About sampling cds

[Kotaki22yahoo.com]

Hi I judt bought Akai s3000xl and It camr with some sampling cds. Please explain how sampling cd or cd-roms work for my composition. and also explain what is difference between sampling cd ans cd-roms Thanks.

[Dave Bryce]

Originally posted by Kotaki22@yahoo.com:

Please explain how sampling cd or cd-roms work for my composition. and also explain what is difference between sampling cd ans cd-roms

 

 

Normally, the difference between sampling CDs and CD-ROMs are that the CDs only contain audio files that you actually have to record into the sampler by yourself. This can be a painstaking process if the CDs contain instrument samples, as they usually need to be mapped out across the keyboard (referred to as "keymapping"); plus, if you actually want to hear the samples, then you will typically have to write programs for them once you've sampled them.

 

CD-ROMs, on the other hand, will contain data which can be directly loaded into the sampler, frequently containing program information for the destination sampler as well as the audio files. Typically, these audio files are usually keymapped as well.

 

Additionally, CD-ROMs are usually more expensive than the CDs, and the CD-ROMs will typically be intended for use with only one sampler/platform. Some samplers will allow you to import a variety of manufacturer's formats from CD-ROMS (e.g. a Kurzweil sampler can import data from Ensoniq, Akai, and a few others); however, due to the difference in architecture of the various platforms, frequently only raw samples will be ported over, and will have to be re-keymapped and re-programmed.

 

As to how the CDs that you got with your Akai will work with your compositions, that pretty much depends what's on them, and what kind of music that you make.

 

Hope that helps,

 

dB