Playing out bass sounds

Let me start by saying that I may not be explaining the situation and/or phrasing the question properly. So, for that I do apologize.

When I am playing out bass type samples I like to do this through my midi controller which I have connected to my mpc. I like to use the "M_Bass" program from the "Factory_data" directory initially supplied by Akai, as my skeleton. However, what I would like is to be able to load my sample(s) and when I press a key on the controller, I'd like the sound to sustain until I let go of the key. Is this possible? It works for the sample(s) supplied with the "M_Bass", "R_Bass" and "Arp_Wave" programs, why not my samples using any one of those programs?


Thank you.

The secret is 'looping'.

not 'drum loops' like u might be used to, but 'loop points' which are set within a sample to make it sustain as long as u want.

unfortunately it often takes some detailed and tricky audio editing to set loop points correctly (and possibly fudge the sound a bit so the loop is smoother)

try messing with the loop points settings under the trim menu.

after that, try working in Audition or similar which may have more advanced features for creating looping/sustained samples.

Thank you, I will see what I can do.

up the decay

I tried upping the decay, but no luck with that. In regards to what sleepersriddle suggested, is there any scientific way of accomplishing this or is just trial and error?

bboymoves wrote:I tried upping the decay, but no luck with that. In regards to what sleepersriddle suggested, is there any scientific way of accomplishing this or is just trial and error?

(upping the decay will only work if the sample is long enough in total for the longest note u want to play. sounds like that may not be the case.)

what i know about looping:: you want to zoom in to the wave form until you can see the repeating pattern. then take 1,2, or more repeats at that pattern, but the begin and end of your loop region must occur at the exact same point in the cycle. unfortunately if the loop makes any jump in value as the region repeats... or even if the slope changes too abruptly... you will get unwanted harsh sounds or clicking.

better to use a fancy software editor with such functions as crossfading the loop.

and lemme know what else you learn... i never got too good at this type of looping myself to be honest I think I just told you everything I (think I ) know.

Anyone else shed some light?

use a longer bass sound and then up the decay