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USER GUIDE V1.0

Copyright Total Composure Ltd ©2012


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CONTENTS

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................ 3
The Library .............................................................................................................................................................. 4

Contents ............................................................................................................................................................. 4

System Requirements ........................................................................................................................................ 4

Installation.......................................................................................................................................................... 4

Running The Library ........................................................................................................................................... 4

Instruments & Articulations ................................................................................................................................... 5

Dynamic Control ................................................................................................................................................. 5

Accents ............................................................................................................................................................... 5

Timpani Crescendo ............................................................................................................................................. 5

Strings................................................................................................................................................................. 6

Brass & Woodwind ............................................................................................................................................. 7

Percussion .......................................................................................................................................................... 8

Keyboards ........................................................................................................................................................... 9

User Interface ....................................................................................................................................................... 10

Main Controls ................................................................................................................................................... 10

Grand Piano Only ............................................................................................................................................. 11

Known Issues ........................................................................................................................................................ 12


E.U.L.A. ................................................................................................................................................................. 13
Support ................................................................................................................................................................. 14
Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................................................. 14

Sample Sources ................................................................................................................................................ 14

Copyright Total Composure Ltd ©2012


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INTRODUCTION

The Total Composure orchestra (TCO) is a full orchestral sample library created using only samples that are in
the public domain. Total Composure is the first to offer such a library exclusively for the Kontakt format;
making use of Kontakt’s scripting capabilities to greatly enhance the playability, realism, and functionality of
these public domain samples.

As the samples used in this library come from a variety of sources we have worked hard to make them sound
cohesive when played together. The scripting aims to provide similar functionality across the different
instrument groups, whatever the instrument; while instrument specific settings play to the strength of the
samples and of each instrument.

Most of the instruments only contain one set of samples per articulation, and some only have one recorded
dynamic layer – this is one of the many limitations with using public domain samples. We have overcome
these issues using a variety of physical modelling techniques that enhance the audio material. Using dynamic
filters and intelligent repetition scripting we have removed the limitation of single dynamic recordings and
solitary sample sets.

Although we have put a lot of work into this product it is important to remember that at its core are the
samples provided free of charge by a small number of people. Total Composure has gathered these samples
from various locations and brought them all to one place where they can be used together. The total file size
of the samples is over 1.5 GB but we have used Kontakt’s lossless compression to crunch the size to less than
500mb!

You are free to use the samples as per the terms of the E.U.L.A. included with this guide; however the Kontakt
files, scripts, documents and other included media are not public domain and may not be distributed without
permission.

Copyright Total Composure Ltd ©2012


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THE LIBRARY

CONTENTS

 30 Instrument Patches in NKI format.


 1583 public domain samples in NCW format.
 Original interface and advanced scripting.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

 Full version of Kontakt 4.2.3 +


 600 MB disk space

INSTALLATION

The library is supplied as a single Zip file. This is a compressed folder that you can open using the built in tools
on your computer. Open the file by double clicking and it will decompress the contents.

Once decompression is complete you will have a single folder, this contains all the files needed to use the
sample library. Simply copy this folder, or its contents, to the drive where you store your samples. For top
performance it is recommended to keep sample libraries on a different drive to that of the OS and program
files.

If this is your first Total Composure product installation we recommend that you create a Total Composure
folder on your sample drive in which to store this and any other Total Composure products you may own in the
future.

RUNNING THE LIBRARY

Once inside Kontakt, if you open the file tab in the browser window on the left-
hand side you can browse to the instruments and multis of the newly installed
sample library. Just double click the one you want to use and Kontakt will load it
up.

You can also make use of Kontakt’s Quick Load feature to make it even easier to load Total Composure
libraries into Kontakt: Please refer to the Kontakt user manual for more information.

Copyright Total Composure Ltd ©2012


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INSTRUMENTS & ARTICULATIONS

The samples were recorded in different environments with varying amounts of reverberation, so we have
added a general purpose reverb effect with default settings that help to maintain consistency in the sound
between the various instruments.

DYNAMIC CONTROL

Sustained articulations, including trills and tremolos, have their dynamic level and timbre controlled via a user
assignable continuous controller. The dynamics of short articulations like staccato and pizzicato, as well as
keyboard and percussion instruments, is controlled via note velocity.

All instruments make use of velocity scaling, meaning they will respond to 128 different dynamic levels.

ACCENTS

When using one of the stringed instruments playing a note at a velocity greater than 64 will trigger a short
accent at the beginning of the note, the higher the velocity above 64 the greater the dynamic level of the
accent.

Accents are only playable on sustained articulations; they are not available for the violas.

TIMPANI CRESCENDO

Playing the timpani roll samples C6 - C7 at a velocity greater than 64 will play a crescendo roll.

Copyright Total Composure Ltd ©2012


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STRINGS

Solo Violin Viola Section


Violin Section I Cello Section
Violin Section II Double Bass Section

Solo Violin
Articulation Key Switch
Sustain C0
Staccato C#0
Pizzicato D0
Tremolo D#0
Trill Semitone Up E0
Trill Semitone Down F0
Trill Whole Tone Up F#0
Trill Whole Tone Down G0

Violin I, Violin II, Cellos, Basses


Articulation Key Switch
Sustain C0
Staccato C#0
Pizzicato D0
Trill Semitone Up D#0
Trill Semitone Down E0
Trill Whole Tone Up F0
Trill Whole Tone Down F#0

Violas
Articulation Key Switch
Sustain C0
Pizzicato D0
Trill Semitone Up D#0
Trill Semitone Down E0
Trill Whole Tone Up F0
Trill Whole Tone Down F#0

Copyright Total Composure Ltd ©2012


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BRASS & WOODWIND

French Horn I Piccolo


French Horn II Flute
Trumpet Oboe
Trombone English Horn
Tuba Clarinet
Bass Clarinet
Bassoon

All Brass & Woodwind Instruments


Articulation Key Switch
Sustain C0
Trill Semitone Up E0
Trill Semitone Down F0
Trill Whole Tone Up F#0
Trill Whole Tone Down G0

Copyright Total Composure Ltd ©2012


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PERCUSSION

Bass Drum Cymbals & Gongs


Snare Drum Temple Blocks
Timpani Triangle
Sleigh Bells Orchestral Chimes
Shakers

Cymbals & Gongs


Articulation Key
17” Cymbal Crash C2
17” Cymbal Rim Hit C#2
18” Cymbal Crash 1 F2
18” Cymbal Rim Hit 1 F#2
18” Cymbal Crash 2 G2
18” Cymbal Rim Hit 2 G#2
19” Cymbal Crash C3
19” Cymbal Rim C#3
Cymbal Roll E3
Gong Hit 1 C4
Gong Hit 2 C#4
Gong Hit 3 D4
Finger Cymbal Low C5
Finger Cymbal High C#5

Orchestral Chimes
Articulation Key
Bar Chime 1 C2
Bar Chime 2 D2
Bar Chime 3 E2
Bell Tree F2
Bell 1 G2
Bell 2 A2
Tubular Bells C3 – C6

Shakers
Articulation Key
Large C2
Soft D2
Small Swish 1 F2
Small Swish 2 F#2
Small Swish 3 G2
Large Swish G#2

Snare Drum
Articulation Key
Left Hit C2
Right Hit D2
Roll E2

Copyright Total Composure Ltd ©2012


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KEYBOARDS

Marimba
Clavichord
Yamaha Grand Piano

Copyright Total Composure Ltd ©2012


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USER INTERFACE

The user interface allows you to customise the various instrument settings all on one screen. Each knob on the
interface can be set to its default setting by holding control (PC) or command (MAC) and clicking on it.

Important: Some interface controls can be automated using Kontakt’s MIDI learn function, if you choose to
use this method for assigning continuous controllers (CC) don’t use CC 110 or CC 64 as they are used internally
by the instrument.

The following sections detail the function of each control for the different groups of instruments. The control
layout may vary depending on the instrument but the function is the same.

MAIN CONTROLS

1 2 3 4 5

1. There is a menu to the left of each of the three labels - Volume, Vibrato, and Legato – these allow you
to set the CC number that you can use to control each of the parameters.
a. Volume: This controls the dynamics for Sustained, Trill, and Tremolo patches. It not only
controls the volume level but also the timbre, or tone, of the sound.
b. Vibrato: Use this control to apply vibrato to the Sustain articulation.
c. Legato: You can enable or disable the legato function via a continuous controller, using a
setting greater than 64, or by using the button to the left of the menu.
With legato enabled playing two notes overlapped at a velocity greater than 25 will trigger a
legato interval, if the velocity is less than 25 then a portamento (glide) between the two
notes will be triggered instead.

2. You can use the Length Knob to increase or decrease the length of the legato and portamento
transitions. You can control the knob via a CC by setting the desired CC number in the menu beneath
the knob.

3. You can increase or decrease the vibrato and trill speed using the Rate knob. You can also control this
knob via a CC.

4. Used to control the amount of reverb added to the instrument. As with the Length and Rate knobs,
the Reverb knob can be controlled via a CC.

5. The Round Robin repetition script uses pitch shifting and micro-tuning techniques to create subtle
variations when the same note is played multiple times; this helps to avoid the machine gun effect
and make the instrument seem more realistic. You can enable or disable the control via a CC, using a
setting greater than 64, or by clicking the button on the interface.

Copyright Total Composure Ltd ©2012


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GRAND PIANO ONLY

1 2

1. The sustain pedal can be controlled using any CC from 0 – 100. A CC value greater than 64 will enable
the sustain effect.
2. The grand piano lid can be opened and closed via a CC or by clicking on the piano icon in the centre of
the interface. This enables a filter that simulates a piano lid.

Copyright Total Composure Ltd ©2012


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KNOWN ISSUES

Many of the woodwind samples were recorded with vibrato; this means that the scripted vibrato included with
the instruments can produce weird effects. It also means that some of these instruments can’t be played
without vibrato. We have left the vibrato controls there for all instruments though so you can experiment and
play with the strange sounds it can produce.

When playing some fast passages hanging notes can occur, this is an issue that we hope to correct in a future
update.

Currently most of the instruments and articulations are monophonic, while this is desirable for brass and
woodwind, it is often not desirable for the strings where it is possible, with a real instrument, to play multiple
notes using double and triple stops etc. This is something that will be addressed in a future update.

Copyright Total Composure Ltd ©2012


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E.U.L.A.

This End-User license agreement (EULA) is a legal agreement between you and Total Composure Ltd for the
Total Composure product that this agreement accompanies; including computer software and associated
media or multimedia, printed materials and electronic documentation.

By installing or using this product you agree to be bound by the terms of the EULA. If you do not agree to the
terms of this EULA you may not install or use the product. All audio samples provided with the product are,
unless otherwise stated, the property of Total Composure Ltd and are licensed to you, they are not sold.

1. Total Composure Ltd grants the end-user (licensee) of the product the right to create finished musical
works and performances using the audio samples and any other media or software included as part of
the Total Composure product.
2. The licensee may use the product for commercial purposes.
3. The licensee may alter and or distribute the samples included with this product providing that it is
done so in accordance with the licensing terms of the creators of those samples.
4. You may not host the Total Composure product on a private or public server to which others can
connect and download unless prior permission has been given by Total Composure Ltd. You may
however provide links to the product hosted on the Total Composure website.
5. You may share the product using Torrent files available on the Total Composure website.
6. You may freely host and distribute the product user manual.
7. Total Composure Ltd warrants and asserts that, unless otherwise stated, all audio samples, graphics,
images, scripts, documents, and any other media included with the product is the sole property of
Total Composure Ltd and that Total Composure Ltd has the authority to grant the rights in this EULA.
8. The user agrees to read the manual before seeking help or support from Total Composure Ltd.
9. Total Composure Ltd will not be responsible if the content of the product does not meet the
particular purposes of the licensee.
10. It is the licensee’s responsibility to check that the product is compatible with their computer system.
11. The product is licensed “as is”. Total Composure Ltd will not be responsible for any loss incurred by
the licensee from the direct or indirect use of the product.
12. If you have any doubts, concerns, or uncertainties about the terms in this EULA please contact Total
Composure Ltd at support@totalcomposure.com before installing or using the product.

Copyright Total Composure Ltd ©2012


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SUPPORT

If you have any problems relating to the use of this Total Composure product and cannot find the solution in
this guide then please feel free to contact us via the form on the contact page of our website -
www.TotalComposure.com.

You may also be able to find the answer to your problem at our YouTube channel -
www.YouTube.com/TotalComposure.

You can also get details of our upcoming products and special offers by following us on Facebook -
www.Facebook.com/TotalComposure.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Produced by: David Healey for Total Composure Ltd.

Software Development: Rosie M. Banks.

Editing: S. W. Erdnase.

Graphic Design: Nicolas Bourbaki.

Nils Liberg - www.nilsliberg.se/ksp/.

KnobMan - http://www.g200kg.com/en/software/knobman.html.

Reaper - http://www.reaper.fm.

Big Bob - https://sites.google.com/a/bigbobsmusicworld.com/s1/

SAMPLE SOURCES

One laptop per child - http://one.laptop.org/

The Philharmonia Orchestra - http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/

Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra - http://sso.mattiaswestlund.net/

Free sound - http://www.freesound.org/

ldk1609 - http://www.freesound.org/people/ldk1609/

Ethan Winer - http://www.ethanwiner.com/

Copyright Total Composure Ltd ©2012

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