Documentation

How to use Heterodyne

A tour of the Play screen and the Fx tab: what to tap and what every knob does. The names on the diagrams are the ones used in the app itself.

01 · Play

Play screen

The main screen: camera, pitch scale, timbres, tools panel and the tabs below.

The numbers on the phone match the list.

HeterodyneWarmVintageBizzleHzFx2000 Hz100 HzF♯370 HzFx

  1. Timbre

    Warm, Vintage or Bizzle. Switch right in the middle of playing.

  2. Upper pitch limit

    The highest note. Adjustable from 400 to 2000 Hz.

  3. Pitch scale

    Where your hand is right now. The farther from the camera, the higher the sound; you can reverse the direction.

  4. Slider

    The note and frequency sounding right now. The Hz and note buttons choose what it shows.

  5. Lower pitch limit

    The lowest note. Adjustable from 50 to 300 Hz.

  6. Sound

    Turns the sound on and off. When it is off, the icon has a cross.

  1. Calibration

    Fits the range to your hand: first close, then farther away. You can also set it by hand in Settings.

  2. Tools panel

    Opens and collapses the panel. Buttons that are on keep working while it is closed.

  3. Note grid

    Pulls the sound toward notes: when your hand holds still, the pitch settles on the nearest note. A ring means the note is being held.

  4. Frequency on slider

    Turns the frequency readout on the slider on or off.

  5. Note on slider

    Turns the note name on the slider on or off. If both buttons are off, the slider disappears.

  6. Effects

    Turns the whole effects chain on and off. The devices' settings don't change.

  7. Hand

    The camera tracks points on your palm. Hand in frame – sound; hand gone – it fades out smoothly. A slight wrist tremble gives vibrato (adjustable).

  8. Volume

    Depends on your hand's horizontal position. You can adjust the working zone and which side is louder.

  1. Play

    This screen: camera, pitch scale, timbres and the tools panel.

  2. Fx

    The effects rack: reverb, delay, equalizer, exciter, stereo imager. You can add devices and rearrange them.

  3. Settings

    Pitch range, direction, the volume zone, smoothing, vibrato and language.

  4. Info

    A walkthrough, tips, privacy and feedback.

02 · Rack

Effects rack

The Fx tab: a chain of devices, presets, and the order the sound is processed in.

The numbers on the phone match the list.

Effectssignal flows top to bottomCHAINBig HallBig HallSPRING REVERBSR-60LARGE HALLGAIN0.0 dBPEAKRESETLIMITINBYPASSEXCITERHX-1BRIGHT TOPGAIN+1.5 dBPEAKRESETLIMITINBYPASSEQUALIZERPEQ-5WARM TOPGAIN−1.0 dBPEAKRESETLIMITINBYPASSSTEREO IMAGERSW-2WIDE STAGEGAIN+6.0 dBPEAKRESETLIMITINBYPASSADD DEVICEFx

  1. Signal order

    Sound passes through the devices from top to bottom. The order on the shelf is the order of processing.

  2. Chain presets

    A whole chain: the set of devices, their order and all their settings. Tap for the list, long-press to type a name.

  3. Device name

    Name, model and power lamp. Tap the name to open the device's full-screen page.

  4. Gain and level

    A gain fader and an LED level bar right on the panel. Move the fader with your finger.

  5. Peak

    The overload lamp. Tap to reset.

  6. Order and removal

    The whole device is a drag handle: press and hold on a free spot of the panel, then drag. Drop it on the bin at the bottom and the device is removed along with its settings.

  7. Add device

    Opens the picker: Reverb, Equalizer, Exciter, Stereo Imager, Tap Delay. Up to 12 devices, no more than 4 of one kind. A new one goes to the end.

  1. Save chain

    Appears when the chain differs from the selected preset. On one of your own presets it asks whether to overwrite it or save a new one; on “Default” it asks for a name.

  2. Delete chain

    Deletes the selected chain preset after you confirm. The devices and their settings stay as they are. “Default” can't be deleted.

  3. Device preset

    Shows the device's selected preset. You change it on the device's page; tapping the pill opens that page too.

  4. In / Bypass

    The bypass switch. In bypass the panel turns grey and stops reacting to touch; only this switch brings it back.

  5. Limit

    The device's peak limiter: lit means on.

  6. A look of its own

    Every device has its own front panel – a different colour and texture – so they are easy to tell apart on the shelf.

03 · Reverb

Reverb

Spring: from room to hall

The numbers on the phone match the list.

RackReverbBYPASSLARGE HALLSPRING REVERBSR-6001 s2 s3 s4 sRT60PRE 12 msLOWHIGHDECAYLOW·HIGH1.8 sDECAY25 %DAMPING12 msPRE-DELAY35 %MIXGAIN0.0 dBL−3.6 dBR−4.1 dBLIMIT−0.3 dBPEAKRESETLIMITFx

  1. Back to the rack

    Returns to the rack. The sound keeps playing, so you hear the result of every tweak right away.

  2. Device presets

    Tap the name to open the list. Long-press to type a name: the current settings are saved under it (on “Default” that creates a new preset).

  3. Tail diagram

    Shows the reverb tail for the current knob settings: the pre-delay pause and the decay. It is a diagram, not the live signal.

  4. Decay

    Decay time, from 0.2 to 4 seconds.

  5. Damping

    From 0 to 95 %. The higher it is, the faster the highs die away and the darker the tail.

  6. Gain

    The device's output gain, from −24 to +24 dB.

  7. Levels L and R

    Two LED bars, one per channel. The thin tick is the held peak.

  8. Limiter reduction

    Shows how much the limiter turned the level down, up to 6 dB. The bar grows from right to left.

  1. Bypass

    Sends the signal around the device. The panel turns grey, the meters drop to zero and nothing on it reacts to touch – only this switch brings it back.

  2. Save preset

    Appears when the values differ from the selected preset. On one of your own presets it asks whether to overwrite it or save a new one; on “Default” it asks for a name.

  3. Delete preset

    Deletes the selected preset after you confirm. The device's knobs stay as they are. “Default” can't be deleted.

  4. Power lamp

    Lit while the device is working; goes dark in bypass.

  5. Mix

    Balance between the dry and the processed signal, from 0 to 100 %.

  6. Pre-delay

    From 0 to 50 ms – a pause before the reverb begins.

  7. Peak

    Lights up on overload. Tap to reset. It also clears itself when you touch any knob on this device.

  8. Limit

    Turns the device's peak limiter on and off. When it is on, the button lights up.

04 · Equalizer

Equalizer

Five tone bands

The numbers on the phone match the list.

RackEqualizerBYPASSWARM TOPPARAMETRIC EQPEQ-51001k10k+120−12L123H2 · 1000 Hz+3.5 dBQ 1.00ONDRAG · FREQ / GAIN PINCH · Q TAP · ON / OFFWAVESPECTRUMSPECTROGRAMLOW CUTHIGH CUTGAIN−1.0 dBL−3.6 dBR−4.1 dBLIMITOFFPEAKRESETLIMITFx

  1. Back to the rack

    Returns to the rack. The sound keeps playing, so you hear the result of every tweak right away.

  2. Device presets

    Tap the name to open the list. Long-press to type a name: the current settings are saved under it (on “Default” that creates a new preset).

  3. Selected point

    Its frequency, gain, Q (quality factor) and state: on or off.

  4. Low cut

    Switches the leftmost point L between a low shelf and a cut of the lows.

  5. Gain

    The device's output gain, from −24 to +24 dB.

  6. Levels L and R

    Two LED bars, one per channel. The thin tick is the held peak.

  7. Limiter off

    The LIMIT bar stays empty while the limiter is off.

  1. Bypass

    Sends the signal around the device. The panel turns grey, the meters drop to zero and nothing on it reacts to touch – only this switch brings it back.

  2. Save preset

    Appears when the values differ from the selected preset. On one of your own presets it asks whether to overwrite it or save a new one; on “Default” it asks for a name.

  3. Delete preset

    Deletes the selected preset after you confirm. The device's knobs stay as they are. “Default” can't be deleted.

  4. Power lamp

    Lit while the device is working; goes dark in bypass.

  5. Curve and 5 points

    Points L, 1, 2, 3 and H. Drag a point to change its frequency and gain (±18 dB). Pinch with two fingers on the selected point to change Q. Tap to switch a point on or off.

  6. Analyzer

    The backdrop under the curve: WAVE, SPECTRUM or SPECTROGRAM. One mode for the whole app.

  7. High cut

    Switches the rightmost point H between a high shelf and a cut of the highs.

  8. Peak

    Lights up on overload. Tap to reset. It also clears itself when you touch any knob on this device.

  9. Limit

    Turns the device's peak limiter on and off. When it is on, the button lights up.

05 · Delay

Delay

Delay with tap tempo and ping-pong

The numbers on the phone match the list.

RackDelayBYPASSPING-PONGTAPE DELAYTE-201SPECTRUMOUTWAVESPECTRUMSPECTROGRAMTAPPING-PONGTIME450 ms20 ms2000 ms55 %FEEDBACK40 %TONE70 %WIDTH12 msOFFSET30 %MIXGAIN0.0 dBL−3.6 dBR−4.1 dBLIMIT−0.4 dBPEAKRESETLIMITFx

  1. Back to the rack

    Returns to the rack. The sound keeps playing, so you hear the result of every tweak right away.

  2. Device presets

    Tap the name to open the list. Long-press to type a name: the current settings are saved under it (on “Default” that creates a new preset).

  3. Analyzer

    Shows the sound at the device's output.

  4. Tap

    Tap out a tempo: the delay time becomes the average of the last four intervals. A pause longer than 2 seconds starts the count over.

  5. Time

    The time between repeats, from 20 to 2000 ms. Tap sets the same value.

  6. Feedback

    Up to 95 %. How much of the echo goes back into the loop – that decides how many repeats you hear.

  7. Tone

    The colour of the repeats: a filter in the feedback loop.

  8. Gain

    The device's output gain, from −24 to +24 dB.

  9. Levels L and R

    Two LED bars, one per channel. The thin tick is the held peak.

  10. Limiter reduction

    Shows how much the limiter turned the level down, up to 6 dB. The bar grows from right to left.

  1. Bypass

    Sends the signal around the device. The panel turns grey, the meters drop to zero and nothing on it reacts to touch – only this switch brings it back.

  2. Save preset

    Appears when the values differ from the selected preset. On one of your own presets it asks whether to overwrite it or save a new one; on “Default” it asks for a name.

  3. Delete preset

    Deletes the selected preset after you confirm. The device's knobs stay as they are. “Default” can't be deleted.

  4. Power lamp

    Lit while the device is working; goes dark in bypass.

  5. Analyzer mode

    WAVE, SPECTRUM or SPECTROGRAM. One mode for the whole app.

  6. Ping-pong

    The echo bounces between the left and right channels.

  7. Width

    The stereo width of the echo.

  8. Mix

    Balance between the dry and the processed signal.

  9. Offset

    From 0 to 50 ms – a time shift between the channels.

  10. Peak

    Lights up on overload. Tap to reset. It also clears itself when you touch any knob on this device.

  11. Limit

    Turns the device's peak limiter on and off. When it is on, the button lights up.

06 · Exciter

Exciter

Brightness and harmonics

The numbers on the phone match the list.

RackExciterBYPASSBRIGHT TOPHARMONIC EXCITERHX-1SPECTRUM+ HARMONICSWAVESPECTRUMSPECTROGRAM60 %DRIVE+20 %CHARACTER15 %SUB OCT35 %UP OCT40 %MIXGAIN+1.5 dBL−3.6 dBR−4.1 dBLIMIT−0.8 dBPEAKRESETLIMITFx

  1. Back to the rack

    Returns to the rack. The sound keeps playing, so you hear the result of every tweak right away.

  2. Device presets

    Tap the name to open the list. Long-press to type a name: the current settings are saved under it (on “Default” that creates a new preset).

  3. Analyzer

    Shows what actually leaves the device, including the harmonics it adds.

  4. Drive

    How much saturation is added – and with it, how many harmonics.

  5. Character

    From −100 to +100 %. At zero you get odd harmonics only (a “transistor” character; the middle of the scale has a detent). Toward either end even harmonics join in – “tube” warmth.

  6. Sub oct

    Mixes in the octave below the original note.

  7. Gain

    The device's output gain, from −24 to +24 dB.

  8. Levels L and R

    Two LED bars, one per channel. The thin tick is the held peak.

  9. Limiter reduction

    Shows how much the limiter turned the level down, up to 6 dB. The bar grows from right to left.

  1. Bypass

    Sends the signal around the device. The panel turns grey, the meters drop to zero and nothing on it reacts to touch – only this switch brings it back.

  2. Save preset

    Appears when the values differ from the selected preset. On one of your own presets it asks whether to overwrite it or save a new one; on “Default” it asks for a name.

  3. Delete preset

    Deletes the selected preset after you confirm. The device's knobs stay as they are. “Default” can't be deleted.

  4. Power lamp

    Lit while the device is working; goes dark in bypass.

  5. Analyzer mode

    WAVE, SPECTRUM or SPECTROGRAM. One mode for the whole app.

  6. Mix

    Balance between the original and the processed signal.

  7. Up oct

    Mixes in the octave above the original note.

  8. Peak

    Lights up on overload. Tap to reset. It also clears itself when you touch any knob on this device.

  9. Limit

    Turns the device's peak limiter on and off. When it is on, the button lights up.

07 · Stereo Imager

Stereo Imager

Stereo width

The numbers on the phone match the list.

RackStereoBYPASSWIDE STAGESTEREO IMAGERSW-2MLR+S−SGONIOMETERPHASE CORRELATION+0,62−1 · OUT OF PHASE0+1 · MONOWIDTH140 %100 %0 % · MONO200 %MONOGAIN+6.0 dBL+1.8 dBR+0.9 dBLIMIT−2.4 dBPEAKRESETLIMITFx

  1. Back to the rack

    Returns to the rack. The sound keeps playing, so you hear the result of every tweak right away.

  2. Device presets

    Tap the name to open the list. Long-press to type a name: the current settings are saved under it (on “Default” that creates a new preset).

  3. Goniometer

    A live picture of the stereo field. Vertical is the centre (M), the diagonals are the L and R channels. A narrow vertical line is nearly mono; a wide cloud is a spacious sound.

  4. Width

    From 0 to 200 %. 100 % is as recorded, 0 % is mono, higher is wider.

  5. Gain

    The device's output gain, from −24 to +24 dB.

  6. Levels L and R

    Two LED bars, one per channel. The thin tick is the held peak.

  7. Limiter reduction

    Shows how much the limiter turned the level down, up to 6 dB. The bar grows from right to left.

  1. Bypass

    Sends the signal around the device. The panel turns grey, the meters drop to zero and nothing on it reacts to touch – only this switch brings it back.

  2. Save preset

    Appears when the values differ from the selected preset. On one of your own presets it asks whether to overwrite it or save a new one; on “Default” it asks for a name.

  3. Delete preset

    Deletes the selected preset after you confirm. The device's knobs stay as they are. “Default” can't be deleted.

  4. Power lamp

    Lit while the device is working; goes dark in bypass.

  5. Phase correlation

    From −1 to +1. Near +1 the sound is mono-compatible, near 0 it is wide, toward −1 it is out of phase – and would vanish when summed to mono.

  6. Mono

    Sums the sound to mono. Independent of Bypass: the rest of the device keeps working.

  7. Peak

    Lights up on overload. Tap to reset. It also clears itself when you touch any knob on this device.

  8. Limit

    Turns the device's peak limiter on and off. When it is on, the button lights up.