EXS 24 Logic Sampler Users Group

Hendrik Jan Veenstra wrote:
> 
> <speculation>
> I wonder if samplers are the real future at all btw.  In a sense a 
> sampler is the poor man's solution to a complicated problem.  You 
> want strings that are as realistic as possible, so... you simply 
> record (sample) them and use those recordings...?  Basically that's 
> still the 30 year old mellotron approach (ignoring "artistic" uses of 
> samplers, but thinking purely about recreation of e.g. orchestral 
> sounds).
> Isn't it far more likely that instead of some super-sampler with 
> 1000+ articulations and intelligent smooth-switching, that one day 
> we'll have a 20 THz computer with physically modelled instruments and 
> orchestras -- i.e. synthetic realtime sounds that closely mimic their 
> acoustic counterparts?

Interesting speculation, Hendrik, especially since Nick has already 
mentioned his use of Yamaha's physical modelling technology, and I agree 
with you wholeheartedly.

I've been bitten by the physical modelling bug with the Yamaha VL70-m, 
so I can certainly understand how Nick would be keen on the idea of a 
sound source responding to your playing style with different 
articulations, etc. It's a wonderfully organic way to play a synth! Even 
with a puny 1 voice of polyphony the VL70-m became my all-time favourite 
synth as soon as I started playing it.

And like you, I don't see how a sampler could make good use of 
parameters like the rate of change of a controller.

I still think samplers will be perfect when a "photo-realistic" but 
relatively straight sound is required (and they'll chew up less CPU 
power), but physical modelling IS fantastic when you need lots of 
organic-sounding nuances!

Bring on Emagic's "Sculpture", I say! :-)

> The only downside then probably is that you'll actually have to learn 
> to play a french horn before being able to correctly play the 
> physically modelled electronic instrument :-)).

Awwww, diddums!!! ;-)

Realistically, I reckon it'd be handy to know something about the 
instruments you're emulating, but I don't think virtuosity'll be 
necessary. It's the same with samplers anyway, I reckon...