Main Functions

Dynamic CC: choose the CC which controls volume.

Flatten Dynamics: evens out the range so that all of the pitches are a similar volume, rather than getting naturally louder the higher you play in the register. This button makes the patches quieter overall since it adjusts the higher notes relative to the volume of the lower notes, rather than vice versa.

KS Root: sets the root key of the keyswitch block.  The library has a predetermined syllable sequence which it will cycle through unless you override with keyswitching. The keyswitch block allows you to move to specific syllables, where the sequence will then proceed from. The primary use for this is that some phrases may work better with a particular portion of the syllable sequence. You can also use this keyswitch block for RR resets at the beginning of your passages, and to align the syllables between the men and women sections.

Release Modes: For every syllable, you have two types of releases: normal and “-s.”  So for every “eeh” release, you also have an “eehs” release. The “-s” releases can help transition between syllables based upon the phrases you write. Manual Velocity means velocity determines the release type.. 1-99 for normal and 100-127 for “-s.” Manual Sus Pedal triggers “-s” if you hold down the sustain pedal during release. The Suggested modes trigger specific predetermined syllables as “-s” releases. These modes are good for getting ideas in initially. Then in order to have “-s” releases specifically triggering on the notes you want, turn on the Manual Velocity mode and edit your velocities, or turn on the Manual Sus Pedal mode and do a “sustain pedal pass.”

Normal/8va/8vb: allows you to trigger an octave up/down from the same position. Useful for when you want to arm both your men and women midi tracks and play them together with the men an octave down.

Pitch Bend Wheel: this functions to tighten/loosen the releases. Bring up the wheel to the top to make the releases a bit longer. Bring the wheel down to make them shorter (tighter).

Sample Delay

You’ll notice some delay in the samples. The Main patches have ~80 ms of delay. Simply set your MIDI track settings to -80 ms. The sample assets are timed, so you can quantize and with -80ms track delay it will be on the beat. The Shouts patch has a longer delay (to accommodate all the syllables), and once again, they are all timed to each other.

Mockup Tips

A lot can be squeezed out of Oceania with MIDI editing, specifically for KS syllable overrides and adding in “-s” releases where they fit well. Furthermore, this library is reactive to varying MIDI note lengths, so you can achieve articulated phrases by getting creative with that. Also it’s sometimes worth doing a “pitch bend pass” with some live riding for additional articulation shaping (i.e. making the releases looser on bold, slower phrases).

Library Limitations

• The sustain pedal doesn’t work to sustain notes in Oceania – it solely functions to trigger “-s” releases (when in the correct mode).
• Don’t overlap repeating notes – it will trigger the previous notes’ release, not the current notes’ release.
• If you happen to solo a mic position and then save the patch, when you re-open it, the muted mic’s vol. knob will display “-inf” (regardless of its actual vol.), even if you un-solo the other mic. Simply double-click the “-inf” knob while holding shift in order to accurately display the value.