Aethereal

v1.2.1

Ambient Vector Synthesizer

Table of Contents
Introduction
Wave Oscillator Sections
TransMixer
Filter Sections
Delay Section
Modulation Sequencer
Modulation Envelopes
Modulation Vector
Vector Control Panel
Modwheel/Pitchbend
Universal Controls

Introduction
Aethereal is an ambient vector synth for creating evolving atmospheres and textures. Aethereal comes
equipt with over 100 built in sampled sounds such as synth tones, atmospheres, vocal pads and sound
FX. The sounds can be loaded into four wave oscillators which can be mixed between using a
sophisticated 4-Way TransMixer, either manually, with auto-modulation or in a set transition from one
sound to the next.
The Auto-Modulation section can also control the Multi-Vector, which uses three X/Y Position Points to
modulate various parameters. Each point can be assigned to two different parameters which are then
controlled in the vector grid by moving the Position Point up/down & left/right.
To add to the modulation options is a 16-step mod sequencer, which can modulate things like the filter
and pitch.
All of this along with two multi-stage filters, a dual delay, three modulation envelopes and assignable
modwheel and pitchbender make Aethereal a very flexible and expressive ambient synthesizer with
many possibilities.

Over 100 built in sounds

Four wave oscillators with independant amp envelopes; the oscillators are divided into two
sections that can be routed to seperate audio output channels
4-Way TransMixer for making set transitions from one sound to another; can also be used for
manual or automatic mixing
Multi-Vector for modulating various parameters in an X/Y path
(modulation equivelnt of 8 LFOs; 2 dedicated to the 4-Way TransMixer)
16-Step Modulation Sequencer - For sequenced modulation of pitch and filters
Two filter sections, each with independant envelopes, inverters, gain compensation
& multiple stages (1-4)
Three modulation envelopes
Dual Stereo Delay section
Assignable pitchbend and modwheel
64 presets

Note: The freeware version of Aethereal has only two voice polyphony and is limited to only one audio
output. Purchase the full version to get the benefits of full polyphony and multiple outputs.

Wave Oscillator Sections

Aethereal consists of four wave oscillators, split into two dual oscillator
sections. There are a total of four waves that are mixed together to create
the overall sound. Each wave oscillator allows you to choose from 128
different sounds such as oscillator tones, vocal pads, ambient noise,
atmospheres, and various sound FX. To select a wave, just click the 'wave'
dropdown list to select the sound you want to use.
Each wave oscillator has it's own amp envelope section. Adjusting the
separate attack and release controls for each wave, allows for different fade
ins and outs for each sound as well as independent velocity and level
settings. Each wave section also has independent control of pitch settings
such as octave range, fine tuning and pitch drifting. When adjusting the pitch
drifting control, the wave's pitch becomes unstable, creating a sound similar
to that of analogue synthesizers.
Each wave has an output indicator that lights up when that section is making a sound. This can be
convenient when determining where the sound is coming from. The louder the signal, the brighter the
indicator, if there is no sound output, the indicator remains dark. You can also turn each wave sound
on/off with the orange activation switches beneath the wave selectors.
In the upper right-hand corner of each dual oscillator section is a 'multiple output' option. The output of
Aethereal's two dual oscillator sections can be assigned to separate outputs for adding plugin effects
afterward, similar to that of a drum machine with multiple outs. The split signal will travel from the
oscillator section, into the filter section below it, passing through the delay and finally into the output.

TransMixer
The TransMixer allows you to set transition times from one wave oscillator to the next.
The transitions are polyphonic, meaning each time you hit a new key, the same
transition is layered over the other notes. (Note- Even though the transition is audibly
polyphonic, the vetor will only show the position point traveling once, however you can
rely on the output analyzers for visual reference of what sound is being played at what
point.) See the detailed explaination of each of the controls below to learn more about
using the TransMixer this way.
The large square X and Y buttons are the main activation switches for enabling
transition mixing. When X is switched on, the waves will be mixed in a transition from
left to right, or vice versa, depending on Start/End times, and the transition's End
Point setting. When Y is switched on, the transition will also go up and down. Set the
sliders on the top and right side of the vector to define the ending of the transition. For
example if the sliders are set all the way left and all the way down, this is where the
transition will end up, in the bottom left corner.
The start and end controls adjust the time it takes to travel from the center, to the start of the
transition (away from the end point). A short start time will essentially set the point at the beginning of
the transition as soon as a key is pressed. Whereas a long start time will slowly bring the point to the
beginning of the transition, much like the attack time of an envelope. The 'End' control adjusts the time
it takes for the point to travel from the start, to the final destination of the transition, set by the sliders
mentioned above. Between each of these controls are 'Release' times. This adjusts the time it takes for
the position point to travel back to the center after a note is released.
Another way to use the TransMixer is as a manual vector mixer. Simply drag the position point around
the vector grid to mix the waves. Alternatively, vector mixing can be set to auto-pilot by activating the
X/Y mixer in the Vector Control Panel on the bottom left of the GUI.

Filter Sections
Each oscillator section is linked to it's own filter section complete with
envelope, velocity and key tracking. The filter can be set to
LowPass(LP), HighPass(HP), BandPass(BP) or BandReject(BX). The
two orange switches indicate if an oscillator is passing through the
filter (activated), or bypassing the filter (deactivated). The filter's
envelope level can be adjusted with the big level knob to the right.
Clicking the switch below it will invert the envelope, flipping the
ADSR settings to produce unexpected results.
Each filter also has it's own output indicator, like the ones found in the oscillator section, for indicating
which section is currently outputting sound. The louder the output, the brighter the indicator. If there is
no sound output, the indicator remains dark.

Delay Section
The delay section can be activated via the large orange switch. This turns the
delay on or off. Once activated, the signal is sent into the delay and split into
left and right channels. Each channel has it's own delay rate, which is tempo
synced for creating separate rhythmic delays that can be panned separately
from the center to widen the output sound. The two channels each have a
level control for adjusting the volume of the delayed output. The 'feed' knob
controls the overall feedback of both channels. Turning the 'damp' control up
will apply a lowcut filtering to the feedback.

Modulation Sequencer
Aethereal has a 16-step modulation sequencer for added modulation of the
pitch and filter, it can be used for drastic or subtle effects for giving more
movement to the sound.
Activate the sequencer with the orange switch in the top left corner. When a
note is pressed, the indicators will run, showing the current position of the
sequence. The direction can be reversed by switching the arrow button in the
top right. To adjust the number of steps, click on the number box aligned
with the sequence indicators.
To create a modulation sequence, simply drag your mouse across the empty box to adjust the 16
modulation levels. These can also be adjusted one at a time by moving the bar up or down. The
sequencer will be modulating the parameter selected in the 'target' box. The 'rate' box directly beneath
it will set the speed of the sequence, which is bpm synced.
The three knobs at the bottom control the sequence depth or overall level of modulation, the gliding
amount between steps, and the amount of random probability applied to the sequence.

Modulation Envelopes
This section consists of three extra envelopes for adding more modulation to
parameters such as pitch, filter and even parameters in the Auto-Modulation
Control Panel.
To display the editing panel of any of the three envelopes, select one of the
numbered switches. You'll know which envelope is being displayed by the lit
up blue switch. To turn the envelope on or off, click the switch directly
beneath that envelope's panel switch. It will light up orange, meaning the envelope is now active.

Modulation Vector
The Modulation Vector uses three Position Points to modulate various
parameters. Each point can be assigned to two different parameters which are
then controlled in the vector grid by moving them up/down & left/right.
The options beneath the vector grid are displayed according to the AutoModulation Control Panel to the left. The Retrigger switch, when activated, will
reset the auto-modulation path on each note. The dropdown box next to it
contains options for manual vector control. When set to 'Snap', the position point
will snap back to the center when let go. When set to 'Free', the position point will remain in place when
let go.

Vector Control Panel

This section consists of a multi-control panel for editing the settings of
the three Vectors. The Vector Controllers work just like an LFO with the
added benefit of allowing you to see what's taking place during the
modulation.
The Vector Control Panel displays the editing panels for controlling the
three vectors, as well as a control panel for the TransMixer. To display a
particular control panel, select one of the numbered switches. You'll know
which control panel is being displayed by the lit up blue switch.
Activate 'auto-pilot' modulation by switching on the large X and Y
buttons. X will cause the vector point to move left/right, while Y will cause the vector point to move
up/down. The level of modulation for each can be controlled with the 'Level' knobs beneath each
activation switch.
To specify which parameter is to be modulated by X or Y, select one from the 'Target' dropdown box.
You can also choose the BPM synced rate of modulation, as well as the modulation shape for each. The
knobs to the right will slightly offset the X/Y path, fully left reverses the path from fully right. The invert
switches will invert the modulation; for example, if Y modulates the pitch as up=high/down=low, this
will invert it to make up=low/down=high. This option functions differently for the 'Mixer' panel, the
switches are labeled 'Rev' for reverse; activation will completly reverse the X/Y path of the TransMixer's
vector.

Modwheel/Pitchbend
Aethereal's Modwheel and Pitchbender are both very flexible and add a bit of
extra control over various parameters. Both can be assigned to control a
number of parameters by clicking on the corresponding dropdown box. The
Modwheel range can be adjusted by the slider to the right. The Pitchbender
uses defined note ranges, for example if set to four, the pitch bend range will
move four notes up or four notes down.

Universal Controls
These controls are universal and control Aethereal's main parameters.

preserving cpu.

Mono: Sets the synth into mono mode

Legato: While in mono mode, this will turn off the retriggering of notes;
notes glide into each other depending on portamento time.
Portamento Time: The time it takes for the pitch to glide from one note to
the next.
Volume: Adjusts the overall volume (This control ignores patch change, so is
universal for all patches.
Pan: Pans the overall signal from left to right
Analyzer Activation: Turns all visual analyzers on/off; can be usefull for

Credits
Aetheral was developed by Psychic Modulation with SynthEdit
Thanks to the following for use of thier samples in this VSTi:
Les Productions Zvon - www.lesproductionszvon.com
Claire Fitch - www.fitchsounds.com
Thanks to the following for use of thier modules in this VSTi:
David Haupt - www.dehaupt.com
Chris Kerry - www.chriskerry.f9.co.uk
Dan Worall
VST Plugin Technology by Steinberg

Support Information
Homepage: www.psychicmodulation.com
Visit the official KVR support forum:
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=78
Email: support@psychicmodulation.com