What Sampling Sequencer?

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Member Since: Aug 26, 2005

I've been working with a producer who is serving as music consultant on improving my compositions. Now I'm just about ready to make a proper recording. I thought that I might be able to create my backings with an integrated sequencer sampler but I don't want to pay a lot for midi capability that I'll never use.

I visualize in my mind hooking a microphone up to a keyboard and sampling single notes of all my gamelan instruments (not phrases) and then extending my orchestra's range with the note transposition of the keyboard then programming the sequencer by just playing the passages on the keyboard note by note. Then on playback I'd put one instrument on one track of my BR1180 or in a proper studio. Anyway, can anyone recommend something that will only meet my needs and not a bunch of others so I don't spend too much money.

As Phillip Glass says or was that Steve Reich. I don't need 1,000 sounds and features I'll never use. I need the six sounds and features I use all the time built in.

I don't need midi or synthesis capability. The keyboards I've seen with integrated sequencing and sampling seem to have all this other crap such as midi and synthesis features that I will not be paying for if I can help it. I don't know, perhaps I want a rackmounted integreated sequencer sampler that I can just control with a cheap keyboard.

Be forewarned, I don't know much of the lingo in this department.

Gongchime

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Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Nov 22, 2005 06:39 pm

Gongchime, that is easy enough to do. There are many differant types and price ranges to choose from. Lower prices dont necessarily mean low quality sound either. Both Casio and Ensonic made great little samplers, a little limited in memory but pretty decent sound for the money. You can also do it in software now, and there are some free ones out there to try. IF I get alittle time I will try and find a couple fo the free or low priced ones in the software versions.

Have a look here to get a little taste of what is available. www.sonicstate.com/synth/_inc/type.cfm?type=samp

I'll check back later tonight if I find anything that might fit well into what your looking for.

Member
Since: Aug 26, 2005


Nov 27, 2005 09:12 am

I need something that will do anywhere from a complete song with at least 8 layers of sampled instruments up to a whole album of about 13 songs.

I don't think Casio is up to it.

Gongchime

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Nov 27, 2005 02:00 pm

Nope, Casio is definately out then. I would head toward the Korg, Emu, Kurzweil or Ralnd stuff. You can find used one's for decent price's. As well they make some lower end new one's that will work great for what you want. I would probably steer toward the Roland gear as they seem to have a wider selection of workstation type sampler's in all price range's. You will however have a hard time finding one that is for sampling only, without midi and such as that is the main use for these type's of keyboard.

The EnsoniQ EPS Sampler www.sonicstate.com/synth/eps.cfm was a great little unit without all the bell's and whistle's. It performed very well. You can still find then for around the $250.00 US range. EPS 16 also would be a good alternate. www.sonicstate.com/synth/ens_eps16plus.cfm

The Korg DSS 1 www.sonicstate.com/synth/korg_dss1.cfm is another. Older but powerfull.

There are more as well. As I have time I will have look for a few more that might suite your need's.

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