Torq User Guide
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Torq User Guide
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Chapter 13
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Latency
Another potential drawback from using VST plug-ins is latency. Latency is the observed lag between when you trigger an
event or action on the computer and when you finally hear the results. When running without any VST plug-ins, Torq’s
latency is nearly undetectable—Torq will respond to scratches, button presses, and knob tweaks immediately.
Some VST plug-ins, however, must perform very complex calculations on the audio. Sometimes, these calculations require
that the plug-in buffer the audio so that it can process it in large chunks. In these cases, the plug-in will fill its buffer with
some audio sent from Torq. It will then process the audio and send it to an output buffer. Once the output buffer is filled,
the audio is sent back to Torq. This process, while extremely fast, can still manifest itself as a perceived lag in response time.
And, as you can see, this phenomenon is beyond the control of Torq (the latency is created by the plug-in, not Torq).
If you find that a VST plug-in you’re using is creating latency, you can try to find a similar-sounding plug-in with minimal
latency, or simply try to “play ahead” and anticipate the latency. While some other programs feature “Plug-in Delay
Compensation,” such a system would not work with Torq because the program is entirely real-time (the music and effects
are not preset or programmed).
Selecting Effects
To begin using a VST, you’ll need to select one from the list of available VSTs:
1. Click on the top window in the VST section of the Effect Rack. A pop-up menu will appear showing all valid VSTs
in the selected VST folder (see Plug-in Preferences).
2. Click on the name of a VST. It will be loaded immediately and the VST’s graphic interface will open and float over
the Torq interface.
3. To close the window, click the close icon in the window’s title bar or click the Wrench icon in the Effect Rack.
4. To open the same VST interface again, click the Wrench icon again.
Note
: At the top of the VST drop-down menu list, you will see a “blank” plug-in as an option. If you select it, no VST will
be loaded into the Slot (any current VST will be unloaded).
Assigning Controls
It’s fun to tweak effects using knobs and buttons—VST effects are no exception. However, before you start messing with
the Tweak knob and button, you’ll need to assign a function to them. Unlike Torq’s 10 built-in effects, the VST Effect you
choose to use will probably have more than two parameters to play with. You can always adjust these parameters within
the VST Effect’s editor window. To gain MIDI control, however, you must assign one of the VST Effect’s parameter to the
Tweak knob or button (which you can control via MIDI). It’s a two-part process as outlined below:
1. Load a VST Effect. Its editor window will pop up when loaded.
2. Right-click on the Tweak knob in Torq’s interface. It will turn red indicating that it standing by for assignment.
3. Using the mouse, move a control in the VST Effect’s editor window. This could be a knob, slider, or button.
4. When you move the control, Torq will catch it and assign it to the Tweak knob. Moving the Tweak knob will now
operate the assigned VST parameter.
5. To assign a MIDI control to the Tweak knob, follow the usual procedure of right-clicking then moving your desired
MIDI control.
6. Once complete, the MIDI control will operate the VST parameter.
7. The same procedure above can be used for assigning a VST parameter to the Tweak button.
Note
: When running Torq in fullscreen mode, clicking on the Torq interface will cause Torq to move to the foreground and
your VST Effect to move to the background, effectively being obscured from view. To bring the VST Effect back to the front,
click on the Wrench icon in the VST Effect slot.