### Polac VST Loaders for Jeskola Buzz Version: 1.1.9.9 (7/24/08) Author: Frank Potulski Contact: polac_at_gmx_dot_de Website: http://www.xlutop.com/buzz Download
What's New
more compatible to new buzz versions new track command: Automation Delay(10) option to restore previously open editors after loading a song vst scanning overhauled option to disable vst autoscanning on buzz startup dry/wet fader mode: % or dB selectable added new machine: 'Polac Vst Control' to control certain pvst instances at the same time fixed: dx scanning was able to crash buzz on startup fixed: messed up menus due to some menuitem id overlaps fixed: some reaper plugins did crash(reaplugs) fixed: amplitube2 incompatibility
Installation
Since even some more experienced Buzz users might be getting in trouble with the installation of all .dll's "shipping" within the package, the files need to be placed like this: Buzz\vstscan.exe Buzz\dxscan.exe Buzz\dxvst.dll [DX/DXi loader] Buzz\pbuzz.dll [BUZZ loader] Buzz\Gear\Machines.dll Buzz\Gear\Generators\Polac VSTi 1.1.dll [VST Instrument Loader] Buzz\Gear\Effects\Polac VST 1.1.dll [VST Effect Loader] Buzz\Gear\Effects\Polac Out II.dll [for multiple output support] Buzz\Gear\Effects\Polac MIDI Bus.dll [->allows to send midi to other buzz machines] Buzz\Gear\Effects\Polac MIDI In.dll [->for additional midi in devices] %your vst dir%\midivst.dll [MIDI Out] Important: without the Machines.dll the loaders won't work properly! You've got to modify your Buzz\Gear\index.txt in order to access VST Plugins from the right-mouse click menu. *Polac VSTi 1.1, [PVSTi]VST Instruments *Polac VST 1.1, [PVST]VST Effects The Polac Out II.dll and Polac MIDI In doesn't need a specific index.txt entry in order to work. Once you're done with this procedure, you're almost done. The only thing left to do is telling *BOTH* Polac Machines (VST & VSTi) which directories are scanned for vst plugins. Just place an instance of BOTH loaders into your Buzz setup, right-click them and choose "Preferences" from the menu. A new window will open and ask you to specify your VST plugin resources. The loaders will scan the choosen paths recursive (invoking subdirectories) once you're done with setting things up and press the "OK" button. The procedure stated above needs to be done ONCE for BOTH loaders. If you succeeded you'll now be able to load your VST plugin of choice from within the usual right-click menu in the machine view. Congrats! You're done with the installation.
Parameters and Attributes
A short description of all parameters and attributes. Many of these parameters and attributes can also be accessed in the settings view(just open the loader window).
Global Parameters
Dry Out | If you are using the VST Loader, this parameter controls the dry output volume.
Wet Out | This parameter controls the wet output volume.
Panning | Sets the panning position of the Wet Out signal.
Global Command | Nine global commands available: 00: Transpose 01: Tempo Sync 02: Trigger Seq 03: Bypass 04: Morph: Prg A 05: Morph: Prg B 06: Global Inertia 07: Vel Commands 08: Dly Commands
Global Command Value | Sets the global command value. You can find a detailed global command description below.
Program | Selects a program of a VST(i). Only visible in pattern view.
Track Parameters
Note | Note.
Note Velocity | Sets the velocity of a note.
Note Delay | Position of the note in a row/tick.
Note Cut | Cuts the note between two ticks.
Track Command | 17 track commands are available: 00: Retrigger 01: ArpUp 02: ArpDown 03: Legato Mode 04: Chord 05: Slide Up/Down 06: LFO Trigger 07: LFO 08: LFO Settings 09: MIDI Message 0A: Mute Track 0B: Inertia 0C: All Notes Off 0D: Program Change 0E: Bank Select 0F: Ornament Cx: Global Commands
Track Command Value | Sets the track command value. You can find a detailed track command description below.
Track Parameter | Sets the VST parameter you want to control. Also Pitchbend, MIDI CC, Mono/Polyaftertouch can be selected.
Track Parameter Value | Sets the value of the controlled parameter.
MIDI Channel | MIDI Channel selection.
Attributes
MIDI In Channel | Sets the receiving MIDI Channel(0=all).
MIDI Out Channel | Specifies transmitting MIDI Channel(0=all).
MIDI Velocity Slope | Velocity sensitivity.
MIDI Velocity Min | Sets the velocity low value.
MIDI Velocity Max | Sets the velocity high value.
MIDI Transpose | Transposes the incoming MIDI notes.
MIDI: Receive Note | Enables/disables MIDI note receipt.
| MIDI: ReceiveCC | Enables/disables MIDI CC receipt.
Quantisation | Note quantisation while recording. 0=OFF 1=1 2=1/2 3=1/3 4=1/4 5=1/5 6=1/6 7=1/8 8=1/12 9=1/16 10=1/32 11=1/64
Quantisation Note Off | Enables/disables the note off quantisation. Quantisation must be set before, otherwise enabling note off quantisation will affect nothing.
Record Note Off | Enables/disables note off recording.
Keyzone Lo | Keyzone Lo.
Keyzone Hi | Keyzone Hi.
Velocityzone Lo | Velocityzone Lo.
Velocityzone Zone Hi | Velocityzone Zone Hi.
Global Commands
Pattern Transpose | 00 00xx xx(0-30): Transpose in semitones (x-24).
Tempo Sync | 01 xxxx xxxx(0-200): 0: Loader sends Buzz tempo to VST(i) 1-200: Loader sends selected tempo to VST(i)
Trigger Seq | 02 xxxx xxxx(0-FFFE): 0: Stops sequence playback. 1-FFFE: Triggers sequence on measure x-1. Note: This note effect is useful for a couple like Reaktor or Fruityloops. You can jump to a certain song position with this command.
Bypass | 03 000x x(0-1): 0: Bypass disabled 1: Bypass enabled
Morph: Prg A | 04 xxxx xxxx(0-FFFE): Sets program A(for program morphing purpose). You can morph programs in the track parameter column(30FB: Morph Programs).
Morph: Prg B | 05 xxxx xxxx(0-FFFE): Sets program B(for program morphing purpose). You can morph programs in the track parameter column(30FB: Morph Programs).
Global Inertia | 06 xxxx xxxx(0-FFFE): Sets the inertia for all tracks(x/256 ticks).
Vel Commands | 07 0xyy x(0-2): 0: Humanize Velocity yy(0-7F): controls humanize amount 1: Quantize Velocity yy(0-0F): quantises to velocity/y 2: Constant Velocity yy(0-7F): sets velocity constant to y
Dly Commands | 08 xxyy xx(00,01,02,1x,2x): 00: Humanize Note Delay yy(0-7F): controls humanize amount 01: Quantize Note Delay yy(0-0F): quantises to tick/y 02: Constant Note Delay yy(0-FF): delays notes for y/16 tick(s) 1x: Shuffle x(0-F): shuffle step x*2 tick(s) yy(0-FF): shuffle amount 2x: Constant Note Delay II xyy(0-FFF): delays notes for y/32 tick(s)
Track Commands
Retrigger | 00 xy0z x(0-F): Retriggerlength y(0-1): 0: Retriggerlength 1/(x+1) Ticks 1: Retriggerlength x+1 Ticks z(0-F): Number of Retriggers Note cut still influences here the note length, relative to retriggerlength/number of retriggers.
ArpUp | 01 abyz a(0-F): Arpeggiolength a+1 Ticks b(0-F): Number of steps y(0-F): Second Note z(0-F): Third Note Note Cut still influences here the note length, relative to arpeggiolength/number of steps.
ArpDown | 02 abyz a(0-F): Arpeggiolength a+1 Ticks b(0-F): Number of steps y(0-F): Second Note z(0-F): Third Note Note Cut still influences here the note length, relative to arpeggiolength/number of steps.
Legato Mode | 03 xxxx xxxx(0-FFFE): Note Overlap Useful for VSTi's with glide/portamento mode. If this Track Command is set, the previous note glides to the current.
Chord | 04 wxyz w(0-F): Second chord note(unused if 0). x(0-F): Third chord note(unused if 0). y(0-F): Fourth chord note(unused if 0). z(0-F): Fifth chord note(unused if 0). Quite useful for some lazy people.
Slide Up/Down | 05 xxyy aaaa bbbb xx(0-7F): slide start point. yy(0-7F): slide end point. aaaa(0-30FF): the param you want to slide bbbb(0-7FFF): slide speed b/256 tick. Slides the selected track parameter.
LFO Trigger | 06 xxyy xx(0-FF): LFO Rate yy(0-FF): LFO Depth Starts the LFO,resets LFO.
LFO(free run) | 07 xxyy xx(0-FF): LFO Rate yy(0-FF): LFO Depth Starts the LFO without resetting.
LFO Settings | 08 0xyz x(0-f): LFO Phase/Offset y(0-1): LFO Mode 0: Hz 1: Tick z(0-5): LFO Shape 0: Sine 1: Square 2: Saw Up 3: Saw Dowm 4: Triangle 5: LFO Shape: Random Track-dependant LFO Settings.
MIDI Message | 09 xxyy xx(0-FF): MIDI Message # 00-7F: CC 0-7F 80-FD: user-defined MIDI Message FE: Pitch Bend Range FF: Pitch Bend yy(0-FF): Value The MIDI Messages can be edited: ->Default Valus->Midi Messages.
Mute Track | 0A 000x x(0-1): mute/unmute track Mutes/unmutes the track, Mute track will only disable the note playback on the track, the parameter automation is not influenced by this track command.
Inertia | 0B xxxx xxxx(0-FFFE): Track-dependant Inertia, x/256 Ticks.
All Notes Off | 0C 000x x(0-1): Sends a note off for all active pattern notes.
Program Change | 0D 00yy yy(0-7F): Program Change
Bank Select | 0E xxyy xx(0-7F): MSB yy(0-7F): LSB
Ornament | 0F x0yz x(0-1): Mode selection y(0-F): Length tick / ( 2 << y ) z(0-F): Relative note
Global Commands | Cx yyyy Cx(0-9): Global command selection. yyyy(0-FFFE): See above how to use the respective global command. Useful if you want to use more than one global command in a row.
Shortcuts
There are some shortcuts defined.
Shortcuts
` | Switch between the buzz mainwindow and the previously active window.
CTRL+SHIFT | Center loader window.
CTRL+D | Stores the current program to favorites.
Left/Right | Next/previous program in bank.
CTRL+Left/Right | Next/previous program via midi program change.
CTRL+Up/Down | Midi bank select.
/,* | Midi Transpose: Octave up/down.
+,- | Midi Transpose: Semitone up/down.
CTRL+LDBLCLICK | On machine: Opens GUI view.
SHIFT+LDBLCLICK | On machine: Opens settings view.
CTRL+SHIFT+LDBLCLICK | On machine: Opens parameter view.
ALT+LDBLCLICK | On machine: Opens buzz parameters.
LDBLCLICK | Minimizes loader window.
RDBLCLICK | Parameter list: Fits parameter list to screen.
CTRL+SPACE | Closes all loader windows except the active one.
ESCAPE | Closes active loader window.
SHIFT | Parameter list: enables the parameter fine adjustment.
TAB | Windows styled cycling through all opened loader instances.
CTRL+TAB | Cycles through the views of a loader window.
CTRL+Return | Activates/Deactivates the overwrite mode.
F2 | GUI view.
F3 | Paramlist view.
F4 | Settings view.
CTRL+F8 | Bypass On/Off.
F9 | Enables/disables MIDI CC receipt.
F10 | Enables/disables MIDI note receipt.
CTRL+F11 | Show/Hide all loader windows.
F12 | All Notes Off(MIDI Reset).
Loader Window and Menus
If you have successfully loaded a plugin you can open the loader window. Three views are available: GUI view, the paramlist view and the settings view. There are several menus:
Machine Menu
Open... | Loads a plugin via open dialog.
Plugins> | All vst plugins which could be found in the selected directories.
Editor... | Opens the loader window.
MIDI Send... | There are a couple of plugins which are midi only, which means they are producing midi events. These events can be sent to other machines to control them with these events(Trollo, QuickKeys, MoCon...-plugins).
Preferences... | Default settings for attributes and a couple of other things. Here you can configure the loader startup values.
About... | Blabla...
Presets Menu
Load... | Loads a complete bank or a single program. You can import presets from Cubase, Logic as well as Orion.
Save... | Saves a complete bank or a single program. You can save the presets as FXP or FXB.
Rename... | Renames the active program.
Copy | Makes a copy of the active program.
Paste | Pastes a previously copied program to the active program.
Preset Factory... | You're too lazy, stupid or not just in the mood to create a complex preset yourself? You don't need to - let the Preset Factory handle that for you!
Show Preset Numbers | Bank preset numbering on/off.
Prefer Builtin/Favorites | Defines what is displayed in the program menu by default. If set to 'builtin' you'll see the default bank of a plugin, otherwise the programs of your favorites(Organize...).
Organize... | Opens a preset manager where you can manage your favorite programs.
Store... | Stores the selected program to the favorites(Shortcut: CTRL+D).
Programs | All programs of the bank or favorites are listed here, depending on what is set as default. A couple of plugins will have its own program management, therefore these programs cannot be displayed here.
Learn Menu
Auto Learn | If enabled, all touched controls in the vst gui get assigned to buzz sliders - track by track, one after another (until the last available track slider has been reached).
Learn MIDI CC | Necessary to make the loader recognize vst plugins which use the Midi CC method for controller automation.
Clear Params | Wipes all learned parameters.
Save as Default | Writes an .dat containing all learned parameters of a plugin. These settings will be automatically used if you load the plugin.
Restore Default | Reverts all changes to the saved defaults.
Learned Parameter List | Shows the list of all available tracks and their learned VST parameters.
View Menu
GUI | Shows the VST plugins' gui (default view).
Parameter List | A schematic listing of all available VST plugin parameters.
Settings | All loader settings (as found in the machine attributes) can be found here as well besides a number of track dependant things (track selector, LFO...).
Plugin Information | Opens dialog containing some informations about a plugin.
MIDI: Receive Note | Enables/disables the MIDI note receipt.
MIDI: Receive CC | Enables/disables the MIDI CC receipt.
Bypass | Bypass on/off.
All Notes Off | Sends a "all notes off" to plugin.
GUI View
The default view once a plugin is loaded into the Polac machines. A double-right-click on a VST or VSTi instance will open it.
Parameter View
A list view showing all parameters of the loaded VST plugin. All parameters can be edited here as well. Use SHIFT+Leftmouse for fine tuning values. To the left of each paraemeter you'll find a button. You can select/deselect here a parameter for randomizing or morphing purpose(preset factory).
Settings View
Surely the most important section of the loader besides the vst gui. There are a couple of sections here: Track Settings: Track Selector: Here you can select a track for record, mute a track. -Leftclick: (de)selects track for recording -DoubleLeftclick: (de)selects all tracks -CTRL+Leftclick: (un)mutes track. -CTRL+DoubleLeftclick: (un)mutes all tracks -Rightclick: selects active track(track settings) Overwrite: When enabled, the pattern data will be overwritten during recording. You can optionally keep the automation or non-automation data(rightclick the overwrite button). Overwrite can be optionally toggled via CC64, quite useful if using a foot switch. Inertia: Used in order to smooth parameter automation changes. 0.00 ticks might occur steppy (depending on the plugin), above 1 isn't very responsible for live purposes but can be used for making long parameter movements easier. A good, responsive default is 0.50 ticks. LFO Shape: Available waveforms as LFO Shape: -Sine -Square -Saw Up -Saw Down -Triangle -Random LFO Mode: The track LFO's can operate with a HZ or tick related measure. LFO Phase: Sets the starting point for each LFO. Assigned Parameter/CC: Shows the list of all available vst plugin parameters. Can be used to assign vst parameter to a track parameter by simply selecting it. The value slider can be directly linked to a midi cc as well as its value range can be customized. A right-mouse click on it opens the regarding menu. Midi Channel: Specifies the Midi Channel that is used for each track (!ATTENTION! Not to be confused with the Global Midi Channels!). MIDI Settings: In Channel: MIDI Channel that is beeing used by Loader instance to listen for incoming MIDI events. Out Channel: MIDI Channel that is used by Loader to sent MIDI events. Transpose: Transposition of incoming notes by value(note). Velocity Slope: Velocity sensitivity. Velocity Min: Sets the minimum velocity. Velocity Max: Sets the maximum velocity. Quantize: Determines the quantisation raster of incoming midi events for recording and ONLY for recording. Changes made after recording don't have an effect. Quantize NoteOff: If this switch is enabled, NoteOff events are quantized as well. Record NoteOff: Enables/disables note off recording. MIDI Mode: Mode A can be referred as "standard" mode. Incoming MIDI events will be used by all VST Loader instances which have Midi enabled. Mode B will only enable Midi for the highlighted VST Loader instance. Global Settings: Dry Out(PVST only) Wet Out Panning Transpose: Global transposition of all notes for playback. Tempo Sync: If Buzz is enabled, Buzz' master tempo will be used for the VST loader tempo syncronisation. In case you're working with tempo changes (e.g. shuffle using master tempo changes) it's quite handy to lock the loaders' tempo manually. Link Dry/Wet(PVST only): If enabled, dry out and wet out can be controlled with only one slider. Miscellaneous Settings: Automation Mode: -Normal: if activated, the loader records automation data as long as you move the fader/knob. -Touchfader: if activated, the loader records automation data as long as the fader/knob is held, even if you stop the movement. Virtual Keyboard: If enabled, the pc keyboard can be used to send midi notes to the vst plugin. MIDI Mode: Mode "User-Defined" can be referred as standard mode. Incoming MIDI events will be used by all VST Loader instances which have Midi enabled. Mode "Active Editor" will only enable Midi for the highlighted VST Loader instance. Mode "All Editors" will enable Midi for all vst's with opened editors. Refresh Button: use this to update the settings view. Morph: Here you can select the programs for morph purpose. If some programs are selected you can select "Morph Prgs" in the "Track Parameter" combo box. The slider movement can be recorded to track parameter colums now.
How To Use...
Some hints:
Multi-out VST's
If a VST has multiple outputs, you can use the Polac Out II to access these outputs. The picture below shows how you have to connect the machines. Polac Out II will detect the connected machine. Doubleclicking this machine will open a dialog showing up all available outputs of the connected VST.
Multi-in VST's
If a VST has more than two inputs, a dialog will automatically pop up when a new machine is connected to the loader. All available inputs are listed in this dialog, you only have to choose the appropiate inputs.
Additional MIDI In Devices
You can use the Polac MIDI In machine to make other machines able to receive midi data also from other midi devices than the buzz default midi device. See below how to use this machine:
Buzzwrapper
To use them inside the loader simply place some buzzmachines in one of your vst directories. Alternatively you can create a shortcut of a buzzmachine via explorer and move the shortcut to a vst directory. The machines will be detected by the loader and can be selected via pluign menu later on.
MIDI-generating VST's (Midi Send...)
In the loader rightclick menu is an entry called "MIDI Send". A couple of plugins are generating midi. These midi events can be directly sent to other loader instances to control them with these midi events. Only if a plugin is a "midi generator", the midi send dialog will shop up other loader instances where to send the events.
Parameter Automation
Up to 128 VST parameters can be controlled simultanously, depending on the number of tracks. VST parameters/MIDI CCs can be assigned in this way: Open the GUI/Params window. (a) Open the Learn menu and select a track you want to assign with a VST parameter/MIDI CC. If you want to learn a MIDI CC also enable "Learn MIDI CC". (b) Open the Learn menu and select Auto Learn. If you want to learn a MIDI CC also enable "Learn MIDI CC". Now you only have to move a Fader/Knob/Button, in most cases the parameter is learned now. Alternatively you can move a Controller/Pitchbend of your masterkeyboard or faderbox to learn them. Several Notes: - there are a couple of plugins that cannot be assigned to a track in this way. So you have assign the VST parameters manually(=>Parameters...). - you can unbind a parameter by rightglicking on a learned parameter in the parameter list.
Midi Message Editing
Midi messages can be used via track command 07. Predefined midi messages are: 00-7F: MIDI CC FE: Pitch Bend Range FF: Pitch Bend Messages [80] to [FD] are undefined. To edit the midi messages, right-click the loader, open the Default Values... dialog, click the midi message button. This will open the midi message.ini in your texteditor. A short example how to edit the midi message.ini: `All is numbered from [00]-[FF], here we are editing midi message [FE].` `[FE] Bn 64 00,Bn 65 00,Bn 06 xx //Pitch Bend Range n: A byte with n will be combined with the track midichannel xx: the variable value //: Comment. Each byte has to be separated from the other bytes with either a space, tab or comma. Three bytes will give one midi event.`
Preset Factory
You're too lazy, stupid or not just in the mood to create a complex preset yourself? You don't need to - let the Preset Factory handle that for you! The Preset Factory allows you to create new sounds in 3 ways: Morphing: The morph slider will, generally spoken, take preset A, B and linearly blend between both. If there wasn't the Mode setting above. "ALL" will really just do the blend-job, but then it get's interesting again. "Selected" will only touch the parameters which are selected in the parameter list (F3). "Not selected" does the same with all non-selected parameters. "Learned" only affects the vst parameters that have been assigned to buzz parameters. "Not learned" vice versa. Genetics ("Breed"): The genetics slider determines the amount of vst parameters that will be taken from both presets. It doesn't change the preset unless you press the "Breed!" button. Once it's pressed, it takes the specified amount of (random!) vst parameters to create a new sound. Of course, you can point out which parameters may be used for this procedure using the Mode as in the morphing. To make it easier for you: E.g. your plugin has got 10 vst parameters and you don't move the genetics slider, 5 parameters from both selected presets will remain in the new preset. Which exact parameters are used is Breed's choice (random). Randomize: Good old-fashioned patch randomizing. You can specify the amount of randomization by enabling the % range. The Mode is enabled for usage with randomizing as stated above.
Preferences
Here you can configure the loader preferences, which means that the loader will use these settings each time you start a new loader instance. Also the vst directories can be configured here. The preferences dialog can be accessed via the machine menu(rightclick on loader). There are three tabs, two for global settings which will have effect for all plugins and one for settings done per plugin: Global I: Here one can set the default values for the loader attributes, also some other things can be defined here such as inertia, the number of tracks, midi or automation mode etc... Global II: Select your vst directories and some settings related to the dx/buzz loader, also an option to select the PVST data folder, 'My Documents' is set by default. Plugin: Some plugin-specific settings: VST Keys: If enabled the loader sends keystrokes to the plugin. Fixed Length Processing: The loader processes samples with a constant blocksize, note that this will delay the output for 256 samples. Only a couple of plugins will need this enabled(Spinaudio/PPG). Save Bank To Song: All Programs of a VST(i) are saved to the buzzsong. Save Prg To Song: Only the selected program of a VST(i) is saved to the buzzsong. A couple of plugins will cause problems on bank saving(Delay Lama,FFX4), so this has to be enabled. Use sizeWindow(): Disable this if a gui does not resize correctly. Stereo Fix: some plugins will remain mono if this one is not enabled(Cyanide). Disable shortcuts/virtual keyboard. Disable if a plugin has its own keyboard handling.
Links
More infos about these loaders can be found here: Polac VST FAQ Buzzmachines.com Message Board Posts about PVST Read about Polac 1.19 Some buzz-related sites: Buzzmachines.com - latest infos on effects/generators Buzzformat.com - buzz overloader Buzzchurch.com - a new buzz-related forum Buzzwiki - also buzz has its wiki Buzzmusic - site hosting buzz-generated music Cyanwerks.com - buzzdev archive here Noolmusic - lots of infos about buzz here Other links: Freeware VSTs 2004 Kvraudio.com Rjkole.de
Thanks To...
Thomas Potulski - for programming help and tips Ronny Pries - for lots of ideas and help, help on this manual, beta testing, for being sort of project manager ;) Ulf Schreiber - for suggestions and help with the machines.dll Cameron Bonde - for tons of feature suggestions and beta testing CyanPhase - for the great buzz tutorials ld0d - for some help on the vst menus in the machine menu djlaser - for tips and suggestions P. DooM - for the buzzhack sourcecode Also big thanks to all on the beta list: .tOm, ps, Wayfinder, Matthew Jackson, WakaX, Mute, Ed Powley, Rolf Kohl, Mva, Boneyhands and the rest I forgot here.
Legal Notice
These buzzmachines are FREEWARE. They may be redistributed freely, as long as the .dll files are provided with this documentation. You're not authorized to sell them by any way. VST and ASIO are trademarks of Steinberg Soft- und Hardware GmbH
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