===============================================
Trans Computer Maschine v2.50 Release Candidate
===============================================

Freeware
VSTi Vintage Lead Synthesizer + Pattern Sequencer
Cescato Musiktechnologie © 2012-2018


===========
Description
===========

Semi-modular Vintage Lead Synthesizer + Pattern Sequencer, firstly modelled
after two legendary synths and a custom analogue sequencer from Germany.

- 3 Multi-Oscillators with Sawtooth, Triangle, Saw-Triangle and variable
  Pulse shapes.

- Colour adjustable Noise Generator.

- 3 mode Ring Modulator.

- Advanced Sample/Hold section.

- Selectable 2/3/4-pole resonant LP Filter with auto-oscillation.

- HP Filter with bus selection.

- 2 exponential Envelope Generators offering 3 operation modes.

- Unique Sequencer features like 'skip' and 'set' can be played live from
  MIDI keyboard.

- Inter-patch Sequencer pattern 'Copy/Paste' feature.

- Fully MIDI controllable.

- Fully VST automatable.

The ultimate modular pattern creator !


===============
Version History
===============

v2.50 RC5
- Updated information about some third-party trademarks used.

v2.50 RC4
- Added some automatic resets for smoothly 'MIDI Ch. Router' operation.
- Fixed sequencer stuck after pressing synth randomize followed by 'RESET'.
- Removed some superfluous parameter automation.
- Revised MIDI CC mapping for better compatibility.

v2.50 RC3
- Added 'KBD' and 'SEQ' set buttons to speed up some basic routings.
- Fixed noise clicks when selecting 'SH Mixer' from Oscillators FM sources.
- Fixed Oscillator 2 'Sync' not working for triangle shape.
- Fixed 'Portamento' and 'Output Lag' controls not matching displayed time.
- Improved the reading of values by adding dark blue background displays.
- Increased 'Portamento' time to 2 seconds, as it is in the ARP 2600.

v2.50 RC2
- Added Oscillators MIDI input 'RESET'.
- Added Sequencer blinking alert in 'Synth Ch.' display for 'Gate' mode.
- Added Sequencer internal gating options for 'Pitch' and 'Ctrls' outputs.
- Added Sequencer start step setting (Synth Ch. Reset menu).
- Added un-synced 'LFO' frequency memory.
- Changed 'inverted Envelopes' behaviour to unipolar negative.
- Fixed CPU overload and Sequencer jitter while switching patches.
- Fixed Envelopes not loading set mode after loading host project.
- Fixed 'LFO' triggering noise click after changing patch.
- Fixed occasional 'LFO' resetting at wrong times.
- Fixed Sequencer 'Pulse Width' showing slightly offset values.
- Fixed Sequencer reset shift in 'Pendulum' modes.
- Fixed signal flow display messed up after loading host project.
- Fixed some switches not responding to full MIDI range.
- Improved 'Filter' modulation indicators.
- Improved filtering link, now featuring bandwidth control.
- Improved GUI, disabling filters on inactive 'Audio Mixer' buses.
- Improved Sequencer external/human triggering and gating.
- Improved Sequencer 'Random' mode algorithm.
- Improved Sequencer 'Skip' and 'ON' buttons interaction.
- Improved value displays, discarding decimals for very large numbers.
- Removed Patch selection GUI controls (was added in previous beta).

v2.40 (non-public beta)

v2.30 (beta)
- Added double triggered 'Seq Gate 2x' to Envelopes gate sources.
- Added 'KBD Gate' to Envelopes auto-enabled when sequencer is not started.
- Added 'LFO' activity indicator.
- Added 'Lower' range extender to Oscillators frequency modulation sources.
- Added Oscillators patch change 'KBD Memory' enabler/disabler.
- Added Patch selection GUI controls.
- Added selection displays for expanded 'Filter' modulation destinations.
- Added Sequencer 'Multi-Skip' controls.
- Fixed at last un-synced 'LFO' frequency messed up after patch change.
- Fixed Oscillators 'Low F' switches not working with 'Seq In' enabled.
- Fixed Sequencer active 'LED' shift after it was stopped.
- Fixed Sequencer buttons 'toggling' not responding to first MIDI messages.
- Fixed Sequencer rows 'presets' lost after loading or copying to patch 1.
- Fixed Sequencer 'Set' buttons shift when gating via Synth Channel. 
- Fixed Sequencer 'Sync' altering 'Tempo' setting after patch change.
- Fixed typed input validation not working when last value was set to 0.
- Fixed/changed S/H Mixer behaviour for 'Expand' sources.
- Improved (further) 'LFO' phase-alignment with sequencer stepping.
- Improved modulation at audio rates.
- Improved 'Noise Colour' modulation and added S/H signal source.
- Improved Sequencer 'Sync' for varying tempo use.
- Improved stepped response for 'Interval' and 'Transpose' Sequencer knobs.
- Renamed some parameters and updated GUI.
- Replaced Sequencer 'Transpose' octave values with semitone ranges.
- Revised and optimized code.

v2.02
- Added Preset selection control by MIDI Program Change.

v2.01
- Added 'Drift' control for subtle analogue detuning adjustment.
- Added 'HP Filter' bypass mode.
- Added many modulation sources and removed superfluous ones accordingly.
- Added MIDI CC1 enabler switch for 'Filter Mod 1 Level'.
- Added 'Noise Colour' modulation from multiple sources.
- Added 'OSC1' to S/H trigger sources.
- Added routing to use 'S/H Mixer' as OSC3 'Minimoog modulator'. 
- Carried out small changes in GUI.
- Corrected internal gain on Noise sources, Ring Modulator and others.
- Corrected Oscillators 'Pulse Width' range and modulations, following
legacy ARP specifications.
- Corrected Sample/Hold input gains and expanded sources gamut.
- Enabled 'Seq Sync' status saving/loading with preset (fixes a bug).
- Extended Envelopes 'Attack' range to 200µs (hidden, type-input only).
- Fixed/added Oscillators self-modulation via 'S/H Mixer'.
- Improved Amplifier featuring light distortion with clipping indicator.
- Improved 'LFO' retriggering, including sine shape initial phase fix.
- Offset many pulse-based modulations for unipolar control.
- Remodelled Low Pass Filter feat. 3 modes with resonance 'Bass Recover'.
- Remodelled Oscillators feat. accurate upper harmonics and isolated phase.
- Remodelled Ring Modulator featuring true Odyssey behaviour.
- Renamed 'LFO InvSaw' shape to 'LFO SawUp'.
- Replaced LFO 'Seq Sync' switch with 'Off' option in selection display.
- Replaced 'OSC2 SawTri' shape with 'SawUp', allowing any Minimoog blend.

v1.31
- Added randomization feature for Sequencer interval and control rows.
- Added randomization feature for Synth audio sources plus filter slope.

v1.30
- Added 'Envelopes' gate input indicators.
- Added 'Filter Cutoff Link' switch for band-pass use (unfortunately, such
feature will cause 'HPF Freq' data loss from previous versions patches).
- Added 'Filter' modulation indicators.
- Added 'inverted Seq Ctrl' modulation sources.
- Added labels to Sequencer 'Skip' buttons.
- Added middle position 'Preset' for Sequencer interval row. 
- Added 'MIDI Ch. Router'. input indicators.
- Added mixer 'Oscillators Waveform' selection from GUI images.
- Changed some unsuitable MIDI CC# assignments.
- Fixed ARP legacy 'Amp Gain' routing shown inverted in GUI.
- Fixed 'MIDI Ch. Router' sending CC data to Synth in any mode.
- Fixed Sequencer rows automation errors.
- Fixed Sequencer 'Tempo' and 'Pulse Width' MIDI CC# assignments.
- Fixed synced 'LFO' frequency  not blocked from user input.
- Fixed un-synced 'LFO' frequency setting messed up after changing patch.
- Fixed wrong automation parameters names.
- Improved backward compatibility.
- Improved GUI featuring many changes for switches, selectors and buttons.
- Improved GUI showing active 'Audio Mixer' buses routing and waveforms.
- Improved Sequencer transport section featuring status display.
- Renamed 'S/H Mix 2' modulation source to 'S/H Mix Clip'.
- Replaced 'MIDI Ch. Router' selection knobs with click-sensitive displays.
- Swapped sawtooth 'LFO' modulation sources names.

v1.20 (distributed with issue 58 of Computer Music Special magazine)
- Added 'HP Filter' modulation.
- Added 'Output Lag' for Sequencer control rows.
- Added 'Synth Ch./Reset' router for Sequencer step retriggering.

v1.10
- Added 'inverted Envelopes' modulation sources.
- Added 'OSC3' to S/H trigger sources.
- Added 'Seq Ctrl' sources for pulse width modulation.
- Added Sequencer 'Stop' status label indicator.
- Added 'Synthi' lead mode.
- Improved compatibility for Linux/Wine and platforms missing Windows
native fonts.
- Improved GUI showing 'Filter' routing.
- Improved phase-aligned LFO 'Seq Sync'.
- Improved 'S/H' & 'S/H Mixer' filter modulation modelling.
- Smoothed amplitude modulation for 'LFO Square' source.

v1.08
- Added multiple 'OSC3' sources for audio modulation.
- Added 'Noise' to Oscillator 3 modulation sources.
- New smaller GUI ('case' looking removed).
- Rewritten 'P Bend' code for improved MIDI response.

v1.07
- Fixed high mixer levels causing internal clipping.
- Fixed Oscillators 'Triangle' and 'SawTri' waves making 'clicks' on note
changing.

v1.06
- Fixed 'P Bend' stepped MIDI response.

v1.05
- First non-beta release.
- Fixed Sequencer erroneous negative values after changing patch (please
note that ranges were offset for this fix so related data from previous
versions won't be loaded correctly).

v1.04 (beta)
- Fixed Envelopes not loading set mode as shown after changing patch.
- Fixed 'LFO Square' wave causing legato at lower rates.
- Fixed 'P Bend' control reset to -64 after changing patch.

v1.03 (beta)
- Fixed 'Tempo' setting from loaded preset ignored. 

v1.02 (beta)
- Fixed Envelopes decay stages non functional after saving and reloading
presets.
- Fixed misspelled 'Oscillators' in GUI.
- Fixed 'slope LP Filter' button lower left quarter unresponsive.
- Fixed Sequencer rows settings messed up after preset reload.
- Sequencer 'Sync' button moved close to 'Tempo' to avoid confusing user.

v1.01 (beta)
- Fixed Sequencer not responding to MIDI Continuous Controllers.

v1.00 (beta)
- First release.


============
Installation
============

1. Unzip and copy the 'T-C-M-II' folder into your VST Plugins folder
2. Start your Host
3. Select T-C-M-II from the VST Instruments menu and route your data
4. Enjoy

Special Notes:

- A compatible ASIO driver must be set in the Host to be used.

- Please note that on some systems we have detected a strange issue that
may prevent T-C-M-II from working properly if the sum of the characters
of the folder names that make up the path exceeds a maximum of 44. This
could happen, for example, when you move the 'T-C-M-II' folder to the
desktop to use it standalone.

- To load multiple instances inside your host you need to close it first
and rename copies of the plugin 'dll' file like 'T-C-M-II_2', 'T-C-M-II_3'
and so on (depending on system configuration, this might not be needed but
we advise you to do it to prevent a crash).


================
Using Standalone
================

Hermann Seib SAVIHost is the choice for Trans Computer Maschine Standalone
use. Use the included 'SAVIHost Cleaner.reg' to clean 'T-C-M-II' old version
registry entries for a fresh start!


====================================
Compatibility with Previous Projects
====================================

T-C-M v2.5 has been significantly improved to reduce CPU usage as well as
load time. As a side effect, project files saved from your host that used
earlier versions of T-C-M may take a long time to load the updated version.
This is totally normal since many unused data is discarded in the process.
Once the load is finished, save the project and the next time you open it,
you will not have to wait any longer. Another workaround is to load an old
project using the old version, save bank/presets in use, remove T-C-M from
project and save it; once updated T-C-M, open the project and load the new
T-C-M for the right track and finally load the old project bank/presets.


==================================
Old Patches Backward Compatibility
==================================

- Patches from T-C-M v1.31 and earlier are not compatible with T-C-M II.

- Loading older individual patches (fxp files) may not seem to work: It's
OK, the old data will fit to the new version after some refreshing actions
like selecting another patch or resetting the audio engine.

- 'Portamento' and 'Lag' settings from older patches need some additional
adjustment after loading in revised v2.50: for 'S/H', 'Ctrl A' and 'Ctrl B'
just multiply by 0.63 the old values, same for 'Portamento' if it is used
by the sequencer (otherwise, multiply the 'Portamento' value by 0.25).

- If an older preset is loaded in v2.50 and it includes some oscillator with
switches 'Low F' and 'Seq In' enabled, it may sound different. If so, simply
turn off the 'Low F' switch to get the original sound back.


======================
Known Bugs Workarounds
======================

- GUI indicators (Mixer and HPF active buses, Cutoff modulation, Clipping)
not showing up: It will happen in a few host-system combos due to graphics
incompatibilities. Disable and re-enable T-C-M from host for a GUI refresh.


======================
About Extreme Settings
======================

Because our software was designed to reach even unusual analogue sound
sculpting territories, we must aware users that extreme settings should be
used carefully.
Depending on system, extreme tempo related settings might end with a
soft-crash while extreme modulation might end with a sound card hanging or
even a speaker damaging. Each user should learn how 'Trans Computer
Maschine' integrates with the system and how to use it safely.


=====================
About Global Settings
=====================

Global settings are settings the user change during a session but are not
included when saving, loading or changing presets. This was decided at
designing level for many practical reasons. The global settings are:

- Keyboard memory (K MEM)
- MIDI Ch. Router settings
- Sequencer Sync
- Start, Stop and Cont(inue) Sequencer controls


==============
About Velocity
==============

There is not and there will not be MIDI velocity control in Trans Computer
Maschine as this feature might alter the original character of the modelled 
hardware.


===================
Distribution Policy
===================

This software may be freely distributed and copied, so long as no fee is
charged.
This software may be distributed by specialised magazines featuring reviews 
of the product.
Other than specialised magazines featuring reviews of the product, this
software may not be made part of a product for which a fee is charged.


====================
Terms and Conditions
====================

The author of this software will not take responsibility for any damage
that may result from the use of such software.
The files contained in the package are distributed without any expressed
and implied warranties.
The user assumes the entire risk of using the software.
If music is made with this software, the user is responsible for any
copyright infringement.


=======
Credits
=======

Programming & Design: Walter Cescato
Additional Code: Dan Worrall, Dave Haupt, Daz Disley, Lance Putnam,
Kelly Lynch, Peter Schoffhauzer, Rob Herder, Simonluca Laitempergher
VST Compiler: Jeff McClintock
VST SDK: Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH
Standalone loader: Hermann Seib

Special thanks to: Pawel Piatek, Marina Di Pietro, Oscar Maradei

VST is a trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH


====================================
Cescato Musiktechnologie © 2012-2018
====================================
