The Greatest Secret Of 128 Velocity Layers In Sampling ?

[Stukas Audio]

In this video, I look into achieving rich dynamics, usually associated with physically modelled virtual instruments, using a sample-based approach.
In the process, I run some experiments, look at historical formulas and apply the results to achieve smooth dynamic expression in sample-based virtual instruments. Can we achieve expressive results with only a handful of samples?
Oh... and there is a free Kontakt instrument at the end.

[bluesawsq]

In this video, I look into achieving rich dynamics, usually associated with physically modelled virtual instruments, using a sample-based approach.
In the process, I run some experiments, look at historical formulas and apply the results to achieve smooth dynamic expression in sample-based virtual instruments. Can we achieve expressive results with only a handful of samples?

Thanks for the great video.

You could create similar morphing between samples also inside Kontakt using AET filters.
With AET filters you can work in Kontakt directly with original samples. No need to use any external plugins or preprocessed samples.
Also, AET filter can be even more expressive. You can modulate the AET morph also while a note is playing. Velocity crossfade can change sound only at the start of each note.

[Stukas Audio]

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[Stukas Audio]

In this video, I look into achieving rich dynamics, usually associated with physically modelled virtual instruments, using a sample-based approach.
In the process, I run some experiments, look at historical formulas and apply the results to achieve smooth dynamic expression in sample-based virtual instruments. Can we achieve expressive results with only a handful of samples?

Thank you!
Yes, the AET filter is buggy, especially with 48khz samples (plus CPU inefficient). That's why it's hardly used by professional developers. The approach I demonstrated (out-of-Kontakt FFT) also allows you to crossfade while the sample is playing (just create two groups; one for each sample).
Having said that, I have a video in the works where I will be demonstrating an unexpected function involving Kontakt's AET filter that only a few professionals are aware of.

[bluesawsq]

Yes, the AET filter is buggy, especially with 48khz samples (plus CPU inefficient). That's why it's hardly used by professional developers.

Too bad. Bugs in AET user interface are quite annoying, but I didn't know there are bugs also in audio processing. I've been working mostly with 44.1kHz samples.

The approach I demonstrated (out-of-Kontakt FFT) also allows you to crossfade while the sample is playing (just create two groups; one for each sample).

True, that's pretty easy. Just a bit more manual work compared to built-in morphing support in AET filter inside single group. An internal modulator, like LFO or envelope, cannot be assigned to multiple groups. Thus, we need to copy the same modulator to those crossfaded groups and remember to edit them at the same time. That can be cumbersome, especially in complex layered patches.

Having said that, I have a video in the works where I will be demonstrating an unexpected function involving Kontakt's AET filter that only a few professionals are aware of.

Awesome, looking forward to that.

[EvilDragon]

Can you please share which bugs in AET user interface you're talking about? Thanks!

[Stukas Audio]

Just in case the question was directed to both of us, I did not mention the user interface. The bugs I am referring to are mainly the occasional pops and clicks in projects with 48kHz samples. Also, if I process a few zones, my CPU is overwhelmed (not considered a bug I guess).

I suspect that bluesawsq refers to this little bug when naming the morph layers in AET. It won't let you type the name for the layer. You have to click OK with an empty field, receive the warning "please supply a name for the new morph layer", and only then you can actually type a name. I assumed that was my specific setup, and since it's a minor bug I can live with, I did not think much of it.

[bluesawsq]

Can you please share which bugs in AET user interface you're talking about? Thanks!

The 'Name' field in 'Create AET Morph Layer' dialog does not work when you first click the text entry area. The text cursor just disappears and you cannot type any text there. You need to click some other element first, for example 'Root key shift'. Then the 'Name' field starts to work properly.

Right after opening the 'Create Morph Map' dialog a cursor is immediately blinking in the Map name text entry area, indicating that you could start typing the name, but you cannot type any text. You need to click that area first, the you can enter text. Also, while the 'Create Morph Map' dialog is open and you switch focus temporarily to some other application, then the name entry area stops working. Same buggy behaviour as in 'Create AET Morph Layer' name area. You have to click some other controls first to get the Map name editing working again.

When clicking on 'Edit Morph Map' button on a working AET filter instance where Map is already loaded, it opens 'Create Morph Map' dialog but it does not show the Map that is currently loaded. It shows the Map that was first created. You have to manually change to the correct map using the Map drop-down menu.

After selecting a Morph Map from the drop-down menu in AET filter, the Morph curve view stays empty until some note is played. This one, I'm not sure if it's a bug or intended feature, but sometimes it feels a bit annoying. And when adjusting the Morph knob the Morph curve view updates only when a note is playing. Same thing, not sure if it's a bug.

[EvilDragon]

Gotcha! Will investigate. Definitely feels like a bug.

After selecting a Morph Map from the drop-down menu in AET filter, the Morph curve view stays empty until some note is played. This one, I'm not sure if it's a bug or intended feature, but sometimes it feels a bit annoying. And when adjusting the Morph knob the Morph curve view updates only when a note is playing. Same thing, not sure if it's a bug.

This one might be by design tho.