Round-Robin in VST-samplers / synthesizers

[HAL76]

I'd like an overview of which VST samplers / synthesizers can handle multisamples with round-robin layers, how to import and program them, and what limitations might apply.

The answers to this question will also provide insights into the differences between the samplers/synthesizers, which will be interesting for anyone trying to decide which sampler is right for them.

I personally use Steinberg Halion and also have Native Instruments Kontakt and TAL Sampler, which I will discuss below.

Thank you for your contributions and suggestions!

[HAL76]

Steinberg Halion 7:

Round-robin is provided via "Variation Groups."

The Variation Group must be activated for the layer containing all samples. There are several modes: Round Robin, Random, and Random Exclusive (the current sample). To my knowledge, there is no limit to the number of layers.

Creating round-robin programs is quick and easy. All files can be imported into a layer. Halion can extract the data from the filenames and headers. Afterward, you activate the Variation Group and then assign it to all samples simultaneously using the Zone Editor.

[HAL76]

Native Instruments Kontakt:

Round-robin is implemented via groups, meaning it alternates between previously created groups that contain all the samples of a layer.

A mode is then set for each group via the "Group start options": Cycle Round-Robin and Cycle Random. A number can be assigned to each group for the round-robin variation. To my knowledge, there is no limit to the number of groups.

Importing samples and creating programs is somewhat cumbersome and inconvenient. The samples must be imported separately for each group. Managing samples in Kontakt is also somewhat disadvantageous, as there is no list view for selecting, moving, and assigning samples.

[HAL76]

TAL Sampler

It has four layers, but does not offer round-robin.

[enroe]

In the sfz format - and this applies to many samplers(!) - it's very
simple:

1. At the <group> level, you define how many times the
round-robin should be. For example, 5 times here:

<group>
seq_length=5

2. At the <region> level, you can now define precisely for each
sample which round-robin pass it represents. In other words,
when it should be played:

<region>
seq_position=1

That's all there is to it. This procedure applies to an entire family
of samplers, so: sfizz, sforzando, Linux Sampler, Highlife, TAL-
sampler, Falcon, etc ... The whole list is here.

[HAL76]

In the sfz format - and this applies to many samplers(!) - it's very
simple:

1. At the <group> level, you define how many times the
round-robin should be. For example, 5 times here:

<group>
seq_length=5

2. At the <region> level, you can now define precisely for each
sample which round-robin pass it represents. In other words,
when it should be played:

<region>
seq_position=1

That's all there is to it. This procedure applies to an entire family
of samplers, so: sfizz, sforzando, Linux Sampler, Highlife, TAL-
sampler, Falcon, etc ... The whole list is here.

I ask myselft if all the samplers listed that can import / read .sfz will also understand the round robin and execute it right. TAL Sampler for example doesn´t offer round robin, so it will probably pass over the command.

[planetearth]

In the sfz format - and this applies to many samplers(!) - it's very
simple:

1. At the <group> level, you define how many times the
round-robin should be. For example, 5 times here:

<group>
seq_length=5

2. At the <region> level, you can now define precisely for each
sample which round-robin pass it represents. In other words,
when it should be played:

<region>
seq_position=1

That's all there is to it. This procedure applies to an entire family
of samplers, so: sfizz, sforzando, Linux Sampler, Highlife, TAL-
sampler, Falcon, etc ... The whole list is here.

I ask myselft if all the samplers listed that can import / read .sfz will also understand the round robin and execute it right. TAL Sampler for example doesn´t offer round robin, so it will probably pass over the command.

I was going to say something similar, that just because the format offers it, that doesn't necessarily mean the plug-ins do.

SampleTank 4 offers round-robin playback, but I haven't created any instruments, so I'm not sure how many samples you can use. I don't know if SampleTank 3 offered it (I don't think so), but I know SampleTank 2.x didn't. That said, ST3 and ST4 instruments are basically the same file format. And since round-robin playback is offered at the plug-in level (instead of the file level), ST3 instruments may offer it. But ST3 was never really stable on my system, so I didn't use it as often as I've used ST 2.5x and ST4.x

SampleTank Editor 4.0.2 (beta) has been in "beta" development for at least 6 years, but it finally offers a way for SampleTank users to create their own instruments. IKMM has never been big on letting users edit factory instruments at the sample layer or create their own instruments. But I just looked into some information on the editor, and realized it's ridiculously powerful for editing ST instruments—especially compared to what ST users have had for the last 15 years. The manual mentions using round-robin samples, but doesn't mention any limitations. I'm definitely going to check it out today.

Steve

Oh, and for what it's worth, the Kurzweil K2000S sampler doesn't offer round-robin options. Just thought I'd throw that in there.

[PTV]

Renoise Redux has round robin, also TAL-Drum but up to 8 layers and that includes velocity layers

[bfleming2025]

Apisonic audio's Speedrum2 has 16 sample layers per pad and round robin.

[enroe]

I ask myselft if all the samplers listed that can import / read .sfz will also understand the round robin and execute it right. TAL Sampler for example doesn´t offer round robin, so it will probably pass over the command.

Round Robin in sfz is version 1! This almost certainly means that
all sfz samplers also understand this "old format".

sfz round robin 01.gif

There's the "old" sfz v1 and the slightly more advanced sfz v2 (which
is backwards compatible). All samplers listed here understand at least sfz v1.

Since I don't use the TAL sampler, I can't say anything specific
about it. According to the list above, he should be able to play
round-robin.

[EuroHobbes]

Pigments has round robin on the sample and the granular engines. This is a blog post about setting it up for the sample engine:

https://sonicbuffet.com/blog/sonic-buff ... pigments-6

[PTV]

I ask myselft if all the samplers listed that can import / read .sfz will also understand the round robin and execute it right. TAL Sampler for example doesn´t offer round robin, so it will probably pass over the command.

Round Robin in sfz is version 1! This almost certainly means that
all sfz samplers also understand this "old format".


sfz round robin 01.gif


There's the "old" sfz v1 and the slightly more advanced sfz v2 (which
is backwards compatible). All samplers listed here understand at least sfz v1.

Since I don't use the TAL sampler, I can't say anything specific
about it. According to the list above, he should be able to play
round-robin.

Not all samplers support round robin so it doesn’t matter if they understand sfz v1, they won’t play the samples in round robin mode because this feature is not supported by the plugin. From my experience they’ll probably play all the samples that belongs to the specific key at the same time.

[HAL76]

I ask myselft if all the samplers listed that can import / read .sfz will also understand the round robin and execute it right. TAL Sampler for example doesn´t offer round robin, so it will probably pass over the command.

Round Robin in sfz is version 1! This almost certainly means that
all sfz samplers also understand this "old format".


sfz round robin 01.gif


There's the "old" sfz v1 and the slightly more advanced sfz v2 (which
is backwards compatible). All samplers listed here understand at least sfz v1.

Since I don't use the TAL sampler, I can't say anything specific
about it. According to the list above, he should be able to play
round-robin.

Not all samplers support round robin so it doesn’t matter if they understand sfz v1, they won’t play the samples in round robin mode because this feature is not supported by the plugin. From my experience they’ll probably play all the samples that belongs to the specific key at the same time.

I think so, too. They will pass by the command if they don´t have a RR option.

[HAL76]

AKAI MPC Software:

In Akai MPC Software you can assign multiple samples to a pad in Program Edit → Samples, then set the Play Mode / Cycle Mode to Cycle (Round Robin). The pad will then step through each of the four Layers sequentially on every trigger.

[Timtap]

Reason NN-XT has round robin