Discord User’s Guide

Audio Damage, Inc.

Release 1.5, VST Edition
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on
the part of Audio Damage, Inc. The software described by this document is subject to a License Agreement
and may not be copied to other media except as specifically allowed in the License Agreement. No part of this
publication may be copied, reproduced or otherwise transmitted or recorded, for any purpose, without prior
written permission by Audio Damage, Inc.

© 2004, 2005 Audio Damage, Inc.

All rights reserved.

Credits

Software Design and Construction, Documentation

Chris Randall
Adam Schabtach

Field Testing
Mike Fisher

Made Possible By
Tracie Bork
Lisa Randall

Fuzzy Logic
Alex
Chica
Fatty
Widget
License Agreement
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respect to the use of the Software.
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Discord digital pitch shifter. Combining a stereo pitch shifter with digital delay
lines and analog-style filters, his plug-in is capable of accurately simulating vintage digital pitch and
harmonizing effects, as well as creating interesting sounds in its own right.

System Requirements
To use Discord, you'll need the following as a minimum:

For use with Microsoft Windows:

 Windows 98 or later

 256 MB RAM

 Pentium III 600 MHz CPU

 High Color S-VGA Display

 Steinberg VST-compatible host application, preferably conforming to the VST 2.0 specifications

For use with Apple Macintosh:

 Mac OS X version 10.2 or later. We do not support the use of our plug-ins with versions of the MacOS
earlier than 10.2. We strongly recommend using at least version 10.3.9.

 256 MB RAM

 G4 500 MHz CPU

 Display capable of “thousands of colors”

 Steinberg VST-compatible host application, preferably conforming to the VST 2.0 specifications
Installation
Double-click the Discord Installer icon, and follow the instructions. During the installation process the installer
will ask you to enter your registration code. You received this code in the email message you received after
placing your order. Your registration code uniquely identifies your purchase, and you will need it if you need to
reinstall your plug-in (for example, after upgrading to a new computer). Keep a copy of the code in a safe
location and please don’t share it with your friends. We’re delighted if you like our products so much that you
want to share them, but please ask your friends to buy their own copy so that we can keep making new
products.

To un-install from OSX, simply delete the plug-in from your VST folder. To un-install from Windows, use the
included un-installer application.

We assume that you are familiar with using VST plug-ins with your particular VST host. If you have general
questions about using VST plug-ins with your host, please refer to its documentation.
Operation
Discord is a digital pitch-shifter and delay plug-in, modeled after a particular vintage unit which is still highly
desired for its vocal-doubling abilities and chorusing effects. We have attempted to faithfully recreate the
character of the original hardware, while adding a few modern features to take advantage of the DAW
environment, such as longer delay times, parameter automation, and MIDI control.

Discord is a true stereo processor. If used in a stereo context (for example, as an insert on a stereo channel in
your DAW’s mixer), the left and right channels are processed independently with no summing.

The following screen shot shows Discord’s user interface. The controls are described in the following numbered
paragraphs.

1. Pitch Controls: The PITCH and FINE knobs control the amount that the pitch of the incoming signal is
shifted. The value in the display indicates the amount of pitch shift, expressed in cents or hundredths of a
semitone. For example, a shift value of +1200 raises the signal’s pitch by one octave, and a value of -700
lowers it a fifth. The PITCH knob has a range of ±1200 and the FINE knob has a range of ±100. The sum
of their settings determines the pitch shift value.

2. The SHIFT CTRL switch engages or disengages MIDI control of the shift amount. If the SHIFT CTRL switch
is set to MIDI, the PITCH and FINE knobs are disengaged and incoming MIDI note messages set the shift
interval. Pressing a note on your MIDI controller will set the pitch shifting effect accordingly, enabling you
 to play the pitch shifter as if it were an instrument. Middle C (MIDI note 60) sets the pitch shifter at zero,
or no shifting. The range is one octave below middle C to one octave above middle C.
Note: Different AudioUnit hosts have different ways of allowing MIDI information to be routed to effects
AudioUnits. In some hosts, it is not possible to send MIDI information to effects AudioUnits. Consult the
documentation for your host if you are unsure about its MIDI routing capabilities.
If the switch is set to MAN, the knobs have their usual effect.

3. Filters: The LPF and HPF controls set the cut-off frequency of low-pass and high-pass filters which come
after the delay lines in the signal chain. These filters can be adjusted to alter the timbre of the pitch-
shifted and delayed signal. For instance, you can use the low-pass filter to create a “darker” sound, or the
high-pass filter to create a “thinner” sound.
Both controls set the corner frequencies of the corresponding filter. Since the filters have complementary
frequency responses, the knobs in some sense operate opposite from one another. A low-pass filter
attenuates signals above its cutoff frequency, passing lower-frequency signals; whereas a high-pass filter
attenuates signals below its cutoff frequency, passing higher-frequency signals. As you rotate the LPF
control clockwise, the corner frequency of the low-pass filter increases, allowing more of the signal to
pass. On the other hand, as you rotate the HPF control clockwise, the corner frequency of the high-pass
filter increases, allowing less of the signal to pass. If you set the frequency of the low-pass filter to less
than the frequency of the high-pass filter, you’ll hear little or no output signal.
The behavior of the filters is easier to hear than to describe in words. If you play with these knobs a little
while running a signal with broad frequency content (like a bright synth pad or a drum loop with cymbals)
through Discord, you’ll hear their effect.

4. Delay: The left and right knobs control the amount that the left and right pitch-shifted signals are delayed
in relation to the original (dry) signal. Each delay has a range of 0 to 999 msec, (approximately one
second). The exact delay times are displayed above the knobs. Short delay times can enhance a chorusing
or doubling effect created with small amounts of pitch shifting. If you set the left and right delay times to
slightly different values, Discord will produce a wide stereo chorus. Long delay times create familiar echo
effects. In conjunction with pitch shifting, long delays produce echoes that ascend or descend in pitch.
When the plug-in is on a mono channel, only the left delay knob will have any effect.

5. Feedback: This knob controls feedback level, that is, the amount of the output signal which is fed back
into the pitch shifter. Note that the feedback path goes through the delay lines and the filters before
returning to the pitch shifter. Extreme “dive bomb” or “barber pole” effects can be obtained with longer
feedback times when the pitch shift amount is set to a value other than zero. The plug-in will self-oscillate
at higher feedback settings, creating interesting noise effects.
6. LFO: Discord has a low-frequency oscillator (LFO) that can be used to change, or modulate, the amount of
pitch shifting and the frequencies of the filters.
The RATE knob determines how fast the output of the LFO varies over time. The LFO’s rate can be set from
one cycle every 100 seconds (that is 0.01 cycles per second, abbreviated 0.01 Hz) to 14 cycles every
second (14 Hz).
The SHAPE knob and WAVE buttons work together to control how the LFO’s output varies over time. The
WAVE buttons let you choose one of four waveforms, with triangular, rectangular, sinusoidal, and randomly
determined shapes. The SHAPE knob changes the basic waveform in different ways, depending on which
waveform is chosen with the WAVE buttons.

 If the triangle wave is selected, and the SHAPE knob is set to the middle of its range, the output of the LFO
rises and falls evenly between its lowest and highest values, creating a symmetric triangular wave. If you
rotate the SHAPE knob to the left, the LFO output rises more quickly and falls more slowly, creating what is
often called a sawtooth wave. If you rotate the SHAPE knob to the right, the LFO rises more slowly and
falls more quickly, creating what is called a ramp wave.

 If the rectangle wave is selected, and the SHAPE knob is set to the middle of its range, the output of the
LFO jumps between its lowest and highest values, staying for an equal period of time at both values. If
you rotate the SHAPE knob to the left, the output stays at its highest value for a shorter period of time. If
you rotate the SHAPE knob to the right, the output stays at lowest value for a shorter period of time. In
engineering terms, the SHAPE knob varies the duty cycle of the rectangular wave.

 If the sine wave is selected, and the SHAPE knob is set to the middle of its range, the output of the LFO
varies smoothly between its lowest and highest values. The difference between a sine wave and a triangle
wave is that the triangle wave abruptly changes direction when it reaches its highest and lowest values;
whereas the sine wave gradually slows down, stops, and speeds up again when it changes directions.
Turning the SHAPE knob warps and skews the sine wave without creating any sharp corners in its shape.
Its effect is far easier to hear than to describe.

 If the random wave is selected, and the SHAPE knob is turned all the way to the left, the output of the LFO
jumps to a random value, changing at a rate determined by the rate knob. As you rotate the SHAPE knob
to the right, the output moves more slowly from one random value to the next.

The following diagram illustrates the different modulation signals generated by different settings of the shape
and wave controls:
The amount that the LFO affects the pitch shifter and/or filters is set by the small, arc-shaped sliders to the
left of the PITCH, LPF and HPF knobs. If the slider’s handle is at the middle of the arc, the LFO has no effect on
the associated parameter. If you click and drag the handle upwards, the LFO will increase the parameter’s
value from the value set by the knob. For example, if you move the handle next to the PITCH knob upwards,
the LFO will increase the amount of pitch shift. If you drag the handle downwards from the middle position, it
will decrease the value of the associated parameter.
Note that you may not hear any change if the parameter is already set to one end or the other of its range.
For example, if the high-pass filter’s knob is rotated fully counter-clockwise, and you move its modulation
slider downwards, you won’t hear any difference in the output signal, since the high-pass filter’s frequency
can’t be made any lower.
7. Master Controls: These knobs and switches control the level of the signals as they enter and emerge
from the plug-in. The knobs have a range of -80dB, which turns the signal off for all practical purposes, to
+3dB, to provide a small amount of boost for weak signals.

 INPUT: This knob controls the level of the input signal. Profound, no?

 WET: This knob controls the level of processed signal, after it passes through the pitch shifter, filters, and
delay.

 DRY: This knob controls the level of the dry signal passed from the input. When you use Discord as a send
effect, you will probably want to turn down the dry signal using this knob. When used as an insert effect
you’ll usually want to mix the wet and dry signals at equal levels if you’re using Discord for a doubling or
chorusing effect.

The meters show the levels of the left and right channels of the input, processed, and dry output signals. The
top of the meter’s range represents a full-scale signal. If a meter hits the top frequently or continuously,
reduce that signal’s level with its knob.

MIDI Controllers
Discord responds to MIDI continuous controller messages. You can use hardware MIDI controllers, such as
MIDI slider boxes or the knobs found on some MIDI keyboards, to adjust Discord’s parameters. Every control
in Discord’s user interface can be manipulated with a MIDI controller, except the SHIFT CTRL switch.

Discord has a simple “MIDI Learn” mode for assigning its parameters to MIDI controllers. To assign a
parameter to a MIDI controller:

1. Hold down the SHIFT and CTRL keys (SHIFT and CMD keys on a Mac) on your computer’s keyboard, and
click once on the parameter’s control. An orange box will be drawn around the control to indicate that
it is ready to learn which MIDI controller it will be assigned to.

2. Move the MIDI controller to send a continuous controller message—turn the knob, press the button,
move the slider, whatever is appropriate.

3. The orange square will disappear. Now Discord’s control will move when you manipulate the MIDI
controller.
Discord waits until it has received two consecutive continuous controller messages with the same controller
number before it makes an assignment. This filters out extraneous data sent by some MIDI controllers. If you
are assigning a button or switch on a MIDI controller, you may have to press or move the switch twice before
Discord recognizes the controller and assigns it to the desired parameter.

 To assign a different MIDI controller to a control, repeat the same procedure.

 To cancel MIDI Learn mode without assigning a controller, hold down the SHIFT and CTRL keys (SHIFT
and CMD keys on a Mac) and click in any empty area in Discord’s window (i.e., don’t click on another
control).

 To remove a MIDI controller assignment from a control, SHIFT and CTRL keys, (SHIFT and CMD keys on a
Mac) click on the control once so that the orange box appears, then click again on the same control.

Discord’s MIDI controller assignments are stored with the plug-in’s preset data. If you use MIDI controllers
frequently, you may find it helpful to store a template preset that contains the controller assignments that you
usually use. Use this template preset as a starting point when making new presets so that you do not have to
reassign the MIDI controllers every time.

And Finally…
Thanks again for purchasing Discord. We make every effort to ensure your satisfaction with our products, and
want you to be happy with your purchase. Please write support@audiodamage.com if you have any questions
or comments.