Unity DS-1 Version 1.2.1 by BitHeadz Software: Part 2

Remember these sounds are only starting points. You can import AIFF, WAV, Sound Designer I & II and CD audio files or record your own mono or stereo files using the audio inputs of your computer or ASIO-compatible soundcard or Digidesign's Direct IO. For those of you with other hardware DS-1 imports and maps SampleCell I & II, Sound Fonts 2, DLS and Akai S1000 and S3000 automatically. Very helpful.

The fourth module is the DS-1 Mixer app. This is where you manipulate your multi-timbral mixes. Volume, pan, mute, solo and two EFX sends per channel plus two global EFX returns. Getting the hang of using the effects took a little time, by default they're tied to a particular MIDI channel or sound and until you change this global reverbs and such are awkward to control. The built-in reverb, reflection and delay global modules sound pretty good especially when used sparingly, just keep an eye on the CPU usage meter when these are engaged. The slider controls respond to mouse dragging or clicking or direct numeric entry. Again a good touch. Are you sensing that there's a lot to this program?

The mixer window with the serial input display on the lower left and status display on the lower right. (Click for a larger image)

There are some ancillary utility windows included as well. My favorite is the DS-1 Status window. This provides you with real time memory, CPU use and polyphony meters that go a long way in helping you to set up and monitor the somewhat tricky memory allocations for the engine and modules. Very handy. Then there are separate windows to monitor MIDI input via OMS, FreeMIDI, or the included Serial Input utilities - one for Mac and one for PC. These provide an instant analysis of any incoming MIDI signals that can come in handy when troubleshooting a problem, or if you just like lots of lights flashing while you work.

Even with a printed version (thank you BH) of the included-on-disk Adobe Acrobat manual it took me quite a while to really understand and properly set up this program (you do R.T.F.M. - don't you?). I found myself rereading many sections, especially the one on tweaking your memory allocations for best results. At first some instruments simply didn't respond until I raised the RAM allotments. This app is a real RAM hog and it will devour all the memory you offer it. I still have a problem with some digital "hash" noise whenever I start some new bank or sound up. I figure it takes a couple of seconds to uncompress the selected sounds when loading them into RAM and if I access them before this is finished my studio becomes awash in white noise. This can be very disconcerting and I've learned to wait a short while before starting anything after I've loaded new banks or sounds. I hope there is a fix to this in future versions.

I only wish I had something like this when I was a sound designer for a large video game company whose initials are "Sega". I'm sure it would have expanded my sonic palette greatly and tapped into a whole new imaginative process. Yeah, this thing is very inspiring. I can't wait to map my own voice into a bank or two and have my very own personal Norman Chubby-Knuckle choir and O.K. Chorale. Background "ooze" and "oz" will be so easy to administer this way, yes?

The insert and global effects editing window. (Click for a larger image)

Another fine feature is the record-to-disk function. When enabled, anything and everything you play through the DS-1 is recorded directly to an audio file right to your hard drive. This makes it easy to import Unity DS-1 phrases and sounds directly into your digital audio applications so you don't have to run them both at the same time if you don't want to. You can select the sample rate and resolution of the recording as well. This feature works really well, even the EFX are recorded.

I've run DS-1 along with Studio Vision Pro 4 on my G3 and had mixed results. The CPU still chokes with anything more than 16 voices allocated on the DS-1 and I have a feeling that this can be better with more tweaking but even after several weeks of tweaks it's not a sure thing. I'd be happy to hear from other users to know about their results and their memory setups. There will be much to learn and share about DS-1.

For a MSRP of $449, this puppy is hands down a great value. The sound potential here is huge and it turns your computer into a really great sounding musical instrument. You can use the GM bank as a substitute for the QuickTime musical instruments and enjoy finer quality sounds emanating directly from your MIDI movies and sequencers if you like. You can use it as a very versatile multi-timbral tone module and synth in real time or again for sequencer playback. It's an excellent sound design tool with a modular interface that's easy to use and understand. And hey, it's a lot of fun just to muck around with too.

If you point your web browser over to www.bitheadz.com, you can download a free demo version of Unity DS-1 to try out, or download a copy of the user's manual for your perusal. Pick up a demo of their sister program, the Retro AS-1 synth as well. Make your computer perform a whole new set of tricks. BitHeadz has been hard at work upgrading this program too. I started with version 1.0 from the install CD. Then I went to v 1.1 and as of now I'm up to v.1.2.1 - each time adding functionality and adaptability to the program. These guys are serious about this! Enjoy and remember - R.T.F.M. - OK? BCNU.

Jeffrye Glenn Tveraas (jeffrye@harmony-central.com) has been a journeyman musician and composer since 1970 performing solo and in original and cover bands from Maine to San Diego. He worked as a sound designer and composer for Sega Interactive with over 15 video game soundtracks to his credit. He now lives in Austin, Texas, home to the armadillo and hundreds of SRV wannabee's.