A. Introduction

LIMINAL: Winds comes in two editions - one for Kontakt and one for HALion. Depending on where you purchased the software, you may have access to one or both versions. The Kontakt version is only compatible with the full version of Kontakt 6.6.1 or higher. The HALion version will work with either the full version of HALion 6 or the free HALion Sonic SE player.

B. Basic Installation of the Kontakt edition

STEP 1 : Download the .zip file containing LIMINAL and extract it to a desired location on your computer's drive.

STEP 2 : Run Kontakt. Within Kontakt's built-in browser, navigate to the location on your drive where you extracted LIMINAL's files.

STEP 3 : Locate the file LIMINAL_Winds.nki and execute it by either double-clicking or drag-dropping it onto Kontakt's main Rack area(typically the right pane of the Kontakt interface). LIMINAL is now ready to use.

STEP 4 : To load a Snapshot/Preset, locate the SNAPSHOTS folder and drag-drop one of the them onto the LIMINAL interface. Alternatively, you may install the snapshots by following the instructions in the next section.

C. Installing Snapshots for Kontakt

STEP 1 : Locate the wrench icon at the top-left corner of LIMINAL's interface. Click on it.

STEP 2 : Click on 'Instrument Options', which should be just slightly below the wrench icon.

STEP 3 : A dialogue box will appear. Within the category 'Snapshot', click the 'Show' button next to the heading 'Snapshot Saving Location'

STEP 4 : You may be prompted to create a new Snapshots folder associated with LIMINAL. Proceed with this.

STEP 5 : An empty folder should appear. Copy all of the snapshots from the extracted .zip into to this folder.

STEP 6 : Back within Kontakt, click the wrench icon again to return to LIMINAL's user interface. The snapshots should now be accessible via Kontakt's standard Snapshot drop-down menu.

D. Overview of Controls

LIMINAL's interface allows you to activate any number sample-banks within a grid. The sample-banks are clustered in sets of 4, allowing you activate an ensemble and/or single instrument performance(s). Ensemble performances are labeled by a pyramid of three illuminated dots, whereas single instruments are labeled by a single illuminated dot. You may activate/deactivate a sample-bank by left-clicking on it.

Each sample-bank has a set of controls which can be modified and/or modulated independently. These controls can be found to the immediate right of the sample-bank activation button. Not all of these controls are visible simultaneously, as they are divided into three categories: MAIN, LFO and ADSR. There are Buttons at the bottom of the LIMINAL interface which allow you to toggle between the categories.

The following diagrams and keys will describe the functionality of each control within the LIMINAL interface.

1 - Activate an Ensemble performance sample-set for the corresponding articulation
2 - Activate a Solo performance sample-set for the corresponding articulation
3 - Toggle switch to reverse playback
4 - Enable/Disable velocity sensitivity
5 - Independent volume control for the corresponding sample-set
6 - Pan control
7 - Master volume control
8 - Master reverb control
9 - Page selection

10 - Enable LFO, which will modulate volume in relation to the host DAW's tempo
11 - Sets the LFO frequency. Time signure indicates the length of a single LFO cycle.
12 - Click-drag to change the LFO phase. The yellow line represents the sample's start point.
13 - Adjustment for the mimimum volume when the LFO wave is at it's trough.
12 - Sample ATTACK
13 - Sample DECAY
14 - Sample SUSTAIN
15 - Sample RELEASE

Interface Screen 2

14 - Sample ATTACK
15 - Sample DECAY
16 - Sample SUSTAIN
17 - Sample RELEASE

Interface Screen 3

E. Installation of the HALion edition of (if applicable)

In order to install and run LIMINAL for HALion, 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: Go to: Obtain a Halion Sonic SE Activation Code

Follow 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. We strongly recommend you ignore the download link provided in this email. Instead, proceed to STEP 4.

STEP 4: Download the Steinberg Download Assistant Here

Download and install the Steinberg Download Assistant. Follow all prompts to log into your Steinberg account in order to complete installation.

STEP 5: Enter your Download Access Code

From within the Steinberg Download Assistant software, click on the button 'Enter your Download Access Code'. Proceed to paste or key-in the Halion Sonic SE Activation code you received via email. Click OK. Allow the activation process to finish.

STEP 6: Start the Download from within the Steinberg Download Assistant

On the left pane of the Download Assistant, you will see 'Please select a product' with numerous product categories beneath. Select the 'VST Instruments & Plugins' category and find and select the icon for 'HALion Sonic SE 3'. Make sure you are NOT selecting 'HALion Sonic 3' or 'HALion 6' by mistake.

With 'HALion Sonic SE 3' selected, you will see a 'Download' option the right pane. Click this button and allow the software to finish downloading.

STEP 7: Click 'Open' to Install HALion Sonic SE 3

The 'Download' button will have changed to an 'Open' button when it is ready, so click on it and follow the remaining prompts for installation to complete.

STEP 8: Install LIMINAL: Winds

Unzip the LIMINAL download, and run the .VST file. This should prompt the Library Manager to open. You will be asked for an installation path information, so choose whatever suits you. Follow any remaining prompts for The Library Manager to finish 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.

F. 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.