This page explains the different standard EigenD instruments and how you can use them.
Within the EigenD Factory Setups, there are six types of instruments available:
Sampler instruments are designed to play back recorded samples based on the input of Eigenharp performance information. The file format that we use within EigenD is the SoundFont (.sf2) format.
In the Pico Factory Setup, there are three Sampler instruments (using the Synth Pad, the Electric Bass and the Sampletekk Black Grand Piano) and in the Alpha Factory Setups there are four Sampler instruments (using the Sampletekk Black Grand Piano, the Tubed Rhodes, the CS 80 Pad and the 808 Drum SoundFonts).
You can load in any SoundFont with the file format mysoundfontname.sf2 using the following process:
Select your desired SoundFont, and drop the file into your ~/Library/Eigenlabs/Soundfont folder.
Open the Browser (found in the EigenD drop down menu)
If using the Pico Setup:
If using the Alpha Setups:
If your SoundFont does not appear in the list, please check that it has the file extension '.sf2' - if not, it will not be recognised by the EigenD software.
EigenD contains a host for Audio Unit plug-ins. 'Audio Unit' or 'AU' is a third party plug-in format support by Mac OS X. There are default Apple AUs which come as standard with Mac OS X, but there are also many third party developers who produce many high quality plug-ins.
EigenD comes with a 'Player' version of Camel Audio's Alchemy - a high quality sample manipulation synthesizer - which gives you an insight into how this plug-in format can be used.
In the Pico Factory Setup, there are two Audio Unit instruments (one containing Camel Audio Alchemy, the other left empty for you to use your own plug-in) and in the Alpha Factory Setups there are four Audio Unit instruments (one containing Camel Audio Alchemy, the others left empty for you to use your own plug-in).
You can load in any Audio Unit instrument plug-in using the following process.
Select/install the desired Audio Unit instrument
Open the Browser (found in the EigenD drop down menu)
If using the Pico Setup:
If using the Alpha Setups:
EigenD contains a Physical Model of a 'Cello. The cello is played by 'bowing' the strip and breath controllers on both the Eigenharp Alpha and Pico and using the first Percussion key in the Alpha Setups, whilst choosing the note to play via the main keyboard keys.
The Cello has a 'string-like' monophony by default - this can be adjusted via the Instrument/FX controls in the Pico Setup or the 'Cello Advanced Control mode in the Alpha Setup (please see Quick Reference guides for more information).
The 'Cello also has a convolution engine which uses a real 'Cello impulse response which helps to make it sound much more realistic.
You can use your own impulse responses in the EigenD convolution engine using the following process:
Drop your impulse responses (in .WAV format) into your ~/Library/Eigenlabs/ImpulseResponse directory
Open the Browser (found in the EigenD drop down menu)
If using the Pico Setup:
If using the Alpha Setups:
Please make sure that your impulse has the file extension '.wav', otherwise the EigenD software will not recognise it.
The Clarinet is a physical model which is played using the breath pipe. It is available in all Factory Setups, and comes monophonic by default. This can be adjusted in the Instrument/FX control mode in the Pico Setup or in the Clarinet Advanced control mode in the Alpha Setup (please see the relevant Quick Reference Guide for more information.)
EigenD also has MIDI output instruments, which convert EigenD performance information into MIDI controller information. There is one MIDI output in the Pico Factory Setup and two MIDI outputs in the Alpha Factory Setups.
EigenD needs to be told which MIDI port to use - find out more information about Using EigenD with MIDI here.
You find out more about how the instruments are configured within the EigenD Setups here.
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