Question about samplers and sample library combination

[BezO]

Originally, I was looking for a synth that specialized in brass, but I was told I'd do better with Sample Libraries... the type that offer multiple layers of each note so that I can play it similarly to a sound module... triggering individual notes with a controller.

But I'm also looking to avoid putting additional strain on my CPU, and I want something rackable. So...

Would an Akai Z4 or similar rackable sampler do the trick? I want to trigger the samples with a controller and use the Z4 like a sound module once I load the sample library contents.

Is this possible? If so, how would this work? Will the sampler automatically recognize and assign the notes to the right keys so that when I press 'C' on my controller, a 'C' note is triggered from the sampler?

[BezO]

No one here uses samplers in this way?

[Failed Muso]

Yes, an Akai Z4 will do exactly what you need, providing you get a good brass library. In fact, Akai's intention behind the "stillborn" Boreas sampler (which was a Z4 with a slightly different screen and built in 80GB HD) was for it to be a "super" sound module. The Z4 will load any Akai sample library and there are some good ones out there. The ProSamples range is superb value and will not break the bank as you get started in the world of hardware samplers. Volumes 19, 20 & 25 will be of particular interest. They all come supplied in Akai S1000 format, which the Z4 will instantly load without any problems and they also contain audio, aiff, EXS24, Halion and wav formats so they can be used in other samplers as your studio grows and changes.

Provided you buy a pre-compiled library such as this, you will find all samples assigned to the appropriate keys. All you would need to do is hook up a suitable MIDI keyboard to the sampler, load up your library and away you go

You may find that an Akai S5000 or S6000 would do just as good a job and maybe cheaper used. Either way, they both do the job you require and much, much more, but the Z Series can handle sample rates up to 24bit/96KHz, although this is not a major issue.

If you want anymore info regarding the Akai's, don't hesitate to ask or pop along to The Akai Users Forum or Akai Professional Samplers Mailing List for more in depth expert advice from the Akai community.

Hope that helps

[BezO]

Yes, an Akai Z4 will do exactly what you need, providing you get a good brass library....

Provided you buy a pre-compiled library such as this, you will find all samples assigned to the appropriate keys. All you would need to do is hook up a suitable MIDI keyboard to the sampler, load up your library and away you go

Thanks. I have some questions:

I'm sure the Z4's 80 GB hard drive is enough to store many sample libraries, but how would 512 GB handle streaming the samples? Would I be limited to triggering just one instrument at a time? What can I expect from the the Z4 in terms of the number of instruments I can trigger at once, and the quality of sound when trigger several instruments?

The Z4 will load any Akai sample library and there are some good ones out there. The ProSamples range is superb value and will not break the bank as you get started in the world of hardware samplers. Volumes 19, 20 & 25 will be of particular interest. They all come supplied in Akai S1000 format, which the Z4 will instantly load without any problems and they also contain audio, aiff, EXS24, Halion and wav formats so they can be used in other samplers as your studio grows and changes.

Thanks.

I'm sure I'm overlooking it, but I can't find the specs on the ProSamples Multiseries. I'm looking for stuff like minimum RAM requirements, how the samples were recorded, # of velocity layers, ect. Can you point me to that?

And are there any other sample libraries you would recommend?

You may find that an Akai S5000 or S6000 would do just as good a job and maybe cheaper used. Either way, they both do the job you require and much, much more, but the Z Series can handle sample rates up to 24bit/96KHz, although this is not a major issue.

Do you have an opinion on the sound of the Z4 vs. the S5000 or S6000? My understanding is that, even though you're triggering samples, the sampler still stamps its character on the samples.

If you want anymore info regarding the Akai's, don't hesitate to ask or pop along to The Akai Users Forum...

Ha! I just discovered the site yesterday and asked the same question. If you're at all affiliated, I'm still waiting on my membership approval.

Hope that helps

Definitely. Thanks!

[Failed Muso]

I'm sure the Z4's 80 GB hard drive is enough to store many sample libraries, but how would 512 GB handle streaming the samples? Would I be limited to triggering just one instrument at a time? What can I expect from the the Z4 in terms of the number of instruments I can trigger at once, and the quality of sound when trigger several instruments?

OK, the Z4 did not come with an 80GB fitted, so make sure you allow for this. As for 512GB, do you actually mean 512MB ? If you are referring to the maximum 512MB ram in the Z4, then yes, it copes perfectly fine. All libraries designed for Akai's are cleverly designed to only use as little RAM as necessary. It's all in the clever programming. As for how many different instruments you can load up, well that's dependent on the size of the individual instruments. I have never had a problem in this department. 512MB of properly programmed samples can contain a heck of a lot of stuff Quality will not be affected either.

I'm sure I'm overlooking it, but I can't find the specs on the ProSamples Multiseries. I'm looking for stuff like minimum RAM requirements, how the samples were recorded, # of velocity layers, ect. Can you point me to that?

And are there any other sample libraries you would recommend?

The ProSamples range are basically smaller versions of more expensive libraries. For example, some of the string libraries are the "best of" the Peter Siedlaczek Orchestra packages. You would need to seek out those for specs, or send Best Service an email.

Do you have an opinion on the sound of the Z4 vs. the S5000 or S6000? My understanding is that, even though you're triggering samples, the sampler still stamps its character on the samples.

I own both a Z8 & S6000 and they are both excellent. The sampler can be used to modify the samples greatly, but that's the beauty. You can do whatever you need to get your own unique sound. If you are worried about the Akai's colouring the samples in a way that others don't, don't worry

Ha! I just discovered the site yesterday and asked the same question. If you're at all affiliated, I'm still waiting on my membership approval.

Yes, it is my forum. Membership approval is handled by the site's server host, ProBoards, and I have no control over that. Contact ProBoards Support directly. Check your emails junk mail folder in case it has filtered their email to you out. Let me know on the forum if you have any real trouble.

[BezO]

OK, the Z4 did not come with an 80GB fitted, so make sure you allow for this. As for 512GB, do you actually mean 512MB ? If you are referring to the maximum 512MB ram in the Z4, then yes, it copes perfectly fine.

Some websites state they are shipping the Z4 with 60GB or 80GB drives and 256 MB of RAM.

Ha! I did mean 512MB.

I own both a Z8 & S6000 and they are both excellent. The sampler can be used to modify the samples greatly, but that's the beauty. You can do whatever you need to get your own unique sound. If you are worried about the Akai's colouring the samples in a way that others don't, don't worry

I'm more worried about a review or 2 I've seen that complained the Z4 sounded "thin" though most reviews I've read have been very favorable.

[jeffn1]

Hmmmm, can I also get some information about some products by Ron Popeil (I love infomercials).

jeffn1

[hollowsun]

I'm more worried about a review or 2 I've seen that complained the Z4 sounded "thin".....

That's nonsense and probably the opinion of some 14-yr-old who tried one for 5 minutes at a store on a pair of cheap headphones two years ago!!!!

If anything,a hardware sampler is going to sound better than a s/w one because all the components in it are optimised for accurate high quality sample playback with dedicated ASICs and algorithms specifically coded for hi-quality interpolation, accurate loop playback, minimal latency and DACs chosen specifically chosen for hi-quality audio playback... something many s/w pretenders can only dream of

Yes... admittedly, they may lack some of the 'bells and whistles' associated with the recent glut of s/w samplers but where they excel is the solid and dependable playback of samples. Plus they draw upon a longer history of sampling technology (20 years +) that has yet to be seen in some of the more modern s/w toys!!

The issue will be finding the right library to satisfy your needs (but that would be the same with a s/w sampler as well).

Probably best to move this thread to Rob's S5/6000 forum


Steve

[Failed Muso]

Hmmmm, can I also get some information about some products by Ron Popeil (I love infomercials).

jeffn1

I guess this is some attempt at sarcasm ?

[Failed Muso]

OK, the Z4 did not come with an 80GB fitted, so make sure you allow for this. As for 512GB, do you actually mean 512MB ? If you are referring to the maximum 512MB ram in the Z4, then yes, it copes perfectly fine.

Some websites state they are shipping the Z4 with 60GB or 80GB drives and 256 MB of RAM.

Ha! I did mean 512MB.

I own both a Z8 & S6000 and they are both excellent. The sampler can be used to modify the samples greatly, but that's the beauty. You can do whatever you need to get your own unique sound. If you are worried about the Akai's colouring the samples in a way that others don't, don't worry

I'm more worried about a review or 2 I've seen that complained the Z4 sounded "thin" though most reviews I've read have been very favorable.

If retailers are shipping these with HD's and extra RAM, then it's well worth getting. Try and get 512MB RAM if possible, as you will find it useful and there's no reason not to right now with memory still quite cheap. The HD size is neither here nor there. I have a 20GB drive in each of my Akai's and both are still only half full and I have some big libraries on there

As for the Z4 sounding thin, well, Steve summed that up very nicely

[BezO]

If anything,a hardware sampler is going to sound better than a s/w one because all the components in it are optimised for accurate high quality sample playback with dedicated ASICs and algorithms specifically coded for hi-quality interpolation, accurate loop playback, minimal latency and DACs chosen specifically chosen for hi-quality audio playback... something many s/w pretenders can only dream of

I believe the people were comparing the Z4 to other Akai samplers, not software.

[Failed Muso]

If anything,a hardware sampler is going to sound better than a s/w one because all the components in it are optimised for accurate high quality sample playback with dedicated ASICs and algorithms specifically coded for hi-quality interpolation, accurate loop playback, minimal latency and DACs chosen specifically chosen for hi-quality audio playback... something many s/w pretenders can only dream of

I believe the people were comparing the Z4 to other Akai samplers, not software.

Trust me, both the Z Series and the S5/6000 sound just fine They have dedicated DAC's and hardware and are not reliant on a computers OS, soundcard or other conflicting processes.

[Ben H]

I have a z4 (which i don't use too much anymore), but it always did/still does sound great.

The sound quality is excellent and clean, and the OS is rock solid.

My only disappointment is that AKAI never did develop the update to allow disk streaming so that I could fit some of the newer libraries onto it without running out of RAM. (Mind you clever programming can get you some of the way there).

But if you can get one cheap it makes a solid gigging machine.

In fact, the only reason I don't still use it today is that all the newer libraries come locked up in a Kompakt or VSTi player.

Hmmmm, might be time to get me a Muse Receptor

Ben H

[BezO]

A few more questions since I'm about to pull the trigger on this sampler.

Like I said in my initial post, I'm looking for libraries that provide individual note samples of instruments at varying velocities, not pre-recorded phrases. What is the technical name for those types of libraries/samples? Multi-samples?

Secondly, libraries that do provide pre-recorded phrases, do they generally provide the MIDI data for those phrases so that I can edit them in some way?

And I'm still a bit concerned about having only 512MB of RAM available. Most websites are not providing much information about RAM requirements, but I did see a few orchestral libraries recommending a minimum of 512MB. I'm hoping/guessing that's for more than one instrument. Generally speaking, how much RAM does a quality instrument/sample need? I would be looking to run at least a few instruments at a time. Would that be possible with just 512MB of RAM?

[jupiter8]

There is a huge difference between having 512 mB in your computer compared to having it in your sampler.

The sampler can use all of that for samples. A computer needs 512 mB just to run the OS and sequencer!!! A simplification but you get the point.