Strawberry - User's Guide

Orange Tree SamplesCopyright © 2010

User’s Guide

Orange Tree Samples Copyright © 2010 Orange Tree Samples, All Rights Reserved

Evolution Electric Guitar - Strawberry USER’S GUIDE Orange Tree Samples

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Table of Contents

Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 3

Instrument details ....................................................................................................................... 3

User guide format ....................................................................................................................... 3

Lead Guitar - Performance .............................................................................................................. 4

Mapping ...................................................................................................................................... 4

Playing guide ............................................................................................................................... 4

Lead Guitar - Interface .................................................................................................................... 6

Mapping section .......................................................................................................................... 6

Performance section ................................................................................................................... 6

Controllers section .................................................................................................................... 10

Tuning section ........................................................................................................................... 10

Tone section .............................................................................................................................. 10

Rhythm Guitar - Performance ....................................................................................................... 11

Mapping .................................................................................................................................... 11

Playing guide ............................................................................................................................. 11

Rhythm Guitar - Interface ............................................................................................................. 13

Strum Pattern section ............................................................................................................... 13

Chord Definitions section .......................................................................................................... 13

Preferences section ................................................................................................................... 13

Contact .......................................................................................................................................... 15


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Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the Evolution Electric Guitar - Strawberry sample library! The

Strawberry library features over 3.4 gigabytes of 24-bit electric guitar samples, powered by

KONTAKT’s extensive scripting engine.

�� Instrument details

The guitar sampled for this library has a body made of tropical Mahogany wood, giving it a

powerful and warm sound. The top and neck is crafted out of North American Hard Rock

Maple, which provides a crisp tone. The fretboard is made of a custom composite wood (which

gives it a tone very similar to that of ebony) that is designed to eliminate any “hot spots” or

other unevenness in tone. The bridge and nut are both specially designed to give the guitar

maximum sustain. The alnico pickups are optimized for a fat, vintage tone. The strings used are

special coated steel strings (11s), known not only for their long life, but also their bright tone

and punch, which is characteristic of non-coated strings.

This comprehensive guitar library includes two extensive engines: one for lead playing, and the

other for rhythm guitar tracks. Both of these components include presets that you can load for

instant performances. Of course, the library gives you a great deal of control over the sound

and playability, in case you want to modify the library to suit your preferences.

In the next two chapters, the exact playability of the lead and rhythm components will be

discussed.

�� User guide format

This manual has two main parts, the lead guitar and the rhythm guitar components. Both parts

begin with a practical chapter on how to perform and sequence with the sample library, and

then a reference chapter explaining each control in the sample library’s interface.


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Lead Guitar - Performance

�� Mapping

MIDI Notes

Because the mapping in the lead guitar is completely dynamic, based on the tuning of the

strings, there is no absolute mapping for the lead guitar. However, there are two keyswitches

located on either end of the main playing range. A half-step below the lowest note is a

keyswitch which, when pressed, repeats the last played note. A half-step above the highest

note is a whammy bar flutter keyswitch. When pressed, it will apply a flutter effect to the

currently sounding notes. This growling effect is used often in rock and metal guitar solos to

emphasize a note.

Here is the standard mapping for most basic presets:

D#1: Repeats last note played

E1 - D5: Main playing range

D#5: Whammy bar flutter

MIDI Continuous Controllers

All MIDI continuous controllers can be adjusted. In fact, using the layer-based mapping system,

you can even assign controllers to change other controls parameters. In any case, here is a list

of the default controller mapping.

CC #1 (mod wheel): Vibrato

CC #4 (expression pedal): Whammy bar (for extreme pitch downshifts)

CC #64 (sustain pedal): Enables/disables the strum mode, which operates like a sustain pedal

CC #88 (secondary pedal): Enables/disables the slide mode, which turns overlapping notes into

slides when applicable.

�� Playing guide

Evolution Electric Guitar - Strawberry translates the MIDI data from your MIDI keyboard, so for

the most part you can just play. If you’re sequencing, you just have to input the notes you want

played. Guitar specific factors are all automatically controlled for you, so you don’t have to

worry about that element. However, here are a few important performance-specific points to

consider.

Legato articulations


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To create a legato articulation, all you need to do is make two notes on the same string overlap.

It will then trigger the appropriate legato articulation, whether a chromatic slide up or down,

hammer-on, or pull-off. These guitar-specific articulations are intelligently determined for you.

Strumming mode

The sustain pedal (CC64) controls the strumming mode by default. This behaves just like the

sustain pedal on a piano, except it still automatically conforms to all the limitations and rules of

guitar playing.

Slide mode

The secondary pedal (CC88) controls the slide mode by default. When the slide mode is

enabled, all overlapping notes will be played as a slide between the notes rather than triggering

the usual legato articulations. The speed of the slide is determined by the velocity of the

destination note in the slide.

Whammy bar

The expression pedal (CC4) controls the whammy bar, which is basically a way of drastically

shifting the pitch of all the guitar strings downwards. This can be used for a variety of effects. A

flutter, which is a specialized whammy bar technique, can be created using the flutter

keyswitch (D#5).


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Lead Guitar - Interface

When you load a lead guitar NKI patch, there is a dropdown menu labeled “Menu”. This lets

you navigate through the different sections of the lead guitar’s interface.

�� Mapping section

Evolution Electric Guitar - Strawberry features a new, fully customizable mapping system based

on layers.

The mapping section is the first screen you’ll see after loading the NKI patch.

In this interface view, you can establish the mapping for the patch. Using layers, you can specify

velocity ranges, controller ranges, and much more. Afterwards, you can set which parameters

get changed when all a layer’s conditions are met. The parameters could be something like the

articulation to play, or the pitch bend range, for example.

You can view different layer settings by turning the knob labeled “Layer”.

Here is a list of the conditions that can be used in a layer to define the mapping:

Note - This condition limits the layer to a range of notes.

Velocity - You can create velocity layers by using this condition. If a note is within this range,

the condition is met.

Controller - Use this condition to make a layer respond to a controller range.

Keyswitch - This defines a custom keyswitch which operates in a non-latching manner, meaning

that the condition is only met while the key is currently pressed.

Pitch Wheel - If the specified range of values is met on the pitch wheel, the condition is met.

Speed - This makes the condition respond to a range of values pertaining to the average

duration of the notes. These values go from 0 (very fast) to 127 (very slow).

Random - Introduces randomization into whether or not the condition is met.

�� Performance section

After setting conditions for a layer, you can adjust which parameters are affected. The first click

on a control first highlights it, bringing up a label with the control’s full title as well as a button

that lets you turn on/off whether the control is affected by the layer. Once a control is

highlighted in this manner, its value can be changed.

Evolution Electric Guitar - Strawberry

The first layer, labeled “Default”

required conditions. This is why the values for each c

is currently at “Default”.

Here are details about the available controls:

Articulation

SUSTAIN

Selects the current articulation.(Soft Sustain, Sustain, Hard Sustain, Strike, Half Palm Mute, Palm Mute, Mute, Squeal, Pinch Harmonic

Trill m3, Aggressive Squeal, Tapping, Blues Strum, Blues Muted, Natural Harmonic

Each layer can be assigned its own articulation. This control is used for setting up velocity layers

which determine the articulation or controllers which can select the current artic

RELEASE

Selects the current release sample(Normal, Hard Release, Half Muted, Soft Mute, Slide Mute, Palm Mute, Pick Mute, Open Release, None

This control selects which release sample to use in conjunction with the sustain sample.

PRE-ROLL

Adjusts the amount of pre(0-100%)

Using this control, the amount of

scraping against the string right before plucking it.

there is no pre-roll sample for the particular articulation.

V. CURVE

Adjusts the velocity curve(0-100%)

Using this control, you can adjust the way the layer response to MIDI velocity. At 0%, the

velocity will be constant, not affected by how loud you play a note. At 100%, the note will

respond to velocity as normal.

Fretting

THRESHOLD

Adjusts the threshold for legato interpretation.(Off, 1/32nd, 1/16th, 1/8th, Always)

This sets whether notes are interpreted as being played legato or simultaneous based on how

close time-wise they are from each other.

POSITION

Selects the fretting position(0 – 16)

Strawberry USER’S GUIDE Orange Tree Samples

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The first layer, labeled “Default”, acts as the default layer in case no other layers meet the

required conditions. This is why the values for each control is “always on” when the layer knob

Here are details about the available controls:

Selects the current articulation. Sustain, Hard Sustain, Strike, Half Palm Mute, Palm Mute, Mute, Squeal, Pinch Harmonic

Aggressive Squeal, Tapping, Blues Strum, Blues Muted, Natural Harmonic)


which determine the articulation or controllers which can select the current artic

release sample. Normal, Hard Release, Half Muted, Soft Mute, Slide Mute, Palm Mute, Pick Mute, Open Release, None


amount of pre-roll.

amount of pre-roll can be set. The pre-roll sample is the noise of the pick

scraping against the string right before plucking it. If “N/A” is displayed, that indicates that

roll sample for the particular articulation.

Adjusts the velocity curve.


will be constant, not affected by how loud you play a note. At 100%, the note will

respond to velocity as normal.

Adjusts the threshold for legato interpretation. (Off, 1/32nd, 1/16th, 1/8th, Always)

interpreted as being played legato or simultaneous based on how

wise they are from each other.

fretting position.

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, acts as the default layer in case no other layers meet the

ontrol is “always on” when the layer knob

Sustain, Hard Sustain, Strike, Half Palm Mute, Palm Mute, Mute, Squeal, Pinch Harmonic, Effects, Trill m2, Trill M2,


which determine the articulation or controllers which can select the current articulations.

Normal, Hard Release, Half Muted, Soft Mute, Slide Mute, Palm Mute, Pick Mute, Open Release, None)


roll sample is the noise of the pick

If “N/A” is displayed, that indicates that


will be constant, not affected by how loud you play a note. At 100%, the note will

interpreted as being played legato or simultaneous based on how


This sets where notes are fretted on the guitar. Chords and strumming usually have a low

fretting position, while leads are played higher up on the neck.

RANGE

Sets the legato range(Off, m2, M2, m3, M3, P4, Always)

This control sets how far the legato articulations reach

low, and the note played is not fo

USE OPEN

Sets the preference of open strings(Off, On)

Open strings are immediately accessible from any fretting position

purposefully avoid using open strings when playing lead, for example.

Picking

STYLE

Selects the picking style(Alternate, Economy, 8th Notes, 16th Notes, Downstroke Only, Upstroke Only)

This changes the style in which the pick

STRING

Sets which string(s) to use(Automatic, MIDI Guitar, E String,



LOCK

Locks string selection(Off, On)

When the string selection is locked, it makes it so that while holding down a note, all other

notes will be played on the same string.

Pitch Bend

RANGE +

Adjusts the positive pitch bend range(Off, m2, M2, m3, M3, P4)

The pitch bend can have separate ranges for positive and negative values of the pitch wheel.

This adjusts the positive range.

RANGE -

Adjusts the negative(Off, m2, M2, m3, M3, P4)


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position, while leads are played higher up on the neck.

Sets the legato range. (Off, m2, M2, m3, M3, P4, Always)

This control sets how far the legato articulations reach. Bear in mind that if the range is set too

low, and the note played is not found on any other strings, it will not sound.

Sets the preference of open strings.

Open strings are immediately accessible from any fretting position. However, some guitarists

purposefully avoid using open strings when playing lead, for example.

Selects the picking style. (Alternate, Economy, 8th Notes, 16th Notes, Downstroke Only, Upstroke Only)

This changes the style in which the pick direction is selected.

Sets which string(s) to use. tring, A String, D String, G String, B String, High E String)



Locks string selection


same string.

Adjusts the positive pitch bend range.


This adjusts the positive range.

Adjusts the negative pitch bend range.

Orange Tree Samples


Bear in mind that if the range is set too

und on any other strings, it will not sound.

However, some guitarists







This adjusts the negative range.

MODE

Selects which notes the pitch bend affects(Normal, Latest, First, Highest,

The pitch bend can affect individual notes rather that affecting all currently

standard.

LOCK

Locks the pitch bend to the currently playing notes(Off, On)

The pitch bend lock control changes whether or not the pitch bend mode

releasing a note.

Vibrato

SPEED

Sets the vibrato speed(0 – 100%)

This control changes how fast vibrato is

DEPTH

Sets the vibrato depth(0 – 100%)

This controls the depth of the vibrato

Resonance

AMOUNT

Sets the amount of resonance(0 – 100%)

This control determines the overall volume of sympathetic resonance between the strings.

MUTING

Sets the speed that any resonance is muted(0 – 100%)

This adjusts how fast any sustaining resonance is muted after a note is


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This adjusts the negative range.

Selects which notes the pitch bend affects. Normal, Latest, First, Highest, Lowest)

The pitch bend can affect individual notes rather that affecting all currently

Locks the pitch bend to the currently playing notes.

The pitch bend lock control changes whether or not the pitch bend mode

ts the vibrato speed.

This control changes how fast vibrato is.

ets the vibrato depth.

This controls the depth of the vibrato.

resonance.


Sets the speed that any resonance is muted.

This adjusts how fast any sustaining resonance is muted after a note is released.

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The pitch bend can affect individual notes rather that affecting all currently-played notes as

The pitch bend lock control changes whether or not the pitch bend mode is updated on


released.


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�� Controllers section

Strum Mode - The strum mode acts similarly to the way a sustain pedal usually works. When

you play a note, it is sustained as long as the strum mode is enabled. However, all the features

such as legato, fretting, and slides still apply.

Slide Mode - While the slide mode is enabled, slides are used instead of the standard legato

articulations such as hammer-ons and pull-offs.

Whammy - This controls the whammy bar, which is used to create drastic pitch-bending effects.

The whammy bar flutter effect is automatically added to the mapping as the note directly

above the highest note on the guitar.

Vibrato - This controls the amount of vibrato used on notes. The notes which are affected by

vibrato are the same as those defined by the pitch bend mode.

�� Tuning section

E, A, D, G, B, E2 - Each of these controls adjusts the tuning of individual strings, relative to the

standard tuning. Negative amounts indicate lowering the pitch by semitones, while positive

amounts raise the pitch. Alternative tunings not only affect the tone of the guitar, but also the

range.

Tuning Presets - This list includes both common and rare alternative tunings.

�� Tone section

Pickup - This control selects different pickup settings, between the bridge, neck, and

bridge+neck pickup combination.

Double Track - When enabled, this makes it so that whatever you play is doubled by two guitars

rather than played by one. This is a useful effect for thickening the guitar tone.

Width - Adjusts the stereo width of the double tracking. At 100%, one guitar will be panned

completely to the left and the other completely to the right. This separates the two guitars so

that they can be processed separately.

Fret vol. - This control changes the volume of the fret noises which occur when notes are

released and the fretting hand returns to its default position as defined by the current layer.

When set at 0%, the fret noises are disabled.


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Rhythm Guitar - Performance

�� Mapping

MIDI Notes

C1 - B1: Strumming pattern selection (hold to play the pattern)

C2: Palm mute keyswitch (hold to make everything played as palm muted)

C#2 - B4: Chord detection zone (hold a chord)

C5: Manual release

D5: Manual palm mute stop

E5: Manual strum E

F5: Manual strum A

G5: Manual strum D

A5: Manual strum G

B5: Manual strum B

C6: Manual strum high E

MIDI Continuous Controllers

CC #64 (sustain pedal): Enables/disables palm muting, as an alternative to the palm mute

keyswitch. The controller can actually be set to other MIDI controllers, not just CC #64. Use the

“Palm CC” knob in the “Preferences” section to select which controller you prefer.

�� Playing guide

Performing and sequencing with the rhythm guitar patches is much like using an arpeggiator.

The main difference is that the chord and the actual pattern to trigger are separated. This

allows you to change chords in the middle of a pattern or even stop, start, and switch patterns

in the middle of the measure.

Basically the chord detection zone acts like the guitarist’s hand on the fretboard, which selects

chord voicings. The chords you play in this zone are translated into actual guitar voicings

defined in the chord definitions interface.

The pattern selection octave is like the guitarist’s strumming hand. The actual pattern that is

played is created in the strum pattern interface, so the pattern keyswitches essentially act as

macros to play back these patterns.

Using this two-handed operation you can easily create realistic strumming patterns. At the top

of the key range are also manual strumming notes, in case you would rather strum the strings

in real-time instead of holding down a strumming pattern selection keyswitch.


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Something that is very important to note when performing the rhythm guitar or sequencing

with the library, is that you need to anticipate the chords and strumming pattern keyswitches.

Chords must be anticipated because it takes a split second for the virtual guitarist’s fretting

hand to release the current chord and move to the next chord voicing. You need to anticipate

the strumming pattern keyswitches because a single strum actually begins before the start of a

beat--just how a real guitarist strums.

Also, remember that because the rhythm guitar syncs to MIDI, if you have the rhythm guitar

loaded in your DAW, you need to hit “play” in order for it to sync correctly. If you’re playing the

rhythm guitar while your DAW is stopped, the strumming patterns will consistently start from

the same beat.


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Rhythm Guitar - Interface

When you load a rhythm guitar NKI patch, there is a dropdown menu on the interface. This lets

you navigate through the different sections of the rhythm guitar’s interface.

�� Strum Pattern section

RESET PATTERN - Erases the currently selected pattern.

There are 12 patterns total per NKI patch. You can select which pattern to edit using the

dropdown menu. The main table in this view controls the placement and volume of each strum.

Whichever strum you edit in the main table is selected for further editing with the controls

below, namely the “strum speed” and “limit strings” controls. To edit all of the strums

simultaneously, click on the pattern selector dropdown menu and reselect the same pattern.

Swing - Adjusts the amount of swing in the pattern.

Division - Selects whether to divide the measure into 8th notes or 16th notes.

Strum speed - Adjusts how fast or slow the currently selected strum is played.

Limit strings - These value selectors adjust which strings are played in the currently selected

strum. Strums don’t always encompass all six strings. Many times downstrokes only catch the

first few, lowest strings, and upstrokes play a few of the highest strings. Of course, this really

just depends on which strums are being accented and other factors.

�� Chord Definitions section

RESET CHORD - Erases the currently selected chord.

In this view, you can define which notes are in each chord, as fretting on a guitar. The top

dropdown menu allows you to select the chord root, and then the sub-menu below lets you

select the chord type to edit. You can then adjust the chord definition on the virtual fretboard

to the right using the value editors for each string. Negative values indicate that the string is

muted at that fret.

�� Preferences section

Pickup - This control selects different pickup settings, between the bridge, neck, and

bridge+neck pickup combination.

Double Track - When enabled, this makes it so that whatever you play is doubled by two guitars

rather than played by one. This is a useful effect for thickening powerchords.


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Width - Adjusts the stereo width of the double tracking. At 100%, one guitar will be panned

completely to the left and the other completely to the right. This separates the two guitars so

that they can be processed separately.

Noises - This control changes the volume of the fret noises and other sounds that occur when

you release a chord. When set at 0%, these noises are disabled.

Detune/Capo - This not only transposes the range of the guitar, but changes which chord

definitions are used in order to achieve the desired chord.

Timing - This adjusts where the strums occur relative to the beat, allowing you to adjusts

whether the strumming occurs early, late, or perfectly on the beat.

Palm CC - The palm mute may not only be controlled by a keyswitch (C2), but also a MIDI

controller. The sustain pedal controls the palm muting by default, but you can adjust this to

whichever controller you like, such as the mod wheel.


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Contact

We’d love to hear from you! If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for the

improvement of our products, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.orangetreesamples.com

Copyright 2010 Orange Tree Samples, All Rights Reserved

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