hardware v software samplers

downfader · Post by **downfader** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 4:48 pm

I personally never had any problems with the Emu menu system. I would navigate that quite happily, spin a few dials and set up a matrix of filters, etc. Easy peasy.

I think most softsamplers that I've tried (on demo atleast) are over simplified - definately not for me.

The only trouble I've had with the hardware samplers is the multi-out boards - could never afford one new for the e5000, can never find one s/h that isnt already inside another e5000.

buckman · Post by **buckman** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 7:17 pm

nice thread...

I love Live 6 and am daily contemplating SAMPLER in live to buy...

But i come from a hardware Akai S3200 which is built like a tank! I turned it on the other day for sampling drums and there is definetly a warmer sound... (I know theres full threads and debates about this already!)

There is something about the older hardwares like the Akai, the only hinderence is the intergration and "finger cramp" from prodding the buttons!

Just if i can get a EQ inside the sampler, i could do a whole track in it, for that "ruff" sound...!

"Its the grit that makes the groove!"

noisetonepause · Post by **noisetonepause** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 7:45 pm

I spent last night sampling incidental noises, hand claps, keys dropping, interference, etc. into my S900.

It's really very good. Very nice sound.

downfader · Post by **downfader** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 8:11 pm

s900 units are going so cheap here at the moment. I presume because spare parts are now a little on the rare side.

noisetonepause · Post by **noisetonepause** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 9:14 pm

downfader wrote:s900 units are going so cheap here at the moment. I presume because spare parts are now a little on the rare side.

If they weren't so big I'd keep a few as backups, I think. Only got it a few months ago (for free actually, from Machinate of this forum, bless his heart) but I've really taken to it.

downfader · Post by **downfader** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 9:47 pm

noisetonepause wrote:
downfader wrote:s900 units are going so cheap here at the moment. I presume because spare parts are now a little on the rare side.
If they weren't so big I'd keep a few as backups, I think. Only got it a few months ago (for free actually, from Machinate of this forum, bless his heart) but I've really taken to it.

Hmm just curious.. but ths Machinate isnt also called Andreas is he?

Not sure how many Machinates there might be.

noisetonepause · Post by **noisetonepause** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 10:40 pm

downfader wrote:
noisetonepause wrote:
downfader wrote:s900 units are going so cheap here at the moment. I presume because spare parts are now a little on the rare side.
If they weren't so big I'd keep a few as backups, I think. Only got it a few months ago (for free actually, from Machinate of this forum, bless his heart) but I've really taken to it.
Hmm just curious.. but ths Machinate isnt also called Andreas is he? Not sure how many Machinates there might be.

That's the man, yes.

Rogue Scrunt · Post by **Rogue Scrunt** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 2:07 am

I have
e-mu esi-4000 turbo
e-mu e64
yamaha a3000
roland variOS

To be honest I have the emu's and yamaha hooked up to an old os9 g4, running recycle 2.0

but I never use that stuff.
it was my dream set-up in 1998.
that is the only reason I keep this stuff

now i just use phatmatik pro, and cut out like umpteen steps of my process.

also i like to use simpler in racks, makes for easy and quick sample mapping

I did some a+b comparisons between the e-mu's and phatmatik and there is no difference in sound quality(to my ears)
maybe just perceived loudness

HW samplers are not worth the hassle.

the a3000 is stupid slow, especially with scsi. I use it as effects box. and immediate sample mangling w/o saving

the e64 has a bad backlight. $70+ shipping for a fix. Has nice filters

the esi 4000 is dead simple, but offers no advantage over softsynths

the VariOS is cool, but i only keep it for the 303 and jupiter 8 emulations
good luck

downfader · Post by **downfader** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 8:52 am

noisetonepause wrote:
downfader wrote:
noisetonepause wrote: If they weren't so big I'd keep a few as backups, I think. Only got it a few months ago (for free actually, from Machinate of this forum, bless his heart) but I've really taken to it.
Hmm just curious.. but ths Machinate isnt also called Andreas is he? Not sure how many Machinates there might be.
That's the man, yes.

Sounds like the guy we used to know over at Electromancer

Small world eh?

Rinko · Post by **Rinko** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 8:28 pm

cheers for the feedback guys

my quest continues

Oscar F · Post by **Oscar F** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 1:41 am

3dot... wrote:HW samplers have a strange 'voodo' about them...I really do like them!!!

but SW samplers offer you better sound quality and pack features that'll make any MPC breakdown and cry...
C'mon... Live + 'sampler' + racks + Ext. kbd/pads = SAMPLER HEAVEN!

Are You Serious !!!!!!!!!
Ever played and EMU EIII Keyboard or used an E6400 etc etc ....
Way better sound quality IMHO.
The Yamaha A4000/5000 samplers sounded damn fine too as did the last line of Akai "S" Series Samplers also.
I'd pit one of the last generation EMU samplers against Sampler+Racks anyday of the week myself.

lunabass · Post by **lunabass** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 3:51 am

Oscar F wrote: Are You Serious !!!!!!!!!
Ever played and EMU EIII Keyboard or used an E6400 etc etc ....
Way better sound quality IMHO.
The Yamaha A4000/5000 samplers sounded damn fine too as did the last line of Akai "S" Series Samplers also.
I'd pit one of the last generation EMU samplers against Sampler+Racks anyday of the week myself.

So what is "it" about the sound quality that makes it better than a soft sampler? It cant be a converter comparison can it? Or are you talking about its filters...this I understand. Or is it the quality of the pitch transposition?

Oscar F · Post by **Oscar F** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 11:13 am

lunabass wrote:
Oscar F wrote: Are You Serious !!!!!!!!!
Ever played and EMU EIII Keyboard or used an E6400 etc etc ....
Way better sound quality IMHO.
The Yamaha A4000/5000 samplers sounded damn fine too as did the last line of Akai "S" Series Samplers also.
I'd pit one of the last generation EMU samplers against Sampler+Racks anyday of the week myself.
So what is "it" about the sound quality that makes it better than a soft sampler? It cant be a converter comparison can it? Or are you talking about its filters...this I understand. Or is it the quality of the pitch transposition?

The EIII in particular was awesome - never and I mean never should have sold it

.
Great digital processing modules.
Superb REAL ANALOG Filters.
16 Outputs.
VCA/VCF/LFO signal path with pretty good modulation options.
Superb converters.
Really had a sound that had to be heard to be believed IMHO.
Was bloody awesome with Turbo synth on a MacSE too I might add.
Feeling nostalgic now.
At least it went to a decent home

.
I do still own my Emu EII+HD I purchased in 89 none the less.
That sounds damn nice also.
The later EMU Samplers ad the Zplane filters of course and the digital patch chord modulation also with modifiers, lag generators and all sorts of fancy crap.
Very much like a digital modular synth with custom sample based oscillators.
I'd also like to see any soft sampling pull of the sample loop point modulation tricks an Ensoniq EPS / 16+ or ASR10 could pull off either to be honest and they had great modulation, envelope, lfo routing and loads of other goodies most soft samplers don't.
Lastly ................how many softsamplers actually SAMPLE ??????

elektrovert · Post by **elektrovert** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 11:32 am

I love hardware samplers!

all of them.
they most definitly have their own "sound", kind of like guitars methinks.

I've been using my A3000 since 1995 and I still love it!
the only pain about it is the floppy loading times.
Got an A4000 too.
if there was some way to add a USB port to these I'd buy a few more.

there was an A3000 on ebay for €30 the other day.
A fcuking steal at that price!

Komplex · Post by **Komplex** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 12:24 pm

3dot... wrote:HW samplers have a strange 'voodo' about them...I really do like them!!!

but SW samplers offer you better sound quality and pack features that'll make any MPC breakdown and cry...
C'mon... Live + 'sampler' + racks + Ext. kbd/pads = SAMPLER HEAVEN!

i reckon hardware samplers sound a lot better, and thats where the "voodoo" part comes in...

software is way more convenient...

thats the trade off, convenience over sound, lets call it depth of sound maybe...

hardware v software samplers

do you use a hardware sampler as part of your setup with Live?