for RTASFrequently Asked Questions
for RTAS
QUESTIONSHow to Use SFX Machine Pro™ for RTAS
How can I learn more about how to use SFX Machine Pro for RTAS and the Preset Editor?
How do I launch SFX Machine Pro for RTAS from Pro Tools?
How do I authorize the plug-in?
What are some little-known features and command-key shortcuts?
How can I edit the Min and Max slider values?
Why do some parameters need values of up to 200% or higher? For example, why does the Sitar Drone patch use a feedback of 198%? Shouldn’t it be half of that?
Why doesn't it affect the sound when I change a field in the Preset Editor?
How do I use Host Tempo Sync?
Why didn't it change the frequency or delay value(s) when I clicked on the Tempo Sync button?
How do I use the "MIDI Learn" feature?
Host Programs, Formats & Requirements
What are the system requirements?
Do you support Intel Macintoshes (Universal Binary)?
Presets
How can I save and load presets?
Where can I save my custom presets?
Is there a way to create new presets from scratch?
Miscellaneous / Support
How can I upgrade from a previous version?
Does SFX Machine Pro for RTAS include the VST or Audio Unit versions?
What should I do if I have tech support questions?
QUESTIONS & ANSWERSHow To Use SFX Machine Pro for RTAS
How can I learn more about how to use SFX Machine Pro for RTAS and the Preset Editor?
Read the friendly manual. It includes a simple tutorial about how to use the Preset Editor. The manual currently refers to the VST and Audio Unit versions, but the RTAS version is very similar.
Also see the final question: What should I do if I have tech support questions?
How do I launch SFX Machine Pro for RTAS from Pro Tools?
- Launch Pro Tools.
- Open a session or create a new session. In the Mix window, select a track containing a sound file. To use SFX Machine Pro for RTAS as an insert effect, make sure the Inserts are shown by selecting View > Mix Window > Inserts. In the Inserts panel, choose multichannel plug-in > Effect > SFX Machine Pro (stereo). See your Pro Tools documentation for more detailed information about how to invoke RTAS plug-ins, including how to use them as auxiliary effects.
- If the Windows version of Pro Tools does not list SFX Machine Pro for RTAS, you may need to install the latest PACE driver from http://www.paceap.com/dldrvr.html .
- In SFX Machine Pro for RTAS, choose a type of effect by clicking on a Category in the Category list box. All Presets belonging to that Category will appear in the Preset list box.
- Load a Preset by clicking on an item in the Preset list box. You will see a brief description of the preset displayed below the sliders.
- Start audio playback in Pro Tools. You should now hear the audio as processed through SFX Machine Pro for RTAS.
- If you wish, adjust one or more sliders to modify the effect. If you want to change the value ranges for any sliders, you can click on the min or max value and type in new values.
If you are using the plug-in as an aux effect instead of an insert effect, you will probably want to set the "Dry Mix" slider (if any) to 0.
How do I authorize the plug-in?
Launch Pro Tools, instantiate the SFX Machine Pro for RTAS plug-in, click on the "Authorize" button, and enter your auth code.
What are some little-known features and command-key shortcuts?
To fine-tune the slider values, hold down the shift key while clicking on the body of the slider. Also, you can click on the body of the slider to make the indicator scroll instantly toward the mouse cursor.
To restart an effect in the middle of audio playback, click on the preset name in the Preset list box again. This is especially cool for effects like Freeze Pan (in the Multitap category).
Command-c, command-x, and command-v (Macintosh) or control-c, control-x, and control-v (Windows) can be used to copy, cut, and paste to and from any of the numerical or comment text fields.
How can I edit the Min and Max slider values?
The slider ranges can be edited by double-clicking on the Min and Max Value text fields. Adjust listening levels very conservatively when doing this, because presets can easily become unstable, causing loud sounds.
Why do some parameters need values of up to 200% or higher? For example, why does the Sitar Drone patch use a feedback of 198%? Shouldn’t it be half of that?
This typically happens because multiple signals are being mixed together. SFX Machine Pro averages signals together instead of adding them, to avoid large amplitude variations. Because signals are averaged, you may need to use values greater than 100%. You can calculate the percentage to enter by multiplying the desired value by the number of signals modulating the parameter. Don’t be afraid to use values of 200%, 400%, etc., if needed.
Why doesn't it affect the sound when I change a field in the Preset Editor?
There are many possible reasons for this. Try systematically isolating sections of the patch, or routing signals to the output to see what’s going on.
If you would like to sync LFO frequencies and delay line lengths to your sequencer's tempo, click the "Tempo Sync" button. This will quantize all frequencies < 20 Hz and delay line lengths > 50 ms. to the nearest power-of-two multiple of your sequencer's tempo, and relevant sliders will be displayed in units of multiples of the host tempo.
To revert to the original values, unclick the "Tempo Sync" button.
Why didn't it change the frequency or delay value(s) when I clicked on the Tempo Sync button?
Tempo Sync only affects frequencies and time delays in the sub-audio range (i.e., frequencies under 20 Hz, or delays over 50 ms.).
For more info on using Host Tempo Sync, allow me to refer you to our friendly manual.
How do I use the "MIDI Learn" feature?
If you want to control any of the sliders with MIDI CC messages, you need to first assign specific CCs to the sliders. This is done with a simple "MIDI Learn" system.
To put a slider in MIDI Learn mode:
- Activate the slider by control-clicking on the slider itself, not on the MIDI Learn light. You can also simply right-click on the slider if your mouse has more than one button. You will see the blue light above the slider handle light up, as will the MIDI Learn light. This means that it is in MIDI Learn mode.
- Next, generate some MIDI CC message (move your MIDI keyboard mod wheel, move a slider on your MIDI controller box, etc.) and you're done! The first CC message that SFX Machine Pro receives will be the CC type to which the "MIDI Learner" becomes assigned.
Now your MIDI controller will control the slider you selected.
To erase a MIDI assignment:
- Click on the "MIDI Learn" light. It should briefly turn red, indicating that you have erased your MIDI assignment.
Host Programs & Formats
What are the system requirements?
See our System Requirements page.
Do you support Intel Macintoshes (Universal Binary)?
Yes.
Presets
How can I save and load presets?
To save a (modified) preset:
- Most host applications include extra buttons and controls in every plugin's window. You should see a button called "save" or "S", or maybe a menu called "file" or "presets" in which you'll find a menu item for saving a preset file. It varies from app to app, but it's generally similar in all cases.
- After invoking that control, you should be greeted with a window asking for a file name and location for the preset file. Enter a name and location and press the "Save" button (or "OK" or whatever the window says). For maximum compatibility, save presets with an .fxp extension.
To load the preset you just saved:
- Look for a control in the plugin window called "load" or "L" or something like that (depending on the host program).
- After invoking that control, you should be greeted with a window asking you to find the location of the preset file that you would like to load. Find it and press the "Open" button (or "OK" or whatever it says).
To save a new bank of presets:
- Look for a "save bank" control. (The name may vary from one app to another.)
- After invoking that control, you should be greeted with a window asking for a file name and location for the preset bank file. Enter a name and location and press the "Save" button (or "OK" or whatever the window says). For maximum compatibility, save preset banks with a .fxb extension.
To load the preset bank you just saved:
- Look for a "load bank" control. (The name may vary from one app to another.)
- After invoking that control, you should be greeted with a window asking you to find the location of the preset bank file that you would like to load. Find it and press the "Open" button (or "OK" or whatever it says).
Note that not all host programs support loading and saving of preset banks.
Where can I save my custom presets?
If your host program supports saving and loading of presets, you can save your new presets anywhere you want. Note that the next time you launch SFX Machine Pro for RTAS, you will see the factory presets, not your custom presets; if you want to load your custom presets, just use the host's Load button to load them from whatever directory you saved them to.
If your host program supports saving an entire bank of custom presets, you might want to load your custom presets into the "User Presets" category (which can serve as your custom preset category), then save all your presets as a bank so you can reload them later.
Is there a way to create new presets from scratch?
Yes, SFX Machine Pro RTAS provides a Preset Editor which allows you to directly access any and all of the modular synthesis parameters that make up a given effect. See the manual for more details.
Miscellaneous / Support
How can I upgrade from a previous version?
E-mail us your serial number or other proof of purchase, and we'll let you know how to obtain the discount.
Does SFX Machine Pro for RTAS include the VST and/or Audio Unit versions?
No, it only includes the Mac and PC RTAS versions.
However, if you go to the order page and click on the "Add to Cart" button, the next page will offer an 80% discount for adding SFX Machine Pro (VST and Audio Unit) for Macintosh or SFX Machine Pro (VST) for Windows.
What should I do if I have tech support questions?
- Go to the System Requirements page to make sure your host program is compatible.
- Go to the Tech Support page to see if it addresses your question.
- Read the Read Me file that comes with the software
- Read The Friendly Manual.
- Go to the Frequently Asked Questions page to see if it addresses your question.
- If the previous steps don't answer your question, e-mail us or report the problem on The Sound Guy forum.
SFX Machine Pro™ for RTAS software and documentation © 2006-2012 The Sound Guy, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
SFX Machine™, SFX Machine RT™, SFX Machine Pro™ and SFX Machine Pro™ for RTAS are trademarks of The Sound Guy, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation, registered in the U.S. and other countries.
VST is a trademark of Steinberg Soft- und Hardware GmbH.
Digidesign, Pro Tools and RTAS are trademarks of or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries.
Other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and should be treated as such.