1. What is <neuron>?
Neuron is a novel synthesizer utilizing a new and unique concept to
analyze, control and resynthesize sounds. It uses the latest in computer
hardware technology on a no-compromise high performance processor,
a highly robust real time operating system and a new sound-rendering
engine.
^
2. So what is it? Analog modeling? Samples?
Neuron does not use samples to create its sound. Instead, it utilizes
samples to derive sound models that can be used to recreate the original
sound and to tweak it in many different ways.
This allows you to load your very sounds into it, while providing
manipulations to musically integrate them into your song, or even
make entirely new sounds out of them.
^
3. What is neural network processing?
Artificial Neural Networks are structures simulated on a computer
that work much like a network of nerve cells in nature, like in the
human brain.
Instead of using one single processor to do an enormous amount of
number crunching in a very short time, neural networks take their
advantage from their massively parallel structure. The way they are
connected can store information, and makes it possible to detect patterns
in a seemingly chaotic stream of data due to their robustness to changes
and small deviations in these patterns.
One could say, just as you are able to recognize a person from different
viewing perspectives, neural networks can be used to recognize acoustic
instruments in all their many incarnations, relatively independently
of how they are actually played or recorded.
^
4. Does this have anything to do with granular synthesis?
No. Neuron does not utilize sampled sounds like other electronic instruments
and plugins do, therefore no granular synthesis is needed or used.
^
5. Is Neuron a sampler?
No, Neuron is not a sampling instrument. Although it processes its
data in the digital realm, the Neuron Audio System (NAS) does not
use instrument samples to generate its sound. After analyzing the
sampled audio data you feed into it, the samples are discarded and
only the model information is kept to resynthesize your sounds.
^
6. What's the difference between Neuron and physical modeling synths?
Physical modeling models a given instrument body by a resonant structure
and an excitation waveform. Someone who builds a virtual instrument
by physical modeling would have to be a very skilled instrument designer
to get a good and natural sounding virtual instrument.
Even more important, Physical Modeling provides no way to get from
a sampled sound to an instrument model. You would have to build your
instruments from scratch, and without years of experience as an instrument
designer you would hardly be able to come up with a good sounding
instrument, let alone with one that resembles your desired input signal.
^
7. What's the "adaptive" or "intelligent" part of Neuron's synthesis?
Neuron analyses and recognizes the sounds that are played into it.
From that, it selects a set of specific parameters that characterize
this sound and makes this available to the user to provide a flexible
and most useful way to change the basic qualities of that sound.
^
8. How does it know, which parameters to pick?
Neuron has a basic concept of the sonic qualities of a sound and how
they interact with the human auditory perception. From that, it picks
the sonically most complex and "invasive" parameters to allow for
a wide range of manipulations by the user. Some parameters have very
little influence on the sound while some others can drastically change
it.
This provides you with the possibility for drastic changes as well
as for subtle manipulations and fine-tuning of the final result. Years
of research at the leading audio software company Prosoniq have been
invested to deduct a set of parameters from any given sound based
on pattern recognition and proprietary transform methods.
^
9. With a synthesis so powerful, isn't Neuron difficult to program?
We don't think so. Neuron was developed with you - the user - in mind.
Everything is based on intuition, starting from the sounds basic parameters
up to the signal flow and the intuitive joystick-controlled sound
manipulation. To use it to create and manipulate sounds you don't
have to even read the manual, just play and intuitively use the stick
controllers to shape your sound in impressive ways. Plus, instead
of abstract parameters like "Cutoff" or "Resonance" you can now work
in real-world terms like "cavity" or "metalicity".
^
10. What are the stick controllers for?
The stick controllers provide an easy way to access the basic sound
parameters on the Neuron in real time. Organized in two parameter
groups with three levels each you have plenty of parameters to play
with and create impressive live performances or record them on board,
or into your favorite sequencing software.
^
11. Can I record stick movements?
Yes, you can! Both in the resynators and silver units, you may record
the movement of the sticks in realtime and store them as part of the
sound. Also the position of a sound in the surround field can be modified
and recorded in realtime.
^
12. Can I record stick and wheel movements as MIDI controllers?
Yes, sure!
^
13. How do all these wheels work?
The wheels work as endless dials and their status is dynamically displayed
through the LED bargraph on their side. They allow for ultra quick
recognition of the Envelope generators.
^
14. Can I have more complex envelopes than just ADSR?
Sure. There is a so-called "free envelope", that can be defined as
a 4 times / 4 levels envelope and is freely assignable. It can also
be defined as a pitch envelope.
^
15. What's the USB port for?
The USB port is used to update Neurons Operating System as well as
to load and store sound models, sounds and setups to/from external
mass storage devices or computer networks. You may use it with external
hard drives, CDR/CDRW drives or memory-stick type of storage devices.
You may also use it to maintain a permanent connection to your computer
(PC or Mac) for sequencing, editing and backup/storage.
^
16. Why don't you use a USB 2.0 or Firewire interface?
Currently, USB 2.0 and Firewire are both too expensive and not extensively
tested by our developers to be approved as safe for a real time live
performance instrument. Furthermore, the number of available peripherals
that fully support the bandwidth of these interface formats is still
too small. However, we might make these formats available as a future
option as soon as more testing has been conducted.
^
17. Why are the connectors on the side and not on the back?
First it is a question of design… we wanted the rear view of
the instrument to be as elegant as possible. On stage, your audience
will look at a waveshaped massive aluminium bar, with our dark-orange
glowing logo. Also, in most cases it is much more convenient to look
at the side of the instrument in order to check connections, instead
of walking around the keyboard and check the back.
^
18. What's the big red thing on the back?
It's our corporate logo and doubles as the power button. (And - yes,
it IS protected against unwanted use.)
^
19. Is Neuron expandable?
Yes. Neuron can be equipped with more RAM. More options - like the
ADAT Digital Audio Interface are available upon request. Please refer
to our accessory catalog and information available on our website.
^
20. Are the audio outputs user-definable?
Yes, all audio signals within Neuron can be dynamically routed to
either of the output options. This can be anything from 6 x mono to
3 x stereo or true 5.1 surround.
^
21. Do I need multisampling in order to create a natural sound?
Since Neuron is not a sampler, it does not have the traditional shortcomings
of sampling. As a result, you can usually play a single instrument
recording over a wide keyrange without having it sound unnatural.
Of course, you can use more than one instrument model across the keyboard.
This is important when assembling drum kits and percussion sets, but
can also be used in conjunction with regular instruments, for example
if the lower notes differ very much from the sound of the higher notes
and a different model is a better choice to accurately model this
specific instrument.
^
22. How does the Neuron voice architecture compare to a "conventional"
analog synthesizer?
The Neuron sound architecture is both similar and different to conventional
analog synthesis concepts. While its sound synthesis at the source
is entirely different, you also have a typical signal flow including
resonant filters, envelopes and effects that contribute to the final
sound. However, you will realize that complex sounds can be created
right within the resynators and filters are less essential for the
sound compared to an analog synth.
^
23. What is a "Resynator"?
A Resynator is the basic building block of a sound within the Neuron
Audio System. It is used to render an actual sound from a model description.
Both Resynators can be combined through the Blender for an even greater
variety of sonic manipulations.
^
24. Why are there two Resynators?
Each of Neurons voices uses two Resynators. However, you don't have
to use them both to create a sound. Two are required only for more
complex morphing or cross-modulated sounds, or in order to create
simple layered sounds.
^
25. What's the difference between "Sphere" and "Scape"?
Scape and Sphere are simply two different parameter groups within
each Resynator. While a "Scape" refers to all sound attributes that
have to do with the actual sound source (such as the vibrating vocal
cords), "Sphere" refers to all parameters that shape the sound into
a final instrument (like your mouth, your tongue, or your whole body).
^
26. How can a synth be programmed, if everything is so open and
undefined?
In Neuron, as in any other synth, all features are pre-defined but
can be overridden by the user. Neuron just intelligently selects the
predefined parameter set for you to provide utmost and instant control.
If you don't like what it does, you are of course free to change everything
according to your own taste and preferences.
^
27. What's the "Blender" used for?
The Blender wheel combines the two sounds generated within the two
Resynators. This "combination" ranges from a simple "mix" of the two
sources to complex structural interactions between the two sounds.
You can, for example, play a piano string through a flute instrument
body, or dynamically morph between the two instrument models.
^
28. Does Neuron support analog modeling?
No. Neuron is not a "virtual analog" synthesizer, although its filters
are derived from analogue prototypes and typical analog sounds can
be achieved at will.
^
29. Does it have resonant filters?
Yes, Neuron supports a 12dB/Oct. (2-pole) and a 24dB/Oct. (4-pole)
resonant filter.
^
30. What kind of on-board effects does it have?
Neuron has a full-fledged effects unit with processing in true stereo
at 32bit. Effects include chorus, flanger, reverb, delay, distortion
and many more.
^
31. What's "Silver"?
Silver is the Neuron effects/filter unit. It's called silver because
it is used to refine an already complex sound instead of shaping a
raw waveform as in conventional sounds. You actually "silver" your
sounds in this module using traditional filter models and time or
pitch based modulation effects.
^
32. What's "Slicer"?
Slicer is a way to modulate sound, similar to what a LFO does - just
more powerful. This includes our innovative 3D LFOs.
^
33. What are "3-d LFOs"?
3D LFOs modulate the sound in 3D space. This requires the surround
option to be turned on.
^
34. What's the "Surround" button for?
The Surround button enables the surround mode on the Neuron synthesizer.
This disables the effects unit and enables the Neuron built-in 5.1
surround outputs.
^
35. How many voices does Neuron have?
This heavily depends on the sounds played and on the complexity of
the analyzed sound mode. Typically, Neuron has at least 8 voices of
polyphony and a maximum of 32. This is selectable by the user in the
Basic Settings menu.
^
36. Is Neuron multitimbral?
Yes. Neuron is 4x multitimbral.
^
37. Can I process live audio with Neuron's engine?
This is planned as an option but won't be available in the first version
of the Neuron O.S.
^
38. Which sample formats does it read?
Neuron does not read samples. All samples have to be analyzed and
converted to NAS models prior to loading them into Neuron. Having
said that, you may use basically any standard audio file format for
analysis/conversion. Ideally, your raw material is in 24-bit/44.1
kHz AIFF or WAV format.
^
39. Do I have to map and loop samples?
The Neuron editing software converts all sounds that are fed into
it to Neuron model files. They are converted "as is", including loop
points, and a mapping has to be defined by the user to specify root
key and key range. If you want the model to sound perfect, the loop
of the original sample has to be perfect as well.
^
40. Does the model sound different from the original sample?
This depends on the selected model complexity. This parameter is set
during the analysis process. With full complexity and under ideal
circumstances, the output is identical to the input.
^
41. Is there editing software available for Neuron?
There will be editing software for Mac and PC that allows conversion
and management of sounds to comprise a sound and setup.
^
42. Can I hook up a computer monitor?
No. Neuron does not have a way to hook up a monitor. Use the USB interface
and your computer and suitable editing software instead.
^
43. What type of external storage devices can I use?
There will be different options, e.g. harddisks, CD-burners, USB memory
sticks, etc.
^
44. Is Neuron 16-bit or 24-bit?
Neuron uses an internal resolution of 32bit floating point. The audio
output is provided in 16bit format. However, since all effects and
internal mixing is done at 32bit floating point, optimum sound is
preserved throughout all processing stages, without truncation and
requantization errors and with a minimum amount of noise.
^
45. Does Neuron support 96kHz?
No, Neuron plays all its sound at 44.1kHz.
^
46. Is Neuron's engine based on custom DSP chips?
Neuron's DSP engine is based on proprietary technology that runs on
a 32bit floating-point processor clocked at an incredible 1.2 GHz.
Since its sound engine is very computationally intense, the hardware
requirements are very high.
^
47. Is Neuron's software upgradable?
Yes, Neurons operating system can be updated via USB by the end user.
Please see the manual for more details on how to install the latest
software version on your Neuron synthesizer.
^
48. Can I use Neuron on stage?
Yes of course. Neuron's operating system is based on a high-performance
realtime system designed to survive under even the most difficult
conditions. This provides for a rock solid performance even in demanding
performance conditions.
^
49. How can I use Neuron in my studio?
Neuron perfectly integrates into any recording studio. It's equipped
with standard analog and digital audio inputs and outputs, provides
full realtime MIDI control and allows for computer-based editing and
sequencing thru its on-board USB interface.
^
50. How can I use Neuron in post production?
It goes without saying that Neuron's unique 5.1 surround features
make it perfectly suitable for any kind of prost production work.
This includes music, special sound effects and any kind of special
sound design application. You may use Neuron's resynthesis engine
to process single instrument sounds as well as whole passages of dialog
or ambient sound in order to create all new atmospheres and effects.
^
51. When will Neuron be shipping?
Neuron will be shipping in early summer 2002.
^
52. And what will it cost?
The unit will cost 4.990,00 Euro / US$ 4,890.00 in basic configuration.
^
53. Will there be a rack version?
Many people ask for a rack version of Neuron, just because their space
is limited. However, we consider the user interface an extremely important
part of the instrument. That means it will at least take some delicate
ergonomic thoughts, before we start designing a rack version of Neuron.
In other words: don't expect to see a rack version any time soon.
^
54. Will there be scaled-down lower-priced versions of Neuron?
The Neuron sound-engine requires an extreme amount of processing power.
This is currently not available in a small, low budget box. As technology
advances (and we're talking major steps in a pretty short time these
days), there might be a chance to put the neural engine into a different
setup in a few years. Then, lower priced versions may be available.
^
|
