DS-404 - Oh I get it now....

[CypherOne]

All,

I was one of the folks slating the DS-404 as unintuitive (which it is...). But, over the weekend I started tinkering with it and I actually ended up using it in a tune I was writing. I read some of the manual and got fed up (I don't have a printer so trying to read that and look what I was doing with the sampler did my head in....). In the end, I gave up on the manual and went really mad and started seeing what happened if I pressed various buttons, and I kind of got the hang of it!

So, I suppose this is a half-hearted apology. My knowledge has come a long way since I first started out (I still know next to nothing!) and I had no clue what I was doing when I last tried DS-404. Now, a year or so later, at least I know what I'm trying to do, even if I don't know how to do it!

So, as I said, I finally made use of DS-404 in a track, by looping and mutating a vocal sample and making use of the very nice filters.....

I do have to say that I'm still a bit lost as to what a sampler can do for me, but that's my limitation not the software.

Cheers.

[Muon Software Ltd]

In the end, I gave up on the manual and went really mad and started seeing what happened if I pressed various buttons, and I kind of got the hang of it!

I always thought that nobody would be able to get the hang of it just by pressing buttons.....my mistake and I apologise

Regards
Dave

[skybax]

I just got DS-404 yesterday with CM
First, I was very confused because it didn't respond like I expected
Then I tried to observe the text on the screen and figure out how the "function keys" work, and after a few minutes I got the hang of it...

...But I still hate the system

I'll probably learn to use it a bit, it seems like a good tool (the instruments and plugs I like the most are the SIMPLE+effective ones!)

Last night when testing, I loaded a longish, really good sounding tom hit sample from a drumkit and mapped it, then in Muzys I made a short beat sequence(kind of a kick-snare drumbeat, but the tom playing both the "snare" and "kick" )

I then started trying out the filters and LFO's that had a nice sounding effect on the sample.
I couldn't get the "release" in the envelopes to work at all, though
And the sample was clicking as it was getting retriggered before it had completely faded out, which, actually sounded kind of cool
After this I also wanted to try OHMYGOD! for the first time.
So I was processing the drum with ohmygod, with a lfo controlled comb filter -- it started to sound pretty wicked
I wanted to stir up things a little bit and added a LoFi2(I think) plug after ohmygod with a bit of bitcrushing, and still after that, a slight distortion using Predatohm...

I tell you, it was crazy ... I didn't think it was possible to get this really wicked, super-phat, bashing industrialish beat with crunchy snare'ish sounds -- from a single tom sample
(OK this has very little to do with DS-404, though )

But the point is, that, imo, this CM Studio stuff is really good! (well, it has to be as they have ComputerMuzys as a part of the "bundle" )
(Although Predatohm is not a freebie and Lofi is not a CM plug)

I was a bit disappointed with CM-505, though
I don't have any use for it at all, I'm afraid.

(sorry for OT'ing, seems it's becoming kind of a habit for me)

[Muon Software Ltd]

I couldn't get the "release" in the envelopes to work at all, though
And the sample was clicking as it was getting retriggered before it had completely faded out, which, actually sounded kind of cool

Please read the manual, see the section on sample playback modes.

Regards
Dave
Muon Software Ltd
www.muon-software.com

[Jemino]

I for one like the DS404 UI. I find it quite straightforward. What would make it perfect would be keyboard shortcuts (like F1 for "F1"... ). This and mousewheel support (for the data entry knob) would allow for lightning fast work.

Nice piece of software anyway

Cheers
JM

[skybax]

What would make it perfect would be keyboard shortcuts (like F1 for "F1"... ). This and mousewheel support (for the data entry knob) would allow for lightning fast work.

Very good idea!

[Caleb]

I just wanted to reiterate that I believe this tool to be an extremely important and valuable tool for both the MAC and PC platforms.

This is usually the tool I recommend for people starting out who need a sampler. Buy CM and get CM Studio - simple as that.

Any problems with the UI can be overcome and then you have access to a pretty damn fine sampler with great filters and a lot of potential. It even adds value to ComputerMuzys which is limited to single timbral VSTi - except for DS404. Good stuff!