keys so they don’t overlap other layers.
You can select key
numbers by simply pressing the
desired keyboard key when the
cursor is positioned on the low
or high key field n the display.
If two layers do overlap, both will play as shown in the next example.
C0 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6
Layer 1 Layer 2 Layer 3 Layer 4
Switch Switch Switch
L1 KEY: LO FADE HIGH FADE
C0 000 F1 000
L2 KEY: LO FADE HIGH FADE
F#1 000 C3 000
L3 KEY: LO FADE HIGH FADE
C#3 000 F#4 000
L4 KEY: LO FADE HIGH FADE
G4 000 C6 000
![](asset-91.png)
Halo Operation Manual 135
Preset Edit Menu
Defining the Velocity Crossfade Range
To Stack Layers:
If the ranges of two or more Layers overlap it is called stacking layers. All
Layers assigned to a key sound when the key is played. This is shown in the
following diagram. It’s very easy to stack layers. Simply duplicate the key
ranges for any layers you want to stack.
Defining the Velocity
Crossfade Range
Velocity is a measure of how hard the key is pressed. Velocity Range lets you
control the volume of the layers using velocity. Using this function you can
crossfade or cross-switch between layers according to how hard you play
the keyboard.
Set the velocity range of the layer by defining the high and low velocity
values. Values range from 0 (off) to 127 (hardest).
C0 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6
Layer 1
Layer 2
L1 KEY: LO FADE HIGH FADE
C0 000 C6 000
L2 KEY: LO FADE HIGH FADE
C0 000 C6 000
L2 VEL: LO FADE HIGH FADE
36 012 96 012
![](asset-92.png)
136 ENSONIQ
Preset Edit Menu
Defining the Velocity Crossfade Range
The Fade fields define the velocity crossfade range for the currently selected
layer. The first Fade field defines the Fade In range for the low velocity
value. The second defines the Fade Out range for the high velocity value.
With soft playing, Layer 1 sounds. As you play harder, Layer 1 gradually fades out and
Layer 2 fades in. When the keyboard is played hard, Layer 3 plays.
To Set Up a Velocity Crossfade Between Layers:
Set the velocity fades so that layer 1 fades out with higher key velocity,
while layer 2 fades in. At a velocity of 64, the two sounds are equal volume.
You may want to adjust the fade in and fade out points to achieve a natural
sounding crossfade. These parameters vary depending on the sounds.
Layer 1 Layer 2 Layer 3
Velocity
Layer 4
0 127
Fade Fade Switch
36 96
Increasing Velocity0127
Layer 2Layer 1 Layer 2Layer 1
L1 VEL: LO FADE HIGH FADE
000 000 127 127
L2 VEL: LO FADE HIGH FADE
000 127 127 000
![](asset-93.png)
Halo Operation Manual 137
Preset Edit Menu
Defining the Real-time Crossfade Range
Defining the
Real-time Crossfade
Range
The Real-time Crossfade window lets you control the volume of the four
layers using a real-time controller such as a front panel knob, a pedal or an
LFO or Envelope generator. The controller is defined by the PatchCord
parameter (see “PatchCords” on page 157).
The Fade fields define the crossfade range in velocity for the currently
selected layer. The first Fade field defines the Fade In amount for the low
Real-time Control value. The second defines the Fade Out amount for the
high Real-time Control value. The Fade value range is from 0 to 127.
After the Ranges and Fades have been adjusted for each layer in the Real-
time Crossfade screen, you must assign a real-time controller to RTXfade
(Real-time Crossfade) on each Layer in the PatchCord screen. Set the
PatchCord Amounts to +100.
To Set Up a Real-time Crossfade Between Two Layers:
As the real-time control (knob, pedal, LFO, etc.) is increased, Layer 1 fades
out as Layer 2 fades in. This example only uses two of the possible four
layers. Refer to the screen diagrams below.
1. Select a preset.
2. Press the Preset Edit button to access the Preset Edit menu.
3. Go to the Instrument page and select instruments for Layers 1 and 2.
Layer 1 Layer 2 Layer 3
Fade
Realtime Control Value
Layer 4
0 127
Fade Switch
L1 RT: LO FADE HIGH FADE
000 000 127 127
L2 RT: LO FADE HIGH FADE
000 127 127 000
![](asset-94.png)
138 ENSONIQ
Preset Edit Menu
Defining the Real-time Crossfade Range
4. Press Enter, then use the data entry control to advance to the Real-time
Crossfade page.
5. Define the High and Low range of each Layer. In this example the entire
range of 0-127 is used.
6. Define the Fades for each Layer. This is just an initial setting. The Range
and Fade parameters may have to be adjusted later to get a smooth
crossfade.
7. Press Home/Enter and use the data entry control to advance to the
PatchCord page. Select Layer 1.
8. Select the modulation source for the crossfade (knob, pedal, LFO,
Envelope) and set the destination to RTXfade. Set the Cord Amount to
+100.
9. Select Layer 2. Select the same source and destination for the crossfade
and set the Cord Amount to +127.
10. Play the keyboard while adjusting the real-time controller. Go back to
the Real-time Crossfade screens to fine tune the crossfade if necessary.
Decreasing the fade size will narrow the region where both layers are
sounding.
To Randomly Cross-Switch Between Four Layers:
In certain situations, you may want to switch between several layers
randomly. Crossfade Random is a modulation source specifically designed
to handle this situation. Unlike the other random sources, Crossfade
Random generates one random number for all layers each time a key is
pressed.
To set up a four layer Cross-Switch, simply assign each of the four layers to
a different Real-time Crossfade range, then assign XfdRnd to RTXfade in
the PatchCords for each layer.
L1 PATCHCORD #01
MidiA -> RTXfade +100
Layer 1 Layer 2 Layer 3 Layer 4
Switch Switch Switch
Realtime Control Value
0127
112
96
80
64
48
32
16
![](asset-95.png)
Halo Operation Manual 139
Preset Edit Menu
Defining the Real-time Crossfade Range
1. Press the Preset Edit button to access the Preset Edit menu.
2. Go to the Instrument screen and select Instruments for Layers 1
through 4.
3. Press Enter, then use the data entry control to advance to the Real-time
Crossfade page.
4. Define the High and Low range of each Layer as shown above.
5. Press Home/Enter and use the data entry control to advance to the
PatchCord page. Select Layer 1.
6. Select XfdRnd as the modulation source and RTXfade as the desti-
nation. Set the Cord Amount to +100.
7. Repeat step 6 for the remaining three layers.
L1 RT: LO FADE HIGH FADE
000 000 031 000
L2 RT: LO FADE HIGH FADE
032 000 063 000
L3 RT: LO FADE HIGH FADE
064 000 095 000
L4 RT: LO FADE HIGH FADE
096 000 127 000
![](asset-96.png)
140 ENSONIQ
Preset Edit Menu
Transposing the Instrument
8. That’s it! Now set each Layer up the way you want. Try radically
different instruments, filter settings, or tunings. Or you can make each
layer just slightly different for a more natural effect. Try adjusting the
Fades or overlapping the ranges if you want more than one layer to play
at once.
Transposing the
Instrument
The Transpose parameter lets you transpose the key of the current layer’s
Instrument. Transpose works by shifting the keyboard position in semitone
intervals relative to middle C. Use this parameter to transpose different
layers apart by semitone intervals. For example, by transposing one layer by
+7 semitones, it will track other layers at a perfect fifth interval.
The range of transposition is -36 to +36 semitones.
L1 PATCHCORD #01
XfdRand -> RTXfade +100
C-2 C-1 C0 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 G
8
L1 TRANSPOSE
+36 semitones
![](asset-97.png)
Halo Operation Manual 141
Preset Edit Menu
Tuning
Tuning The Tuning parameter changes the pitch of the key in semitone and 1/64
semitone intervals.
Use the Coarse field to shift the tuning by semitone intervals. Use the Fine
field to shift tuning by 1/64 semitones (or 1.56 cents) intervals.
Background: Transpose vs. Coarse Tuning
Transpose works by shifting the keyboard assignment of the Instrument (as
if you were sliding the keyboard up and down with the Instrument
remaining in the same position). Coarse Tuning keeps the instrument
placement on the keyboard and actually tunes the samples up using a
digital process called interpolation. Use Course Tuning on drum instru-
ments to change the pitch while keeping sample placement constant.
Coarse Tuning can also be useful to slightly change the timbre of the
instrument.
Amplifier This parameter sets the initial volume and pan position of the current layer.
These values can be changed using any Real-time Controller set up in the
PatchCords. The value range for the volume is from -96 dB to +10 dB. 0 dB
is the default setting. Routinely turning the volume up to +10 dB is not
recommended because it doesn’t allow other modulation sources to
increase the volume further.
This field determines the initial Pan value for the current layer. The value
range for Pan is from 64L to 0 (left) and 0 to 63R (right). Pan adjusts the
volume into the left and right output channels relative to the Pan setting in
the main Preset Select screen (see “Channel Pan” on page 39). So, if you, for
example, set the Pan value in the Preset Select screen to 64L and set this
Pan value to 63R, the actual pan amount would be 0 as these two pan
parameters are relative to each other.
L1 TUNING
Coarse: +36 Fine: +63
L1 AMPLIFIER
Volume: +10dB Pan: 48L
![](asset-98.png)
142 ENSONIQ
Preset Edit Menu
Volume Envelope
Volume Envelope An envelope can be described as a “contour” which is used to shape the
sound over time. The Volume Envelope controls the volume of the sound in
the current layer over time. The way the volume of a sound evolves has a
profound effect on how we perceive the sound.
Each instrument has its own Factory preset Volume Envelope setting. The
Volume Envelope allows you to program your own envelope settings.
Selecting the Mode
The Mode field determines whether the layer will use the instrument’s
default envelope (Factory) or use the user-programmed Volume Envelope.
There are three mode options and repeat.
OO
OO Factory Mode is useful
for Instruments containing
multiple drums, since each drum
can have its own envelope
settings.
A factory drum kit envelope
actually contains a separate
envelope for every voice on every
key instead of a single global
envelope.
•Factory: Uses the factory preset envelope contained in each instrument.
If you select the “Factory” mode, the Volume Envelope parameters are
disabled and the factory defined settings are used instead.
•Time-based: Defines the Volume Envelope rates from 0 to 127 (approxi-
mately 1 ms to 160 seconds). The Master clock has no affect on time-
based rates.
__
__ If two adjacent segments
have the same level in a “time-
based” envelope, the segment
will be skipped. Adjacent
segments must have different
levels for the rate control to work.
•Tempo-based: The Volume Envelope times vary based on the master
tempo setting. Note values are displayed instead of a number when the
time corresponds to an exact note value. Tempo-based envelopes are
useful when using external sequencers and arpeggiators because the
envelope rates compress and expand according to the Master Tempo set-
ting, keeping the envelopes in sync with the sequence or arpeggio.
Tempo-based envelope rates change according to the Master Tempo rate.
L1 VOLUME ENVELOPE
Mode: factory
= Initial Setting
= Increase Master Tempo
= Decrease Master Tempo
Tempo-Based Envelopes
![](asset-99.png)
Halo Operation Manual 143
Preset Edit Menu
Volume Envelope
Defining the Volume Envelope
See the Programming
Basics section of this manual for
detailed information about how
the Envelopes work.
The Volume Envelope controls the volume of the layer over time. The
Volume Envelope has six stages to the contour: Attack 1, Attack 2, Decay 1,
Decay 2, Release 1 and Release 2. When a key is pressed, the Envelope goes
through the first four stages. If you continue to hold down the key, the
envelope holds at the Decay 2 level. When the key is released, the envelope
continues through the Release stages ending at the Release 2 level.
As soon as the Attack 1 level is reached, the Attack 2 phase begins. When
the Attack 2 Level is reached, the Decay 1 phase begins. When the key is
released, the envelope immediately jumps to the Release 1 stage, then the
Release 2 stage finally ending at the Release 2 level.
If you have selected the factory mode, the Volume Envelope parameter
screen looks like the following illustration.
__
__ If the Release 2 level is set
at a value other than zero, the
note will continue to sound after
the key is released. This might be
useful for drone effects, but the
channel won’t stop sounding
until all channels are used up.
On the Volume Envelope, levels can only be set to positive values.
The value range is from 0 to +100.
L1 VOL ENV RATE LEVEL
Attack 1 84 100%
L1 VOL ENV RATE LEVEL
(using factory envelope)
Atk1
Atk2
Dcy1
Dcy2
Rls1
Rls2
Key
Down
Key
Released
Sustain
Level
time
level
![](asset-9a.png)
144 ENSONIQ
Preset Edit Menu
Chorusing the Layer
Chorusing the Layer Chorusing “thickens” the sound by doubling the sound in stereo and then
detuning it. Every layer with chorus turned on uses twice the polyphony
for that layer.
__
__ WARNING: Because it
works by doubling instruments,
Chorusing halves the number of
notes you can play.
The first field in this screen turns Chorus On or Off and allows you to adjust
the amount of detuning (1 to 100%). The Width parameter controls the
stereo spread. 0% reduces the chorus to mono and 100% provides the most
stereo separation.
Sound Start Offset
and Delay
Sound Start sets where the instrument begins playing when you hit a key.
Setting the Start Offset amount to “0” plays the sample from the beginning.
Higher values move the Sample Start Point further into the sample toward
the end. There is also a PatchCord source which can be used to change the
Sound Start point at note-on time.
Controlling the Sound Start using Key Velocity (< Amt -) brings in the attack of the wave
only when you play hard. This is especially effective with percussion instruments.
Delay defines the time between when you hit a key (note-on) and the onset
of the current layer’s note and the start of the envelopes (if applicable).
Delay values below zero are Tempo-based values, meaning the time is based
on the Master Tempo setting. Note values are displayed by adjusting the
Delay Time value below zero. The sound will be delayed by the selected
note value based on the master clock.
L1 CHORUS WIDTH
off 100%
L1 SOUND START DELAY
127 127
Sample
Start
![](asset-9b.png)
Halo Operation Manual 145
Preset Edit Menu
Non-Transpose Mode
Non-Transpose
Mode
This function turns keyboard transposition On or Off for the current layer.
With Nontranspose “on,” the keyboard will not control the pitch of the
instrument. This is a useful function for drones, attack “chiffs,” or other
sound effects which you may not want to track the keyboard.
Solo Mode Provides the playing action of a monophonic instrument such as a lead
synthesizer by preventing more than one note from sounding at once.
There are eight different solo modes provided. Try setting up different
layers with different solo mode and glide rates or combine solo mode with
polyphonic playing modes.
OO
OO In order to define a
monophonic glide (see the
Portamento parameter), you
must be in Solo mode.
The Solo modes are:
Multiple Trigger: Last note priority. No key-up action. Retriggers
envelopes and samples when a key is pressed.
Melody (last): Last note priority. No key-up action.
First solo note: Envelopes start at Attack segment from zero. Samples
start at the beginning.
If previous note is releasing: Envelopes start at Attack segment, but from
current level. Samples start at the beginning.
When playing “Legato”: Envelopes continue from current segment and
level. Samples start at the loop or the beginning if unlooped.
Melody (low): Same as Melody (last), but with low note priority. Newly
played keys which are higher than the lowest solo key held do not sound.
Melody (high): Same as Melody (last), but with high note priority. Newly
played keys which are lower than the highest solo key held do not sound.
Synth (last): Similar to Melody (last) but this mode has key-up action.
When you release the currently sounding solo key while holding other keys
down, the highest held solo key sounds in a Legato fashion.
L1 NONTRANSPOSE
off
L1 SOLO MODE
synth (low)
![](asset-9c.png)
146 ENSONIQ
Preset Edit Menu
Assign Group
Synth (low): Same as Synth (last) but with low note priority. When you
release the currently sounding solo key while holding other keys down, the
lowest held solo key sounds in a Legato fashion (MiniMoog).
Synth (high): Same as Synth (last) but with high note priority. When you
release the currently sounding solo key while holding other keys down, the
highest held solo key sounds in a Legato fashion.
Fingered Glide: Same as Synth (last), except that Glide is disabled when
playing Staccato, enabled when playing Legato.
Assign Group Use the Assign Group parameter to assign a certain number of channels to
each layer. By assigning all voices in the preset to assign groups, important
parts are protected from being “stolen” by more recently played keys. Or
you can assign a voice, such as an open high hat, to a mono channel so it is
cancelled by a closed high hat on the same mono channel. Layers rotate
within their assigned “bin” of channels, not interfering with other bins.
The modes are:
Poly All: Notes are played polyphonically with dynamic channel
assignment using all 64 channels.
Poly 16 A-B: Two bins of 16 channels each. Notes are played polyphoni-
cally with dynamic channel assignment using no more than 16 channels.
Poly 8 A-D: Four bins of 8 channels each. Notes are played polyphonically
with dynamic channel assignment using no more than 8 channels each.
Poly 4 A-D: Four bins of 4 channels each. Notes are played polyphonically
with dynamic channel assignment using no more than 4 channels each.
Poly 2 A-D: Four bins of 2 channels each. Notes are played polyphonically
with dynamic channel assignment using no more than 2 channels each.
Mono A-I: Nine monophonic channels. Any layers assigned to the same
letter interrupt each other without affecting other layers.
L1 ASSIGN GROUP
poly all
![](asset-9d.png)
Halo Operation Manual 147
Preset Edit Menu
Glide
Glide Glide creates a smooth transition from one note to the next instead of the
normal instantaneous change in pitch when a new key is pressed. This
effect is commonly heard on slide guitars, synthesizers and violins.
The front panel Glide Button LED comes on when the any layer of the
current preset has a glide rate greater than 0.000 seconds (regardless of if a
PatchCord is connected or not). Pressing the button turns the LED and
glide off. Pressing the front panel glide button when all layers are set to a
glide of 0.000 turns glide on with a rate of 0.142 seconds/octave.
The Glide Rate parameter defines the time it takes to glide to the new pitch
(the larger the value, the slower the glide rate) The glide rate value range is
from 0 through 32.738 seconds (zero means off).
The Glide Curve describes how the glide accelerates as it slides between
notes. Because of the ear’s non-linear response to pitch, a linear glide
sounds slow at the beginning and speeds up toward the end. Exponential
curves actually sound smoother and more linear. Eight exponential curves
are provided. Choose one that suits your style.
Glide can be either polyphonic or monophonic depending of the state of
Solo Mode.
To Set up a Glide Rate Knob:
1. Set at least one layer to the minimum setting of 0.002 sec/oct. (This
forces the Glide LED to come on.)
2. Connect the MIDI controller of your choice to Glide Rate on the layers
you’d like to glide. Adjust the Cord Amount for the desired range.
3. Disconnect the MIDI controller from whatever else it was connected to
before you started mucking about.
4. The Glide button turns Glide on/off and the knob controls the rate.
L1 GLIDE RATE CURVE
0.000 sec/oct linear
Glide Speed
Last
Note
New
Note
Linear
Glide Speed
Last
Note
New
Note
Exp1
Glide Speed
Last
Note
New
Note
Exp8
![](asset-9e.png)
148 ENSONIQ
Preset Edit Menu
Z-Plane Filters
Z-Plane Filters A filter is a device which changes the output of a signal (sound) by
removing certain elements of the signal based on the frequency and
amplitude. The “Order” of a filter defines the number of filter elements it
contains. The more elements, the more complex the filter.
Halo contains 50 different types of E-MU’s celebrated Z-plane filters. In
addition to the standard Low pass, High pass and Band pass filters, Halo
contains Swept Octave Equalizers, Phasers, Flangers, Vocal Formant Filters,
and digital models of classic synthesizer filters.
In the filter chart below you will notice that the “Order” of the filters varies
from 2 to 12 order. Higher order filters have more sections and can produce
more complex formants. Halo can produce 128 filters of up to 6th order or
64 filters of 12th order complexity. Therefore, if you decided to use all 12th
order filters, Halo would be limited to 64 voices.
Halo Filter Types This screen allows you to choose the type of filter for the current layer.
Filter Name Order Type Description
Smooth 02 LPF Typical OB type low-pass filter with a shallow
12 dB/octave slope.
Classic 04 LPF 4-pole low-pass filter, the standard filter on
classic analog synths. 24 dB/octave rolloff.
Steeper 06 LPF 6-pole low-pass filter which has a steeper slope
than a 4-pole low-pass filter.
36 dB/octave rolloff!
MegaSweepz 12 LPF “Loud” LPF with a hard Q. Tweeters beware!
EarlyRizer 12 LPF Classic analog sweeping with hot Q and
Lo-end.
Millennium 12 LPF Aggressive low-pass filter. Q gives you a
variety of spiky tonal peaks.
KlubKlassik 12 LPF Responsive low-pass filter sweep with a wide
spectrum of Q sounds
BassBox-303 12 LPF Pumped up lows with TB-like squelchy Q
factor.
Shallow 02 HPF 2-pole high-pass filter. 12 dB/octave slope.
Deeper 04 HPF Classic 4-pole high-pass filter. Cutoff sweep
progressively cuts 4th Order High-pass.
Band-pass1 02 BPF Band-pass filter with 6 dB/octave rolloff on
either side of the passband and Q control.
Band-pass2 04 BPF Band-pass filter with 12 dB/octave rolloff on
either side of the passband and Q control.
L1 FILTER Ord Type
Phazer 2 E4 6 PHA
Filter Types
LPF Low-pass filter
PHA Phaser
HPF High-pass filter
FLG Flanger
BPF Band-pass filter
VOW Vowel/ formant
EQ+ EQ boost
EQ- EQ cut
SFX Special Effect
![](asset-9f.png)
Halo Operation Manual 149
Preset Edit Menu
Halo Filter Types
ContraBand 06 BPF A novel band-pass filter where the frequency
peaks and dips midway in the frequency range.
Swept1>1oct 06 EQ+ Parametric filter with 24 dB of boost or cut and
a one octave bandwidth.
Swept2>1oct 06 EQ+ Parametric filter with 24 dB of boost or cut. The
bandwidth of the filter is two octaves wide at
the low end of the audio spectrum, gradually
changing to one octave wide at the upper end.
Swept3>1oct 06 EQ+ Parametric filter with 24 dB of boost or cut. The
bandwidth of the filter is three octaves wide at
the low end of the audio spectrum, gradually
changing to one octave wide at the upper end.
DJAlkaline 12 EQ+ Band accentuating filter, Q shifts “ring”
frequency.
AceOfBass 12 EQ+ Bass-boost to bass-cut morph
TB-OrNot-TB 12 EQ+ Great Bassline “Processor.”
BolandBass 12 EQ+ Constant bass boost with mid-tone Q
control.
BassTracer 12 EQ+ Low Q boosts bass. Try sawtooth or square
waveform with Q set to 115.
RogueHertz 12 EQ+ Bass with mid-range boost and smooth Q.
Sweep cutoff with Q at 127.
RazorBlades 12 EQ- Cuts a series of frequency bands.
Q selects different bands.
RadioCraze 12 EQ- Band limited for a cheap radio-like EQ
AahAyEeh 06 VOW Vowel formant filter which sweeps from “Ah”
sound, through “Ay” sound to “Ee” sound at
maximum frequency setting. Q
varies the apparent size of the mouth cavity.
Ooh-To-Aah 06 VOW Vowel formant filter which sweeps from “Oo”
sound, through “Oh” sound to “Ah” sound at
maximum frequency setting.
Q varies the apparent size of mouth cavity.
MultiQVox 12 VOW Multi-Formant, Map Q To velocity.
Ooh-To-Eee 12 VOW Oooh to Eeee formant morph.
TalkingHedz 12 VOW “Oui” morphing filter. Q adds peaks.
Eeh-To-Aah 12 VOW “E” to “Ah” formant movement.
Q accentuates “peakiness.”
UbuOrator 12 VOW Aah-Uuh vowel with no Q. Raise Q for throaty
vocals.
DeepBouche 12 VOW French vowels! “Ou-Est” vowel at low Q.
PhazeShift1 06 PHA Recreates a comb filter effect typical of phase
shifters. Frequency moves position of notches.
Q varies the depth of the notches.
Filter Name Order Type Description
![](asset-a0.png)
150 ENSONIQ
Preset Edit Menu
Halo Filter Types
Filter Parameters
The Freq and Q parameters control various elements of the filter depending
on the type of filter used. See the table in the Filter Types section for details
about what the Freq and Q fields control in each filter.
PhazeShift2 06 PHA Comb filter with slightly different notch
frequency moving the frequency of notches.
Q varies the depth of the notches.
FreakShifta 12 PHA Phasey movement. Try major 6 interval and
maximum Q.
CruzPusher 12 PHA Accentuates harmonics at high Q.
Try with a sawtooth LFO.
FlangerLite 06 FLG Contains three notches. Frequency moves fre-
quency and spacing of notches.
Q increases flanging depth.
AngelzHairz 12 FLG Smooth sweep flanger. Good with vox waves.
eg. I094, Q =60
DreamWeava 12 FLG Directional Flanger. Poles shift down at low Q
and up at high Q.
MeatyGizmo 12 REZ Filter inverts at mid-Q.
DeadRinger 12 REZ Permanent “Ringy” Q response.
Many Q variations.
ZoomPeaks 12 REZ High resonance nasal filter.
AcidRavage 12 REZ Great analog Q response. Wide tonal range. Try
with a sawtooth LFO.
BassOMatic 12 REZ Low boost for basslines. Q goes to
distortion at the maximum level.
LucifersQ 12 REZ Violent mid Q filter! Take care with Q
values 40-90.
ToothComb 12 REZ Highly resonant harmonic peaks shift in
unison. Try mid Q.
EarBender 12 WAH Midway between wah & vowel. Strong
mid-boost. Nasty at high Q settings.
FuzziFace 12 DST Nasty clipped distortion. Q functions as
mid-frequency tone control.
BlissBatz 06 SFX Bat phaser from the Emulator 4.
KlangKling 12 SFX Ringing Flange filter. Q “tunes” the ring
frequency.
Filter Name Order Type Description
L1 FILTER
Freq: 255 Q: 019
![](asset-a1.png)
Halo Operation Manual 151
Preset Edit Menu
Filter Envelope
Filter Envelope The Filter Envelope is normally used to control the filter frequency and has
six stages. Unlike the Volume Envelope, the Filter Envelope must be
patched to the Filter Frequency using a PatchCord. In this respect, it can be
thought of as a general purpose envelope generator which is normally
patched to control the filter. The Filter Envelope Levels can be negative as
well as positive.
There are three mode options:
•Time-based: Defines the Filter Envelope rates from 0 to 127 (approxi-
mately 1 ms to 160 seconds). The Master clock has no affect on time-
based rates.
•Tempo-based: The Filter Envelope times vary based on the master tempo
setting and are displayed in values such as 1, 2, 3, etc. Note values are
displayed instead of a number when the time corresponds to an exact
note value. Tempo-based envelopes are useful when using arpeggiators
and sequencers because the envelope rates compress and expand accord-
ing to the Master Tempo setting, keeping the envelopes in sync with the
music. See the illustration on page 104.
•Envelope Repeat: The Envelope Generators can also be made to repeat.
When the envelope repeat function is On, the Attack (1&2) and Decay
(1&2) stages will continue to repeat as long as the key is held. As soon as
the key is released, the envelope continues through its normal Release
stages (1 & 2). For more information see page 104.
To Turn on Envelope Repeat:
1. Move the cursor until it is underneath the Mode field as shown below.
2. Turn the data entry control clockwise. The lower line changes to:
L1 FILT ENV RATE LEVEL
Attack 1 84 100%
L1 FILT ENV RATE LEVEL
Attack 1 1/4 100%
L1 FILTER ENVELOPE
Mode: time-based
![](asset-a2.png)
152 ENSONIQ
Preset Edit Menu
Auxiliary Envelope
3. Move the cursor underneath the on/off field, then turn the data entry
control clockwise so that Repeat is On.
Defining the Filter Envelope
See the Programming
Basics section of this manual for
detailed information about how
the Envelopes work.
The Filter Envelope controls the filter frequency of the layer over time. The
Envelope has six stages to the contour: Attack 1, Attack 2, Decay 1, Decay 2,
Release 1 and Release 2. When a key is pressed, the Envelope goes through
the first four stages. If the key continues to be held, the envelope holds at
the Decay 2 level. When the key is released, the envelope immediately
jumps to the Release 1 stage, then the Release 2 stage finally ending at the
Release 2 level.
The default PatchCord
settings connect the Filter
Envelope to Filter Frequency but
the envelope can be routed to
any real-time control destination
using a PatchCord.
Auxiliary Envelope The Auxiliary Envelope is a supplementary general purpose envelope that
can be routed to any real-time control destination in the PatchCords. It is
identical to the filter envelope generator. See “Filter Envelope” on page 151
for full details.
L1 FILTER ENVELOPE
Repeat: off
Atk1
Atk2
Dcy1
Dcy2
Rls1
Rls2
Key Down Key Released
Sustain
time
0
+100
-100
![](asset-a3.png)
Halo Operation Manual 153
Preset Edit Menu
Low Frequency Oscillators (LFOs)
Low Frequency
Oscillators (LFOs)
A Low Frequency Oscillator or LFO, is simply a wave that repeats at a slow
speed. Halo has two LFOs per layer identified on the display as LFO1 and
LFO2.
An LFO can be routed to any real-time control destination using a
PatchCord. LFOs have a myriad of uses, some of which probably haven’t
been thought of yet. The following examples show a few common uses.
•Control the pitch of the sound (LFO -> Pitch). This effect is called
“vibrato” and is an important performance tool. Many presets use this
routing with the modulation wheel controlling “how much” modula-
tion is applied.
•Create a “tremolo” effect by routing the LFO to control the volume
(LFO -> AmpVolume).
•Add a bit of animation to the sound by routing the LFO to control the
filter. Set the PatchCord amount low for a subtle effect.
The LFOs have five parameters: Shape, Sync, Rate, Delay and Variation.
Shape
LFO waveforms have different shapes. The shape of the waveform deter-
mines the effect of the LFO. LFOs have traditionally been used to add
vibrato or repeating movement to a sound. These new shapes offer a lot of
new programming possibilities.
If you modulate the pitch of an instrument, it’s easy to visualize the shape
of the waveform. For example, the sine wave has a smooth, rolling shape
that changes the pitch smoothly. The square waveform changes between
two pitches abruptly. A sawtooth waveform increases the pitch smoothly,
then abruptly changes back down. The available waveforms are shown
below.
L1 LFO1 SHAPE SYNC
sawtooth key sync
![](asset-a4.png)
154 ENSONIQ
Preset Edit Menu
Low Frequency Oscillators (LFOs)
Sync
The Sync field specifies whether the LFO is synchronized to a key stroke or
is Free Running. Key Sync starts the LFO wave at the beginning of its cycle
each time you press a key on the controller. In Free Run mode, the LFO
wave begins at a random point in its cycle each time you press a key on the
controller.
Rate
The Rate field determines the LFO speed in absolute frequency rate values
or tempo-based note values. All values equal to or greater than zero specify
absolute frequency values from 0.08 Hz to 18.14 Hz.
LFO Tricks & Tips:
•The Random LFO wave is truly
random and is different for
each voice and layer.
•The Pattern (Pat) waveforms
will sound the same on
different layers and voices.
•Sine + Noise is very useful for
simulating trumpet and flute
vibrato.
★
When routing Hemi-quaver
to Pitch:
+38 = major scale
-38 = phrygian scale
+76 = whole tone scale
(+38) + (+76) = diminished
(two cords)
odd amount = S+H sound
Note: References to musical
intervals in the pattern LFO
shapes are with the LFO
routed to pitch and a
PatchCord amount of +38.
Triangle
Square
Sine 1,2 Sine 1,3,5
Sine
Sawtooth
25% Pulse
33% Pulse
12% Pulse16% Pulse
Random
Pat: Fifth+Octave
C
C
G
Pat: Octaves
+ Octave
- Octave C
FG
Pat: Sus4 trip
C
G
A#
Pat: Neener
Hemi-quaver
Sine + Noise
LFO Synced to 1/4 Note Clock
![](asset-a5.png)
Halo Operation Manual 155
Preset Edit Menu
Low Frequency Oscillators (LFOs)
Values less than zero specify tempo-based rates. If you modulate the rate of
a tempo-based LFO, the rates will jump between the tempo-based note
values with each PatchCord increment of “1”. As an example: if the LFO
rate was set to 8/1 and you patched the Mod Wheel to control rate with a
PatchCord amount of +1, turning the Mod Wheel to maximum would
change the LFO rate to 4/1d. Refer to the chart below.
Tempo-based Rates
(based on Master Tempo)
Display
octal whole note 8/1
dotted quad whole note 4/1d
octal whole note triplet 8/1t
quad whole note 4/1
dotted double whole note 2/1d
quad whole note triplet 4/1t
double whole note 2/1
dotted whole note 1/1d
double note triplet 2/1t
whole note 1/1
dotted half note 1/2d
whole note triplet 1/1t
half note 1/2
dotted quarter note 1/4d
half note triplet 1/2t
quarter note 1/4
dotted 8th note 1/8d
quarter note triplet 1/4t
8th note 1/8
dotted 16th note 1/16d
8th note triplet 1/8t
16th note 1/16
dotted 32nd note 1/32d
16th note triplet 1/16t
32nd Note 1/32
L1 LFO1 RATE DELAY VAR
0.08Hz 60 020
![](asset-a6.png)
156 ENSONIQ
Preset Edit Menu
Low Frequency Oscillators (LFOs)
Delay
The Delay parameter defines the amount of time between hitting a key on
the controller and the onset of the LFO modulation. Delay can be used to
simulate an effect often used by acoustic instrument players where the
vibrato is brought in only after the initial note pitch is established. The
following illustration demonstrates how delay works.
All Delay values equal to or greater than zero specify absolute time rates
from 0 to 127. Values less than zero specify Tempo-based mode. Refer to the
previous table for times and tempo-based rates.
Variation
LFO Variation sets the amount of random variation of the LFO each time
you press a key on the controller. This creates a chorus or ensemble effect
since each note played has a slightly different modulation rate. The higher
the value entered, the greater the note to note variation in the LFO.
The Variation value range is from 0 through 100.
__
__ Variation is disabled
when a Tempo-Based LFO is
selected.
LFO variation changes the rate of each note to create an “ensemble” effect.
time
key
down
Delay
![](asset-a7.png)
Halo Operation Manual 157
Preset Edit Menu
PatchCords
PatchCords PatchCords tie everything together by connecting modulation sources to
destinations. Each PatchCord has its own Amount control which can be
positive or negative (negative amounts invert the signal). In addition, the
PatchCord amounts themselves can be controlled by any modulation
source. Halo provides 24 patches for each layer.
There are three permanently connected control routings: volume envelope
to amplifier, pitch wheel to pitch and key to pitch. All other connections
must be made using the PatchCords.
Each patch has an amount field which determines how much modulation
is applied to the destination. The modulation amount can be positive or
negative. Negative values invert the input. The amount value range is from
-100 to +100.
Modulation
Source
LFO 1
Destination
Amount +/-
Amp
Volume
Modulation
Source
LFO 1
LFO 2
Amp Env
Filt Env
Aux Env
Wheel
Pressure
etc.
Amp Vol
Pitch
Pan
LFO Rate
Aux Env
Env Atk
Glide
etc.
Destination
-
+
L1 PATCHCORD #01
RlsVel -> AmpVol +100
L1 PATCHCORD #24
Key+ -> FiltRes -27
![](asset-a8.png)
158 ENSONIQ
Preset Edit Menu
PatchCords
Modulator Polarity
You will notice that some of the modulation sources have symbols
following their names. For example, there are three Velocity modulation
sources, Vel +, Vel ±, and Vel <.
“+” Modulation: Uses only the positive half of the range, adding to the
current value. For example, if the filter frequency were set to 100 and you
patched Vel+ to the filter, the filter frequency would increase from 100 as
velocity was applied.
“±” Modulation: Uses both sides (full) range and both adding and
subtracting from the current value. For example, if the filter frequency
were set to 100 and you patched Vel ± to the filter, the filter frequency
would decrease from 100 with key velocities of 63 or less and increase from
100 with key velocities of 64 and above. Therefore with medium velocity,
the Filter frequency is approximately where you set it at 100.
An LFO ± works the same way; on the positive half of the cycle it increases
the initial amount and on the negative half of the cycle it decreases the
initial amount. With a ± modulation source, a value of 64 equals 0.
“<” Modulation: Uses only the negative half of the range, subtracting
from the current value. For example, if the Amplifier Volume were set to
+3 dB and you patched Vel < to AmpVol, the volume would be at +3 dB
only when maximum key velocity were applied. Lower key velocities would
scale back the volume. In general, < modulation is the proper choice when
modulating Volume.
++ modulation ADDS to the
initial value. (Normal)
< modulation SUBTRACTS
from the initial value
± centers around Zero.
(Use for LFOs, Filt. Freq.)
Control
Value
Control Value Applied
0 127
63
0 12763
-63 +64
0
-127 0-63
±
<
![](asset-a9.png)
Halo Operation Manual 159
Preset Edit Menu
PatchCords
Here is a list of all layer modulation sources and destinations in Halo.
Modulation Sources: Modulation Destinations
Off Off
Key (+, +) KeySust (Key Sustain)
Velocity (+, +, <) FinePtch (Fine Pitch)
RlsVel (Release Velocity) Pitch
Gate Glide
Pressure (Aftertouch) ChrsAmt (Chorus Amount)
PitchWhl (Pitch Wheel) ‘SStart (Sample Start) -note-on)
ModWhl (Modulation Wheel) SLoop (Sample Loop)
Pedal SRetrig (Sample Retrigger)
MIDI Volume (Controller 7) FiltFreq (Filter Frequency)
MIDI Pan (Controller 10) ‘FiltRes (Filter Resonance -note-on)
MIDI Expression (Controller 11) AmpVol (Amplifier Volume)
MIDI A-P AmpPan (Amplifier Pan)
PLagOut (Preset Lag Out) RTXfade (Real-time Crossfade)
PRampOut (Preset Ramp Out) VEnvRts (Volume Envelope Rates -all)
FootSw1 - 3 (Foot Switch 1-3) VEnvAtk (Volume Envelope Attack)
FootFF (Flip-Flop Foot Switch 1 -3) VEnvDcy (Volume Envelope Decay)
Key Glide VEnvSus (Volume Envelope Sustain)
VolEnv +, +, < (Volume Envelope) VEnvRls (Volume Envelope Release)
FilEnv +, +, < (Filter Envelope) FEnvRts (Filter Envelope Rates -all)
AuxEnv +, +, < (Auxiliary Envelope) FEnvAtk (Filter Envelope Attack)
LFO 1 & 2 (+, +) FEnvDcy (Filter Envelope Decay)
White (White Noise) FEnvSus (Filter Envelope Sustain)
Pink (Pink Noise) FEnvRls (Filter Envelope Release)
XfdRand (Crossfade Random) FEnvTrig (Filter Envelope Trigger)
KeyRand 1 & 2 (Key Random) AEnvRts (Auxiliary Envelope Rates -all)
Lag 0 sum (summing amp out) AEnvAtk (Auxiliary Envelope Attack)
Lag 1 sum (summing amp out) AEnvDcy (Auxiliary Envelope Decay)
Lag 0 & 1 (Lag Processor) AEnvSus (Auxiliary Envelope Sustain)
Clk Divisors (Octal, Quad, Double
Whole, Whole, Half, Qtr, 8th,16th)
AEnvRls (Auxiliary Envelope Release)
DC (DC Offset) AEnvTrig (Auxiliary Envelope Trigger)
Summing Amp LFO 1 & 2 Rate
Switch LFO 1 & 2 Trigger
Absolute Value Lag Processor In 0 & 1
Diode Sum (Summing Amp)
Flip-Flop Switch
Quantizer Abs (Absolute Value)
4x Gain Diode
Quantize
Flip-Flop
Gain 4x
Cord 1-24 Amount
Note: Flip-Flop Footswitches
1 & 2 remain in their last
condition when a new preset
is selected.
Flip-Flop Footswitch 3 resets
to the Off condition whenever
a new preset is selected.
Note: The Envelope Sustain
parameter controls the Decay 2
Level segment of the envelope
generator.
![](asset-aa.png)
160 ENSONIQ
Preset Edit Menu
Pitch Bend Range
Pitch Bend Range Specifies the Pitch Wheel range in semitones for the current layer. Pitch
Wheel is a standard synthesizer control which is transmitted as a MIDI
continuous controller message used (normally) to bend the pitch up and
down.
The PitchBend range is from 0 to +12 semitones or “Master.” A setting of
“0” turns the pitch wheel Off for the current layer. The Master setting uses
the Pitch Bend range defined in the Global menu.
Mix Output This feature allows you to program the Effect Send as a part of the preset.
Note that for this feature to work, the Mix Output setting in the Global
menu MUST be set to “Preset” on the selected MIDI channel. If you want to
define output routing by MIDI channel, set it up using the Mix Output page
in the Global menu. See “Mix Output” on page 86 for more information.
The Sends function as effect processor inputs (effect sends). The Output
Routing field shows the true routing of the Sends to the Main output.
To Control the Mix Output from the Preset:
1. Move the cursor until it is underneath the Layer field and change the
Layer using the data entry control.
2. Move the cursor until it is underneath the FX Send Routing field and
change the Send (1-4) using the data entry control.
3. Locate the MIX OUTPUT screen in the Global menu.
4. Set the MIDI channel you are using to “use preset”.
L1 PITCHBEND RANGE
+/- 12 semitones
L1 MIX OUTPUT
Send2->main
Output
Routing
FX Send
Routing
![](asset-ab.png)
Halo Operation Manual 161
Preset Edit Menu
Common
Preset
Parameters
This section of the Preset Edit menu chapter describes parameters that
affect all layers in the preset.
Preset Effects Halo has two stereo effects processors. When playing presets one at a time,
the two processors can be programmed as part of the preset. The diagram
below shows how the effects are integrated into the signal path using a
parallel effects send/return model, similar to a mixing console.
Refer to the Effects chapter for additional information and instructions for
setting up both the Preset Effects and the Master Effects.
Effect
A
Sum
Sum
Main
Outs
Effect
B
FX Send Amount
FX Send Amount
Layers
Reverb, Delay
Chorus, Flange
Dry Signal
![](asset-ac.png)
162 ENSONIQ
Preset Edit Menu
Preset Effects
The Mix Output setting in the Global Menu determines if the Preset’s Mix
Output routing will be used. This allows the Sends to be programmed by
either MIDI Channel or by Preset, whichever you prefer.
S
U
B
1
M
A
I
N
OUTPUT SECTION
& EFFECTS PROCESSORS
FX Sends Hall 1
Effect
A
FX Sends Chorus
Effect
B
B➟A
Jack Detect
PRESET
Mix
Output
Mix Output
Send 1
Send 1 15%
Send 2 10%
Send 3 0%
Send 4 0%
Send 1 0%
Send 2 0%
Send 3 20%
Send 4 15%
GLOBAL MENU
PRESET
EDIT MENU
Ch 1
SEND 2Ch 2
SEND 3Ch 3
SEND 4Ch 16
S
E
N
D
1
S
E
N
D
2
S
E
N
D
3
S
E
N
D
4
![](asset-ad.png)
Halo Operation Manual 163
Preset Edit Menu
FXA Algorithm
FXA Algorithm This screen selects the effect type for Effect Processor A. The “A” effects
consist of different reverb types and digital delays. Move the cursor to the
lower line of the display and select the effect you want.
A Effect Types
FXA ALGORITHM
Lg Concert Pan
1. Room 1
2. Room 2
3. Room 3
4. Hall 1
5. Hall 2
6. Plate
7. Delay
8. Panning Delay
9. Multitap 1
10. Multitap Pan
11. 3 Tap
12. 3 Tap Pan
13. Soft Room
14. Warm Room
15. Perfect Room
16. Tiled Room
17. Hard Plate
18. Warm Hall
19. Spacious Hall
20. Bright Hall
21. Bright Hall Pan
22. Bright Plate
23. BBall Court
24. Gymnasium
25. Cavern
26. Concert 9
27. Concert 10 Pan
28. Reverse Gate
29. Gate 2
30. Gate Pan
31. Concert 11
32. Medium Concert
33. Large Concert
34. Large Concert Pan
35. Canyon
36. DelayVerb 1
37. DelayVerb 2
38. DelayVerb 3
39. DelayVerb 4 Pan
40. DelayVerb 5 Pan
41. DelayVerb 6
42. DelayVerb 7
43. DelayVerb 8
44. DelayVerb 9
![](asset-ae.png)
164 ENSONIQ
Preset Edit Menu
FXA Parameters
FXA Parameters The FXA parameters are Decay, High Frequency Damping, and the FxB to
FxA send. Decay sets the length of time it takes an effect to fade out. HF
Damping causes the high frequency energy to fade away more quickly
during the reverb decay. FxB to FxA controls the amount of the “B” effect
sent through effect “A”. This allows you to place the two effects in series
and create setups such as “distortion through reverb” among others. Please
refer to the Effects chapter for more information about the effects.
FXA Send Amounts These parameters set the effects amounts for each of the four stereo effects
busses.
FXB Algorithm This screen selects the effect type for Effect Processor A. Move the cursor to
the lower line of the display and select the effect you want.
B Effect Types
FXA DECAY HFDAMP FxB>FxA
048 064 000
FXA SEND AMOUNTS 1:100%
2: 50% 3: 10% 4: 0%
FXB ALGORITHM
Panning Delay
1. Chorus 1
2. Chorus 2
3. Chorus 3
4. Chorus 4
5. Chorus 5
6. Doubling
7. Slapback
8. Flange 1
9. Flange 2
10. Flange 3
11. Flange 4
12. Flange 5
13. Flange 6
14. Flange 7
15. Big Chorus
16. Symphonic
17. Ensemble
18. Delay
19. Delay Stereo
20. Delay Stereo 2
21. Panning Delay
22. Delay Chorus
23. PanDelay Chorus 1
24. PanDelay Chorus 2
25. Dual Tap 1/3
26. Dual Tap 1/4
27. Vibrato
28. Distortion 1
29. Distortion 2
30. Distorted Flange
31. Distorted Chorus
32. Distorted Double
![](asset-af.png)
Halo Operation Manual 165
Preset Edit Menu
FXB Parameters
FXB Parameters The FXB parameters are Feedback, LFO Rate and Delay. Feedback sends the
output of the effect back into the input. This creates multiple echoes on a
delay effect and intensifies a chorus or flange effect. LFO Rate allows you to
change the speed of the modulation oscillator for flange and chorus effects.
Delay sets the length of the delay line. This affects the time between
echoes, or the tone of flange effects.
FXB Send Amounts These parameters set the effects amounts for the four stereo effects busses.
Preset Patchcords Preset PatchCords give you real-time control of global parameters. The
effect processors are a powerful synthesis tool and this feature lets you
control and use them in exciting new ways. For example, you can dynami-
cally adjust the effects mix during a sequence or live performance.
There are many exciting performance possibilities using Preset PatchCords
to control Arpeggiator parameters and Effects Sends. The front panel knobs
15 & 16 are usually connected to Arp parameters in factory presets marked
“arp:” Be sure to try out these controls
There are 12 Preset PatchCords per preset with a source, a destination and
an amount control. The amount can be set from -100 to +100. The Preset
PatchCord controls are added to the FX Send Amounts set in the Global or
Preset Edit menus. In other words, multiple sources connected to destina-
tions are summed.
OO
OO To crossfade between
effects.
1) Set FXA Send 1 to 100%.
2) Set FXB Send 1 to 0%.
3) Set FX Cord #1 to FXA Send 1
at -100.
4) Set FX Cord #2 to FXB Send 1
at +100.
Increasing the controller amount
will crossfade from FXA to FXB.
FXB FEEDBK LFORATE DELAY
032 003 200ms
FXB SEND AMOUNTS 1:100%
2: 50% 3: 10% 4: 0%
PRESET CORDS #01
Pedal -> FXBSend2 +100
![](asset-b0.png)
166 ENSONIQ
Preset Edit Menu
Preset Patchcords
Modulation Sources: Modulation Destinations
Off Off
PitchWhl (Pitch Wheel) Effect A Send 1
ModWhl (Modulation Wheel) Effect A Send 2
Pedal Effect A Send 3
MIDI Volume (Controller 7) Effect A Send 4
MIDI Pan (Controller 10) Effect B Send 1
MIDI A-L Effect B Send 2
Footswitch 1 Effect B Send 3
Flip-Flop Footswitch 1 Effect B Send 4
Footswitch 2 Preset Lag In
Flip-Flop Footswitch 2 Preset Lag Amount
Footswitch 3 Preset Lag Rate
Flip-Flop Footswitch 3 Preset Ramp Rate
DC Arp Resolution
Arp Extension
Arp Velocity
Arp Gate
Arp Interval
Beats Velocity, Group 1-4
Beats Transpose (Xps), Group 1-4
Beats Busy
Beats Variation
![](asset-b1.png)
Halo Operation Manual 167
Preset Edit Menu
Initial Controller Amount
Initial Controller
Amount
This parameter sets the initial value of MIDI controllers A-P when the preset
is first selected. The front panel Control Knobs can be thought of as front
panel MIDI controllers because in the Halo, they are treated just as if they
originated from an external MIDI device. Refer to the following diagram.
There are 4 Initial Controller Amount screens (A-D, E-H, I-L, M-P).
External MIDI controller numbers are assigned to the Letters A-P in the
MIDI menu. The Initial Controller Amount value is sent to the PatchCord
destination when the Preset is first selected. If you move the Control Knob,
then that value replaces the initial value. If MIDI controller data is received
it will similarly replace the knob or initial setting.
The Initial controller amounts can be set from 000-127 or they can be
turned Off. If set to Off, the current controller value is used when the preset
is first selected. Setting the Initial Amount to “off” uses the values from the
previously selected preset.
Patchcord Destinations
16 Control
Knobs
+-
MIDI
Menu Preset Edit
Menu
A
B
C
P
MIDI
Amount
+-
+-
+-
A
B
C
P
Cord
Cord
Cord
Cord
Key Sustain
Fine Pitch
Pitch
Glide
Chorus Amount
Sample Start
Sample Loop
Sample Retrigger
Filter Frequency
Filter Q
Amplifier Volume
Amplifier Pan
Amplifier Crossfade
Volume Envelope Rates
Volume Envelope Attack
Volume Envelope Decay
Volume Envelope Release
Filter Envelope Rates
Filter Envelope Attack
Filter Envelope Decay
Filter Envelope Release
Aux. Envelope Rates
Aux. Envelope Attack
Aux. Envelope Decay
Aux. Envelope Release
LFO 1 & 2 Rates
LFO 1 & 2 Trigger
Lag Processor
Summing Amp
Switch
Absolute Value
Diode
Quantizer
4x Gain
Cord 1-24 Amount
FXA Send 1-4
FXB Send 1-4
Preset Lag In
Preset Lag Amount
Preset Ramp Rate
Preset
Cords
0
1
2MIDI
Controller
A
31
95
64
0
1
2MIDI
Controller
P
31
95
64
0
1
2MIDI
Controller
C
31
95
64
0
1
2MIDI
Controller
B
31
95
64
INITIAL CONTROLLER AMT
A:017 B:112 C:127 D: off
![](asset-b2.png)
168 ENSONIQ
Preset Edit Menu
Keyboard Tuning
Keyboard Tuning In addition to the standard equally divided octave tuning, Halo contains
twelve factory programmed tunings and 12 user-definable tunings. The
Keyboard Tuning parameter selects which tuning is used by the current
preset. The User Tuning tables are defined in the Global menu.
The factory Keyboard Tuning tables are described in the following table.
Refer to “User Key Tuning” on page 92 in the Global Menu chapter for
instructions on how to define your own Keyboard Tunings.
Tuning Tables Description
Equal Temperament Standard Western tuning
(12 equally spaced notes per octave)
Just C Just intonation. (Based on small interval ratios. Sweet
and pure, non-beating intervals.)
Vallotti Valotti & Young non-equal temperament. (Similar to 12
tone equal temperament. Each key has a different
character for a given scale.)
19-Tone 19 tone equal temperament. (19 notes per octave.
Difficult to play, but works well with a sequencer.)
Gamelan 5 tone Slendro and 7 tone Pelog. (Javanese. Pelog are
white keys, Slendro are black keys. Exotic tunings of
Gamelan flavor.
Just C2 Allows you to play the following chords in the key of C:
C, E, F, G, A, B, C#m, D#m, Em, F#m, G#m, Am, Bm
Just C-minor Allows you to play the following chords in the key of C:
C, E, F, G, A, B, Em, Am, Bm, C#m, D#m, G#m
Just C3 Allows you to play the following chords in the key of C:
C, D, F, Bb, C#m, Dm, Em, F#m, G#m, Am
Werkmeister III A “well” temperament developed in the 17th century.
Although you can play in all keys, each key sounds
slightly different.
Kirnberger Another well temperament developed by Johann
Philipp Kirnberger where no pitch is more than 12
cents off from equal temperament.
Scarlatti A variant of Meantone tuning which was used from the
15th to 18th centuries.
Repeating Octave Middle C octave is repeated up and down the keyboard.
Link with a preset in equal temperament to form
unusual inversion up and down the keyboard.
User 1-12 Define your own tuning tables (Global menu).
![](asset-b3.png)
Halo Operation Manual 169
Preset Edit Menu
Keyboard Tuning
The Just C Tuning Tables
Well Tempered and Just were standard keyboard tunings up until the 20th-
century when the current “equal tempered” scale became prevalent. In an
equal tempered scale, the octave is equally divided into 12 parts. In Just or
Well Tempered scales, the 12 notes are separately tuned to produce pure
chords. However, in Just tunings you are limited to playing certain chords
and if you play the wrong chord it may sound very BAD!
Halo implements the
MIDI Tuning Dump protocol
which allows you to create
tuning tables on your personal
computer and download them
via MIDI. There are several
computer applications available
on the internet which let you
create and download tuning
tables via MIDI.
Halo allows you to modulate between keys by providing you 12 user tuning
tables. Tuning tables can be changed as you play using a program change
(create several presets with the same sound and different tuning tables), by
MIDI SysEx command (using a programmable MIDI footswitch or other
device), or using a continuous controller (link 2 presets and crossfade
between them using a controller).
The Just C2, Just C min, Just C3 Tuning Tables
These new tuning tables take the concept of just intonation a step beyond
previous products. Fully explaining the mysteries of just intonation is
beyond the scope of this manual, but the subject is covered exhaustively in
Hermann Helmholtz’s On the Sensations of Tone, available at most libraries
and bookstores.
The new tables are called Just C2, Just C3, and Just C Minor. Try playing in
the key of C/Cm using each table. You’ll quickly discover both the wonders
and the frustrations of just intonation! In Just C, for example, you’ll find
that the chords C, Em, F, G, and Am sound beautiful. If you hold one of
these chords, you’ll hear no “beating”. After playing for a few minutes,
switch back to Equal Temperament for a rude awakening!
At this point you might wonder why anyone would use Equal Temper-
ament to begin with. For the answer to that question, play a D, Dmi, or Bb
chord!.The intervallic ratios that make the C & G chords sound so pure
make the D chord sound horribly out of tune. That's why we had to include
Just C3. In this tuning, D, Dmi and Bb sound in tune, but the G chord will
sound wrong.
Each of the 4 tables allows you to play a different group of common chords
in just intonation. Sadly, there is no single 12 note tuning that will allow all
of the common chords to be in tune, and of course that's why they
invented the equal temperament tuning system that we use today.
Just C
Play these chords: C, E, F, G, A, Cm, C#m, Em, F#m, Gm, Am
Just C2
Play these chords: C, E, F, G, A, B, C#m, D#m, Em, G#m, Am, Bm
Just C2 minor
Play these chords: C, Db, D, Eb, G, Ab, Cm, Em, Fm, Gm
Just C3
Play these chords: C, D, F, Bb, C#m, Dm, Em, F#m, G#m, Am
![](asset-b4.png)
170 ENSONIQ
Preset Edit Menu
Preset Links
Preset Links You can link presets to other presets to create layering or keyboard splits.
The current preset can be linked with up to two other presets (Links 1 & 2).
Each linked preset can be assigned to a specific range in order to create
keyboard splits or can be assigned a velocity range to switch links according
to key velocity. In addition, you can specify Volume, Pan, Transpose and
Delay settings for each Link. The modulation parameters specified in each
preset remain in effect for each preset in the link.
Links provide an easy way to create new sounds by combining the existing
presets. Or, you can create your own custom stacked presets with up to 12
layers! We’re talking LARGE sounds here. Of course Links can also be used
when you just want to stack up two sounds.
As an example, let’s stack two presets to create a big sound. Start with a
preset you like, then go into the Links screen and start scrolling through
the preset list while you play to hear both presets together. When you find
a winner, simply Save the preset and you’re finished!
•You can “Split” the keyboard up to 12 ways by using combinations of the
Layers and Links.
•By adjusting the Velocity for the link, you can bring in the link by
playing hard.
•Transposing the Link can radically change the sound.
•The delay parameter lets you create surprise effects, echoes or cascades of
sound as you continue to hold the keys.
LINK 1 Preset HALO
0002 Preset Name
LINK 1 KEY VEL
RANGE C-2 G8 000-127
LINK 1 VOLUME PAN
+0dB 00
LINK 1 TRANSPOSE DELAY
+00 0
![](asset-b5.png)
Halo Operation Manual 171
Preset Edit Menu
Preset Tempo Offset
Preset Tempo Offset This function allows you to double or halve the Master Tempo as it applies
to this preset. When playing or sequencing several presets in Multi mode,
the Master Tempo may be too fast or slow for one preset. Using this feature,
you can adjust the tempo for the misbehaving preset. The Tempo Offset can
use the current tempo or be set to half or twice the current tempo.
Audition Riff
Selection
A Riff is a short pre-recorded musical phrase which can be anything from a
single note to a full 16-track sequence. This function allows you to assign a
Riff to a Preset. The Preset Riff will be used when the front panel Audition
button is pressed.
OO
OO Listening to the Riffs is a
quick way to learn the sounds in
Halo. If a preset has hidden
tricks or controllers, these will be
shown off in the Riff.
The Riffs themselves cannot be modified.
Play Solo Layers When constructing multilayer sounds it is often useful to turn off one or
more of the layers so you can hear what you’re doing! This feature allows
you to temporarily solo individual layers or listen to them in any combi-
nation. This screen differs from the other Preset Edit screens in that it is
NOT saved with the preset. The values reset each time you exit the Preset
Edit menu.
Solo is activated by setting any layer to On (On = the layer is being Soloed).
Any layers set to On will play and any layers set to Off will be muted. If all
layers are set to Off, then Solo mode ends and all layers play normally.
When you exit the Preset Edit menu, all layers play normally.
TEMPO OFFSET
use current tempo x 2
AUDITION SELECTION
Plays:KEY-MiddleC
PLAY SOLO LAYERS
1: off 2: off 3: off 4: off
![](asset-b6.png)
172 ENSONIQ
Preset Edit Menu
Play Solo Layers
![](asset-b7.png)
Halo Operation Manual 173
Effects
Effects
Overview
Halo has two stereo effects processors. When playing presets one at a time,
the two processors can be programmed as part of the preset. When the
MIDI Mode is set to “multi,” the Halo uses a global effects assignment
(Master Effects). The diagram below shows how the effects are integrated
into the signal path using a parallel effects send/return model, similar to a
mixing console.
The Effects Sends On a mixing console you can control the amount of signal each channel
Sends to the effect bus. This allows each channel to be placed in a slightly
different “sonic space” which creates an airy, open sound.
Halo uses this basic concept, but works in a slightly different manner. There
are four effects busses: Send1-Send4. Each preset or each MIDI channel (you
determine which), can be directed to one of the four busses. Each effect
processor has four Send Amounts which allow you to set the wet/dry mix
on each of the four busses going into the effect. A setting of 0% is
completely dry (no effect). A setting of 50% contains an equal mix of
affected and normal (dry) signal.
Effect
A
Sum
Sum
Main
Outs
Effect
B
FX Send Amount
FX Send Amount
Preset
Reverb, Delay
Chorus, Flange
Dry Signal
![](asset-b8.png)
174 ENSONIQ
Effects
Effects Overview
Send 2 is also used to route sounds to the Sub 1 outputs on the back panel.
When a plug is inserted into the associated Submix jack on the back panel,
the Dry portion of the Send is disconnected from the effects processor and
the Dry signal is routed directly to the output jack. The Arrow (->) in the
display points to the actual output routing. The Dry Send is disconnected
from the Effects Processors even if only one plug is inserted into a Submix pair.
The Effects Send is programmed for each layer in the Preset Edit menu.
These routings can be overruled in the Global menu Mix Output screen by
changing the submix setting from “preset”, which uses the preset routing,
to Send1-Send4. In the diagram below, MIDI channel 1 is programmed to
obey the preset routing, which in this case is Send 1.
Individual layers or entire MIDI channels can be routed to any of the four busses.
The four Effect Sends allow you to get the most out of the two effect
processors. For example, with Effect B set to an echo algorithm, you could
route one MIDI channel to Send 3 and set the effect amount to 80%.
Another MIDI channel could be routed to Send 4 with an effect amount of
only 5%.
The Mix Output function is also useful when sequencing since it lets you
route specific MIDI channels to specific Sub outputs (on the back panel)
where there they can be processed with EQ or other outboard effects.
S
U
B
1
M
A
I
N
OUTPUT SECTION
& EFFECTS PROCESSORS
FX Sends Hall 1
Effect
A
FX Sends Chorus
Effect
B
B➟A
Jack Detect
PRESET
Mix
Output
Mix Output
Send 1
Send 1 15%
Send 2 10%
Send 3 0%
Send 4 0%
Send 1 0%
Send 2 0%
Send 3 20%
Send 4 15%
GLOBAL MENU
PRESET
EDIT MENU
Ch 1
SEND 2Ch 2
SEND 3Ch 3
SEND 4Ch 16
S
E
N
D
1
S
E
N
D
2
S
E
N
D
3
S
E
N
D
4
![](asset-b9.png)
Halo Operation Manual 175
Effects
Effect Types
Effect
Types
Effect Parameters “A” Effect types contain Reverb and Delay effects. “B” Effect types contain
Chorus, Flange and Distortion effects. There are 44 “A” effects and 32 “B”
effects. In addition to the effect type, there are user adjustable parameters
for each effect. The “A” effects have programmable Decay and High
Frequency Damping. The “B” effects have user programmable Feedback,
LFO Rate, and Delay Time.
A Effect Types
Room 1-3
Hall 1 & 2
Plate
Delay
Panning Delay
Multitap 1
Multitap Pan
3 Tap
3 Tap Pan
Soft Room
Warm Room
Perfect Room
Tiled Room
Hard Plate
Warm Hall
Spacious Hall
Bright Hall
Bright Hall Pan
Bright Plate
BBall Court
Gymnasium
Cavern
Concert 9
Concert 10 Pan
Reverse Gate
Gate 2
Gate Pan
Concert 11
Medium Concert
Large Concert
Large Concert Pan
Canyon
DelayVerb 1-3
DelayVerb 4-5 Pan
DelayVerb 6-9
B Effect Types
Chorus 1-5
Doubling
Slapback
Flange 1-7
Big Chorus
Symphonic
Ensemble
Delay
Delay Stereo
Delay Stereo 2
Panning Delay
Delay Chorus
Pan Delay Chorus 1 & 2
Dual Tap 1/3
Dual Tap 1/4
Vibrato
Distortion 1 & 2
Distorted Flange
Distorted Chorus
Distorted Double
![](asset-ba.png)
176 ENSONIQ
Effects
Effect Types
Decay
The Decay parameter is used when setting “A” type effects. Decay sets the
length of time it takes an effect to fade out. When setting up reverb effects,
Decay controls the room size and the reflectivity of the room. For larger
room sizes and greater reflectivity, set the Decay value higher. When setting
up delay effects, the Decay parameter controls how many echoes are
produced or how long the echoes last. The greater the value, the more
echoes and longer lengths of time.
The Decay value range is from 0 through 90.
High Frequency Damping
The HF Damping parameter is used when setting “A” type effects. High
Frequency energy tends to fade away first as a sound is dissipated in a room.
the HF Damping parameter adjusts the amount of damping applied to the
signal’s high frequency elements which, in turn, changes the characteristics
of the room. Rooms with smooth, hard surfaces are more reflective and
have less high frequency damping. Rooms filled with sound absorbing
materials, such as curtains or people, have more high frequency damping.
The value range for High Frequency Damping is from 0 through 127.
Feedback
The Feedback parameter is used when setting “B” type effects. The Chorus
and Flange effects have a controllable feedback loop after the delay
element. Feeding back a small amount of the signal intensifies the effect by
creating multiple cancellations or images. Higher feedback values increase
the amount of the Feedback loop.
The Feedback value range is from 0 to 127.
LFO Rate
The LFO Rate parameter is used when setting “B” type effects. Both Chorus
and Flange effects use a Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO) to animate the
effect. LFO applied to a chorus effect creates the slight changes necessary
for a realistic choral effect. Applied to a flanger effect, the LFO moves the
comb filter notches and adds animation to the sound.
The LFO Rate value range is from 0 to 127.
Delay
Flanging, chorus and echoes are all based on a delay line where the signal is
delayed by some time period and then mixed back with the unaltered
signal. This parameter specifies the how much time passes before you hear
the delayed signal. On some effects, this value cannot be changed. In this
case, the field contains a dash.
The Delay value range is from 0ms to 635ms.
![](asset-bb.png)
Halo Operation Manual 177
Effects
Effects Programmed in the Preset
Effects
Programmed
in the Preset
Effects are normally programmed as part of the preset allowing you to have
a different effect for each. This section describes how to program and
modify Halo’s preset effects.
To Program the Effects as Part of the Preset:
1. Press the Preset Edit button. The LED illuminates and the Preset Edit
screen appears.
2. Use the data entry control to select the FXA Algorithm screen.
3. Select an Effect. Do not select the “Master Effect” setting or the global
effects set up in the Global menu will be used instead of the Preset
Effect settings.
4. Use the data entry control to select the FXA parameter screen.
The FxB -> FxA parameter lets you route the B effect through the A effect.
See “Effect B Into Effect A” on page 182.
5. Set the other effect parameters to your preference. Refer to the infor-
mation in the last section for detailed descriptions of these parameters.
6. Use the data entry control to select the FXB Algorithm screen.
7. Select an Effect. Do not select the “Master Effect” setting or the global
effects set up in the Global menu will be used instead of the Preset
Effect settings.
8. Use the data entry control to select the FXB parameter screen.
FXA ALGORITHM
Lg Concert Pan
FXA DECAY HFDAMP FxB>FxA
90 127 127
FXB ALGORITHM
Distorted Flange
![](asset-bc.png)
178 ENSONIQ
Effects
Master Effects
9. Set the other effect parameters to your preference. Refer to the infor-
mation in the last section for detailed descriptions of these parameters.
10. Save the preset. The programmed effects setting will be saved along
with the preset.
Master Effects When playing single presets, the effects are normally programmed as part
of the preset. In Multimode the Master effects are used, since there are only
two effect processors to serve 16 MIDI channels.
You might also want the effects to be programmed on a global basis when
in Omni or Poly modes. You could choose your favorite reverb, for
example, and have it applied to any preset you select.
To Program the Master Effects
1. Press the Global menu button. The LED illuminates and the Global
screen appears.
2. Use the data entry control to select the FXA Algorithm screen.
3. Select an Effect.
4. Use the data entry control to select the FXA parameter screen.
The FxB -> FxA parameter lets you route the B effect through the A effect.
See “Effect B Into Effect A” on page 182.
FXB FEEDBK LFORATE DELAY
127 127 635ms
FXA ALGORITHM
Lg Concert Pan
FXA DECAY HFDAMP FxB>FxA
90 127 127
![](asset-bd.png)
Halo Operation Manual 179
Effects
Master Effects
5. Set the other effect parameters to your preference. Refer to the infor-
mation in the last section for detailed descriptions of these parameters.
6. Use the data entry control to select the FXB Algorithm screen.
7. Select an Effect.
8. Use the data entry control to select the FXB parameter screen.
9. Set the other effect parameters to your preference. Refer to the infor-
mation in the last section for detailed descriptions of these parameters.
10. Press the Preset Edit menu button. The LED illuminates and the Preset
Edit menu displays the last screen used.
11. Use the data entry control to access the FXA Algorithm page and select
“Master Effect A.”
__
__ The MIDI mode (MIDI
Menu) must be set to Omni or
Poly mode in order to select the
effects in the preset.
12. Repeat step 11 for the FXB Algorithm
13. Save the preset. The Master effects routing will be saved along with the
preset.
FXB ALGORITHM
Distorted Flange
FXB FEEDBK LFORATE DELAY
127 127 145ms
FXA ALGORITHM
Master Effect A
![](asset-be.png)
180 ENSONIQ
Effects
Master Effects
Effects Mode This control provides a true bypass of the effects engine. Bypass is a useful
feature if you are using external effects at the mixing console and want to
turn the effects off for all presets.
To Bypass the Effects:
1. Press the Global menu button. The LED lights and the last Global
parameter screen used is displayed.
2. Use the data entry control to select the Effects Mode screen.
3. Use the cursor button to advance the cursor to the bottom line in the
screen.
4. Use the data entry control to change the value.
5. Press the Enter key to save the settings.
The Effects Mode values are “enabled” and “bypassed.” Enabling the Effects
Mode turns on effects. Selecting “bypassed” turns off the effects.
Flexible Effects
Control
The effects processor controls are very flexible. The effects can be controlled
in three different ways to suit your personal preference and to adapt to
different situations.
When in Omni or Poly mode, effects are normally programmed as part of
the preset. In Multi mode, the two effects processors can be controlled
using the Master settings or by using the effects settings of a preset on a
specific MIDI channel. Effects can be programmed in the following ways:
You can create special
“Effects Presets” which are
assigned to the FX Multi mode
Control channel, then use
standard MIDI Program Change
commands to switch effects
during sequence playback.
1. Programmed as part of the preset when playing single presets
(Omni or Poly Modes).
2. Programmed from the Master Effects Section when playing
either single presets (preset Effect Type set to “Master”) or
when in Multi Mode.
3. Programmed from the designated control preset when in Multi
Mode.
FX MODE
enabled
![](asset-bf.png)
Halo Operation Manual 181
Effects
Master Effects
Refer to the following diagram for a look at how effects are programmed.
To Program the Effects Globally for all Presets in Multi Mode:
1. Press the MIDI menu button. The LED illuminates and the MIDI menu
screen appears.
2. Use the data entry control to select the MIDI mode page. Choose
“multi” for the mode.
Preset
FX
Master
FX
Effects are part
of the Preset
1
(Omni or Poly Mode)
Master
FX
Preset
Ch 16
Master Effects
Preset
FX
Ch 1
2
(Multi mode)
Preset
FX
Preset
FX
FX
Master
Ch 16
Ch 1
Selected FX Control Channel
One Channel's
Preset determines
the Effect Settings
3
(Multi mode)
FX
MIDI MODE CHANGE
multi accepted
![](asset-c0.png)
182 ENSONIQ
Effects
Master Effects
3. Move the cursor to the Multi mode Effects Control page using the data
entry control.
4. Set the Effect Control channel to use master settings using the data
entry control.
5. Press the Enter key to save the settings and return to the main screen.
Using the Effects Channel Settings in Multi Mode
In Multi mode, the two effects processors can be controlled from the Master
Effects settings or they can follow the effects settings of the preset on a
special MIDI channel. The effect settings on this special channel will be
applied to all the other MIDI channels. This allows the effects to be
changed during a sequence simply by changing the preset on a specified
MIDI channel.
To Program the Effects by Channel Number in Multi Mode:
1. Press the MIDI menu button. The LED illuminates and the MIDI menu
screen appears.
2. Use the data entry control to select the MIDI mode page. Choose
“multi” for the mode.
3. Move the cursor to the Multi mode Effects Control field using the data
entry control
4. Set the Effect Control to “preset on Channel #” (where # is replaced by
the actual channel number from 1 through 16) using the data entry
control.
5. Press Enter to save the settings and return to the main screen.
Effect B Into Effect A The output of effects processor B can be routed into effects processor A.
This connects the effects in series instead of their normal parallel configu-
ration. Two effects connected in series sound very different than the same
two effects in parallel. For example, a chorus patched through reverb can
turn a bland string section into a lush wall of sound. The B –>A amount can
also be controlled for even more flexibility.
To Send the Output of Effect B through Effect A:
In this example, 100% of Effect B will be sent into Effect A.
1. Access the FXA parameter screen (in either the Global or Preset Edit
menus) that contains the FXB –>FXA parameter.
FX MULTIMODE CONTROL
use master settings
![](asset-c1.png)
Halo Operation Manual 183
Effects
Master Effects
2. Set this amount to 127. Press the cursor button to return the cursor to
the top line in the display.
3. Use the data entry control to select the FXA submix routing parameter
screen.
4. Press the cursor buttons to advance the cursor to the Main field.
5. Set the Main send amount to any amount other than zero.
6. Press the cursor button again to return the cursor to the FXA title. Use
the data entry control to advance to the FXB Algorithm page.
7. Select an effect.
8. Advance to the FXB submix routing page and set the Main FXB send
percentage to zero.
9. Play the keyboard and you should hear the B Effect running through
Effect A. This patch is shown below.
FXA DECAY HFDAMP FxB>FxA
127 127 127
FXA SEND AMOUNTS 1: 10%
2: 20% 3: 30% 4: 40%
Effect B
Main Send Main Send
Effect A
50%
100%
0%
B➟A
![](asset-c2.png)
184 ENSONIQ
Effects
General Effect Descriptions
General Effect
Descriptions
Reverb Reverberation is a simulation of a natural space such as a room or hall. The
reverb algorithms in Halo simulate various halls, rooms and reverberation
plates. In addition, there are several other reverb effects such as Gated
Reverbs, Multi Tap (early reflections), Delay and Panning effects. There are
two adjustable parameters on the reverb effects - Decay Time and High
Frequency Damping.
Decay time defines the time it takes for the reflected sound from the room
to decay or die away. The diagram below shows a generalized reverberation
envelope.
After an initial pre-delay period, the echoes from the closest walls or ceiling
are heard. These first echoes, or the early reflection cluster, vary greatly
depending on the type of room. Roughly 20 milliseconds after the early
reflection cluster, the actual reverberation begins and decays according to
the time set by the Decay Time parameter.
High frequency energy tends to fade away first as a sound is dissipated in a
room. The High Frequency Damping parameter allows you adjust the
amount of high frequency damping and thus change the characteristics of
the room. Rooms with smooth, hard surfaces are more reflective and have
less high frequency damping. Rooms filled with sound absorbing materials
such as curtains or people have more high frequency damping.
TIME
AMPLITUDE
Pre
Delay
ReverbReflex
Cluster
Decay Time
General Descriptions of the Reverb Types
Room: Programs simulate small rooms with high frequency absorption
caused by drapes and furniture.
Plates: Simulates plate type reverbs with their tight, dense, early
reflections and sharp reverb buildup.
Hall: Presets recreate the open, spacious ambience of large concert halls.
Gated Reverbs: Add ambience only while the original signal is still
sounding. As soon as the signal falls below a threshold, reverb is cut off.
Delay: Programs can be used to create echo and doubling effects.
Multi Tap: Programs consist of the reflection cluster only without the
reverb decay.
![](asset-c3.png)
Halo Operation Manual 185
Effects
General Effect Descriptions
Chorus The function of a chorus device is to thicken the sound or to make one
voice sound like many. This effect is usually created by mixing one or more
delayed versions of the signal with the original. The delay times used are
too short to be perceived as an echo, but long enough so that comb filtering
does not occur. In addition, the delay time is varied via a low frequency
oscillator to simulate the random differences which occur when multiple
instruments are playing together. A slight amount of feedback improves the
effect by creating multiple images of the sound as it recirculates again and
again.
All the choruses are true stereo using two separate delay lines controlled by
a single set of controls. The delay times are slightly different for each
channel and the LFO phase is inverted on one channel to help contribute
to the overall chorus effect. The LFO Rate and Depth settings are critical to
achieving a realistic effect, with faster LFO rates generally requiring less LFO
amount and vice-versa.
Doubling When a copy of a sound delayed by about 26 milliseconds is added back to
the original, two audio images are perceived by your brain. When the
delayed image is slightly varied or modulated, the illusion of two voices is
created.
Slapback Slapback is a single short echo in the range of 50-60 milliseconds. A sound
delayed by this length of time is perceived as a discrete and separate image
which is useful for a thickening effect or as a pre-delay for reverb simulating
a hard, reflective surface such a gymnasium wall.
Stereo Flanger A flanger consists of a short audio delay line whose output is mixed
together with the original signal. Mixing the delayed and original signals
results in multiple frequency cancellations called a comb filter. Since the
flanger is a type of filter, it works best with harmonically rich sounds.
This is the frequency response of a Comb Filter.
Flanging was originally created using two tape recorders playing identical
recordings. By exactly synchronizing the two decks and then slowing the
speed of one by grasping the tape reel flanges, the flanging effect was born.
![](asset-c4.png)
186 ENSONIQ
Effects
General Effect Descriptions
The Halo flanger is a stereo device consisting of two separate delay lines
controlled by a single set of controls. A Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO)
varies this initial delay setting, changing the frequency of the notches and
adding animation to the sound. LFO Rate controls the rate of change and
LFO Depth controls how much the LFO changes the delay.
The Feedback control sends some of the delayed signal through the delay
line again. When feedback is used the comb filter notches are deepened.
Delay Delay is an effect which can be used for doubling, reverb pre-delay, or
echoes.
Delay Time is variable from 0-635 mS and controls the time between
echoes. Feedback and determines how long the echoes continue sounding.
“Infinite” delay effects are also possible without the risk of runaway.
Stereo Delay Similar to delay except that the delay line outputs a stereo signal from the
mono input. The two output signals are a few milliseconds apart to create a
stereo image. The delay times are variable from 0-635 mS.
Panning Delay A panning delay is similar to the normal delay lines except that the echoes
bounce back and forth between the two stereo speakers.
Dual Tap These are delay lines where the signal is “tapped off” at two unevenly
spaced locations. When feedback is used, multiple complex echoes are
produced. The fraction in some of the algorithm names (i.e. 1/3, 1/4) refers
to the time ratio between the taps.
Vibrato Basically, this a delay line modulated by an LFO, but with none of the
original signal added in. The LFO modulation creates a Doppler shift and a
resultant cyclical pitch shift. The vibrato created in this manner sounds
very different than vibrato created by frequency modulating the sample.
Distortion Distortion uses a technique called “soft-clipping” to create additional
harmonics in the signal. As the level increases, the top of the waveform
becomes somewhat squared. As the level increases further, it transforms
into a true square wave.
Soft clipping gradually squares the edges of the waveform as the amplitude is increased.
![](asset-c5.png)
Halo Operation Manual 187
Save/Copy Menu
The Save/Copy button is used to save changes to a preset, copy data
between presets, randomize presets and to move other types of data. The
menu is context-sensitive and will start at the appropriate save screen. If
multiple items need to be saved, then the screens have the following
priority: pattern, song, preset. Use the data entry control to navigate to
other pages that support copying information.
Saving a Preset Any time you make a change to a preset, either using the Preset Edit menu
or by changing the Controller Knobs in Quick Edit mode, you must save
the preset in order for the change to become permanent. When you save a
preset it erases any existing preset information in that location. Make sure
that the destination location does not contain preset information you want
to keep.
To Save a Preset:
1. Press the Save/Copy menu button.
2. Move the cursor to the bottom line on the display.
3. Select the new preset location using the data entry control.
4. Press the Home/Enter button.
SAVE PRESET to User
0201 Destination Preset
![](asset-c6.png)
188 ENSONIQ
Save/Copy Menu
Copy Preset
Copying
Information
The Copy operations let you copy information from any preset or layer to
any other preset or layer. To use the copy command, first select the preset or
layer to which you want to copy (the destination location). Then, from the
copy screen, select the preset or layer you want to copy to the currently
selected location (the source location). Using the copy commands you can
copy preset, layer, PatchCord and arpeggiator information.
Copy Preset The Copy Preset command lets you copy all of the preset information from
one location into the preset of the current location. The preset information
in the source location (the preset location from which you want to copy) is
not deleted from the original location, just copied to the destination
location.
To Copy a Preset:
All the Sound Navigator
features work when using the
Copy functions.
1. Select the Preset you want to copy information into.
2. Press the Save/Copy menu button.
3. Select “Copy Preset from” using the data entry control.
4. Select the preset you want to copy using the data entry control. The
ROM Bank, Preset Number, Bank Number, Category and Preset Name
fields are all selectable.
5. Press the Home/Enter button.
6. A warning appears asking you to confirm once more. Press the Home/
Enter button to copy the selected preset into the current location.
Copy Layer The Copy Layer command lets you copy any layer information from one
preset into any layer of the current preset location. The layer information
in the source location (the layer location from which you want to copy) is
not deleted from the original location, just copied to the destination
location.
COPY PRESET from HALO
0093 pad: Dreamer
COPY LAYER User L1 -> L4
0201 Source Preset
![](asset-c7.png)
Halo Operation Manual 189
Save/Copy Menu
Copying Information
To Copy a Layer:
1. Select the Preset and Layer you want to copy information into.
2. Press the Save/Copy menu button.
3. Move the cursor to the bottom line on the display.
4. Select the preset location using the data entry control, of the preset
containing the information you want to copy into the current preset.
5. Move the cursor to the top line in the display.
6. Select the layer of the source preset in the first field on the right.
7. Select the destination layer in the second field.
8. Press the Home/Enter button.
Copy PatchCords The Copy Patch Cord command lets you copy the PatchCord settings from
one layer of the preset location into the current layer of the current preset
location. The preset information in the source location (the preset location
from which you want to copy) is not deleted from the original location, just
copied to the destination location.
To Copy a PatchCord:
1. Select the Preset and Layer you want to copy information into.
2. Press the Save/Copy menu button.
3. Move the cursor to the bottom line on the display.
4. Select the preset location using the data entry control, of the preset
containing the information you want to copy into the current preset.
5. Move the cursor to the top line in the display.
6. Select the layer of the source preset in the first field on the right.
7. Select the destination layer in the second field.
8. Press the Home/Enter button.
COPY CORDS User L1 -> L4
0201 Source Preset
![](asset-c8.png)
190 ENSONIQ
Save/Copy Menu
Copy Preset PatchCords
Copy Preset
PatchCords
The Copy Preset PatchCord command lets you copy the preset patchcord
settings from one preset location into the current preset location. The
preset information in the source location (the preset location from which
you want to copy) is not deleted from the original location, just copied to
the destination location.
To Copy a Preset PatchCord:
1. Select the Preset you want to copy information into.
2. Press the Save/Copy menu button.
3. Move the cursor to the bottom line on the display.
4. Select the preset containing the information you want to copy.
5. Press the Home/Enter button.
Copy Arpeggiator
Settings
This function lets you copy the Arpeggiator settings from any ROM or RAM
preset location into the current RAM (User) preset.
To Copy the Arpeggiator Settings:
1. From the Main display, select the User Preset you want to copy the Arp
setting into.
2. Press the Save/Copy menu button.
3. Move the cursor to any of the fields on the bottom line on the display.
4. Use the data entry control to select the preset you want to copy from.
5. Press Enter when you have made your selection. The Enter LED is
flashing indicating that Halo is waiting for your response.
6. The Arp Settings are copied into the current preset.
COPY PRESET CORDS User
0201 Source Preset
![](asset-c9.png)
Halo Operation Manual 191
Save/Copy Menu
Copy Arpeggiator Pattern
Copy Arpeggiator
Pattern
This function lets you copy the Arpeggiator pattern from any ROM or RAM
preset to any RAM (user) pattern.
To Copy the Arpeggiator Pattern:
1. Press the Save/Copy menu button.
2. Move the cursor to any of the fields on the bottom line on the display.
3. Use the data entry control to select the preset you want to copy from.
4. Press Enter when you have made your selection.
5. Press Enter. The Arp Pattern is copied into the selected User Pattern.
Copy
Preset Bank
The Copy Preset Bank command lets you copy an entire bank from any
ROM or RAM bank location to any RAM (user) bank. This function can be
especially useful after installing a new sound SIMM.
To Copy a Preset Bank:
1. Press the Save/Copy menu button.
2. Move the cursor to the “From” field on the bottom line on the display.
3. Use the data entry control to select the preset bank you want to copy
from.
4. Move the cursor to the “To” field on the bottom line on the display.
5. Use the data entry control to select the User preset bank you want to
copy into.
6. Press the Home/Enter button to overwrite the bank.
COPY ARP PAT from HALO
961 TRANCED
Overwrite pattern:
000 No Control
COPY BANK
From: HALO 2 To: User 1
ROM or RAM
Preset Location
Bank No. Destination
Bank No.
![](asset-ca.png)
192 ENSONIQ
Save/Copy Menu
Copy Preset Bank
Sound
Authoring
This is a special purpose function to be used with the Flash sound
authoring feature. Flash Sound SIMMs created on an EOS Ultra sampler can
be used as a custom Halo bank. Presets are then created in a User bank.
When the bank of presets is finished, it can be copied, using this function,
to the Flash SIMM. Flash SIMMs contain two separate memory locations.
One of these memories contains the sound samples and the other memory
can hold four banks of 128 presets.
For instructions on how to remove and replace ROM SIMMs,
please see “Installing Sound SIMMs” on page 232.
The four sound SIMM sockets in Halo are marked 0-3. The destination
Flash SIMM must be placed in SIMM socket 1.
To Copy a User Bank to Flash:
1. Make sure a Flash SIMM is inserted into the extra Halo SIMM socket.
__
__ If there is no Flash SIMM
in the unit, the error message,
“Requires Flash SIMM” will be
displayed.
2. Press the Save/Copy menu button.
3. Rotate the data entry control to select the “Copy User Bank” function
shown above.
4. Move the cursor to the “From” field and select the User bank that you
want to copy to the Flash SIMM.
5. Move the cursor to the “To” field and select the Flash bank that you
want to contain the User bank.
6. Press Enter. The Enter LED will flash and the screen below appears.
7. Press Enter again to confirm. The following screen appears:
8. The Flash presets cannot be used until Halo is rebooted (power off then
on). Reboot the Halo and verify that the new Flash bank has been
properly copied.
Copy User Bank
to Flash
COPY USER BANK TO FLASH
From: User0 To: Flash2
Press ENTER to Overwrite
Flash SIMM Presets
COPYING USER BANK TO FLASH
Done. Please Reboot Now.
![](asset-cb.png)
Halo Operation Manual 193
Save/Copy Menu
Rename Flash SIMM
Rename Flash SIMM This utility allows you to rename the Flash SIMM and change its ID
number. Flash SIMMs can have any five letter name you choose. Each Flash
SIMM in a Halo unit must have a unique ID number (106-119).
The field in the upper right corner selects between multiple Flash SIMMs. If
only one Flash SIMM is installed, the field cannot be modified.
The Flash ID is the MSB
of the MIDI Bank Select
command used to select the
Sound Bank.
1. Make sure a Flash SIMM is inserted in a Halo SIMM socket.
__
__ If there is no Flash SIMM
in the unit, the error message,
“Requires Flash SIMM” will be
displayed.
2. Press the Save/Copy menu button.
3. Rotate the data entry control to select the “Rename Flash SIMM”
function shown above.
4. Move the cursor to the “New Name” field and rename the SIMM using
the data entry control to select the letter and the cursor keys to select
the position.
5. Set the Sound ID number for the SIMM. It doesn’t matter which
number you choose as long as the same number isn’t used in another
SIMM.
6. Press Enter. The following screen appears and the Enter LED will be
flashing.
7. Press Enter again to confirm or any other button to abort. The
following screen appears:
8. The Flash presets cannot be used until Halo is rebooted (power off then
on). Reboot the Halo and verify that the new Flash bank has been
properly renamed.
RENAME FLASH SIMM Flash
New Name: Drums ID: 110
Press ENTER to Update
Flash SIMM data
CHANGING SIMM NAME & ID
(takes about 2 minutes)
![](asset-cc.png)
194 ENSONIQ
Save/Copy Menu
Duplicate Flash
Duplicate Flash This utility allows you to duplicate Flash SIMMs using Halo. Both Sound
and Preset data is copied when a Flash SIMM is duplicated. A factory sound
SIMM cannot be copied using this utility.
The SIMM sockets are marked 0, 1, 2, 3. The Flash SIMM you want to copy
MUST be placed into SIMM Socket 0. The destination Flash SIMM must be
placed in SIMM socket 1. See “Installing Sound SIMMs” on page 232.
1. Make sure the two Flash SIMM are located in the required SIMM
sockets.
__
__ If there are no Flash
SIMMs in the unit, or if the
SIMMs are in the wrong slots,
an error message will be
displayed.
2. Press the Save/Copy menu button.
3. Rotate the data entry control to select the “Duplicate Flash SIMM”
screen shown above.
4. Move the cursor to the bottom line and press Enter. The following
screen appears and the Enter LED will be flashing.
5. Press Enter again to confirm or any other button to abort. The
following screen appears and the SIMM is copied.
6. When Halo has finished duplicating the SIMM, turn power off, remove
the copied SIMM, then reboot. That’s it!
DUPLICATE SLOT 0 FLASH
Start
Press ENTER to overwrite
the Flash SIMM in Slot 1
DUPLICATING SLOT 0 -> SLOT 1
(Takes about 5 minutes)
![](asset-cd.png)
Halo Operation Manual 195
Save/Copy Menu
Sound Authoring
Create Random
Preset
This is a great feature which creates a new preset using portions of the ROM
presets as source material. By merging random presets, really great
sounding presets can be generated with ease. Use this feature to generate
wild new sounds, get new programming ideas or just for fun.
To Create a Random Preset:
Examine interesting
presets to learn how they work
using the Edit menu.
1. Press the Save/Copy menu button.
2. Move the cursor to the bottom line on the display and press Enter.
3. A new random preset will be created.
4. Don’t like the sound? Press Enter again and a new random sound will
be generated.
RANDOMIZE PRESET User
0000 Any User Preset
![](asset-ce.png)
196 ENSONIQ
Save/Copy Menu
Create Random Preset
![](asset-cf.png)
Halo Operation Manual 197
Preset Programming
There is so much you can do with the Halo it would be impossible to
describe it all. This chapter is will give you a few ideas for programming
your own custom sounds and contains step-by-step instructions to help
you get started. In order to get the most from this chapter, we recommend
you actually try each example.
Editing Presets One of the easiest ways to make a new preset is to edit an existing preset.
This is also an excellent way of becoming familiar with Halo. If you don’t
like what you hear, simply select a new preset, then Halo reverts to the
original sound. Changes are not permanent until you Save them (see
“Saving a Preset” on page 187).
Let’s experiment and modify a few parameters of an existing preset. We’ll
start with functions that have an obvious effect on the sound: Instrument
Select, Tuning, and Chorus.
Changing the
Instrument
Changing the instrument is the easiest and most dramatic way to modify
an existing preset.
To Change the Instrument for the Current Layer:
1. Choose any cool preset, then press the Preset Edit button.
2. Press the #1 Jump button twice to jump directly to the Instrument
page. See “Preset Menu Jump Keys” on page 36.
OO
OO The Preset Edit Jump
Buttons are located in the
“Command Functions” section
of the front panel.
3. Move the cursor down to the bottom line (using a Cursor button).
4. Use the Channel button to turn select the various layers. Use the data
entry control to turn OFF all layers except L1. This allows you to hear
the different instruments by themselves.
5. Play the keyboard as you scroll through the various instruments.
L1 INSTRUMENT ROM:HALO
0185 syn: Pad Synth
![](asset-d0.png)
198 ENSONIQ
Preset Programming
Editing Presets
To Change the Instrument for any Layer in the Preset:
6. Use the Channel Select buttons to select another layer.
7. Find another instrument that sounds good when combined with the
previous instrument selected.
8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 if you want to add additional layers (although two
layers will be enough for these experiments).
Now let’s play with the tuning.
Changing the Tuning
of an Instrument
Tuning the selected layer of the preset changes the pitch of the key on the
controller. If the numbers are “00,” it means that the instruments are tuned
to concert pitch (A=440 Hz). The Coarse tuning value represents whole
semitone intervals. The Fine tuning value shifts the pitch in 1/64 semitones
(or 1.56 cents).
To Tune the Instrument of the Current Layer:
1. Press the #3 Jump button twice to jump directly to Tuning page.
2. Move the cursor to the Coarse field (using the cursor button).
3. Set the value to +12 to shift the pitch up a whole octave. To shift the
pitch in smaller units than a semitone, use the Fine field.
Try tuning one of the instruments to a perfect fifth above the other by
setting the Coarse value to +7.
Tuning an instrument far out of its normal range completely changes the
character of the sound. For example, if you tune a bass guitar up 2 octaves,
it's going to sound rather petite. On the other hand, if you tune it down 2
octaves, you can probably rattle plaster off the walls! Experiment with
radical pitch shifting. You'll be surprised at the results.
L2 INSTRUMENT ROM:HALO
0078 str:Pizz Strings
L1 TUNING
Coarse: +36 Fine: +6
![](asset-d1.png)
Halo Operation Manual 199
Preset Programming
Editing Presets
Chorus This is an easy one. Chorus works by doubling the instruments and
detuning them slightly. The larger the chorus value, the more detuning
occurs. The Width parameter controls the stereo spread. A Width value of
0% reduces the chorus to mono, a value of 100% provides the most stereo
separation. Chorus is useful when you want to “fatten up” a part quickly
and easily.
To Chorus a Layer:
__
__ WARNING: Since it
works by doubling the
instruments, Chorusing halves
the number of notes you can
play on Halo.
1. Press the #5 Jump button to jump directly to the Chorus page.
2. Use the cursor buttons to advance the cursor to the Chorus field (the
first field in the bottom line of the display). Use the data entry control
to turn on chorus.
3. Select a Width value based on the amount of detuning you want.
Smaller numbers mean less detuning, larger ones more.
You can select various amounts of chorusing for each of the instruments,
just play around with the Chorus and Width parameter until you like what
you hear.
Volume Envelope Every sound you hear, whether it’s a piano note, a drum, or a bell, has a
characteristic volume curve or envelope. This Volume Envelope shapes the
volume of the sound which grows louder or softer in various ways during
the course of the sound. The volume envelope of a sound is one of the clues
our brain uses to determine what type of sound is being produced.
An envelope shapes the sound or volume of the sound over time. The
envelope generators in Halo all have six stages to the contour: Attack 1,
Attack 2, Decay 1, Decay 2, Release 1 and Release 2. When you press a key
on the keyboard, the envelope goes through each of the first four stages,
advancing to the next stage when the defined Level for each is reached. As
long as you continue to hold the key down, the envelope continues
through the first four stages holding at the end of the Decay 2 level until
the key is released. When you release the key, the envelope jumps to the
Release stages (no matter where the envelope is when you release the key)
ending at the Release 2 level.
L1 CHORUS WIDTH
off 100%
![](asset-d2.png)
200 ENSONIQ
Preset Programming
Editing Presets
Every instrument in Halo has it's own predetermined volume envelope
which is used when the Volume Envelope parameter is set to “factory.” By
setting the Volume Envelope to “time-based” or “tempo-based,” we can
reshape the instrument's natural volume envelope any way we want. By
reshaping the volume envelope of a instrument, you can dramatically
change the way the sound is perceived. For example, you can make
“bowed” pianos or backward gongs. The diagrams to the left show the
characteristic volume envelopes of a few common sounds.
In preparation for this experiment choose almost any of the standard organ
presets which sustain as long as the key is held down. Go to the Instrument
page and set it to “None” on all layers except Layer 1. Now you’re ready to
play with the Volume Envelope.
Adjusting the Volume Envelope (the easy way):
Many sounds don’t require a complex six-segment envelope. Over the
years, a simpler Attack-Decay-Sustain-Release envelope, or ADSR, have
become standard. The front panel controller knobs on Halo have been
preprogrammed to adjust these four volume envelope parameters. A
diagram of this standard ADSR envelope is shown below.
1. Front panel knobs E-H are routed to the volume envelope parameters.
This is the easiest way to change the volume envelope settings.
2. Press the front panel Controller button E-H to select: Amp Attack, Amp
Decay, Amp Sustain, Amp Release.
Atk1
Atk2
Dcy1
Dcy2
Rls1
Rls2
Key Down Key Released
Sustain
time
level
Attack
Decay
Release
Key Down Key Released
Sustain
Level
m
e
level
Percussion
Piano
Organ
Strings
![](asset-d3.png)
Halo Operation Manual 201
Preset Programming
Editing Presets
3. Increase the Amp Attack knob and play a note. The attack controls the
time it takes for the sound to reach the Attack level when a key is
pressed and held.
4. Increase the Amp Release knob. Note the effect as you release the key.
The Release stages controls the time it takes for the sound to die away
when a note is released.
5. Try out the Sustain & Release knobs. The Sustain knob control the
volume LEVEL after the Decay phase has finished and while the key
continues to be held. As soon as you release the key, the Release phase
begins.
To Create a Complex Volume Envelope:
1. Go to the Volume Envelope mode screen, by pressing the “Amp” jump
button twice, and set the Volume Envelope mode to “time-based.”
2. Now move on to the next screen to set the Volume Envelope
parameters.
Front panel knobs 5-8
are routed to the volume
envelope parameters and thus
affect the settings. You may
want to disconnect the
PatchCords to gain total control
of the envelope parameters.
(Alternately, you can create a
completely blank preset and start
from there.)
3. Increase the Attack 1 time value and play a note. The attack controls
the time it takes for the sound to reach the Attack level when a key is
pressed and held.
4. Move the cursor to the first field in the bottom line and use the cursor
buttons to advance to the Release pages.
5. Increase the Release 1 and 2 times. Note the effect as you release the key
on the controller. The Release stages controls the time it takes for the
sound to die away when a note is released.
To Setup the Volume Envelope as an ADSR:
The classic synthesizer ADSR (Attack-Decay-Sustain-Release) envelope is
easy to create using the Halo six segment envelope generators. The trick is
to only use segments: Attack1, Decay2, and Release1.
1. Set Atk1, Atk2 & Dcy1 levels to 100.
2. Set Rls1 & Rls2 levels to 0.
L1 VOLUME ENVELOPE
Mode: time-based
L1 VOL ENV TIME LEVEL
Attack 1 50 100%
![](asset-d4.png)
202 ENSONIQ
Preset Programming
Editing Presets
3. Set Atk2, Dcy1 and Rls2 rates to 0.
4. Program the Atk1, Dcy2 and Rls1 segments as you wish. Decay 2 level is
your Sustain level.
Working with Filters The filters make it possible to remove certain components of the sound. A
low pass filter removes the high frequency components or put another way,
it “lets the low frequencies pass.” A high-pass filter removes the low
frequency components from the sound letting only the high frequencies
pass. See “Halo Filter Types” on page 148 for a complete list of Halo’s filters
and their descriptions.
In preparation for the next tutorial, set up the Halo with a single
instrument layer on Layer 1.
1. Go to the Instrument screen (Preset Edit menu) and select Instrument
#140 - wav:Sawtooth 1. This is a harmonically rich sound. Since filters
work by removing or accentuating certain frequencies, we want to
make sure that we have a lot of frequencies to start with.
1. Advance to the Filter Type screen using the data entry control. Select
the Classic 4th order filter.
Front panel knobs A & B
are routed to the filter
parameters and will affect the
initial settings made here.
1. The Filter Frequency and Q (resonance) are preprogrammed to the front
panel controller knobs A & B. This is the easiest way to change the
volume envelope settings.
2. Press the front panel Controller button A-D to select controls A-D
The Frequency parameter determines the filter cutoff frequency or the
frequency the filter uses as the highest frequency allowed to pass. If you
play the keyboard now, you should hear the raw sound. Slowly decrease
the filter cutoff frequency value as you play the keyboard. The sound
Atk1
Dcy2
Rls1
Key
Down
Key
Released
Sustain
Level
time
level
Used
Atk1
Dcy2
Rls1
Unused
Atk2
Dcy1
Rls2
L1 FILTER Ord Type
Classic 4 LPF
![](asset-d5.png)
Halo Operation Manual 203
Preset Programming
Editing Presets
gets more and more dull as you remove more and more high
frequencies from the sound. At some point, the sound completely
disappears. (You have filtered out everything.) The chart on the
following page illustrates what you just did.
3. Turn the filter back up to full, then adjust the Q.
4. Set the Q about halfway up, then adjust the Cutoff as you play the
keyboard. As you change the Cutoff, notice that the sound now has a
sharp, nasal quality. A high Q boosts or amplifies the frequencies at the
cutoff frequency (Fc).
Adding the Filter Envelope
Now let's modulate the Filter Frequency with the Filter Envelope. The Filter
Envelope is a device that can automatically change the filter frequency
during the course of the note. Before we define the Filter Envelope, we need
to patch the Filter Envelope to the Filter Frequency.
To Setup the Filter Envelope:
1. Go to the PatchCord screen by pressing the Cords Jump Key.
2. Move the cursor to PatchCord #3. This patchcord is preprogrammed to
connect the Filter Envelope to Filter Cutoff Frequency.
3. Move the cursor to the last field in the lower line. This is the Amount
field. The Amount field determines the amount of modulation applied.
Set this value to +100.
20
40
60
80
100
40 80 160 360 720 14402880
Frequency
...
Amplitude
Output of Filter
Cutoff Frequency
L1 PATCHCORD #03
FiltEnv+ -> FiltFreq +100
![](asset-d6.png)
204 ENSONIQ
Preset Programming
Editing Presets
This setup connects the Filter Envelope Generator to the Filter Cutoff as
shown in the following diagram.
4. On the front panel knob controllers, choose controls A-D.
5. Adjust Filter Attack and Filter Release knobs and note their effect on
the sound.
6. Now, return to the Filter Envelope Mode screen. Set the Mode to
“time-based.”
7. Advance to the Filter Envelope parameter page.
8. Move the cursor underneath the time field and change the value to
about +50. Now when you press a key the filter slowly sweeps up.
L1 PATCHCORD #01
FiltEnv+ -> FiltFreq +100
R
L
Pan
Instrument Filter DCA
Filter Env.
Fc Q
L1 FILTER ENVELOPE
Mode: time-based
L1 FILT ENV RATE LEVEL
Attack1 50 100%
![](asset-d7.png)
Halo Operation Manual 205
Preset Programming
Editing Presets
9. Change the attack rate and note the change in the sound.
10. Set the envelope parameters as shown in the following table.
With the above setup, the filter sweeps up, then Decays back down to
the Decay 2 Level until you release the key. Then it sweeps down at the
Release rates. Play with the envelope parameters for awhile to get a feel
for their function. (If you're having trouble understanding the Envelope
Generators, please refer to the Programming Basics section in this
manual.)
Changing Filter Types
Go back to the Filter Type screen shown below and move the cursor down
the lower line of the display. Change the filter type while playing the
keyboard. There are 50 different filter types.
These filters are extremely powerful and have been carefully crafted to offer
maximum flexibility and musical control. You may want to change the
Envelope (PatchCord) Amount, Q and/or the Filter Frequency to get the
right sound for each filter and instrument. These three controls, coupled
with the Filter Envelope, are perhaps the most important controls on any
synthesizer. Take the time to learn how they interact with each other and
you will be able to create sounds beyond imagination.
Envelope Phase Time Level %
Attack 1 40 65
Attack 2 65 100
Decay 1 80 85
Decay 2 25 50
Release 1 97 20
Release 2 73 0
L1 FILT ENV RATE LEVEL
Attack1 50 +88%
L1 FILTER Ord Type
Aah-Ay-Eeh 6 VOW
![](asset-d8.png)
206 ENSONIQ
Preset Programming
Editing Presets
Envelope Repeat
The Envelope Generator can also be made to repeat. When the envelope
repeat function is On, the Attack (1&2) and Decay (1&2) stages will
continue to repeat as long as the key is held.
To Make the Filter Envelope Repeat:
1. Go to the Filter Envelope Mode screen shown below.
2. Move the cursor to the Mode field.
3. Turn the data entry control clockwise. The Mode field will change to
Repeat as shown below.
4. Move the cursor to the on/off field and turn Envelope Repeat On.
5. Play a key on the keyboard. You should now hear the envelope
repeating.
6. Go back to the envelope parameter page and adjust the Attack 1&2,
and Decay 1&2 parameters. The repeating envelope cycles through
these four stages as long as the key is held.
Practice Modulating •Try modulating the pitch with the Filter Envelope generator.
•Use Velocity to modulate the Filter Envelope PatchCord or the Filter
Frequency. This brightens the sound as you play harder.
•Program the LFO to modulate Filter Frequency and Volume (Patch-
Cord screen).
•Modulate the LFO with the other LFO, with Velocity, and with the
Pitch Wheel.
•Examine the Factory presets to learn how they’re constructed. There
are lots of cool synthesis tricks you can use in your own presets.
•We’ve programmed the front panel knobs our way, but since they’re
completely programmable there’s no reason why you can’t create
your own custom controls.
•Think of ten exotic modulation routings, then try them out.
Experimentation is the key to learning how to control Halo.
L1 FILTER ENVELOPE
Mode: time-based
L1 FILTER ENVELOPE
Repeat: on
![](asset-d9.png)
Halo Operation Manual 207
Preset Programming
Editing Presets
Troubleshooting A common source of confusion when working with the filter envelope is
that the Attack or Release parameters might not seem to be working
correctly. If you are not getting the expected result, try to analyze the
situation. There will be many times when you will have to stop for a
minute and think, “What am I trying to do and why isn't it working?”
When this happens (and it will), don't panic. Troubleshooting is a normal
part of the synthesis process. Simply examine the various parameters and
try to be as analytical as possible as you solve the problem. The solution is
usually simple. (“The filter is already wide open and can't open any more.”
or “Another PatchCord is connecting something to the parameter and
affecting it.”) Learning to play any instrument takes a little patience and
practice.
Referring to the diagram below which shows the Halo signal flow, notice
that the DCA comes after the Filter. The DCA controls the final volume of
the sound, so if the filter's release is longer than the release for the DCA,
you won't hear it, because the DCA has already shut off the sound.
You’re getting the general idea by now. Remember not to select a new
preset before saving the current one or all your changes will be lost (the
preset reverts to the last saved version). If you want to save your creation,
select the Save/Copy menu and select a destination preset location for your
masterpiece, then press Enter.
Because you can save your work, it’s worth spending time to get the sound
just right. When designing sounds you become an instrument builder as
well as a musician. With Halo you can design the custom radical instru-
ments you’ve always wanted!
R
L
Pan
Instrument DCA
Z-Plane
Filter
![](asset-da.png)
208 ENSONIQ
Preset Programming
Linking Presets
Linking
Presets
Using the Link pages in the Edit menu is a quick and easy way to create new
sounds. Use the Links to “layer” presets and to “split” a keyboard into
sections containing different sounds.
To Layer Two Presets:
1. Select the first preset you want to layer.
2. Press the Preset Edit button.
3. Go to the Link screen by pressing the Links Jump Key.
OO
OO See “Preset Links” on
page 170 for more information.
4. Move the cursor to the second line of the display. Select the preset you
want to link with the preset you selected in step 1. Play the keyboard as
you scroll through the various presets to hear the results.
5. If you want the link to be a permanent part of the preset, be sure to save
the preset. Otherwise, simply change the preset to erase your work.
To Create a Split Keyboard Using Links:
1. Follow steps 1 through 4 above.
2. Press Enter and use the Jump Key to advance to the next page.
3. Set the keyboard range of the linked preset as desired.
4. Press Enter and use the data entry control to go to the Key Range page
using the Ranges jump key.
5. Set the range of the original preset so it fills the remaining keyboard
area. Save the preset.
LINK 1 PRESET HALO
off
RANGE C-2 B4 000 127
LINK 1 KEY VEL
C5 000 G8 000
L1 KEY:LO FADE HIGH FADE
![](asset-db.png)
Halo Operation Manual 209
Appendix
This section provides some of the more technical information about Halo.
In this appendix, you will find information about velocity curves, MIDI
commands and PatchCord charts.
Front Panel
Knob
Functions
The front panel knob functions are standardized for most of the factory
presets. The typical functions of the controller knobs are described below.
Match the controller knobs on an external MIDI controller to the Realtime
Controller Assignments in the Controllers menu if you want to externally
control these functions.
![](asset-dc.png)
210 ENSONIQ
Appendix
Presets
Knob Controller
Descriptions
Tone .......................... Filter Frequency
Presence..................... Filter Resonance
Shape ......................... Volume or Filter Envelope Attack
Image ......................... Pitch/Glide/Chorus Amt/Layer Volume
Attack ......................... Volume or Filter Envelope Attack
Decay/Release............ Vol./Filt. Envelope Release and/or Decay
The Front Panel Knobs
can be reprogrammed for each
preset and stored in any of the
User Presets. The functions
shown here are the factory
programmed settings.
Movement.................. LFO -> Dynamic Movement (i.e. panning)
Rate ............................ LFO Rate
Dynamic 1 .................. Typically Velocity -> Amplifier Volume
Dynamic 2 .................. Typically Velocity -> Filter Frequency
FX A............................ Effects Processor A Amount
FX B ............................ Effects Processor B Amount
Presets
Preset Categories The presets are organized in categories according to the types of sound.
Listed below are the categories and their three letter prefixes:
Jam Presets Jam presets are very similar to bts: presets, but are designed for you to jam
along playing the keyboard part. Simply select a jam: preset and press the
Audition button. Select the Triggers command function and press the
sixteen trigger buttons to turn the accompaniment parts on and off. Please
note that not all the buttons are assigned on jam: presets.
arp: Arpeggiated brs: Brass Instrument
bpm: Synchro-sonic, rythmic bs1: Bass 1, Acoustic Bass
bs2: Bass 2, Bass Guitar bs3: Bass 3, Synth Bass
bts: Beats presets gtr: Guitar
kb1: Keyboard 1, Piano kb2: Keyboard 2, Electric Piano
kb3: Keyboard 3, Organ jam: Press Audition & play along
key: Keyboard instrument, organ kit: Drum Kit
led: Lead Instrument
orc: Orchestral Instrument pad: Sustained, full
prc: Percussion sfx: Sound Effects
str: String, Violin, Cello, etc. syn: Synthesizer
vox: Vocal Sound wnd: Wind Instrument
![](asset-dd.png)
Halo Operation Manual 211
Appendix
Preset Listing
Preset Listing User Bank 0, Halo Bank 4
0. jam:Grand Piano
1. jam:Jammin EP
2. jam:LA Keys
3. jam:Piano Split
4. jam:Big B
5. jam:Gospel Split
6. jam:Wurli Split
7. jam:Salsa Piano
8. jam:Dream Scape
9. jam:Vocal Moog
10. jam:All Drums
11. jam:Chase String
12. jam:Leader
13. jam:Trans Oh
14. bts:The Standard
15. bts:That's Right
16. bts:Fall Brushes
17. bts:Kranked
18. bts:Golden Boy
19. bts:Ya Baby
20. kb1:PerfectPno12
21. kb1:Piano Tine
22. kb1:Piano String
23. kb2:Tine Love 2
24. kb1:Latin Octave
25. kb3:Rock Organ 3
26. kb3:Green O
27. str:Full Strings
28. bs2:Deep Fret
29. bs2:P-B Slap
30. bs2:Picked Delay
31. brs:Bone+Tpt 3
32. brs:The Tower
33. syn:Chatter
34. syn:Red Planet
35. bpm:Voices Pad
36. cmb:Tenor/Tpt.
37. kit:Standard 2
38. kit:Studio Kit-E
39. kit:CountryKit-E
40. cmb:Key/Bass 1
41. cmb:Key/Bass 2
42. cmb:Key/Bass 3
43. cmb:Key/Bass 4
44. cmb:Key/Bass 5
45. cmb:Key/Bass 6
46. cmb:Key/Bass 7
47. cmb:Key/Bass 8
48. cmb:Key/Bass 9
49. cmb:Key/Bass 10
50. bts:Dynamic
51. bts:Smooth
52. bts:Ellie
53. bts:Mr. Clean
54. bts:Sunrise
55. bts:Chill'n
56. bts:Beating Halo
57. bts:Mission X
58. bts:Fastbuck
59. bts:Feel It
60. bts:Gospel Soul
61. bts:Big Rock
62. bts:Sailing
63. bts:Euro Fantasy
64. bts:On The Bay
65. bts:Wangadang
66. bts:Prettw B-3
67. bts:Latin Dreams
68. bts:Hip Twang
69. bts:Cortez
70. bts:Dropping In
71. bts:Agogo
72. bts:Club Swing
73. bts:Slider
74. bts:Platinum
75. bts:Jazz Man
76. bts:Bangin
77. bts:Drums/Bass 1
78. bts:Drums/Bass 2
79. bts:Drums/Bass 3
80. arp:System Down
81. arp:B-Movie
82. arp:Do the Do
83. arp:Landing
84. arp:Choppy Arp
85. arp:Night Life
86. arp:Techno Ride
87. arp:Spiral
88. arp:Ice Palace
89. arp:Ravorotic
90. arp:Mystic Falls
91. arp:Worldy
92. arp:Free Ride
93. arp:Out There
94. arp:One World
95. arp:Gentle Bell
96. arp:Razor Guitar
97. arp:BB Hit
98. arp:Magical
99. arp:Classical
100. arp:Box Maker
101. arp:Kick'n Room
102. arp:In The Air
103. arp:Harp Delay
104. arp:Breath
105. arp:Up/Down Pno
106. arp:303 Groove
107. arp:Warning
108. arp:Deeper
109. arp:Muted Wish
110. arp:Sunday
111. arp:Bouncy Tenor
112. arp:Classic Arp
113. arp:Flange Kit
114. arp:Tribal-T
115. bpm:Falling
116. bpm:Soft Decay
117. bpm:Moving Sync
118. bpm:Cutter
119. bpm:Cluster
120. bpm:Smack Jam
121. bpm:Boogy Vox
122. bpm:Bounce Haus
123. bpm:Waver
124. bpm:She Pad
125. bpm:Sonar
126. bpm:Deep Blue
127. bpm:The End
![](asset-de.png)
212 ENSONIQ
Appendix
Preset Listing
Preset Listing User Bank 1, Halo Bank 0
0. kb1:PerfectPno 1
1. kb1:PerfectPno 2
2. kb1:PerfectPno 3
3. kb1:PerfectPno 4
4. kb1:PerfectPno 5
5. kb1:PerfectPno 6
6. kb1:PerfectPno 7
7. kb1:PerfectPno 8
8. kb1:PerfectPno 9
9. kb1:PerfectPno10
10. kb1:PerfectPno11
11. kb1:PerfPno+EP 1
12. kb1:PerfPno+EP 2
13. kb1:PerfPno+EP 3
14. kb1:PerfPno+Str1
15. kb1:PerfPno+Str2
16. kb1:PerfPno+Str3
17. kb1:Bright Grand
18. kb1:ConcertGrand
19. kb1:Dark Piano
20. kb1:Jazzy Grand
21. kb1:Grand Room
22. kb1:Warm Piano
23. kb2:Tine Love
24. kb1:Latin Octave
25. kb2:Wurli
26. kb4:Classic EP
27. kb4:ElecPno+Str1
28. kb4:ElecPno+Str2
29. kb4:ElecPno+Str3
30. kb4:ElecPno+Vox
31. kb4:Hybrid EP 1
32. kb3:Pop Organ 01
33. kb3:Pop Organ 02
34. kb3:Pop Organ 03
35. kb3:Pop Organ 04
36. kb3:Pop Organ 05
37. kb3:Pop Organ 06
38. kb3:Pop Organ 07
39. kb3:Pop Organ 08
40. kb3:Pop Organ 09
41. kb3:Pop Organ 10
42. kb3:Pop Organ 11
43. kb3:Pop Organ 12
44. kb3:Pop Organ 13
45. kb3:Pop Organ 14
46. kb3:Pop Organ 15
47. kb3:Pop Organ 16
48. kb3:Pop Organ 17
49. kb3:Pop Organ 18
50. kb3:Pop Organ 19
51. kb3:Pop Organ 20
52. kb3:Pop Organ 21
53. kb3:Pop Organ 22
54. kb3:Pop Organ 23
55. kb3:Pop Organ 24
56. kb3:Pop Organ 25
57. kb3:CathedralOrg
58. kb3:Stately Org
59. kb3:Organ Hall
60. kb3:Full Pipes
61. kb3:Recital
62. kb3:With Pedals
63. kb3:Reed Stops
64. kb3:Chapel
65. kb3:Processional
66. kb3:Soft Pipes
67. kb3:Flute Stops
68. kb3:Chime Organ
69. kb3:Deep Pedals
70. kb1:Harpsichord
71. orc:Harp
72. orc:New Age Harp
73. str:Warm Strings
74. str:Digi Section
75. str:Pizz Strings
76. bs1:Upright Bass
77. bs1:Guitarron
78. bs1:Fretless 1
79. bs2:Bs Harmonix1
80. bs2:Bs Harmonix2
81. bs2:Finger Bass
82. bs2:Fretless 2
83. bs2:Muted Bass1
84. bs2:Muted Bass2
85. bs2:P-Bass
86. bs2:P-Bass Slap
87. bs2:PickdFretles
88. bs2:Picked Bass1
89. bs2:Picked Bass2
90. bs2:Switch Bass
91. bs2:Switch Pop 1
92. bs2:Switch Pop 2
93. bs3:303 Bass
94. bs3:Big Bottom
95. bs3:Dance Bass
96. bs3:Fat Bottom
97. bs3:GreasySynBs
98. bs3:Rap Bass
99. bs3:Smack Bass
100. bs5:Harmonix Fun
101. bs3:Rapper
102. brs:Bone+Tpt 1
103. brs:Bone+Tpt 2
104. brs:Flugelhorn
105. brs:Fr.Horn Sect
106. brs:Muted Tpt
107. brs:Solo Fr.Horn
108. brs:Solo Trumpet
109. brs:Stereo Brass
110. brs:Trombone
111. brs:SectionHorns
112. brs:3 Horns #1
113. brs:3 Horns #2
114. wav:Rez Lead
115. wav:Rez Q
116. syn:Formant Sync
117. led:Chatty Lead
118. sfx:Tape Rewind
119. sfx:Vinyl Noise
120. pad:Swept Voices
121. syn:Big Bell
122. syn:Coffee
123. pad:Formant Pad
124. vox:Cascades
125. syn:Lush Str-Whl
126. syn:Sparkles
127. syn:Step Bells
![](asset-df.png)
Halo Operation Manual 213
Appendix
Preset Listing
Preset Listing User Bank 2, Halo Bank 1
0. kb1:Piano 1-GM
1. kb1:Piano 2-GM
2. kb1:Piano 3-GM
3. kb1:HonkyTonk-GM
4. kb2:ElPiano 1-GM
5. kb2:ElPiano 2-GM
6. kb4:Harpsichr-GM
7. kb4:Clavinet-GM
8. orc:Celeste-GM
9. orc:Glocken-GM
10. kb4:Music Box-GM
11. orc:Vibraphone-G
12. orc:Marimba-GM
13. orc:Xylophone-GM
14. orc:TubularBl-GM
15. gtr:Santur-GM
16. kb3:Organ 1-GM
17. kb3:Organ 2-GM
18. kb3:Organ 3-GM
19. kb3:ChurchOrg-GM
20. kb3:ReedOrgan-GM
21. wnd:Accordion-GM
22. wnd:Harmonica-GM
23. wnd:Bandoneon-GM
24. gtr:Nylon Gtr-GM
25. gtr:Steel Gtr-GM
26. gtr:Jazz Gtr-GM
27. gtr:Clean Gtr-GM
28. gtr:Muted Gtr-GM
29. gtr:Overdrive-GM
30. gtr:Distorted-GM
31. gtr:Harmonix-GM
32. bs1:Ac Bass-GM
33. bs2:Finger Bs-GM
34. bs2:PickBass-GM
35. bs2:FretlsBs-GM
36. bs2:SlapBass1-GM
37. bs2:SlapBass2-GM
38. bs3:SynBass 1-GM
39. bs3:SynBass 2-GM
40. str:Violin-GM
41. str:Viola-GM
42. str:Cello-GM
43. str:ContraBs-GM
44. str:Trem Str-GM
45. str:Pizz Str-GM
46. orc:Harp-GM
47. orc:Tympani-GM
48. str:Strings-GM
49. str:SlowStrng-GM
50. str:SynStrng1-GM
51. str:SynStrng2
52. vox:ChoirAah-GM
53. vox:Vox Oohs-GM
54. vox:Syn Vox-GM
55. orc:Orch Hit-GM
56. brs:Trumpet-GM
57. brs:Trombone-GM
58. brs:Tuba-GM
59. brs:MutedTrpt-GM
60. brs:FrenchHrn-GM
61. brs:Brass 1-GM
62. brs:SynBrass1-GM
63. brs:SynBrass2-GM
64. wnd:Sopr Sax-GM
65. wnd:Alto Sax-GM
66. wnd:Tenor Sax-GM
67. wnd:Bari Sax-GM
68. wnd:Oboe-GM
69. wnd:Eng. Horn-GM
70. wnd:Bassoon-GM
71. wnd:Clarinet-GM
72. wnd:Piccolo-GM
73. wnd:Flute-GM
74. wnd:Recorder-GM
75. wnd:Pan Flute-GM
76. wnd:BottleBlowGM
77. wnd:ShakuhachiGM
78. wnd:Whistle-GM
79. wnd:Ocarina-GM
80. syn:Square Wv-GM
81. syn:Saw Wave-GM
82. syn:SynCaliopeGM
83. wnd:ChiffLead-GM
84. str:Charang-GM
85. vox:Solo Vox-GM
86. syn:5ths Wave-GM
87. syn:Bs & Lead-GM
88. syn:Fantasia-GM
89. syn:Warm Pad-GM
90. syn:Poly Syn-GM
91. syn:Space Vox-GM
92. syn:BowedGlas-GM
93. syn:Metal Pad-GM
94. syn:Halo Pad-GM
95. syn:Sweep Pad-GM
96. syn:Ice Rain-GM
97. syn:SoundTrackGM
98. syn:Crystal-GM
99. syn:AtmosphereGM
100. syn:Briteness-GM
101. syn:Goblin-GM
102. syn:Echo Drop-GM
103. syn:StarTheme-GM
104. 104..gtr:Sitar-GM
105. gtr:Banjo-GM
106. gtr:Shamisen-GM
107. gtr:Koto-GM
108. prc:Kalimba-GM
109. wnd:Bagpipes-GM
110. str:Fiddle-GM
111. wnd:Shannai-GM
112. syn:TinkleBellGM
113. prc:Agogo-GM
114. prc:SteelDrum-GM
115. prc:Woodblock-GM
116. prc:Taiko-GM
117. prc:MellowTom-GM
118. prc:SynthDrum-GM
119. prd:RevCymbal-GM
120. gtr:FretNoise-GM
121. wnd:BreathNse-GM
122. sfx:Seashore-GM
123. sfx:Birdsong-GM
124. sfx:Telephone-GM
125. sfx:HelicopterGM
126. sfx:Applause-GM
127. sfx:Gunshot-GM
![](asset-e0.png)
214 ENSONIQ
Appendix
Preset Listing
Preset Listing User Bank 3, Halo Bank 2
0. syn:Bella
1. syn:CascadeBell
2. syn:Chimey
3. kb1:Tack Grand
4. kb2:Rock Wurli
5. syn:DelayBells 1
6. syn:DelayBells 2
7. syn:Drone One
8. syn:Echo Stabber
9. syn:Frozen Wind
10. syn:Harpily
11. led:Lucky
12. pad:Marscape
13. syn:Milky Way
14. syn:Mr.Square
15. syn:Nebula
16. pad:Pop Stab Pad
17. pad:Pulsation
18. syn:RandmPanBell
19. syn:SFZ SynBrass
20. syn:SimpleBell 1
21. syn:Sitarred
22. syn:Slow Bells 1
23. syn:Sneezy
24. pad:Sweep Time
25. syn:Swept Voxes
26. syn:SynBrass 1
27. syn:Sync Man 1
28. syn:Tempo Stab 1
29. syn:Tempo Stab 2
30. syn:TempoFilter1
31. pad:Timed Env
32. syn:Vaporous
33. syn:Vint.Filter1
34. syn:Arpy
35. led:Loose Lead
36. pad:Wash
37. syn:WaWaWaWaaa
38. pad:WindyStrings
39. vox:Air Song
40. vox:DreamChoir
41. vox:E I E I O
42. vox:Ether
43. vox:Lush Love
44. vox:Monk’s Song
45. bs1:Fat Upright
46. bs2:Ana-Fingers1
47. bs2:Ana-Fingers2
48. bs2:HybridAcBass
49. bs2:Picked Bass3
50. bs2:Q Bass1
51. bs3:Dull Thud
52. bs3:MonoMan
53. bs3:Snap Bass
54. bs3:Squarely
55. bs3:Techno Bs 1
56. bs3:Techno Bs 2
57. bs3:Tight Bs 1
58. bs3:Tri-Angled
59. bs3:Vel Bass 1
60. bs4:1/16 Bass
61. bs4:Moogy 1
62. bs4:Rez FM Bs 1
63. bs4:Swept FM Bs1
64. bs5:Fat Dance 1
65. bs5:Modern FM
66. bs5:Old Time
67. bs5:Splatt 1
68. bs5:Veloci-Wow
69. bs5:Beoww
70. gtr:12 String
71. gtr:Coral
72. gtr:Electric 12
73. gtr:Ethereal 12
74. gtr:Rock 5ths
75. gtr:SpaghettiGtr
76. gtr:Steel String
77. gtr:Wakka 1
78. gtr:Wakka 2
79. gtr:Wheel Wah
80. kb1:Moms Old Pno
81. kb2:Clacky Tines
82. kb2:E.Pno Pan 1
83. kb2:El.& Ac.EP1
84. kb4:Afrika
85. kb4:Clav, Eh!
86. kb4:FM Clav
87. kb4:FM Wurly
88. kb4:Lucy 2000
89. kb4:New EP Pad
90. led:Analog 1
91. led:Rezzy
92. str:Clouds
93. pad:Soft & Slow
94. str:Swept String
95. wav:Simple Sqr
96. wnd:Bluesy Harm.
97. wnd:ChrHarmonica
98. wnd:Pan Flute 1
99. wnd:Recorder 1
100. pad:Lush Sawz
101. brs:Hybrid Horn1
102. brs:Jazzy Tpt.
103. gtr:Funk Muted
104. gtr:R&B Mute Gtr
105. vox:Gregorian
106. syn:Rich Bells 1
107. kb2:Vintage Clav
108. kb2:Rez-o-Clav
109. kb2:FM Klav
110. kb2:Synth Clav
111. wav:Simple Bass
112. pad:Now & Later
113. syn:Choppy Stab
114. bs3:FatDarkMono
115. wnd:BreathyTenor
116. wnd:Breathy Alto
117. wnd:Breathy Sop.
118. wnd:Solo Bassoon
119. wnd:Solo Oboe
120. syn:Dance Stab 1
121. syn:Dance Stab 2
122. bs3:FatBoy Mono
123. syn:RepeatOctave
124. wnd:Alto + Tenor
125. syn:ReznantVowel
126. syn:SquareTooth
127. syn:BlatzdString
![](asset-e1.png)
Halo Operation Manual 215
Appendix
Preset Listing
Preset Listing Halo Bank 3
0. kit:Live
1. kit:Standard
2. kit:Agressive
3. kit:Slam Dance
4. kit:Big Room
5. kit:Vanilla
6. kit:Machine
7. kit:808 Toys
8. kit:Dance Techno
9. kit:Kranked
10. kit:Nice & Plain
11. kit:Jazzz Brush
12. kit:Tight
13. kit:Gated
14. kit:Loop Maker
15. kit:Clean
16. kit:Abrasive
17. kit:Junky
18. kit:Trashy
19. kit:Roomy
20. kit:Electro
21. kit:Low Down
22. kit:Tuned Up
23. kit:Little Toys
24. kit:Slash
25. kit:Wheel Filter
26. kit:Talkin’ Set
27. kit:Way High
28. kit:Low Low Low
29. kit:Basic Kit-E
30. kit:Studio Kit-E
31. kit:Pop Kit-E
32. kit:CountryKit-E
33. kit:Dance Kit-E
34. kit:Room Kit-E
35. kit:Brush Kit-E
36. kit:Rock Kit-E
37. kit:Slam Kit-E
38. kit:Deep Kit-E
39. kit:Funky Kit-E
40. kit:Grungy Kit-E
41. kit:Thin Kit-E
42. kit:Flange Kit-E
43. kit:EFX Kit-E
44. kit:Whack Kit-E
45. kit:HiPass Kit-E
46. kit:Un-Kit-E
47. prc:Kick Drums 1
48. prc:Kick Drums 2
49. prc:Kick Drums 3
50. prc:Snare Drums1
51. prc:Snare Drums2
52. prc:Brushes
53. prc:Cymbals 1
54. prc:Cymbals 2
55. prc:Crash Cym 1
56. prc:Crash Cym 2
57. prc:Choked Crash
58. prc:China Crash1
59. prc:China Crash2
60. prc:Choked China
61. prc:All Toms
62. prc:Big Toms
63. prc:Live Toms
64. prc:Dry Toms
65. prc:Pure Toms
66. prc:Rock Toms
67. prc:Percussion 1
68. prc:Percussion 2
69. prc:Shakers 1
70. prc:Shakers 2
71. prc:Tambourines
72. prc:Timbales
73. prc:Cowbells
74. prc:Congas
75. prc:Shaker Up-Dn
76. prc:Tamb Up-Down
77. prc:Cabasa Up-Dn
78. prc:Claps
79. prc:Snaps
80. prc:Syn Cabasa
81. prc:Sm TunedGong
82. prc:OrchBassDrum
83. prc:Tympani
84. prc:ShortTympani
85. prc:Toy Percs
86. prc:Toy Percs Lo
87. prc:Rainstick
88. prc:RainstickHit
89. prc:Nut Rattle 1
90. prc:Nut Rattle 2
91. sfx:Frontier
92. sfx:Spinvox
93. sfx:Arctic Winds
94. sfx:Silly Boids
95. prc:Tuned Clave
96. prc:Sleighbell
97. bpm:TempoClaps 1
98. bpm:TempoConga 1
99. bpm:TempoConga 2
100. bpm:TempoConga 3
101. bpm:TempoCowbel1
102. bpm:TempoCowbel2
103. bpm:TempoShaker1
104. bpm:TempoShaker2
105. bpm:TempoShaker3
106. bpm:TempoShaker4
107. bpm:TempoShaker5
108. bpm:TempoTambo 1
109. sfx:Wind on Mars
110. prc:Windchimes
111. hit:Dance Hit 1
112. hit:Dance Hit 2
113. hit:Orch Hit 1
114. hit:Tape Stop!
115. scr:Scratches
116. prc:Gong
117. prc:Jaw Harp
118. sfx:Synth RezZap
119. prc:Cactus Loop
120. prc:Karimbell
121. prc:Log Drums
122. prc:Kalimba
123. prc:Handbells
124. prc:Bowl Gongs
125. sfx:Ghosts
126. sfx:Machinery
127. :default
![](asset-e2.png)
216 ENSONIQ
Appendix
Riff Listing
Riff Listing 1. KEY-C3
2. KEY-C3 (2 Bars)
3. KEY-C3 (4 Bars)
4. KEY-C4
5. KEY-Cs Up
6. KEY-Cs Up-Down
7. KEY-C Triad
8. KEY-Cm7
9. KEY-Cm9
10. KEY-Cmaj7
11. BAS-2600
12. BAS-3 O Worm
13. BAS-A Ku Stq
14. BAS-ATC 3
15. BAS-BadTube
16. BAS-Brolin’s 1st
17. BAS-Distorto-TB
18. BAS-Easy
19. BAS-Finger1
20. BAS-Fingered In
21. BAS-FingerHarms2
22. BAS-Finger Out
23. BAS-Finger&Harms
24. BAS-Four U
25. BAS-Fretless 2
26. BAS-Froggy
27. BAS-Homeboy E
28. BAS-In the Money
29. BAS-Lead Bottom
30. BAS-Metal Heart
31. BAS-Mini More
32. BAS-Mod da Wheel
33. BAS-Mr. Clean
34. BAS-Mutation
35. BAS-Plexy
36. BAS-PuLs A’ting
37. BAS-Q Bass 2
38. BAS-Reverend JB
39. BAS-RoundabouT
40. BAS-SE Micro
41. BAS-Say What
42. BAS-Shift
43. BAS-SignFeld Pop
44. BAS-Simple 3
45. BAS-Slap Me
46. BAS-Slappity
47. BAS-Soft&Hard
48. BAS-Stomper
49. BAS-Sub Core
50. BAS-Sub Pummeled
51. BAS-Sub-Basement
52. BAS-Sugar Freak
53. BAS-The Reason
54. BAS-ThickFretles
55. BAS-Thickley Dub
56. BAS-VeloFretless
57. BAS-WalkinUprite
58. BAS-WalknUprite2
59. BAS-Walky Talk
60. BAS-WalkyTalk2
61. BRS-Alt TptLoops
62. BRS-Barry Bones
63. BRS-Brass&Bari
64. BRS-BreathTBone
65. BRS-Centurions
66. BRS-Don’sTrumpet
67. BRS-Horny
68. BRS-Huge Brass
69. BRS-MelloD’Trmp
70. BRS-Milez
71. BRS-Movie Brass
72. BRS-MutedTrumpet
73. BRS-Soft Trumpet
74. BRS-The Ensemble
75. BRS-Trmpt&Sect
76. GTR-Carlos
77. GTR-Cast Teller
78. GTR-Cast Teller2
79. GTR-Chuckin
80. GTR-Dark Gut
81. GTR-Distorter-X
82. GTR-Distorter-X2
83. GTR-Distorter-X3
84. GTR-Distorter-X4
85. GTR-Dolobroso
86. GTR-Electric 1
87. GTR-Electric 2
88. GTR-ElectricDis
89. GTR-EmmTVCrunch
90. GTR-FallingNylon
91. GTR-FlangnVioWah
92. GTR-FullNylon
93. GTR-GenericClean
94. GTR-Grusty
95. GTR-JangleWah
96. GTR-Jazzed
97. GTR-LA Strata
98. GTR-Looz 12s
99. GTR-MellowElect
100. GTR-Metal Head
101. GTR-Mutant Pick
102. GTR-Mutant Pick2
103. GTR-Mutes
104. GTR-Nrysty12
105. GTR-Nylon
106. GTR-NyloSteel
107. GTR-Nylon Silk
108. GTR-Nylonistic
109. GTR-Spy
110. GTR-Steel
111. GTR-SteelReal
112. GTR-Stolen7
113. GTR-Stolen7Away
114. GTR-WaaKeeGa
115. HIT-Brass Hits 2
116. HIT-Fashion
117. HIT-MasterBlast
118. HIT-Organ Hits 2
119. KBD-And Voice
120. KBD-And Voice2
121. KBD-B3 X-Wheel
122. KBD-B3 X-Wheel 1
123. KBD-Ballad Tine
124. KBD-Bally Yard
125. KBD-Classic EP
126. KBD-Clav 1
127. KBD-Clavinetti 1
128. KBD-Clavinetti 2
129. KBD-Comp Keyz 2
130. KBD-Crystal
131. KBD-DynofunkEP
132. KBD-DynamcGran
d
![](asset-e3.png)
Halo Operation Manual 217
Appendix
Riff Listing
Riff Listing 133. BD-DynoPiano
134. KBD-E Grand
135. KBD-EP Roll 2
136. KBD-Elecre 2
137. KBD-Elecro7CP80
138. KBD-FM2Classc
139. KBD-Filmscore
140. KBD-GenBalladEP
141. KBD-Gospel Soul
142. KBD-Grand FM
143. KBD-Grand Piano2
144. KBD-Grande 4
145. KBD-GreenEyed
146. KBD-Hard Comp 1
147. KBD-Hard Comp 5
148. KBD-Hard Dyno
149. KBD-HonTonkeyz
150. KBD-JimmyJazzyB
151. KBD-Klassical
152. KBD-Knockkerz
153. KBD-KoolNMelo
154. KBD-Lovers FM EP
155. KBD-Med Dyno
156. KBD-Med EP
157. KBD-Mellow man
158. KBD-Melosoul EP
159. KBD-Miami Grand
160. KBD-Organomics X
161. KBD-PerkyRhodes
162. KBD-Piano&Strng1
163. KBD-Pure Fog
164. KBD-Pure Roll 2
165. KBD-Pure Roll 3
166. KBD-Rock’in B
167. KBD-RollinDreams
168. KBD-Stereo Grand
169. KBD-StereoGrand2
170. KBD-StereoGrand3
171. KBD-Suitcase EP
172. KBD-Supatramp EP
173. KBD-TechnoUprite
174. KBD-WheelSpeed B
175. KBD-WideSuitcase
176. KBD-Yo My Dynos
177. KIT-424
178. KIT-Acoustic 1
179. KIT-Acoustic 2
180. KIT-BMF
181. KIT-Bag O Tricks
182. KIT-Berzerker
183. KIT-Booster
184. KIT-ClassicHouse
185. KIT-Clean R&B
186. KIT-ClubVinyl
187. KIT-CookUsAHit
188. KIT-CookUsAHit 2
189. KIT-DerLyBeEmuD
190. KIT-DeepBooty
191. KIT-DeepBooty2
192. KIT-DeepBooty3
193. KIT-Disengrate
194. KIT-Drum 303
195. KIT-Drum Buzza
196. KIT-Drum-Bass 1a
197. KIT-Drum-Bass 1b
198. KIT-Drum-Bass 2
199. KIT-Drum-Bass 3a
200. KIT-Drum-Bass 3b
201. KIT-Drum-Bass 4a
202. KIT-Drum-Bass 4b
203. KIT-Drum-Bass 5
204. KIT-Drum-Bass 6
205. KIT-Electro
206. KIT-For Real
207. KIT-For Real 2
208. KIT-Gett..OutPt2
209. KIT-GritKitt
210. KIT-Hot Swing
211. KIT-Jams
212. KIT-Kit 01 a
213. KIT-Kit 01 b
214. KIT-Kit 02 a
215. KIT-Kit 02 b
216. KIT-Kit 02 c
217. KIT-Kit 03 a
218. KIT-Kit 03 b
219. KIT-Kit 03 c
220. KIT-Kit 03 d
221. KIT-Kit 03 e
222. KIT-Kit 03 f
223. KIT-Kit 04 a
224. KIT-Kit 04 b
225. KIT-Kit 05 a
226. KIT-Kit 05 b
227. KIT-Kit 06
228. KIT-Kit 07 a
229. KIT-Kit 07 b
230. KIT-Kit 07 c
231. KIT-Kit 08
232. KIT-Kit 09 a
233. KIT-Kit 09 b
234. KIT-Kit 09 c
235. KIT-Kit 10
236. KIT-Kit 11 a
237. KIT-Kit 11 b
238. KIT-Kit 11 c
239. KIT-Kit 11 d
240. KIT-Kit 12 a
241. KIT-Kit 12 b
242. KIT-Kit 12 c
243. KIT-Kit 13 a
244. KIT-Kit 13 b
245. KIT-Kit 14
246. KIT-Kit 15 a
247. KIT-Kit 15 b
248. KIT-Kit 15 c
249. KIT-Kit 16 a
250. KIT-Kit 16 b
251. KIT-Kit 17
252. KIT-Kit 18
253. KIT-Kit 19
254. KIT-Kit 20
255. KIT-OnTheTip
256. PRC-Progress a
257. PRC-Progress b
258. KIT-Shag
259. KIT-Smackers
260. KIT-SounDfacTory
261. KIT-Swing Hop 3
![](asset-e4.png)
218 ENSONIQ
Appendix
Riff Listing
Riff Listing 262. KIT-Swing Hop a
263. KIT-Swing Hop b
264. KIT-Tribal House
265. KIT-Werzerker
266. LED-Apple Eater
267. LED-Blue Danube
268. LED-Ethereosity
269. LED-Freakus
270. LED-Post 90's DM
271. LED-Sci-Fi B
272. LED-Shiner
273. LED-Soft Slip
274. LED-Worm
275. LED-Worm Up
276. LED-Wormwood
277. LED-Zimppler
278. LED-inBottles
279. ORC-Combo
280. ORC-Orchestra
281. PAD-Airborn
282. PAD-Ganic
283. PAD-Highway
284. PAD-Infants
285. PAD-Infants2
286. PAD-MetalBeats
287. PAD-My Hero
288. PAD-Pad Life
289. PAD-Paddy
290. PAD-Phat
291. PAD-Sophia
292. PRC-Acidphone
293. PRC-Claves
294. PRC-Congas
295. PRC-Cymbals
296. KIT-Drum 303
297. KIT-Drum Buzza
298. KIT-Drum-Bass 1a
299. KIT-Drum-Bass 1b
300. KIT-Drum-Bass 2
301. KIT-Drum-Bass 3a
302. KIT-Drum-Bass 3b
303. KIT-Drum-Bass 4a
304. KIT-Drum-Bass 4b
305. KIT-Drum-Bass 5
306. KIT-Drum-Bass 6
307. KIT-Gett..OutPt2
308. PRC-Hats 1
309. PRC-Kalimba
310. PRC-Log On
311. PRC-Marimba
312. PRC-Plexitone
313. PRC-Shakers
314. PRC-SiameseCats
315. PRC-TV Spy Vibes
316. KIT-This & That
317. PRC-Velo Vibes
318. PRC-Village
319. PRC-Xylophone
320. SFX-MetalScience
321. SFX-Oh No Its
322. STR-AbbeyStrngs
323. STR-Allin a Pizz
324. STR-ArcotremPizz
325. STR-Dyna-heim
326. STR-ExtremeStrng
327. STR-Filmscore
328. STR-HindooKurdoo
329. STR-Japanman
330. STR-Kult E Vatn
331. STR-Pizzicati
332. STR-SitarTalk
333. STR-Solo Quartet
334. STR-Strg + Choir
335. STR-Swoon
336. STR-Texture
337. STR-TronStrings
338. STR-Victrola
339. SYN-Bender
340. SYN-Brazz
341. SYN-Ensemblist
342. SYN-Euro Wave
343. SYN-Festival
344. SYN-Hydraine
345. SYN-ProfitMargin
346. SYN-Silk OBXsaws
347. SYN-Sync Trance
348. SYN-Syntax On2
349. SYN-Synthall AT
350. SYN-ThinTecPulse
351. SYN-Z&C Leeder
352. VOX-Ahhs
353. VOX-Frozen Time
354. VOX-Lo-Fi Ether
355. VOX-MauzeWowz
356. VOX-Mist
357. VOX-New Age Oohs
358. VOX-Odd Boys
359. VOX-Pop Oohs
360. VOX-Slo Lunarvox
361. VOX-Spiritworld
362. VOX-SynthSing
363. VOX-Voxicord
364. WAV-Lowtronics
365. WAV-M12
366. WAV-Metal 2
367. WAV-vs37
368. WND-A-Sax
369. WND-Bottle Blow
370. WND-Breather
371. WND-Chamber Orch
372. WND-Ethnic Reed
373. WND-Fieldberries
374. WND-Flute
375. WND-Harmonica
376. WND-Nuages
377. WND-Ocarina a
378. WND-Ocarina b
379. WND-Pan Flute
380. WND-Pastoral
381. WND-Real Flute
382. WND-Synth Flute
383. WND-Virtuaccord
384. GTR-Electric 2
385. GTR-ElectricDis
386. GTR-Nrysty12
387. GTR-NyloSteel
388. BAS-Finger1
389. BAS-FingerHarms2
390. BAS-Fingered In
391. BAS-Fretless 2
392. BAS-VeloFretless
393. KIT-Clean R&B
![](asset-e5.png)
Halo Operation Manual 219
Appendix
Riff Listing
Riff Listing
407. WND-Oboe
408. WND-Real Flute 2
409. BAS-2600
410. BAS-Q Bass 2
411. KEY-Cs Up-Down
412. PRC-Congas 2
413. KIT-Kit 19 b
414. STR-AllinaPizz 3
415. WND-Clarinet
416. GM-5-4 Groove
417. GM-Agressive
418. GM-Brush
419. GM-Clean
420. GM-Kranked
421. GM-LittleToys
422. GM-LiveKit
423. GM-Loop 1
424. GM-Loop 2
425. GM-LowDown
426. GM-Machine
427. GM-Nice Plain
428. GM-SlamDance
429. GM-Slashed
430. GM-Standard Kit
444. ZR-DrumSolo
445. ZR-Easy 1
446. ZR-Easy 2
447. ZR-Easy 3
448. ZR-House
449. ZR-Jazz
450. ZR-Loop 1
451. ZR-Loop 2
452. ZR-Loop 3
453. ZR-Loop 4
454. ZR-Loop 5
455. BTS-Agogo
456. BTS-ALL Drums
457. BTS-Bangin
458. BTS-Beating Halo
459. BTS-BIG B
460. BTS-Big Rock
461. BTS-Chase String
462. BTS-Chill'n
463. BTS-Club Swing
464. BTS-Cortez
465. BTS-DB One
466. BTS-DB Three
467. BTS-DB Two
481. BTS-Jammin EP
482. BTS-Jazz Man
483. BTS-Kranked
484. BTS-LA Keys
485. BTS-Leader
486. BTS-Mission X
487. BTS-Mr. Clean
488. BTS-On The Bay
489. BTS-Piano Split
490. BTS-Platinum
491. BTS-Pretty B-3
492. BTS-Sailing
493. BTS-Salsa Piano
494. BTS-Slider
495. BTS-Smooth
496. BTS-Sunrise
497. BTS-That's Right
498. BTS-The Standard
499. BTS-Trans Oh
500. BTS-Vocal Moog
501. BTS-Wurli Split
502. BTS-Ya Baby
503. BTS-Latin Dreams
504. BTS-Wangadang
![](asset-e6.png)
220 ENSONIQ
Appendix
Instrument Listing
Instrument
Listing
This section lists the raw instruments in the Halo “HALO1” set.
Instruments consist of either multisamples or single samples.
0. None
1. pno:PerfectPno 1
2. pno:PerfectPno 2
3. pno:PerfectPno 3
4. pno:PerfectPno 4
5. pno:PerfectPno 5
6. pno:PerfectPno 6
7. pno:PerfectPno 7
8. pno:PerfectPno 8
9. pno:PerfectPno 9
10. pno:Grand Piano1
11. pno:Grand Piano2
12. pno:Grand Piano3
13. pno:Pno HammerUp
14. pno:PnoHarpNoise
15. pno:Piano Thud
16. pno:Celeste
17. pno:Harpsichord
18. epo:FM EPno A
19. epo:FM EPno B
20. epo:FM EPno C
21. epo:Wurli Lo Vel
22. epo:Wurli Hi Vel
23. epo:Tine EPno A
24. epo:Tine EPno B
25. epo:Tine EPno C
26. epo:Tine EPno D
27. epo:Digi Piano
28. org:Church Organ
29. org:Perc Organ 1
30. org:Perc Organ 2
31. org:Org Keyclick
32. org:Pipe Organ
33. org:Org775305004
34. org:Org845351402
35. org:Org875434578
36. org:Org875645332
37. org:Org888000000
38. org:Org888808008
39. org:Org888856444
40. org:Org888880880
41. org:Organ Wave 1
42. org:Organ Wave 2
43. org:Rotary Organ
44. org:Reed Organ
45. bas:Pick Bass 1
46. bas:Pick Bass 2
47. bas:Muted Bass
48. bas:Slap Bass
49. bas:Bs Pop Noise
50. bas:Bs Harmonics
51. bas:El Bass Tap
52. bas:Fretless Bs
53. bas:Finger Bs 1
54. bas:Finger Bs 2
55. bas:Tube Bass
56. bas:FM Bass 1
57. bas:FM Bass 2
58. bas:Analog Bs 1
59. bas:Analog Bs 2
60. bas:Analog Bs 3
61. bas:Standup Bass
62. gtr:Elec Gtr 1
63. gtr:Elec Gtr 2
64. gtr:Fret Noise
65. gtr:Goto
66. gtr:Dist Guitar
67. gtr:Banjo
68. gtr:Gtr Harmonix
69. gtr:Guitarron
70. gtr:Jazz Guitar
71. gtr:Muted Guitar
72. gtr:Nylon Guitar
73. gtr:Shamisen
74. gtr:Sitar
75. gtr:Steel Guitar
76. gtr:FeedbackHarm
77. str:Cello
78. str:Pizz Strings
79. str:String Sect
80. str:Violin
81. str:Harp
82. brs:Trumpet
83. brs:Mute Trumpet
84. brs:Trombone
85. brs:PopBrassSect
86. brs:Flugelhorn
87. brs:Fr Horn Sect
88. brs:Solo Fr Horn
89. wnd:Accordion 1
90. wnd:Accordion 2
91. wnd:Accordion 3
92. wnd:Clarinet
93. wnd:Alto Sax
94. wnd:Bassoon
95. wnd:Chiff
96. wnd:Chiff Flute
97. wnd:Conch Shell
98. wnd:English Horn
99. wnd:Double Reed
100. wnd:Flute
101. wnd:Harmonica
102. wnd:Ocarina
103. wnd:Pan Flute
104. wnd:Recorder
105. wnd:Sax Air
106. wnd:Oboe
107. wnd:Soprano Sax
108. wnd:Tenor Sax
109. vox:Breathy Ooh
110. vox:Vocal Oohs
111. vox:Vocal Aahs
112. vox:SynthVoxAahs
113. vox:Vocal Air
114. vox:Doo Attack
115. vox:Countoffs
116. vox:Monsters
117. wav:Analog WV 1
118. wav:Analog WV 2
119. wav:Analog WV 3
120. wav:Analog WV 4
121. wav:Analog WV 5
122. wav:Analog WV
123. wav:Analog WV 7
![](asset-e7.png)
Halo Operation Manual 221
Appendix
Instrument Listing
Instrument Listing
124. wav:Analog WV 8
125. wav:Big Bell
126. wav:Big Bell WF
127. wav:Doorbell
128. wav:E Bass WF 1
129. wav:E Bass WF 2
130. wav:Sine Wave
131. wav:Bell Wave 1
132. wav:Bell Wave 2
133. wav:Bell Wave 3
134. wav:Bell Wave 4
135. wav:Bell Wave 5
136. wav:Bell Wave 6
137. wav:Bell Wave 7
138. wav:Digi Wave 1
139. wav:Digi Wave 2
140. wav:Sawtooth 1
141. wav:Sawtooth 2
142. wav:Reed WF
143. wav:Single Reed
144. wav:Wind Chime
145. wav:Piano Bs WF
146. wav:Piano WF
147. wav:Vocal WF 1
148. wav:Vocal WF 2
149. wav:Vocal WF 3
150. wav:Vocal WF 4
151. wav:Vocal WF 5
152. wav:Vocal WF 6
153. wav:TriangleWave
154. wav:Square Wave
155. wav:Aah Ooh XW
156. wav:MoogX XW
157. wav:Resonance
158. wav:Techno Bs XW
159. wav:PulseX XW
160. wav:Phase SyncXW
161. wav:Rap Bass XW
162. wav:Rezz Bs XW
163. wav:SoftAnalogXW
164. wav:Analog PadXW
165. wav:Bell XW 1
166. wav:Bell XW 2
167. wav:Bell XW 3
168. wav:Bell XW 4
169. wav:MultiBell XW
170. wav:Osc Sync XW1
171. wav:Osc Sync XW2
172. wav:Tine X
173. wav:Tri Sweep XW
174. wav:TranswaveZ
175. wav:Transwave AA
176. wav:Transwave AH
177. wav:Transwave EE
178. wav:Transwave OH
179. wav:Rez Sweep XW
180. wav:Organ XW
181. wav:MoogX
182. wav:Drawbar XW
183. wav:Crystal
184. syn:FM Clav
185. syn:Pad Synth
186. syn:Synth Bell
187. syn:Synkey Wave
188. syn:Synth Brass
189. syn:Clavinet
190. syn:Moog Lead
191. hit:Dance Hit
192. hit:Orch Hit
193. sfx:Air Loop
194. sfx:Applause
195. sfx:Bird Song
196. sfx:Helicopter
197. sfx:Spectrum
198. sfx:SurfaceNoise
199. sfx:Telephone
200. sfx:Synth Kiss
201. sfx:Texture
202. sfx:Tape Loop
203. nse:Noise
204. nse:Scratch
205. nse:Wakka XW 1
206. nse:Wakka XW 2
207. prc:Marimba
208. prc:Kalimba
209. prc:Log Drum
210. prc:Handbells
211. prc:Glockenspiel
212. prc:Gamelan Bell
213. prc:Steel Drum
214. prc:Vibraphone
215. prc:Xylophone
216. prc:Tubular Bell
217. prc:Sm TunedGong
218. prc:Kick Drums 1
219. prc:Kick Drums 2
220. prc:Kick Drums 3
221. prc:Snare Drums1
222. prc:Snare Drums2
223. prc:Cymbals 1
224. prc:Cymbals 2
225. prc:Percussion 1
226. prc:Percussion 2
227. prc:Toy Percs
228. prc:Toy Percs Lo
229. prc:Toms 1
230. prc:Big Toms
231. prc:Dry Tom High
232. prc:Live Toms
233. prc:Pure Toms
234. prc:Rock Toms
235. prc:Brushes
236. prc:Snaps
237. prc:Claps
238. prc:Congas
239. prc:Cowbells
240. prc:Timbales
241. prc:Shakers 1
242. prc:Shakers 2
243. prc:Tambourines
244. prc:Windchimes
245. prc:Rainstick
246. prc:RainstickHit
247. prc:Sleighbell
248. prc:Cactus Loop
249. prc:NutRattleHit
250. prc:Nut RattleLP
251. kit:Kit 1
252. kit:Kit 2
253. kit:Kit 3
254. kit:Kit 4
255. kit:Kit 5
256. kit:Kit 6
257. kit:Kit 7
258. kit:Kit 8
![](asset-e8.png)
222 ENSONIQ
Appendix
Instrument Listing
Instrument Listing
260. kit:Kit 9
261. kit:Kit 10
262. kit:Kit 11
263. kit:Kit 12
264. kit:Kit 13
265. kit:Kit 14
266. kit:Kit 15
267. kit:Kit 16
268. kit:Kit 17
269. kit:Kit 18
270. kit:Kit 19
271. kit:Kit 20
272. kit:Kit 21
273. kit:Kit 22
274. kit:Kit 23 E
275. kit:Kit 24 E
276. kit:Kit 25 E
277. kit:Kit 26 E
278. kit:Kit 27 E
279. kit:Kit 28 E
280. kit:Kit 29 E
281. prc:Kick 1
282. prc:Kick 2
283. prc:Kick 3
284. prc:Kick 4
285. prc:Kick 5
286. prc:Kick 6
287. prc:Kick 7
288. prc:Kick 8
289. prc:Kick 9
290. prc:Kick 10
291. prc:Kick 11
292. prc:Kick 12
293. prc:Kick 13
294. prc:Kick 14
295. prc:Kick 15
296. prc:Kick 16
297. prc:Kick 17
298. prc:Kick 18
299. prc:Kick 19
300. prc:Kick 20
301. prc:Kick 21
302. prc:Kick 22
303. prc:Kick 23
304. prc:Orch Bs Drum
305. prc:Snare 1
306. prc:Snare 2
307. prc:Snare 3
308. prc:Snare 4
309. prc:Snare 5
310. prc:Snare 6
311. prc:Snare 7
312. prc:Snare 8
313. prc:Snare 9
314. prc:Snare 10
315. prc:Snare 11
316. prc:Snare 12
317. prc:Snare 13
318. prc:Snare 14
319. prc:Snare 15
320. prc:Snare 16
321. prc:Snare 17
322. prc:Snare 18
323. prc:Snare 19
324. prc:Snare 20
325. prc:Snare 21
326. prc:Snare 22
327. prc:Snare 23
328. prc:Snare 24
329. prc:Snare 25
330. prc:Snare 26
331. prc:Snare 27
332. prc:Snare 28
333. prc:Snare 29
334. prc:Snare 30
335. prc:Snare 31
336. prc:Snare 32
337. prc:Snare 33
338. prc:Snare 34
339. prc:Snare 35
340. prc:Brush 1
341. prc:Brush 2
342. prc:Brush 3
343. prc:Brush 4
344. prc:Brush 5
345. prc:Brush 5
346. prc:Tom 1
347. prc:Tom 2
348. prc:Tom 4
349. prc:Tom 5
350. prc:Tom 6
351. prc:Tom 7
352. prc:Tom 8
353. prc:Tom 9
354. prc:Tom 10
355. prc:Tom 11
356. prc:Tom 12
357. prc:Tom 13
358. prc:Tom 14
359. prc:Tom 15
360. prc:Tom 16
361. prc:Cymbal 1
362. prc:Cymbal 2
363. prc:Cymbal 3
364. prc:Cymbal 4
365. prc:Cymbal 5
366. prc:Cymbal 6
367. prc:Cymbal 7
368. prc:Cymbal 8
369. prc:Crash Cym 1
370. prc:Crash Cym 2
371. prc:Crash Cym 3
372. prc:China Cym 1
373. prc:China Cym 2
374. prc:China Cym 3
375. prc:Hat 1
376. prc:Hat 2
377. prc:Hat 3
378. prc:Hat 4
379. prc:Hat 5
380. prc:Hat 6
381. prc:Hat 7
382. prc:Hat 8
383. prc:Hat 9
384. prc:Hat 10
385. prc:Hat 11
386. prc:Hat 12
387. prc:Hat 13
388. prc:Hat 14
389. prc:Hat 15
390. prc:Hat 16
391. prc:Hat 17
392. prc:Hat 18
393. prc:Hat 19
394. prc:Conga 1
![](asset-e9.png)
Halo Operation Manual 223
Appendix
Instrument Listing
Instrument Listing
395. Hrc:Conga 2
396. prc:Conga 3
397. prc:Conga 4
398. prc:Sm TunedGong
399. prc:Tambo 1
400. prc:Tambo 2
401. prc:Tambo 3
402. prc:Tambo Up-Dwn
403. prc:Shaker 1
404. prc:Shaker 2
405. prc:Shaker 3
406. prc:Shake Up-Dwn
407. prc:Cabasa 1
408. prc:Cabasa 2
409. prc:Cabasa 3
410. prc:CabasaUp-Dwn
411. prc:Maraca 1
412. prc:Maraca 2
413. prc:Maraca 3
414. prc:Cowbell 1
415. prc:Cowbell 2
416. prc:Cowbell 3
417. prc:Clap 1
418. prc:Clap 2
419. prc:Clave 1
420. prc:Clave 2
421. prc:Tuned Clave
422. prc:Synth Drum
423. prc:Snaps
424. prc:Spoons
425. prc:Jawharp
426. prc:Syn Rim
427. prc:Bongo
428. prc:Gun
429. prc:Taiko
430. prc:Timpani 1
431. prc:Timpani 2
432. prc:Timbale 1
433. prc:Timbale 2
434. prc:Timbale 3
435. prc:Whistle 1
436. prc:Whistle 2
437. prc:Agogo
438. prc:Guiro
439. prc:Cuica
440. prc:Clink
441. prc:Woodblock
442. prc:Triangle
443. prc:Vibraslap
![](asset-ea.png)
224 ENSONIQ
Appendix
Keyboard Velocity Curves
Keyboard
Velocity
Curves
The keyboard velocity curves modify the response of the Halo keyboard to
adapt to your personal playing style. The “Keyboard Velocity Curve”
selection screen is located in the Controllers menu.
For more information
about the velocity curves, see
page 73.
Soft 1
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
Soft Hard
Soft 2
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
Soft Hard
Soft 3
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
Soft Hard
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
Soft 4
Soft Hard
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
Soft 5
Soft Hard
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
Medium 1
Soft Hard
![](asset-eb.png)
Halo Operation Manual 225
Appendix
Keyboard Velocity Curves
Keyboard Velocity
Curves
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
Medium 2
Soft Hard
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
Medium 3
Soft Hard
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
Medium 4
Soft Hard
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
Medium 5
Soft Hard
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
Medium 6
Soft Hard
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
Medium 7
Soft Hard
![](asset-ec.png)
226 ENSONIQ
Appendix
Keyboard Velocity Curves
Keyboard Velocity
Curves
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
Medium 8
Soft Hard
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
Loud 1
Soft Hard
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
Loud 2
Soft Hard
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
All 64
Outputs velocity 64 only
Soft Hard
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
All 127
Outputs velocity 127 only
Soft Hard
![](asset-ed.png)
Halo Operation Manual 227
Appendix
Master Velocity Curves
Master
Velocity
Curves
This section provides diagrams and descriptions of the Halo velocity curves.
The master velocity curves modify the velocity values from the MIDI input
port and the keyboard before going into theHalo synthesizer engine.
For more information
about the velocity curves, see
page 73.
Curve 1
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
Curve 2
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
Curve 3
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
Curve 4
Linear
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
Curve 5
Input Velocity
Linear - No Change to Velocity
Input Velocity
Compresses Velocity Range
Input Velocity Input Velocity
Input Velocity Input Velocity
Expands Dynamics in low range,
emphasizing medium velocity
values and compressessing high
velocity values.
Expands Velocity Range.
Soft -> Loud
Expands Velocity Range.
Outputs High Values. Shifts Velocity Values Upward.
Good Dynamic Range.
![](asset-ee.png)
228 ENSONIQ
Appendix
Master Velocity Curves
Master Velocity
Curves
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
Curve 6
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
Curve 7
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
Curve 8
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
Curve 10
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
Curve 11
Input Velocity Input Velocity
Input Velocity
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Output Velocity
Curve 9
Input Velocity
Input Velocity Input Velocity
Shifts Velocity Values Up, while
compressing the midde range
Similar to Curve 6.
Similar to number 6 with more
emphasis on the middle range.
Extreme Dynamic Range
Compression.
Extreme Dynamic Range
Compression. Outputs Low Values.
Extreme Dynamic Range
Compression, but doesn't
output low values.
![](asset-ef.png)
Halo Operation Manual 229
Appendix
PatchCord Amount Chart
PatchCord
Amount Chart
The following chart shows the PatchCord “Amount” settings in order to get
semitone intervals when modulation sources are connected to pitch.
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Result Velocity
Curve 12
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
020 40 60 80 100 120
Result Velocity
Curve 13
Input Velocity Input Velocity
Less Severe Version of Curve 11. Extreme Expansion of Velocity
Range.
Semitone PatchCord
Amount
Semitone PatchCord
Amount
1 3 21 66
2 6 22 69
3 approx. 9 23 approx. 72.5
4 approx. 12 24 approx. 76
5 16 25 79
6 19 26 82
7 22 27 88
8 25 28 91
9 28 29 approx. 95
10 approx. 31 30 98
11 35 31
12 38 32
13 41 33
14 44 34
15 47 35
16 50 36
17 approx. 53 37
18 57 38
19 60 39
20 63 40
![](asset-f0.png)
230 ENSONIQ
Appendix
Expansion Sound Sets
Expansion
Sound Sets
Eleven different ROM expansions are currently available, with more being
developed every day. ROM expansions typically add 32MB of sound data
and 512 additional presets. Adding new sounds is like getting a new
instrument and a sure way to spark your creativity. ROM Expansions are
available from your ENSONIQ dealer. Also check out the official E-MU /
ENSONIQ website: www.emu.com for the latest sounds.
Orchestral Sessions VOLUME 1
The Orchestral Sessions Vol. 1 expansion 32 MB ROM offers you the most
realistic and comprehensive collection of section strings available,
complete with legato, spiccato, pizzicato and tremolande samples, and
includes special presets for 4 speaker applications.
Orchestral Sessions VOLUME 2
The Orchestral Sessions Vol. 2 expansion 32 MB ROM offers you the most
realistic and comprehensive collection of woodwinds, brass, percussion,
and solo strings available, complete with velocity switching between p/mf/
ff samples, special presets for 4 speaker applications and a percussion
battery with over 20 instruments.
Siedlaczek Orchestra Special Edition
The Peter Siedlaczek Advanced Orchestra Special Edition puts 32 MB of his
finest ensembles onto a single expansion ROM for your Halo. String, brass,
woodwind and percussion ensembles are included in a variety of styles (i.e.
vibrato, tremolo, pizzicato, sordino, etc.), to give you a diverse collection of
samples.
Protozoa
E-MU / ENSONIQ presents the 16 MB Protozoa expansion ROM—the
ultimate sound compilation containing presets from the ground breaking
Proteus sound modules, all optimized for your Halo’s advanced synthesis
and filter architecture.
Sounds of the ZR (This is the standard Halo sound set)
The Sounds of the ZR Expansion ROM faithfully reproduces the diverse
sounds of ENSONIQ‚s popular ZR-76 keyboard, including William Coakley’s
Perfect Piano. You’ll find everything from synths and orchestral instru-
ments to one of the finest pianos ever sampled in one soundset.
Definitive B-3
John Novello and E-MU / ENSONIQ present the 32 MB Definitive B-3
expansion ROM, a diverse collection of tone wheel organ drawbar settings
sampled direct and with rotary speakers (chorale and tremolo) to give you
the most versatile and playable B-3 available!
![](asset-f1.png)
Halo Operation Manual 231
Appendix
Expansion Sound Sets
X-Lead
The X-Lead soundset consists primarily of analog, noise and modern
synthesizer waveforms. These sounds are rich in harmonic texture and are a
perfect match with the Z-plane filters in your Proteus® family sound
module. With the included software upgrade, you now have access to
dynamic and rhythmic features not found on any other instrument.
PURE PHATT
The 32 MB Pure Phatt is E-MU / ENSONIQ’s latest Hip-Hop soundset that
produces the freshest and newest sounds and grooves from top notch
producers from the East, Southeast and West coasts. Pumping leads and
basses, silky pads and those unique hits, scratches and drones that your mix
needs to bring it to the next level are ready to provide the love.
World Expedition
An amazing collection of traditional instruments from the four corners of
the globe including exotic stringed instruments, winds, percussion, and
chromatic percussion. World Expedition provides you with the most
realistic ethnic soundset in the world. Discover a world of sounds to bring
to your music.
Techno Synth
Rob Papen and E-MU / ENSONIQ introduce the 32 MB Techno Synth
Construction Yard Expansion ROM, a compilation of synth, techno, and
ambient sounds from one of Europe’s finest programmers. From
atmospheric pads to punchy sub-basses and crunch drum loops, these
sounds will help you tear up the dance floor!
Beat Garden
Dutch sound designer Rob Papen and E-MU / ENSONIQ introduce the 32
MB Beat Garden expansion ROM, a diverse palette of all-new Electronica/
Dance beats, synths, basses, drumkits, acoustic and electronic percussion.
Experience the Beat Garden for yourself and add a unique dimension to
your tracks.
![](asset-f2.png)
232 ENSONIQ
Appendix
Installing Sound SIMMs
Installing
Sound SIMMs
Halo can be easily expanded to contain up to 128 MB of sound data
(4 SIMMs).
Remove the ROM Hatch Cover:
1. The sound SIMM sockets in Halo are located beneath a small hatch on
the bottom panel. Unplug power from the unit and carefully turn it
keyboard-side down on a soft, padded surface.
2. The ROM hatch is a 125cm x 140cm rectangle secured by four screws.
(You can’t miss it.) Remove the four phillips head screws securing this
hatch and place them and the hatch cover where they won’t get lost.
To Remove ROM SIMMs (if necessary):
1. Orient the unit so that the rear panel is facing you. Ground yourself by
touching a grounded object. (Such as the chassis of another piece of
equipment connected to the wall socket with a three-prong power plug.)
2. On each end of the SIMM socket there is a silver or plastic tab. Use a
screwdriver or a ball point pen to squeeze the tabs toward the outside of
the socket while gently nudging the SIMM toward the right side of the
unit. The old SIMM should “hinge” to the right and can now be
removed.
ROM 3
ROM 2
ROM 1
ROM 0
Notch
rear of unit
front of unit
2. Tilt the SIMM up
so that both tabs
click and lock the
SIMM into place.
1. Set SIMM into
socket with the
notch toward back
of unit.
![](asset-f3.png)
Halo Operation Manual 233
Appendix
Installing Sound SIMMs
Install a New ROM SIMM
1. Ground yourself by touching a grounded object, then remove the
memory SIMM modules from the static protected packaging.
2. Notice that one end of the SIMM connector is notched. This notch
Install the SIMM closest to the LEFT side first. (When the rear of the unit
is closest to you.)
3. Gently set the SIMM deep into the SIMM socket at a 45º angle with the
notch toward the keyboard. Without forcing the insertion, let the board
rest in the socket as deep as it will go. It should rest naturally in place at
this 45° angle. See the following diagrams.
4. While applying a slight downward pressure on the top of the SIMM to
keep it from popping out of the socket, tilt the SIMM board into a
vertical position. You should hear an audible click. Make sure both sides
of the silver tabs have latched.
Reassemble the Unit
5. Replace the hatch cover and the four screws. The screws are all
identical.
Test It
The installation is almost finished.
1. Turn the unit right-side up and plug in the power cord.
2. Turn on power.
3. Place the cursor under the ROM field of the Main screen and turn the
data entry control to verify that the new sound ROM has been recog-
nized.
4. Play the presets on the new ROM banks and verify that they sound OK.
Problems?
1. Disconnect power immediately.
2. Open the unit, and try re-seating the ROM SIMMs. Take care that the
RAM SIMMs are properly installed in the sockets. If you’re still having
problems, return the unit to its original configuration and call EMU /
ENSONIQ Customer Service at (831) 438-1921. Telephone support
hours are 8:00-5:00 PST, Monday through Friday.
![](asset-f4.png)
234 ENSONIQ
Appendix
MIDI
MIDI MIDI Implementation Chart (part 1)
MIDI Information Transmitted Recognized Remarks
MIDI Channels 1-16 1-16
Note Numbers 0-127 0-127
Program Change 0-127 0-127
Bank Select Response? No Yes MSB + LSB
Modes: Omni (Mode 1)
Mono (Mode 2)
Poly (Mode 3)
Mode 4
Multi (Mode 5)
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Note On Velocity Yes Yes
Note Off Velocity No Yes
Channel Aftertouch Yes Yes
Poly (Key) Aftertouch No No
Pitch Bend Yes Yes
Active Sensing No No
System Reset No No
Tune Request No No
System Exclusive
Sample Dump Standard
File Dump
MIDI Tuning
Master Volume
Master Balance
Notation Information
Turn GM1 System On
Turn GM2 System On
Turn GM1 System Off
Other (See Remarks)
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
NRPNs No No
RPN 00 (Pitch Bend Sensi.)
RPN 01 (Chan. Fine Tune)
RPN 02 (Chan Coar. Tune)
RPN 03 (Tuning Prog Sel.)
RPN 04 (Tuning Bank Sel.)
RPN 05 (Mod Depth Rang)
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
MIDI Timing & Sync
MIDI Clock Yes Yes
Song Position Pointer No No
Song Select No No
Start
Continue
Stop
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
![](asset-f5.png)
Halo Operation Manual 235
Appendix
MIDI
MIDI Time Code No No
MIDI Machine Control No No
MIDI Show Control No No
Extension Capability
General MIDI Compat?
Is GM default mode?
No
No
No
No
DLS compatible?
Import DLS Files?
Export DLS Files?
No
No
No
No
No
No
Import Std MIDI files
Export Std MIDI files
No
No
No
No
MIDI Information Transmitted Recognized Remarks
![](asset-f6.png)
236 ENSONIQ
Appendix
MIDI
MIDI Implementation Chart (part 2 - Controllers)
Control # Function Transmitted Recognized Remarks
0 Bank Select MSB Yes Yes
1 Mod Wheel MSB Yes Yes * see note
2 Breath Cntrl MSB No No * see note
3 No No *
4 Foot Cntrl MSB Yes No *
5 Portamento MSB No No *
6 Data Entry MSB No No *
7Chan Volume MSB Yes Yes *
8 Balance MSB No No *
9*
10 Pan MSB Yes Yes *
11 Expression MSB No Yes *
12 Effect Cntrl 1 MSB No No *
13 Effect Cntrl 2 MSB No No *
14 *
15 *
16 GenPur Ctrl 1 MSB *
17 GenPur Ctrl 2 MSB *
18 GenPur Ctrl 3 MSB *
19 GenPur Ctrl 4 MSB *
20 *
21 *
22 *
23 * see note
24 *
25 ™Yes Yes * Filt Attck
26 ™Yes Yes * Filt Decy
27 *
28 *
29 *
30 *
31 *
32 Bank Select LSB Yes Yes *
33 Mod Wheel LSB *
34 Breath Cntrl LSB *
35 *
36 Foot Cntrlr LSB No No *
![](asset-f7.png)
Halo Operation Manual 237
Appendix
MIDI
37 Portamento LSB *
38 Data Entry LSB *
39 Chan Volume LSB *
40 Balance LSB *
41 *
42 Pan LSB *
43 Expression LSB *
44 Effect Cntrl 1 LSB *
45 Effect Cntrl 2 LSB *
46 *
47 *
48 Gen Pur Ctrl 1 LSB *
49 Gen Pur Ctrl 2 LSB *
50 Gen Pur Ctrl 3 LSB *
51 Gen Pur Ctrl 4 LSB *
52 *
53 *
54 *
55 *
56 *
57 *
58 *
59 *
60 *
61 *
62 *
63 *
64 Sustain Pedal Yes Yes *
65 Portamento on/off No No *
66 Sostenuto No No *
67 Soft Pedal *
68 Legato Footswitch *
69 Hold 2 *
70 Variation *
71 Timbre/Har Inten Yes Yes *
72 Release Time Yes *
73 Attack Time Yes *
74 Brightness Yes *
Control # Function Transmitted Recognized Remarks
![](asset-f8.png)
238 ENSONIQ
Appendix
MIDI
75 Sound Cntrlr 6 ™Yes Yes * Decay
76 Sound Cntrlr 7 *
77 Sound Cntrlr 8 ™Yes Yes * Vel->Filt
78 Sound Cntrlr 9 ™Yes Yes * Vel->amp
79 Sound Cntrlr 10 Yes Yes See note
80 Gen Purp Cntrlr 5 Yes Yes See note
81 Gen Purp Cntrlr 6 *
82 Gen Pur Ctrlr 7 ™Yes Yes * Arp Vel
83 Gen Pur Ctrlr 8 ™Yes Yes * Arp Gate
84 Portamento Cntrl *
85 ™Yes Yes * Sustain
86 *
87 *
88 *
89 *
90 *
91 Effects 1 Depth Yes *
92 Effects 2 Depth *
93 Effects 3 Depth Yes *
94 Effects 4 Depth *
95 Effects 5 Depth *
96 Data Increment
97 Data Decrement
98 NRPN (LSB)
99 NRPN (MSB)
100 RPN (LSB)
101 RPN (MSB)
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
Control # Function Transmitted Recognized Remarks
![](asset-f9.png)
Halo Operation Manual 239
Appendix
MIDI
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120 All Sound Off No Yes See note
121 Reset All Contlrs No Yes
122 Local Cntrl on/off No No
123 All Notes Off No Yes
124 Omni Mode Off No Yes
if enabled
125 Omni Mode On No Yes
if enabled
126 Poly Mode Off No Yes
if enabled
127 Poly Mode On No Yes
if enabled
NOTES: * Halo can transmit and receive ANY continuous controller number
from 1 to 95. Because of Halo’s powerful synth engine, many of
the standard MIDI controllers can be user programmed to provide
the desired function. A “Yes” response in this chart means that a
controller is programmed by default in Halo.
Controller 79 is hard-coded to the Mix Output parameter.
0=Use Preset, 1=Send 1, 2=Send 2, 3=Send 3, 4=Send 4
Controller 80 is hard-coded to the Arp Status parameter.
0=Off, 1=On, 2=P (preset), 3=M (master)
Value of 0 = reset all except vol & pan; value of 127 = reset all
Other: Pan: -64 = hard left, +63 = hard right
Control # Function Transmitted Recognized Remarks
![](asset-fa.png)
240 ENSONIQ
Appendix
MIDI
Product ID for Halo = 0F (15)
MIDI Device Inquiry Responses
Family
MSB 0x04 (Musical Instruments)
LSB 0x04 (ROM Players)
Members
MSB 0x00 (Proteus 2000 series)
LSB 0x02 Audity 2000
0x03 Proteus 2000
0x04 B-3
0x05 XL-1
0x06 Virtuoso 2000
0x07 Mo’Phatt
0x08 B-3 Turbo
0x09 XL-1 Turbo
0x0A Mo’Phatt Turbo
0x0B Planet Earth
0x0C Planet Earth Turbo
0x0D XL-7
0x0E MP-7
0x0F Proteus 2500
0x10 Orbit 3
0x11 PK-6
0x12 XK-6
0x13 MK-6
0x14 Halo
0x15 Proteus 1000
There is only one edit buffer which is used by the current preset (the preset
shown in the display). You can edit only one preset at a time via SysEx
commands, although these presets can be edited independently of the
current preset edited using the Front Panel. Remote Preset selection is
independent of the edit buffer. Changing the current preset erases the edit
buffer.
![](asset-fb.png)
Halo Operation Manual 241
Appendix
MIDI
Received Channel
Commands
Channels number (n) = 0-15. Message bytes are represented in hex. All
other numbers are decimal. Running Status is supported.
* Special Notes:
•From Omni Mode...........Omni Off turns Poly On.
•From Poly Mode ............. Omni On turns Omni On; Mono On turns
Mono On.
•From Mono Mode........... Mono Off turns Poly On; Omni On turns
Omni On.
•From Multi Mode ........... Omni On turns Omni On; Omni Off or Mono
Off turns Poly On; Mono On turns Mono On.
•All other changes have no effect.
SysEx Specification Halo contains an extensive set of MIDI SysEx commands. (Virtually every
parameter is controllable via SysEx.) Because of the size and technical nature
of the System Exclusive specification, it is beyond the scope of this manual.
The complete SysEx specification for Halo will be available soon on the
official E-MU / ENSONIQ web site: www.emu.com
Command Message Comments
Note Off 8n kk vv
Note On 9n kk vv velocity 0 = note off
Program Change Cn vv 0-127
Channel Aftertouch Dn vv 0-127
Pitch Bend En ll mm l = lsb, m = msb
Real-time Controller Bn cc vv cc = 00-31, 64-95
Footswitch Bn cc vv cc = 64-79, vv ≥ 64 = on
Volume Bn 07 vv 0-127
Pan Bn 0A vv 0=left, 127=right, 64=center
All Sound Off Bn 78 00 turns all sound off
Reset All Controllers Bn 79 00 ignored in omni mode
All Notes Off Bn 7B 00 ignored in omni mode
Omni Mode Off* Bn 7C 00 forces all notes & controls off
Omni Mode On* Bn 7D 00 forces all notes & controls off
Mono Mode On (Poly Off)* Bn 7E 00 forces all notes & controls off
Poly Mode On (Mono Off)* Bn 7F 00 forces all notes & controls off
Bank Select MSB Bn 00 bb bb = bank MSB (see page 126)
Bank Select LSB Bn 20 bb bb = bank LSB (see page 126)
![](asset-fc.png)
242 ENSONIQ
Appendix
Technical Specifications
Technical
Specifications Audio Channels: 64
MIDI: MIDI In, MIDI Out, MIDI Thru
MIDI Channels: 16
Presets: 512 user presets. (The number of ROM
presets is determined by the sound SIMMs
installed.)
Filters: 2nd order to 12th order filters
(50 different types)
Audio Outputs: 4 polyphonic analog outputs
Submix Inputs: 2 analog inputs (sum to main outs)
Max. Output Level: +4 dB
Output Impedance: 1000 Ohms
Sound Memory: 64 MB (expandable to 128 MB)
Data Encoding: 16-bit linear data
Effects Engine: 24-bit internal processing
Sample Playback Rate: 44.1 kHz
Signal to Noise: >92 dB
Dynamic Range: >90 dB
Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz (+2/-1 dB)
THD + Noise: < 0.02% (1kHz sine wave, A-weighting)
IMD < 0.05%
Stereo Phase Phase Coherent +/- 1º at 1 kHz
Power Consumption: 20 Watts
Voltage Input: 90VAC-260VAC at 50Hz-60Hz
![](asset-fd.png)
Halo Operation Manual 243
Appendix
Warranty
Warranty Please read this warranty, as it gives
you specific legal rights.
Limited Warranty This product is warranted, to the original consumer purchaser, to be free of
all defects in workmanship and materials for a period of one (1) year
(warranty period is two (2) years in the European Union, effective Jan-1-
2002), from the date of such purchase from an authorized E-MU/ ENSONIQ
dealer, provided that: (a) the Warranty Registration Card is filled out and
returned to E-MU / ENSONIQ within 14 days of the purchase date; (b) the
E-MU / ENSONIQ service center is provided a copy of the consumer
purchaser’s sales receipt; and (c) E-MU / ENSONIQ has confirmed the
validity of the subject unit's serial number.
Warranty
Restrictions
Specifically, but without limitation, E-MU / ENSONIQ does not provide
warranty service for:
•Damages due to improper or inadequate maintenance, accident, abuse,
misuse, alteration, unauthorized repairs, tampering, or failure to follow
normal operating procedures as outlined in the owner’s manual;
•Deterioration or damage of the cabinet;
•Damages occurring during any shipment of the unit;
•Any unit which has been modified by anyone other than
E-MU / ENSONIQ.
•Any unit with an invalid or wholly or partially obliterated serial number.
NO OTHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY IS MADE, AND E-MU /
ENSONIQ SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF
MERCHANTABILITY, SATISFACTORY QUALITY, AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE. E-MU / ENSONIQ’S LIABILITY UNDER
WARRANTY IS LIMITED TO REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THE UNIT, OR
REFUND, AT EMU’S OPTION. IN NO EVENT WILL E-MU / ENSONIQ BE
LIABLE FOR LOSS OF REVENUE OR SAVINGS, LOSS OF TIME, INTER-
RUPTION OF USE, OR ANY OTHER CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT,
INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES.
The foregoing will apply notwithstanding the failure of essential purpose of
any remedy provided herein. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion
of implied warranties or conditions, or limitations on how long an implied
warranty or condition may last, so the above limitations may not apply.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may have other rights
which vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
![](asset-fe.png)
244 ENSONIQ
Appendix
Warranty
How To Obtain
Warranty Service
All E-MU / ENSONIQ products are manufactured with the highest standards
of quality. If you find that your unit does require service, it may be done by
any authorized E-MU / ENSONIQ service center. If you are unable to locate
a service center in your area, please contact EMU’s Service Department at
(831) 438-1921. They will either refer you to an authorized service center in
your area or ask that you return your unit to the E-MU / ENSONIQ factory.
When returning your unit to the E-MU / ENSONIQ factory, you will be
issued a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number. Please label all
cartons, shipping documents and correspondence with this number.
E-MU / ENSONIQ suggests you carefully and securely pack your unit for
return to the factory. (Do not send the power cord or operation manual.)
Send the unit to E-MU / ENSONIQ, 1600 Green Hills Road, Scotts Valley,
CA 95066. You must pre-pay shipping charges to E-MU / ENSONIQ.
E-MU / ENSONIQ will pay return shipping charges. You will be responsible
for any damage or loss sustained during shipment in any direction.
3/99
![](asset-ff.png)
Halo Operation Manual 245
Index
Symbols
Index
Symbols
“+” modulation polarity 158
“±” modulation polarity 158
Numerics
19-tone tuning 168
1-bar trigger 51
2-pole filters 120
4-pole filters 120
6-pole filters 120
A
A effect types 175, 176
Absolute Value Processor 109
AC Receptacle 14
ADSR Envelopes 201
Aftertouch
calibration 80
mono 101
on/off 74
Algorithm
FXA 177, 178
FXB 177, 179
master FXA 89
master FXB 90
All Layers 129, 131
All Notes Off, MIDI 31
All Sound Off, MIDI command 31
Alternate Tunings 92, 168
Amount
patchcord 124, 157
Amplifier 141
Amplitude 148, 201
envelope 142
modulation 100
Arpeggiator 39
button 31
channel 39
controllers 58
copy pattern 191
copy settings 190, 191
delay 63, 64
extension 58
extension count 62
extension interval 62
factory patterns 60
gate 58
time 61
guided tour 24
interval 58
key offset 68
key range 66
keyboard thru 65
latch mode 65
master parameters 58
MIDI out 56
MIDI song start 56
modes 57, 59
note value 60, 64
pattern 57, 60
naming 70
speed 60
resolution 58
status 59
user patterns 67
velocity 58, 61
Assign Group 146
Attack
envelope 143, 152, 159, 205
Audition
beats 46
button 32
preset 20
riff 171
Auxiliary Envelope 103, 152
B
B Effect Types 175, 176
Balance 123
Band-Pass Filter 119, 148
Bandwidth 121
Bank Number 21, 37
Bank Select Display 31
Banks 21
selecting 37
selecting via MIDI 38
Base Tempo 82
Basic Channel 46
setting keyboard & wheels to 72
Basic Setup 14
Basics, programming 99
Beats 43, 46
busy 49
![](asset-100.png)
246 ENSONIQ
Index
C
control knob 23
channel 46
initial setup 47
keys layout 51
keys offset 52
part chart 22
part group 54
part transpose 53
part velocity 52
played using trigger buttons 44, 76
playing 22
playing on a different MIDI
channel 23
presets, selecting 22
riffs 44
variation 50
control knob 23
velocity group 1-4 49
xpose group 1-4 49
Bend Range 84
Breath Controller 80
Bts Busy 49
Button
+/- channel 29
arpeggiator/beats 31
audition 31
compare 31
controllers 31
cursor 30
demo mode 35
global 30
home/enter 32, 43, 71, 83, 93
main 34
MIDI 31
MIDI panic 31
mix screen 34
mode select 36
multi 34
preset edit 32
save/copy 32, 187
C
Calibrate Controllers 80
Category
instrument 40
preset 40
Center Frequency 121
Change
filter type 205
MIDI preset 95
preset 21, 37
Channel
+/- buttons 29
aftertouch on/off 74
arpeggiator 39
MIDI enable 94
pan 39
selection, MIDI 37
volume 38
Chorus 175, 185
width 199
Chorus, effect 185
Chorusing 144, 199
Clear Beats Part 44, 45
Clock
divisor 101
MIDI output enable 94
modulation 107
using external MIDI 82
Coarse Tuning 141, 198
Comb Filter 149
Comb Filter, effect 176, 185
Command Buttons
external preset selection 78
preset menu jump keys 36
selecting presets 77
trigger mode 36
Command Functions 36
Compare Button 31
Connection Instructions 14
Continuous Controller 124
Contour, envelope 101, 143
Control
data entry 29
effects multi mode 88
keys 45
volume 29
Controller
assigning real-time 94
calibration 80
footswitch 14, 15, 80
knobs 32, 33, 79, 125
modes 32
menu 71
menu button 31
MIDI 79, 124
MIDI #10 39
MIDI #7 38, 124
MIDI real-time 124
quick edit 33
realtime assignment 79
realtime knobs 32
standardized MIDI numbers 80
tempo 81
trigger buttons 72
Copy
layers 188
patchcord 189
preset 188
preset banks 191
![](asset-101.png)
Halo Operation Manual 247
Index
D
preset patchcords 190
Crossfade
random 102
ranges 137
Current Tempo 82
Cursor
buttons 30
definition 30
Curve
glide 147
keyboard velocity 73
master velocity 85
volume 199
Cutoff Frequency 119, 202
D
Damping, high frequency 176, 184
Data Entry Control 29
DC Offset, example 116
DCA 123, 207
Decay
effect A 90, 176
effects 176
envelope 199
Default Assignment, beats 45
Delay
arpeggiator 63, 64
effect B 91
effects 175, 176, 186
layer 144
LFO 156
master FXB 91
preset link 170
Demo Sequences 19, 35
Descending Arpeggiator 57
Destinations, modulation 108, 159
Device ID 96
Diode Processor 110
Display, viewing angle 92
Distortion Effect 175, 186
Double & Detune 144, 199
Doubling, effect 185
Dual Channel Beats 46
Dual Tap, delay effect 186
Duration, arp pattern 69
Dynamic Filter 117
Dynamic Range 242
E
Echo Thru, Local Control on/off 72
Edit All Layers Enable 92
Edit Section 30
Editing
arp user patterns 67
presets 197
Effects
A type 175
B into effect A 182
B submix routing 91
B type 175
busses 173
by channel number 182
channel number setup 182
chorus 185
decay 176
delay 176, 186
description 184
diagram 161, 162, 164
distortion 186
doubling 185
dual tap delay 186
feedback 176, 186
flanger 185
FXA decay 90
FXA HF damping 90
FXB feedback 91
FxB->FxA 90, 177
global 181
HF damping 176
LFO rate 91, 176
master 173, 178, 181
A algorithm 89
B algorithm 90
FxB->FxA 178
LFO rate 91
mode, bypass 180
multi mode control 88, 180
panning delay 186
patchcords 165
preset 161, 177
processor 173
programming in the preset 177
returns 17
reverb 184
routing diagram 87
send amounts 173
sends 86
slapback 185
stereo delay 186
submix routing, A 90, 164, 165
type A 89, 163, 175, 176
type B 91, 164, 176
vibrato 186
wrong effect playing with beats 23
Enable
controllers menu 71
MIDI channels 94
quick-edit mode 79
Enter Button 32
![](asset-102.png)
248 ENSONIQ
Index
F
Envelope
ADSR, programming 201
attack 143, 152, 159
auxiliary 152
decay 199
filter 151, 203, 204, 206
generator 101, 103
example 120
mode, factory 200
mode, filter 204
release 199
repeat 206
repeating 104
reverberation 184
volume 142, 143, 199, 201
Equal Temperment Tuning 168
Errors, data transmission 97
Extension
count, arpeggiator 62
interval, arpeggiator 62
External Clock, MIDI 82
F
Factory
envelope mode 200
patterns, arpeggiator 60
Fc 150, 202
Feedback 176, 186
FXB 91
Fills, beats 44
Filter
2-pole 120
4-pole 120
6-pole 120
bandpass 119, 148
changing type 205
comb 149, 176
definition 118
dynamic 117
envelope 103, 151, 203, 204
attack 205
envelope generator 151, 206
envelope mode 204
frequency 150, 151, 159, 202
highpass 118, 202
lowpass 118
mode 204
morph 122
notch 119
parametric 121
pole 120
programming 202
Q150, 202
swept EQ 121
troubleshooting 207
tutorial 117
type 202, 205
changing 205
Z-plane 122, 123, 148
Fine Tuning 141, 198
Fingered Glide. solo mode 146
First Key, modulation 112
Flanger Effect 175, 185
Flashing Arp/Beats LED 82
Flip-Flop Processor 110
Foot Pedal
calibration 80
connecting 14
Footswitch 80, 101
connecting 14, 15
programming 74
Free Running LFO 154
Frequency
filter 151, 159
center 121
cutoff 119
instrument 140, 141
Frequency Modulation 100
Front Panel Knobs 32, 209
FX Cords 165
FXA Algorithm 177, 178
FXA Parameters 164
FXB -> FXA 177, 178, 182
FXB Algorithm 164, 177, 179
master 90
FXB Parameters 165
FXB Submix Routing 91
G
Gain Processor 110
Gamelan Tuning 168
Gate 101
time 61
Generator
envelope 101
filter envelope 151, 206
noise & random 101
volume envelope 142
Glide 147
curve 147
key 101
rate 101, 147
Global
button 30
controller assignments 79
effects 178, 181
menu 83
Grooves, beat 44
![](asset-103.png)
Halo Operation Manual 249
Index
H
Group
assigning channels to a 146
beats 44
H
High Frequency Damping 90, 176, 184
Highpass Filter 118, 202
Home Position 21
Home/Enter Button 32, 43, 71, 83, 93
I
Implementation Chart, MIDI 234, 236
Initial
pan position 141
volume 141
Instrument 123, 197
category 40
selecting 132
Inverting LFO Waves 106
J
Jam Presets 210
Jump Buttons
preset edit menu 36
using 197
Just C Tuning 168
description 169
Just Intonation 168
K
Key
glide 101
layout, beats 51
offset, arpeggiator 68
range
arpeggiator 66
keyboard 134
preset link 170
sync, arpeggiator 63
transpose 140
trigger 51
tuning 92
velocity 101
Keyboard
beats trigger layouts 44
key 101
layering & splitting 208
pressure 101
range 133, 134
semitone transpose 72
splitting 208
thru, arpeggiator 65
transpose 140
on/off 145
tuning 168
19-tone 168
equal temperment 168
gamelan 168
just C 168
Kirnberger 168
repeating octave 168
Scarlatti 168
Vallotti 168
Werkmeister III 168
velocity curve 73
velocity curve diagrams 224
Keyboard/Knob Channel 72
Kirnberger Tuning 168
Knob
controller 125
keyboard channel 72
typical functions 209
Knob Preset Quick-Edit 79
Knobs Output MIDI 94
L
Lag Amount, preset lag 111
Lag Processor 109
Latch
beats part 51
keys in beats 44
mode, arpeggiator 65
triggers 36
Layer
copy 188
definition 130
instrument 99
presets 208
selecting 131
Legato 145
LFO 153
effect B 91
flanger 186
key sync 154
master FXB rate 91
rate 176
rate, effect 91
tricks & tips 154
trigger 106
variation 156
waveforms 105
waveshape 153
Linking Presets 170, 208
Local Control On/Off 72, 74, 75
Looping Envelopes 104
Low Frequency Oscillator 101, 105, 153
delay 156
![](asset-104.png)
250 ENSONIQ
Index
M
free running 154
sync 153, 154
variation 156
Lowpass Filter 118
example 120
M
Main Button 34
Master
arpeggiator 24
parameters 58
bend range 84
clock
current tempo 82
modulation 106
effects 88, 173, 178, 181
FXA algorithm 89
FXB algorithm 90
riff 46, 54
tempo, offset 171
velocity curve 85
volume control 29
Melody Solo Mode
high 145
last 145
low 145
MIDI
A-P assignments 79
bank select display 20, 31
channel
routing outputs by 86
tempo controller 81
channel inc/dec
using a footswitch 74
channel selection 37
clock
output enable 94
continuous controller
assignment 79
continuous controllers 101, 124
controller #7 38
device ID 96
enable 94
external clock 82
footswitch assign 74, 80
implementation chart 234, 236
in channels 94
input channels 94
knob transmit 94
menu button 31
mode 94, 173
multi mode 98
note triggers 36, 75, 76
omni mode 98
out, arp/beats 56
out, knob enable 94
pan control #10 39
panic button 31
poly mode 98
real-time controllers 124
receive program change 95
received channel commands 241
receiving sysex data 98
recording sysex data 98
send sysex data 98
sequencer, recording into an
external 72
song start 56
standardized controller numbers 80
sysex packet delay 97
sysex, send/receive 97, 98
velocity
curve input 85
curve output 73
Minimoog, solo mode 146
Mix Output 160
description 86
function 174
programmed in the preset 160
Mix Screen 34
Mod Wheel 101
Mode
arpeggiator 59
latch 65
controller 32
effects 180
factory envelope 200
filter envelope 204
MIDI 94, 173
mono 241
multi 98, 173, 241
non-transpose 145
omni 98, 180, 241
poly 98, 180, 241
solo 145
time-based envelope 204
Modulation 158
amplitude 100
clock 107
definition 100
destinations 108
note-on 108
polarity 158
processors 109, 113
random 102
routing 157
sources 101
sources & destinations 159
wheel 80
calibration 80
Momentary Footswitch 14
Mono Aftertouch 101
![](asset-105.png)
Halo Operation Manual 251
Index
N
Mono A-I, assign group 146
Mono Mode 241
Morph Filter 122
Multi Button 34
Multi Channel
arpeggiators 26
volume/pan control 34
Multi Mode 98, 173, 241
effects control 88
Multiple Trigger, solo mode 145
Multisetup
definition 34, 41
name 42
restoring 41
saving 42
send/receive 97
Mute Beats 44, 45
N
Name
multisetup 42
preset 130
user arp pattern 70
Noise & Random Generators 101
Non-Transpose Mode 145
Notch Filter 119
Note Value
arpeggiator 60, 64
Note-On Modulation 108
O
Offset, arpeggiator key 68
Omni Mode 98, 180, 241
Output
jack 14, 15, 16, 17
mix 86, 160, 174
mono 14
routing 160
Overall Tuning, adjusting 84
P
Packet Delay, MIDI sysex 97
Pan 123
channel 39
initial 141
preset link 170
Panic Button, MIDI 31
Panning Delay, effect 186
Parametric Filters 121
Part, beat 44
Patchcord 102, 157
amount 124, 157
copy 189
example 113
routing 108
Pattern
arpeggiator 57, 60
naming 70
repeat 69
speed 60
user 67
velocity 69
inc/dec
using a footswitch 74
Pedal 101
connection 14, 15
programming 75
wiring diagram 15
Performance Controllers 32, 36, 101
Pink Noise, example 115
Pitch Wheel 101
calibration 80
master bend range 84
range 160
Pitch, shifting 198
Pitchbend Range 160
Play
solo layers 171
trigger buttons 76, 77, 78
Polarity
modulation & LFO 158
ramp rate 112
Pole, filter 120
Poly All, assign group 146
Poly Mode 98, 180, 241
Poly, assign group 146
Portamento 147
Power Consumption 242
Power Switch 14, 29
Preset
architecture 130
audition 20
category 21, 40
change enable 95
changing 21
copy 188
edit button 32
editing 197
effects 161, 177
links 170, 171, 208
menu jump buttons 36
MIDI changes 95
naming 130
random 195
selecting 20, 37
selecting via command buttons 36,
77
![](asset-106.png)
252 ENSONIQ
Index
Q
tempo offset 171
user 97
view screen 37
Preset Lag Processor 111
Preset Ramp Processor 111
Processor
4x gain 110
absolute value 109
diode 110
effect 173
flip-flop 110
modulation 113
preset lag 111
preset ramp 111
quantizer 110
Program Change
receive enable 95
Program->Preset Map 95
send/receive 97
Programmable Knobs 79
Programming Basics 99
Q
Q119, 149, 150, 202, 205
Quantized, arp sync 63
Quantizer 110, 116
example 115
Quick Edit
enabling 79
mode 33
R
Ramp Rate 112
Random
creating presets 195
crossfade 102
crosswitch 138
generator, noise and 101
modulation sources 102
Range
arp extension count 62
key 133, 134
keyboard 133
pitchbend 160
velocity 135
Rate
effect, LFO 91, 176
glide 147
LFO 154
master FXB LFO 91
Rate/Level Envelopes 103
Realtime Control of Arps 58
Realtime Controller 72
assignment 79, 94
crossfading 137
tutorial 124
Realtime Crossfade 137
Receive Program Change 95
Receiving MIDI SysEx Data 98
Record
MIDI sysex data 98
Rectifier 109
Release
envelope 199
velocity 101
Rename, arpeggiator pattern 70
Repeat
arpeggiator pattern 69
Resonance, filter 119, 149, 150, 205
Restoring Multisetups 41
via MIDI command 41
Return Signal 16
Reverb 175, 184
envelope 184
Riff
assignment 171
controllers 55
playing 20, 31
tempo 55
ROM Card Identifier 21
Routing
FXA submix 90, 164, 165
FXB submix 91
modulation 157
output 86, 160, 173
S
Save
arp menu parameters 41
arp parameters 43
controllers menu parameters 41
global menu parameters 41
MIDI menu parameters 41
multiple arp setup 28
multisetup 42
preset 187
preset/volume/pan/arp
assignments 41
Save/Copy
button 32, 187
menu 187
Scaling
MIDI Velocity In 85
MIDI Velocity Out 73
Scarlatti Tuning 168
Screen View Buttons 34
Screen Viewing Angle 92
![](asset-107.png)
Halo Operation Manual 253
Index
T
Selecting
menus with jump buttons 197
presets 20, 37
using command buttons 36, 77
Semitone
transpose keyboard by 72
Send
amount 173
FXA 90, 164, 165
FXB 91
effect 86
preset effect 160
Setup
basic 14
performance 15
studio 16
Signal Path 123, 173
Slapback 185
Solo Layer 171
Solo Mode 145
Sound Navigator 40
selecting instruments 132
Sound Start 144
Sources, modulation 159
Specifications, technical 242
Split Keyboard 170, 208
using links 208
Stack
layers 135
presets 170
Standardized MIDI Controller
Numbers 80, 236
Start/Stop Beats 44, 45
Step-By-Step Preset Programming 197
Stereo Delay, effect 186
Stolen Voices 146
Studio Setup 16
Sub Output Jacks 17
Submix Routing
FXB 91
Summing Amp 109, 110
Summing Nodes 100
Swept EQ Filter 121
Switch Processor 109, 113
Sync
arp key 63
LFO 153, 154
MIDI song start 56
Synth Solo Mode
high 146
last 145
low 146
System Exclusive
device ID 96
packet delay 97
send arp data 66
send data 98
T
Tap Tempo 82
using a footswitch 74
Technical Specifications 242
Tempo
base 82
change via MIDI controller 81
controller 81
offset 171
Tempo-based Envelope 104, 142, 151,
200
Time
arpeggiator gate 61
master FXB delay 91
Time-based Envelope 103, 142, 151, 200,
204
Transmission Errors 97
Transmit MIDI Clock 94
Transmit MIDI, knob 94
Transpose 84, 140, 141
arpeggiator 62
beat part 53
keyboard 72
preset link 170
Trig Hold, beats 45
Trigger Buttons 75, 76
controlling multiple arps 22, 26
Trigger Channel 46
Trigger Key 44
Trigger Mode 36, 76, 77, 78
Troubleshooting 207
Tune 84
Tuning 141, 198
19-tone 168
coarse 198
equal temperment 168
fine 198
gamelan 168
just C 168
key 92
keyboard 168
Kirnberger 168
repeating octave 168
Scarlatti 168
Vallotti 168
Werkmeister 168
Tutorial
arpeggiator 24
beats 22
filter 117
![](asset-108.png)
254 ENSONIQ
Index
U
synth programming 197
U
Unlatch Beats Part 51
User
banks 21
key tuning 92
presets 97
tuning tables 92
User Pattern
arpeggiator 67
naming 70
repeat 69
velocity 69
V
Vallotti Tuning 168
Variation
beats 50
LFO 156
Velocity
arpeggiator 61
crossfade 135, 136
curve, keyboard 73
curve, master 85
key 101
keyboard curve charts 224
master curve charts 227
preset link 170
release 101
user pattern 69
Vibrato, effect processor 186
Viewing Angle, screen 92
Voices, stolen 146
Volume
channel 38
control 29
control #7 38
curve 199
envelope 103, 123, 142, 143, 199, 201
preset link 170
W
Waveform
instrument list 220
inverting 106
LFO 105
Werkmeister Tuning 168
Wheel
modulation 101
pitch 101
Width, chorus 199
Z
Z-Plane Filter 122, 123, 148