Arrangement View¶. The arrangement view is the main view in ALK. Before we enumerate the main parts of the interface, note that the arrangement view is essentially a stretchable Surface that allows a look at the song at arbitrary levels of detail. You can Zoom in on a part of the document by using the Pinch Gesture and scroll using the Scroll Gesture or using the mouse.
Preferences can be accessed via the “cmd+,” key command, or in theALK->Preferences… menu item.
Audio Preferences¶
The audio preferences pane encapsulates settings related to the audio interfaceand audio callback buffer size. For both inputs and outputs, you can choosefrom the following settings:
Device: this combo box allows you to choose which audio interfaceis used for input purposes.
Terminals: this list view allows you view, and modify the names for the setof terminals detected for the current device. Name changes for terminalsare reflected elsewhere in the user interface. For example, if you changethe name of “Input 1” on, say, your RME Fireface sound card to“Roby’s Guitar DI”, it will be much clearer andsimpler to select inputs correctly for your guitar tracks.
Restore Button: pressing this button returns the audio system back to thedefault state: each terminal is restored to its original name.
Audio Buffer Size: an audio host such as ALK works by processingaudio in chunks; so-called audio frames. The size of the bufferimpacts ALK in two ways:
latency: as the buffer size increases, the latency of the entire audiosystem increases commensurately. If the buffer size is too high, therecould be a noticeable delay between the original and monitored signal.
load on the system: as the buffer size decreases, the load on theCPU is increased. This is because the buffer – which is now smaller andthus represents less time – needs to now be filled more often, and this inturns increases the CPU load. If the load on the audio thread is too high(for example, if you are running many or CPU-hungry audio plugins), youwill hear stuttering and glitches. If stuttering or dropouts become a problemand you’re not able to increase the buffer size (e.g. because the latencybecomes unplayable), then you must reduce the CPU load in the audio thread byremoving instances of certain plugins, or even tracks.
Sample Rate: Here the sample rate can be changed to any rate supported by aconnected audio interface.
Graphics: This check box switches on and off graphical glow FX and limits theframe rate to 30 FPS. Uncheck this option if continual CPU problems are encountered.
Psat 2.1.9 User Manual Pdf
Tip
It’s a good idea to experiment with the Audio Buffer Size in your program. Your goal during experimenting shouldbe to dial down the buffer size as much as possible without inducing stuttering orglitching in a project somewhat larger and heavier than the typicalproject you use. This way, you still have the proverbial extra headroom ifyour track needs that extra gear change!
MIDI Preferences¶
The MIDI device list displays the currently detected MIDI hardware devices(such as USB keyboards or drum pads). For each detected device, a row appearsin the list view. Click on the device name to change its name (for example,changing “nanoPAD2 PAD” to “Ray’s Drums Pads”).
In addition, you can disable or enable theMIDI device by clicking on the check box on the device row. If a MIDI device isdisabled, you will not receive any input from the device.
Plugins¶
The plugins pane allows you to scan for VST/AU plugins, based on a list ofsearch directories. The scanning process looks at each search path in turn,so if the same plugin appears in two search paths, the plugin in the first searchpath will be used in ALK.
Plugin Directories - this list view displays the directories that will besearched for plugins when you click Rescan. The controls belowthe this list view are, from left to right:
Add Directory (‘+’) - this adds a new place to search for plugins;
Remove Directory (‘-‘) - this deletes the currently selected directory from the list;
Increase Priority (up arrow) - this moves the directory up on the list;
Decrease Priority (up arrow) - this moves the directory down the list;
Restore Defaults - pressing this button causes the search paths to be resetto the default AU and VST search paths on macOS.
Plugins - this area consists of:
a table view which displays the currentlydetected VST and AU plugins, along with some of their properties, such asPlugin Vendor, plugin type (Instrument or FX), etc.
Rescan - this button causes ALK to scan for plugins, which isdescribed in more detail below.
Scanning For Plugins¶
When you click Rescan, ALKbegins traversing the plugin directories displayed above. When it findsa file that looks like it could be a plugin, it tries to load the plugin. If successful,the plugin is added to the list of detected plugins (note that this is only reflectedin the listview when the entire scan operationhas completed.
Psat 2.1.9 User Manual 2017
Scanning is a process that can take a while, so while ALK scans for plugins in thebackground, you can continue using the program. Scanning progress is displayed in apanel showing the plugin currently being scanned, and the overall progress.