Can A Sampler Play An IMPORTED WAV or AIF File?

[GazzaWxZ-150420]

Hi, I have asked this on one other forum. I have also asked PMT 3 times over the last few years and not had any helpful response. I am trying to find a device of some sort, presumably a sampler … (I’m new to electronic music so I’m not sure what something that can do what I’m trying to do would be called) … that can play a WAV or AIF file, with a jack output, (instrument cable size quarter inch jack), so I can play song files from the device into mixer or PA.

I thought this would be quite common but I’m struggling to find anything. This is so that I can combine prerecorded electronic music with live instruments. I have been very surprised to have been unable to find anything that can do this. Can anybody help?

The device would need a USB input so I can put the song files into it, and a screen and controls so that you can select a track, play, stop and return to start of track. Does anybody know of anything that can do this job?

The only thing that has been suggested to me so far is an MP3 player with a small headphones output, and apparently the TC-Helicon Voicelive Extreme (£489) can do this but I have not seen the detail of this yet. i.e. how you operate the controls, or how you get your tracks into the device via USB input. Even if it can do it, I don’t need all the other features on that so I was wondering if there was anything (more easy to use) in the world of samplers that can do this. Thanks of your help.

[Michael L]

Would your phone/tablet, a music player app, and an iOS audio interface, do the job?

[Rockatansky]

It's called a computer.
It all depends on what exactly you want. Do you want something small and mobile, that runs on batteries and unbalanced connections? Then use an mp3 player or your mobile phone with an adapter cable. Do you want something serious for the rack, that runs on socket power and has balanced outputs? Then there are devices that read USB thumb drives, SD cards, or can even receive audio via Bluetooth, this is about 100€. (Can't say anything about the quality of the device, but it seems to tick all the boxes.)

[GazzaWxZ-150420]

I did think about a laptop computer. I forgot about that! but it would have to go out of a 1/8 inch headphone socket in that case. I don't think it matters if it's balanced or unbalanced or whether it runs on socket power and it would not be going on a rack because I need it near me at the mic. It would go on a table/stool or next to me on the floor. Something that has 1/4 inch outputs (or an output) would be better than a 1/8 inch like on an MP3 player because it would need to go into a 1/4 inch input so it would save me having to have an adapter but that is no big deal. What are the devices you know of? Thanks.

[cron]

Depending on the quality and volume you need, your phone could be a good shout. I've seen local bands play backing tracks from a phone and they've got by just fine. The area where that might fall down is if you're part of a roster of acts and you're 'competing for volume' with people using more capable equipment - for example a vinyl DJ, a band, or a digital DJ with access to a proper line output (same form factor/cable jack as a headphone output, but with much more output power.) I used to DJ from my laptop in the 00s and, even with an external soundcard praised for its high volume outputs, 'back-to-back' mixing with vinyl DJs used to be a nightmare because the vinyl guys were so much louder.

So yeah, I'd definitely think about trying your phone first, going out of the headphone jack with an adaptor, before looking at more expensive options like a CD-J with SD card slot or a full-on sampler. If there's not enough volume or things don't sound right, you can buy an external soundcard for your phone (well, for iPhones at least) which will give you a higher quality line output with a bit more output power.

[BertKoor]

The difference between 1/4" and 1/8" connectors is not important, there are adapters for that.
You probably want something simple. A laptop seems too clunky to me to operate on stage.

I've seen musicians use portable minidisc players for this, but these are out of fashion.

I guess you'd be sorted with a generic tablet (iPad or Android) Just set it on a music stand, and you can operate a simple music player app. Pick songs from predefined playing lists, etc... Seems not too much to ask, any software player could do fine.

[BertKoor]

The area where that might fall down is if you're part of a roster of acts and you're 'competing for volume' with people using more capable equipment - for example a vinyl DJ, a band, or a digital DJ with access to a proper line out output (same form factor/cable jack as a headphone output, but with much more output power.)

Headphone outputs are more powerful than line outputs. That is, the consumer type. Is it -4 dBv or -10 dBu? I always forget.

Anyway, let's not complicate things any further. There are at least three extra volume settings between the playing device and the speakers if it goes through a mixer for a PA. So volume power should be the least of your worries.

[Rockatansky]

What are the devices you know of? Thanks.

I made the word "this" in my previous post a link, maybe not quite obvious enough.
https://www.adj.com/media-operator-bt

[cron]

The area where that might fall down is if you're part of a roster of acts and you're 'competing for volume' with people using more capable equipment - for example a vinyl DJ, a band, or a digital DJ with access to a proper line out output (same form factor/cable jack as a headphone output, but with much more output power.)

Headphone outputs are more powerful than line outputs. That is, the consumer type. Is it -4 dBv or -10 dBu? I always forget.

Anyway, let's not complicate things any further. There are at least three extra volume settings between the playing device and the speakers if it goes through a mixer for a PA. So volume power should be the least of your worries.

Oh right! That's a bit of a clunker on my behalf. Yeah, definitely worth trying a phone as-is before dropping money elsewhere then.

[vurt]

laptop or pad if you need a decent screen to see what youre doing.

most "samplers" wont hold a great deal of full yracks, due to filesize and even then will offer minimalist visual display, so that may factor in.

keep it simple.

[GazzaWxZ-150420]

Thanks Rockatansky, I didn't notice the link! I'll check that out. It sounds like a portable MP3 player will be the best option, with headphones out. I'll look into those tomorrow. That would be the best option for open mics for sure. However, TBH, and this might be a bit sad! I was hoping to find something that looks a bit cool to use in videos of me playing live in the practice room. I make videos for my YT channel and I just thought it would look at bit crap playing with an MP3 player. A lap top wouldn't look any cooler. I think I've developed an unhealthy obsession with finding something that looks cool when I should just find something that works!

[GazzaWxZ-150420]

Ok, I've ordered a 5 metre male to male headphones cable (3.5mm jack) and two MP3 players. Bush 8GB With Display for £33.94 and a Sony 8GB NWE394 for £73.94. These should arrive tomorrow and I can see which does the job best. I've got a feeling the Bush isn't compatible with Apple Mac but we'll see. One thing that has occurred to me is if you can't set it so it stops at the end of the track it will be annoying. The next song in the play list will start when I'm not ready! Also any stereo information on my drum tracks will be lost when it goes into the PA or Mixer but that's no big deal.

[BertKoor]

Also any stereo information on my drum tracks will be lost when it goes into the PA or Mixer but that's no big deal.

If you also get an adapter from 3.5mm TRS female stereo to splitted 1/4" TS male, such as this, then I don't see how/why that would happen.

[GazzaWxZ-150420]

That is a fantastic invention! I will get one of those for sure but probably will just use a mono 3.5mm to 1/4 inch clip/adapter usually because the PA I use in practice has only got single mono jack inputs, unless I put L in one and R into a different channel, and I think all of the places I play open mics have the same, PAs with single jack inputs.

My main concern is the player going onto the next song because at the end of most songs there is some fade out of guitar and sometimes vocals after the drumming stops, and it would just go into the next song when I'm milking the ending. I suppose I could add some silence at the end of the drum tracks if I can't make it stop at the end of the song. But that's not ideal.

Thanks for the adapter Bert.

[Septimon]

the PA I use in practice has only got single mono jack inputs, unless I put L in one and R into a different channel

What keeps you from doing so?
Pan first channel to the left, second to the right: here is your stereo Sound.