Quick Dimension Question

I will be sprnging for Dim Pro soon, and am thinking of using it pretty much exclusively for my synth and sampling needs (my needs aren't that great, really). So far I've mostly used Sampletank 2...

My question is about the lack of a built-in keyboard (and virtual mod/pitch wheels) like most every other soft-sampler has. Please realize I'm still a bit new to all this, but does this affect DP's functionality? Obviously I can't immediately sample a program with my mouse (though I can do that in a piano roll), but how does this affect zones and such?

It seems that without a midi controller attached, Dimension is limited a bit functionally compared to instruments that do have the virtual keys? Any help/explanation on this will be greatly appreciated!

thanks in advance =)

You mean you actually compose and modulate your music on a virtual keyboard.

Oh heavens no! lol

I'm simply asking if there's anything missing without it, functionality-wise. Again, I'm only asking because I'm still learning all this stuff (like "zones" which I don't understand). But no, I have a midi-keyboard for playing. If the built-in keys are no big deal, why does Sampletank, Kontakt/Kompakt/Intakt, V-Sampler, Halion etc all have them?

I realize Dimension isn't trying to necessarily be a "true" all-out soft-sampler like those mentioned...but that's why I'm posing the question. What am I missing here???

Switched virtual keyboards are the best. But I do tend to use the vk when I'm messing around - maybe that will change now that I've got the little novation kB controller w/ midi - I don't have to switch everything on anymore. Unlike the computer, I can't hit the sleep button for my main keys, amps, board, etc. et al.

I think there're two different concepts going on simultaneously. First, the ability to preview sounds using a virtual, on-screen keyboard. Dimension doesn't feature a virtual, on-screen keyboard as some other synthesizers, so this preview needs to be done using either the piano-roll keyboard in the host, or an external MIDI controller.

The second, is the ability of map samples using its interface. Dimension Pro doesn't feature this, it plays 'pre-digested' sfz mappings, which need to be written externally. Kontakt, for instance, has a graphical editor to perform this action (and has no onscreen virtual keyboard btw).



-René

Well, Dimension does have zones (or at least the sfz format that Dim uses for it's samples does), it just doesn't have a graphical way of mapping the samples like Kontakt does. As for explaining the zone mapping...actually, if I remember correctly, you read Sound On Sound don't you? They ran a sampling tutorial over a few issues, which covered sampling/mapping and what it is and why...I would recommend looking into it, as they will do a better job of clarifying it to you than I could

EDIT: I'm starting to wonder if I am mixing you up with Andy C with regards to the SOS magazine...I'm sure you'll correct me if I am wrong

This is the second SOS article about sampling and multisamples. The later articles are still subscriber only...

Do you mean the virtual keyboards that are at the bottom of some synths or do mean the virtual keyboard view in samplers that are used for mapping out the sample zones etc? Just wondered, with your list being all samplers (and Kontakt not having a virtual keyboard at the bottom of it's GUI).

I use them to sample banks, But that could be done with a button that says bank sample. A whole keyboard is not necessary for that. I usually use the Pattern one note pattern to sample banks on synths that dont have keyboards. I wish more synths allowed you to move through the sounds by clicking the mouse buttons left and right to move up and down through the banks. I believe Psyn does this if I am not mistaken.

ORIGINAL: jamester
Funny about Kontakt, I always thought it had the keys...I guess we could swap Bandstand in its place! lol

Kontakt 2 does have one, with a button at the top of the GUI to toggle it on and off. Older versions didn't.