Software Sampler, soundcards

[B3Organist_007]

I was looking into using software and a controller instead of buying a keyboard.  I was looking at Match Five (by Motu) which is a sampler.  What is the difference between a software sampler and a software synthesizer? Is one better than the other?

Also I going to be using my laptop and a controller; I was told I needed a soundcard; what is the purpose of a soundcard and do I really need one?

[THE WOLFMAN]

A software sampler(actually sample player) loads libraries by the manufacturer or other 3rd party manufacturers. it does no generates sounds in of itself. With a soft sampler. youu sonic pallette is virtually infinite.

A soft synth usually concentrates on a specific instrument type.

examples:

Native instruments' Pro53


 is a recreation of the old Prophet 5


Native instruments B4


well, thats obvious.......

Those are soft synths.

a soft sampler loads whatever you can find.
example:
Native instruments
Kontakt---very good


or IK Multimedia Sampletank


what you want is a soft sampler

as far as the hardware, yeah you do need a sound card. the sound card that's bulit in to the laptop is ok, but there will be a delay between when you hit the keys and when you hear the sound. That's called latency.

A separate sound card lets you compensate for that. doesnt have to be nuthing crazy 99-199$$ is good.

hope that helps.

[B3Organist_007]

Thanks for the response:

Let me get this straight;  If I buy a software sampler, the manufacturer will provides the library of sounds along with the sampler itself and I just load them (sounds) in and use my controller to trigger the sound? Do I need a host application in order to use the sampler?

[THE WOLFMAN]

yes. The major software samplers come with a great deal of content to get you started. We're talking Gigs of sounds.

as far as a host, many of them dont need a host. they can run "standalone".

Kontakt


Great sound engine, i use it my self---(in fact i'm using it right now)
But the screen can be intimidating
can be used with just about every other sample library
NATIVE-INSTRUMENTS.COM

Sampletank2

sound are ok, not as good as kontakt, but usable....VERY USER FRIENDLY.........VERY.
can import other libraries, but not as many as Kontakt.
Very affordable.
IKMULTIMEDIA.COM

A company called EastWest (you may know them from making sample cd's) relesaes their own playable sound libraries using a special version of native instrument's  Kontakt called "Kompakt"

$899
BUT THE SOUNDS ARE KILLER..
SOUNDSONLINE.COM

here's some freebies for windows.

If you have a Mac, goto the IK Multimedia site.


sampletank FREE(limited sounds, may need a host)
ftp://www.ikstore.com/pub/iksites/sampletank/FreeDownloadAREA/ST2_FREE_Win_XP.zip

Sonik synth FREE
http://www.soniksynth.com/FreeDownloadArea/Sonik_Synth_2_Free_Win_XP.zip


these freebies may need a host.

[JoashStilltheman]

So by using a sampler,, you eliminate the need for a tone module or a keyboard right? all you need is a controller and the sampler and sound card? By the way why they call u wolfman?

[THE WOLFMAN]

So by using a sampler,, you eliminate the need for a tone module or a keyboard right? all you need is a controller and the sampler and sound card? By the way why they call u wolfman?

Almost right.

Your computer needs to be fast and iron clad. nothin worse than usin a computer live, and it freezes on you.


however.. there's always this.....


www.museresearch.com

Wolfman:
1. I was a hairy kid.
2. Born on Mozart's B-day

[JoashStilltheman]

Waht is that???s receptor??

[b_jizzle20]

Question...
i have a M-audio UNO USB midi interface and my factory sound card (i got my comp in 2000) and when i use my Keyboard for Fruity loops it has sum serious latency.

is the problem with the interface or the sound card or both????

[b_jizzle20]

and which sound card or midi Interface would u recommend gettin??

[THE WOLFMAN]

It's the sound card. you need to get an external soundcard, nothin crazy, even sumthin from m-audio bout $100.

the built in soundblaster card has no way to compensate for the latency.

In even the most simplest external soundcard, there is some sort of control panel to adjust for latency.


a thing to look for is what they call an "ASIO" driver for the sound card. Most M-audio soundcards have ASIO drivers


bee eeeeeasyyyy..


w.