Vortex

Twisted Tools VORTEX Plugin

Lfo quality is hidden and snap isoolated now (need to remove from docs)

Welcome

Thanks for purchasing VORTEX. We hope you enjoying using this tool as much as we enjoyed making it!

System Requirements

In order to use our Powered by Reaktor instruments and effects, you will need to meet the following system requirements for optimal performance:

System Requirements

Installation

All Twisted Tools plugins follow a similar installation process. To learn how to install Twisted Tools Powered by Reaktor plugins, please follow the link below:

Installation

Manual Conventions

Important warnings. Always read these!

Notes: Useful notes and relevant additional information.

Tips: Tips and advanced techniques.

What is VORTEX

VORTEX is a six-track, polyphonic granular sampler and sequencer for Native Instruments Reaktor and free Reaktor Player. Each track has 4 independent sequencer pages and a unique set of parameters and modulators. In this guide you will find explanations for all of Vortex’s features along with graphics that indicate where on the interface each item is located.

Getting Started with VORTEX

using your own samples -----

Overview of VORTEX

VORTEX User Interface

Scene Sequencer Area

Scene Sequencer Area

A Scene is like a preset for the entire instrument. In other words, a Scene stores all the sampler settings and patterns for all 6 tracks.

There are 8 Scenes (A-H) and you can sequence the order of their playback by dragging a scene letter to assign a scene (A-H) to one of the 8 Scene Assignment Slots. The Scene Sequencer Cycle Area allows you to cycle through a particular group of Scenes. The speed at which the scene order progresses is determined by the Scene Clock and is set in rhythmic values tempo-synced to your host. To reset the order of the scenes back to the default order (A to H), click the Scene Reset button.

  • Scene Sequencer Cycle Area: Sets cycle start and end (length).

  • Scene Assignment Slots 1-8: Drag to assign a scene to a slot.

  • Scene Clock/Root Note: Sets speed at which scenes change if Seq is set to ON. If Seq is set to off, then a ‘root’ note appears. Root note is used (+7) to control scenes via MIDI.

  • Seq ON: Activates scene sequencer. Otherwise, scenes are controlled manually or by the MIDI notes (Root note+7).

  • Scene Reset: Resets order of slots to A-H.

Track Sequencer Area

There are six independent tracks in the Track Sequencer area. Each track has 4 independent Sequencer Pages, accessed by clicking their respective tabs. You can draw/delete steps into a page's sequencer with a simple left click’n’drag to draw the steps and their values. Right click’n’drag works like a ruler, applying the same value to all steps.

  • Gate Sequencer Page: Triggers a sample.

  • Roll Sequencer Page: Creates roll or drill effect. Value controls speed of the drill.

  • Mod A/B Sequencer Pages: These are sequencers that are not set-up to do anything unless assigned to a parameter as a modulator as described in section 4 below.

  • Select Toggle: When on, you can drag-select across a specific area of the Track Sequencer area to randomize, copy/paste or clear the selected area only (unless set to WHOLE SCENE, in which case clear clears everything in the scene, regardless of selection).

  • Rand: Randomizes the entire Sequencer Page (if Select Toggle is off). The x-axis position of your mouse-click on the button affects the amount of randomization.

  • Clear: Clears the sequence.

  • Track Sequencer Cycle area: Allows you to set the track sequencer’s cycle length and start/end position.

  • Track Sequencer Clock: The rhythmic subdivision for a s step within the track sequencer.

  • Zero Modulation Sequencing: Turn on zero-modulation sequencing by clicking the necessary ‘z’ buttons on the sequencer tabs. When on for a given sequencer, that sequencer will send zero-values for steps that are set to zero.

  • Track Selector: Click on a track number to display the sampler parameter knobs and modulation knobs for that track.

  • Track Solo/Mute: Solo’s/Mutes track playback

  • External MIDI Input: Use a MIDI keyboard or external sequencer to control VORTEX. For example, to control track 1:

  1. Turn on MIDI icon on track selector to make the track listen for ext MIDI (see image below).

  2. In Reaktor’s B-View (upper left-hand corner) double-click the Ext1 button and choose Ext1 properties (see image below).

  3. Check ‘Activate MIDI IN’, check the MIDI NOTE box, choose a note # to control the track (see image on next page).

  • Swing: Click and drag the swing button to add alternate shuffle/swing to your rhythms. The swing amount is stored with the scene you’re working on. -----> PART OF THE TRACK SEQUENCER AREA FEATURES!!!

Parameter and Modulation Knobs

Parameter and Modulation Knobs

Each track’s sampler has its own set of 11 Parameter and Modulation knobs. Left click’n’drag to control a Parameter Knob. Turn on and choose a modulator for any parameter, by left-click dragging a Parameter Label. Right click’n’drag to control Modulation Amount. Double-click to reset parameter knobs to default value.

Parameter Knobs

Parameter are used to adjust the specified parameters absolute value:

  • Sample: Selects the current sample being triggered on that track.

  • Start: Select the start position (offset) that a sample is played back from when triggered.

  • Length: Sets the length of the sample that is triggered. You can also think of this as ‘hold’.

  • Decay: Sets the time it takes for a sample’s volume to decrease to zero after the sample has its entire length as set with the ‘Len’ knob.

  • Stretch: Quickly repeats tiny fractions of the sample, creating a ‘stretching’ or slowed-down effect.

  • Grain: Determines the size of the stretched repetitions.

  • Pitch: Changes the pitch of the audio independently of the speed. Works in conjunction with Stretch and Grain.

  • PEnv: Sets the attack amount of the samplers pitch envelope. This will cause the a triggered sample to pitch from above, down to the current pitch set with the Pitch parameter knob.

  • PDec: Sets the decay time of the pitch envelope . This is the time it takes for the pitch to return to the Pitch parameter knob’s position based on the amount set with the PEnv knob.

  • Pan: Places the track in the stereo field.

  • Amp: Determines the amplitude of the track’s playback.

Modulation Knobs

Modulation Knobs are colored knobs that appear on the outer ring of the Parameter knob once selected. Right-click’n’drag to adjust their value in either a positive or negative direction. These knobs will allow the modulation source to offset the current Parameter Knob’s position by a certain +/- amount.

Left click’n’drag a Parameter Label (name) vertically to turn on modulation and select the source of modulation for that parameter. The color corresponds to the source of modulation. Right-click a Parameter Label to reset modulation amount.

  • White: No modulation.

  • Cyan: Gate sequencer controls selected parameter.

  • Orange: Roll sequencer controls selected parameter.

  • Purple: ModSeq A sequencer controls selected parameter.

  • Green: ModSeq B sequencer controls selected parameter.

  • Yellow: LFO A controls selected parameter.

  • Blue: LFO B controls selected parameter.

Sampler Settings Buttons

Sampler Settings

Each track’s sampler has 6 settings buttons that are related to the parameter knobs directly above them. The settings are (from left to right):

  • Sample Reverse: Reverses playback of samples for that track.

  • Start Offset Quantize (16th): When on, the samples start position (offset) is quantized to the nearest 1/16th note, based on the current tempo and the samples detected length.

  • Sample Length Offset Quantize (16th): When on, the samples length is quantized to the nearest 1/16th note, based on the current tempo and the samples detected length.

  • BPM (x#): Auto stretches sample to the current tempo. There is also an additional correction selector to multiply or divide the samples tempo by 2 in the event that the BPM was incorrectly detected.

  • Grain Size Quantize (16th): Quantizes the grain length (size) to the nearest 1/16th note.

  • Fit: Ties the samples pitch to the projects tempo. This functionality behaves more like a tape deck, whereby tempo changes affect pitch.

  • Mode (Grain/Normal): Changes the sampler for the current track to either be a granular sampler or a high quality standard sampler. Using ‘Normal’ mode results in the best quality, but prohibits using the grain and stretch features.

Global Edit Functions

Global Edit Functions

Global Edit Functions are used to Copy/Paste/Reset the whole Scene, particular parts of a Scene or parts of the Sequencer area when using the ‘Select Toggle’ button described earlier.

Global Edit Drop-Down Menu Modes:

  • Whole Scene: Edit functions are applied to the entire Scene.

  • Sequencer - All Pages: Edit functions are applied to all sequencer pages (Gate, Roll, Mod A, Mod B).

  • Sequencer - Current Page: Edit functions are applied to the currently selected sequencer page or selected area of the currently selected sequencer page if using Select toggle.

  • Sampler Parameters - All Tracks: Edit functions are applied to Sampler Parameters knobs of all 6 tracks.

  • Sampler Parameters - Current Track: Edit functions are applied to the currently selected track’s Sampler Parameters knobs.

  • Modulation - All Tracks: Edit functions are applied to Sampler Modulation knobs of all 6 tracks.

  • Modulation - Current Track: Edit functions are applied to the currently selected track’s Sampler Modulation knobs.

  • LFOs: Edit functions are applied to LFO A and LFO B parameters.

  • Solo/Mute: Edit functions are applied to tracks' solo/mute buttons.

  • Sampler Parameters + Modulations All: Edit functions are applied to Sampler Parameters and Modulation knobs of all 6 tracks.

  • Sampler Parameters + Modulations Current: Edit functions are applied to the currently selected track’s Sampler Parameters and Modulation knobs.

Global MIDI Functions (------B PAGE------)

Click on ‘B’ view in the upper left corner of the panel to enter MIDI view. Here you can MIDI learn knobs on your controller to every parameter of each track. If your host supports MIDI Out, you’ll notice that any changes made by mouse movements, scene changes or preset changes will result in your hardware updating as well. This will prevent ‘jumping’ knobs by making sure that your controller always follows what is on screen. Just Right-Click to MIDI learn any knob/button in B-view.

[6.3.1] Track Selector MIDI Learn : Right-click to MIDI learn buttons on your controller to change the currently selected track.

[6.3.2] Ext. MIDI In MIDI Learn : Use this button to MIDI learn an external MIDI message to be used to trigger the track in lieu of using the built-in sequencer. Right-click this button and choose ‘properties’. Then check ‘Activate MIDI IN’, and choose what kind of message you’d like to trigger the track (note, cc, etc.). Then, turn on the MIDI Icon in the A-view when you’d like to trigger the track using your assignment. See section 2.10 for pictures of this process.

[6.3.3] Parameter and Modulation View : Allows you to toggle between displaying Parameter and Modulation knobs for each track to MIDI learn to. Right-click to MIDI learn knobs to parameters and modulators.

[6.3.4] LFO Resolution: Use the LFO Resolution menu to lighten the load on the cpu if you are having cpu issues on a slower computer or simply need to free up some CPU.

[6.3.5] Parameter and Modulation MIDI Learn Knobs : MIDI learnable knobs for each track’s parameter knobs and modulation knobs.

[6.3.6] Parameter and Modulation Randomizers MIDI Learn: MIDI learn buttons to Randomize parameters or modulators for each track.

[6.3.7] Sampler Reverse MIDI Learn: MIDI learn buttons for the reverse for each track.

[6.3.8] Track Solo/Mute MIDI Learn: MIDI learn buttons for the Track Solo/Mute buttons.

[6.3.9] Randomization Exclude Buttons: The B-View now features randomization exclude buttons. This way you can choose which parameters/modulators you would like to be randomized. When cyan colored, that parameter will be randomized. When grey, it won’t be randomized. This is especially useful if you’d like to exclude parameters like volume and pan from being randomized.

[6.3.10] LFO Section: MIDI learnable controls and randomizers for LFOs A and B.

Added Sample Range Clipper To B-View

You can now set a global minimum and maximum range for the sample map. For example, if you have a map that only uses 60 samples, you can set the map to use samples zero thru sixty.

LFOs

LFO/Controls View Toggle: Toggles between the main sampler controls view and LFO view allowing you to make LFO adjustments.

LFOs Parameters:

LFOs Parameters

  • Shape: Morphs between different LFO shapes.

  • Ramp: If turned on, the shape morphs through triangle and saw (ramp) waveforms.

  • Phase: Shifts the phase of the LFO. You can think of this as offsetting the start position of the LFO.

  • Rate: Speed of the LFO.

  • +Rnd: The amount of randomness added to the main LFO Shape.

  • BMod (for LFO A) and AMod (for LFO B): The amount of amplitude modulation introduced from the other LFO. Cross-modulating LFOs can be created using these features.

  • G (Gated Output): the LFO value is only triggered by the active Gate step in the Gate sequencer.

  • BPM: Sync’s the LFO to the current tempo if enabled.

  • Retrig: Click’n’drag to choose any track’s Gate sequence to re-trigger the start of the LFO.

The Master Area

  • Master Limiter: Limits the volume output to prevent clipping by reducing signals over 0dB. The limiter doesn’t affect multi-outputs.

  • Multi-Out Switch: Changes the output behavior from Stereo to Multi-Out. When in Multi-Out mode, tracks are routed directly to Reaktor's independent outputs without being summed. This way you can process each track independently using a multiout capable DAW or hardware interface.

    VORTEX Multi-Out Signal Routing:

    • Track 1 - Outputs 1-2

    • Track 2 - Outputs 3-4

    • Track 3 - Outputs 5-6

    • Track 4 - Outputs 7-8

    • Track 5 - Outputs 9-10

    • Track 6 - Outputs 11-12

Troubleshooting and FAQ

Changelog

Changelog

1.0.0 RP (Reaktor Player release)

  • Vortex is now Reaktor Player compatible and does not require the full version of Reaktor to run

  • NKS browser integration

  • Light Guide support for the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series keyboards

  • Added new factory presets

  • Added Master Limiter

  • Added Multi-Out Mode switch

  • Improved randomizers (including random LFO)

  • Improved LFO display quality

  • Improved sensitivity for parameter knobs

  • Fixed bugs related to Presets recall

  • Various minor fixes

Done/fixed:

Bug: seems that copy paste is unsafe and may cause bad pasting (no cond router i guess)

some vortex snaps sound bad, maybe filter them out - done and added lots of new snaps

fixed randomizers (including lfo rnd)

made lfo line antialiased

a gui bug basically jus showing seq order where in reality there was linear order - done/tested

try to increase sensitivity for knobs, very hard to find specific sample - done for main a view knobs (twice more sens)

implemented automation ids - not ideal beacuse its 6 pages and 12 params so its not aligned to 8 per page but whatever

in vortex scenes contain scenes from other snaps - done

Should sample min max be snapisolated on b view? - done

Vortex has midi mappings - erased

Dont forget multiout fix - done and added hints (ideally need to change doc?) also need to skin it

PrevioustempNextUltraloop

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