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Contents4 Installing DCAM: Synth Squad: Mac OSX 10.5 or above

6 Installing DCAM: Synth Squad: Windows XP or later

8 Authorizing DCAM: Synth Squad

8 Starting the authorization

8 Introduction to License Manager

10 Authorizing a product

11 Option1.Onlineauthorization

12 Option2.AuthorizationviayourWebbrowser

14 Option�.Authorizingviaadifferentcomputer

15 OtherfunctionsintheLicenseManagerapplication

15 Possibleproblemsduringauthorization

16 After installation and authorization

16 LearninghowtouseDCAM:SynthSquad

16 Softwareupdatesandtechnicalsupport

17 Introduction to using DCAM: Synth Squad

18 DCAM: Synth Squad interface basics

18 Usingpresets

20 UsingDCAM:SynthSquadcontrols

20 ModulationinDCAM:SynthSquad:theTransModsystem

21 UsingcontrolswithaTransModslotselected

22 OthertypesofcontrolsinDCAM:SynthSquad

22 VoicesandUnisonvoices

23 Parametercontextmenu

23 On-screenkeyboardandperformancecontrollers

24 Assigningperformancecontrollers(Perf1andPerf2)

25 UsingMIDILearn

26 Strobe

28 Cypher

32 Amber

34 Fusor

36 Getting started with Fusor

36 Loadingsynths

36 AddingFXtoasynthchannel

37 Layeringsynths

37 SettingupareverbasanAux

38 Splitting�synthsacrossthekeyboard

40 UsingAnimatorasanarpeggiator

42 UsingAnimatorasanotestep-sequencer

44 Credits

44 DCAM Synth Squad Licence Conditions

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Installing DCAM: Synth SquadMac OSX 10.5 or above

1. Insert the DCAM: Synth Squad installer disc and open the new DVD image that mounts to your desktop.

2. Double-click on the Install DCAM Synth Squad package.

3. You may need to enter an administrator password to proceed.

4. You must read and agree to the license conditions in order to continue.

When you have ticked the ‘I agree...’ checkbox, click the Next button.

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5. Installation will now commence.

6. The installer asks if you want to check for updates at our website.

We highly recommend using the very latest version of DCAM: Synth Squad, as it is constantly being updated for optimum performance.

7. Click the Done button to complete the installation.

You are now ready to authorize DCAM: Synth Squad. Turn to page 8 for authorization instructions.

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Installing DCAM: Synth SquadWindows XP or later

1. Insert the DCAM: Synth Squad installer disc and open the DVD if it does not open automatically.

2. Double-click on Install DCAM Synth Squad.exe.

If Windows asks you for confirmation at any stage, please choose to proceed!

3. You must read and agree to the license conditions in order to continue.

When you have ticked the ‘I agree...’ checkbox, click the Next button.

4. You now need to specify the location of your VSTplugins folder.

The installer tries to detect your VST folder automatically. If you require a different location for the VST plugin components, click the Browse button to navigate to and select another location. Click Next to continue.

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5. You can now decide whether you do not want the installer to create application shortcuts on the Desktop or the Start menu.

Un-tick any checkboxes as necessary, and then click Next.

6. Installation will now commence.

7. The installer asks if you want to check for updates at our website. We highly recommend using the very latest version of DCAM: Synth Squad, as it is constantly being updated for optimum performance.

8. Click the Done button to complete the installation.

You are now ready to authorize DCAM: Synth Squad. Turn to page 8 for authorization instructions.

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Authorizing DCAM: Synth SquadStarting the authorization

ThebestwaytoauthorizeDCAM:SynthSquadisusingthesuppliedstandaloneapplications.ThesearefoundinyourApplicationsfolder(Mac)orinC:\Program Files\FXpansion\<instrument>(Windows)–forexample,C:\ProgramFiles\FXpansion\Strobe.SeeAppendix1oftheoperationmanualPDFformoredetailsofthestandaloneapps.

YouonlyneedtoauthorizeoneinstrumenttoauthorizethewholeofDCAM:SynthSquad.RuntheStrobe,Amber,CypherorFusorstandaloneapplications–whentheinstrumentdetectsitisnotyetauthorized,itrunsLicenseManagerautomatically.

Introduction to License Manager

TheLicenseManagerapplicationisusedtomanagelicensesandauthorizationsforDCAM:SynthSquadandotherFXpansionsoftwareproducts,suchasBFD2anditsexpansionpacks.

ThecomputeronwhichyouwanttousetheproductdoesNOTneedtobeontheinternet.

Touseourproducts,youneedtoauthorizethemtoberunonyourcomputer.Youcanauthorizeyourproductsin�ways:

•WithLicenseManagerandaninternetconnectiononthesamecomputer

•WithLicenseManagerandaninternetconnectiononadifferentcomputer

•UsingawebbrowserandageneratedAuthorizationRequestfile,onthesameoradifferentcomputer

Note:AuthorizationfilesgeneratedfromanAuthorizationRequestfileareuniquetoasinglecomputer.AnAuthorizationfileisonlyvalidonthecomputerthatcreatedtheAuthorizationRequestfile.

Enter your serial number

WhenLicenseManagerruns,itmayfirstpromptyouforyourproductserialnumber.Ifitdoesso,typeinyourserialnumber,hitENTERandthenclicktheOKbutton.

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EachtimeLicenseManagerruns,itperformsaquickscanofinstalledFXpansionproductstochecktheirlicensestatus.Thiscantakeafewmomentssopleasebepatient.

Running License Manager manually

WhenDCAM:SynthSquadlaunchesanddetectsithasnotyetbeenauthorized,itautomaticallyrunsorpromptsyoutorunLicenseManager.

YoucanalsorunLicenseManagermanuallyatanytimefromthefollowinglocations:

MacOSX: Applications/FX License Manager

Windows: Start • Programs • FXpansion • License Manager or:C:\Program Files\FXpansion\LicenseManager

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Authorizing a product

Tobeginauthorizingaproduct,clicktheAuthorize and Activatebutton.

Atthispoint,youmaybepromptedfortheproductserialnumber.Ifso,typeintheserialnumber,hitENTERandthenpresstheOKbutton.

Youwillbeaskedtochooseanauthorizationmethodfromthefollowing:

1. Online, automatically Thequickestandeasiestwayofgettingyoursoftwareauthorized.

ItrequiresthatyourcomputerbeconnectedtotheInternetdirectlyorviaatransparent(non-Proxy)firewall.2. Via your Web browser

UsesyourWebbrowserforauthorization.

Itisintendedforaggressivelyfirewalledorproxy-basedinternetconnections–thisisoftenthecaseintheworkplaceoratacademicinstitutions.3. Via another computer

GeneratesanAuthRequestfile,whichcanbeusedtoobtainanAuthorizationfileonaseparateinternetenabledcomputer.

TheAuthorizationfileisthenusedtoauthorizetheoriginalmachine.

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Option 1. Online authorization

1. Tobeginauthorizingonline,chooseOnline, automaticallyastheauthorizationmethod.

2. Onthenextpage,youarepromptedforyourFXpansionwebsiteusername&password.Enterthedetailsandgotostep�.

3. Ifyoudon’thaveanaccount,clickCreate a new accountontheright;ifyou’veforgottenyourdetailsoryouaren’tsureifyouhaveanaccount,clickthelinkatthebottom.

TheCreate a new accountbuttonopensyourWebbrowsertoashortformonourWebsite.Onceyou’vecreatedanaccount,returntotheLicenseManagerandloginwithyournewdetails.

4. TheLicenseManagerconnectstoourserver.Ifitcannotconnect,itreportsanerrormessage.Thisiseitherbecauseourserverisdown(pleasetrylater)orthereisafirewallblockorfaultwithyourinternetconnection(trytheVia your Web browserauthorizationmethod).

5. OncetheLicenseManagerhasloggedin,youaregivenaconfirmationscreendetailingtheproductthatisabouttobeauthorized,itsserialnumberandyouruseraccountname.

ClickRequest Authorization–theauthorizationprocesscompletes,and,allbeingwell,yoursoftwareisreadytouse!

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Option 2. Authorization via your Web browser

1. ToauthorizeviayourWebbrowser,chooseVia your Web browserastheauthorizationmethod.

2. LicenseManagercreatesanAuthorizationRequestfileonyourdesktop–forexample,

“DCAMSynthSquad.AuthRequest”–andpromptsyoutolaunchyourWebbrowser.

Note: Ifyourbrowserfailstolaunch,youshouldlaunchitmanuallyandpointitto:

www.fxpansion.com/authorize

3. Youarenowbepromptedtologintoyouruseraccountorcreateanewaccountifyoudon’thaveoneyet.

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4. Onceyou’veloggedin,orcreatedanaccountandthenloggedin,youarepromptedtoselecttheAuthorizationRequestfile.ClicktheBrowse...button,and,whenthefiledialogpopsup,navigatetoandchoosetheAuthorizationRequestfilethatwascreatedonthedesktopbyLicenseManagerearlier.

ThenclicktheSubmitbutton–theservernowprocessesyourauthorizationrequest.

Iftheprocessissuccessful,youarepromptedtodownloadtheAuthorizationfile–chooseSave to Diskandsaveittoyourdesktop(ifyouareusingMacOSXLeopard,downloadedfilesgototheUsers/<user>/Downloadsfolder).

5. CloseyourwebbrowserandreturntotheLicenseManagerapplication.Onthemainscreen,clickImport an existing authorization file.

6. SelecttheAuthorizationfileyoujustdownloaded,(itendsin“.Auth”).TheLicenseManagerimportstheAuthorizationfile,andyoursoftwareisnowauthorizedandreadytouse.

Note:Thefileyouneedtoimportistheoneyoudownloadedfromyourwebbrowser(endingin“.Auth”),NOTthefilethatLicenseManagergeneratedearlieronthedesktop(endingin“.AuthRequest”).

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Option 3. Authorizing via another computer

Thismethodshouldonlybeusedifthemachineonwhichyouneedtoauthorizeyoursoftwaredoesnothaveaninternetconnection.

1. Toauthorizeviaanothercomputer,chooseVia another computerastheauthorizationmethod.

2. LicenseManagercreatesanAuthorizationRequestfileonyourdesktop–forexample,“DCAM:SynthSquad.AuthRequest”.

3. Youneedtotakethisfiletoaninternet-connectedcomputer(vialocalnetwork,floppydisk,thumbdrive,CDR,Zipdisketc.).

AsmallUSBthumbdrivecanbepurchasedforaround$10atanyelectronicsretailerandisidealforthis.

4. Onceyouareatinfrontofaninternet-connectedcomputer,youhaveoneoftwooptionsforgeneratingtheAuthorizationfile:

• Using License Manager

DownloadLicenseManagerfrom:

www.fxpansion.com/authorize

InstallLicenseManageronyourinternet-connectedcomputer,runitandchooseAuthorize a different computer.

YouarepromptedtoselecttheAuthorizationRequestfile–choosethefileonyourthumbdrive(orfloppy,etc.),andthenfollowsteps2-�onpage11.

Whentheprocesscompletes,anAuthorizationfileisgeneratedonyourdesktop.Younowneedtocopythisfiletoyourthumbdrive(orfloppy,etc.),andtakeitbacktoyournon-internet-connectedmachine.

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• Using a web browser

Usingawebbrowser(Firefox,Safari,InternetExploreretc.),openthefollowingpage:

www.fxpansion.com/authorizeFollowsteps�and�onpages12and1�.

Whentheauthorizationprocesscompletes,downloadtheAuthorizationfilefromourwebserverdirectlytoyourthumbdrive(orfloppy,etc.)andtakeitbacktoyournon-internet-connectedmachine.

5. Whichevermethodyouusedabove,younowneedtoimportthegeneratedAuthorizationfilebackintoLicenseManagerinordertocompletetheauthorizationprocess.

OnthemainscreenofLicenseManager,clicktheImport an existing authorizationbutton,andpointitatthefileonyourthumbdrive(orfloppy,etc.)

LicenseManagerimportsthelicensefile,andyoursoftwareisbereadytouse.

Other functions in the License Manager applicationDelete Authorization

ThiscanbeusedtoremoveanAuthorizationfromyourcomputer–forexample,ifyouareuninstallingtheassociatedsoftware.

Refresh

Thisrefreshesthelistofinstalledproductsandtheirstatus.View Log

ThisopensadetailedlogofLicenseManager’sactivityinNotepad(Windows)orTextEdit(MacOSX).YoucanthencopyandpastetheinformationtoanemailifourTechSupportteamrequestsit.

Possible problems during authorization

Weissueonlyacertainnumberofauthorizationsperserialnumber,andaserialnumbercanonlybelongtooneuser.Weappreciatetheserestrictionscanbeinconvenientinsomecircumstances-however,preventingabuseofthelicensehelpskeeppricesdown,andfacilitatescontinueddevelopment,freeupdatesandresponsivetechnicalsupport.

Thefollowingproblemsmayarise:

• Your serial number is registered to a different account.

Yourserialnumberbelongstoyou-itidentifiesyouasthelegitimateownerofthesoftware.Assuch,onlyonepersoncanbetheownerofagivenserialnumber,andonlythatuseraccountcangenerateauthorizationsbasedonthatserialnumber.Occasionally,usersendupwithmorethanoneaccount,withsomeserialsregisteredinoneandsomeinanother.Ifthisappliestoyou,contactoursupportteamtoresolvethesituation.

• Too many authorizations have been issued for a serial number.

Ifyou’verunoutofauthorizations(perhapsifyou’veinstalledthesoftwareonseveraldifferentcomputers,orifyoureinstallorupgradeyourcomputerhardwarefrequently),youwillneedtocontactourtechnicalsupportteam,explainingyoursituation.

Ifyouencounteranyotherproblemsduringtheinstallationorauthorization,firstconsulttheDCAM:SynthSquadFAQ.Ifyourproblemstillcannotberesolved,contactourtechnicalsupportteam:

www.fxpansion.com/support

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After installation and authorization

OnceyouhaveauthorizedDCAM:SynthSquad,youarereadytolaunchitsincludedinstrumentseitherstandalone,oraspluginswithinacompatiblehost.

Ifyouareunsureofhowtousethestandaloneapplications,orhowtolaunchtheDCAMinstrumentsaspluginsinyourhost,seeAppendix1oftheoperationmanual,providedasaPDFfilewiththeinstallation.

Learning how to use DCAM: Synth Squad

TherestofthisguideprovidesabriefintroductiontousingDCAM:SynthSquad.

TheoperationmanualPDFfileisinstalledinthefollowinglocations:

MacOSX: Library/Application Support/FXpansion/DCAM Synth Squad/Help

Windows: C:\Program Files\FXpansion\DCAM Synth Squad\Help

Thebuilt-inPreviewapplicationinMacOSXcanviewPDFfiles.WindowsusersmustinstallaPDFreader,suchasAdobeAcrobatReader,availablefrom:

get.adobe.com/readerVideo introductions

TheDCAM:SynthSquadinstallationdiscincludesaseriesofQuickTimevideotutorialsontheDCAMinstrumentsandtheircommonfeatures.ThevideosshouldplayonMacOSXwithoutanyadditionalsoftware.ToplaythemonWindows,youmustfirstinstallApple’sQuickTimesoftwareforWindowsor,alternatively,VLCoranyothersoftwarecapableofviewingQuickTimemovies.

www.apple.com/quicktime/downloadwww.videolan.org/vlc

Software updates

Wehighlyrecommendthatyoucheckoursiteforupdatesassoonaspossible.DCAM:SynthSquadisconstantlyunderdevelopmentinordertoincreaseitsperformance.

Ifyouencounteraproblemwiththesoftware,itisverylikelythattheissuewillbefixedbysimplyupdatingtothelatestversionavailableonourwebsite.

Technical support

IfyouencounteranyunresolvableproblemswhenusingDCAM:SynthSquad,pleasefollowthesesteps:

1. Fullyreadthe‘InstallandLaunch’guideandoperationmanualPDF.

2. ConsulttheDCAM:SynthSquadFAQ,whichisfrequentlyupdatedwithcurrentissues:

www.fxpansion.com/synthsquadfaq

3. IfyoucannotresolveyourproblemwiththeinformationprovidedintheFAQ,pleasecontactourtechnicalsupportteam,whowillendeavourtogetyouupandrunningasquicklyaspossible.

www.fxpansion.com/support

PleasenotethatyoumustregisteryourcopyofDCAM:SynthSquadbeforeyoucanreceivesupport,whetherthroughoursupportticketsystem,orviatheforum.

Itishighlyrecommendedtousetheticketsystemformosttechnicalissues,asitpromptsyoufortheinformationweneedinordertoprocessyoursupportrequestasefficientlyaspossible.

Ifyoudonotprovideadequateinformation,yourquerywilltakemuchlongertoresolve!

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Introduction to using DCAM: Synth Squad

18 DCAM: Synth Squad interface basics

18 Usingpresets

20 UsingDCAM:SynthSquadcontrols

20 ModulationinDCAM:SynthSquad:theTransModsystem

21 UsingcontrolswithaTransModslotselected

22 OthertypesofcontrolsinDCAM:SynthSquad

22 VoicesandUnisonvoices

23 Parametercontextmenu

23 On-screenkeyboardandperformancecontrollers

24 Assigningperformancecontrollers(Perf1andPerf2)

25 UsingMIDILearn

26 Strobe

28 Cypher

32 Amber

34 Fusor

36 Getting started with Fusor

36 Loadingsynths

36 AddingFXtoasynthchannel

37 Layeringsynths

37 SettingupareverbasanAux

38 Splitting�synthsacrossthekeyboard

40 UsingAnimatorasanarpeggiator

42 UsingAnimatorasanotestep-sequencer

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DCAM: Synth Squad interface basicsUsing presetsPlayingwiththesuppliedfactorypresetsisagreatwaytolearnaboutthecapabilitiesofDCAM:SynthSquad.Youcanloadpresetsusingthepresetpicker.

• Clickonthepresetnametodisplayadrop-downmenuofallavailablepresets.

Clickonanypresetinthemenutoloadit.

Presetname

PreferencesToolsmenu

Savepreset

Presetbrowser

Prev/Nextpreset

Audiostreamindicator

MIDIindicator

• ClickthePrevious/Nextbuttonstocyclethroughtheavailablepresets.

• ClicktheBrowse...buttontolaunchthepresetbrowser(seeopposite).

• Loading presets

• Preset picker

TheSave presetbuttonallowsyoutosaveyourownpresets,andtheTools menuoffersCut,CopyandPastefunctions,whichareusefulfortransferringthecurrentpresettootherinstancesofthesynththatarecurrentlyopeninyourhost.ThePreferencespanelisdiscussedlaterinthissection,whiletheLoad to Mod Slotfunctionisanadvancedfeaturerelatedtothemodulationsystem–seesection�:�oftheOperationManual.

TheAudio stream indicatorlightsupwhenthesynthreceivesanaudiostream–inotherwords,thisindicatorshouldbelitwhenthesynthisoperatingproperlywithinyourhost,orasastandaloneapplicationcommunicatingwithyouraudiointerface.

TheMIDI indicatorlightsupwhenanyMIDImessageisreceivedbythesynth.

• Other preset picker functions

LoadtoModSlot

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Loadpreset

Refresh

Prev/Nextpreset

Searchfield

ShowPCpanel Category

filters

Using the preset browser1.ClickontheBrowse...buttoninthepresetpickertodisplaythepresetbrowser.

2.Clickonapresetinthelist.

�.PlaysomeMIDInotesintothesynth–you’llheartheselectedpreset.

�.IfyouclicktheLoadbutton,thepresetisloadedintothesynth.

�.IfyouclicktheCancelbutton,thesynthrevertsbacktoitsstatebeforeyouopenedthepresetbrowser.

Presetscanbeselectedeitherbyclickingtheminthelisting,orbyusingthePrev/Nextbuttons.

Other preset browser functionsTheLoad Presetbuttonallowsyoutoloadapresetfromanylocationonyoursystem(ratherthanmerelywithinthesynthplugins’ownpresetfolders),whiletheRefreshbuttonre-readsthecontentsofthepresetfolder.

ClickintheSearch fieldatthetop-rightofthepresetbrowser,typeasearchtermandpressENTERinordertosearchthename,authorandstylefieldsanddisplaymatchingresults.

The�category filtersallowyoutonarrowdownthedisplayedpresetsbycriteriasuchasstyleandpresetauthor.

All�filtersandthesearchfacilitycanbeusedatthesametime.

ThepresetbrowsercontainstheShow PC Panelbutton.Seesection�:�oftheOperationManualfordetailsofthePC(programchange)panel,whichisusedtocompileprogramchangelistsforchangingpresetsduringliveperformance.

• Preset browser

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Using DCAM: Synth Squad controls

Modulation in DCAM: Synth Squad: the TransMod system

Slidersareadjustedbyclickinganddraggingup/down.

• Sliders • Rotary pots

Rotarypotsareadjustedbyclickinganddraggingup/down.

Youcanalsodouble-clickthecontrol,typeavalueandpressENTERorRETURN.

• Fine control over parametersHolddowntheSHIFTkeywhileadjustingacontrolforfinerresolution.

Ifyouclickonanyofthe�TransModslots’selectionarea(whereitsays‘via’),orusethePrev/Nextslotbuttons,thesynth’sinterfacechangessothatmostofitscontrolsareabletosetanddisplaymodulationdepthsawayfromtheinitialvalue.

Inthisexample,Strobe’sfirstslot(assignedtokey-onvelocity)isselected,andcontainsmodulationfortheoscSawwaveformlevel,filterCutoffandampLevelparameters.

• Selecting TransMod slots

TransModslots1-�

Prev/Nextslotbuttons

WhenyoufirstlaunchaDCAMsynth,itdisplaysitsMain view.

TheMainviewonlyeditsthe‘basicstate’ofthesynth–theinitialvaluesofallcontrolsbeforeanyTransModmodulation..

• Main view

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Using controls with a TransMod slot selected

Clickoutsidetheslidercapanddragup/down.

Theslidercapdividesandthemodulationdepthfromtheinitialvalueisset.

TransMod slot selected: Setting modulation depth

Clicktheslidercapanddragup/downtoadjustitsinitialvalue,ordouble-clicktotypeavalueandpressENTERorRETURN.

TransMod slot selected: Setting initial value

• Sliders

When modulation exists:•Click/dragtheinitialpartoftheslidercap(withoutthearrow)toadjustittogetherwiththemoddepth.

•Theotherpartoftheslidercap(withthearrow)canbeusedtoadjustthemodulationdepth.

•HolddownALTandmovetheinitialpartoftheslidercap(withoutthearrow)toadjusttheinitialvalueonly.

TransMod slot selected: Setting initial value

Clickthecentreoftherotarypotanddragup/downtoadjustitsinitialvalue.

TransMod slot selected: Setting modulation depth

Clickanddragtheouterringaroundtherotarypottosetthemodulationdepthfromtheinitialvalue.

• Rotary pots

When modulation exists:•Click/dragthecentreofthecontroltoadjusttheinitialvaluetogetherwiththemodulationdepth.

•HolddownALTandmovethecentreofthecontroltoadjusttheinitialvalueonly.

2. Navigatethroughthesub-menustothedesiredmodulationsource.

1. ClickonthetoppartofaTransModslottodisplaythesourcemenu.

Scalersmultiplythesource,usefulforscalinganLFOviathemodwheel,forexample.Theyareselectedinthesameway–clickonthelowerpartoftheslottoselectitanddisplaythescalermenu.

• Choosing TransMod slot sources and scalers

Upper: Clicktoselectslotandshowsourcemenu

Middle: Clicktoselectslotforediting

Lower: Clicktoselectslotandshowscalermenu

• TransMod slots

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Other types of controls in DCAM: Synth Squad

•Click & drag:Clickthevalueanddragitup/down.

•Double-click & type:Double-clickthevalue,typeanewoneandpressENTER/RETURN.

•Rotary selector click & drag (left)Clicktherotaryselectoranddragup/down.

•Rotary selector menu (right)Clickonthedisplaythatshowsthesettingandselecttherelevantsettingfromthedrop-downmenuthatappears.

•Fusorcontainssomerotaryselectorsthatareessentiallyrotarycontrolsor‘knobs’(suchasStepsinthescreenshottotheright),somewhichhaveassociateddrop-downmenus(suchasStep Duration)andsomewhicharesimplydrop-downmenus(suchastheMultipliercontrols).

Drop-downmenuscanalsobefoundinthesynths–forexample,TransModslotsource/scalermenus,performancecontrollerselectorsinthepreferencespanelandthepresetmenu(clickonthepresetname).

• Rotary selectors and drop-down menus

• Numerical text-boxesTherearetwowaystoadjustthesecontrols:

• ButtonsButtonsaregenerally‘toggle’typebuttons–clicktoactivate,clickagaintodeactivate.Buttonslightupwhenactivated.Some‘radio’button-stylecontrolsexist,suchasthesub-oscillatorOctave buttonsinStrobe.

• Indicator LEDsDCAM:SynthSquadinstrumentscontainindicatorLEDswhichlightuptorepresentLFOratesandothercontrol-ratemodulation.Donotconfusethesewithbuttons,whicharelarger.

Voices and Unison voices•Voices:thetotalnumberofsynthvoicesthatarepossible•Unison:thenumberofvoicestoplaytogetherforasinglenote

Theoverallpolyphonyisthenumberofvoicesdividedbythenumberofunisonvoices.

VoicesandUnisonvoicesareavailableintheTransModsystemsothatanyparametercanbevariedforeachvoice,althoughyoucanmodulatepitchcontrolsforclassic‘unisondetune’sounds.

Polyphony=1(�voicesforeachnoteofpoly)

Polyphony=�(�voicesforeachnoteofpoly)

Polyphony=�(1voiceforeachnoteofpoly)

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Parameter context menuRight-click(orCTRL-click)onanycontroltoshowitsparametercontextmenu,whichoffersanumberoffunc-tionsandoptionsrelatingtothecontrol.

Reset ParamResetsthecontrol’sinitialvaluetoitsdefaultsetting.

Clear Param ModClearsanymodulationdepthsthatexistforthecontrolinthecurrentTransModslot.

Clear Param All ModClearsanymodulationdepthsthatexistforthecontrolinallTransModslots.

Lock Scope, Unlock ScopeSeesection1:�oftheOperationManualfordetailsofthesefunctions.

Clear LearnThisisusedwiththeMIDILearnfunction–seelaterinthissectionformoredetails.

Off, Just, Harmonic, EqualAnycontrolsrelatedtoaudiopitchorfrequency(usuallyoscillatorpitchandfiltercutoffcontrols)offer�distinctmodesofoperation,whichareaccessedviatheparametercontextmenu.

UsetheJustandHarmonicmodestouseperfectpitchratiosratherthanimperfect,equal-temperedpitch.Harmonicmodesnapstowholeharmonics.

Equalisusedforequal-temperedtuninginsemitones,snappingtowholesemitones.

SelectOfftoreturntoequal-temperedtuninginsemi-tones,withoutanysnappingtowholesemitones.

Octavedown/up

Pitchwheel

Performancecontrollers1&2

MIDILearn Panic(allnotesoff)

Thisareaoftheinterfacemainlycontainscontrolsthatarerepresentationsofhardwareinput–thekeyboard,pitch-bendwheelandperformancecontrollers1and2.

WhiletheseareintendedtobeusedwithMIDIhardware,theinterfaceelementscanneverthelessbecontrolledwiththemouse.UsetheOctave down/upbuttonstoaccessthefullrangeofMIDInotesonthekeyboard.

TheMIDI LearnbuttonallowsyoutoassignhardwareMIDICCstoanyinterfacecontrol.

ThePanicbuttonturnsoffallnotesthatarecurrentlyplaying.

On-screen keyboard and performance controllers

Keyboard

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Preferences

1. ClickthePreferencesbuttoninthesynth’spresetpickertobringupthepreferencespanel.

3. Clickthemenutoshowalistofpossiblecontrollers–clickonthedesiredcontrollertoselectit.

Assigning performance controllers (Perf1 and Perf2)AllpresetssuppliedwithDCAM:SynthSquadfeaturethefirst�TransModmodulationslotsassignedtothefollowingmodulationsources:

•OnVel(note-onvelocity)+•Perf1+•Perf2+

Theperformancecontrollersareshowntotheleftoftheon-screenkeyboard,andareintendedtobemappedtoyourhardwarecontrollersthataremostimmediatetouse.

Thedefaultassignmentsforthe2performancecontrollersare:

•P1(Perf.1)=Modulationwheel(MIDICC#1)•P2(Perf.2)=Monopressure(channelaftertouch)

Theseassignmentscanbechangedtoanytwoperformancecontrollersofyourchoice,usingoneoftwomethods.Thefirstisusingthepreferencespanel:

Alternatively,youcanusetheMIDILearnsystem(seeopposite).

2. ThePerf.1andPerf.2drop-downmenusallowyoutochooseanewassignmentforeachperformancecontroller.

4. ClicktheApplybuttontomakethechanges,whicharesavedwiththecurrentsession(butnotthepreset!).YoumustclicktheSave as Defaultsbuttonforthecurrentpreferencessettingstobepersistedinfuturesessions.

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1.ClicktheMIDI LearnbuttontoenterMIDILearnmode:

•theinterfaceis‘locked’–controlscannotbemanipulated•allcontrolsthatcanbeMIDI-controlledarehighlighted

3. Movethecontroller–forexample,themodwheel.

Using MIDI LearnDCAM:SynthSquadcontainsabuilt-inMIDILearnsystemformappingMIDIcontinuouscontrollersdirectlytoparameters.HereisaguidetoassigningStrobe’sfilterCutofftoaMIDICC:

2. Clickthecontrol. 4. TheMIDICCisnowassignedtothecontrol.

ClicktheMIDI LearnbuttonagaininordertoexitMIDILearnmode.

NotethattheCC#canonlybeassignedtoasingle control.WhenyouassignthemodulationwheeltotheCutoff,theoriginalmodwheelassignment(toPerf.1)islost.

ChangestotheMIDILearnassignmentsarepersistedforthecurrentsession(butarenotsavedwithpresets!).

Tosavetheassignmentsforfutureuse,youmustusetheSave as DefaultsbuttoninthePreferencespanel.

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Strobe

•souped-upperformancesynth•designedforeasyprogrammingofclassicsubtractiveanaloguesynthsounds•centredaroundasimple1-oscillatorarchitecture•includesabuilt-inarpeggiator

Strobeisinstalledasaninstrumentandasaneffectforprocessingaudiothroughitscircuit.

Seechapter2oftheoperationmanualforadetailedguidetothesynth’sarchitectureandcontrols.

Osc stacking

Strobeisasingle-oscillatorsynth,butitsosciscapableofstackingwithoutusingwholeunisonvoices.TrysettingtheStackcontrolto�,andthenplayakeywhileincreasingtheDetunecontrol.

Filter drive and modes

ThefilterstageinStrobeisextremelyversatile.ItsDrivecontrolchangesthefilter’stonedrastically,whiletheModecontrolallowsyoutochoosefrom22differentfilterresponses.

Direct modulation

Strobeincludesdedicatedmodulationdepthcontrolsforkeytracking,LFOandModEnvelopesources.TheseareprovidedfortheoscPitch,mainPulse Width(youmustmodulatethesub-oscpulsewidthviatheTransModsystem)andfilterCutoff.

Theseareprovidedtofacilitatequickprogrammingforthemostcommonlymodulatedparameters.TheTransModsystemallowsyoutomodulatealmostanycontrolinStrobe.

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Strobe signal flow

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Cypher

•�-oscillator,complexsynth•FMandotheraudio-ratemodulation•severalotherspecializedoscillatorfunctions•adual-filter/waveshaperarchitecture•abuilt-inarpeggiator

Cypherisinstalledasaninstrumentandasaneffectforprocessingaudiothroughitscircuit.

TheethosbehindCypheristoprovideatrulyaccuratemodelofananaloguesynthcapableofanalogue-styleFMandotheraudio-ratemodulation(asopposedtodigitalmulti-operatorFMsuchasthatfoundinYamahaDX-seriessynths).Itfeaturesthru-zeroFMwhichallowsmusicaldigital-stylesoundsrenderedwithprecisionengineeredmodelsofanalogoscillators.

SinceCypherisdesignedtobeusedprimarilyforFMandotheradvancedoscillatorfunctions,itmaybeeasiertouseStrobeformost‘conventional’subtractivesounds,asitisoptimizedforquickandeasyprogramming.

2�

Programming with Cypher

Cypherrequiresaslightlydifferentapproachtoamoreconventionalanalogue-stylesynth.

EachoscistunedusingaScalecontrolinrelationtoavariablemasterpitch.Sinceanypitch-relatedcontrolinDCAM:SynthSquadfeaturesseveralsnappingmodesincludingHarmonic,youcantuneeachoscwithharmonicratiomultipliersinsteadofabsolutefrequencies.

Thismeansyoudon’thavetocalculateharmonicfrequenciesyourself,makingmusicallyusefulFMsoundsmucheasiertoachievethanwithtraditionalanalogueoscillators.Youcanchangethesnappingmodeusingtheparametercontextmenu(seepage2�).

Oscillators

•EachoscfeaturesawaveshapethatiscontinuouslyvariablebetweenTriangle,Saw,SquareandPulse.ModulatetheWavecontrolbetweentheSquareandPulsepositionsfortraditionalpulsewidthmodulationeffects.

•ThewaveshapeofOsc�canalsobemodulatedataudio-ratebyOsc2,withtheWM from 2control.

•ThefrequencyofOsc2canbemodulatedataudioratebyOsc�,withtheFM from 3control.

•BothOsc2andOsc�cansynctoOsc1,usingtheSync to 1controls.Cypherfeaturesvariable-depthsync,whichallowsawidevarietyofsync-basedtimbres.

•IfyouturnOsc1’sBlendcontrol(labelled‘S+H-Osc-Noise’tothefar-leftposition,youhearOsc2sampledandheldbyOsc1’sfrequency,ataudio-rate.ThesameistrueofOsc2/Osc�andOsc�/Osc1.Thisfunctioncreatesgrittytimbres,reminiscentoflow-resolutionsamplingandFM.

•TheBeatcontrolappliesdetuningwhilekeepingthebeatingratebetweenoscillatorsconstant.

•Eachoscfeaturesaringmodulatorfunctionwhichmultipliesitwithoneoftheotheroscs.

•EachoscillatorcanbeusedasanLFObyenablingtheLowbutton.InLFOmode,theBeatcontrolsetstheLFOrate.TheoscillatormustbeusedasaTransModsourceinordertomodulateparameters.

•Seesection�:2andchapter�oftheoperationmanualformoredetailsonCypher’soscillatorsection.

Waveshapers and Filters

•ThewaveshapersinCyphercanbeplacedbeforeoraftertheircorrespondingfilterusingthePostbutton.Waveshaperscanbeusedforaddinggritanddistortiontothesignal.

•Thefiltersectioncontainsasetofcontrolsthatarecommontobothfilters:

•Cutofffrequency(adjuststhecutoffofbothfilterstogether)•EnvelopemodulationdepthfromModEnvelopes1and2(tomodulatetheCutofffrequency)•Routingandstereospreadcontrols

•Italsocontainsindividualcontrolsforeachofthetwofilters:

•Scale(cutofffrequencyofthefilterrelativetothesharedCutoffcontrol)•Res(Resonance)•KeyTrackdepth•Drive,ModeandType•FM from 3(filterfrequencymodulationataudio-ratefromOsc�)

•Seesections�:�to�:�oftheoperationmanualformoredetailsonCypher’swaveshapersandfilters.

�0

Cypher signal flow: oscillator section

�1

Cypher signal flow: dual waveshaper-filter and amp sections

�2

Amber

•classicstringsynthesizermodelwithdivide-downoscillatorstructure•constantlygeneratesthenotesfora��-notekeyboardrangewithinasinglevoice•�vintagechorusmodelsandaformantfilter

Amberisinstalledasaninstrumentandasaneffectforprocessingaudiothroughitscircuit.

Amberisoneofthefirstattemptstorealisticallymodeladivide-downstringsynthesizer.Whileitexcelsatpsychedelicstring,padsandorgansounds,itisversatileenoughtobeusedforothersoundssuchasbasses,leads,keyboard/pianosoundsandatmospherictextures.

Seechapter�oftheoperationmanualformoredetailsaboutAmber’sarchitectureandcontrols.

Synth and Ensemble sections

Eachofthesetwosectionsfeatureaparaphonicstage(thatcangenerate��noteswithinasinglevoice)followedbyapolyphonicstage(whichismonophonicwhenusingasinglevoice).

Bothsectionsareverysimilar,withtheirrespectivemonophonicprocessingstagesdefiningtheircharacter.TheSynthsectionfeaturesapolyphonicresonantfilter,whiletheEnsemblesectioncontainsaformantfilterandachorus,switchablebetween�differentchorusmodels.

Performance controls

TheModecontrolinthePerformancecontrolssectionallowsdrasticchangestoAmber’splayingresponse.Eachsectioncanbesetto‘Paraphonic’mode,meaningthateachparaphonicnotefeaturesitsownvelocity-sensitiveampenvelope,theshapeofwhichisdeterminedbytheSynth/Ensembleenvelopes.Alternatively,eachsectioncanbesettooneofseveral‘Mono’modes,includingparaphonicsingle-ampoperation(‘MonoAtk’and‘MonoRel’)andfullymonophonicoperation(‘MonoNote’).Settingbothsectionsto‘MonoNote’causesAmbertobehavelikeaconventionalpolyphonicsynth.

Modulation in Amber

Notethatduringsingle-voiceparaphonicoperation,theTransModsystemactsmonophonically.Tousepolyphonicmodulation,youmustusemultipleAmbervoices.Notethatasinglevoiceincludes12oscillators,1�2velocity-sensitiveenvelopesand���1-poletonefilters,aswellasthepolyphonicelements.ItthereforeusesalotmoreCPUpervoicethanStrobeorCypher!

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Amber signal flow

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Fusor

Fusorisanenvironmentfor:

•layeringupto�DCAMsynths•applyingFXprocessing•advancedstep-sequencingandarpeggiationwiththeAnimatordevice•performingmodulationbetweenthevariousloadeddeviceswiththeFuseModsystem

Fusorisinstalledonlyasaninstrumentplugin–itcannotbeusedasanaudioeffectplugin.

Chapter�oftheoperationmanualdiscussesFusorindetail.

FuseMod

TheFuseModsystem(verysimilartotheTransModsystemusedinthesynths)allowsyoutomodulateparametersbetweenFusordevices,includingloadedDCAMsynths.MostmodulationbetweenFuseModdevices,suchasAnimator,theMonoModLFOs/envelopefollowersandtheFXismonophonic.However,youcansetupmodulationbetweenthesynthsusingtheirTransModslotsforpolyphonicmodulationbetweenthem.

High-quality FX suite

WhiletheDCAMsynthshavenobuilt-inFX,FusorfeaturesacomprehensivesuiteofFXfeaturingclassicchorus,delayandphasereffects,circuit-modelledcompression,filteringanddistortion,bit-crushingandhigh-qualityreverberationwiththelicensedOverloudBreverbalgorithms.YoucansetupFXasinsertsatvariouspoints,orasauxsends,andFXparameterscanbemodulatedviatheFuseModsystem.

Animator step-sequencer/arpeggiator

AnimatorisFusor’sbuilt-instep-sequencerwitharpeggiatorandparametermodulationsequencingfunctions.

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Fusor signal flow

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Getting started with Fusor

• ClickontheSynth1,2or�pagebuttons.Ifthechannelisempty,agraphicalselectorisshown–clickthedesiredsynthtoloadit.

• UsethedevicepickerforthesynthchannelintheGlobalpage.

• Right-clickonthesynthchannel’spagebuttonandchoosethedesiredsynthfromthelistthatappears.

InitializeFusorandloadasynthintoasynthchannel.Youcandothisinanyof�ways:

1. Loadasynthintosynthchannel1,thenclickontheFX1pagebutton.

2. MovethemouseoverFXslot1andloadtheDelayfromthedeviceselectorthatappears.LoadtheChorusintotheFXslot2.

Loading synths

Adding FX to a synth channel

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4. SwitchtotheGlobalpage.

1. Afterworkingthroughthe‘Layeringsynths’tutorialabove,clickontheAuxFXpagebutton.

2. MovethemouseoverFXslot1andloadBreverbHallfromthedeviceselectorthatappears.

Setting up a reverb as an Aux

3. IncreasetheWet MixcontrolonBreverbHallto100%.

5. Onsynthchannel1,increasethelevelforAuxsend1.

1. Loadsynthsintochannels1,2and�andloadpresetsintoeachofthem.

2. SwitchtotheKeyMappageandturnoffalltheAnimatorbuttonsintheDestinationsareaforthefirstkeymap.Then,turnonthe�SynthbuttonsintheDestinationsarea.

Layering synths

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Splitting 3 synths across the keyboard

1. InitializeFusorandload�synthswithdifferentpresetsinthe�synthchannels.

2. EnablethePowerbuttonforkeymaps2and�,sothatthefirst�keymapsareactive.

3. TurnofftheAnimatorbuttonsintheDestinationsareaforkeymap1.

3. Enablesynth1inkeymap1’sDestinationsarea,synth2forkeymap2andsynth�forkeymap�.

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4. Setupkeymaps1-�asfollows:

Keymap1:Key Low=0,Key High=��Keymap2:Key Low=��,Key High=��Keymap�:Key Low=��,Key High=12�

SetBreak LowtothesamevalueasKey Lowoneachkeymap,andalsosetBreak HightothesameasKey High.

�0

Using Animator as an arpeggiator

1. InitializeFusorandloadStrobeintosynthchannel1,andCypherintosynthchannel2.Loadalead-stylepresetintobothsynths.

2. RouteMIDIchannel1(orwhateverchannelyou’reusingforMIDIinput)toAnimatorengine1intheGlobalpage(‘Seq1’inthedrop-downmenu).

3. IntheKeyMappage,disablethe�Animatorenginesandenablesynthchannels1and2intheDestinationsarea.

4. ClickontheAnimatorpagebutton,andthenselecttheArpeggiatorenginetype.

5. Choose‘KeyMapper’astheengineDestination.

TheroutingforMIDIinputhasnowbeensetupasfollows:

MIDIinput Animatorengine1 Keymap Synths1&2

6. StarttheFusortransportbyclickingtheStart/StopbuttonintheFusorLCD.

Youmuststartyourhosttransportifyou’rerunningFusorasapluginwiththeSyncbuttonenabled.

�1

7. EntersomeeventsintheGateGraphbyclickingthecells.TheGateGraphswitchesstepsonandoffinthepattern.

NowtryplayingchordsonyourMIDIkeyboard.

Notehowthechorddoesnotresetthepatternwhenyouplayit–generatednoteeventsoccurwhenthesequencerfallsonstepswiththeGatecellturnedon.

8. SwitchtotheAdvancedenginetype.

You’llnoticethatthesequencergeneratesnoteswithoutanykeyboardinput.

9. Inthe‘Triggering’section,settheLatch/Holdparameterto‘Off’.

You’llnoticethatthesequencernolongergeneratesnoteswithoutkeyboardinput.

Nowtryplayingachord–thebehaviourismuchthesameasitwasbeforeswitchingtheenginetype.

10. SettheTrigger Modeparameterto‘Trig’.

Nowtryplayingachord.You’llnoticethepatternnowstartsfromthebeginningwheneveryouplayanewchord.

TheAdvancedenginetypeoffersmanywaysofcreatingverycomplexarpeggiopatterns–seesection�:1�formoredetails,orjustexperiment!

�2

Using Animator as a note step-sequencer

1. InitializeFusorandperformsteps1and2ofthe‘UsingAnimatorasanArpeggiator’tutorial.

2. SwitchtotheAnimatorpageandclickontheNoteSequencerenginetype.

5. DrawinaseriesofeventsonthePitchGraph.

6. DothesamefortheVelocityandGateGraphs.

3. Choose‘KeyMapper’astheengineDestination.

TheroutingforMIDIinputhasnowbeensetupasfollows:

MIDIinput Animatorengine1 Keymap Synths1&2

4. StarttheFusortransportbyclickingtheStart/StopbuttonintheFusorLCD.

Youmuststartyourhosttransportifyou’rerunningFusorasapluginwiththeSyncbuttonenabled.

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10. SwitchbacktotheAnimatorpageandthentotheModulationGraphs.DrawinsomevaluesfortheMod.ValueandMod.GlideGraphs.

YoushouldnowhearStrobe’scutofffrequencymovingaccordingtothemodulationGraphs.

TheModSequencerenginetypeallowsyoutodothiswhileplayingnotesontheenginetargetdirectly.

YoucanalsotryswitchingtotheAdvancedenginetype,whichhasmanymorewaysofvaryingpatterns.

8. SwitchtotheSynth1pageandsetAnimatorengine1asthesourceforTransModslot�–‘Step1[+]’intheMacrosub-menu.

9. SetamodulationdepthfortheFilterCutoffcontrol.

7. SwitchtothenextpageofGraphsanddrawineventsfortheShift,DurationandRepeatGraphs.NotehowtheplacementsofstepschangewithShiftGraphevents.

Settingapositivevalue(abovethecentre-line)onoff-beatstepscreatesa‘swing’effect.

CreditsDSP Programming AndrewSimper

Additional Programming AngusHewlettSteveBakerPaulChanaSKoTMcDonaldCalebReach

Project Co-ordination SteveBakerRhiannonBankston-Thomas

Interface Design AlexAkersSteveBakerAngusHewlett

Packaging Design RusBrockman

Web Programming AndreasSchnetzler

Manual MayurMaha

Video Production RoryDow

QA RobBantinAndrewVernon

Preset design and QA Peter‘Mod’Slotwinski

Support RyanSellersRoryDowAlexVolmerAndrewVernon

Artist Relations ClareO’Brien

FXpansion USA Office TerryHardinDanielWilkinson

Preset designPatchenPrestonKickflipDJSubjectDaveBlakelyBobuleMichalGarsteckiJanisChaffinFrancescoSilvestriDanielStawczykRoryDowAngusHewlettPeter‘Mod’SlotwinskiTasmodiatasmodia.comRaphaelS.electric-himalaya.comBrianLeexenossoundworks.comDerikWhitedustedwilliamsounds.comSoundsDivinesoundsdivine.com

Beta testingMarkWilliams,SeanAhern,AndrewCapon,RobertSfeir,AshleySmith,MikaelAdle,MurrayMcDowall,JordanChillcot,ChristopherReis,AndyReaburn,AnthonyWebster,PaulSureno,AndrewShantz,JoostGransjean,ScottMcGrath,KrisGiampa,RoyQueenan,AndreasBeisler,AliceBernier

www.fxpansion.com

DCAM Synth Squad Licence ConditionsFXpansiongrantstheOwnerofaDCAMSynthSquadlicensetherighttocreatefinishedmusicalworksandperformanceswiththesoundsandsoftwarethatcomprisetheDCAMSynthSquadproduct,Fusor,theDCAMsynths,thesuppliedpatches,andanydownloadablecontentmadeavailablefromwww.fxpansion.comoritspartners.

The making of sample libraries in any form, commercial or otherwise, is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN without express writtenagreementofFXpansionanditsaudiopartners,andviolationswillbeprosecutedtothefullextentof internationalandlocalcopyrightlaw.TheownershipofalltheDCAMSynthSquadaudiomaterialandpresetsisfullyassertedbyFXpansionanditsaudiopartners.PleasefeelfreetocontactFXpansionifyouareinanydoubt.

TheOwnermayonlyinstallanduseDCAMSynthSquadonmultiplecomputersstrictlyunderthefollowingconditions:wheremultiplecomputerscomprisepartofasinglecompositionworkstationforasinglecomposer;orwheretheownerhastwonon-concurrentsitesofwork,forexampleastudiodesktopcomputerandalaptopcomputerforliveperformances.

Multipleinstallationiscontrolledbyamachine-specificchallengeandresponsesystemwithalimitednumberofauthorizations.FXpansionmay,atitsowndiscretion,grantfurtherauthorizationsforaparticularlicenseholder.

Thissoftwareislicensed,notsold.Assuch,anyre-saleofyourlicensewillbesubjecttoaone-time$�0USDtransferfee.

FXpansion,June200�.FXpansionisaregisteredtrademark

ofFXpansionAudioUKLtd.