Instrument Articulation Guides or something there abouts

I mentioned in another thread my desire to downsize. I want a sound module...but I've got a Z8 just sitting here, being wasted on loading up drum kits. So I went out, found some multisample instruments (which is how I like to work anyway) and am working on trying to make some more realistic sounding stuff. I'm working with some horns and strings, and I'm having trouble with articulating samples. My note progressions are ok, but everythings stale without those pops, build ups, good asdr, etc etc. I've done some primary digging around and haven't found too much, but I'm looking for some sort of art of sampling - articulation guide. Everything I find just talks about X vsts articulation is great, etc. I'm looking for something that explains the process, isn't machine specific (though I could follow on a different machine, I suppose). I'm really stuck on strings and horns (I know, thats so vague it's almost useless). Also, a guide on using after touch would be cool, too. I have a vague idea of what it does, but it seems really helpful. Just to be clear, what I'm thinking after touch is is sending different information for say a swell and a stab based on how hard I'm hitting the key/pad. Is this correct?

I'm just realizing the use of stacking sounds (in non drum ways), having different articulations in each program, stuff like that. If that helps kinda define what I'm looking for, I feel like I'm being annoying and vague.

For what it's worth, I'm using an mpc5k, z8 and keystation pro 88 (so many knobssssssssssss)

yeah thats a good lot of questions. As you know strings and horns have unique articulations that can enliven and make more realistic phrasing ect. Now if you look at modern hardware sampler/rompler it seems they usually opt for the seperate articulations but usually very high midi notes that are not usually used so that way they can be on same midi channel. I would go this option for ease of use. So means more samples and seem as almost seperate as they will be different samples than the usual samples used. What i mean is that its not like the rest of your multisample. I do not know if you have the portamento option on those samples, that can help for horns slides sometimes. So yeah more sampling of those articulations.
Aftertouch is about velocity info AFTER initial note velocity, so pressure on pad has its on midi CC and depends on midi instrument as well of course.
I use a *ahem sampler rompler synth - Roland Fantom XR and this comes with many multisampled instruments and have the articulations added to those high mostly unused midi notes. So thats how Roland did it. Works very well and they of course add velocity layers as well for realism. Dont forget velocity layers
Hope this helps you a bit.

Been thinking of picking up a Fantom for a while. I have a XV3080 and like it, I'm mostly have those 6 SRX slots.

I've noticed that with the 1 strings sample set I've picked up. A LOT of different articulations as programs unto themselves. I've found a couple of good sampling guides that is kind of reiterating what I already know or at least reminding me of stuff, but nothing on programing phrases or however you'd put it.

With the Z8s high amount of Ram, I suppose loading up a ton of them and using a huge set of samples with different articulations may be the answer, not deeper programming.

But how will I impress all those girls that come over without spending my entire life programming!? Haha.

... I totally got distracted by Krystal Ball (who isn't a porn star!) on tv. Ah, hot liberal talking heads...


Anyway, I meant to ask, how do you feel about the Fantom for the instruments mentioned? I played around on a MC909 for a few hours and got my only non-sampled horn in a beat I've ever liked. Do the articulations we're talking about change with how you play the keyboard? I think that's what I'm after, maybe?

yeah 909 not even close to the fantom. Though mine is different as its more rompler/sampler compared to the other fantoms that have VA synth engines. XR does not have VA, but 6 SRX expansion and RAM expansion so its made for what we are talking about, and they are very good multisampled instruments and sound realistic, And yeah some take 2 separate voices for all the articulations. as well as what i said before about higher midi notes being different articulations.. again its like 256 polyphony, 16 channles, 4 voices per channle, velocity layeded, 3 FX, . Its a multitimbral rack so need a midi controller, midi keyboard and get a computer to edit it and manage samples other wise you will go insane trying to use the interface, though it works well, its complicated. So yeah its kind the way im doing stuff though i have other synths as well it can also pretend to be a synth as well. I mean every voice has its own LFOs, VCAs, VCFs, ect so go to town. I am gonna get another MIDI controller just to use it to its full potential. THe down side to rack samplers i guess.
So yeah mix it up sample articulations and change pitch for bow strikes and scratches, fret noise, trills, runs, all that stuff