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Using a sampler as a wavetable synth
Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 5:46 pm
by back2onett
There's been a few posts on here recently about resampling single cycle waveforms, looping them and then using them as synths which is something I've been into for a while and it can get some great results.
So I'm wodering can you use this same technique for hardware samplers like the Korg micro sampler? I know nothing about hardware samplers but I'm assuming they have roughly the same functions as DAW samplers.
I've been saving up for a VA synth but now I'm wondering if I'd be better off buying a hardware sampler and getting a sampler and a wavetable combined (well bascially)
Any thoughts on this? Does anyone here use a hardware sampler for this kind of thing?
Re: Using a sampler as a wavetable synth
Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 6:00 pm
by boko91
Hardware Samplers are great. Used to have a akai 3000 but very limited memory! mite be different now in this new age of wonderfull technology
Re: Using a sampler as a wavetable synth
Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 6:24 pm
by Sharmaji
hardware synths still exist because there's alot of mojo you can get out of a synth in it's build.
as far as samplers go: software won. It's much much MUCH easier working with samples with a proper visual interface. I for one don't miss my old akai one bit. Though i know deadly likes his.
Re: Using a sampler as a wavetable synth
Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 6:55 pm
by 3za
Sharmaji wrote:hardware synths still exist because there's alot of mojo you can get out of a synth in it's build.
as far as samplers go: software won. It's much much MUCH easier working with samples with a proper visual interface. I for one don't miss my old akai one bit. Though i know deadly likes his.
Kontakt.
Re: Using a sampler as a wavetable synth
Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 6:58 pm
by deadly_habit
Sharmaji wrote:hardware synths still exist because there's alot of mojo you can get out of a synth in it's build.
as far as samplers go: software won. It's much much MUCH easier working with samples with a proper visual interface. I for one don't miss my old akai one bit. Though i know deadly likes his.
i like it for the character it gives to drums mainly, the converters and some other reasons, convenience sake though...
Re: Using a sampler as a wavetable synth
Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 7:08 pm
by SunkLo
I imagine Kontakt can morph through a series of single wave samples similar to a wavetable synth? Any easy way to do it? Like stitch a bunch of cycles together and have a knob to scrub through them. I'm thinking a granular synth would give you something similar. Alchemy maybe, it's pretty good with samples?
Re: Using a sampler as a wavetable synth
Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 7:12 pm
by back2onett
SunkLo wrote:I imagine Kontakt can morph through a series of single wave samples similar to a wavetable synth? Any easy way to do it? Like stitch a bunch of cycles together and have a knob to scrub through them. I'm thinking a granular synth would give you something similar. Alchemy maybe, it's pretty good with samples?
I know in FL you can automate the levels of each cycle which gives a similar effect, just with a lot more effort.
Re: Using a sampler as a wavetable synth
Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 10:57 pm
by back2onett
So as far as samplers go I'm better off sticking with software?
Re: Using a sampler as a wavetable synth
Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 11:12 pm
by deadly_habit
back2onett wrote:So as far as samplers go I'm better off sticking with software?
unless you're after a certain aspect of the sampler like the converters, bit rates, filters...
Re: Using a sampler as a wavetable synth
Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 11:22 pm
by paravrais
I only just figured out how to actually do this in abletons sampler earliar today!! (one simple button i'd never clicked before lol) wish I had figured it out in time for the sample comp, oh well theres always next time

Re: Using a sampler as a wavetable synth
Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 11:51 am
by jobbanaught
back2onett wrote:There's been a few posts on here recently about resampling single cycle waveforms, looping them and then using them as synths which is something I've been into for a while and it can get some great results.
So I'm wodering can you use this same technique for hardware samplers like the Korg micro sampler? I know nothing about hardware samplers but I'm assuming they have roughly the same functions as DAW samplers.
I've been saving up for a VA synth but now I'm wondering if I'd be better off buying a hardware sampler and getting a sampler and a wavetable combined (well bascially)
Any thoughts on this? Does anyone here use a hardware sampler for this kind of thing?
A wavetable comprises lots of slightly different wave snippets and allows to change the wave during playback. So it does more than just repeating some cycles of a wave. But if you like the sound, try Waldorf Blofeld, its a wavetable synth, and its huge.
Re: Using a sampler as a wavetable synth
Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 12:03 pm
by contakt321
back2onett wrote:So as far as samplers go I'm better off sticking with software?
I think so.
Unless like Deadly mentioned you are using it to process drum hits and such.
For what you are looking to do, it's approximately 1,000,000,000x easier to do in a computer. The interface, and workflow is way better, and soft samplers are infinitely more powerful.
PS: This is coming from someone who does own and use hardware samplers alongside soft samplers
Re: Using a sampler as a wavetable synth
Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 12:39 am
by Bodega
I used hardware samplers for years and when I think of the pain in the ass it was to transfer samples back and forth by SCSI or, god forbid, floppy disk, I thank my lucky stars that I'm using software.
It's true that the sound of the filters often isn't as good as, say, my old EMU e6400, the convenience and user interface MORE than makes up for it.