How do you play your samples?

[tee boy]

Just curious, how do you trigger your samples - keyboard, score editor, step editor, midi controller? Im compiling some personal sample libraries (mainly guitar) and Im pondering over the best way to do it. I use the step editor in Cubase for everything, but i know this has its advantages and disadvantages ie, I can control large sample libraries very accurately using graphical controllers yet I find it difficult to get a real 'played' sound. Then again, if i used a keyboard i would get the right feel but have less ability to switch articulations etc. I suppose this is where keyswitching and the various pedals etc come into play. Then there is the other controllers - I have a Roland guitar controller which would be perfect for guitar libraries, but I have no hands free to switch articulations etc!

How do you 'play' your samples, and why? Do you go for the real time goodness of a keyboard or prefer the more detailed programming approach?

Thanks

[AD80]

Definitely midi Keyboard. And my Akai MPD16.

[tee boy]

Cool, so you find you have the ability to switch articulations and apply controllers in realtime? Do you use the various wheels and pedals much? Im not much of a keyboard player so when doing this stuff i often have to patch up my work later in the editor. Guess this is why of usually opt to program from the start.

[AD80]

Well my method is to play it on the keyboard then edit the midy by hand in the piano roll. Its tedius but works for me.

[crazed one]

Well my method is to play it on the keyboard then edit the midy by hand in the piano roll. Its tedius but works for me.

I pretty much do the same thing. Get it close after a few takes and then clean it up in the midi editor. I use a midi controller (Oxygen 8, nice and cheap )

Mostly I prefer the programming approach for everything midi.

[xander]

Well my method is to play it on the keyboard then edit the midy by hand in the piano roll. Its tedius but works for me.

I pretty much do the same thing. Get it close after a few takes and then clean it up in the midi editor. I use a midi controller (Oxygen 8, nice and cheap )

Mostly I prefer the programming approach for everything midi.

Hey Crazed - I was thinking about getting that Oxygen 8 controller - So you like it? How's that little keyboard? Does it feel OK and good weight to the keys, etc.?

[factorypresets]

I would love to use a keyboard but I'm such a crap player that I often just pencil the notes in. Which is especially useful for grooves that don't just fall under my fingers. With snap turned off and a bit of zoom I can get better pockets to sit in than I usually can by playing the keyboard.

In fact I mainly use the keys just for finding notes by ear.

[ugo]

i use a keyboard for most samples, but for drums i use a combintion of keyboard and a midi drum kit. i have a yamaha bass-to-midi setup too but i dont use it much.

the keyboard is conveniant, fast and easy for most situations. but different controller types make me play differently. thats why i have the drum kit and the midi bass setup. completely different interfaces, with different strengths and weaknesses, can help inspire new grooves and melodies.

im a terrible keyboard and drum player so im always quantizing and/or editing by hand. im a good bass player, but the midi module's tracking isnt the greatest with the lower notes, so quanize comes to the rescue once again.

-ugo