Depending on the virtual instrument used, you may be restricted to a set number of polyphony voices.
Pianos, electric pianos and organs have 48 voices of polyphony, whereas polyphonic synths have 8 voices of polyphony.
Some synths are monophonic (MS-20, Buchla, ...), as their filters are CPU-intensive, while Pigments and Augmented series instruments have specific limitations depending on the number of engines, and some CPU- intensive features used in a preset.
Note
Pianos, electric pianos and organs have 48 voices of polyphony, whereas polyphonic synths have 8 voices of polyphony.
Some synths are monophonic (MS-20, Buchla, ...), as their filters are CPU-intensive, while Pigments and Augmented series instruments have specific limitations depending on the number of engines, and some CPU- intensive features used in a preset.
Here is the detailed table of the different polyphony voices restrictions :
| All Presets are compatible | Some presets might not sound the same or will have limited polyphony |
| POLY SYNTHS | ||
| ARP 2600 V3 | ||
| CMI V | Used slots can reduce the polyphony | |
| CZ V | Unison can reduce the polyphony | |
| DX7 V | ||
| Emulator II V | ||
| Jun-6 V | Unison can reduce the polyphony | |
| Jup-8 V4 | Unison can reduce the polyphony | |
| Matrix-12 V2 | ||
| Mini V4 | ||
| Modular V3 | ||
| OP-Xa V | Unison can reduce the polyphony | |
| Pigments | Dynamic polyphony limit | |
| SEM V2 | ||
| Synclavier V | ||
| Vocoder V | ||
| SQ80 V | ||
| CS-80 V4 | ||
| Prophet-5 V | ||
| Prophet-VS V | ||
| Minifreak V | 12 in paraphony |
| MONO SYNTHS | ||
| Buchla Easel V | Convolution reverb is bypassed | |
| Acid V | ||
| Synthi V | Convolution reverb is bypassed | |
| KORG MS-20 V |
| PIANO/ORGANS | ||
| B-3 V2 | Convolution reverb is bypassed | |
| Clavinet V | Convolution reverb is bypassed | |
| Farfisa V | Convolution reverb is bypassed | |
| Piano V3 | Convolution reverb is bypassed | |
| Solina V2 | Convolution reverb is bypassed | |
| Stage 73 V2 | Convolution reverb is bypassed | |
| Vox Continental V2 | Convolution reverb is bypassed | |
| Wurli V2 | Convolution reverb is bypassed | |
| Wurli V3 |
| AUGMENTED Series | ||
| Aug. Strings | Convolution reverb is bypassed, dynamic polyphony limit | |
| Aug. Voices | Convolution reverb is bypassed, dynamic polyphony limit | |
| Aug. Grand Piano | Convolution reverb is bypassed, dynamic polyphony limit | |
| Aug. Brass | Convolution reverb is bypassed, dynamic polyphony limit | |
| Aug. Woodwinds | Convolution reverb is bypassed, dynamic polyphony limit |
Here is the detailed table of instruments compatibility :
| Mini V3 | Mini V4 | New version : presets not compatible between versions. |
| Wurli V2 | Wurli V3 | New version : presets not compatible between versions. |
| ARP2600 V3 | ARP2600 V3 | |
| CS-80 V4 | CS-80 V4 | |
| Jup-8 V4 | Jup-8 V4 | |
| Modular V3 | Modular V3 | |
| Prophet-5 V | Prophet-5 V | |
| Prophet-VS V | Prophet-VS V | |
| SEM V2 | SEM V2 | |
| Vox Continental V2 | Vox Continental V2 | |
| Solina V2 | Solina V2 | |
| Matrix-12 V2 | Matrix-12 V2 | |
| Synclavier V | Synclavier V | |
| Stage-73 V2 | Stage-73 V2 | |
| Piano V3 | Piano V3 | |
| B-3 V2 | B-3 V2 | |
| Farfisa V | Farfisa V | |
| CMI V | CMI V | |
| DX7 V | DX7 V | |
| Clavinet V | Clavinet V | |
| Buchla Easel V | Buchla Easel V | |
| Synthi V | Synthi V | |
| CZ V | CZ V | |
| Jun-6 V | Jun-6 V | |
| OP-Xa V | OP-Xa V | |
| Emulator II V | Emulator II V | |
| Vocoder V | Vocoder V | |
| Augmented STRINGS | Augmented STRINGS | |
| Augmented VOICES | Augmented VOICES | |
| KORG MS-20 V | KORG MS-20 V | |
| SQ80 V | SQ80 V | |
| Acid V | ||
| MiniFreak V | ||
| Augmented GRAND PIANO | ||
| Augmented BRASS | ||
| Augmented WOODWINDS | ||
| CP-70 V | Not Supported | |
| Mellotron V | Not Supported | |
AstroLab is compatible with a wide range of presets, but some Sound Banks might not be 100% compatible.
Make sure to refer to our website's dedicated "Sounds" page, but also to rely on the dedicated Filter function to select "AstroLab", and filter the sound banks accordingly.
On a good note, the "AstroLab Connect" application will only show compatible banks, and it may be the easiest and most comfortable way to acquire new compatible banks.
Make sure to refer to our website's dedicated "Sounds" page, but also to rely on the dedicated Filter function to select "AstroLab", and filter the sound banks accordingly.
On a good note, the "AstroLab Connect" application will only show compatible banks, and it may be the easiest and most comfortable way to acquire new compatible banks.
Because we've tried to offer compatibility with the widest range of pedals, you may observe some dead-zones at the beginning or the end of the pedal, however, the whole range of values should be properly reached.
Here are the compatible Expression pedals:
To map an expression pedal to specific parameters from Analog Lab "Studio" section please refer to the following article and dedicated section "How to assign expression pedal to "Studio" parameters".
Here are the compatible Expression pedals:
- Moog EP-3
- M-audio EX-P
- Thomann Lead Foot LFX-1
- Nektar NX-P
- Roland EV-5
- M-Audio SP-1
- Roland DP-10
- Yamaha FC 3A
- Korg
- Kawai
Note
To map an expression pedal to specific parameters from Analog Lab "Studio" section please refer to the following article and dedicated section "How to assign expression pedal to "Studio" parameters".
AstroLab's drive is 32GB-wide, and offers 22.8 GB of available disk space for presets and samples. .
Notes
- The amount of available disk space may change based on future updates.
- Synth presets can take from 20 KB, up to 200 MB (if using samples).
AstroLab can be slaved to any external clock source ("Midi Din" or "USB"), once having allowed it to receive such signal from the following menu on the unit: Home/Settings/General/Tempo Sync Source
However, keep in mind that AstroLab won’t output any clock to external devices.
However, keep in mind that AstroLab won’t output any clock to external devices.
AstroLab's parameters can be controlled with the help of Control Change (CC) messages.
AstroLab is also able to send CC messages from some controls.
Make sure to refer to the MIDI Chart contained in the "Hardware Specifications & Midi Chart" FAQ article.
AstroLab is also able to send CC messages from some controls.
Note
Make sure to refer to the MIDI Chart contained in the "Hardware Specifications & Midi Chart" FAQ article.
AstroLab was not designed to control DAWs or devices Transport controls, as a result, AstroLab won’t support MMC/Control surface scripts, nor any MCU/HUI protocol.
Wi-Fi can be used to set AstroLab as a WiFi Hotspot, in order to create a direct access point for communication with "AstroLab Connect" (available on iOS and Android).
AstroLab can also communicate with AstroLab connect through your local Wi-Fi network.
AstroLab can also communicate with AstroLab connect through your local Wi-Fi network.
Note
- Wifi Connection will only operate on 2.4 GHz band frequency. To better understand if you are currently on a 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz network, you can refer to this article.
- In the future, it will also be possible to use it to link the unit with Analog Lab without any USB connection.
Bluetooth can be used to sync an external Bluetooth source, stream audio through AstroLab, and play over it.
However, Bluetooth cannot be used as an emitter, and as such, cannot output sound to external Bluetooth speakers or devices.
Finally, Bluetooth volume is not available on AstroLab, and should be set on the Bluetooth source device.
However, Bluetooth cannot be used as an emitter, and as such, cannot output sound to external Bluetooth speakers or devices.
Finally, Bluetooth volume is not available on AstroLab, and should be set on the Bluetooth source device.
This port can be used to either:
Make sure to refer to the dedicated "AstroLab - Presets/Banks and Playlist" FAQ article for more details.
Please note that the supported File Systems are the following: FAT12, FAT32, ExFAT, and NTFS.
- Plug and power a MIDI controller (drawing up to 1500mA), to control AstroLab.
- Plug a USB dongle, in order to import Playlists.
Note
Make sure to refer to the dedicated "AstroLab - Presets/Banks and Playlist" FAQ article for more details.
The stereo input can be used with the following supported instruments:
- KORG MS-20 V
- Vocoder V
- Buchla Easel V
- ARP 2600 V3
- Mini V3
- Pigments
AstroLab currently offers 1 single track (up to 32 bars), and no overdub function, but changes to these features are planned for a future update.
The Looper can record most MIDI messages, but no VST automation.
AstroLab is yet able to replay MIDI automations, apart from Pitch/Mod, Aftertouch, Sustain and Expression.
For example, recording a CC73 Macro Brightness in the Looper will transmit it out, but won't be considered internally.
The Looper can record most MIDI messages, but no VST automation.
AstroLab is yet able to replay MIDI automations, apart from Pitch/Mod, Aftertouch, Sustain and Expression.
For example, recording a CC73 Macro Brightness in the Looper will transmit it out, but won't be considered internally.
The Limiter allows you to control the dynamic range of AstroLab, and to use the full potential of polyphony voices and FXs, without having to worry about output distortion.
You can adjust Limiter settings in the following menu: Home/Settings/General
By default it is set to a threshold of 0dB (recommended value), and with a release time of 100ms.
If your style of playing is more percussive, you can try a faster release time (below 100ms). If you like long pads and tons of reverb, you can try settings above 100ms.
Overpushing the volume of a part, or the volume of Reverb/Delay, will make the limiter "work" more. You can see how much with the small LED next to Limiter On/Off.
If the Limiter works too much, it will induce a small distortion, but no clipping. We recommend adjusting the volume of your parts to have the cleanest sound possible.
You can adjust Limiter settings in the following menu: Home/Settings/General
By default it is set to a threshold of 0dB (recommended value), and with a release time of 100ms.
If your style of playing is more percussive, you can try a faster release time (below 100ms). If you like long pads and tons of reverb, you can try settings above 100ms.
Note
Overpushing the volume of a part, or the volume of Reverb/Delay, will make the limiter "work" more. You can see how much with the small LED next to Limiter On/Off.
If the Limiter works too much, it will induce a small distortion, but no clipping. We recommend adjusting the volume of your parts to have the cleanest sound possible.
If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us.