Release.TXT File Product Information for GigaSampler(R), Version 1.64.000 (C)1998 NemeSys Music Technology, Inc. This document contains release notes for version 1.64.000 of the GigaSampler technology. NOTE!!!!: IF YOU HEAR OCCASIONAL POPPING IN THE AUDIO, SEE SECTION 3.(C) below for hard drive special setup ============================================================================== ================================< Contents >================================== ============================================================================== 1. Updates and Upgrades 2. What's New (Version History) 3. Hardware Requirements A. Minimum Requirements B. Audio Card support C. Hard Drive special requirements on certain systems D. MIDI interface special requirements on certain systems E. GigaSampler Piano and System Requirements 4. (Win 95 ONLY!) 8 or more MIDI ports - Windows MidiOut Driver limitation 5. Registering the GigaSampler 6. Technical Support A. Web address B. Email support C. Telephone support 7. V1.52 Multi Level layering note ============================================================================== =======================< 1. Updates & Upgrades >============================== ============================================================================== A. Updating Your GigaSampler Version to GigaSampler v1.64 ? Version 1.63 Users: You should not have to re-register Version 1.62 Users: You should not have to re-register Version 1.52 Users: You should not have to re-register Version 1.51 Users: You should not have to re-register Version 1.50 Users: You should not have to re-register Version 1.00 Users: You will have to re-register when you install the free version of GigaSampler 1.50, 1.51, 1.52, 1.60, 1.62 or 1.63 (See 3. Registering the Gigasampler below) Nemesys is happy to provide this entirely new version to v1.0, v1.50, and v1.51 Registered Users for no charge. B. Upgrading Your GigaSampler with an Upgrade Component? There will be upgradable components for GigaSampler: * Site Key for GigaSampler: - Run GigaSampler at many WorkStations for a fraction of the cost. * Watch for the VoiceExpander Module (coming Spring 1999). * More to Come These components can be added at any time (in any order) to your base GigaSampler product to achieve the feature set that meets your needs. These components are available from NemeSys Music Technology website: www.nemesysmusic.com email: sales@nemesystech.com or intlsales@nemesystech.com voice: +1 (800) 877-NEMESYS (toll free) voice: +1 (512) 219-9181 fax : +1 (512) 219-9029 ==========================< 2. What's New >============================ ------------------------------------------ -- What's new in version 1.64 vs 1.63 ------------------------------------------ - various bug fixes ------------------------------------------ -- What's new in version 1.63 vs 1.62 ------------------------------------------ - SConverter Tuning and Velocity bugs fixed: Ilio/Spectrasonics - Liquid Grooves Ilio/Spectrasonics - Liquid Grooves - GrooveControl Ilio/Spectrasonics - Kirk Hunter Virtuoso Strings EastWest - Ultimate Piano Collection BolderSounds - Eclectic BolderSounds - Granular Miroslav Vitous - Acoustic Piano ------------------------------------------ -- What's new in version 1.62 vs 1.61 ------------------------------------------ - SConverter is now included with the product - Lots of New Hardware support (see www.nemesysmusic.com/gigacard.html for latest cards and drivers) - Various Bug Fixes ------------------------------------------ -- What's new in version 1.60 vs 1.52 ------------------------------------------ - NEW HARDWARE SUPPORT (see www.nemesysmusic.com/gigacard.html for latest cards and drivers) SoundScape Mixtreme (16 TDIF Channels (24bit with DSP), digital EQ/DSP processing, various I/F & breakout options (ADAT,S/PDIF,RCA,XLR balanced) Optional TC Reverb DSP plug-In's (www.SoundScape-Digital.com) Frontier Dakota (16 ADAT channels, MIDI I/F, sync+spdif, cascadable multicard support) (www.FrontierDesign.com) Echo/Event Darla24 (24 bit, 8 channels) (www.event1.com) Echo Multiclient support - Enhancements * 16 Output channels supported (that's 4 more than v1.52) * Added ability to save/load multiple instruments to a specified midi channel (via performance, load channel independent of save channel) * Smoother crossfade when using controllers with layers * Added ability to load MIDI Files with Conexant 500MB GM Library * Added ability to load multiple performances with drag and drop * Improved voice stealing algorithm - Bug Fixes * SoundBlaster Live! bootup blue screen fixed. * Volume Controllers fade all the way to zero * No 6dB loss with +6dB setting (Instrument Properties) when using attenuation/volume controllers (may affect some instrument libraries) * corrected voice allocation bug for layered stereo instruments (were previously getting lower than expected polyphony) * Fixed Fault when too many cards are installed * Fixed Program Change to channel 10 problem * Fixed Performances storing MIDI loaded instruments ------------------------------------------ -- What's new in version 1.52 vs 1.50 ? -- ------------------------------------------ - NEW HARDWARE SUPPORT Aardvark Aark 20/20 Aark Direct, tdif (www.aardvark-pro.com) Echo/Event Layla (12 channels + MIDI), (www.event1.com) Echo/Event Gina (10 channels), (www.event1.com) Echo/Event Darla (8 channels), TRUE 20 bit analog and 24 bit digital output!! (www.event1.com) - New multi-level Layering Up to 16 mono or 8 stereo samples per note!! Four 'Levels' to add multiple instruments onto the same MIDI channel (up to four mono or two stereo samples on EACH of the four levels) To assign a different volume to each level, Assign a unique controller in the Instrument Editor (Mix/Layer Tab - 'Attn ctrl') to each individual region where individual level control is desired. To Mix the levels in real time, simply use an external fader controller such as the Peavey 1600X, or use a controller assignment in your sequencer. You can also assign instruments in different levels to multiple outputs by using the 'Out chan offs' in the Mix/Layer tab in the instrument editor. (See 5. Mutli Level layering note below) - M/S (Mid-Side) stereo decoder. Now you can sample in M/S (use two phase-locked MONO .wav files for the Mid and side channels), and GigaSampler can give you continuously variable STEREO IMAGE control! Also can be used to 'stereoize' a mono sample by putting the same sample on two layers, set the M/S decode on ONE of the two, then apply a 'Begin offset'(MIX/Layer tab) to ONE of the two - experiment with 'Begin offset' value and Mix between the two layers to vary the stereo perspective. - Sustain Pedal Defeat Use sustain pedal as dimension controller without sustaining voice. - General maintenance increased compatibility with various stereo sound cards, improved compatibility with Cakewalk Audio tracks on Win98, improved voice allocation on layered mono samples with stereo instruments currently loaded, improved compatibility with certain graphics cards. ------------------------------------------ -- What's new in version 1.50 vs 1.00 ? -- ------------------------------------------ - Windows 98 support - Multi Client, Multiple Output support with the Aardvark Aark 20/20 (www.aardvark-pro.com) - Capture to Wave file - 24 bit stereo and 16 bit stereo direct to disk digital capture modes - Create .Wav files to import into your DAW. - New Dimension controller - Keyboard note based 'virtual controller' for dimension switching - New LFO modes - Improved S-Converter - Improved 'Performance' saving with multi output mapping - Improved GUI - increased palette efficiency and new Configuration dialogs ======================< 3. Hardware Requirements >========================= ------------------------------ -- A. Mininmum Requirements -- ------------------------------- As with all software, the GigaSampler's performance is directly proportional to the speed of your PC system. With disk-based sampling the hard disk and cpu speed govern the overall polyphony that can be achieved. **** A PENTIUM III, PENTIUM II, AMD K6-2 350, AMD-K6III, or Cyrix MII 333 class processor OR HIGHER IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED for optimum performance. The installation of the software will fail if the following minimum requirements are not met by your system: > Windows 95 or 98 > an MMX-enabled processor - All Pentium II's are MMX enabled - All Pentium III's are MMX enabled - All Cyrix MII's are MMX enabled - All AMD K-6's are MMX enabled > At least a 166MHz Pentium processor, (****RECOMMENDED: Pentium II 266MHZ or faster is RECOMMENDED) > 32MB of RAM (128MB is recommended) > Hard Drive with 10ms or less access time (9.5ms access or less with 512kB HD cache recommended) 2GB of free space (8GB UDMA 9.5ms or higher recommended) (see C. special considerations below) > CD ROM drive > MIDI interface (see D. special considerations below) > SVGA display (800x600) > sound card with either a Microsoft DirectSound compatible driver or a Giga Compatible (GS I/F) driver. --------------------------- -- B. Audio Card support -- --------------------------- NOTE: SEE WWW.NEMESYSMUSIC.COM\GIGACARD.HTML for latest hardware support Nemesys requires a sound card with at least one of the following supported: 1. A GigaCompatible Interface (GS I/F) These are generally high end cards which generally do not support DirectSound, but do have a specialize low-latency interface for GigaSampler. *** if you favorite Sound Card is does not have a GS I/F, call, write, and fax the sound card manufacturer. NemeSys will be happy to help them become GigaCompatible. Known GS I/F compatible Cards are: SoundScape Mixtreme (www.SoundScape-Digital.com) Frontier Dakota (www.FrontierDesign.com) Echo/Event Layla (www.event1.com) Echo/Event Gina (www.event1.com) Echo/Event Darla (www.event1.com) Echo/Event Darla24 (www.event1.com) Aardvark Aark 20/20 (www.aardvark-pro.com) 2. A DirectSound Interface These are generally 2 channel cards which support generic PC functionality. NOTE: DirectSound 'Emulated' cards (Windows WDM Cards) ARE NOT usable with GigaSampler. If you are unsure whether your audio card supports native DirectSound or GigaCompatible Interface (GS I/F), please contact the manufacturer of your preferred audio card. The multi-channel capabilities of Gigasampler require the Giga Compatible (GS I/F) interface in the sound card's device driver. This ensures that the extremely tight, low latency, high bit resolution capability of GigaSampler is supported properly by the hardware. (GS I/F) is the fastest, highest performance Windows professional audio interface available. The standard Windows API's for audio and all other application level API's such as ASIO are WAY too slow for professional sampling applications!) The special DirectSound capability in GigaSampler is also very fast (depending on the sound card), but limited to only two channels. Check www.nemesysmusic.com/gigacard.html for the updated list of GS I/F compatible cards and required hardware drivers. The following cards/audio codecs have been qualified with the GigaSampler Preferred Multichannel: Frontier Dakota (16 ADAT channels, MIDI I/F, sync+spdif, cascadable multicard support) SoundScape Mixtreme (16 TDIF Channels, DSP, spdif, various breakout (ADAT,TDIF,RCA,RCA balanced) Event Layla/Gina/Darla - up to 12 channels (Layla - 10 analog 20bit, 2 digital 24bit) Aardvark Aark 20/20, 10x10 20 bit channels 8 analog, 2 digital Preferred 2 channel with S/PDIF digital output: Turtle Beach Pinnacle w/ optional S/PDIF I/O EMU/Creative AWE64 Gold - 20 bit S/PDIF digital output EMU/Creative Sound Blaster Live! - full duplex S/PDIF, effects Works: MIDIMAN DMAN PCI Sound Crown Yamaha PCI (with s/pdif) Apex AVM Professional Audio Card Terratec EWS64L/XL audio system Crystal CS4232/36/37/38 Audio Codec Rockwell WaveArtist I Codec Conexant Riptide Yahama SA Codec Diamond Monster S3 PCI Codec (Turtle Beach Daytona) Turtle Beach Malibu Turtle Beach Daytona Turtle Beach Montego A3d - (Midi port is a bit sluggish) Ensoniq PCI Codec cards (SIIG) TripleDAT - works fine for 2 channels, however the MIDI In on the card is not compatible with Gigasampler - you will need to have an alternate MIDI card installed. IMPORTANT!! You also will need to make sure the driver is setup with the smallest DMA buffer to guarentee clean audio, ie 128. In the 'Device Manager' (under 'My Computer'\'Control Panel'\'System') change the TripleDAT sound card's properties to a Buffersize of 128. Be sure to have your alternate MIDI card selected in the Gigasampler's Config panel (under the 'General' Tab, 'Midi In Device') *** if you favorite Sound Card is does not have a DirectSound or GS I/F, call, write, and fax the sound card manufacturer. NemeSys will be happy to help them become GigaCompatible. ---------------------------------------------------------- -- C. Hard Disk special requirements on certain systems -- ---------------------------------------------------------- In addition to the notes below, IF YOU HEAR OCCASIONAL POPPING IN THE AUDIO, try setting the following option for your hard drive: (NOTE: first check with the manufacturer of your hard drive prior to changing this setting to confirm that the high speed DMA mode is supported) a.) Double Click on 'My Computer' b.) Double Click on 'Control Panel' c.) Double Click on 'System' d.) Click on the 'Device Manager' Tab e.) Double click on 'Disk Drives' f.) Double Click on the Drive icon corresponding to your hard drive (i.e. "GENERIC IDE DISK TYPE01") g.) Click on the 'Settings' Tab h.) Place a check in the 'DMA' checkbox (NOTE: some drives may not have this setting available) i.) Click 'OK' (to close the 'Settings' dialog) and 'OK' (to close the 'System' dialog) j.) Click 'Yes' to reboot your computer. We have found this high speed DMA setting to greatly improve disk performance and eliminate occasional poping on systems that exhibited occasional popping. It is recommended to use a reasonably fast and reliable Hard disk (Ultra DMA or Ultra2/Ultra Wide SCSI) with a 512k or larger Hard disk cache (and 9.5ms access time or less). The access time (9.5ms or less), Cache Size (512K or more) and RPM (7200 or higher) seems to be a factor in many systems. Most current generation hard drives with a 9.5 ms access time and 512K cache should work fine in Pentium II class systems. We have upon occasion seen some problems with drives with less than 512k cache that claim to have 9.5ms access time. One current hard drive tested that FAILED our in house testing and produced audible pops on our test unit was the Quantum Fireball SE Ultra ATA. As far as drives that PASSED and show reliable operation with no pops: Recommended Ultra IDE: - IBM Deskstar Ultra IDE drives w/ 9.5 ms or less access time IBM 25GP, 22GXP - Seagate 7200 RPM Ultra IDE - Maxtor 9ms 5400 and 7200 RPM Recommended SCSI: - Seagate Cheetah and Barracuda, Ultra2 or Ultra Wide Also, if any disk drives have thermal calibration or other control processes that may detract from real time continuous data transfer from the hard disk, there may be audible pops in the audio and use of these drives certainly should be avoided. Some A/V drives that do NOT guarantee data integrity should be AVOIDED. Hard disk 'compression' should be avoided. Periodic disk de-fragmentation is RECOMMENDED, please use the Windows de-frag utility, as others may make the system unstable. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- -- D. MIDI interface special requirements on certain systems -- -- (See note below in Part 2, MIDI device restriction on Windows 95) -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- GigaSampler is an extremely high performance software that converts your PC into a world class sampler. Thus, it makes good use of a fair amount of your computer's resources. On some computers it may be necessary to use a professional class MIDI interface in order to maintain reliable performance (not miss notes or have to be reset). Some MIDI interfaces on 'Multimedia' grade cards just aren't able to keep up with much more than medium duty midi. Thus, if you experience any difficulty while using a 'Multimedia' quality MIDI interface, it may be beneficial to upgrade to a professional grade midi interface. ------------------------------------------- -- E. GIGAPIANO and SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS -- ------------------------------------------- The GigaSampler Piano requires special consideration for non-Pentium II system and systems with less than 64 meg of memory. The piano has been designed with two variations: a full-scaled version with release-triggered samples and a light version. Piano System Requirements: This piano contains two load variations to choose from. Select the appropriate one based on your computers memory size, or to conserve polyphony and/or to provide room to load more instruments at once. It may be desirable to install both onto your hard disk to have them availible for use in different project situations. The full 1GB piano requires your PC to be at least a Pentium II and have a minimum of 64MB of RAM and 650MB of hard disk space. It includes stereo samples with release and sympathetic resonance using up to 4 voices per note on. The 'light' 600MB piano requires a minimum of 32MB of RAM and 450MB of hard disk space, although additional memory is required to be able to load more than just this instrument by itself. It is stereo with sympathetic and WITHOUT release resonance using two voices of polyphony per note on. SPECIAL NOTE FOR NON-PENTIUM II COMPUTERS OR COMPUTERS WITH ONLY 32MB OF RAM: Only the 'Light' version of the piano should be used and can be installed when you install the program. (Don't worry, this is still a 600MB premium piano!!) See below for instructions on how to extract the 'Light' piano from the piano disk (Disc 2) using the Instrument Editor. SPECIAL NOTE FOR FAST COMPUTERS WITH ONLY 32MB OF RAM: You must reduce the polyphony in the GigaSampler to 40 voices or less in order to load the 'Light' piano if you have only 32MB of RAM. Use the 'Config' button on the GigaSampler ('Sampler Settings' Tab) to set the polyphony. To install the Full 1GB piano: 1.) Confirm that the GigaSampler software is properly installed. 2.) Run the GigaSampler Application, startup the Instrument Import Wizard by selecting 'Import' on the Loader (make sure the 'Loader' is visible by clicking on the 'Loader' button) 3.)Follow the online procedure guided by the Instrument Import Wizard. Note that the 'Full' version of the piano has both versions of the piano built into it. After loading the instrument, you can A/B the two pianos (or switch between them during a performance) by using Program Change #1 (0) for the full piano, and Program Change #2 (1) for the light version. A discrete version of the 'Light' (at 600MB it's no slouch either) piano can be handy for both a.) loading more instruments at once along with the piano and b.) for better polyphony performance in heavy polyphony scores. The light piano uses less polyphony (2 voices vs. 4 voices per note) due to not having release triggered resonance samples. It loads into the GigaSampler more efficiently since it has two vs. three velocity levels for both pedal up and pedal down. To extract a discrete 'Light' version of the piano: 1.) Confirm that the GigaSampler software is properly installed. 2.) Insert the GigaPiano CD ROM (Disc 2). 3.) Run the GigaSampler Instrument Editor (from the Start Menu) 4.) Choose 'Open' from the file menu and open the NemeSys_1GB_Grand.gig file on the CD ROM. 5.) Choose 'Save Limited' from the file menu, place a check in all three options and choose 'OK', then type 'NemeSys_Light_Grand' for the filename and 'Save' to a hard disk location with at least 450MB of free space. =========< 4. (Win 95 ONLY!) Windows MidiOut Driver limitation >============= If you have Windows 98, the following restriction DOES NOT apply. Windows 95 has a known problem with stability upon too many MidiOut drivers installed in the system. In many systems, when the 9th or 10th midi port is installed, the systems hangs upon reboot. Thus, since GigaSampler adds an additional midi device to your system (to enable midi applications to talk to it) it will not install on your PC if it detects 8 or more MidiOut drivers already loaded. We have experienced that the instability is machine dependent, but most likely will result in Windows hanging on reboot. If you have a Music Quest 8Port/SE (a nice interface BTW) or other 8 port interface, you can try to install it AFTER the GigaSampler is installed. On many systems, the 8 driver stability limitation does not show up, however please be aware of this problem with Windows 95. ======================< 5. Registering the GigaSampler >=================== Please follow the information below to obtain a GigaSampler Registration Key from NemeSys Music Technology in order to complete the registration. One Registration Key will be provided per qualified CD Key and Registration number. For information on 'Site Key for GigaSampler', an accessory software product available only to registered users to allow multiple installations at a fraction of the cost, contact Nemesys at (512)219-9181. To Register, you can choose one of several methods: For all method, please supply * your CD Key # (printed inside cover of manual or on the CD case) * and Registration # (obtained from 'Register Now > GigaSampler Registration) upon starting GigaSampler). A. Online www.nemesysmusic.com: Click the Get GigaSampler Key button to complete the process on the web (you have to be connected to the Internet to do this). B. Phone (512)219-8899: A NemeSys Representative will ask you to supply: * your CD Key # (printed inside cover of manual or on the CD case) * and Registration # (obtained from 'Register Now > GigaSampler Registration) The representive will then provide you with your GigaSampler Key. One Key will be provided per qualified CD Key and Registration number. C. Email GSRegister@NemesysMusic.com: (select/copy from the form below or from register.txt on Disc 1) Email your name, the place you purchased GigaSampler, CD Key and Registration #. Upon qualification of your CD Key and Registration number, a GigaSampler Key will be returned to you via email. D. Fax +1 (512)219-9029: You may find it easy to use the 'EZ FAX Registration' form printed at the beginning of the Users Manual. Fax your name, the place you purchased GigaSampler, your CD Key and Registration # to the fax number in the Authorization window. Please specify how you would like for your GigaSampler Key to be communicated to you (return fax, mail address, or email). You may also find it easy to use the form below or register.txt on Disc 1. Please use the following form for email or FAX: vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv Begin message vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv First Name: Last Name: Job Title: Company: Street: City: State: Zip: Country: FAX #: Telephone: Email: Where purchased: Product Version: Registration Number: CD Key: System Processor: Operating System: Sequencer: WaveEditor: Memory: SoundCard: Send My GigaSampler Key via ( ) email, ( ) phone, ( ) fax Please Send Me NemeSys Updates and Notifications ( ) Yes, ( ) No ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ End of message ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ======================< 6. Technical Support >============================= NOTE!!!!: IF YOU HEAR OCCASIONAL POPPING IN THE AUDIO, SEE SECTION 1.(C) above for hard drive special setup NemeSys provides a technical support line for all registered customers of the GigaSampler. Please include your Product CD key (printed on the inside cover of your manual) and your system configuration (CPU, memory, Hard Drive type, etc.) when contacting Nemesys. Before contacting Nemesys, please confirm that your sound card is installed and working properly with another audio application. Check the Web tech support for free updates which may already address your problem. Please note that Nemesys technical support is provided for Nemesys's software products only - not for computer or audio hardware. A. Web address - check this for tips and enhancements www.nemesysmusic.com/troubleshoot.html B. Email support GSSupport@nemesysmusic.com C. Telephone support Hours of operation: will be indicated in the greeting when you first call. Nemesys technical support is provided for Nemesys's software products only - not for computer or audio hardware. Technical Support voice number: (512) 219 - 5598 Technical Support fax number: (512) 219 - 9029 ================< 7. V1.52 Mutli Level layering note >===================== In version 1.52 and later, layered instruments within any one level (4 mono, 2 stereo) are in constant phase lock with sample accuracy. In general the same holds true between multiple levels, however there may occasionally be a minor slip between one level to another, mostly limited to mono samples. This anomaly has been identified and will be corrected in a later update to the GigaSampler. ===============================================================================