Clicking the settings gear opens a window with multiple tabs for configuring various "under-the-hood" settings. These are mostly set-and-forget kind of parameters - all the stuff you'll want to tweak is on the front panel, because that's how we do things around here!
Add Undo For Control Changes With The Mouse- Enabling this allows undo of control adjustments and cable patching. You’ll want this on if you want the ability to undo all aspects of patch editing and programming.
Load Last Preset On Startup (Standalone Only)- Automatically loads the last preset used when CA2600 standalone version is started.
Create A Log File For Usage- This creates a text document of CA2600's internal routines during use. Our tech support may request these docs should you encounter any issues. Clicking Show Log Folder opens the folder containing CA2600 log file docs.
Cherry Audio strictly adheres to safe forestry practices when creating log files.
Preset Folder- Displays the current location of CA2600's sound presets. This can be changed by clicking and typing in the field.
Browse... - Displays the current location of preset folder in the file manager.
Set Default- Sets the current displayed Preset Folder path as the default location
Clear Cache Files- Deletes all log files, temporary sounds, and the image cache.
Allows customization ofCA2600’s user interface settings.
Reset To Default Window Size- Resets the CA2600 workspace to 1817x800 pixels (i.e. 100% zoom). Use this to reset the window size if CA2600's workspace somehow becomes too large for your display and can't be resized.
Theme- Select from three color schemes, "Blue Marvin," (earliest ARP 2600's), Gray (1971-1976), or Orange and Black (1977-1980). This only changes the color, sound is not altered in any way.
Tooltip Delay- Tooltips are those informative bits of text that pop up when hovering over a control (go ahead and try it, we’ll wait…). The Tooltip Delay setting defines how long you must hover before the tooltip pops up.
Knob Movement- Defines how mouse movements relate to turning onscreen knobs. It defaults to Vertical Drag, but can be changed to Horizontal Drag, or Rotary Drag if you're one those folks that cut their teeth on the Steinberg Model E VST back in 2000.
On Control Double-Click- Defines what happens when the mouse is double-clicked on a control. If Edit Value is selected, an exact number can be entered by typing the number and hitting [ENTER] or [RETURN]. If Sets Default Value is selected, double-clicking a control resets it to its default value.
Mouse Wheel Adjusts Control Value- Enabling this lets you adjust knob, slider, and switch values by moving the mouse wheel. This works great with a standard mouse wheel, but you'll want to disable it if you're using an Apple Magic Mouse (which will move the control AND scroll the window).
Show Tooltips On Any Control Change- Displays parameter tooltips/values next to controls any time a control is changed, i.e. if a control is moved via an assigned MIDI controller.
Show Control Tooltips Under Mouse- Displays parameter tooltips/values when the mouse is hovered over a control or as a control is moved with mouse clicked.
MIDI Program Changes Should Change Current Preset- Allows MIDI program change messages to change CA2600 patches.
Ask To Save Presets- This opens a dialog window asking if you'd like to save changes if a patch has been edited and a new patch is selected. If you're the type that likes to click through presets and tweak a control here and there, it can be annoying to have a window pop-up asking if you'd like to save every time you switch presets - if you're that person, keep this off.
Use Open GL Hardware Acceleration- If your computer has Open GL graphics capabilities, this can increase graphic performance.
Settings for your personal login information and account.
Email- Displays the email address of the current login.
Update Login Info- Not a place for news about yacht-rock superstar, Kenny Loggins. Clicking this opens the same email and password login screen you’ll see when initially launching CA2600
View Account Settings- This opens your personal account page on the Cherry Audio Store website containing information about purchases and more.
Software Update
We often fix bugs and make improvements; below are options defining how CA2600 handles updates.
Check For Update- Click this to see if an updated version of CA2600 is available.
Status-
Automatically Install Updates- Updates are automatically downloaded and installed.
Ask Before Installing Updates- By default, CA2600 automatically downloads new versions of modules when available. Checking this box defeats automatic updates and will ask if you’d like to install updates when they become available.
We’ll never make changes that can potentially “break” existing patches but we recommend enabling Ask Before Installing Updates if you’re using CA2600 for live performances or other “mission critical” situations.
Never Install Updates- CA2600 never automatically installs updates.
Show Updates On Toolbar- Checking this will display an icon in the toolbar letting you know there's an update available.
Show Notifications From Cherry Audio- We occasionally will fire off in-app advertisements; disabling this checkbox will hide them. We hate repetitive, annoying ads as much as you do, so we won't use this feature too often. When we do, we promise it'll be something super cool that'll you'll like, so we recommend leaving it on.
These preferences define how CA2600’s virtual patch cables behave.
Animate Cables- When checked, CA2600 cables will bend and dangle like real cables. This makes everything sound better (not really, but it looks cool).
Move Cables Away- When checked, hovering over a cable (or multiple cable spaghetti) will temporarily shift them out of the way to make it easier to see modules beneath.
3D Cables- Checking this shades cables to appear more well, three-dimensional, No silly red and green glasses required.
Draw Shadow- Causes cables to cast a shadow upon modules.
Cable Thickness- Adjusts the thickness of all cables.
Transparent Cables- This works in conjunction with the Cable Transparency button discussed previously.
All Cables- Cable Transparency slider affects all cables.
All But Current Jack - Hovering over a jack will make its cables opaque. If the Cable Transparency control is set to its maximum setting, Transparent Cables will have no effect.
Show Signal Animation- Enabling this superimposes a stream of “marching ants” over cables displaying signal flow and direction. (They’re easier to see at wider cable width settings.) The Speed slider adjusts the speed of display, but has no effect on signals.
Enable Animations For Jacks- Selecting this shows a nifty little animation when a jack is clicked to use its built-in mult. If you’re a super impatient weirdo (like the guy typing this), unchecking this box disables the animation, which will make the mult pop up more quickly.
Settings for audio and MIDI hardware input and output. This tab is only visible in the standalone version of CA2600.
Output- Use this drop-down menu to choose a physical audio output source. This defaults to Built-In Line Output, i.e. your computer’s onboard system audio, but you’ll get better fidelity with an external professional audio interface. The biggest audible difference is usually reduced background noise or hum, but external audio hardware also offers greater flexibility in terms of number of inputs and outputs and built-in mic or low-level instruments pres (i.e. electric guitars). These are especially useful if you’re using CA2600’s external inputs to process sound.
The Test button will produce a sine wave when clicked; this will help with troubleshooting, aka, “WHY THE HECK ISN’T THIS MAKING ANY NOISE?!?”
Input- Clicking the drop-down menu lets you select which physical input(s) feed CA2600's sidechain input (in the upper-left corner of the main panel). The small horizontal input meter to the right illuminates when the selected input is receiving an audio signal. And just to be super clear, this only applies to the standalone version of CA2600 - if you're using it as a virtual instrument, your DAW software will have a sidechain input routing menu.
Sample Rate- This sets CA2600's global sample rate. Lower sample rates offer better performance, but if you have a fast computer, high sample rates may offer slightly improved fidelity.
Audio Buffer Size- As with any digital audio app, this defines performance vs. note latency, and will largely depend upon computer CPU speed. A professional external audio interface will almost always exhibit better performance than “built-in” system audio. Lower settings will result in less latency (in the form of faster response to notes played), but will increase the chances of audio gapping or crackling noise.
Active MIDI Inputs- Displays all available MIDI input sources, i.e. keyboards, pad controls, MIDI knob/fader control surfaces, etc. Check boxes to enable one or more devices.