Table Of Contents

1. Installation
2. Loading LIMINAL into HALion Sonic SE 3.4
3. Overview Of Controls

1. Installation

In order to install and run LIMINAL, you will need to have HALion software installed on your computer.  For this tutorial, we'll have you install the FREE HALion Sonic SE 3.4 software, but if you are an owner of a paid version of HALion, you should update your software to the most recent version.


STEP 1: Go to: Steinberg Account Signup/Login

Follow the steps to either create a new account and/or sign in to an existing account.

STEP 2: Obtain a Halion Sonic SE Activation Code

Go to the link and click the button labled 'DOWNLOAD FOR FREE'. Steinberg will send you an activation code to the email address associated with your Steinberg account.

STEP 3: Check your Email inbox (spam folder, if necessary)

Find the email from Steinberg, and make a copy of the activation code.


STEP 4: Go to the Halion Sonic SE Downloads page

On this page, use the links to download the following 3 files:

1. eLicenser Control Center
2. Steinberg Library Manager
3. HALion Sonic SE 3.4.x FREE

Make sure to choose either Mac or Windows versions correctly. Once downloaded, install them in the specific order listed(first the eLicenser, then the Library Manager and finally HALion Sonic)

STEP 5: Run the freshly installed 'eLicenser Control Center'

On Windows, this will likely now be a desktop icon, as well as within the Start Menu.

STEP 6: Click on the button labeled 'Enter Activation Code'

When prompted, paste or key-in the Activation Code you received in your email. Then, click 'Continue', followed by 'Download License'. Let the software finish the process. HALion is now installed and ready for LIMINAL.

STEP 7: Install LIMINAL: Vol.1

Unzip the LIMINAL download, and run LIMINAL_VOL1.VST. This should prompt the Library Manager to open. It will ask for installation path information. Choose whatever suits you. Library Manager will then finish the installation, and you are done! LIMINAL should now be installed and ready to use. You can now open HALion Sonic SE as a plugin within your DAW, or as standalone software.

2. Loading LIMINAL into HALion Sonic SE 3.4

This section will provide basic information for opening LIMINAL within the HALion Sonic SE interface interface. For detailed information about operating HALion Sonic SE, you may choose to consult the HALion Sonic SE User Manual.

STEP 1 : Begin by opening HALion Sonic SE 3.4 as either a plugin in your DAW, or through your operating system as standalone software.

STEP 2: On the HALion Sonic SE interface, you should see a LOAD tab. Beneath the tab, there is an elongated rectangular button. Click on this button to access your installed HALion libraries.

STEP 3: Find the LIMINAL 'cover-art' and click on it to access LIMINAL's selection of presets.

STEP 4: You will now see a selection of available LIMINAL presets in the 'media-bay'. Preset  will have a name such as 'Dry Biting Rebow A' or 'SWEELS - Biting Tremolo'. Double-click a Preset and it will be loaded into the Program Rack on the left of the HALion interface. You should now be able to play LIMINAL's sounds with the on-screen Keyboard or you connected Midi Device.

STEP 5: To access the GUI of LIMINAL, click on the EDIT tab, which is to the right of the LOAD tab.

STEP 6: Additional Presets can be loaded via the program controls at the top of the HALion GUI, or by returning to the LOAD tab, and selecting another preset.

3. Overview of Controls

This section will provide basic information for opening LIMINAL within the HALion Sonic SE interface interface. For detailed information about operating HALion Sonic SE, you may choose to consult the HALion Sonic SE User Manual.

1 - Master Volume Control
2 - Reverb Control
3 - Articulation Selection
4 - Independent volume control for individual articulations
5 - Enable/Disable Velocity sensitivity
6 - Toggle switch to Reverse playback of individual articulation
7 - Page Toggle

8 - Enable LFO, which will modulate volume in relation to the host DAW's tempo
9 - Sets the LFO frequency
10 - Knob changes the LFO phase. The center line represents the sample's start point.
11 - Adjustment for the mimimum volume when the LFO wave is at a trough.
12 - Sample ATTACK
13 - Sample DECAY
14 - Sample SUSTAIN
15 - Sample RELEASE