Managing DLS Collections

The components of a DLS collection are shown in the following figure.

The following main components make up the collection:

• Instruments

  Individual instrument sounds designed to use multiple wave samples, along with parameters that describe how the samples are used. Properties of instruments are edited in the Instrument Properties window and in the DLS Designer Window. See also Adding Instruments to a DLS Collection.

• Waves

  Waveform sound files from digitally recorded samples, along with parameters that describe how to perform the sound. The Waves folder can contain unused waves as well as waves used by instruments. You can add any .wav file to the Waves folder. Properties of waves are edited in the Wave Component Properties window and in Wave Editor. See also Adding Waves to a DLS Collection

Each instrument has the following components:

• Articulations list

  Sets of parameters that define the characteristics of how the volume and pitch of a sound are attacked, sustained, decayed, and released, plus settings for the use of low frequency oscillation and filters.

  Properties of the list are edited in the Articulations List Properties window. Individual articulations are edited in the DLS Designer Window.

  Add an articulation to an instrument by right-clicking the Articulations List folder and selecting Insert Articulation on the shortcut menu. Apply an articulation to the instrument for audition purposes by selecting it.

  Add an articulation to a region by right-clicking the region in the Regions folder and selecting Insert Articulation on the shortcut menu.

  Note   Regions that do not have their own articulations use the default instrument articulation.

  When the DLS collection is downloaded to a synthesizer, all articulations in the list are downloaded with the instrument and applied in order. To be sure of getting predictable results, it's best to have only one articulation in the list.

  For more information on editing articulations, see Articulation Settings.

• Regions

  Pitch ranges, each of which may use a different wave for synthesis. Properties of regions are edited in the Region Properties window and in the DLS Designer Window. You can add a region to an instrument by right-clicking the Regions folder and selecting Insert Region on the shortcut menu. Regions can also be added in the DLS Designer Window.

Instruments and waves can be moved and copied between DLS collections. When you move or copy an instrument, you are asked whether you want to copy the instrument's waves at the same time. Generally you should click Yes. If you click No, the instrument is reset to use waves that are already in the destination DLS collection.

For general information on managing objects in the project tree, see the following topics:

• Managing Components
• Project Tree