Dec 22, 2008 There is no dedicated reverse function in Omnisphere. But you can find reverse versions of some of the soundsources in the sound browser. Just type the word reverse. Dec 28, 2015 Hi Anyone else experiencing the bug in the ultra chorus module in Omnisphere 2? Every now and then, perhaps once every day or so, there is an almighty blast of ear-piecing white noise which doesn't stop until the offending ultra chorus module is disabled.
Where can I purchase Omnisphere 2?
Download sales and Upgrades are now available for purchase in our Webstore/Techshop. Physical sales (boxed with USB drive) are handled exclusively through our Authorized Resellers.
If I already own Omnisphere, is there an Upgrade to Omnisphere 2?
Yes! If you already are an Omnisphere customer, you are eligible for the Omnisphere 2 Upgrade - available now in the Webstore/Techshop.
If I already own Atmosphere, is there an Upgrade to Omnisphere 2?
Yes! If you already are an Atmosphere customer, you are eligible for the Omnisphere 2 Legacy Upgrade - available now in the Webstore/Techshop.
Is there a DEMO version of Omnisphere 2 I can try?
Because of the size of our instruments, we don't offer Demo versions. However, you can contact one of our local dealers in your area in order to arrange a live demo of Omnisphere 2. To find a local dealer in your area, please contact your local Authorized Reseller.
How are Spectrasonics Instruments delivered to new users?
All Spectrasonics instruments are available in two different editions: Boxed and Download. The physical boxed editions now contain high quality USB drives and are sold exclusively to new customers through our Authorized Resellers. The download editions are now available and sold exclusively through our Webstore/Techshop.
Aren’t Spectrasonics Instruments delivered on DVD-ROMS?
They used to be, but this is no longer the case. All our physical boxed versions have now been revised with high-quality USB drives. For convenience, we now also offer download sales of new Spectrasonics Instruments direct to customers from our Webstore/Techshop. Both of these new delivery platforms offer much faster and more reliable installations than DVD discs.
If I buy the Boxed version, will I also be able to get a download in the future? If I buy the Download Edition, will I also be able to get a drive? If I have the DVD-ROM edition, will I be able to get the drive or future downloads if I need them?
Yes to all of the above! We are happy to announce that there are now alternative forms of installation available optionally to registered users - no matter which edition you have originally purchased.
Spectrasonics is keenly aware that many users no longer have computers with optical drives and there are numerous scenarios when the convenience of downloading or the speed of a USB drive would be a preferred form of installation for different types of users. To address all the various user needs and scenarios, Spectrasonics has a new Support Services area that offers Alternative Installation USB Drives and Additional Download Installations for optional purchase. These services are available for purchase in our Webstore/Techshop for registered users.
How is the Upgrade delivered? Is it downloadable? How big?
The Omnisphere 2 Upgrade package is a 60GB download which you can order through Webstore/Techshop.
Is the Omnisphere 2 Upgrade available as a physical product?
Not at this time. Our download service is highly reliable though... even with slower connections.
Can I download the upgrade?
Yes. The upgrade is now exclusively available as a download in our Webstore/Techshop.
Does an Omnisphere 1 license need to be registered and authorized in my Spectrasonics User Account in order to qualify for the Omnisphere 2 Upgrade?
Yes.
Does Omnisphere 1 need to be installed on my computer before purchasing and installing the upgrade to Omnisphere 2?
No. Upgrading to Omnisphere 2 will supply the complete 60GB Omnisphere 2 sound library, which includes the sounds from Omnisphere 1. If Omnisphere 1 is already installed, you will not lose any custom user-created sounds or third-party libraries.
Do I need to have Atmosphere installed before purchasing the upgrade to Omnisphere 2?
No, but if you are an Atmosphere user you will need to have it authorized and registered to qualify for the Legacy upgrade.
Is there a student discount price for Omnisphere 2?
Spectrasonics doesn't offer student discounts, however qualifying schools and institutions can participate in our EDU program.
Does Spectrasonics allow for used sales/license transfers of Omnisphere 2?
Please see the License Transfer FAQs area of the Knowledgebase for more info on our License Transfer Policy.
Can I upgrade if I bought a used copy of Omnisphere v1?
Yes, but only if that copy of Omnisphere has been properly license transferred through Spectrasonics.
Can I upgrade if I bought a used copy of Atmosphere?
Yes, but only if that copy of Atmosphere has been properly license transferred through Spectrasonics.
If I upgrade my Atmosphere to Omnisphere 2 can I later resell and transfer the license of either instrument used to someone else?
No. Customers who participate in a special upgrade program for any Spectrasonics virtual instruments are not eligible for license transfers either for the original instrument or its subsequent upgrade. For example, if an original owner of Atmosphere takes advantage of our special “legacy” upgrade program to Omnisphere 2, the owner is not permitted to resell either instrument and no license transfer will be granted.
If I upgrade my Omnisphere v1 to Omnisphere 2 can I later resell and transfer the license of either instrument used to someone else?
Since it is the same original license, Omnisphere 2 would still be eligible for a future license transfer. However, Omnisphere 1 cannot be transferred as a separate product.
Are Omnisphere 1 and Omnisphere 2 different instruments/products?
No. Omnisphere 2 is simply the next major version of Omnisphere.
Is Omnisphere 2 a Stand-alone app or a Plugin?
Omnisphere 2 includes a standalone application and VST/AU/AAX plug-in platforms that work in all the major DAWs and hosts.
What is the STEAM engine?
STEAM™ is our in-house core technology that is the foundation of Omnisphere, Trilian and a new generation of Spectrasonics instruments.
So does Omnisphere replace Atmosphere?
Yes, Omnisphere is Atmosphere's successor.
What are the minimum system requirements for Omnisphere 2?
You can view them HERE.
Is it compatible with xxx?
Check our Compatibility FAQs in the Knowledgebase which we keep up to date with the latest info.
Will Omnisphere 2 replace my Omnisphere plug-in?
Yes. Omnisphere 2 is the next version of Omnisphere. When installed, the Omnisphere 2 Upgrade contents (20GB) merge with the existing Omnisphere 1 library and become one product, replacing Omnisphere 1 as a plug-in.
When opening older projects which use sounds from Omnisphere 1, will they load the same?
Absolutely - it is still Omnisphere! Version 2 is fully backwards compatible with version 1 projects.
Will custom saved patches/multis be negatively affected when upgrading to Omnisphere 2?
No. They will open and operate the same as always.
Will third party patches be negatively affected when upgrading to Omnisphere 2?
No. All third-party Omnisphere v1 libraries are fully compatible with Omnisphere 2.
Does Omnisphere 2 use Copy Protection?
Yes, please see the Copy Protection FAQs area of the Knowledgebase for more information on our system.
Does Omnisphere 2 include a manual?
All our instruments include a comprehensive online Reference Guide, which is accessible directly through the plug-in. The integrated Reference Guide is searchable and we can keep it up to date with the software releases. You can check out the Reference Guide HERE.
How fast of a computer will I need to run Omnisphere 2?
As with all virtual instruments - the faster the better. Omnisphere 2 is designed to run optimally on modern computers. See the System Requirements for more information.
Does Omnisphere 2 need more CPU power than Omnisphere v1?
Not significantly more. Some newer patches require more resources than older ones. However, many new patches do not require more resources.
Does Omnisphere 2.5 need more CPU power than Omnisphere 2.4?
Not significantly more. Some newer patches require more resources than older ones. However, many new patches do not require more resources.
Is Omnisphere 2 compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit systems?
Omnisphere 2.4 and earlier are compatible with both 32-bit and 64-bit systems. Omnisphere 2.5 and higher are compatible exclusively with 64-bit systems.
Can I easily switch back and forth between Omnisphere 2.5 and Omnisphere 2.4?
Yes! We have a rollback installer that’s easy to use for this purpose if you are unsure if you are ready for 2.5 or not.
Does Omnisphere 2 use streaming?
Yes! Omnisphere 2 streams from the drive for quick loading of the sounds. Drive streaming is configurable as well.
Can I selectively install parts of the Omnisphere 2 library since it is so large?
Because of patch compatibility, Omnisphere 2 must always be installed with the complete library. However, you can install the 60 Gigabyte library to a secondary or external drive if you wish.
Will Omnisphere 2's streaming benefit from a faster hard drive?
Fast drives are a smart way to go of course. There's a chapter in the Reference Guide devoted to optimizing Performance with Omnisphere 2.
Can I install Omnisphere 2 on a different drive?
Yes, you can definitely install the library to a secondary or external drive.
Can I Use My Own Audio in Omnisphere 2?
Yes! You can now use any WAV or AIFF audio files in Omnisphere as soundsources for creating your own amazing sounds! Omnisphere 2 supports bit depths up to 24-bit files and sample rates up to 192kHz.
Will the audio import in Omnisphere 2 be for single audio files or multi-samples?
Omnisphere 2 supports one audio file of any length per soundsource. You can layer up to four soundsources in a patch and 8 patches in a multi. Keep in mind that Omnisphere's focus is as a synthesizer and will never be a sampler with multiple velocities, key-mapping, round-robin, etc. - there are other instruments out there that do that very well.
Omnisphere 2 allows you to easily turn your audio files and even your audio tracks/mixes into synthesis source for Omnisphere 2's powerful oscillators. It's remarkable how much you can creatively mangle one sound and transform it into something awesome!
on Oct 23, 2015 in Synths & Sound Design 0 comments
Spectrasonics Omnisphere is known as one of the most powerful and best sounding software synthesizers on the market. It has just received another boost into the audio production stratosphere with its extensive 2.0 update, attracting new users and fans for its sound quality and design. It’s easy to get wrapped up in exploring and playing the thousands of patches available, especially the new additions. And without fault, there are so many usable sounds right of the box that can be used to enhance any production. Producers and composers alike should indulge!
That said, the purpose of this article is to explore the basics of custom synth patch creation using the powerful and easy to use interface in Omnisphere. Not only is the interface design intuitive, but also the complexity of what’s possible can keep the most seasoned music producers busy for months, if not years! If you do a search for custom Omnisphere patches, there are gurus out there selling their wares or offering free downloads of their creations. For those of you starting out with software synth programming, Omnisphere is a worthy investment and a good place to start.
In this article, I will give an overview of how to begin to program synth patches and very quickly find unique and inspiring sounds. I’ll go over types of waveforms, routing and using the modulation sections, where all the magic happens. Along the way, I’ll share some audio clips of my progress. By no means will I be able to cover everything is this short article, but I hope it inspires you to explore Omnisphere or another favorite software synth in your DAW. Come along for the ride as I lead you through my process.
In the Beginning: The Default Patch
When you load up Omnisphere into your DAW, the Default patch is loaded with a ‘SawSquare Fat’ waveform in the Synth window in the Oscillator section. This is the place where we can first select the basic waveform to build from or use a sample instead. For this article, we will be building from the synth generator. There are dozens of different waveforms to choose from including waveforms from Classic hardware synths, analog timbres and digital wavetables. I chose a classic Triangle wave from the top menu.
More Fun in the Oscillator Section
In the expanded oscillator section you have the option to add additional synthesis including FM (Frequency Modulation), Ring Modulation, Waveshaper and choose between Unison, Harmonia and Granular. They all change in the sound in different ways depending on your starting waveform so I would suggest staying in this area for quite a while and explore the options within each section. For my simple triangle wave, I chose to use the Unison section to fatten up the sound a bit. The Unison function makes slightly detuned copies of the original waveform and layers them to create the bigger sound. The spread slider widens the stereo field beautifully. Harmonia is great for creating chords by just pressing one note and Granular, a new synthesis feature in Version 2, is another specialized, but beautiful sound design option.
Synth Design Example 1—‘SawSquare Fat’, ‘Triangle’ and ‘Triangle with Unison’:
Playing with Modulation
Figure 4 – Quickly access Modulation drop down menu by right clicking on any parameter.
Back in the A section overview, I decided to play around with The Shape, Symmetry and Hard Sync sliders in the Oscillator section to bring more character to the sound. I also experimented with modulating each of these parameters through different LFOs operating at slightly different, slow rates. I quickly discovered that I was starting to create an interested Pad sound with evolving character. At this point I also went to my Amp Envelope section and adjusted the attack and release so that it was smooth on both ends when changing between chords. I also turned on the main Filter and modulated the Cutoff through LFO 4. I’ve included both samples with and without the Modulating filter cutoff so you can hear the difference. All these adjustments changed the sound dramatically from the previous ‘Unison’ example, as you’ll hear below.
Synth Design Example 2—Designing a Dynamic Pad Sound with Modulation routing, Filter and Amp Envelopes:
Figure 5 – Modulation Matrix Window in Omnisphere.
The Modulation section matrix window is a great place to try different sources and targets. Anything in the Oscillator section can be modulated with LFOs, envelopes and assigned to controllers like mod wheels. I felt more comfortable navigating this Mod section in particular compared to other software synths I’ve worked with.
Save and Tag your Custom Patch
One of most important steps in Synth patch creation is to save and tag your new sound so you do not loose all your hard work and time. You may find a few different variations of a patch during your synthesis process that warrant saving, naming and tagging for different musical purposes. The First step is to save your sound in the ‘User’ directory, make a Category for (in this case ‘Pad Sounds’) and then name your patch. In the ‘Edit Tags’ Screenshot below, I assigned some adjectives to the various attribute types available. I also added my name to the list as an author of that particular patch. It is important to be as detailed as possible so you can find the patch later when searching for similar sounds.
Figure 6 – Creating Tags for Custom Patches in Omnisphere.
Fun with Effects and Arpeggiation
Having completed one pad sound, I used it as a starting point to design another usable sound. I didn’t touch on the FX or Arpeggiator sections in the previous example, so I experimented with those to come up with another synth sound. I was interested in doing something more rhythmic and staccato. First, I made adjustments to my Amp envelope so I had a shorter Attack and Release. Then, I tried out some Arpeggiator presets, selected something close to what I was looking for, and then edited the timing and velocity. In the FX section, there are tons of directions to go with the sound. In this patch, I settled on using one of my favorite new FX in Omnisphere called Innerspace, an Envelope filter and Stereo Imager. My new result is featured below:
Synth Design Example 3—with Arpeggiation and FX:
Figure 8 – FX Section Rack with Innerspace, Envelope Filter and Stereo Imager.
A World of Possibilities… Guided by You!
The world of synth programming is open to all producers and musicians regardless of experience. Software synths in particular are becoming so accessible that anyone can start to create unique sounds quickly. As I discovered on my journey, my custom patches started with a simple triangle wave and become so much more with just a few adjustments to various parameters. Whether you use Omnisphere or another synthesizer, I hope you feel encouraged to spend time exploring what’s possible.