Frequently Asked Questions
QUESTIONSHow to Use Spectral Machine
How can I learn more about how to use Spectral Machine?
How do I launch Spectral Machine from my host program?
How do I launch Spectral Machine from GarageBand?
How do I authorize the plug-in?
What are some little-known features and command-key shortcuts?
How do I use MIDI parameter automation?
Host Programs, Formats & Requirements
I want to use Spectral Machine, but I don't have a VST or Audio Unit format host program. What should I get?
Presets
How can I save and load presets?
Why does the VST version remember slider changes if I select another preset and then switch back to my previously modified preset, but the Audio Unit version does not?
Miscellaneous / Support
How can I upgrade from a previous version?
Is there a discount for buying both the Mac and PC versions?
I lost my serial number. How can I recover it?
What should I do if I have tech support questions?
QUESTIONS & ANSWERSHow To Use Spectral Machine
How can I learn more about how to use Spectral Machine?
Read the friendly manual.
Also see the final question: What should I do if I have tech support questions?
How do I launch Spectral Machine from my host program?
- Find the Plug-ins, Audio Effects, VST Plug-ins, or Audio Unit Plug-ins menu in your host program. Spectral Machine works with dozens of different host programs, and the name and location of this menu will vary from one host to another. Please consult your host program's manual for further information.
- Under the Plug-ins or Audio Effects or Audio Unit menu, find "The Sound Guy" submenu.
- Select "Spectral Machine" under that submenu.
How do I launch Spectral Machine from GarageBand?
It can be a little tricky to find effects plug-ins in GarageBand. To instantiate Spectral Machine in GarageBand:
- Use the menu command Track > Show Track Info or <Command-i> to display the Track Info window.
- Open the "Details..." triangle if it's not already open.
- In the bottom half of the Track Info window, select one of the effect pop-up menus.
- Scroll all the way to the bottom past "GarageBand Effects" and look for "Spectral Machine in the "Audio Unit Effects" section.
- Then click the button with the diagonal "edit pencil" to get the Spectral Machine interface to pop up.
See our GarageBand page for more detailed information, with graphics.
How do I authorize the plug-in?
When Spectral Machine prompts you for an authorization code, enter the serial number included in the email you receive from shareit.com (or other payment processor) shortly after purchasing Spectral Machine.
What are some little-known features and command-key shortcuts?
To fine-tune the slider or knob values, hold down the shift key while clicking on the body of the slider or knob. Also, you can click on the body of the slider to make the indicator scroll instantly toward the mouse cursor.
Command-c, command-x, and command-v (Macintosh) or control-c, control-x, and control-v (Windows) can be used to copy, cut, and paste to and from any of the numerical or comment text fields.
How do I use MIDI parameter automation?
Your MIDI-capable host program or automation device should automatically expose the following controls:
"Control 1-6" for the knob or push-buttons in the top row of Spectral Machine
"Slider 1-6" for the effect-specific sliders
"Wet/Dry" (global control)
"Gain" (global control)
The values that show up in the automation are always in the range of 0.0 to 1.0, which map to the real range of the controls in the current preset. It is up to the host program to establish the mechanism for interpreting MIDI CC and updating the plug-in parameters. Please see your host program's manual for specific details.
Host Programs & Formats
I want to use Spectral Machine, but I don't have a VST or Audio Unit format host program. What should I get?
A number of host programs are listed on our System Requirements page.
Presets
How can I save and load presets?
To save a (modified) preset:
- Most host applications include extra buttons and controls in every plugin's window. You should see a button called "save" or "S", or maybe a menu called "file" or "presets" in which you'll find a menu item for saving a preset file. It varies from app to app, but it's generally similar in all cases.
- After invoking that control, you should be greeted with a window asking for a file name and location for the preset file. Enter a name and location and press the "Save" button (or "OK" or whatever the window says). For maximum compatibility, save VST presets with a .fxp extension, and save Audio Unit presets with an .aupreset extension.
To load the preset you just saved:
- Look for a control in the plugin window called "load" or "L" or something like that (depending on the host program).
- After invoking that control, you should be greeted with a window asking you to find the location of the preset file that you would like to load. Find it and press the "Open" button (or "OK" or whatever it says).
To save a new bank of presets (VST only):
- Look for a "save bank" control. (The name may vary from one app to another.)
- After invoking that control, you should be greeted with a window asking for a file name and location for the preset bank file. Enter a name and location and press the "Save" button (or "OK" or whatever the window says). For maximum compatibility, save preset banks with a .fxb extension.
To load the preset bank you just saved (VST only):
- Look for a "load bank" control. (The name may vary from one app to another.)
- After invoking that control, you should be greeted with a window asking you to find the location of the preset bank file that you would like to load. Find it and press the "Open" button (or "OK" or whatever it says).
Note that not all VST host programs support loading and saving of preset banks.
Why does the VST version remember slider changes if I select another preset and then switch back to my previously modified preset, but the Audio Unit version does not?
This was done to conform to the VST and Audio Unit APIs.
In the VST version, the presets represent what the VST spec refers to as “programs,” which are numerical slots which can hold your settings. Each time the plug-in is instantiated, it fills these slots with some default settings (factory presets). However, the contents of these slots are volatile (i.e., writeable, not just readable). So any changes that the user makes will be part of the user state that is saved when you save a song or export a VST preset or bank file. If you load a new preset, the preset name will change appropriately in Spectral Machine’s presets list box; unfortunately, there is no way to notify the host of this change, so the host will still show the old factory preset name. At any rate, note that if you modify a preset in the VST version, then switch to a new preset and switch back, your changes will still be there. (However, each time you launch Spectral Machine, you will see the factory presets, not your modified presets.)
In the Audio Unit format, the factory presets are like static ROMs. If the user changes the current state of the preset, the host program provides a mechanism for the user to save this as a new preset. The current state of the plugin is always the user state, and it automatically gets saved when saving a song or exporting a preset file. However, if the user clicks on another preset without first saving the changes, those changes will be lost. (We may add a warning message to a future version.)
The main thing to remember, for both versions, is to save any custom presets you want to keep.
Miscellaneous / Support
How can I upgrade from a previous version?
E-mail us your serial number or other proof of purchase, and we'll let you know how to obtain the discount.
Is there a discount for buying both the Mac and PC versions?
Yes. Just go to the order page and add one of the versions to your shopping cart. The next page will offer a 75% discount for adding the second version to your cart.
I lost my serial number. How can I recover it?
You guys!!
Please keep the e-mail containing the serial number. Search for an e-mail from "share-it!" with "Spectral Machine" in the subject header.
If you can't find it, go to shareit.com's Customer Care Center page and click on the "My Account" button.
Alternatively, you can always e-mail us.
Please note that we've implemented a three strikes policy. The third time you ask us about a lost serial number, our auto-scolder will scold you for not keeping it in a safe place.
What should I do if I have tech support questions?
- Go to the System Requirements page to make sure your host program is compatible.
- Go to the Tech Support page to see if it addresses your question.
- Read the Read Me file that comes with the software
- Read The Friendly Manual.
- Go to the Frequently Asked Questions page to see if it addresses your question.
- If the previous steps don't answer your question, e-mail us or report the problem on The Sound Guy forum.