What Sampler???

[Axiz7]

...Meant to post this here, Sorry!

Hi all,

New here and i'm trying to get a handle on adding samples, i.e. drum loops, pads and other effects to my mainly acoustic music.

I'm using SX3 (wish i had Logic7 )...if that matters, And I'm looking to back up my tracks with a more "modern" feel.

Can anyone point me in what direction to go? Reason, Knotakt, Halion???

I'd appreciate hearing like material in the same genre...if you care to post your music.

Thanks Much!

[Failed Muso]

If you're using SX3, one option is to add REX files as loops to your existing tracks. The REX format is flexible so can therefore be "stretched to fit" your music without losing sonic fidelity. SX3 can read these directly and you can use software like ReCycle to create the REX files themselves.

You could use Reason, Rewired into SX, but this might be quite an expensive option.

There are many options and I've just listed two. Maybe you can give us a better idea of what you want to achieve and what budget you have. Also, what sort of skill level you're at as there's no point recommending something very complicated if you would struggle to use it

[Axiz7]

You could use Reason, Rewired into SX, but this might be quite an expensive option.

There are many options and I've just listed two. Maybe you can give us a better idea of what you want to achieve and what budget you have. Also, what sort of skill level you're at as there's no point recommending something very complicated if you would struggle to use it

Thanks Lovesign.

The REX files sound good. As far as what I'd like to achieve...I'm looking to add to the usual just drums, bass, acoustic guitar music that I do, and add sample drum loops, synth pad and other effects, with the ability to manipulate the sounds... to "update" my stuff. i.e. like most of the modern pop stuff that's out.

My "level of skill" with sampling is non existent. So yes, were starting from scratch in learning to "arrange" with samples. Any input on tutorials would be GREAT!

As far as cost I'll buy what's easiest to work with regardless of price...I could do without the headache's.

Thanks

[AKJ]

check also VSampler (it has a slicer included) www.vsampler.com or ni intakt

akj

[Sascha Franck]

You really need to know what sort of "enhancements" you're after.

In case you're after additional beats, you might get away fine using plain audio files in your sequencer - or REX files for the matter.

If you want to program your own beats, a proper drumsampler would be the tool of choice (usually way easier to handle than a "full" sampler). Things such as DR-008 (FXpansion), Battery (Native Instruments) or RMIV (Linplug) come to mind.

A sort of mixed approach might be using an integrated loop/drumsynth thing. Phatmatik (bitshift audio), Intakt (Native Instruments), MicroDicer (Concrete FX), Stylus (Spectrasonics) or GURU (FXpansion) come to mind. They're all doing different things, so it's best to check out the demos and/or websites.

Then, you're saying you want to add synth pads as well.
A sampler can do these as well, assuming you got proper "fodder" for it (patches that is). But you could as well get away with one of the countless freebies, especially when it comes to pads.

Personally, I'm mainly using samplers (in my case EXS24 and Kontakt) for two things:
- Playback of naturally sounding patches (that's what samplers were originally made for, at least sorta...).
- Mangling of my own recorded material. I may just slap a choire onto them and trigger it via MIDI. Or a guitar riff. Then modulate and pitch things, etc...

Of course, with nowadays samplers you usually get fully fledged synths as well. They're coming with filters, FX, LFOs, envelopes, all the stuff you usually get on a synthesizer.
So they're basically open for all sorts of stuff.

There's mainly three categories of samplers:
- "Traditionally" based ones. Those are best at playing back natural sounding patches, such as strings, brasses, pianos, whatever.
- Drumsamplers. These are dedicated for - well - drums. As said before, usually handling is quite easier as on full samplers.
- Specialized samplers. A lot of things would fit in here. Could be loopbased things or some samplers aiming at the tweakheads (Vemberaudios ShortCircuit for instance). Or a playback engine (such as SampleTank).

As said, you really gotta know what you're after. Samplers aren't exactly cheap.

[tee boy]

Personally, Im a Kontakt man. So I'll give you a simple answer and say Kontakt

[Axiz7]

AKJ,

Thanks looking at VSampler very cool.

___________________

Sascha,

Thanks fore the primer, really helped.

I'm thinking the "mixed approach" would be the ticket... I'll check them out.

___________________


And of course Kontakt, tee boy

...Anyone care to post some examples???


Much Thanks!

[bro. miles]

Don't overlook a ton of free samples available on the net in the form of Soundfonts. You can find an excellent free soundfont player at www.rgcaudio.com called sfz . This is a great way to get started with sampling, since this format is probably the most widely used. It's not the latest and greatest but don't let that stop you. If you are ready to spend serious bucks I would advise getting Kontakt. Both sfz and Kontakt work great with Cubase.

[Axiz7]

miles thanks!

sfz looks good. Think i'm leaning toward Kompakt as a starter or maybe Halion.

I like the way they intergrate with SX3...but I'm still trying to evaluate what's overkill, which a full out sampler seems to be for my needs.

As i listed above, the stuff I'm doing is a 50/50 trade off between live instruments/samples.

Possibly Intakt, but it seems to be just a player.

Thanks for the help.

[kodama]

Direct Wave, and get a seperate sampler for drum loops (rex or time stretch).

[M'Snah]

Don't forget to check some of the other threads on VSampler. I use it too, but sometimes it feels like an orphan product.

A totally different approach to sampling is the Wusikstation / Manystation route, which is a sample-based synth. You can start with 'just' playing your samples in it, check e.g. Manystation for really good guitar samples, and use the samples as 'fodder' for more complex synthesis using filters, modulation and effects in Wusikstation.

[AKJ]

Don't forget to check some of the other threads on VSampler. I use it too, but sometimes it feels like an orphan product.

I thnik that there is a good chance that there will be more life soon at VSampler. At least Maz is back and does good support now.

[paradiddle]

Cubase sx3 has all theses tools onboard for you to manipulate loops. Just read the section on hitpoints. With it, you can slice beats, use the timing of the groove to apply it to other thing. Along with the timestretch and the warp tabs, you can really come up with some nasty stuff.

New here and i'm trying to get a handle on adding samples, i.e. drum loops, pads and other effects to my mainly acoustic music.

I'm using SX3 (wish i had Logic7 )...if that matters, And I'm looking to back up my tracks with a more "modern" feel.

[Axiz7]

Cubase sx3 has all theses tools onboard for you to manipulate loops. Just read the section on hitpoints. With it, you can slice beats, use the timing of the groove to apply it to other thing. Along with the timestretch and the warp tabs, you can really come up with some nasty stuff.

Paradiddle,

Good point i'm starting to realize this!

And use cubase, and other effect's as needed...But a dedicated sampler/player has it's merits.

Still not sure what one to get! I'm not a Elactronica/Trance/Nip-Hop fan, just want to update my sound.

Sounds like I need both a drum machine ala Stylus RMX and maybe Hypersonic...or something that can import samples.

Thanks...this has been the best help so far on the WEB!

[Jeremy_NSL]

Sounds like you'd appreciate Stylus RMX. You can add a few loops in the background, and if done properly it certainly adds a more 'modern' and 'sophisticated' sound.