Best sample format for conversion to ManyStation?
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- Mod-ulator
- 2895 posts since 31 Oct, 2000 from "Where I'm to, There I'll be"
1st... What Sample converter are you going to be using? I am assuming Extreme Sample Converter as it does WusikSnd files?
Regardless of what you use though, I would do some tests in it first to see how it coverts various formats for you. Usually Soundfont converts great to ManyStation instruments but remember soundfonts are 16bit. If some of the libraries you want have a 24 bit version then I would suggest it.
Some other problems could arise from converting samples also. One that pops to mind is that some other formats have tuning adjustments made in the sampler to tune the samples correctly. When you convert though you may get the raw incorrectly tuned samples. (Have not seen this a lot but we have seen it).
Converting is a bit of a trial and error process, so just test your conversion app and formats to see what works best for you.
Paul
Regardless of what you use though, I would do some tests in it first to see how it coverts various formats for you. Usually Soundfont converts great to ManyStation instruments but remember soundfonts are 16bit. If some of the libraries you want have a 24 bit version then I would suggest it.
Some other problems could arise from converting samples also. One that pops to mind is that some other formats have tuning adjustments made in the sampler to tune the samples correctly. When you convert though you may get the raw incorrectly tuned samples. (Have not seen this a lot but we have seen it).
Converting is a bit of a trial and error process, so just test your conversion app and formats to see what works best for you.
Paul
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 179 posts since 1 May, 2007 from Apartment Zero
yep, I'd be using ESC, and would prefer to convert from a 24-bit format.
Using Sonic Implants as an example, there are usually multiple 24-bit choices for a particular library -- Gigasampler2, Kontakt, Akai, Kurzweil, etc.
Are there any issues or caveats specific to a particular format, when converting for use with ManyStation? Or, is one of the formats listed above more likely than the others to translate well?
I realize it'll take some experimentation to sort this out completely, but figured it'd be good to ask first if there are any known issues, so I don't have to discover them the hard way
Using Sonic Implants as an example, there are usually multiple 24-bit choices for a particular library -- Gigasampler2, Kontakt, Akai, Kurzweil, etc.
Are there any issues or caveats specific to a particular format, when converting for use with ManyStation? Or, is one of the formats listed above more likely than the others to translate well?
I realize it'll take some experimentation to sort this out completely, but figured it'd be good to ask first if there are any known issues, so I don't have to discover them the hard way
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- "The" Jazz
- 4614 posts since 18 Aug, 2004 from California, United States
I have a bunch of Sonic Implants soundfonts I bought long ago. I know some of the drum sounds don't play in SFZ correctly, which tells me that there's some soundfont-specific trickery going on when they mapped the soundfont (they use lots of layers in their drum sounds).
I would guess that all the instruments should translate fine, from Giga, Kontakt, Akai, etc. formats of Sonic Implants sounds. You might experience some translation difficulty with the drum sounds, though.
I would guess that all the instruments should translate fine, from Giga, Kontakt, Akai, etc. formats of Sonic Implants sounds. You might experience some translation difficulty with the drum sounds, though.
Greg Schlaepfer
Orange Tree Samples
Ultra-realistic sample libraries for Kontakt
Orange Tree Samples
Ultra-realistic sample libraries for Kontakt
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- Mod-ulator
- 2895 posts since 31 Oct, 2000 from "Where I'm to, There I'll be"
The best I could suggest for you is to download some free sets that are on the net in the various formats you mention and run them through ESC and see what works and what does not. There are some free Kontakt, Akai and Giga sets out there to test on.
It may give you a better idea before you spend your money anyways.
Paul
It may give you a better idea before you spend your money anyways.
Paul
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 179 posts since 1 May, 2007 from Apartment Zero
OK, thanks -- since you guys don't have any particular caveats (other than the soundfont and drum issues) that answers my question -- if there was something to look out for who would know better.
yep, downloading freebies and testing is the obvious thing -- unfortunately I live in what has to be the last few acres of any developed nation where absolutely no broadband is available. So it's hard to get a comprehensive picture from downloads.
This is all fairly new to me -- I drifted away from using computers for music mid-90s sometime, and only recently got back into it. Things have changed since then (he said, mildly). I'm hoping to limit the learning curve (and expense) by sticking to a few VSTis.
I really like ManyStation, nice interface, stable, easy to tweak, and I'd like to use it as a general purpose sample player. If there's some reason I shouldn't do that, tell me now, before I order CDs
yep, downloading freebies and testing is the obvious thing -- unfortunately I live in what has to be the last few acres of any developed nation where absolutely no broadband is available. So it's hard to get a comprehensive picture from downloads.
This is all fairly new to me -- I drifted away from using computers for music mid-90s sometime, and only recently got back into it. Things have changed since then (he said, mildly). I'm hoping to limit the learning curve (and expense) by sticking to a few VSTis.
I really like ManyStation, nice interface, stable, easy to tweak, and I'd like to use it as a general purpose sample player. If there's some reason I shouldn't do that, tell me now, before I order CDs
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- Mod-ulator
- 2895 posts since 31 Oct, 2000 from "Where I'm to, There I'll be"
Well, I agree with you fully about ManyStation and I am sure it can do what you want and more.
But as we don't make the converter program, (though I own ESC), I can't really comment how well sample formats from other companies will convert for you. That's mainly because Greg and I use our own samples in ManyStation (Mapped with the ManyMapper) and don't convert other samples ourselves.
There may be issues you'll run into that we don't know ourselves, due to us not making the sample converter program. That was why I suggested trying a few free sets ....but I can see how that is tough being in a slow net area.
I have a few other formats here.... I'll do some tests for you in ESC over the next days and get back to you once I do. Maybe Greg can even try a few of his Sonic Implants sets too....we'll see how busy he is.
That may help you out.
Paul
But as we don't make the converter program, (though I own ESC), I can't really comment how well sample formats from other companies will convert for you. That's mainly because Greg and I use our own samples in ManyStation (Mapped with the ManyMapper) and don't convert other samples ourselves.
There may be issues you'll run into that we don't know ourselves, due to us not making the sample converter program. That was why I suggested trying a few free sets ....but I can see how that is tough being in a slow net area.
I have a few other formats here.... I'll do some tests for you in ESC over the next days and get back to you once I do. Maybe Greg can even try a few of his Sonic Implants sets too....we'll see how busy he is.
That may help you out.
Paul
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- KVRAF
- 4054 posts since 8 Jan, 2005 from Hamilton, New Zealand
Soundfont 2.3 upwards supports 24-bit.
m@
m@
I make music: progressive-acoustic | electronica/game-soundtrack work | progressive alt-metal
Win 10/11 Simplifier | Also, Specialized C++ containers
Win 10/11 Simplifier | Also, Specialized C++ containers
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 179 posts since 1 May, 2007 from Apartment Zero
yeah, any observations will be helpful. No hurry, I can imagine you're busy.
FWIW, I've only bought two VSTis so far, ManyStation and Jamstix, both on the basis of mp3 downloads (on the theory that if it the demo sounds good, then everything else is secondary). It's a complete bonus that you guys have turned out to be so helpful and responsive to questions. Thanks, once again.
FWIW, I've only bought two VSTis so far, ManyStation and Jamstix, both on the basis of mp3 downloads (on the theory that if it the demo sounds good, then everything else is secondary). It's a complete bonus that you guys have turned out to be so helpful and responsive to questions. Thanks, once again.