DMteam@devine-machine.com

GENERAL QUESTIONS

Q: What the hell is this thing ?
A: Devine Machine is what we call a 'loop workstation', allowing the user to re-phrase, re-create, re-groove and generally mangle their loop collection. Not only is it the perfect studio tool to breath new life into your loops, but it has also been designed to play them live via midi.

Q: Lots of software already mangle loops. What can DM do that others cannot ?
A: DM has some unique features.....

"Slicemapper" will store the rythmical position of each element in a loop (bass drum , snare , hh , etc..), and apply that same pattern to any other loop. (imagine playing the 'funky drummer' loop using the sounds from ANY other drum loop - in one click!!).

8 banks of 50 presets allow the user to store patterns and fx setting that are instantly applyable to any loop. So one loop on your hard drive = hundreds loops (each one only one click away)

Totally transparent "Groove Editor" which can act as a master groove control for all your loops, or work individually. Grooves are, of course, mappable between loops.

"Live Loop" mode allows the user to map up to 24 loops across a midi keyboard and jam with them live, using a unique collection of tools.

Q: What are demo limitations ?
A: The vsti demo produces a beep. Please run in Stereo Mode. Multi mode will send beeps from all its outputs (making one rather loud beep). The standalone version does not beep, but is limited to 20 minutes use.

Q: Where do I find more preset banks to download?
A: Just join our mailing list , and new banks will be sent to you. Also we made a cool bank export feature , so that you can send a bank of preset with a banner so that everybody that uses this bank can see it and be connected to your site and/or download one of your mp3.


BROWSING QUESTIONS

Q: Can I preview loops at the correct tempo, like in Acid ?
A: Yes, DM's browser has the ability to preview loops in 2 ways, pitch-to-tempo (often better for drum loops) or original-pitch (better for musical loops). It also has a feature to automatically advance to the next file after 4 bars. Preview whilst programming your favourite synth anyone ?

Q: What are the shapes at the bottom of the browser ?
A: When you naviguate, you can store a shortcut to your current location (left click) , and recal it to jump to this location. DM browser database can let you explore 800000 files immediately.


SAMPLING/ SLICE QUESTIONS

Q: My wave file is not looped alright , can I set the looping point ?
A: Yes in "Sample" view (in Song Mode), you can set the loop point by clicking on the waveform, and fine adjust with the upper (zoomed) part

Q: Once I have loaded a wave file , how do I start slicing it ?
A: Select the track of your loop, press R , or go in "Sample" view in song mode , and press the "Slice Editor" button.

Q: Does DM adjust the tempo of the loop before slicing it up?
A: Yes

Q: Once a loop is sliced up, can you still roll your own beats with it and not just be limited to the presets?
A: Yes , simply by drawing on the graphs (red line/colored drums) in Pattern Mode.

Q: Can I send slices to individual outputs ?
A: Yes

Q: Does DM generate midi template ?
A: The use of midi template is not necessary DM as it has its own step sequencer, allowing you to (re)arrange your loops.

Q: Can I manually play slices via MIDI (ie automapped)
A: DM plays the loops via MIDI, not the slices. This way you can build entire songs and play live within DM.

Q: Does DM use time stretch ?
A: DM doesn't use timestretch based on formants as it often introduces unwanted artifacts. DM will still fill any holes left by lowering the tempo of a loop (or altering the groove) by appending a reverse copy of the slice where needed, giving a much more natural sounding loop .

Q: Can DM autodetect slice ?
A: Yes, and our 'auto-advance' system makes manual tweaking faster than ever!

Q: How DM remember the slice information of my loops?
A: DM won't generate additional files, and won't write these slice data into wave file itself. It will stores info in an internal database, with export/import features. You can even change the name of your wave file, DM will still recall the slices.


EDITING QUESTIONS

Q: Where do I sart after loading a loop?
A: It is the "INCARN" button . You have 3 modes of reconstruction : flow , drums , and synth.

Q: What is the difference between Flow, Drum and Synth mode ?
A: Flow mode is perfect for reverse/scratch fx, Drum mode is more specialized in drumloops (with the Groove Editor). Synth mode lets you draw an original waveform (that can be ringmodulated with the loaded loop).

Q: How do I change the mode?
A: Go into incarn effect, and on the bottom left of the edit screen, DM will show you the current mode. Just click on it twice to change mode (twice because DM asks confirmation).

Q: Where is the groove editor?
A: You can access the groove editor only in drum mode

Q: Does Devine Machine have an on-the-fly reverse drawing ?
A: Yes, when you are in Flow mode, use ALT & left click . You can also select all then use the slider "invert".

Q: Is it possible to have fine tuning on the Pitch page?
A: Sure , just toggle the "Off" snap button, and you can move up down selection for fine tuning. (right click on selection to move up/down).

Q: Can I draw freeform in effect editor ?
A: Again, disable the Snap perameter as above. After drawing a free form , you can use the "S" (for slide) shortcut to slide the free form , it will be more natural in most case. You can also dbl click on slide slider to make the same (but stronger)

Q: Can I work with loops over 2 bars?
A: We limited DM bar numbers to 2 bars for a simple reason: when working with 2 bar loop files, you have your loop sliced in 32 16th elements. So with a 4 bar loop , you would have 64 slices on screen. We tryed this, but felt it too uncomfortable for editing. Some very longer loops can be played through the Live Loops in Stream mode.


LIVE/REALTIME QUESTIONS

Q: So do you trigger the different loops by midi notes ?
A: Yes, once you edited pattern variations of your loop , you just drag&drop them from the Pattern locations (1-5) into the Liveloops MIDI keyboard, and you are ready to go.

Q: Is "LiveLoop" like using a sampler ?
A: Yes, with the added advantage that all loops will sync to host tempo. Then you can define for each MIDI key (each liveloop) : - the quantizing time (from 8 beats to 64th) - the output (14 stereo outs) - the volume & pan - the group (replace track feature) - the attack and decay when you press a midi key - bar number - the way DM should play it : trigger, stream (latch), or one shot

Q: What is the "replace track" feature
A: You may want loops to replace each other when playing live. There are 8 groups, one group per track. This function is similar to "Mute groups" on traditional samplers. Each group (or track) is essentially monophonic, so only one loop can be played in one group at any one time.

Q: How does crossfading between LiveLoops work ?
A: DM can crossfade liveloops together (up to 24) so that the global level of all the playing Liveloops will always be equal to one liveloop. This way you can "morph" between loops.

Q: Are there other features for playing live?
A: Yes, the first octave of MIDI keyboard is full of realtime remixing/effects keys. Look in "option" panel in song mode in DM to see their uses :)


TECHNICAL QUESTIONS

Q: What are the system requirements?
A: Intel Pentium II/500 MHz or better 512mb RAM Windows 98/XP/2000 or later. 256 color monitor / 800x600 pixels resolution or better 16-bit windows compatible audio card, preferably with DirectX or ASIO drivers preferably a MIDI Interface and a MIDI keyboard

Q: Does the full version support multiple VSTi instances in a host?
A: DM has first been develloped as a stand alone application and is quite big, so we decided to limit the instances to one because it uses a lot of internal system files. With 28 outputs, you should be able to achieve almost anything!