EXS-12 - an EMU SP12 emulation for Logic

[SWAN808]

EXS-12 is a collaboration between me and a friend. It consists of a replacement GUI for the EXS24 sampler - and a set ofSP12 emulation channel strip presets using a specific plugin chain to match audio examples of the EMU SP12 - and it costs €10.



On discussing possibilities for EXS24 re-design we decided that the SP12 was a good subject - and it turns out I have been analysing audio from the SP12 - and have made some Logic Presets for my own use - which we decided to put into a package for people to use if they like that old school sound.

In my tests I noticed the extra 'knock' and crunch people talk about with vintage samplers when compared to a dry file appears to be a combination of saturation, transient shaping, bit reduction/sample rate reduction and clipping as well as a frequency balance change. I found I can get pretty close to the original sampler sound by adding in small amounts of bitcrush, saturation (Airwindows free Density2), transient attack, and then using match EQ to match audio from the real SP12 audio vs original.
Check out the audio demos and comparison to the actual SP12. You have the usual normal SP12 levels, Driven SP12, SP12 Pitch down and 3 other settings…making 6 presets in all that can be added to EXS, Instruments and Audio Tracks and Busses - from the drop down settings menu on each track. They load pretty much instantly. Of course you can also modify them yourself, add drive and adjust the EQ curve etc…

I hope they are useful for adding a bit of texture, punch, crunch and reducing the shrill high freqs on your tracks…



To get hold of the SP12 GUI and presets please go to Matthews blog and its €10 via the Polish paypal button

LOGIC PRO X THEMES
http://logicproxthemes.blogspot.co.uk/

Install instructions with the download. Also required the excellent Density2 you can download for free - and check out the other great free airwindows plugins:

Airwindows Audio Unit Plugins
http://www.airwindows.com/freebies.html

The demos below are comparisons to the Hardware SP12 vs Logic SP12 Presets…dont forget to compare to the original to hear the difference...note I also matched the Emax at 16k which became preset 'Crunch 2'.

Also there is a Hip Hop beat and Lounge style House beat with some presets applied…

mp3 here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByOzK- ... sp=sharing
.wavs here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByO...it?usp=sharing

demos online here:

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/new-prod ... logic.html

[Uncle E]

Extremely cool!

Have you compared your presets to D16's Decimort?

[SWAN808]

Extremely cool!

Have you compared your presets to D16's Decimort?

Hi Eric glad you like it - yeah I tested many emulations over time...Decimort has a decent drive and clipper in it and the results are similar although I like Airwindows drive a lot and it has a wider sweet spot IMO...also if you do some ITB bitcrushing it helps to have a linear phase match EQ at the end of the chain based on the hardware shape - because ITB bit/Sample rate reduction kicks up a lot of harsh freq which the EQ then compensates for-and you still get a warm sound...in the presets the EQ curve was matched 'post' driving and crushing to make the most accurate result...

[michael2]

looks interesting. can you toggle between your GUI and the stock GUI? I'm so used to it for everything I do (even if it's ugly as hell).

do you have any demos that I don't have to download? like on sound cloud or something?

[SWAN808]

hi michael - Im afraid you cant toggle skins in Logic - you just have to put the assets in a certain place...described in the install...but you can change back as you like...I would not use the original EXS GUI now! Same with the Logic X interface also tbh...

you can listen to some demos online here

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/new-prod ... logic.html

[michael2]

thanks, will check it out when I get home from work.

[SWAN808]

just thought Id bump this in case anyone else was interested

[Uncle E]

I'll post a link to this thread in the "90's synths" thread.

[cocoazenith]

Wow. That blog is chock full of goodies. Had no idea you could skin Logic devices. Good job!