In the Variation Groups
section, you can define which samples are triggered as variations by assigning them to variation groups. Furthermore, it allows you to specify whether the samples in a layer are loaded or unloaded by adjusting the Preload Level and Desired Preload parameters.
To avoid the so-called machine gun effect that occurs when the same sample is triggered repeatedly, you can create programs that use several samples for the same key and velocity range. These samples can then be triggered alternately as variations. If no variation groups are activated, all zones play simultaneously.
- Enable
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Activates/Deactivates the variation group feature.
- Mode
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Click the Mode column to open a pop-up menu with the following options:
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If this parameter is set to Off, all variations are triggered simultaneously.
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If this parameter is set to Round Robin, all variations are triggered alternately in a fixed order.
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If this parameter is set to Random, all variations are triggered randomly. Individual variations can be triggered repeatedly.
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If this parameter is set to Random Exclusive, all variations are triggered randomly. No variation is played twice in succession.
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Preload Level and Desired Preload
The Preload Level and Desired Preload parameters determine whether the samples in a layer are loaded or unloaded. This allows you to reduce memory usage by temporarily disabling parts of a sound, for example, additional microphone channels.
- Preload Level
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Specifies the current preload level of the layer.
- Desired Preload
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Specifies the desired preload level of the layer.
The values for both parameters range from 0 to 32, allowing complex hierarchical layer structures with up to 32 preload levels. Across the hierarchy, HALion determines loading by comparing the lowest Desired Preload value to the highest Preload Level value.
The lowest Desired Preload acts as the limiting threshold.
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If the highest Preload Level in the hierarchy is less than or equal to this value, the samples are loaded.
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If the highest Preload Level exceeds this value, the samples are unloaded.
In a simple setup with a program containing a single layer that can be activated or deactivated, the parameters can be set as follows:
- Program
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Preload Level=0
You can control the preload level of the layer via a switch on a macro page, or via a script, for example.
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To activate the layer, set Preload Level to 0.
The samples are loaded because 0 is within the defined range (0–31).
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To deactivate the layer, set Preload Level to 32.
The samples are unloaded, because 32 exceeds the Desired Preload value (31).