EXS 24 Logic Sampler Users Group

Hi Everyone,

I'm trying to figure out how to set up a drum kit by replacing samples 
in a factory kit (Rock Kit) with samples from my Alesis DM5. I'm 
discovering, for example, that there are 16 (!) zones dedicated to the 
same kick sample. When I replace the kick sample in Zone 1, my new 
sample only plays at the highest velocity. So I obviously need to 
change the sample in each zone that points to the kick group. Having 
only used outboard drum machines and modules in the past, this seems 
overly laborious to me.

Is this the only way to achieve velocity sensitivity in a sampler 
instrument, by having that many zones that point to one group? If so, 
is there a way to replace the sample in each zone that points to a 
specific group in one step?

TIA!

R.I.P. Emagic Tech Support

-Mark Bradford
Denver, CO, USA

http://www.mark-bradford.com/

> Or are you only saying the kick is using 16 zones (each loading a 
> different sample)? In that case, as said, it'd be nothing special.
>
You're right, of course. After another day of fiddling with it, I 
realize now what multiple zones assigned to one key are for. I just 
wish there was a way to "globalize" certain parameters in related 
zones. For instance, in the default kit I'm in the process of setting 
up, I want to tune the Dry Standard Kit tom samples I'm using up a few 
steps. So instead of tuning one high tom sample up 3 half steps, I have 
to do that 12 times, once for each zone.

Another thing I've always done to create more realistic drum rolls is 
to assign each snare and tom sound to 2 keys, and detune one key 
slightly. But whereas with the outboard machines I'm used to, you only 
have to detune one sound, with the EXS you have to detune 12 if you 
want to use all the versions of sample that are available. So I'm 
assigning the 12 versions of the high tom sample to 2 keys, coarse 
tuning all of them +3, and fine tuning half of them +30. I also have to 
check Disable Pitch 24 times. Isn't there a way to make simple changes 
apply to all selected zones?

The problem for me is that when I audition a drum kit, I never like 
every sample in it. When you have to adjust so many individual 
parameters just to change one sound, it makes for way more work than it 
should, IMO.

Thanks again for your help!

R.I.P. Emagic Tech Support

-Mark Bradford
Denver, CO, USA

http://www.mark-bradford.com/

> Hold down CTRL, and all the selected
> zones checkboxes will change at once.
> I'm almost sure that in Logic 7.1 this is also working for value based 
> parameters. You may have to use another modifier key on a Mac
> as well, I wouldn't happen to know which one (well, there's not all 
> that much of a choice...).

Holding down the option key works for that in 7.1, so thanks for that!

Here's another question: I have "One shot" selected in all my cymbal 
samples, but the samples still cut off when I release the key. 
According to the plug-in manual, when "One shot" is checked, the sample 
is supposed to play to the end regardless of the length of the trigger 
note. Is there some other parameter that affects this?

Thanks again for all your help!

R.I.P. Emagic Tech Support

-Mark Bradford
Denver, CO, USA

http://www.mark-bradford.com/

On Nov ,3, 2005, at 3:25 PM, Mark Bradford wrote:

> According to the plug-in manual, when "One shot" is checked, the sample
> is supposed to play to the end regardless of the length of the trigger
> note. Is there some other parameter that affects this?

Try increasing the value of the release parameter of ENV 2 in the lower 
right hand corner of the main plugin interface (the "R" in the ADSR 
parameters). This should help.

--------
Eli Krantzberg
http://www.nightshiftorchestra.com
Almat Productions

> Try increasing the value of the release parameter of ENV 2...
Surely not? 

ONE-SHOT (or 'play to sample end regardless of trigger length') should be
irrespective of such settings.

Sorry... I know I am probably looking like a troll but dear me!

And sorry Eli - I know you're trying to help the guy (and maybe your
solution is the trick) but it shouldn't be - this is fundamental stuff and
Mark is correct in his expectations.... ONE-SHOT should play the entire
sample regardless... end of story!

TROLL ALERT!!!! Sorry to labour the point but this has been in place for 18
years or more with Akai samplers since the S900!

It's not my intention to 'troll' but I just find it staggering that such
fundamentals appear not to be implemented in this supposedly 'cutting  edge'
product! This and the lack of 'mute groups' and so on.

I can see now why Sascha is so keen to recommend dedicated drum samplers!
This and the lack of mute groups and Mark's confusion and problems with
zones, etc.... makes me think that EXS is not ideally suited for drums and
percussion! 

Hmmmmm! I have to say that if I'd just spent good money on Logic (and all
the other paraphernalia to make it work/sound half decent) I'd be well
miffed!!



Best regards,


Steve
http://www.hollowsun.com

On Nov ,3, 2005, at 8:32 PM, Hollow Sun wrote:

> sorry Eli - I know you're trying to help the guy (and maybe your
> solution is the trick) but it shouldn't be - this is fundamental stuff 
> and
> Mark is correct in his expectations.... ONE-SHOT should play the entire
> sample regardless... end of story!

I agree. One shot should work the way it is supposed. I don't use it 
often, but have never had any problem when I have used it. I don't know 
what could be causing this problem Mark is having.

> Steve
> http://www.hollowsun.com

PS: Just saw the review of your sample CDs in Sound On Sound....... 
nice article!


--------
Eli Krantzberg
http://www.nightshiftorchestra.com
Almat Productions

> I agree. One shot should work the way it is supposed. I don't use it
> often, but have never had any problem when I have used it. I don't know
> what could be causing this problem Mark is having.
Mmmmm!
 
> PS: Just saw the review of your sample CDs in Sound On Sound.......
> nice article!
Yes! Nick gave 'em a cracking review - he really rated the Tron and CP70 as
the best he's heard (and he's heard a *lot* - having played with several
prog-rock heavyweights such as Steve Hackett, he knows exactly how they
should sound!!!!).



Best regards,


Steve
http://www.hollowsun.com

Thanks for all your comments, everyone! The problem seems to have 
corrected itself. The samples are playing to the end now, without my 
changing anything. Maybe it was a RAM issue.

More likely, it's my own ignorance of samplers, having never really 
used them before now.

Thanks for all your help!

R.I.P. Emagic Tech Support

-Mark Bradford
Denver, CO, USA

http://www.mark-bradford.com/