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The Settings Page is accessed from the Main Page in OPTIONS | SETTINGS (or F5), or by clicking the SETTINGS Icon in the Toolbar.
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
FOLDERS TAB
SETTINGS TAB
OPTIONS TAB
SAVE SETTINGS
PERSONAL SETTINGS FILES
INTRODUCTION
Soundshaper saves all of its settings to the Settings file Soundshaper.cfg (formerly Soundshaper.evt). These settings are loaded to the SETTINGS PAGE on startup. A basic version of Soundshaper.cfg is created when you start Soundshaper for the first time.
The SETTINGS PAGE displays current settings, initially the contents of the basic Settings file.
On setting-up Soundshaper, you should edit this information as necessary and save it to Soundshaper.cfg (see SAVING SETTINGS below).OPTIONS
Included under SETTINGS are various Options, which are mirrored on the Main page: Options Menu. These can be changed during a session, as can other items in SETTINGS. Changes to SETTINGS can then be saved to file, if you wish.
FOLDERS TAB
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Soundshaper reads the following essential folders (directories) from the Soundshaper.cfg file. Most of these are subfolders of your CDP base folder, e.g. C:\cdpr7 (called [CDP-Folder] here).
When you start Soundshaper for the first time, you have to enter the CDP base folder.
- TEMP. OUTFILES: pre-set to [CDP-Folder]\TEMP. You can change it here.
The folder into which Soundshaper's Temporary Outfiles are written.
It is a good idea to keep sounds on a separate drive or folder, well away from Windows, so that accumulating soundfiles does not clog up Windows and any Windows crash doesn't affect your precious sounds. The location is unimportant, as long as Soundshaper knows where it is. Avoid spaces in the folder path.
N.B. It is essential that Soundshaper can save files to this folder. The program checks for write permissions and attempts to remove any read-only restrictions that the folder might have.
- CDP PROGRAMS: pre-set to [CDP-Folder]\_cdp\_cdprogs. NORMALLY DO NOT CHANGE THIS.
The CDP system must now be installed before Soundshaper. The CDP programs ( .exe) are now in a fixed location.
Soundshaper cannot operate correctly without this path to the CDP programs. There must be no spaces in the path.
(In the above screenshot, the CDP Programs folder has been re-located. This works fine, as long as Soundshaper knows where it is!)
- PROJECT FOLDER (optional): pre-set to the TEMP. OUTFILES folder.
You can select a folder for your current project and change this at any time.
The folder is given priority for opening source files and saving output files.
(The TEMP. OUTFILES setting is not a recommendation, but just ensures that Soundshaper has a nominated Project Folder.)
The Project Folder can also be changed on the Main Page, for immediate use: see File | Select Project Folder (or Shift+Ctrl+F5). That does not change the folder selected here under Settings. This setting is mainly for saving to the Settings file Soundshaper.cfg (although it can be changed within a session).
- USER DATA FILES: the USER FOLDER, preset to [CDP-Folder]\TXT. You can change it here.
This is an essential folder, used by Soundshaper as a central repository to store default data files, presets, patches, and other settings. Many of these files are kept in process-specific sub-folders (e.g. [User-Folder]\Blur).
The location is unimportant, as long as Soundshaper knows where it is. Avoid spaces in the folder path.
(You can of course keep project data files wherever you like, e.g. in your current Project Folder.)
In a multi-user setup, each user should have his/her own User Folder, specified in a Personal Settings File (see below).
The User Folder can also be changed on the Main Page, for immediate use: see File | Select User Data Folder (or Ctrl+D). That does not change the folder selected here under Settings. Note that if the folder is changed, default datafiles and presets will not be found. While you might change the folder for a specific purpose, it is better to keep the central repository of files intact in one place and switch the Project Folder, as required.
- HELP DOCS: preset to [CDP-Folder]\Docs. This is the base sub-folder for CDP documention.
Soundshaper DOCS (these files) should also be placed in this folder for links between the two to work, i.e. [CDP-Folder]\Docs\Soundshaper.
This folder could be placed elsewhere, but it is normal to keep all CDP folders together within the CDP base folder.
- PATCHES: preset to [User-Folder]\Patches. You can change it here.
Project-specific patches are often best placed in a Project Folder, or in a process subfolder of the User-Folder, but this folder allows you to store general ones in the same place.
N.B. If you change this folder, the default one will still be used by Soundshaper and will re-generate as necessary.To select a folder, click the SELECT button and browse to the folder.
To create a folder that does not yet exist, click SELECT and enter the path of the folder.
SETTINGS TAB
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The Settings Tab contains settings for CDP and Soundshaper:
- SAMPLE TYPE (bits): the selection here is between Integers ('16') and Floating-point ('32').
The values offered are 16 and 32: '32' stands for 32-bit floating-point. '16' stands for Integers: 16-bit/24-bit/32-bit, so "16-bit" is not to be taken literally.
When a soundfile is selected in Soundshaper, it is converted to a temporary .wav file (.aif/.aifc sources are converted to .wav).
- If you have selected '32' here and your source is an Integer type (e.g. 16-bit 44.1KHz), it will be converted to 32-bit Floating Point internally, before being processed.
- If you have selected '16' here and your source is Floating-Point, it will be converted to 24-bit Integer (the default), before being processed.
- Otherwise, the type is preserved, as CDP operates on the basis of OUTFILE_TYPE = INFILE_TYPE.
For example, a 24-bit/96KHz Infile will normally be processed to give a 24-bit/96KHz Outfile.
For further details, see Soundfile types.
- CDP MEMORY SIZE: Default: 1000kB (1 MB). This is a CDP ENVIRONMENT VARIABLE.
If a particular CDP program will not run for lack of memory, alter the Memory size temporarily and click OK to quit the page.
To alter it permanently, save the Settings to the Soundshaper.cfg file.
- PATCH COLUMNS: Choose how many Patch columns you want for the Patchgrid (max. 99). The default is 16.
This value can be changed during a session, provided that the Patchgrid has been cleared first.
Only 12 will be displayed at any one time: use the scrollbar to access the others.
- PATCH ROWS: Choose how many Patch rows you want for the Patchgrid (max. 16). The default is 8.
This value can be changed during a session, provided that the Patchgrid has been cleared first.
- VISIBLE PATCH ROWS: Choose how many Patch rows you want to be visible at any one time. The default is 8.
The other rows are accessed by scrolling down (max. 16: must be <= PATCH ROWS).
- SOUND PLAYBACK: Use the default setting MediaPlayer/WaveMapper if possible.
This selects whatever you chose as your default soundcard in Windows' CONTROL PANEL and enables Soundshaper's internal Player to use this card.
The other values in the drop-down box have been found by reading the available output devices on your system. These numbers may be needed if you want to use the CDP programs PAPLAY (for soundfiles) or PVPLAY (for soundfiles and .ana files).
- SOUNDFILE EDITOR (optional): Browse to select an optional external soundfile editor here, e.g. Audacity.
The external editor is launched from the menu item Tools | External Soundfile Editor (shortcut F2), or by clicking the external editor icon in the toolbar:![]()
For further details, see External Editor.
In addition, you can send a soundfile to up to 10 different programs via the FAVOURITES list.
- GLOBAL PRESETFILE (optional): Optionally select any preset file you wish to be global (see GLOBAL PRESETS for details). This is linked to the Option "Use Global Presets" see OPTIONS tab below.
Selecting a file here does not mean that you have selected to use Global Presets, nor does it stop you selecting a different Preset file on the Main page or a Parameter Page when needed.
- SOUNDFILE POOL: pre-set to [USER-FOLDER]\POOL\Pool.lst.
This is the Pool File that will be loaded into the File List on startup. Initially, the list will be empty.
See FILE LIST for details.
While you can change this setting for every project, you can equally load a project list into the Files Panel, as required (e.g. by Drag+Drop).
- CHANGE SKIN: a drop-down list of the available Skins. The default, Pulsar, is pre-selected.
You can also change skins on the Main Page: File | SKIN. For details see Other Features: Skins.
OPTIONS TAB and MAIN PAGE: OPTIONS
The checkboxes on the OPTIONS Tab are mirrored on the Main Page menu: OPTIONS.
Here you can set the default option settings which are loaded from the Settings file Soundshaper.cfg on startup.![]()
Changes made here are reflected on the Main Page, after closing the Settings Page (unless you click CANCEL).
Changes to Options on the Main Page are sent to the Settings Page, when you next visit it. If you do not do so, and do not save altered Settings during a session, any Option changes made on the Main Page apply only to the current session and are lost on Exit.
The keyboard shortcuts below refer to the Option settings on the Main Page.
- AUTO-PLAY (Shift+F1): Recommended
If set, soundfiles and analysis files are played immediately when selected or created.
- PASTE PREVIEW (Shift+F2): Recommended
Used when processing part of a sound or (spectral) file, using Loop Points or Markers (see Process Segment. If this is set, then the processed segment is displayed in context (as it will sound within the original file) prior to selecting PASTE. If not set, only the processed segment is displayed.
- LOOPS / MARKERS TO PARAMETERS (Shift+F3): Recommended
Sends relevant times from Loops or Markers to the Parameter Page, if Process At Loops or Process At Markers is chosen.
This is for 'timed' processes for which the whole file is used, but which have one or more times as parameters, e.g. START and END times. Soundshaper knows which these are and sends the Loop or Marker times automatically. For details see Process Segment: Timed Processes and also Appendix: Timed Processes.
- SHOW MENU HINTS (Shift+F4): Normally set
If set, Main-page Process menu items are accompanied by a Hint, displayed in the Status Panel at the bottom of the page, and also in the Title Bar. The Hint gives a brief description of the process, which can help you choose whether it is suitable or not. A separate panel shows the corresponding CDP function name. Clicking on this panel links to the appropriate CDP Help file.
- AUTO-FFT (Shift+F5): Normally set
If set, this option allows spectral analysis files (.ana) to be converted into soundfiles for playing purposes. You might switch it off if the output .ana file is likely to be very long and you are going to process it further in the frequency domain. (For details see SOUNDFILE PLAYER: Other Aspects).
- Use Project Folder (Load/Save) (Shift+F6):
Use the Project Folder nominated in the Settings Tab for Load/Save file operations on the Main Page.
This option should be set even if you have not currently nominated a Project Folder.
- AUTO-SCALE TIME-VARYING DATAFILES (Shift+F8): Normally set
Setting this option checks the Auto-Scale checkbox on the Parameter Page. (Checking Auto-Scale on the Parameter Page does not affect the setting on the Main Page or here, however.)
The option causes the time-values of breakpoint files to be re-scaled in proportion to the final value, which is adjusted to the end of the file. For details see AUTO-SCALE.
When auto-scaling is not appropriate (especially if the last time-point was not at the end), you can uncheck the option on the Main Page, or on the Parameter Page before loading the datafile. However, having it pre-set here saves setting it every time it would be useful.
The option has no effect on text files that are not recognised as being time-varying (even if they consist of a series of times).
- USE GLOBAL PRESETS (Shift+F9):
Checking this option allows a selected preset file to be "global", that is, to be applied to every parameter page. As only those presets relevant to the process are actually displayed, a global preset file permits a collection of presets from a number of processes to be available wherever they apply.
You can nominate the global preset file in the Settings tab (see above), but you can also assign it on the Main page.
This option is the 'enabler', over-riding the local preset file for each process. You can also switch it on or off on the Parameter Page with the local option Use Global Presets (Shift+F9).
(See GLOBAL PRESETS for details).
- SHOW WARNING MESSAGES (Shift+F10): Normally not set
If not set (the default), CDP Warning messages will not be shown in the Report Window.
If the option is checked, you will get interesting technical gems such as:
WARNING: Negative frq(s) in source data: rectified.
CDP Error Messages are always shown and are unaffected by this option.
- HIDE OPTIONAL PARAMETERS (Shift+F11):
If set, CDP's Optional Parameters are hidden on the Parameter Page.
You can also switch the option on or off on the Parameter Page with the local option Hide Optional Parameters (Shift+F11).
Hidden parameters are not used in the process, even if included in a preset.
- ALTERNATIVE SETTINGS: Normally not set
This option does not appear on the Main Page, but is set in SETTINGS | Options.
On startup, if the option has been saved to the default Settings file (Soundshaper.cfg), the user can select an alternative settings file (.cfg) (PERSONAL SETTINGS FILE).
The option is intended for use in a multiple-user setup, though it could be used to load an entirely different set of options and folders from the user's standard settings (saved to Soundshaper.cfg).
- AUTO-SCALE FORMS: Legacy option: normally not set
On some older PC systems and resolutions, the forms and most Soundshaper components were better presented if rescaled.
The option was designed to achieve this.
Do not set both Form-Scale and Auto-scale..
- FORM-SCALE: Legacy option: normally not set
On some older PC systems and resolutions, the form needed to be re-scaled, but not the components on it.
With more recent versions of Windows, this is probably not an issue.
Do not set both Form-Scale and Auto-scale..
- PLAY VIA CONSOLE: Legacy option: no longer available
When set, soundfiles were played via the CDP programs PAPLAY and analysis files via PVPLAY. These run in a console window.
This option has been removed, as it no longer seems to have a use (but could be revived if required: contact Ensemble Software).
PVPLAY and PAPLAY are still available: see TOOLS menu.
- RUN VIA CONSOLE: Legacy option: no longer available
When set, CDP processes were run in an external command-window ("console"), instead of in the background.
This option has been removed, as it no longer seems to have a use (but could be revived if required: contact Ensemble Software).Windows 8 scaling: apparently, by default Windows 8 uses a 150% scaling of fonts on high resolution laptops. You need to switch this off for Soundshaper to look right.
SAVE SETTINGS
Use the buttons at the right of the SETTINGS PAGE to save settings, either to file, or just for the current session:
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- INITIAL SET-UP: click the SAVE and EXIT button.
If a Soundshaper.cfg file exists, a dialog asks if you want to save/overwrite it. Click YES.
- SAVE DEFAULT FILE: click the SAVE button.
A dialog asks if you want to save/overwrite any existing Soundshaper.cfg file. Click YES.
- PERSONAL SETTINGS FILE: click the SAVE AS button.
Save the settings to a filename of your own choice.
See PERSONAL SETTINGS FILE below.
- CHANGE SETTINGS FOR THIS SESSION: click the OK button.
The settings are saved and applied by Soundshaper, but are not saved to file and are lost on Exit.
- NO CHANGE: click the CANCEL button. Any changes made to Settings are lost.
PERSONAL SETTINGS FILES
Although Soundshaper always starts by loading the default Settings file Soundshaper.cfg, you can load alternative settings from a different settings file (a Personal Settings File) in two ways:
- On the SETTINGS page, select File | Open Personal Settings File or Ctrl+F. Then click the OK button for the settings to take effect for the current session (only).
OR- In SETTINGS | Options, check the Alternative settings option. Save this (with other settings) to the default Settings file Soundshaper.cfg. When Soundshaper starts up, it will open a file-selector to enable an alternative Settings file to be loaded.
Personal Settings Files are useful in a multi-user setup, where each user has his/her own Temp. Outfiles folder, User Folder and Option choices. They can also be useful for different projects, if these have different folders and options from each other.
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