Imperfect Samples with Sonar X1 Producer

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bloodndef
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2011/06/11 16:36:25 (permalink)

Imperfect Samples with Sonar X1 Producer

I've never had a need to use samples or MIDI or synths.  I've only ever recorded with microphones and DI.  But I recently found some samples that I cannot resist (and cannot record myself), and I must incorporate into my latest recording project... the upright piano from Imperfect Samples: http://www.imperfectsamples.com/website/samples/braunschweig/braunschweiguprightpiano.php

Now, I presently know nothing about samplers, MIDI or synths.  I just want to be able to program a pattern for these samples and/or control them via a MIDI keyboard.  So the question I pose to anyone willing to help is:  what sampler should I use with Sonar X1 Producer?

I honestly don't need a lot of bells and whistles (and don't really have the budget for bells and whistles), I just want to be able to control and record those samples from Imperfect Samples.  Is there anything included in Sonar X1 Producer that can do this?  Anyone have experience with Imperfect Samples?

I asked the support at Imperfect Samples if I would be able to easily use their products with Sonar X1 Producer and they replied asking me what sampler I'd be using.  I didn't have an answer for that, so I came here.  :)

Thanks so much for any input!
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    sykodelic
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    Re:Imperfect Samples with Sonar X1 Producer 2011/06/11 16:51:18 (permalink)
    I personally don't use at as I am a Kontakt user but you should be able to use dimension pro

    Asus P8P67 pro, I7 2600K, 8G Kingston Hyperflex, 2 1T WD Caviar Black(sytem,audio), 2T WD Caviar Black(samples), RME Multiface, Roland A500 Pro, Windows 7 Ultimate 64, Sonar X1C, Ableton Live 8, Reason 6, Komplete 7, DCAM Synth Squad, Omnisphere, Stylus RMX, Trillian
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    bitflipper
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    Re:Imperfect Samples with Sonar X1 Producer 2011/06/11 17:44:50 (permalink)
    I believe you will need the full Native Instruments Kontakt for those particular libraries. Kontakt is probably the best long-term sampler investment, as it opens up lots of opportunities for cheap (and even free!) sample libraries.

    If you're shopping for pianos, be sure to browse the offerings at Sampletekk. Some excellent values there. And here's a totally free one that's quite usable (a bright Yamaha C3 with 5 velocity layers). Plus Kontakt comes bundled with some pianos as well.
    post edited by bitflipper - 2011/06/11 17:45:59


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    Rain
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    Re:Imperfect Samples with Sonar X1 Producer 2011/06/11 19:45:18 (permalink)
    From the Imperfect Sample web site:

    "The Imperfect Samples Player (ISP) is a free sample player (VST / AU), provided ONLY for users who do not own Kontakt or EXS24."


    So you don't NEED to buy Kontakt, it's just that, if you're going to use sample libraries, it's a solution you might want to look into. But the ISP player will do the basics - playing back the samples (no editing or fine tuning I would guess).

    On a related note, if I may... I've bought one of their libraries which, judging by the demos, sounded breathtaking - just as I like them (I'm a huge fan of those Nine Inch Nails type of dark/ambient piano sounds). Working with it proved to be a somewhat disappointing experience. In all honesty, I have to put a quite sever low cut on the track and boost the volume a lot just to get them to be playable. They are good, but don't expect versatility - it's quite monochromatic. In other words, they're not my go-to piano like I expected them to be.
    post edited by Rain - 2011/06/11 19:59:44

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    bloodndef
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    Re:Imperfect Samples with Sonar X1 Producer 2011/06/12 16:47:28 (permalink)

    Thanks for the replies all!


    sykodelic


    I personally don't use at as I am a Kontakt user but you should be able to use dimension pro


    I asked the owner/support of Imperfect Samples about Dimension Pro and he stated: "I checked out the specs, and Dimension Pro doesn't support disk streaming at the moment, so it can't support any large sample libs.  I'd recommend installing Kontakt for use with the samples."  So that seems to be the end of that thought for me, unless anyone knows otherwise.


    bitflipper


    I believe you will need the full Native Instruments Kontakt for those particular libraries. Kontakt is probably the best long-term sampler investment, as it opens up lots of opportunities for cheap (and even free!) sample libraries.

    If you're shopping for pianos, be sure to browse the offerings at Sampletekk. Some excellent values there. And here's a totally free one that's quite usable (a bright Yamaha C3 with 5 velocity layers). Plus Kontakt comes bundled with some pianos as well.


    Thanks for the heads-up!  Kontakt is probably my best long term investment, but I use samples so rarely I'm not thrilled about it.  :)  I really like the idea of "imperfect samples" though, as my favorite recordings all have pedal release sounds, hammer clicks, etc. and have a lot of character, and that's what I'm going for.  Are there any other samples like Imperfect Samples out there?

    Rain


    On a related note, if I may... I've bought one of their libraries which, judging by the demos, sounded breathtaking - just as I like them (I'm a huge fan of those Nine Inch Nails type of dark/ambient piano sounds). Working with it proved to be a somewhat disappointing experience. In all honesty, I have to put a quite sever low cut on the track and boost the volume a lot just to get them to be playable. They are good, but don't expect versatility - it's quite monochromatic. In other words, they're not my go-to piano like I expected them to be.


    Thanks for the info Rain!  May I ask which sample pack you bought?  The Braunshweig Upright Piano is the one I'm looking at and that sounds like what you described you were looking for as well, dark/ambient, etc.  Have you found anything else that worked better for you for this sound?


    Thanks again!

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    Rain
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    Re:Imperfect Samples with Sonar X1 Producer 2011/06/13 11:27:12 (permalink)
    The Fazioli. I actually hesitated as I was also interested in the upright piano, which seemed to have a bit more of an edge to it while retaining the darker aspects of the other packages. So the upright might be a better choice.

    I tried it (the Fazioli) again just for the sake of it after I sent my reply. I am using it with EXS24 (Logic's native sampler), so it's actually pretty easy to just put on a hi pass filter and just save that as a preset, so whenever I load the piano, it's already filtered. Using the Imperfect Sample Player would probably mean having to use an eq on that channel - again, nothing major.

    The concept of imperfectly sampling is double-edged in itself. Hearing the mechanical noises and imperfections sure can be nice and add to the authenticity, but you're also stuck w/ it - and they can be quite present. 

    How imperfect you want it to be is a matter of taste - just like how perfect you want it to be. Sometimes it seems to get in the way more than it actually enhance the performance (imho). 

    That being said, they may also be exactly what you are looking for. :)

    As for myself - I haven't looked for/found an alternative just yet.

    post edited by Rain - 2011/06/13 11:28:54

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    bloodndef
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    Re:Imperfect Samples with Sonar X1 Producer 2011/06/16 03:32:01 (permalink)
    Thanks for the input, Rain.  I'm recording a real upright soon, and if that doesn't do the trick, I'll probably go with the upright from Imperfect Samples.  Thanks again.  :)
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