HALion

The first version of HALion was released by Steinberg in 2001.{{cite web|url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep01/articles/halion0901.asp|title=Softly Softly|work=Sound On Sound|date=September 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608005228/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep01/articles/halion0901.asp|archive-date=8 June 2015}} By the year 2004, it had reached version 3.{{Cite news|url=https://synthmorph.com/blogs/news/steinberg-halion-behind-the-scenes-developer-interview|title=Steinberg HALion {{!}} Behind-the-Scenes Developer Interview|work=Synthmorph|access-date=2018-05-27}}

At Musikmesse 2006, Steinberg announced a specific version of the software, known as the HALion Symphonic Orchestra, which included the samples to represent a full orchestra.{{Cite news|url=https://www.mixonline.com/technology/steinberg-presents-halion-symphonic-orchestra-381938|title=Steinberg Presents HALion Symphonic Orchestra|work=Mixonline|access-date=2018-06-04|language=en-us}}

On 1 April 2009, Steinberg released the version 3.5 update to HALion, which introduced 64-bit support.{{Cite web|url=https://www.steinberg.net/en/company/press/archive/2009/halion_3_64_bit.html|title=Steinberg - Creativity First|website=Steinberg|language=en-US|access-date=2018-05-27}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/halion-3-5-adds-64-bit-support-and-new-soundbank-207712|title=HALion 3.5 adds 64-bit support and new soundbank|work=Music Radar|access-date=2018-05-27|language=EN-GB}}

In July 2009, Michael Fakesch (former member of the band Funkstörung) produced a score for the Philips commercial Carousel (which won the Film Grand Prix award at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival{{Cite news|url=http://adage.com/article/special-report-cannes-2009/cannes-award-film-philips-tribal-ddb/137629/|title=TV Is Snubbed as Philips, Tribal DDB Win Film Grand Prix|access-date=2018-05-27|language=en}}) using the HALion Symphonic Orchestra and Cubase.{{Cite news|url=https://www.steinberg.net/en/newsandevents/news/newsdetail/article/cubase-powers-michael-fakesch-and-philips-to-cannes-lions-win-807.html?tx_ttnews%5Bpointer%5D=64&cHash=8d47fb1cedb6a97572c8a0ed4fbd288d|title=Cubase Powers Michael Fakesch and Philips to Cannes Lions Win {{!}} Steinberg|work=Steinberg|access-date=2018-05-27|language=en-US}}

In June 2010, Steinberg announced the HALion Sonic edition of the software, positioned as the successor to their previous Hypersonic 2 software instrument, including both sampling and sound synthesis functionality.{{Cite news|url=https://sonicstate.com/news/2010/06/29/steinberg-releases-halion-sonic-workstation/|title=Steinberg Releases HALion Sonic Workstation|work=Sonicstate|access-date=2018-05-27}}

Version 4 of the main edition of HALion was announced at Musikmesse 2011,{{Cite news|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/musikmesse-2011-steinberg-announces-halion-4-release-418285|title=Musikmesse 2011: Steinberg announces HALion 4 release|work=Music Radar|access-date=2018-05-27|language=EN-GB}} introducing sound synthesis features to expand beyond purely sample-based audio.{{Cite news|url=https://synthmorph.com/blogs/news/steinberg-halion-behind-the-scenes-developer-interview|title=Steinberg HALion {{!}} Behind-the-Scenes Developer Interview|work=Synthmorph|access-date=2018-06-04}} Version 5 (and version 2 of HALion Sonic) followed in July 2013 with new instruments and effects.{{Cite web|url=http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2013/07/24/steinberg-releases-halion-5-halion-sonic-2/|title=Steinberg Releases Halion 5, Halion Sonic 2|last=Elisabeth|date=2013-07-24|website=Synthtopia|language=en-US|access-date=2018-05-27}}

Version 6 of HALion, announced at Winter NAMM Show on 19 January 2017 (alongside version 3 of HALion Sonic), introduced new features such as customization macros and user scripting (using a LUA-based scripting language{{Cite news|url=https://sonicstate.com/news/2017/07/13/sonic-lab-steinberg-halion-6-overview/|title=Sonic LAB: Steinberg HALion 6 Overview|work=Sonicstate|access-date=2018-05-27}}).{{Cite web|url=https://usa.yamaha.com/news_events/2017/20170119_halion6_halion_sonic3_absolute3_announced_us.html|title=HALion 6, HALion Sonic 3 and Absolute 3 Announced at Winter NAMM|website=usa.yamaha.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-05-27}}

There are 3 different editions of HALion available:

• HALion Sonic SE: A free version of HALion Sonic (also included with all versions of Cubase{{Cite web|url=https://www.macprovideo.com/tutorial/halion-sonic-se-revealed|title=Cubase 9 201: HALion Sonic SE Revealed Video Tutorial - macProVideo.com|website=www.macprovideo.com|language=en|access-date=2018-05-27}}), with a smaller sample library and reduced sound synthesis functionality.{{Cite web|url=https://www.steinberg.net/en/products/vst/halion_and_halion_sonic/product_comparison.html|title=HALion product comparison|website=Steinberg|language=en-US|access-date=2018-05-27}}{{Cite web|url=https://ask.audio/articles/how-to-quickly-create-chords-in-free-halion-sonic-se-sampler-instrument|title=Here's How To Quickly Create Chords In The FREE HALion Sonic SE Plugin|website=ask.audio|language=en|access-date=2018-05-27}}
• HALion Sonic: A version of HALion with reduced functionality. For example, it does not include custom macro and sampling features.{{Cite web|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/steinberg-halion-sonic|title=Steinberg Halion Sonic {{!}}|website=www.soundonsound.com|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-05-27}}
• HALion: The full version of HALion, including sampling and scripting functionality.

• {{Official website|https://www.steinberg.net/en/products/vst/halion_und_halion_sonic/halion.html}}

Category:Software samplers

Category:Software synthesizers

Category:Music software

Category:Computer music software

Category:2001 software