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Frequently Asked Questions, General
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1) What!? Is this stuff free ??
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Yes...and No :-)... The KarmaFX software is Donationware and Shareware:
The KarmaFX Plugin pack is Donationware.
This means that the software is fully functional without any restrictions of any kind.
However, if you find these plugins useful please consider donating a small fee (e.g. 10$ to 20$ or so) to support future development.
The KarmaFX Synth Modular was previously Donationware too (while in Beta), but is now Shareware.
This means that there is a downloadable DEMO version of the synth, with limited save and update capabilities,
which you can use to try out the synth. If you like it and want to continue using it, you should buy the
fully functional registered version (which also comes with a comprehensive User's manual).
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2) Wow, where did this stuff come from ? Another Planet ?
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No :-) Development of KarmaFX Synth was started back in 1998.
At that time it wasn't just a synth, but a standalone application for making music and included
a sequencer and a tracker, among other things.
The inspiration for this work came partly from Propellerheads Rebirth and later the release of Jeskola Buzz.
However, as KarmaFX consists of just one programmer, the project grew too big, and it was decided to convert the synth into a
plugin; first for Buzz, and later as VST.
It was bascially finished in the v0.85 state back in 1999, but was unfortunatly never released.
That is, until 2004, where - after many requests - an attempt was made to try and finish it...improving the sound, updating the graphics,
and fixing those last annoying bugs.
The KarmaFX effect plugins (Filter, Deelay and Reverb) are simply spin-off projects of the Synth.
That is, they are separate easy-to-use effects that use the same code as the Synth but with an extra twist.
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3) Hey, is there a forum to ask questions, discuss issues, share patches, report bugs, etc. ?
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4) Where can I find the documentation for the plugins ?
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The KarmaFX Plugin Pack includes a 15 page User's Manual in PDF format.
A User's Manual of 90+ pages is included with the Registered version of KarmaFX Synth Modular.
If you have any questions feel free to contact KarmaFX by email or consult the KarmaFX forum
or the KVR forums.
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5) I really like simplicity of the Filter and Deelay, but the Synth is simply overkill in my opinion. Will you still do small, easy-to-use plugins ?
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Yes. I myself prefer small, simple and easy-to-use VSTs when working in the studio.
Plugins that simply get the job done without too much knob tweaking or fancy GUIs that hurt your eyes.
So yes, you can expect more plugins in that genre.
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6) Is there a Mac version of the plugins ready soon...?
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Yes, a Mac port of KarmaFX Synth Modular is now available!
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7) So if the plugin pack is "free", can I distribute the plugins on my site or distribute or sell them with my own software?
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No, of course not.
The Software is not public domain, and is protected by copyright laws of the international community.
In downloading the Software, you are not obtaining title to the Software or any copyrights!
You may not sublicense, rent, lease, convey, distribute, copy, modify, translate, convert to another programming language, decompile, or disassemble the Software for any purpose.
You may only redistribute the Software with prior written permission from KarmaFX. Where redistribution is authorised in writing by KarmaFX, the Software must be redistributed in its original archive format, and must not be modified in any way. All such authorised redistribution must be accompanied by clear messages stating the origin of the software as a product by KarmaFX, this license, a link to the Website, and a further message saying that updates of the Software are available from the Website.
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Frequently Asked Questions, KarmaFX Synth Specific
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1) Can I get a version that doesn't time out ?
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Yes. The Registered version does not time out.
Plus, it comes with extra patches, more skins and a User's manual.
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2) I've just ordered KarmaFX Synth Modular. When and how do I receive my registered version ?
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Thanks for your order! Your registered full version of KarmaFX Synth Modular will be provided by a direct download URL sent to you via e-mail. We aim to deliver your order as quickly as possible, usually within a few hours, but in rare cases please allow up to 24 hours for us to handle your order.
The KarmaFX software is only available in electronic form via the internet.
The e-mail is sent to the email address registered with PayPal, so be sure to check the right mail account.
If you still havn't received your registration e-mail, please contact us.
Also be sure to check your spam folder. In some cases the registration email is wrongfully detected as spam.
If you have payed by e-Check (non instant payment), please be patient, as your payment will take PayPal some time to complete.
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3) I've just downloaded KarmaFX Synth, but the file is corrupt / incomplete. What should I do?
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Likely the download failed for some reason and that is why the file is corrupt.
Please be sure to clear your browsers cache and then click the link again.
Click just once, and then wait for the server to respond.
If your browsers cache is cleared the download should start again.
Contact us by e-mail if this does not fix the problem.
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4) I want to buy a KarmaFX Synth Modular license, but I don't have a credit card nor a PayPal
account.
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If you cannot use the PayPal system or don't have a credit card, we offer an
alternative direct bank transfer payment option. Please get in touch by e-mail and we will supply you with our SWIFT/IBAN account number.
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5) How do I load patches ?
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Either:
1) Right click on the background in the synth and select "Load Patch".
2) Use the control panel's up and down arrows to browse through patches.
3) Click on the "Load Patch" button in the control panel.
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6) How do I load a sample into the "Sampler" ?
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Click on the "Load Sample" button just below the waveform window or right click on the background in the Sampler module, e.g. on the area just below the waveform display and select "Load Sample...".
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7) How do I connect one module to another ?
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There are two ways:
1) Hold Ctrl - then left click on the source module's titlebar (a cross will appear).
Then click the target module that you wish to route the signal to.
2) Alternatively, right click on the target module's titlebar.
Select "Input" and choose the name of the source module.
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8) How do I route a module to modulate a knob or slider ?
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Again there are two ways:
1) Hold Ctrl - click on the source module's titlebar (a cross will appear).
Then click a the knob or slider in the module that you wish to modulate.
2) Alternatively, right click on the knob or slider you wish to modulate.
Select "Input" and choose the name of the source module.
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9) Help. When I reload the synth in my host, all my patch changes have disappeared !?
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Patch saving is disabled in the DEMO version.
If you want to save your work we suggest that you buy the registered version.
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10) I have a suggestion for a new feature !
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Well, there is a long list of planned features, but by all means, please send requests by email or post it in the forum.
If the ideas are really good, chances are they will be put into the synth sooner or later.
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11) Next to the wave display you can choose between Time/Frequency and Modulation. What does the "Modulation" button do ?
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The modulation display is there to show modulation of specific knobs or sliders.
After selecting it, you need to left click on a modulated knob or slider and the display will show
the modulation signal.
Alternatively you can also right click on a knob or slider and select "Show Mod.". This will
animate the knob/slider and show its actual value. However, doing this on a lot of knobs will make your head spin! :-)
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12) Modules (e.g. Filters) loose their routings (connections) when switching module type. Why is that ?
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Filters have the same set of knobs (e.g. cutoff, resonance...) but in the general case modules have their
own unique set of knobs/sliders. That is why routings are not retained when switching.
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13) How does the synth handle MIDI signals ? I don't understand how the "controller" changes the pitch of the oscillators ?
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Each module can read MIDI events. The synth has 8 internal midi busses (one for each controller instance).
In addition controllers can write or alter MIDI events.
A controller's main job is also to produce a frequency signal.
This signal is never shown in the GUI but passed on to all modules whose output is fed into that controller.
Filters use this signal for keyboard tracking while oscillators use it to change pitch.
In polyphonic mode, there is a frequency signal for each voice and
the controller determines which MIDI events should go to which voice and modifies each event appropriatly.
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14) Is it possible to resell KarmaFX Synth once you have purchased it?
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No, currently the license is "non-transferable", i.e., you cannot resell the product once it has been purchased.
The reasons for this are mostly technical, since the name of the registered user is burned into the synth so to speak.
You can read the full software license agreement here.
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15) When registered, am I allowed to use the synth on more than one computer?
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Yes, you can use KarmaFX Synth on up to two computers which are under your control.
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16) I once purchased the PC version but have since switched to Mac. How do I get the Mac/OS X version?
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Mac and PC versions are separate purchases. However, if you are already a registered user, there is a 50% upgrade discount!
Go to the buy page and click upgrade, or simply click here to go there directly.
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17) How will I know if the Synth works with my PC or Mac host application?
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The best way to find out is to try it. If in doubt, please download the demo first and see if it works as expected.
KarmaFX Synth has been tested in many different host applications, especially the most popular ones.
It has been tested and verified to run in hosts such as Steinberg Cubase, Ableton Live, Image-Line FL-Studio, Cockos Reaper, Apple Logic & Apple Garage Band just to name a
few. A lot has been done to fix issues related to certain hosts.
However, we unfortunately do not have the time to test all working scenarios, versions, etc. If it doesn't work as expected, please let us know so it can be fixed.
Currently, the synth is known to have problems running under MOTU's Digital Performer 7 on Mac/OS X.
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18) I have the registered version, but I cannot seem to find the manual?
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A User's Manual of 90+ pages is included with your Registered version of KarmaFX Synth Modular in PDF format.
If you already have the synth started, the easiest way to open it is by clicking on the background inside the synth, and then choose "Manual" from the popup menu.
You can also find it directly in your installation folder:
On PC: [VST plugin folder]\KarmaFX\KarmaFX_Synth\Manual\KarmaFX Synth Modular.pdf
On Mac: /Library/Application Support/KarmaFX/KarmaFX Synth/Manual/KarmaFX Synth Modular.pdf
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