ORCA
  Analog modeling monosynth
  (c) 2003 - 2007 FXpansion Audio UK Ltd
  http://www.fxpansion.com
  All trademarks are acknowledged as the
  property of their respective owners

---License

1. ORCA is a free download from the FXpansion web page to registered FXpansion users only. You may not redistribute ORCA in any way without the prior written permission of FXpansion.
2. This plug-in is provided at no cost; therefore FXpansion assume no responsibility for any damage that occur to the end user or the equipment used to run the plug-in.
3. This license may change in later versions. So it only applies to the current version.

---Introduction and Installation

ORCA is an experimental monosynth built to showcase exciting new technology that we're developing at FXpansion. Based on detailed and accurate models of analogue synthesizer circuits and components, ORCA excels at deep, squelchy basses and thick unison leads. For further information about the technical side of ORCA, please visit the FXpansion web page.

-Minimum System Requirements

• Mac OS 10.4 G4 1 GHz or Intel, 512 MB RAM, compatible VST 2.3, VST 2.4, AU or RTAS host.
• Windows XP, P4 1 GHz, Athlon XP 1 GHz, 512 MB RAM, compatible VST 2.3, VST 2.4 or RTAS host.
• RTAS version supports Pro Tools HD, LE and M-Powered 7.0 and higher.

-Installation

Simply double click the installer and follow the instructions.

---Using Orca

--Parameters

Parameter controls are manipulated by clicking and dragging up or down.

If you move the mouse over a control, you'll see an information readout showing the parameter name and its value. This value is updated in real time while the control is adjusted.

You can achieve fine control on a parameter by holding down [SHIFT] while adjusting it.

-Filter controls

1. Freq (cc 11): filter cutoff frequency (semitones above and below Middle A)
2. Res (cc 12): filter resonance (amount)

These are the two large controls on either side of the interface.

-Filter Envelope controls

3. A (cc 13): filter envelope Attack time (seconds)
4. R (cc 14): filter envelope Release time (seconds)

This simple but easy-to-use envelope is effectively the first two stages of an ADSR envelope. The Release should not be considered in the same way as the Release control on an ADSR envelope. In fact, it functions in a similar way to the Decay parameter on an ADSR.

The envelope will react to incoming velocity. The depth and sensitivity and depth are hard-wired and cannot be changed.

-Unison controls

5. Unison (cc 15): number of unison oscillators (count)
6. Detune (cc 16): detune of unison oscillators (semitones)

While Orca is monophonic, it features a built-in unison mode. With a Detune value of 0, oscillators will be stacked at exactly the same frequency. The Detune control increases the detuning of the stacked oscillators, and is a door into a whole world of vibrant and powerful sounds.

-Pitch parameters

• Mod Wheel: The mod wheel is hard wired to oscillator sync pitch so you can achieve synced oscillator sounds simply by moving the mod wheel.
• Pitch Bend: The pitch bend wheel is hard wired to bend up and down by one octave.

--Usage Tips

• You can hold down [SHIFT] while manipulating controls to achieve finer adjustment.
• Advanced users can use a text edit to alter the midimap.xml file in the 'Settings' sub-folder inside the 'Orca' folder to change the cc mapping. To change the default mapping of Freq from midi cc 11 to cc 74 make the following edit:
  <tuple param="Freq" midi="CC74" />
• You can disable animations to save cpu by editing the settings.xml file in the 'Settings' sub-folder inside the 'Orca' folder and making the following edit:
  <tuple key="Animate" value="Off" />

---Known Issues

• Slight redraw problem to do with double drawing alpha text and images, just click on the background or a control to refresh the screen. Will be fixed with another update.

---FAQ

Q - How do I increase the polyphony?
A - Orca is a monosynth so it only has one voice.

Q - How can I change the velocity sensitivity to the filter envelope?
A - The velocity sensitivity and depth are hard wired and cannot be changed.

Q - How can I change synth settings other than those on the main interface?
A - Orca has no user adjustable settings other than those on the main interface.

Q - Why does ORCA have limited functionality?
A - ORCA is free and is intended to be a simple, specialized device. It is very quick to work with and to fit into your music, offering powerful, exciting sounds with the minimum of programming effort.

Q - How do I MIDI learn the faders?
A - MIDI learn is not available. Advanced users can edit a midi mapping file. See the 'Usage Tips' section above for more details.

Q - What's with the user interface?
A - It's a creature designed by our graphic artists to look dark and brooding and to be fun to interact with. It is not meant to resemble any real world creature.

---Credits

• Lead Dev and DSP: Andrew Simper
• 3D-Modeling and Graphics: Alex Akers
• Dev: SKoT McDonald, Angus Hewlett, Paul Chana, Steve Baker
• Installer: Paul Chana, Angus Hewlett
• Patch Design: Gareth Green, Andrew Simper
• Web: Adam Ferns, Andreas Schnetzler
• Support And Doc: Mayur Maha, Gareth Green
• Admin and Marketing: Rhiannon Bankston-Thomas, Julia Titchfield

Enjoy!

The FXpansion team.