TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 ………………………………………………………………………………................……........ 4

Welcome …………....……………………………………………………………………………..................... 4
A little overview ……....…………………………………………………………………………................... 4

CHAPTER 2 ……………………………………………………………………………………....................... 8

Your first time with N4 ……….......……………………………………………………………................. 8

CHAPTER 3 ………………………………………………………………………………….......................... 10

Description of controls ………….………………………………………………………………................. 10

CHAPTER 4 ……………………………………………………………………………………....................... 11

N4 Browser...........………………………………….………………………………………...................…... 11
Theory of operation………………………………….………………………………………...................… 14
The PROG page (view mode) ….………………………………………………………….................... 14
The PROG page (list mode) ……..………………………………………………………...................... 19
The KERN page …………………………....…………………………………………………...................… 22
The MAST page …………………………………………………………………………….......................… 25
The MIDI page ……………………………………………………………………………......................…... 29
The DISK page ………………………………………………………………………………......................... 31

CHAPTER 5 ……………………………………………………………………………………....................... 32
Program editing ……………………………………………………………………................................... 32
The MEMO page…………………………………………………………....…….................................... 32
The PRMs page…………………………………………………………....……..................................... 35
The GLOB page…………………………………………………………....……..................................... 37

2
The LFOS page…………………………………………………………....……...................................... 40
The FUNS page…………………………………………………………....……..................................... 42
The EVFS page…………………………………………………………....……...................................... 43
The ENVS page…………………………………………………………....……..................................... 45
The DYNS page…………………………………………………………....……..................................... 48

3
Chapter 1
WELCOME!
Thank you for joining Acustica Audio and purchasing this product.
N4 is shipped with an extensive library of programs, which we hope you will enjoy. To
find out more about N4 beyond the contents of this guide, please visit our website,
which is located at https://www.acustica-audio.com and Aquarius for direct download
and installation.
If interested, or if you have questions on our products, join our forum or directly contact
N4 Player offers a seamless crossgrade path to the paid full version of N4. Once cross-
graded your created with N4 Player DAW sessions will automatically be updated to the
full N4 version. Crossgrade to N4 from any older version of Nebula (e.g. Nebula3, Neb-
ula3 Pro, Nebula3 Server, Nebula 2) is not possible. However, such older versions of
Nebula can coexist together with the new N4 or N4 Player.
Crossgrade Nebula2 and Nebula3 (Nebula3, Nebula3 Pro, Nebula3 Server) is not pos-
sible direfet products how ever can coexsit with N4.

A LITTLE TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW

Nebula is essentially a sophisticated FX processor.

One of our priorities was to keep the N4 interface as simple as possible, as we felt that
this can be confusing to new users, but also obstructive during creative processes such
as mixing. So we made sure that it is possible to operate N4 with minimum knowledge,
while providing access to some advanced options and parameters that enable a variety
of changes that can be made to the way in which the Nebula engine operates.
Please follow the addendum-note contained within this guide, as it demonstrates how
to use the shipped programs in the best possible way.

4
A target system (for example a reverb processor) is excited by a test tone and its outputs
are sampled. Through a process called “deconvolution” the final impulse response is
calculated. The impulse can then be loaded within the convolver. After loading the im-
pulse into the convolver (the fx processor) it is able to behave “like” the target system.

In such case the results can be good, as long as the system is linear in its nature. How-
ever, such method is not suitable for modelling distortion. Why? Because there is an
inherent limitation within impulse responses that prevents this.

From a conceptual view convolution can be viewed as being a static process, which is
somewhat analogous to the concept of taking photographs. A static photograph can be
considered to be a clean “snapshot” of reality, an abstraction of sorts. Similarly speaking
a basic impulse capture is similar in nature that is it is a static snapshot. Overall it can said
that convolution as implemented by a basic convolver is as much a static representation
of a real world system as a photograph is a depiction and perfect model of the real world.

A general theory on distortion was formulated by the mathematician Vito Volterra in 1870.
According to Volterra, for each harmonic order it is possible to model a “whole system”
via the utilisation of a finite number of “kernels”. A standard impulse response is simply
one of them.
This tells us how to get a “dirty” photo.
Nebula is able to process an high number of kernels at once, through the built-in Kernel
Engine:

It is able to store not only a static copy, but also a dynamic one. For example a time-var-
iant system could be modelled by a large number of kernels, exactly as if you were us-
ing a camera for making a movie. An equaliser could be modelled by a photo for each
setting (combinations of frequency, gain,Q) and so on. A cyclic time-variant FX like a
flanger could be modelled sampling it and looping its kernels. Further, Nebula is particu-
larly good for “guessing” the missing photographic “frames”, resulting in perfect fluid
animation.

5
Instead of a photographic camera, here you need a computer standalone application
called “NAT”:

It’s like a sampler, but it samples the behaviour of the system.

Finally, the Kernel Engine is controlled by the Vectorial Engine:

The Vectorial Engine is a purely a control mechanism; it doesn’t produce a single audio
waveform. Inside it you’ll find the same modules you could find inside a synthesizer:
LFOs, envelopes, signal compressors, functions.

6
The final structure is shown below:

Nebula parses plain xml files (files you could open with an internet browser or a text
editor) and waveforms (captured test tones). The main xml file is called Program File,
remaining files are organized in a directory-like structure called Kernel Vectors or Vector

7
Difference between N4 PLAYER & N4
N4 Player is a free version of N4 and as such it has certain limitations visible in the table
below.
IMPORTANT! N4 player and N4 cannot coexist on the same operating system. Installing
N4 Player on top of N4 will result in complete malfunction of N4!

8
N4 Player will be able to load the following products:

-Nebula libraries for N4, both commercial and trials.

-Acqua libraries for N4, both commercial and trials.
-Acqua Effect plug-ins, both commercial and trials.
-Acustica Audio cross-platform commercial library version 5 commercial and trials.

Nomenclature

-Nebula libraries for N4:

A Nebula library is a collection of emulation presets created with the pro-
prietary sampling application NAT. A Nebula library for N4 can in-
clude a custom skin or use factory generic skin. It includes the upgrad-
ed N4 commerical libraries called Cross Platform Commercial Library (CPCL).

-Acqua libraries for N4:

An Acqua library is similar to a Nebula library but it is built by merging several emulation
presets into a single one, resulting in a more complex simulation with a custom user in-
terface.

-Acqua Effect plug-ins:

Acqua Effect plug-ins are standard standalone plug-ins in VST2, AAX and AU format.
However, they can also be loaded in N4 and N4 Player to take advantage of some ad-
ditional functions. For example, an Acqua Effect plug-in can be hosted into N4 allowing
customers to run the Acqua Effect plug-in in a TCP/IP network using Nebula Server.

Limitations not applicable to N4 (as opposed to N4 Player)

- N4 can load Nebula2 and Nebula3 commercial and free emulation presets.
- N4 can edit Acqua Effect plug-ins
- N4 can connect to a Nebula Server version 4 (currently in development).

Cross Platform Commercial Library (CPCL) version 5 features:

- Complete integration with Aquarius and market place.
- Updated version of Rose Acqua library for N4 and Rose Acqua Effect plug-in.
- Updated version of Violet Acqua library for N4 and Violet Acqua Effect plug-in.
- 12 skinned Nebula libraries for N4.
- CPCL version 5 is bundled in N4, but alternatively, may be purchased individually to
use it with N4 player with price of 69 euros.

9
N4 will be able to load the following products:

- Nebula libraries for N4, both commercial and trials.

- Acqua libraries for N4, both commercial and trials.
- Acqua Effect plug-ins, both commercial and trials.
- Acustica Audio cross-platform commercial library version 5 commercial and trials.
- Nebula libraries for Nebula3, both commercial and free.

Following N4 player and N4 update releases, market place will be inaugurated including
new products from our official 3rd developers (1).

(1) With the term official 3rd developers (1) we refer to all 3rd developer in at the fol-
lowing link of our website: https://www.acustica-audio.com/pages/developers and for
now we define as unofficial all 3rd party developers not included in the previous link,
consequently it will not be possible for load their libraries in N4 Player.

Upgrade from N4P to N4

N4P is full compatibily with N4 ( commercial version);

it will be enough buy the commercial version of N4 directly from our Shop guaranting
full functionality of Nebula series recently upgraded to CORE12.

Loading Third-Party developers products

In order to use 3rd party developers products:

- It is mandatory to firstly install N4 Player or alternately N4, after that it’s possible to
procede with installation of 3rd party developers products.
- Please don’t install both versions; Use only one of them to guarantee a proper func-
tioning of the products.
- If you choose to use N4 please make sure that you N4 version is up-to-date ( N4
version 1.1.012).
- N4 FREE and N4 Player cannot coexist.

Use our new application Aquarius (see the User Guide in Aquarius page of our website)
to complete the procedure (installation / authorization);
-3rd party developers products are only available on Aquarius.

10
CORE12 represents a new technological advancement by Acustica:

Core 12 represents a new technological advancement by Acustica:

• Upgraded SASM (Symmetric & Asymmetric Saturation Modeling) high performance

saturation algorithm;

• Introduction of a new post-production sample de-noising tech for cleaner decon-

volved impulses called STT (Super transient technology);

• Full compatibility with Client/Server architecture integrated by default in Acqua pl-

ugins;

• Engine optimization introducing a new highly efficient algorithm. This innovative

technique is applied to all the deconvolved impulses for further de-noise processing
and subsequent elimination of any incorrect low-level behavior (including the so-called
“echo bug”).

Core 12 allows performance improvements for each plug-in of the Acqua Effects se-
ries, while at the same time preserving all the features already supported in previous
CORE upgrades.

11
Chapter 2
N4 INSTALLATION

Welcome to Aquarius, a brand new application from Acustica Audio. Its purpose is to
simplify and automate authorization, installation and uninstallation process of your pur-
chased Acustica products (ACQUA plug-ins etc.).

Aquarius runs as Windows/ Mac OSX 64 bit.

You will need a working internet connection in order to run the application. Off-line mode
is not available, yet.

12
Important:

Aquarius login is case sensitive, please remember to pay attention to capital letters and
to make sure that you’re not adding space.

When started, application searches your computer for installed Acustica products and
then connects to the Aquarius server in order to retrieve the status of products found.
Progress bar at the top of the window will keep you informed about the progress. This
is the main progress bar, which is always telling you, what is Aquarius doing at that mo-
ment, so keep an eye on it.

For successful server connection, your credentials must be entered (a window will pop-
up). Enter an e-mail address and password of your Acustica Audio account. If “Remem-
ber me” option is checked, program will remember your credentials the next time you log
in. You can cancel this operation using “Escape” key or by clicking on the “Close”button
- in this case, application will close.

Important:

Before you actually start to install plugins, Aquarius must know three important things to
operate correctly:

1. path where your products (installation files) are downloaded (stage area)

2. paths where your installed products are located, so Aquarius can find them

3. paths where your products/updates will be installed, so Aquarius can install them
properly

13
When started for the first time, Aquarius creates default standard paths for stage area,
searching and installing. You can change these paths in Settings window (“Search
paths” and “Installing” tabs). So, if you want to add or change some things, now it is the
right time to do it. See chapter “Settings” for detailed explanation.

You will notice two icons at the top center of the Aquarius window (Purchased and Up-
dates). They represent the two major areas of the program. A mouse click on any of the
icons opens its corresponding page. Currently selected icon is colored blue. When pro-
gram starts, Updates page is opened automatically.

When clicking on the icon at the top right corner of the program, a pop-up menu
will show.

Menu contains the following options:

- Logout (will disconnect you from the server and the login window will pop up again)

- Settings (settings window will pop up)

- Exit (application will terminate)

You can click on the Aquarius image at the top left to force refresh of the current page.

Purchased page

This page contains your purchased Acustica Audio products, supported by Aquarius.
Each product is presented in a form of a “product” strip.

14
Product can be (re)installed at any time and as many times you like. Installation process
will always install THE LATEST version of the selected product.

To install product, first select desired plugin format (VST2, AAX, AU) and architecture(*)
(32, 64 bits). Then click on the “Install” button. Product will be downloaded, installed
and authorized automatically.
(* N4 and also N4 Player Support only 64 bits architecture).
N4 is also VST3.

Before installing a product, check “Settings/Installation” page to ensure, that proper in-
stallation target paths are defined. Please see chapter “Settings” for more details. After
successful installation, you will be automatically redirected to the “Updates” page.

Green question mark button will show a hint about possible actions, which can be taken.

Updates page

Using this page, you can update your installed products with newer (upgrade) or older
(downgrade) versions of the product. There can be multiple sections of items visible on
this page (up to four) - we will call them sections A, B, C and D (from top to bottom, re-
spectively). Each section item is presented in a form of “update” strip.

You can (re)authorize products using this page, as well.

Important: you will NOT see items for your installed products here, unless products are
previously installed from “Purchased” page.

Section A (Updates available)

15
Section contains available updates for installed products. You can update product with a
newer or older version. When product is updated to the latest version, it is automatically
moved to the section B, otherwise it remains in section A.
To install, select desired update version (its description and size will be displayed) and
click on the “Update” button. Before installing an update, check “Settings/Installation”
page to ensure, that proper installation target paths are defined. Please see chapter
“Settings” for more details.

If multiple update items are available in this section, you can update them all using “Up-
date All” button. This option will install all available updates from the section A, sequen-
tially, one by one.
To authorize the product, select “Re-Authorize” option “ please see chapter “Authoriza-
tion” for more details. To uninstall product, select “Uninstall” option and then click again
on the button.

Green question mark button will show a hint about possible actions, which can be taken.

Section B (Updates Installed)

Section contains up-to-date installed products (sorted by days, months etc.).

To downgrade a product, select desired version and click on the “Downgrade” button.
Before downgrading, check “Settings/Installation” page to ensure, that proper installa-
tion target paths are defined.

After you downgrade a product, it will be automatically moved to the section A.

To authorize product, select “Re-Authorize” option or button - please see chapter “Au-
thorization” for more details. To uninstall product, select “Uninstall” option and then click
again on the button.

Green question mark button will show a hint about possible actions, which can be taken.

16
Section C (Manual Updates Only - Please Re-install)

Section contains manually installed products, supported by Aquarius. Re-install of these

products is required - use “Purchased” page for this task (see chapter “Purchased”).
When installed, product will be automatically moved to the section B.

To authorize product, select “Re-Authorize” button - please see chapter “Authorization”

for more details.
Green question mark button will show a hint about possible actions, which can be taken.

Section D (Manual Updates)

Section contains installed products, which are not yet supported by Aquarius. To author-
ize product, click on the “Re-Authorize” button - please see chapter “Authorization” for
more details.

Green question mark button will show a hint about possible actions, which can be taken.

Important note: this section contains also plugins, which are part of the bundles. Simply
ignore them, because only the bundle product is relevant (it is listed in sections A and/
or B).

17
AUTHORIZATION

Authorization is available on “Updates” page only. Whenever there is an “Re-authorize”

button available in the “update” strip, the following rules apply:

Under the product’s name and category you can see the number of used licenses and
the total number of bought / available licenses. Of course you can not use more licenses
than you own - in that case, you should buy additional licenses. Depending of those two
numbers and computers involved in the authorization process, question mark button
can have different colors and meanings.

So, let’s look at the colored question mark button - it is the main indicator of the authori-
zation status of product in question. By clicking on this button, you can see a hint about
its status and possible actions.
So what do the different colors mean?

GREEN - Everything is OK

Your product is properly authorized and you don’t need to do anything. Still, the author-
ization button on the right (labeled “RE-AUTHORIZE”) is available. You should use the
authorization button only if you experience unexpected problems with the product, de-
spite it is properly authorized. Your existing license slot will be used and used licenses
count will NOT increase.

Note, if you’ve already used all your available licenses, the authorization button will not
be available at all - in such a case, please contact a technical support.

YELLOW - Authorize product

Product hasn’t yet been authorized on this computer and the authorization button on
the right is labeled “AUTHORIZE”. By clicking on it, you will authorize product in question
on this particular computer. Note, that a new license slot will be used, so used licenses
count WILL increase.

18
There is one exception, though. If product is already marked as authorized on this com-
puter, but license file can not be found (corrupted, deleted), clicking on the authorization
button will fix this situation using the existing license slot (used licenses count will NOT
increase).

RED - Contact technical support

No further action is possible (authorization button is not available).

STAGE AREA USAGE, DOWNLOADING AND INSTALLING

Aquarius stores downloaded files into a stage area. Stage area path is defined in “Set-
tings/Installation” page. When (re)installing or updating product, which has already been
downloaded, its files from the stage area are used instead of being downloaded again.

This way installation process is much faster. You can manually delete files from stage
area after installation, but we suggest you to keep them if possible.

When files are not found in the stage area, they are downloaded from cloud. Download
bar (located inside product/update strip) will show you the actual progress of the down-
load

Installation process can be stopped by clicking on the “Stop” button. In this case, already
downloaded files will not be deleted. If you decide to repeat the installation, Aquarius will
resume and download only missing files.

If you see error dialog during the installation, carefully read the message and act accord-
ingly. Errors are rare, but they could happen because of a few possible reasons (locked
files, not enough privileges, corrupted downloads, download/communication errors
etc.). In most cases, repeating the installation fixes the problem. If the problem persists,
please open a support ticket at Acustica Audio

19
SELF UPDATE

When started, Aquarius always checks for the update. If new version is available, it is
installed over the current version. After installation, program is automatically restarted.

SETTINGS

Settings window contains three pages:

- Search paths
- Installation
- Coupons

Search Paths

Page contains two main sections. Upper sec-

tion show factory defined plugin search paths. All
standard paths are covered, so if you installed your
plug-ins in standard folders, they all will be found
at the searching/scanning process. Factory list can
not be changed.

In case you have some or all of your plugins in-

stalled in nonstandard folders, you can use the bot-
tom section. Here you can add additional folders,
which will then be included in product searching/
scanning process as well.

Use “plus” button to add new, “minus” button to

delete existing and “x” button to delete ALL existing
user defined plugin paths. You must confirm chang-
es with “Save” button, which will close the settings
window and re-scan your installed products.

20
Installation

On this page, you can define stage area path (check

chapter “Stage area usage, downloading and in-
stalling”), target installation paths for VST2 32 and
64 bit plugins and N4 repository path. Target instal-
lation paths for AAX and AU plugins are set auto-
matically. All paths are extremely important - if they
are not defined properly, Aquarius will fail in many
areas, including downloading and installation.

If paths are not defined (empty), Aquarius will use

default its values. This happens also with the first
start of the program.
Every used path for VST2 plugins is automatical-
ly added to user defined product search paths in
“Search paths” page. This way all products will be
always found, even if you change VST2 path after
installation. You can manually delete these paths, if
you don”t need them anymore.

Coupons

Here you can enter and apply a coupon code.

21
2.1 WINDOWS INSTALLATION

Setup N4 1.1.012 is a setup installer and is not an update. all files will be overwritten.
Please be careful, copy (backup) your plug-in files (1) and your shared resources repos-
itory folder (2) to a secure place before run setup installer.
Run setup installers depending plug-in formats you need, and select upgrade in second
or subsequent installers if you need install several plug-in formats.
If computer was authorized in the past, a new authorization is not necessary.
If N4 old version is in computer, select upgrade option and after install all formats need
it, run your audio host as administrator, create a new session, do not use old sessions or
old templates. Load N4 and Temp folder inside shared resources repository folder will be
updated, plug-in XML files will be updated and a new cache in Temp folder will be build
using second and third cache levels in CSV format. This action may take a while. Please
ensure all N4 and N4ZL plug-ins run once in your new clean test session before use N4
in a commercial session.

(1) Plug-in files Windows

• Plug-in path VST2: C:\VstPlugins\Acustica64\ (not fixed path)
• Plug-in path VST3: C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\ (default path)
• Plug-in path AAX: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins\ (default path)

(2) Shared resources repository folder Windows

• Repository folder path Windows: C:\Nebula4TempRepository\ (not fixed path)

PART A:

Very first installation

Follow steps for setup installation for new computers, this means it is the first time you
install N4 in this computer. If a previous version already exists go to PART B section of
this N4 Windows Installation Manual.

22
 Step 1.

Right click over Setup N4 Win VST2

1.1.012, or Setup N4 Win VST2 11.1.012,
or Setup N4 Win AAX 1.1.012 depend-
ing plug-in format to install, and select
“Run as Administrator”.

Click “Next”.

Step 2.

Select “Install”, avoid select Light In-

stall Troubleshooting, and click “Next”.

Step 3.

Accept license agreement, and click

“Next”.

23
 Step 4.

Edit, only if you need it, plug-in files

folder path (remember that VST3 and
AAX plug-in formats will be installed in
default paths), and click “Next”.

Step 5.

Edit, only if you need it, shared resourc-

es repository folder path, and click “In-
stall”.

Step 6.

Click “Finish”.

24
PART B:

Second or more plug-ins formats installation, or upgrade existing plug-in format.

Follow steps for setup installation for upgrade N4 version if an old version already exists
in computer and also for you are installing following plug-in formats.

Step 1.

Right click over Setup N4 Win VST2

1.0.013.0 Rel G, or Setup N4 Win VST2
1.0.013.0 Rel G, or Setup N4 Win AAX
1.0.013.0 Rel G depending plug-in for-
mat to install, and select “Run as Ad-
ministrator”.

Click “Next”

Step 2.

Select “install” if it is first time you in-

stall this plug-in format and installer
will behave as in PART A.

Select “Upgrade” if an older version is

present in computer, and click “Next”.

25
 Step 3.

Accept license agreement and click

“Next”.

Step 4.

Edit, only if you need it, plug-in files

folder path (remember that VST3 and
AAX plug-in formats will be installed in
default paths), and click “Next”.

Step 5.

Ensure your are using correct shared

resources repository folder path, and
click “Install”.

26
 Step 6.

Click “Finish”.

NOTES: We suggest to do a manual backup of your plug-in files (1), and shared resourc-
es repository folder (2) before before run a setup installer.

(1) Plug-in files Windows:

• Plug-in path VST2: C:\VstPlugins\Acustica64\ (not fixed path)
• Plug-in path VST3: C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\ (default path)
• Plug-in path AAX: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins\ (default path)
(2) Shared resources repository folder Windows:
• Repository folder path Windows: C:\Nebula4TempRepository\ (not fixed path)

- Setup installer will overwrite old files, backup edited files before run setup installer.
- Use always same shared resources repository folder path for all plug-ins formats.
- By selecting Light Install Troubleshooting, setup installer will not install second level
cache tags and second level cache will not work.
- By selecting Upgrade, setup installer will install N4_installer.xml and N4ZL_installer.
xml files in plug-in folder. On next run N4 and N4ZL will delete cache, and empty Temp
folder in shared resources repository folder, and then cache will be redone with new CSV
file format. Ensure that your audio host run as administrator to provide correct permis-
sion to delete _installer.xml files after one run, if not, cache rebuild will be redone until
file installer.xml be deleted. Cache rebuild may take a while if you have more than 1000
emulation presets.
- _installer.xml files will not be deleted if a valid N4 authorization is not present.
- If you are using different versions on different plug-ins formats, and old plug-in format
write XML files in Temp folder, newer version will crash. We suggest to update all plug-in
formats to lasted version.
If you need further assistance, please contact us through your Dashboard and send us
a support ticket.

27
2.2 OSX INSTALLATION

Setup N4 1.1.012 is a setup installer and integrated update. Depending which option is
selected all files can be overwritten. Please be careful, copy (backup) your plug-in files
(1) and your shared resources repository folder (2) to a secure place before run setup
installer. Run setup installers depending plug-in formats you need.
If computer was authorized in the past, a new authorization is not necessary.
If N4 old version is in computer, select upgrade option and after install all formats need it,
run your audio host, create a new session, do not use old sessions or old templates. Load
N4 and Temp folder inside shared resources repository folder will be updated, plug-in
XML files will be updated and a new cache in Temp folder will be build using second and
third cache levels in CSV format. This action may take a while. Please ensure all N4 and
N4ZL plug-ins run once in your new clean test session before use N4 in a commercial
session.

(1) Plug-in files OSX

• Plug-in path VST2: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST/Acustica64/ (default fixed path)
• Plug-in path VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST/ (default fixed path)
• Plug-in path AAX: /Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio/Plug-Ins/ (default fixed path)
• Plug-in path AU: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/ (default fixed path)

(2) Shared resources repository folder OSX

• Repository folder path OSX: /Library/Audio/Presets/AcusticaAudio/Nebula4/

PART A: very first installation

Follow steps for setup installation for new computers, this means it is the first time you
install N4 in your computer. If a previous version already exists go to PART B section of
this N4 OSX Installation Manual.
Step 1.

Double click over “Setup N4 OSX

VST2 1.1.012”, or “Setup N4 OSX
VST3 1.1.012”, or “Setup N4 OSX AU
11.1.012” or “N4 OSX AAX 1.1.012” de-
pending plug-in format to install.

Click “Continue”.

28
 Step 2.

Click “Continue”.

Step 3.

Accept license agreement by clicking

“Agree”, and click “Continue”.

Step 4.

Click “Continue”.

29
 Step 5.

Ensure you select four first options,

Nebula (system framework), Reposi-
tory (shared resources folder), Engine
(Universal Acqua Engine), and N4
plug-in. Avoid select Light Trouble-
shooting or Update.

Click “Continue”.

Step 6.

Click “Install”.

Step 7.

Enter your password, and click “Install

Software”.

30
 Step 8.

Click “Close”.

PART B: Second or more plug-ins formats installation, or upgrade existing plug-in format.
Follow steps for setup installation for upgrade N4 version if an old version already exists
in computer and also for you are installing following plug-in formats.

Step 1.

Double click over “Setup N4 OSX

VST2 1.1.012”, or “Setup N4 OSX VST3
1.1.012”, or “Setup N4 OSX AU 1.1.012”
or “N4 OSX AAX 1.1.012” depending
plug-in format to install.

Click “Continue”.

31
 Step 2.

Click “Continue”.

Step 3.

Accept license agreement by clicking

“Agree”, and click “Continue”.

Step 4.

Click “Continue”.

32
 Step 5.

Select N4 if it is first time you install this

plug-in format and installer will behave
as in PART A. Select “Upgrade” if an
older version is present in computer,
and click Continue.

Step 6.

Click “Install”.

Step 7.

Enter your password, and click “Install

Software”.

33
 Step 8.

Click “Close”.

NOTES: We suggest to do a manual backup of your plug-in files (1), and shared resourc-
es repository folder (2) before before run a setup installer.

(1) Plug-in files OSX

• Plug-in path VST2: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST/Acustica64/ (default fixed path)
• Plug-in path VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST/ (default fixed path)
• Plug-in path AAX: /Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio/Plug-Ins/ (default fixed path)
• Plug-in path AU: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/ (default fixed path)
(2) Shared resources repository folder OSX
• Repository folder path OSX: /Library/Audio/Presets/AcusticaAudio/Nebula4/

- Setup installer will overwrite old files, backup edited files before run setup installer.
- OSX use always library shared resources repository folder for all plug-ins formats.
- By selecting Light Troubleshooting, setup installer will not install second level cache
tags and second level cache will not work.
By selecting Upgrade, setup installer will install N4_installer.xml and N4ZL_installer.xml
files in plug-in folder. On next run N4 and N4ZL will delete cache, and empty Temp fold-
er in shared resources repository folder, and then cache will be redone with new CSV file
format. Ensure that your audio host run as administrator to provide correct permission to
delete _installer.xml files after one run, if not, cache rebuild will be redone until file install-
er.xml be deleted. Cache rebuild may take a while if you have more than 1000 emulation
presets.
- _installer.xml files will not be deleted if a valid N4 authorization is not present.
- If you are using different versions on different plug-ins formats, and old plug-in format
write XML files in Temp folder, newer version will crash. We suggest to update all plug-in
formats to lasted version.
If you need further assistance, please contact us through your Dashboard and send us
a support ticket.

34
35
Chapter 3
N4 AUTHORIZATION
Standard installer, are legacy, are avairable for will not get any update. we recomend all
customers to use our Aquarius tool.
Acustica Audio products (commercials and trials) use a protection based into challenge–
response authentication system that need two main steps for product unlock; Computer
identification creation and on-line license request.

3.1 COMPUTER IDENTIFICATION CREATION

Run your audio/video host and create a new session (avoid templates). N4 plug-in should
be scanned, detected, and added into the available list of plug-ins. Load N4 plug-in and
you will see a message asking for authorization. A computer identification N4.SER file
will be created into your Nebula4TempReporitory folder in Windows or Nebula4 folder in
OSX.

If your audio/video host refuse to create N4 plug-in computer identification file, note this
is a common issue when you setup a path different that the suggested by the installer,
try first again by running your audio/video host as true administrator with administrator
privileges. If you don’t understand what we are talking about, please contact your sys-
tem administrator for more information.

• Computer identification file path in OS X: /Library/Audio/Presets/AcusticaAudio/Nebula4/

• Computer identification file path in Windows: C:\Nebula4TempRepository\
• Computer identification file name: N4.
• Computer identification extension: .SER.

3.2 ON-LINE LICENSE REQUEST

Go Acustica Audio website, Orders. Browse your computer identification file and select
upload. Our Global Key Generator will create your license in three minutes and you will
receive an email with your authorization attached, also Global Key Generator will deposit
a copy of your license into My Licenses section in your Dashboard as an on-line backup.

36
3.3 LICENSE INSTALLATION

After creating your license file, our Global Key Generator will send you a message to
your registered email address with your license file compressed in zip format attached.
Decompress your license file and move it to Nebula4TempReporitory folder in Windows
or Nebula4 folder in OSX. Your product will be unlocked after you move the license file
to correct folder.

• License file path in OS X: /Library/Audio/Presets/AcusticaAudio/Nebula4/

• License file path in Windows: C:\Nebula4TempRepository\
• License file name: N4.
• License identification extension: .AUT.

If you need further assistance, please contact our technical support through your Dash-
board and send a technical support ticket.

37
Chapter 4
YOUR FIRST TIME WITH N4
Open you preferred sequencer or audio editor. Start a new track, start the play mode
and, while the audio is running, select “Nebula4 Free” from your VST plug-ins list:

If Nebula4 displays something different (it hangs or it crashes), check the installation
procedure or consult our support forum.
For the N4 commercial version as a body you will see the FX control.

Select the category EQU on the right, look for a program called “2055 angels HI”, then
click on it.

38
As soon as you change the frequency (slider 1), the gain (slider 2) or the Q (slider 3) you’ll
realize this is an awesome equaliser program!

To setup your signal levels you can adjust the input and/or the output gain knob:

39
Chapter 5
DESCRIPTION OF CONTROLS

1– Touch screen

This area is mouse-sensitive.

Nebula contains a 58 character, 11 line LCD display which indicates the current status of
a program or a parameter. The top region is called status bar, the bottom region is called
menu bar.

2 – Input/Output knobs

This knobs set the gain of input/output signal

3 – Sliders

Nebula is equipped with 8 programmable sliders. Their meaning depends on the current
program selected.

4 – Mini LCD

On the bottom of each slider a 3 line LCD display indicates the meaning of the slider
itself. The number of characters depends on the actual skin used.

40
Chapter 6
N4 BROWSER
Browser window consists of 4 major areas:

1. tool bar at the top

2. navigator at the middle left
3. program list/search results at the middle right
4. path bar at the bottom

The TOOLBAR contains buttons with the most important functions (from left to right):

• go back one step in the browsing history

• go forward one step in the browsing history
• load currently selected program
• load previous program (relative to the currently selected program)
• load next program (relative to the currently selected program)

Tool bar also contains entry box for quick searching – enter the string you are looking
for and the program list will be instantly filtered to the programs, whose name, descrip-
tion or vendor contain string you are searching for. Note, that the list of results for each
search operation represents a new step in the browsing history.

41
The NAVIGATOR contains a shortcut for quick access to the repository root (Reposito-
ries/Default) and customizable favourites list for instant access to the desired locations
in the repository (favourites can be added, deleted, reordered and renamed). Mouse
right-click in the navigator area shows context menu and drag and drop can be used for
adding and reordering favourites. Favourites list is saved and it is restored next time you
use browser.

The PROGRAM LIST shows contents (programs and sub-folders/categories) of the cur-
rently selected folder in the Nebula repository. Browsing always starts with repository
root being current folder and list is represented in a tree-view form.

Program list contains following columns:

• Name (program or sub-folder/category name)

• Description
• Vendor
• Kind (program/category (1,2,3))
• Number
• File name (actual N2P file name)

Columns can be reordered, their positions are saved and wil be restored next
time you use browser. By default, program list is sorted by program name in
ascending order – this can be toggled with a mouse click on the Name column.

Current folder item can be changed with a mouse double-click on the subfolder/ cat-
egory. This is instantly reflected in Pathbar. Also, new browsing history step is created.

Mouse click on the triangle icon on the left of the folder name will toggle expand/collapse
function – the list of the folder’s child folders and programs will be revealed/hidden.

Mouse double-click on the program item will load program into Nebula memory. For
program items you can use mouse drag&drop to add them to the favourites list in the
Navigator.

Mouse right-click on item area shows context menu with the options which can also be
found in the Toolbar. Additionally, there are expand/collapse options for the current fold-
er item and alternatively, for all folder items in the repository.

42
The PATH-BAR shows detailed information about current folder in the repository. Com-
plete history of its parent folders from right to the left (up to the repository root folder) is
shown. Mouse double-click on any folder in the path-bar will make it current.

Additional internal details

Browser’s skin (icons and fonts) are stored in Nebula repository Skins/N4_RACK sub-folder.

Browser saves and restores its window position and size, favourites list and column po-
sitions from the settings file named N4.settings, which is located in the root folder of the
repository. The same settings are shared across multiple N4 instances.

N4.settings useful tags (NEBULA4/SETTINGS/BROWSER branch):

• make browser window always on top (best setting usuually depends on

host’s handling of top level windows)
<ALWAYSONTOP> 1 </ALWAYSONTOP>

• automatically close browser window after the program has been loaded
<AUTOCLOSE> 1 </AUTOCLOSE>

Nebula4.xml useful tags (MASTER branch):

• use browser
<BROWSER> 1 </BROWSER>

• use settings window (MAST, etc) – in the development

<SETTINGS> 1 </SETTINGS>

43
N4 SETUPS
If you’ve never used Nebula Setups for Nebula 3, you are probably asking yourself what
is this all about.

Simply put, term “setup” stands stands for a plugin, which is derived from the main,
base N4 plugin and it inherits all of its features, but at the same time it can have its own
custom properties - custom skin and program list, customized/tweaked parameters etc.

You can have, for example, one setup for equalizers, another for compressors, third for
tapes etc. Another popular approach is to make a separate setup for each Nebula library.
Working with setup plugins is also much faster comparing to all-in-one approach, es-
pecially with large repositories. Setup plugins usually have more descriptive names, so
using them in busy mix is much easier than dealing with dozens of N4.

Big difference when comparing to N3 setups is, that this feature is now seamlessly inte-
grated into N4 plugin – no external program is needed.

How to create your first setup

Step by step procedure

1. open your DAW and load N4 plugin

2. take a look at the N4 Setup settings. For more

details check Settings chapter.

3. make sure you have some programs or libraries

installed in Nebula repository

4. click on Setups button at the top of N4 GUI

44
Setups browser will appear. It will be empty, because no setups were created, yet.
Anyway, below is the picture of the browser with some setups already made. For more
details, check Setups browser chapter.

5. click on New setup toolbar button

Setup editor will appear. Here you can define several setup properties - name, magic,
description, skin, program list, tweaks and plugin format(s). Below is the example of zero
latency N4 setup, which uses parameter tweaks. For more details, check Setup editor
chapter.

6. When everything is defined properly, just click on Save button. Restart your DAW – it
should detect your new setup plugin. Load plugin and enjoy your first setup. For more
details, dont’t forget to check Settings and Troubleshooting chapters.

45
Setups Browser
Shows the list of existing setups on your system. Name, magic ID, description, plugin
format(s) and date/time of last modification are displayed for each setup. Columns can
be reordered and setups list can be sorted (ascending / descending) by clicking on
the desired column. You can find more details about these parameters in Setup editor
chapter.

At the top, there are four toolbar buttons

New setup – opens editor with a new, empty setup

Open setup – opens currently selected setup in editor

Delete setup – deletes currently selected setup(s). Note, that only setup definitions are
deleted, not the actual setup plugins.

Rebuild setup(s) – rebuilds/recreates currently selected setup(s) – this is useful for up-
dating some or all of your setups with the latest N4 base plugin.

All options are available also using context-sensitive popup menu (mouse right-click on
Setup browser).

46
Setup Editor
Here you can create new or edit the existing setup.

Name – name used for the setup plugin (required)

Magic ID – unique plugin identification. It is used by DAW for identifiying plugins. Must
be 4 characters long (required). Note, that plugins with the same magic mean nothing
but trouble in your DAW. Because of this, editor helps you to avoid duplicates.

Description – write setup description here (optional)

Default skin – default program skin, used by a plugin. Note, that this skin will be used
only when a program is loaded inside plugin. You can choose between all N4 compatible
skins installed in Nebula repository (required)

Formats – plugin formats, which should be created for this setup. Available formats are
VST2, VST3, AAX and AU (Mac only).

Program list – programs, which will be available in this setup plugin. You can drag and
drop programs or even whole categories directly from Finder.

Under the program list there is an acompanying toolbar

47
• Add selected programs from Finder

• Delete selected programs – deletes selected programs from current setup

• Delete all programs – deletes all programs from current setup

• Program properties – opens properties editor for the selected program. You can open
it also by double-clicking on program in the program list. For more details, check Prop-
erties editor chapter.

If you want to apply the same properties to multiple programs, just set properties for one
of them, then right-click on it and select Copy properties. Now select the rest of de-
sired programs, rightclick and select Paste properties. You can also delete properties
using Delete properties option.

• Toggle default program - if you want a particular program to be automatically loaded,

when setup plugin is opened in your DAW, click on this button and you’ll notice small
letter d inside program’s icon. Obviously, only one program at a time can be used as a
default. Button acts as a toggle.

Save button saves setup definition and creates setup plugin(s) in all formats required. If
you’ve changed the name of the existing setup, setup will be saved with the new name
(Save As).

Cancel will discard all changes. Tweaks button opens tweaks editor – for more details,
check Tweaks editor chapter.

48
Properties editor (advanced)
Here you can override default skin of the current program. Default skin is defined on the
setup level (see Setup editor chapter). Even more, you can define different skin for each
program edit level (edit level is controlled by Edit and Simple buttons in N4 GUI).

Below is the picture of properties, which define program’s custom skins for levels 1 and
2. You can add as many levels you want, but usually two or three will do, depending
on the program. Skin number (SKIN1, SKIN2) is automatically managed by editor when
adding or deleting properties.

There is also a toolbar with four buttons

Add property
Delete property
Delete all properties
Edit currently selected property

49
Tweaks editor (advanced)
WARNING:
Do not use this feature if you don’t know exactly what and why you are doing it!

Using this editor, you can change low level parameters of the Nebula engine.
This is done in a primitive way by adding parameter/value pairs. When setup is saved,
these parameters are written to the plugin configuration XML file.

Values are not checked when entered, so be careful. Entering wrong values can cause
plugin to malfunction or even crash. But in the right hands, this editor can be a very pow-
erful tool.

As you can see below, editor is divided into Local and Global tweaks, each represented
by tab. When adding or editing a tweak, Edit Tweak dialog opens.

Picture above shows tweaks needed to make zero latency version of N4 plugin.

Local tweaks are the ones which are applied to the current setup only. Global tweaks are
applied to every setup, when you save it (they are not a part of specific setup). When
setup is saved, global tweaks are applied first and after that, local tweaks are applied. If
no tweaks are defined, original values from base N4 plugin are used.

50
It is good to know, that tweaks always override previously defined tweaks, if they have
the same name. Global changes override original values. Local changes override both
original and global values.

Example: N4 base plugin contains parameter AHEADLENGTH. If you tweak this

value in your setup, it will override/replace the original value.

There is also a toolbar with four buttons

Add tweak
Delete tweak
Delete all tweaks
Edit currently selected tweak

Settings

51
Correct settings are extremely important. Without them, setup creation can fail on many
levels.

Define N4 and Setups directory for each plugin format you want to use. N4 directory is
where the base N4 plugin is located/installed. Setups directory is where the new setups
should be saved. In most cases both values should be the same.

Please, check Troubleshooting chapter for more details about protected folders and
possible issues.

Troubleshooting
First thing to check - you must have N4 properly installed :)

If you get messages like this ...

… it means that setups can’t find your base N4 plugin. Check your settings (Settings/
Setups/[format] N4 directory). N4 plugin should be found in your plugins directory.

On Windows, when using system protected folders (Settings/Setups/[format] setups

directory), make sure you run your DAW as administrator or you will get messages
like this ...

52
With some DAWs like ProTools on Windows, even running as administrator doesn’t help.
Workaround is to set AAX Setups directory in Settings to any other, not protected folder
and save setups there. After that, you should manually copy files to the Pro Tools plugin
directory.

On Mac, setup is created using privileged script, so you will have to enter your creden-
tials each time you save a setup.

53
THEORY OF OPERATION
Nebula is an extremely sophisticated digital signal processor, which is capable of sup-
plying an infinite number of stereo kernels. The only limit on real-time processing is the
current CPU load.

THE PROG PAGE (view mode)

This is the principal page.

The status bar shows:

1 – SMP

This is the number of samples/waveform used for the current program.

2 – KRN

This is the number of active kernels. As a rule of thumb a kernel produces a single har-
monic order, but there are some exceptions. A kernel is completely controlled by the
vectorial engine, and is calculated by mixing and morphing the waveforms owned by it,
it is organized in a sort of pyramidal hierarchy.

54
3 – PRF

Sometimes the host performance indicator is not accurate enough. Nebula reports the
correct amount and displays it here.

Determining which preset is loaded:

The name of the current working program is displayed with a big font.

55
If Nebula cannot load a particular program, it will load the first program, named Init. It is
the basic program.

1 – Memory position

The little number after the program name represents the current memory location.
Internal memory is organized in 10 banks, each bank is composed by 100 memory lo-
cations, so you have 1000 memory locations, starting from 0 to 999. For example, the
second location of the second memory bank is named 101. This information should be
kept in mind when loading external libraries.

2 – K indicator

A little k after the program name indicates that the current program is encrypted. On your
hard disk you will find a single N2P file in your programs folder and a single optional N2V
file in your vector folder for this particular program.

3 – C indicator

A small letter “c” after the program name indicates that the current program has been
converted to match the sampling rate of the plug-in hosts current host rate. Nebula has
a sophisticated frequency rate conversion algorithm that is based on mixed rate conver-
sion techniques.

4 – Description

Nebula displays a short description

5 – Frequency rate

Nebula displays a couple of values here.

The first value is the original frequency rate. When a program is loaded, all the wave-
forms are converted to the host rate: this is the second value.
The host rate could change again (the result of which will be that rates will not match any
more): in this case a little arrow will blink.

Changing Presets by typing in their memory locations.

Click on the name of a program. Type in the memory location number of a preset. The
preset at the memory location that has been typed in will then be loaded.

56
For example, click on “2055 Angels HI” and type:

3 [enter]

or

003

Will load the program number 3:

In the upper-right corner there are six buttons:

1 – RELOAD

Pressing this button will reload the current program from the hard-disk, discarding cur-
rent settings.

2 – BYPASS

Use this button to bypass the audio engine. It preserves the output loudness.

3 – SAVE

Pressing this button saves the current program settings to the hard-disk, overriding the
original files. This operation can’t be undone, so be careful. When you save your session
from the host application (audio editor or sequencer) or you save a bank/preset using
the host preset saving features, only the selected program is really saved. All the set-
tings regarding other programs are lost.

57
4 – ECONO

This button forces the FREQD processing for every kernel, minimizing the cpu load. Neb-
ula will process sound with a slight lower quality, since the standard TIMED processing
is more accurate.

5 – NODROP

This mode minimizes audio drop-outs. The host could display a wrong cpu load.

6 – EDIT

This button enters the EDIT mode for the current program (it will be discussed later)

The bottom section of the page allows the parameter displaying/editing:

The first two parameters are not-editable, and reflect the gain-in and gain-out slider
settings.

The little font-reversed number represents the programmable slider number for a quick
editing. Alternatively, you could select it pushing the left button of the mouse, dragging
the value, and releasing the button when you have finished. Use a vertical movement for
a quick adjustment, an horizontal one if you wish a more accurate selection.
We can’t tell here what kind of parameters could be displayed for each program and their
meaning. They are programmable due to the vectorial architecture engine.

58
THE PROG PAGE (list mode)

This page is a different view for the same page described in the previous section. You
have access to it clicking on the little “L” button located in the upper right corner.

You are able to revert the previous view clicking on the same button again.
The status bar shows:

1 – RTE

This is the program rate and is expressed in milliseconds. It represent the period used by
Nebula for recalculating all internal synthesis parameters and controls. The smaller the
period, faster the synthesis engine will be, better the results.
You can override the individual program setting editing a global parameter inside the
MAST page.

59
2 – MEM

This is the memory RAM occupied by the current program, expressed in Megabytes.

3 – host rate

A value expressed in Hertz and without any label indicates the frequency rate utilized by
the host application (the sequencer or the audio editor).

In the upper-left corner you will find the program name, as described in the previous
section:

Clicking on the name you are able to load a program typing its memory location number.

The right section of the page allows the program selection:

60
Push the little arrows to search the list. The current program is high lightened. Select a
different program to load it. Please note that when you return to a previous selected pro-
gram, the old parameters and the internal edits are recalled.

The bottom section of the page allows the parameter displaying/editing.

61
THE KERN PAGE
This page provides information about the Kernel engine.

The status bar displays the RTE, the T and the PRF parameters. They were described in
the previous sections.

Nebula is limited to 6 kernel players. The concept of “player” is close to the concept of
polyphony commonly referred for synthesizers. They are like generators.
Five of them are named with a number, from 1 to 5. The sixth is named S, because it is
used for time-variant simulations through a technology called Smooth, or for equaliser
and filter simulations thought a technology called Split-hybrid.

62
In the section below their name is printed between brackets:

We will not cover their description here; it is beyond the scope of this manual.

Even if Nebula allows an individual optimization mode, there are only two different algo-
rithms, namely TIMED (time domain) and FREQD (frequency domain).
These are clearly labelled on the top of each column.
TIMED allows a faster control (shorter program rate values) and is heavy on CPU. FREQD
forces a slower synthesis (long program rate values), but is light.
It sounds with a lower quality too, but you need really good monitors for checking this.
The FADE column indicates the fade-out size. It is aimed for tuning the tail length in re-
verberation programs.

Each row is labelled with a kernel name, from H1 to H5. H1 is the impulse response; H2
is the first harmonic order and so on.
H1 is a pure linear component. Nebula minimizes its distortion through the Smooth pro-
cess even if it changes dynamically.

Use the little arrows for changing the algorithm for each player.

63
You are able to modify the kernel length too.

The RTE parameter on the status bar will reflect any modification. Sometimes, the arrow
for the H1 kernel is not visible. It happens if the split-hybrid is active, so the kernel is re-
produced using both TIMED and FREQD. As explained before, TIMED sounds better but
it is cpu intensive, for this reason a short section of it is played using TIMED, while remain
length is played using FREQD.

A flashing T indicator shows that Nebula is using multi-threading. This happens while
it is playing long kernels, for example a complex reverb program. In this case the plugin
host cannot measure the CPU load properly, because the process hosted by Nebula
behaves like a different application.
Essentially VST hosts cannot measure the CPU consumption of threads spawned by
Nebula.

In the upper-right corner there a couple of new buttons:

1 – SPLITH

Push this button for toggle between split-hybrid mode and the classic player mode.

2 – MONO-L

Push this button for toggle between mono and stereo mode. Please note that the mono
mode does not mean you will drop the stereo information, it means that Nebula will only
process both left and right channels using mono kernels, it operates as if you were using
the same ideal channel for all your stereo tracks, processing them separately. Enable this
feature for equalisers or filters, especially
if you are using them for mastering.

64
THE MAST PAGE
This page provides information about the global Nebula settings.

This page provides information about the global Nebula settings. Displayed immediately
below the status bar is the Nebula version number and release description.

1 – METERS

Headroom indicators.
Supported modes: average, rms and peak, along with average17 and rms17; the last two
ones are full compliant to the AES17 standard. Rms17 mode behaves like a vu-meter or
a k-meter, but it is limited to 12 LEDs.

2 – OPT TIMED

Optimization code for the TIMED algorithm.

Use this parameter for troubleshooting.
The first time Nebula is started a special diagnostic will select the right configuration.
The modes above 6 should not be selected at all, they are reserved for the FREQD algo-
rithm. A blinking exclamation point indicates that the selected mode is not available. For
example this
happens when the FFTW algorithm is selected and the FFTW dll is not found/installed.

65
3 – OPT FREQD

Optimization code for the FREQD algorithm.

A blinking exclamation point indicates that the selected mode is not available. For ex-
ample this happens when the FFTW algorithm is selected and the FFTW dll is not found/
installed.

4 – PROG RATE
When edited this parameter overrides the settings of the currently loaded program.
It represents the period used by Nebula for recalculating all internal synthesis parame-
ters and controls.

5 – QUALITY

This is used by Nebula at rendering time, when the user exports audio tracks or bounces
them. This feature only works if the host program (VST Host) provides notification of its
internal status. Increasing it Nebula will be more accurate. The actual program rate will
be the result of the division between PROG RATE and QUALITY. Rendering process will
be slower.

6 – SCAN BOOT

If enabled, Nebula will look for new programs when initialised.

The symbol * indicates that changes made to the parameter will take effect next time
the plug-in is booted.

7 – DSP BUFF

This number defines the internal DSP buffer size, it is expressed in bytes.
This is a read-only parameter.

8 – COLOUR
This parameter may be changed to a different preset-predefined templated value. It de-
termines the colour scheme, and colours used within Nebulas interface.

9 – BOOT
If disabled Nebula will load slower, at a suboptimal rate, and the built-in diagnostic steps
will be visible. The diagnostic will be launched at start-up time, every time the plug-in is
loaded.
This parameter is used for troubleshooting.

66
The symbol * indicates that changes made to the parameter will take effect next time
the plug-in is booted.

10 – LOADER PR

This is the thread priority of the loader process. This parameter is used for troubleshoot-
ing.
A low priority makes the loading process slower but saves the CPU from overloads.

11 – OFFSET

When a program is loaded, every waveform is “peak-synchronised”. Offset defines the

distance between the start of the waveform and the peak position, it is expressed in
milliseconds.
For small values the transient section of the kernel could potentially be windowed in a
wrong way.
The symbol * indicates that changes made to the parameter will take effect next time
the plug-in is booted.

12 – L TIMED

This number defines the upper bound limit for the TIMED length. It is expressed in milli-
seconds.
This parameter is may be used to optimize the CPU load on slow systems.
The symbol * indicates that changes made to the parameter will take effect next time
the plug-in is booted.

13 – L FREQD

This parameter defines the upper bound limit for the FREQD length. It is expressed in
seconds.
This parameter is used for optimizing the CPU load of slow systems.
The symbol * indicates that changes made to the parameter will take effect next time
the plug-in is booted.

14 – GUI RATE

This parameter defines the frequency rate at which the graphical user interface is re-
freshed (meters, display, slider bridges).
It does not affect the sound quality.

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15 – KERNELS

This parameter defines the upper bound limit for the number of Kernels reproduced by
Nebula.
It is used for optimizing the CPU load on slow systems.

16 – AHEAD

This parameter controls the look-ahead buffer utilised by compressor and dynamic pro-
grams in general. It is expressed in milliseconds. Increasing this parameter will increase
latency.
The symbol * indicates that the parameter will take effect next time the plug-in is booted.

17– RATE CNV

This parameter sets the upper bound limit for the sample rate conversion action. It is ex-
pressed in milliseconds This parameter is used for optimizing the loading time on slow
systems. A large reverb program requires a large amount of time to load, in this case the
rate conversion procedure is skipped.

18 – GHOST MODE

This mode minimizes audio drop-outs for every kind of reverberation programs (long
sized kernels).
The host (audio editor / sequencer) may display the CPU load incorrectly.

19 – AUTOTHREAD
This parameter is used for troubleshooting.
A different thread is generated for long sized kernels (reverberation programs).
The thread is active when
- the option is enabled and the kernel size is greater than the current audio block buffer.
- the option is disabled and the kernel size is greater then the MINTHREADSDIM variable
of the master descriptor file.

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In the upper-right corner there a couple of buttons:

1 – ABOUT

Clicking on this button displays the about page.

2 – SAVE

Clicking on this button saves the current master and midi configuration settings to the
hard-disk, overriding the original master settings file. This operation cannot be undone,
so be careful. This button must be used in order to save master and midi parameters.

THE MIDI PAGE

This page provides information about midi control settings.

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The status bar has a “new” element, the BPM value: it is obtained from the plug-in host
application and it is used for synchronising all internal modules when Q (quantize mode)
is enabled.

You are able to assign a different midi control for each slider.
The midi-learning feature is accessible from the little arrows on the right.
A little arrow will appear on the left:

As soon as Nebula receives a midi signal the midi control code will be associated to the
selected slider and the arrow will disappear.
Alternatively you could type the control code manually using the keyboard entry.
Clicking on the SAVE button saves the current master and midi configuration settings
to the hard-disk, overriding the original master settings file. This operation cannot be
undone, so be careful. This button must be used in order to save master and midi pa-
rameters.

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THE DISK PAGE
This page allows the loading of the external libraries. In order to load a library you need to
select a library, and the position in memory to load it. The parameters which are respon-
sible for the loading of a library are described below:

1 – LICENCE
Commercial releases display the registered owner. In this case the licence name is set
to “TRIAL”

2 – SELECT LIBRARY
This is the name of the xml file of the external library that is to be loaded or replaced by
Nebula. A library named “ROM.XML” is the default one: Nebula loads its content at start-
up time.

3 – SELECT BANK
This is the target memory bank e.g. slots 100..199 which a library may be loaded into or
saved from. The bank memory area will be cleared before a library is loaded into it.

In the upper-right corner there are 3 buttons:

1.LOAD
Clicking this button clears the target memory bank and loads the external library content.
2.CLEAR
Clicking this button clears the target memory bank.
3.SAVE
Clicking this button saves the target memory bank to the external library, overwriting it.

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Chapter 6
PROGRAM EDITING
The EDIT button located in the PROG page enters the edit mode for the current program.

THE MEMO PAGE

This page provides information about the memory location in use.

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Internal memory is organized in 10 banks, each bank is composed by 100 memory loca-
tions, so you have 1000 memory locations, starting from 0 to 999.

1 – BANK

This is the bank that the OVWRTE and the DELETE soft buttons will affect.

2 – MEMORY

This is the memory slot that the OVWRTE and the DELETE soft buttons will affect.

3 – NAME

This is the program name.

4 – CAT

This is the program category.

5 – DESC

This is the program description.

The last three fields are editable. Use the keyboard entry for entering a different name,
category or description content:

73
In the upper-right corner there are a couple of buttons:

1 – OVWRTE

Clicking on this button overwrites the target memory slot (identified by the BANK and
MEMORY fields) replacing it with the current edited data. The action has a temporary
effect.

2 – MEMORY

Clicking on this button cleans the target memory slot (identified by the BANK and MEM-
ORY fields). The action has a temporary effect.

Use the SAVE button located in the DISK page for a permanent modification to a speci-
fied library.

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THE PRMS PAGE
This page allows the customization of displayed parameters:

Parameters which are visible in the PROG page are listed in the “Visible” column.

In the upper-right corner there are 3 buttons:

1 – MVE UP

Clicking on this button changes the displayed order for the selected parameter.
The PROG page appearence will change accordingly.

2 – MVE DW

Clicking on this button changes the displayed order for the selected parameter.
The PROG page appearence will change accordingly.

3 – INVIS

Clicking on this button hides the selected parameter and it will not visible any more in
the PROG page:

75
Clicking the VISIB button reverts to the visible state again.

Mouse drag&drop is supported.

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THE GLOB PAGE
This page allows the customization of global and miscellaneous settings:

Displayed immediately below the status bar are 10 global parameters:

1 – PAD IN

This is an additional gain input control, and it is placed after the GAIN IN block/sliders.

2 – PAD OUT

This is an additional gain output control, and it is placed before the GAIN OUT block/
sliders.
It provides a correction to a wrong (or not-optimal) sampling level. Use this control for
fine tweaking the output 0dB level: GAIN IN and GAIN OUT should be at the 0dB position
during this operation.

3 – RATE

The parameter represents the period used by Nebula for recalculating the state and the
internal sources. The parameter is active and is editable only if the RATE S parameter is
ON: in this case it overrides the PROG RATE setting of the MAST page.

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4– RATE S

The parameter activates or deactivates the RATE parameter located in this page.
When deactivated the PROG RATE setting (MAST page) will take effect again.

5 – SMOOTH

This parameter represents the smoothing algorithm. This mode is useful for minimiz-
ing distortion and aliasing for the H1 kernel. There are 21 different algorithms available.
When activated an additional kernel player called S is instantiated. The player is shared
with Split-hybrid, so the two modes cannot be active at the same time.

6 – FEEDBK

Nebula provides an reversed feedback audio path from the PAD OUT block to the PAD
IN block, like a sort of ring modulator or a simplified resonance control. The control is not
active until a right source is selected for FEEDBK SC. Wrong values cause distortion and
loud zapping noises, so be careful.
There is a simplified protection, outputs are digitally limited @ +24dB.

7 – FEEDBK SC

The parameter represents the control source for the feedback signal. Sources are pure
control signals, they are described in Appendix - sources. The source OFF deactivates
the feedback path at all.

8 – AHEAD

This parameter controls the look-ahead buffer utilised by compressor and dynamic pro-
grams in general. It is expressed in milliseconds. The max value allowed is the AHEAD
value located in the MAST page.

9 – DRY

Nebula provides a dry audio path, useful for adding a direct/dry signal to the wet result.
The control is not active until the right source is selected for DRY SC.

10 – DRY SC

The parameter represents the control source for the dry signal. Sources are pure control
signals, they are described in Appendix - sources. The source OFF deactivates the dry
path at all.

78
The bottom section of the page allows the programmable sliders editing:

MIX1 is the slider number 1, MIX2 is the slider number 2 and so on.

1–S

The parameter controls the state of a programmable slider.

When the state is ON the slider is active.

2–V

The parameter selects the slider value

79
THE LFOS PAGE
This page allows the customization of the 4 internal LFOs:

An LFO is a low frequency oscillator. Like all internal Nebula sources it generates a num-
ber in the [-1..+1] interval and has a cyclic behaviour.

1 – MnRate

This is the minimum speed expressed in Herz; it ranges between 0 and 24 Hz.
When RateSc is OFF the LFO will work at its minimum speed.

2 – MxRate

This is the maximum speed expressed in Herz; it ranges between 0 and 24 Hz.
When RateSc is ON the LFO will work at its maximum speed. The istantaneus LFO speed
is a value that ranges between MnRate and MxRate, depending on the RateSc source
control.

3–Q

Nebula allows the quantization of the LFO speed.

The quantization is expressed as fraction of the measure. The actual tempo song is
displayed in the MIDI page (BPM value). For example if Q is 32 the LFO speed will be
quantized to 1/32 note values.

80
4 – RateSc

The parameter represents the control source for the LFO speed.

5 – Shape

This is the actual LFO shape. A complete list of LFO shapes is in Appendix – LFO shapes.

6 – Phase

The Phase parameter determinates the maximum starting point offset for the LFO cycle.
It is expressed in degrees; it ranges between 0 and 360 degrees.

7 – PhaseSc

This is the source control for the LFO phase. When PhaseSc is OFF the phase will be 0,
when PhaseSc is ON the phase will be the value expressed in the Phase parameter. For
intermediate values the phase will change accordingly.

81
THE FUNS PAGE
This page allows for the customization of the 8 internal FUNs:

A FUN is a module with 2 input pins and 1 single output pin.

1–A

First input pin.

Use slider number 2 for entering a control source.
Use the slider number 3 for entering directly a numeric constant value in the range
[-1..+1].

2 – (dB)

First input pin expressed in the logarithm scale. This parameter is read-only.

3–B

Second input pin.

Use slider number 2 for entering a control source.
Use the slider number 3 for entering directly a numeric constant value in the range
[-1..+1].

4 – (dB)

Second input pin expressed in the logarithm scale. This parameter is read-only.

5 – FUN

FUN type. A complete list of FUN types is in Appendix – FUN types.

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THE EVFS PAGE
This page allows the customization of the 4 internal EVFs:

EVF is the short name for “envelope follower”. The purpose of an envelope follower is the
assessment of an input audio source, and the tracking of a control signal.
A typical application of an EVF is the driving of a compression ratio in a dynamic simu-
lation program.

1 – Env Type

This is the assessment type. Supported modes: average, rms and peak, along with av-
erage17 and rms17; the last two ones are full compliant to the AES17 standard.
Rms17 mode behaves like a vu-meter.

2 – Att Min

This is the minimum attack time expressed in milliseconds; it ranges between 1 and 600
ms.
When Att Sc is OFF the attack time will be the minimum one. The attack time has the
same meaning found in dynamic effects such as compressors or expanders.

3 – Att Max

This is the maximum attack time expressed in milliseconds; it ranges between 1 and 5 s.
When Att Sc is ON the attack time will be the maximum one. The istantaneus attack
time is a value that ranges between Att Min and Att Max, depending on the Att Sc source
control.

83
4 – Att Sc

The parameter represents the control source for the attack time.

5 – Rel Min

This is the minimum release time expressed in milliseconds; it ranges between 1 and
600 ms.
The release time has the same meaning found in dynamic effects such as compressors
or expanders.

6 – Rel Max

This is the maximum release time expressed in milliseconds; it ranges between 1 and 5
s.
The istantaneus release time is a value that ranges between Rel Min and Rel Max, de-
pending on the Rel Sc source control.

7 – Rel Sc

The parameter represents the control source for the release time.

8 – I/O Bal

The parameter sets the percentage of signal taken at the output pins of the PAD OUT
module. The remain percentage will be taken at the output pins of the GAIN IN module.
The resulting signal will be used for the assessment:

For example the value 20% means that the envelope follower will sum 20% of the output
of the PAD OUT module and the 80% of the output of the GAIN IN module. The assess-
ment will be executed on the resulting audio channel.

84
THE ENVS PAGE
This page allows the customization of the 2 internal ENVs:

An ENV is a control source with a programmable behaviour.

There is an activation condition and a deactivation condition.

85
1 – ActivSc

This is the activation source.

The activation condition is the following one:
- the activation source is positive.
- previously the activation source was negative.

2 – DeactSc

This is the deactivation source.

The deactivation condition is the following one:
- the deactivation source is positive.
- previously the deactivation source was negative.

3 –Start Level

This is the value assumed from the EVF output immediatly after its activation.

4 – Attack Level, Attack Time, Attack Curve

Once the ENV is activated, it reaches the Attack Level within the Attack Time. The tran-
sition is executed following the Attack Curve shape, which ranges from a linear to an
exponential curve.
Attack Time ranges between 1 and 600 milliseconds. There are 10 curve shapes avail-
able.

5 – Break Level, Decay Time, Decay Curve

Once the Attack Time segment is completely executed, the ENV reaches the Break Lev-
el within the Decay Time. The transition is executed following the Decay Curve shape,
which ranges from a linear to an exponential curve. Decay Time ranges between 1 and
600 milliseconds. There are 10 curve shapes available.

6 – Sustain Level, Slope Time, Slope Curve

Once the Decay Time segment is completely executed, the ENV reaches the Sustain
Level within the Slope Time. The transition is executed following the Slope Curve shape,
which ranges from a linear to an exponential curve. Decay Time ranges between 1 and
600 milliseconds. There are 10 curve shapes available.

86
7 – Release Time, Release Curve

The ENV cycles the Slope Time segment until the deactivation condition is triggered. At
this point, the ENV reaches the Start Level within the Release time. The transition is ex-
ecuted following the Release Curve shape, which ranges from a linear to an exponential
curve. Release Time ranges between 1 and 600 milliseconds. There are 10 curve shapes
available.

8 – Level Amount, Level AmountSc

Every level amplitude is multiplied for a factor called Level Amount and for Level AmountSc
control source, which is a real-time control.

9 – Time Amount, Time AmountSc

Every time segment is multiplied for a factor called Time Amount and for the Time
AmountSc control source. In this way time segments could be shortened or stretched
following a real-time rule.

In the upper-right corner there are 2 arrows.

Clicking on them changes the current displayed ENV, switching between the ENV1 and
the ENV2 page.

87
THE DYNS PAGE
This page allows the customization of the 2 internal DYNs:

DYNs are similar to audio compressors or expanders, but process control signals only.
While it’s possible to emulate a plug-in compressor using an EVF followed by a DYN
module, the simplified structure is not able to emulate properly an hardware dynamic
device. For this scope the Nebula sampling approach give better results.

1 – Input Sc

This is the input source.

2 – Dynmc Type

This is the DYN type: when it is equal to COMP the DYN behaves like a compressor, oth-
erwise it behaves like an expander.

3 – Thold Sc

This is the threshold source. The compression or expansion is activated when threshold
source is a positive value.

4 – Ratio Sc

This is the ratio source.

88
5 – Curve

This is the shape of the input/output transfer function. There are 10 shapes available:
LINEAR mode, ANALOG mode and 8 exponential functions.

6 – Range

When the Ratio Sc is ON (value = +1) the ratio is Ratio:1 (COMP mode) or 1:Ratio (EXPN
mode).
When the Ratio Sc is OFF (value = -1) the ratio is 1:1. Intermediate Ratio Sc values allow
intermediate compression or expansion ratios.

7 – Mkeup

This is a Make-up reduction amount. It is expressed in dB, assuming that the Input Sc
was converted to the dB/logarithm scale.

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N4 update (13.04.2018)

A new version of N4 is available, it includes new features and bug fixes.

- Complete integration with Aquarius and official 3rd developers in market place.
- Redesigned user interface for a better user experience.
- Support for the latest Core 12 technology.
- New simple mode.
- Integrated Presets editor.
- Integrated Setups editor.
- Available in VST2, VST3, AAX and AU plug-in formats in MacOS and Windows.
- Support for 64 bits architecture.
- Support for the latest operating systems including macOS High Sierra and Windows
10 Fall Creators Update.
- Support for Nebula Server version 4 (currently in development)