Simple Hauptwerk Instructions

[Moller Artiste]

I have been using my VPO for about 2 years. I'm running it as a default setup with 2 channels x 4. After reading jbird's post about the best Allen Organ he has heard because of fewer stops per channel, I decided it's time for me to route ranks into specific channels to utilize the 4 x 2 channels I have. I have read the Hauptwerk instructions on how to route ranks to different channels, but I can't seem to fully understand the steps involved. Does anyone know if there are simple step-by-step instructions that explains the procedure in easy to understand language? And can I save my current setup files to revert to if I mess up something trying to create the new setup? Allen

[John Kinkennon]

I have meant to undertake a multi-channel guide for some time now. I feel like a guide with plenty of diagrams and screenshots would be just the ticket. Don't hold your breath waiting though as it seems there's always another project in the works. There is a book by Kenneth Spencer that is mentioned favorably by some HW users. I haven't seen it so can't say for sure if it would help. Kenneth can be reached with a private message on the Hauptwerk forum I would think and I'm sure there will be a post in one of the vendor sections of the forum as well.

[Admin]

I'm not sure what you mean by 2 x 4 (that you later refer to as 4 x 2). Do you have 4 stereo channels or what? Anyway, it's usually easier to guide someone through a procedure if you know what they've done and what their sticking point is, but perhaps I can provide some information that will get you started. I'll use my setup as an example. I have six channels configured as 3 stereo pairs. I also have two channels configured as a stereo mix down for a reverb send but for the sake of simplicity I won't deal with them here.

Getting Started
1. Multi-channel audio is only available in the Advanced version of Hauptwerk. You're limited to one mono or stereo output with the other versions.
2. You can back up and restore your Hauptwerk settings from the File menu, or you can use one of Hauptwerk alternate configurations to avoid changing the settings in your default configuration.

Audio Routing Hierarchy
Rank->Audio Group-> Audio Outputs
The Hauptwerk manual has you setting up the Audio Groups first.

Audio Groups
Audio Groups map to one or more Audio Outputs. Generally, you'll want to create separate audio groups when you want specific ranks to go to specific channels. For example, if you have a subwoofer, you may want to create a Pedal group for the pedal stops. Or if you have a mix of different size and type speakers you might create a group for each type. For example, suppose I have four full range cabinets and two small bookshelf cabinets. I would create a group for each type. Then, I would map ranks to the group best suited to it. Perhaps I'd send the string ranks and mixtures to the Bookshelf Group, and the remaining ranks to the Full Range group. In my personal setup, all my speakers are the same model full-range speakers, so I have only one Audio Group that I call Main.

Within each group you can choose a channel routing method. Hauptwerk then dynamically allocates notes within that group to the channels it contains. I use the Cyclic within octave, octaves and ranks cycled algorithm, but there are three others to choose from and you can decide what sounds best for setup and sample sets.

Any Audio Group can have one or more Audio Outputs. In my setup, my single group contains 6 channels configured as 3 Audio Outputs configured as stereo pairs. In the example above, the Bookshelf group would have two channels configured as a stereo pair Audio Output and the Full range group would have four channels configured as two Audio Outputs configured as stereo pairs.

You create and configure your Audio Groups in General Settings/Audio Output Groups (for multi-channel audio).

Audio Outputs
At the bottom of the hierarchy are the Audio Outputs. You configure them in General Settings/Audio Output. The audio outputs map logical channels to your physical hardware channels. I have three stereo outputs setup in Audio Outputs that I've named Stereo Pair 1 - 3. These map to physical channels on my M-Audio audio interface. (See page 165 of Hauptwerk User Guide).

Ranks
Finally you assign the individual ranks to an Audio Group. You do this when you load the sample set for the first time, or by choosing Organ/Load Organ adjusting rank... menu. You select the ranks from the list and choose the Audio Group to which they belong. Using the example above, you'd assign your string and mixture ranks to the Bookshelf Group and the remainder of the ranks to the Full Range group. In my setup, I only have one group so all the ranks are assigned to my Main group.

Summary
1. Create your audio groups.
2. Create your audio output channel mappings and specify the audio group to which they belong.
3. Assign individual ranks to an audio group.

Hopefully, I've clarified things a bit for you, but feel free to ask further questions. Knowing a bit more about your speakers and what you're trying accomplish would be helpful if you require more details.

[Moller Artiste]

Thanks to John and Admin for your reply.

Here are the components: Allen ADC amps - 8, 100 watt channels. Six Allen HC-15s and 2, Allen B-40s, and a volume boost of 8 Allen HC-15s. Hauptwerk Advanced Edition, Version 4.2.1.003, E.M. Skinner (dry) sampleset. 1960 refurbished Allen TC-6 3M console with Artisan uMIDI. 2, Lexicon MX400 digital reverb units.

When I setup Hauptwerk I was recovering from major surgery and I went with the basic Hauptwerk setup just to get it playing. In my case 1 stereo pair that is duplicated 4 times to equal 8 channels. It sounds great, now I think I can do better. I'm interested in creating more division separation rather than everything playing throughout the setup. My problem is not fully understanding what is required to assign ranks to different channels. Thanks. Allen

[Admin]

First order of business is your audio interface. What are you using and how many channels?

[Moller Artiste]

First order of business is your audio interface. What are you using and how many channels?

PreSonus FireStudio Project 8 channel

[Admin]

Ok, then I'm assuming your interface has 8 channels out.

You will have create Audio Output assignments for each channel or stereo channel pair, then assign each Audio Output to an Audio Group. Hopefully, this will become clearer further down, but in order to proceed you first have to decide how you're going to utilize the 8 channels of your audio interface.

To do this, you need to decide how you want to configure your subwoofer and reverb channels, then whatever channels remain can be used for your main outputs. You don't have to dedicate any channels on your audio interface for these channels provided that you have an external way of separating out and mixing the signals for these devices. If that's the case you would simply create 4 stereo pairs under Audio Output and assign them to a single Audio Group.

Subwoofers
For the subwoofers you need to decide whether you are going to drive them with separate amps as a stereo pair, or configure them as a mono channel driven by one or two amps from a single output. If you've already configured them with crossovers and mixers outside of Hauptwerk, you can skip this step.

If you're going to implement this with Hauptwerk, the simplest way would be to create an Audio Group named Subwoofer, or some such, and then add an Audio Output assigned to one or two channels of your interface and associate that output with the Audio Group. Then, when you assign the ranks, you'll use the Bass Split tab to define a crossover point and send notes below that point to the Subwoofer Audio Group. Notes above that point for that rank will be sent to your Main Audio Group selected in the Main tab. You will repeat this setup for each rank in the sample set.

Reverb Channel
Likewise, you'll need to create an Audio Output entry for your reverb send unless you're using an external mixer for this function, in which case, skip this step. You don't need to create an Audio Group for this purpose. You'll simply use this Audio Output as the Aux send entry for your other Audio Output entries. I'll provide further details as needed, but this is covered in the Hauptwerk User Guide.

Stereo vs Mono
You have an option of whether to dedicate a stereo pair or a single channel for subwoofer and reverb channels. Make this decision when you set up your Audio Outputs. As far the reverb is concerned, a single channel would suffice as the Lexicon mixes the left and right inputs internally when it's in the stereo mode so there's nothing to be gained with a stereo send.

As far as the subwoofer channeling, I'd choose to run them in the stereo mode if I had the channels and amps available, but as you have only eight channels, using a single channel for the subwoofer output is the way I'd go.

So, if you use one channel for the reverb send and one channel for the subwoofers, that leaves you six remaining channels which I'd configure as three stereo Audio Output entries.

Your Audio Outputs and Audio Groupings would then be something like:

Main Stereo Pair 1 (channels 1 & 2) - Main Group
Main Stereo Pair 2 (channels 3 & 4) - Main Group
Main Stereo Pair 3 (channels 5 & 6)- Main Group
Subwoofer (channel 7)- Subwoofer Group
Reverb Send (channel 8) - N/A

Summary

1. Decide channel configuration for subwoofer and reverb send
2. Create an Audio Group for the subwoofer
3. Create an Audio Group for the Main outputs.
4. Create Audio Outputs for subwoofer, reverb, and main channels assigning interface channels accordingly.
5. For each Audio Output defined, with the exception of the reverb output, add the reverb output as an auxilary send.
6. Assign each rank in the sample set to the Main Group, and, in its Bass Split tab, choose the split point for the rank and assign that to the Subwoofer Audio Group.

Obviously, there's a bit to digest here, and there's details to be filled in, but that's the overall process. Also, I've assumed here that you will take the Lexicon output and feed it to its own amplifiers and speakers. If you're planning on mixing the reverb back into the main channels, you'll need an external mixer for that purpose.

Questions?

[Moller Artiste]

Admin, yes, there is a lot to digest! I will work on this next week. Thanks for your help. Allen

[John Kinkennon]

Here are three screen captures of the Hauptwerk settings that Admin describes. My numbering may vary slightly... I saved Reaper screens as well and still intend to do a write-up though Admin has described the Hauptwerk settings very well. I separate the front direct and front diffuse ranks and recombine them in Reaper so that the two versions, for any given pipe sample, don't go to the same pair of speakers.