EXS 24 Logic Sampler Users Group

In addition to what Eli allready said, there's a few things that make
constructing new patches a LOT easier IMO.

1) Use the "read keynote from" function (to be found in the EXS editor >
Edit > Preferences)

You'll be getting four options there.

"Filename" will read out the keynote for the zone from the loaded sample's
name. This is true for both notnames (such as, say "C1) and MIDI note
numbers (which actually makes the thing rather confusing at times). So, in
case you load a sample named "Piano_F#1", the EXS will automatically set the
key note accordingly.
I highly reccomend making use of this in case you're sampling your own
things. Simply name your samples properly when saving them. I sometimes even
rename samples because this feature is so convenient. Note: Make sure to use
sharps (#'s that is) instead of flats, these won't make it.

"File" will read out root note info embedded in your audio file. Most often
this function is close to useless as even some professionally sampled things
don't contain embedded root note information. Personally I find adding such
information to a sample more of an effort than simply renaming the sample
(but maybe i'm just not using the right tool).

"File/Filename" and "Filename/File" will read out both informations, with
the one listed first as a preference. I usually have my preferences set to
"Filename/File".

The automatical readout will do miracles when loading multiple samples at
once (zone menu > load multiple samples). Let's say you just have some
samples, sampled in tritones, named "sound_C0", "sound_F#0", "sound_C1" and
so on. You could then just use the "load multiple samples" function, select
"automap" when being done with the sample selection and voil\ufffd - there's
you're keymapping! Logic will fill the gaps between the individual
notes/zones automatically.


2) Use temporary instruments for velocity layers

Maybe not that important for drums, but in all other cases I find it highly
useful to create temporary instruments for certain velocity layers,
especially when using a lot of keymappings as well.

The EXS editor as is doesn't give a great overview of sample mapping, that's
why I usually prefer to construct instruments holding just the mappings of
one velocity layer.
Example: You have a bunch of samples, sampled in tritones and two velocities
(again, of course your filenames should contain proper note names, according
to "chapter" 1). So they might look like "sound_f_C0" (f for forte),
"sound_p_C0" (p for piano), "sound_f_F#1" and so on.
Now you would just use the "load multiple samples" function and create one
mapping for the "f" samples. The automap function will create a group for
those automatically. Name this group accordingly, for better convenience.
Then create a second instrument (that you don't even need to save) and do
the same for the "p" samples. Name the group accordingly again. After that
you can just do a CTRL+A, CTRL+C, open the first instrument (the "f" one
that is) and do a CTRL+V. The group from the "p" instrument will be copied
along with the zones as well.
Finally, set up velocity ranges in the groups to your liking.


3) Use samples with embedded loop information

Apart from dealing with simple samples (such as a sine wave or so), I find
it rather tough using the EXS sample editor to find proper loop points for
samples. That's why I'm using WaveLab for such tasks (not sure about
anything equivalent for Macs, for Windows there's also seamless looper and
such, but WaveLab IMO beats them all big time).
When importing samples to zones, the EXS will read out the loop points
automatically. Well, actually there's a bug as the EXS will allways set the
right loop point one sample too early, but most likely you will only notice
that when dealing with rather small samples that are mapped over a broad
range (so the EXS has to do the transposing job). I allways correct the
right loop point manually anyways.


4) Set up a keycommand for "Shift selected zones(s) left/right (inc. root
key" (to be found in the EXS section).
This is a great time saviour in case you need to, say, change octave
settings in a patch. You just select them all (or the ones you would like to
shift) and use the KC. I have mine set to shift and the left/right arrows.
Also great if you have, say, a multisampled snare and want to place it on
another key.

So much for now,
Sascha