Message
Re: Drum Sampling Techniques
2015-04-15 by bry_204@...
I've tried many different methods for doing a huge batch processing of samples.
I usually use a program called TwistedWave, load up a whole batch of say 909 kick drums, 30+ or more samples etc. Batch process them up 12 semitones.
Then I load them all in Ableton Live on 1 track in a row, send them off to the Emax, then pitch them back down 12 semitones recording into Live.
I then normalize, take the massive tracks into Pro Tools, use beat detective to detect all transients which then automatically cuts them at each hit.
Then I use another the strip silence function to remove excess "air" or "space" at the end of samples. Then within the strip silence there is batch renaming function.
After all this, just selecting all on the region list, and exporting as individual wav files.
Takes a lot of time recording all the hits, I've made some pretty huge 909/808 libraries using all sample rates in the Emax.
Still debating if I've done everything the best possible way, sometimes wonder if +12 semitones is a bit aggressive on the aliasing. I've tried doing +5,+6,+7,+8 etc, still end up liking the +12 the most.
One thing I've found though with the Emax, if you take the sample you've made at +12 and wanted it down say another semitone, sure you can pitch it in Ableton which is fine to do. But from what I've noticed the sample doing it +13 in the Emax ends up sounding better. This is a real pain, because it's virtually impossible to sample every single pitch change that you may possibility use in the future.
It's amazing what character this sampler has. I tend to like 31kHz/28kHz the most, sometimes the punch with 20kHz can be nuts on the right kick drum though.
Hopefully this helps anyone if they want to look into batch processing.
I should mention, I like to hit the input on the Emax pretty hard, usually the input monitoring level just slighty bouncing off the screen gives a nice digital clipping to the samples. Looks more like a "sawtooth" type of clipping vs "square wave" when you look at the sample in a DAW. The converters rock in this thing.
I also should mention, I never use the left/right outputs. There is less gain and more noise. I still have that high pitched whining issue with mine, never got the backlight inverter removed yet after I replaced the screen with a new LED.