Steinberg has announced the release of an update to the HALion 3 virtual sampler. HALion 3.1 features new capabilities as well as numerous enhancements, and is available now for all registered users via download at ftp.steinberg.net.

HALion 3.1 sees several new innovations introduced to the HALion platform. A new feature already seen in Steinberg’s HALion Player product is Q-Controls. These user-definable controls offer lightning fast access to up to eight parameters directly on the Macro-page or in an extra, floating window. Individually adaptable for each and every loaded program in HALion 3.1, Q-Controls also automatically switch to their assigned parameters when a new program is selected. Many new libraries by well-known content creators have been engineered to include predefined Q-Controls best suited to shaping each specific instrument. User-defined Q-Controls settings are saved with each HALion program or bank, and can also be recalled as a preset.

This new system is integrated with another new feature: the HALion MIDI Learn mode. Allowing lightning fast assigning of MIDI controllers to almost any sound-forming parameters within HALion, the MIDI Learn function in HALion 3.1 allows MIDI CC data to be instantly “learned” (automatically assigned) to any of the eight Q-Controls. This allows quick and easy integration of MIDI controller hardware to make using the Q-Controls more direct and tangible.

The unique Sound Categories system introduced with HALion 3.0 has been refined to offer more categories, including individual drum instruments such as snares, cymbals, kicks and high hats. With HALion 3.1, HSB content is also automatically sorted into the appropriate categories which are displayed as individual coloured folders in the Browser windows.

Also new to HALion 3.1 are ReWire compatibility as a standalone application, offering users of ReWire host applications such as Pro Tools® all the advantages of the HALion sampler platform. HALion 3.1 also sees the introduction of a new advanced disk streaming mode, further improving the disk streaming performance available.

The update to HALion 3.1 is now available as a download from the Steinberg website.