EXS 24 Logic Sampler Users Group

Ok, here's some of my favourite Rex tips:

1) "Slice loop and add samples to current instrument". You can find this
option in the EXS editor under "Instrument".
Let's assume you have, say, 2-3 variations of the same groove (note: max.
number of slices may not exceed 127). Instead of doing one new EXS patch for
each instrument you can just setup one single patch for all the variations.
The EXS's "extract sequence from recycled instrument" feature will extract
the different variations as separated sequences for each loop you added
using the above mentioned command.

The same is working for different patches that you may want to combine. Open
two instances of the EXS editor, do the CTRL+A, CTRL+C job in the source
patch and then a CTRL+V in the target patch. Straight after that use the
"move zones inc. root" command to move the copied zones to an appropriate
position.
Whenever you do an "extract sequences..." now, the EXS will create separate
files for both loops.
Makes very much sense now that you can use individual outs for the EXS. Try
that with some drumgroove and a percussion loop fitting the drums well.

2) Sound replacement using "play in context". Killer feature of the EXS
since 5.2!
Of course this is working with any patch, but I use it quite often along
with recycled files.
Load a recycled loop, extract the sequence, open it in the EXS editor while
Logic is playing the sequence. Now use the "Audio File" box to replace one
slice with another sound. Make sure you have "Auto Play" and "Auto Exchange"
checked. Now scroll through your sample directories - the zone in question
will automatically be replaced as soon a sample is selected and you'll hear
the result "in context". Kickass, if you ask me.
Sidenote: Before doing such a thing I usually readjust the sequence to have
all similar instruments on one key only. For example, I would just drag all
kicks in the sequence to one single kick key (using the Matrix). That way
all kicks would be replaced using the above mentioned method.
Sidenote: Those procedures are working WAY better using Phatmatik Pro and
Battery (or DR-008) as sample replacement is a lot easier and because PPro
is doing the loop slicing job in realtime. But using the EXS has some
advantages nonetheless (such as the filter, which is non existant in
Battery).

3) Preview "to-be-imported" loop in song tempo while having the EXS
opened...
This is something I am using ALL the time and it's a f***** shame that it'll
only work on Windows (for whatever reasons). If I'll ever get a Mac to
continue using Logic I'll certainly miss this feature a whole lot! On Macs
it'll only work partially.
Anyways: I have all my recycled and EXS'ed files saved twice on my HDD. I
allways keep the original REX file in addition to the converted EXS patch.
The file directory structure of both the EXS files and the source REX files
is 100% identical. Important for speed issues.
Now open an EXS instance. While keeping it floating over your arrange, use
ALT+pencil to import an audio file to an audiotrack in your arrange. Point
the "open" dialog to your original REX files = Logic will now play/preview
them in song tempo. Once you found a nice one, keep the dialog box opened
and use the EXS intrument menu to select it there (as said, I have the very
same directory structure in both my source REX files and the converted EXS
patches). This is the very part that won't work on Macs. To click into the
EXS instrument pulldown you need to close your audiofile import dialog box,
on Windows you don't need to.
The patch won't show up in the EXS patch display instantly, but it will be
loaded anyways. Continue looking for a better loop (of course again using
the still opened audiofile import menu) until your happy. Load each better
loop into the EXS. When you're done, just close the audiofile dialog box and
the patch will show up properly in the EXS.
Btw, this is a totally undocumented feature (as it isn't crossplatform) but
I can assure you that it saves a whole lot of time (assuming you're keeping
your source REX files in an identical directory structure as your converted
EXS patches). And it's worth to be checked out IMO. It's also worth enough
to make me complain my a** off once I'll have a Mac!

Finally, in the end I can only recommend getting Phatmatik Pro - my ReCycle
is covering dust since I got it. Has a few disadvantages (such as not being
able to trim loops straight in it), but the fact that things are happening
in realtime, that you can also drag slices straight to Battery, that you
don't have to deal with sample/patch organisation that much (still the most
painful thing in the EXS) easily compensate for the drawbacks.
And for those having problems with PPro: Art Gillespie (bitshift dude) has
got to be one of the most responsive programmers ever. I remember two times
where he delivered a fix for some nasty problems in 5-10 minutes after I
mailed/chatted with him! So, just mail him a detailed description of what's
happening and I'm sure he'll not ignore you. And for the record: PPro is
100% crashfree over here.

So much for now,
Sascha