best way is just not to use samples IMO but just try to make your own sounds using the plugins or by using their presets

but if u really insist on using a sample, then your best bet is to not make the sample change pitches more than around 5 semitones because any more will make it sound a bit messed up

u could alternatively, use a wav editing software and change the pitch of the original sample to the different pitches of the notes that you want without changing the length but that's sorta a lot of work and u lose some of the sound quality when you alter the pitch and length of the sample

I know there's some advanced software around that timestretches samples perfectly keeping them the same length but different pitches.... forgot the name tho

Personally i always try to make my own sounds using vst.
Wav files are usually my drums but a few of my synths are but there sampled in for example C1, E1, G#1, C2, E2, G#2 etc...

They are imported into a sampler e.g. steinberg halion and stretched only 3-4 semitones at the most...works a treat and also the halion comes with a looping feature so you can set two time points and wen you hold the key down on your midi input it loops and holds the notes.

I am also a fruity user.

tezz

The only success I've EVER had with that kind of thing is if the WAV is a loopable type of sound (like a pad or non evolving-lead rather than a piano or something).... Just put it into cool edit and make it loop nicely, then use the loop points in fruity and no more short notes!

BTW i'm still in the process of buying a new computer - my current one is 500Mhz, god damn to all you people lucky enough to use VSTi's.

Yes, sadly enough samples can never quite be used the way instruments can. Granted I'm a beginner, so please correct me if I'm wrong, but I have a theory as to why you can't use samples very well in the piano roll.

First thing to remember is that a sample can be pretty much like a song on a cd...a bunch of sounds all mixed into one wavelength of sound. If you took a whole song and started trying to make notes out of it or change the pitch it would probably start to sound really weird. Why? The piano roll is only really designed to be used with synths, so the program only has a few choices when you try to load a sample into it. It can a) scrunch all the wavelengths together to make it fit (which raises the pitch), b) chop off part of the wavelengh (sounds bad), c)keep the the sound going even though the note is supposed to be over. When you raise the pitch (scrunching) their isn't enough of the sample so it cuts off. When you lower the pitch the wavelength is too long so it keeps going.

Compare the waves of a synth(instrument) and a sample...the waves of a synth are usually pretty even compared to a sample. A synth is supposed to create a specific sound for however long you want it to, no matter what the pitch is. Samples are supposed to be of a specific length, which is why it is so difficult to alter the pitch. If you are having trouble creating synths that match your sample, you can try a program called Absynth which actually lets you draw your own wavelengths. This might make it easier for you by allowing you to make something that is comparable to some of the sounds in your sample. Just a bit of fair warning however, Absynth costs about $300. (I've been drooling over it, but alas I haven't been able to try it myself. The price tag's a little too high.) Sadly enough, depending on the sample you may be stuck with trying to layer several diffent synths together.

Last edited by Aphotic Phoenix on Aug-06-2003 at 22:06