Sampling Help?

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muzeman

muzeman

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Hi all,

I was wondering if some of you guys with sampler/sequencer setups could help me out?

Here's the thing,

I'm looking to get some drum/synth sounds for my setup.
Iv'e been looking at a decent synth or sound module.

In the past Iv'e owned two drum machine/synth modules.

It was the same thing with both,I had a total of over a thousand sounds between the two of them,and used only one drum kit the whole time I had them.

What I would like to do is try sampling.
I'm only looking for a handfull of sounds,and I can't see buying an expensive module for this.

Problem is I have no clue at all about sampeling!
I have between $4-500 to get me started.

What I'd like to know is,
Can I mabey get a sampler now for that much,use it for synths and add a sequencer later?

Do they make a unit that just plays back samples you buy,and are high quality samples available?

I don't use a computer,my DAW is completely midi ready though.

Most of my stuff is acoustic,so I'm looking for high quality,clean sounds.
Any help you guys can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Pete

Sorry about the cross post,I wasn't sure which forum to put this in.
 
Not sure what your question is. There are sound modules for any budget but it depends on what sounds you need. Most sound modules are based on real samples and some have the ability to add sample cards, Kurzweil K series for example.

What types of sounds are you looking for? You might be able to find a used Akai sampler for that price. EMU has some cheap modules for dance and techno stuff.
 
Tex,

Thanks for the reply.
I'm looking for some backround synth and string sounds,and drum samples I can sequence for my songs.

I'll definatly check into the Akai,think I'll have to save some more money though.

I am looking into samplers because I feel most of the sound modules and synths don't have sound quality suitable for acoustic work,unless you pay what you'd pay for a good sampler anyway.
And a sampler that you can buy cards for seems more versitile.

Do you do any sample work?
If so how do you like it?

Thanks,
Pete
 
I'm looking at the Sam ash site,they have 110 samplers listed!

What should I look for in a sampler?
Is there any brand I should stay away from?

I'd like to get some good sweet string,synth and organ sounds as well as good drum sounds,and have the ability to add purchased sounds as well.

I'm doing miked acoustic guitar and vocal work,and looking for backround accompaniment that's suitable.

Are add on samples generic,or by the same manufacturer only?

Sorry for so many questions,but I'm really clueless with this stuff.

Thanks,
Pete
 
I was just looking at this one;

EM-U-6230 ESI-2000 Sampler-$599

64 voice polyphony allows you to layer and playback huge sequences. Upgradeable to 128MB of RAM (4MB standard) lets load gigantic sounds and banks 64 digital 6-pole filters (19 different types) to tweak your sounds and fit them in your mix. 4 analog outputs (expandable to 8 plus a stereo-effects output and S/PDIF digital I/O with the Turbo Option Board) for maximum flexibility. It also features a full suite of editing DSP tools, plus doppler, Aphex Aural Exciter, tuning, time compression/expansion, and transform multiplication. SCSI interface for easy integration with your computer, CD-ROM, and other storage media. A huge sound library is available from E-Mu and third party companies.
Features:


1,000 presets
16-part multitimbrality
4MB of RAM expandable to 128MB
4 analog line level unbalanced outputs expandable to eight (adds four S/PDIF) with Turbo Option Board
2 analog inputs (also with S/PDIF added with Turbo)
Full suite of editing DSP effects, plus Doppler, Aphex Aural Exciter, tuning, time compression/expansion, and transform multiplication

What do you think?
Is 4 meg enough ram?
How is the sound quality on the E-MU stuff?


Thanks,
Pete
 
You might consider a computer, a nice sound card and Gigasampler software. But that would probably spike your limit.

On the lowest end (if you already have a computer), you'd be amazed what you can do with a Sound Blaster Live or Audigy soundcard (under $100) and some good Sound Fonts...
 
AlChuck,
Thanks for the tips.
I definatly think a computer is a good way to go,just can't swing it right now.
Gigisampler looks awsome though!

Pete
 
You really need to go hear them. Just because a unit is called a sampler doesnt mean it will sound more realistic than a synth based unit.

Almost all aoustic instrument sounds in keyboards are based on a sampled sound. The difference in quality will be in the amount of memory used for that sound and the number of samples per octave and velocity level.

But none of the specs will tell you how it sounds.

Based on what you are looking for I would recomend the Kurzweil K2600 or the Yamaha Motif.
 
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