VLTone Manual

Steps

1. 1

   Install and launch VLTone. On Windows use Setup.exe; on macOS open the DMG and move the app into Applications. Follow the instructions shown next to the download.

2. 2

   Open the app without signing up. You can dismiss the startup support window; it does not limit tools or project saving.

3. 3

   Wait for loading and plugin scanning to finish. The startup window reports the current stage; the first launch after installing plugins may take longer.

4. 4

   Create an empty project. Open Settings → Audio and choose the driver and output device connected to your headphones or speakers.

5. 5

   Check the main output pair. For recording, enable the interface inputs; the input on each track is selected separately.

6. 6

   Start with a buffer of 256 or 512 samples. A smaller buffer reduces playing latency; a larger one helps with crackles or high load. Keep project and device sample rates consistent.

7. 7

   Drop a familiar audio file onto the timeline and press Space. Check the track and Master meters, then set a comfortable listening level.

8. 8

   Save the project to its own folder with File → Save As. Continue with “First project: from file to export”.

Good to know

• Scanning runs out of process, so a faulty plugin should not close the application.

Troubleshooting

Steps

1. 1

   Use track headers for selection, mute, solo, volume, pan, and record state.

2. 2

   Drag clips along the timeline; the vertical playhead shows playback position.

3. 3

   Toggle Mixer, Inspector, Context Panel, Browser, Web, Notebook, and AI from View.

4. 4

   Double-click a clip to open its matching audio, piano-roll, or pattern editor.

5. 5

   In the bottom panel, choose Mixer to balance channels or Rack to work with the selected track’s devices. Check the selected track name in the Inspector before adjusting a parameter.

Keyboard shortcuts

Good to know

• Internal editors use the same project and the same undo history.
• The context panel adapts to available width. If a secondary button is hidden, widen the window or narrow the browser.
• Select a track, then a clip: the inspector and context panel follow the current selection.
• Hide unused panels through View to gain space. Timeline zoom and track height are separate settings.
• Closing an instrument window does not disable its sound; bypass and closing an editor are different actions.
• Tab switches between the mixer and selected channel’s rack; Alt+M shows the separate master panel on the right. Drag panel edges to resize.

Steps

1. 1

   Click the ruler to move the playhead, or press Return to go to the start.

2. 2

   Start playback with Play or Space.

3. 3

   Enter BPM; arrangement and MIDI grids update immediately.

4. 4

   Drag a ruler range and enable Cycle to repeat it.

5. 5

   Enable Metronome before recording when you need a count reference.

Keyboard shortcuts

Good to know

• Time signature is separate from BPM. Set both before recording so the grid matches the phrase.
• For comparisons, set a cycle slightly wider than the phrase so effect onsets and tails remain audible.
• Returning to the start moves the playhead, not clips. If playback is silent, check that the playhead crosses actual material.
• In Settings → Transport, choose Resume to continue from the playhead or Restart to return to the run’s start on the next Space press. You can also choose a custom metronome sound and Accent / Monochrome top-panel appearance.

Troubleshooting

Steps

1. 1

   Point at the number and hold the left mouse button.

2. 2

   Drag up to increase the value or down to decrease it. The pointer stays in place during the gesture.

3. 3

   Hold Shift for finer adjustments. Release the mouse button at the desired value.

4. 4

   For an exact value, double-click the number, type it and press Enter. Escape cancels an unfinished change.

5. 5

   Scroll the panel with a mouse wheel or trackpad: hovering a numeric field does not change the parameter.

Troubleshooting

Steps

1. 1

   Create an empty project and save it to a dedicated folder with Save As.

2. 2

   Set BPM and time signature. For an existing loop, start with its original tempo.

3. 3

   Drop the WAV onto an empty timeline area. With snapping enabled, move its start to the first bar.

4. 4

   Press Space and check the track and Master levels, then stop playback.

5. 5

   Add a MIDI track, assign Sampler and load a sound. Double-click to create a MIDI clip, then double-click it to open it.

6. 6

   Draw a few notes and adjust their lengths. Set velocity and listen alongside the audio clip.

7. 7

   Open the mixer with X. Balance both tracks and add an Equalizer insert if needed.

8. 8

   Loop the phrase, listen to the boundaries and stop transport. Save the project.

9. 9

   Open Render / Export, choose master mix, WAV and the required range. Set the name and folder, then render.

10. 10

    Open the resulting WAV and check the start, ending and clipping. Keep the project for future edits.