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HOLO TREE STUDIOS

Let’s get you playing.

Pre-release guide. Creeks is not available to purchase or download yet. These notes describe the current development workflow. Final installation steps and host-test results will be published with the release.

Before you start

Creeks 1.1.3 includes Audio Units, VST3, and a standalone app for Apple Silicon Macs. All three require macOS 12 or later according to their build settings; that is a minimum requirement, not a claim that every macOS version has been tested. Windows, Intel Macs, and Pro Tools/AAX are not supported by this build.

For live performance, you’ll need a microphone, an audio interface, and a MIDI keyboard. Start with headphones or a low listening level to avoid feedback.

Release checks

The 1.1.3 installer has passed Developer ID signing, Apple notarization, and Gatekeeper checks. Development testing has focused on Logic Pro, but final 1.1.3 live-routing and project-recall checks are pending. Other DAW workflows are not yet verified.

Routing in Logic Pro

After the verified release has been installed and recognized by Logic Pro:

  1. Create a software instrument track. In its instrument slot, choose the Creeks plug-in from AU MIDI-controlled Effects. Menu naming may differ in the current development build.
  2. Set the plugin’s Side Chain to your microphone input, or to the vocal track or bus you want to process.
  3. Select the instrument track so it receives your keyboard’s MIDI notes. Start with the Natural preset and LIVE mode.
  4. Sing while holding a chord. HARMONY blends your original voice and processed layers. Advanced exposes the separate DRY, TUNED, TONIC and CHOIR levels.

Make it yours

Natural, Creeks, Robot, Choir and Ghost are five starting sounds. VOICES sets a limit from one to eight. HARMONY controls the blend; Advanced reveals the detailed vocal layers and sound-shaping controls.

Keep your signal clean

Set microphone gain so your loudest phrases do not clip at the interface. Start with your listening level low. INPUT CLIP indicates a problem before Creeks; OUTPUT CLIP means the plugin output needs reducing. Avoid routing the processed output back into its own microphone source.

Timing and performance

Start with LIVE mode for playing. Total monitoring delay includes Creeks processing, your interface, and your DAW buffer. Increasing the buffer may help with dropouts but also adds delay. Change modes between phrases. Confirmed timing measurements will accompany the release.

If you hear no sound

Check that the microphone or vocal source has signal, the Side Chain points to that source, and MIDI notes are reaching the Creeks instrument track. Check the track’s output routing and your interface listening level. Keep the monitoring volume low while making changes.

Need a hand?

Email treeandseamusic@gmail.com with your Mac model, macOS version, DAW and version, Creeks version, and a short description of what happened. Please don’t send passwords, payment-card details, or music you don’t have permission to share.