By adrian
Mon May 09, 2005 4:37 am
This info is from an old issue of Keyboard magazine.
Recreating classic sounds with a sampler
Like many Keyboard readers, you probably have a collection of classic synths you keep in your studio because of a few sounds that can't be easily reproduced on your more modern equipment. What if you want to take those sounds to a live gig? It would be hard to justify lugging the extra weight just so you can play that favorite lead sound.
In this and next month's column we'll explore ways to capture the essence of your old keyboards using a sampler. This month we'll focus on sampling ROM-based keyboard sound. In this issue we'll work on sampling a synthesis-based sound.
When sampling a ROM-based sample playback instrument the first step is to create a neutral patch on your old keyboard that lets the ROM samples play without any variation or coloration (assuming you'll be recreating any effects, envelope settings, and so in the sampler). Start by making a single-layered program containing the sound you want to sample with an organ-like amplitude envelope that starts instantly and remains at full volume for as long as you hold a key. Then remove all velocity sensitivity from the amp section so every note you play is at a constant volume regardless of how fast or slow you hit the keys.
Go to your filter section and max out the lowpass filter cutoff frequency (i.e., open up the filter). Zero out any modulation sources (velocity, filter envelopes, LFO's, etc.) and remove any keytracking. In the pitch section, zero out any LFO's and envelopes, and make sure the fine tuning is set to zero. Shut off all internal effects or set them to zero percent (dry). The only exceptions to this would be any EQ settings that are crucial to getting a specific sound or if your sampler doesn't have similar EQ tools. Call this program Neutral Patch and save it.
Now connect a single output from the old keyboard to your sampler's input. Set the input level so the loudest single note doesn't clip. If your sampling drums, orch hits, or sound FX you can simply sample each note that has the sounds that you want to capture.
If you're going to recreate an instrument that plays up and down the whole keyboard you'll have to record each of the notes/samples that make up that instrument. Using Neutral Patch, play up the keyboard and listen carefully for each time the tonal quality makes a sudden change. Make a note of where the timbre changes occur on the keyboard --- you'll need to match these multisample points in your newly sampled patch. Next, sample each of those notes where the timbre changes for a second or two and give them names that tell you the instrument as well as what key they came from. Don't bother normalizing the sample volumes or changing the input levels for each note; you'll actually get a more usable multisample by keeping any volume differences the same as the original.
Once you've collected all your samples it's time to begin the arduous task of looping them all. If the results just aren't sounding close to the original, maybe try a different loop mode (if it's available) such as bi-directional looping.
Once you've got your samples looped and reasonably trimmed you can put them all together into a keymap using the exact same layout as the original keyboard (this is where your written notes come in handy). Then reconstruct the original synth parameters (amp, envelopes, filter settings, and so on) and effects. With a little practice you can end up with sampled versions that are nearly indistinguishable from your old keyboard.
By Daniel Fisher
Keyboard magazine
January 2002
I personally haven't done this but, if anyone does sample a classic keyboard send me a copy.
Adrian
Recreating classic sounds with a sampler
Like many Keyboard readers, you probably have a collection of classic synths you keep in your studio because of a few sounds that can't be easily reproduced on your more modern equipment. What if you want to take those sounds to a live gig? It would be hard to justify lugging the extra weight just so you can play that favorite lead sound.
In this and next month's column we'll explore ways to capture the essence of your old keyboards using a sampler. This month we'll focus on sampling ROM-based keyboard sound. In this issue we'll work on sampling a synthesis-based sound.
When sampling a ROM-based sample playback instrument the first step is to create a neutral patch on your old keyboard that lets the ROM samples play without any variation or coloration (assuming you'll be recreating any effects, envelope settings, and so in the sampler). Start by making a single-layered program containing the sound you want to sample with an organ-like amplitude envelope that starts instantly and remains at full volume for as long as you hold a key. Then remove all velocity sensitivity from the amp section so every note you play is at a constant volume regardless of how fast or slow you hit the keys.
Go to your filter section and max out the lowpass filter cutoff frequency (i.e., open up the filter). Zero out any modulation sources (velocity, filter envelopes, LFO's, etc.) and remove any keytracking. In the pitch section, zero out any LFO's and envelopes, and make sure the fine tuning is set to zero. Shut off all internal effects or set them to zero percent (dry). The only exceptions to this would be any EQ settings that are crucial to getting a specific sound or if your sampler doesn't have similar EQ tools. Call this program Neutral Patch and save it.
Now connect a single output from the old keyboard to your sampler's input. Set the input level so the loudest single note doesn't clip. If your sampling drums, orch hits, or sound FX you can simply sample each note that has the sounds that you want to capture.
If you're going to recreate an instrument that plays up and down the whole keyboard you'll have to record each of the notes/samples that make up that instrument. Using Neutral Patch, play up the keyboard and listen carefully for each time the tonal quality makes a sudden change. Make a note of where the timbre changes occur on the keyboard --- you'll need to match these multisample points in your newly sampled patch. Next, sample each of those notes where the timbre changes for a second or two and give them names that tell you the instrument as well as what key they came from. Don't bother normalizing the sample volumes or changing the input levels for each note; you'll actually get a more usable multisample by keeping any volume differences the same as the original.
Once you've collected all your samples it's time to begin the arduous task of looping them all. If the results just aren't sounding close to the original, maybe try a different loop mode (if it's available) such as bi-directional looping.
Once you've got your samples looped and reasonably trimmed you can put them all together into a keymap using the exact same layout as the original keyboard (this is where your written notes come in handy). Then reconstruct the original synth parameters (amp, envelopes, filter settings, and so on) and effects. With a little practice you can end up with sampled versions that are nearly indistinguishable from your old keyboard.
By Daniel Fisher
Keyboard magazine
January 2002
I personally haven't done this but, if anyone does sample a classic keyboard send me a copy.
Adrian
