Working with Samples
Samples associated with splits are
maintained in the Virtual Sampler "Sample page".
The sample associated with the current split is displayed in the sample display. Common
operations on samples are:
- Set loop points
- Cut parts of the sample
- Change the samplerate of the sample
(upsample or downsample)
- Apply effects to the sample
- Edit the sample with an external Wave
Editor (like Ed!son Wave or WaveLab)
- Record a new sample from your
soundcard's input
Loading Samples
A new sample is created by
either
Loading a sample with the
"Load Sample" command from the menubar or the "Preset
page",

or
Recording a new sample (see
below), or
Importing an instrument, or.
The currently
selected sample is displayed in the sample display on the "Sample
page".
Note: Instruments or even splits that have equal data bytes in their sample
data will only be stored once. That means if you have 2 or
more instruments or 2 or more splits (in the same or in another instrument) that access
the same sample, this sample will only be stored once. This prevents from a waste of
sample memory. The integrity of the samples is maintained by the sampler. If you modify a
shared sample (for example by changing its sample rate), you will be asked to copy the
sample or to perform the action on all shared samples for all instruments or splits that
access this sample.
Working with the Sample Display
The sample display shows a
graphical representation of the sample data. You can zoom in or zoom out this information
with the zoom slider on the left side of the sample display. This is especially useful
when setting exact loop points. You also can scroll through the sample data with the
slider on the bottom of the sample display.
The sample display allows
selection of sample data bytes. To do this, simply press the left mouse down, keep it
pressed and move it to create a new selection area. If the current selection is used as
the selection for editing or as the current loop range is specified with the
"Sel" and "Loop" controls. The current position of the mouse cursor
within the sample data is displayed on top of the sample display.
You also can manually specify
selection and loop points by using the appropriate controls on the "Sample Page". Whether the current loop settings are used
when playing the voice is specified with the "Loop Enabled" checkbox.
You can select the
whole sample by pressing the "Select All" button on the "Sample Page".
Changing and Editing Samples
There are several controls
to change or edit samples:
Cut - This cuts the selected
part of the sample. Note that this operation cannot be undone !
Gain - This applies a gain
factor to the selected part of the sample. This can be used for example to amplify samples
that were recorded with the wrong volume setting. See the "Sample
Page" for more information.
Edit - This edits a sample
with an external Wave Editor (such as WaveLab). The external editor must be capable to process and load WAV files given as
command line arguments. Note that you must define what external
Wave Editor to use in the "Preferences|External Wave Editor" menu. This command
creates a temporary file in the drive specified on the Settings
page that is used for editing. The modified wave must be saved under the same
filename. The split is updated when you close the external Wave Editor for the sample.
Change SampleRate -
This always affects the whole sample and changes the samplerate that is used for playback
of the sample. See the "Sample Page" for more
information.
Note: Instruments
or even splits that have equal data bytes in their sample data will only be stored once.
That means if you have 2 or more instruments or 2 or more
splits (in the same or in another instrument) that access the same sample, this sample
will only be stored once. This prevents from a waste of sample memory. The integrity of
the samples is maintained by the sampler. If you modify a shared sample (for example by
changing its sample rate), you will be asked to copy the sample or to perform the action
on all shared samples for all instruments or splits that access this sample.
Applying effects to samples
You can applay sound effects
to the selected part of the sample by pressing the "Effects" button on the
"Sample Page". Note that sound effects are only
available if DirectSound 5 and DirectX media 5 (formerly ActiveMovie) are correctly
installed and if you have DirectX effect plugins installed. Note that some sound effects
can make your loop points invalid.
Note: Instruments or even splits that have equal data bytes in their sample
data will only be stored once. That means if you have 2 or
more instruments or 2 or more splits (in the same or in another instrument) that access
the same sample, this sample will only be stored once. This prevents from a waste of
sample memory. The integrity of the samples is maintained by the sampler. If you modify a
shared sample (for example by changing its sample rate), you will be asked to copy the
sample or to perform the action on all shared samples for all instruments or splits that
access this sample.
Using the FM synthesizer to
create samples
The "Synthesize !"
button on fhe "Sample Page" is used to call the
integrated FM synthesizer (see "Working with the
Synthesizer"). The synthesizer page has a button
"Create Splits from Sample" that can be used to create a new split (and
associated sample) from the calculated FM voice. The newly created sample is then
displayed in the sample display.
Recording Samples
The Sample Record/Playback control on
the "Sample Page" is used to record and playback
samples. Note that the play button has only effecr if you have previously recorded a
sample. The "Stereo" button below the Record/PlayBack control is used to specify
if you wish to record mono or stereo samples. The "Monitor" checkbox displays
the level of the incoming data in the sample display when activated.