TCO User Guide

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Copyright Total Composure Ltd ©2012

USER GUIDE V1.0

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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STRINGS

Solo Violin

Violin Section I

Violin Section II

Viola Section

Cello Section

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


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


Pizzicato D0

Trill Semitone Up D#0

Trill Semitone Down E0

Trill Whole Tone Up F0

Trill Whole Tone Down F#0

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BRASS & WOODWIND

French Horn I

French Horn II

Trumpet

Trombone

Tuba

Piccolo

Flute

Oboe

English Horn

Clarinet

Bass Clarinet

Bassoon

All Brass & Woodwind Instruments


Trill Semitone Up E0

Trill Semitone Down F0

Trill Whole Tone Up F#0

Trill Whole Tone Down G0

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PERCUSSION

Bass Drum

Snare Drum

Timpani

Sleigh Bells

Shakers

Cymbals & Gongs

Temple Blocks

Triangle

Orchestral Chimes

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

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KEYBOARDS

Marimba

Clavichord

Yamaha Grand Piano

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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. 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.

1 2 3 4

5

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GRAND PIANO ONLY

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.

1 2

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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.

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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 [email protected] before installing or using the product.

mailto:[email protected]

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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/

http://www.totalcomposure.com/

http://www.youtube.com/TotalComposure

http://www.facebook.com/TotalComposure

http://www.nilsliberg.se/ksp/

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

http://www.reaper.fm/

https://sites.google.com/a/bigbobsmusicworld.com/s1/

http://one.laptop.org/

http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/

http://sso.mattiaswestlund.net/

http://www.freesound.org/

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

http://www.ethanwiner.com/

TCO User Guide

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