History
The Steinberg HALion was the second great streaming software sampler, behind the great Giga. It is a VST sampler, designed to be used with VST-enabled sequencers such as Steinbergs own Cubase, Logic Audio from emagic, and other platforms. It offers better envelopes than regular ADSR's, multi-mode fitlers, and sample-accurate response. The parameters are much easier to get at and are farther down the "chain" than compared to the Apple EXS24.

HALion II improves on the platform by including extended parameters, more filters, and 32-stage envelopes.

Synthesis and File Structure
HALion uses the Akai-ish Keygroup method to map out samples, and the important parameters are on the Sample level (yeah!). One main loop and a Release loop are supported. Check this out - 8 or even 32-stage envelopes! A neat inclusion is that you can add stages incrementally, so you don't have unneeded stages cluttering your interface.

With version 1.1, HALion added a "Mega-Trigg" function, which allows many different ways of turning on or off a keygroup - with a key-on or key-off, or a envelope, or most anything. Real cool.

HALion can natively import Akai, Roland, and Emu files, and well as Giga and SoundFonts, and of course .WAV and AIFF files. Oh, and also LM4 scripts.

DOS format, of course. HALion uses .fxp files to store individual program data, and .fxb files to store whole "Banks" (a memory setup with 128 Programs) Ironically, both of these are called Effect Banks - since when are these "effects"? HALion uses .wav files and AIFF files to store sample data.

Translating and Building HALion Programs

(Available shortly)

Translating Out of HALion Format

(Available shortly)