The Crow Hill Company HC-II Attic Grand User Manual

VAULTS
USER MANUAL
VERSION V1.0.5 Jan 2024

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WELCOME

The Crow Hill Company thanks you for your interest in Vaults. A new concept in sharing sounds.
We’re a small team and have worked hard to make everything as intuitive as possible. Our hope is this user manual can offer further help to best explain how to use our plugin.
In what is many love letters to the music making sorority, we have taken time to make this affectionate user manual get the best out of Vaults.
However if you find yourself still stuck with anything we have a great set of FAQs at: thecrowhillcompany.com/faqs

WHAT ARE VAULTS?

Vaults opens the lid on exclusive caches of sounds and we want to share them all with you!
For our Vaults debut we have added some extra sparkles of magic to create your own sound – reverse effects, gentle (or not so gentle) saturation, echo and… of course… lots of splosh! It is provided in a dedicated plugin to load directly into your D.A.W.
We hope Vaults will make you think differently about sound, offer a continuous treasure trove of inspiration and make you feel like your pool of tools is constantly being refreshed.
Vaults Beta is just a taste of what is to come, so please let us know what you think!

INSTALLATION GUIDE

1. Getting The Installer
   Each instrument has its dedicated download utility to assist in downloading each instrument installer. This download utility (e.g. Crow Hill Vaults Beta Downloader.app) is only a few megabytes in size and can be found directly from the product page or in your customer account on www.thecrowhillcompany.com

2. Opening The Downloader
   Once downloaded, navigate to your download folder to open the utility. If on macOS this will be a .zip file that needs to be opened to show the .app and on Windows a .exe file.
   Once you have opened the utility it will ask you to choose a desired download location.
   By default, this will be your Download folder, but if you are low on system disk space you can choose to download to an external drive’

3. Downloading
   Once opened the download utility will automatically download the instruments installer and open the installer files.
   !! What if the download has been completed and the installer files have not automatically opened after several minutes?
   In this rare case, you can locate them in your chosen download location and open them directly by clicking on the file.

4. Installing
   The installer has on-screen instructions to guide you through the process.
   Let’s Agree On Something
   By clicking continue you are shown the End-User License Agreement. To install and use Crow Hill products this agreement should be read and agreed to. This agreement can be saved for your records and can be found in each instrument’s user manual. Clicking Agree will take you to the next stage.
   Clicking Disagree will end the installation process.

5. Choosing A Sample Location
   When installing your instrument, you will be presented with the option to select an install location for the audio (.blob) content and to de-select un required plug-in formats.
   The default install location for the audio content is your system drive.
   For smaller products, this is perfectly fine. However, if you are running low on disk space you may install your instrument on an external drive.
   Select your desired location from the dropdown menu and proceed as instructed.

6. Choosing Required Plug-In Formats
   If you only require a specific format (e.g. AU) then de-selecting other formats is a great way to save on disk space.
   If you are unsure what plug-in format your D.A.W (Digital Audio Workstation) requires, we suggest installing them all to ensure maximum compatibility.
   By default, all formats are pre-selected.

7. Confirming space
   After clicking Continue the next screen confirms the amount of system disk space the installation will require. This is a great time to double-check check you are only installing the formats you require and if you want to use an external drive or not. To make changes to your previous selection simply select “Go Back”

8.  Time To Install Once you are happy to proceed click “Install”.
   Your operating system will then ask you to enter login credentials.
   As the installer runs you will see onscreen progress. This process should only take several minutes with an estimated time presented throughout

9. Next Steps After a successful install your computer will ask you (macOS) whether you want to keep the installer or move it to your bin.
   We suggest keeping a backup of all installers so, if needed you can use them again without having to re-download.
   You are now ready to boot up your favourite audio workstation, create a new instrument track and find the Crow Hill folder to load your new Plug-In.

FRONT PANEL

00 HELP OVERLAY – Superimposes a quick guide to all controls.| 06 MACRO 1-2 CONTROLS – Controls MACRO 1-2 amounts.
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01 VU METER – Indicates master volume levels.| 07 MACRO 1-2 DISPLAys – Displays MACRO 1-2 amounts.
02 Master volume – Drag left or right to adjust master volume.| 08 MACRO 3-6 CONTROLS – Controls MACRO 3-6 amounts.
03 CURRENT MODULE – Shows the currently loaded sound module.| 09 MACRO 3-6 DISPLAYS – Displays MACRO 3-6 amounts.
04 BROWSER POP-UP – Brings up the module selection browser.| 10 MACRO ORDER FLIPPER – Swaps signal path of macros 5&6.
05 NAVIGATION CONTROLS – Page through the available modules.| 11 KEYBOARD SCROLLER – Scrolls to different pitch registers.

BROWSER PANEL

00 CLOSE BROWSER – Exits the browser returning to the main front panel.
01 CURRENT MODULE – Shows the currently loaded sound module.
02 MODULE SELECTION – Click to select and load a module.
03 CLOSE BROWSER – Exits the browser returning to the main front panel.

WHAT ARE MACROS?

Throughout this universal manual you will see repeated use of the term “macro”. This refers to the 6 onboard effects chains on each vault module. Macros are not simply an effect. They are individual effects chains that have been selected and expertly tailored to each module. Each name loosely represents the effect these chains create. Our aim is to recreate techniques used by the very best producers and engineers in the business, so your module(s) will sound like the music you hear over the airwaves, straight out of the box.
Each macro’s uniquely identifiable names to us sound like certain children’s TV characters that didn’t quite make it through the casting process.
We have obfuscated the names on purpose to encourage you to combine and experiment.

#001 – AttIC Grand

1. Offseat
   Finely alter the start pointogeach note, increasing or decreasing the amounting natural pre-attack.

2. Reverse
   Reverse each note back onto itself as an additional, and way more gun layer.

3. Smash
   A parallel blend control go a bus-style compressor with a somewhat unforgiving ratio.

4. Hair
   Subtly pull the piano apart by running it through a modelled tube pre-amp.

5. Echo
   A modelled multi-tap tape delay. With just enough warmth and wobble to satisfy even the most analog go purists.

6. Splosh
   A Chamber-sized algorithmic reverb. Perfect gore positioning a sound within your production.

#002 – R &D Strings

1. Timbre
   Crossfade between uniquely captured dynamic layers.

2. Glisten
   A pitched shift granular delay being fed into a shimmer-based reverb. Need we say more?

3. Sub
   Re-synthesised bass and subharmonics, squashed together for added heft.

4. Pris
   Control the balance of ever shifting frequencies as they weave in and out of phase.

5. Echo
   A modelled multi-tap tape delay. With just enough warmth and wobble to satisfy even the most analog of purists.

6. Splosh
   A Chamber-sized algorithmic reverb. Perfect for positioning a sound within your production.

#003 – CELEST-A-TONE

1. TREMOLO
   A LFO-based tremolo (CCl) pushing & pulling the volume of the Celeste.

2. SWARM
   An additional layer of cascading reflections & delayed signals feeding back into itself.

3. TONE
   A carefully refined filter to help carve out any troublesome low-end.

4. HAMMERS
   A volume control for the additional “attack” sounds, captured from the classic Dulcitone.

5. Echo
   A modelled multi-tap tape delay. With just enough warmth and wobble to satisfy even the most analog of purists.

6. Splosh
   A Chamber-sized algorithmic reverb. Perfect for positioning a sound within your production.

#004 – SHIMMER GUITAR

1. Shimmer
   An additional layer of slow & meandering unmeasured Tremolos, fed through a realtime generated shimmer reverb.

2. Filter
   A carefully refined low-pass filter allowing you to roll off and shape your sound.

3. Drive
   Push the entire signal path through a digitally modelled Tube Amp for added grit.

4. Mod
   Control the intensity of a stereo chorus-based modulation, straight out of

6. Echo
   A modelled multi-tap tape delay. With just enough warmth and wobble to satisfy even the most analog of purists.

7. Splosh
   A Chamber-sized algorithmic reverb. Perfect for positioning a sound within

FAQ

Here’s a few frequently asked questions we suspect you may have.
For more FAQs please go to www.thecrowhillcompany.com/faqs

How much does a Crow Hill Membership cost?

Crow Hill membership is absolutely free, and with it you get access to free tools and resources to support you on your music making journey, as well as exclusive access to the behind-the-scenes happenings in the company.

Can I use crow hill samples on commercial projects?

Yes! We have no limitations on how you use our samples. :rovided you follow these three rules9 8 :lease don’t make other commercial sample libraries out of themn 8 :lease don’t give them to friends or sell them on (this is piracy!} 8 They’re designed to be used in compositions, so distributing tracks that contain only a single note playing one of our sounds breaks the EULA.

Once I’ve used my library can I sell it on?

Regrettably not. This is not a library that you own to resell. It is a library that contains master recordings which are licensed to be used by you for the rest of your life, but only you (or someone working on your rig). Even libraries that are offered for free are individually licensed, so if someone likes your sounds - let them know they should check out www.thecrowhillcompany.com to pick up their own copy.

How Can I Reset A Control?

If you find you have wandered too far down the creative path, you can always reset a value by holding down the following keys on the desired parameter. (MacOS) Option (⌥) + Left-Click or (Win) ALT + Left-Click

Can I Use MIDI To Control The Instrument?

Yes! As well as using a MIDI keyboard to play each instrument, each instrument also has two ways to automate the onscreen controls. You can either use your host workstation's (e.g. Logic, :ro Tools) automation capabilities. Or you can MIDI Learn to utilise real-world controllers to automate parameters within the plugin. To MIDI learn, Right-Click the control and move your hardware controller's dial, wheel or slider. To Unlearn your assignment, or to reassign to another control, Right-Click the parameter and select the appropriate option. Not working? Ensure your controller is connected and recognised by your host software.

TROUBLESHOOTING

I Can’t Hear Anything!
As much as we all love John Cage, we are sure you want to hear your instrument.
Included in each instrument are a few utilities that can be used to diagnose some likely causes.
Each instrument has a combination of ways to control the overall volume.

• Ensure Expression (CC11) is at its maximum value.
• If included, check that the mixer controls are not set to -Infinity or muted (m).
• Check that your Master Output Volume is not set to its minimum value (- Infinity).

This can be quickly checked by looking at the Volume Meter, which should be moving while sound is passing through your instrument.
Still no luck?
If you have tried the above and still hear nothing, the onscreen MIDI keyboard can be directly played by Left-Clicking a piano key in the user interface.
If you can now hear the instrument then the issue is likely the connection between your MIDI keyboard and your workstation’s associated track.
Ensure there are no loose connections, triple-check your MIDI input settings, and remember to arm your track.
Help! My PlugIn’s interface is entirely blank.
Don’t worry. Looks can be deceiving, this means the plug-in is unable to locate the audio (.blob) files.
Ensure your external drives are connected and restart your digital audio workstation (D.A.W).
Unable to locate your .blob files, lost track of where you installed them, or had to misfortune of misplacing a drive? Simply re-run the installer to be up and running in no time.
We recommend frequent back-ups of your system, as well as archiving your instrument installer files to ensure a speedy recovery should it ever be needed.
How Do I Relocate My Instruments Audio Files?
The simplest way to relocate your instrument’s audio files (.blob) is to delete the previous files (where you previously installed your .blob’s) and re-run the installer, selecting the newly desired install location.
This ensures no files are accidentally removed and will automatically overwrite any pre-existing instrument files.

CREDITS

Vaults wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for the efforts of these amazing, talented and generous individuals.

Development: ……………….Calum Minuti-Goold
Product Design: …………..Prokopi Constantinou
Marketing & Prose: ………….Gabrielle Atkinson
Operations: ………………..Marley Petropoulos
Tech Stack: …………………..Stephen Tallamy
Artistic & Prose Consultant: ……….Dot Allison
Logistics: …………………….Caroline Lofts
Videographer: ……………………..Jack Rosam
Production Assistant:……………..Theo Le Derf
User Manual: …………………Christian Henson

EULA

ANY PERSON OR ENTITY (“User” or “You”) USING OR OTHERWISE ACCESSING OUR PRODUCT OR ANY OF THE CONTENT AVAILABLE VIA THE PRODUCT SHALL BE BOUND BY THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS END USER LICENCE AGREEMENT (“Agreement”). OUR PRODUCT IS AN INSTALLABLE SOFTWARE PACKAGE WHICH INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, AUDIO RECORDINGS, VISUAL ASSETS AND CODE, AND THE TERM (“Product”) SHALL BE CONSTRUED ACCORDINGLY.

1. Contracting parties. The Product, together with all content, data and other materials (“Content”) are owned or controlled by Crow Hill Productions Limited, having its Registered Office at c/o Cc Young & Co, 3rd Floor The Bloomsbury Building, 10 Bloomsbury Way, Holborn, London, WC1A 2SL (“we”, “us”, “our” or “Crow Hill”). When you register with (or otherwise access) us, you are contracting with Crow Hill. The licence granted to you by us is effective from the date you download, install or use the Product(s) (whichever is earliest) and shall remain in force until terminated by us.

2. Use of the Product. The Product and the Content is intended only for the purposes specified or implied therein, and your use of the Product and the Content is entirely at your own risk. You shall be solely responsible for all of your use of the Product. Please note, whilst we endeavour to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the Product and the Content may not be wholly accurate or up-to-date, complete or free of defects, and are subject to change at any time. The Product is provided without any representations or warranties of any kind (implied or express) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. We, unless otherwise stated herein, own or control all relevant intellectual property rights contained in the Product and the Content. You may not publish, distribute, extract, re-utilise, or reproduce any part of the Product or any Content in any form other than as expressly allowed herein or as otherwise provided for by us, (or under applicable laws). Save as expressly set out in this Agreement, the Product is for your personal use only . We will not be responsible if your use of the Product or of the Content does not fit your particular intended purpose.

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   for use as part of a live or recorded musical performance. You may use these sounds for any commercial or non-commercial purpose where you have combined them with other sounds within one or more musical composition(s) and/or recording(s), in which case they are permitted to be shared with or given or transferred to any third party or uploaded to any file sharing site or offered for resale or public transmission. This license expressly forbids resale or other distribution of the Products or their derivatives, either as they exist in the library, reformatted for use in another sampler, or mixed, combined, filtered, re-synthesised or otherwise edited, for use as sounds, multipound, samples, multi-samples, sound sets, programmes or patches in a sampler, microchip, computer or any sample playback device. You may not sell any Product(s), or give away any Product(s) for use by any other person(s). Products may not be used in or in relation to any competitive products that are sold or relicenses to any third parties. Except as expressly permitted herein, to the fullest extent of applicable law you may not copy, modify, distribute, sell or lease any Product, and you
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4. Ownership. Ownership of, and title to, the Products (and all digitally recorded sounds and/or copies therein) is held by us. Copies are provided to you solely to enable you to exercise your rights hereunder. When you purchase any Product(s), you are purchasing a limited and personal licence for use (and not ownership) of Product(s). Except as expressly authorised in this Agreement, you may not rent, lease, sell, sublicense, distribute, transfer, copy, reproduce, display, modify or time share any Product(s) (or part or element thereof).

5. Intellectual Property. All rights not expressly granted to User are reserved by us. The Products are licensed, not sold, to you to be used for your own original musical compositions and productions. All copying, lending, duplicating, re-selling or trading of any Product or other Content is strictly prohibited, save as used for or incorporated into your original created works.
   Only you, as the original purchaser of a Sound File, has the right to embody and reproduce that Sound File within your music compositions/productions. This license is granted for you as a single user only (and is given on a worldwide basis). You agree and acknowledge that we have a proprietary interest in all sound recordings, and that any use by you that frustrates the purpose of this Agreement or seeks to prevent our payment process (including without limitation by the selling, renting, or otherwise using or distributing un- integrated Content) may cause irreparable loss to us in a way that could not be adequately compensated by damages. For the avoidance of doubt, no
   ownership of copyright is transferred by us to you hereunder. The brands, products and service names used by us and in the Content are trademarks or trade names of ours or our trading partners unless otherwise stated.

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21. Contacting Us. If you have any questions, please contact us at www.thecrowhillcompany.com/faqs

References

• The Crow Hill Company

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