VSampler 3.5 FAQ
1. How do I update from VSampler 2?
2. What's new in VSampler 3, why should I update?
3. Does VSampler 3 load my existing VSampler 2 banks?
4. Can I run VSampler 2 and 3 simultaneously?
5. Can I save soundbanks in the old VSampler 2 format?
6. Where is the DX7 emulation FM synth from VSampler 2 gone?
7. Where is the Preset mode from VSampler 2 gone?
| 1. How do I update from VSampler 2? |
| We thank all our faithful customers for the great support over the years! The
update to VSampler 3 is available for 89 Euro (instead of the full 149 Euro) in
the online-shop. Important before you order: do the
update qualification check
for your VSampler 2 serial number, the same check will be used by the online
registration form after your purchase. |
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| 2. What's new in VSampler 3, why should I update? |
Whether quick playback module for everyday use or creative tool with synthesizer
qualities - VSampler 3 fuses both in a versatile instrument. It's faster than
VSampler 2 in every situation *and* sounds better at the same time. Don't take
our word for it, test it!
Feel free to take the full
tour incl. animated screenshots or check the major points here:
- completely reworked user interface:
- transparent in every sense of the word: controls are hidden behind transparent gray
as long as they don't make sense in the current situation
- Small View for quick playback of existing soundbanks
- Edit View with outstanding graphical support for sound editing, 3
variants: all-in-one (VSampler 2 like), scrollable rack or all windows
undocked
- many drag & drop actions and context menus for smooth workflow, smart
helpers like Shift-key for finetuning mode of all controls
- less is more: unused pages can be hidden using the context menu (right
mouse button)
- multilingual user interface and help file (English and German at the
moment)
- more soundbank types supported:
- added support for instrument formats HALion™ (.FXB, .FXP), Gigastudio™
(.GIG) and Downloadable Sounds (.DLS)
- improved import of all existing import types: AKAI™ (S1000/3000 CD or
1:1 discimage file on harddisk, S5000/6000 .AKP), SoundFont™ (.SF2), LM4™
drumkits and samples (.WAV, .AIF)
- ASPI driver not longer required for AKAI™-CD import under Windows
2000/XP (admin rights required)
- improved SF2 export (more details converted)
- easier instruments handling:
- unique autoload-to-MIDI-channel feature, step through instruments and hear
them in your song with a single mouse-click or cursor up/down
- Instruments Pool autoload: by stepping through the instruments
of your current soundbank using the new "softwired"
MIDI-channel mode
- Import Rack autoload: by using the new Import Rack to step through
instruments of an external soundbank BEFORE LOADING THE BANK and preview the
instrument at the current MIDI-channel
- Soundbank-Manager autoload: offers unique comfort for the
administration of extensive sound libraries, incl. search function and
category filter, load instruments to a MIDI-channel with a single mouse-click
- more audio interfaces supported:
- Plugin version: supports VSTi and DXi (now DXi with multi-outputs too),
multiple plugin instances can be opened parallel (if 16 channels shouldn't
be enough)
- Standalone version: added Rewire support (e.g. to connect to Reason) in
addition to MIDI, included virtual MIDI cable now supports all Windows
versions incl. 2000 and XP
- new floating point audio engine:
- 255 voices with semi-modular voice structure, pristine audio quality and
clipping-free internal operation
- complete new set of speed- and quality-improved filters, ranging from 6 dB to 24 dB,
lowpass, highpass, bandpass
- 32-point envelopes with free curve shape for Volume + Filter
- 4 free envelopes + 4 LFO's + 4 step sequencers with up to 192 steps and
“load from WAV" option to transform the volume progression of an external
WAV file into a step pattern
- all envelopes, LFO's and step sequencers can be synchronized to song
tempo
- each controller knob has a little "Analogizer" attached, to recreate the vital ever-changing sound of analog synthesizers
- new sample editor:
- all basic sample editing functions onboard, e.g. cut/copy/insert, change level, fade
in/out, autotrim sample start/end, phase and playback reversal, switch
channels or convert format, Time stretching (Tempo Scale), Pitch Shifter
- non-destructive crossfade-looping
- Auto-Looper: takes care of the often arduous search for suitable
loop points at the touch of a button - even for hundreds of samples at a
time
- Beat Slicer: slices drum loops into single hits, allowing to
change tempo and pitch in realtime independent of each other
- new effects engine:
- multiple effects at different levels: 3 per sample
(similiar to VSampler 2), 3 per instrument (new) and 3 per output channel
(new)
- onboard effects: Reverb, Delay, Phaser, Flanger, Chorus, Distortion,
EQ, Limiter, Compressor
- supports external VST-plugins
- onboard and external effects seamlessly integrated into the voice
architecture incl. parameter modulation
- new modulation power:
- endow instruments with an impressive vitality and animate parameters in
realtime
- unique combination of effects and modulation: the parameters of all
effects (internal and VST plugins), envelopes and filters are controlled in
a mutual modulation matrix
- allows e.g. to let a VSampler envelope control the cutoff frequency of
your favourite VST-filter-plugin or to let Aftertouch add
your favourite distortion effect
- 12-slot modulation matrix: select which Source controls what Target at what
Factor (strength), freely adjustable curve
- lots of modulation sources (internal and external) and modulation targets available
- new automation power:
- practically every VSampler parameter can be remote controlled and
automated by MIDI-controllers (supported by every MIDI sequencer)
- mouse movements on VSampler controller knobs in main view and mixer can
be recorded by a suitable sequencer (sequencer must be able to record VST
automation data)
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| 3. Does VSampler 3 load my existing VSampler 2 banks? |
| Yes, of course. But instruments using filters/effects will sound different
(easy solution see below). Background: In favour of the speed and audio quality
of VSampler 3 we decided to make a cut, and not to drag along the old
filters/effects into VSampler 3. When loading VSampler 2 soundbanks all
parameters are translated to use the new VSampler 3 filters/effects as close as
possible to the sound of VSampler 2. But since every filter/effect algorithm has
its own character it will sound different even with identical effect type and
parameter settings. There is no way to combine progress (better quality + more
speed) with 100% backward compatibility. The easy way to handle this is to
just run VSampler 2 and VSampler 3 parallel, and to let VSampler 2 play the old
instruments if they should sound too different in VSampler 3. The recommended
and more flexible way is to do some finetuning in VSampler 3 and enjoy its new
qualities. |
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| 4. Can I run VSampler 2 and 3 simultaneously? |
| Yes, they are completely independent. For the Standalone version that depends on your soundcard drivers of course (multiclient-capable or not). |
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| 5. Can I save soundbanks in the old VSampler 2 format? |
| No, the new bankformat is not backward compatible due to the mass of new features of VSampler 3. If you want to get VSampler 3 banks back into the older VSampler 2 versions export to SF2 as a workaround. |
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| 6. Where is the DX7 emulation FM synth from VSampler 2 gone? |
| The new and improved
version of the FM-synth will be a separate full-featured instrument called
VX7. It uses the same powerfull
engine as VSampler 3 incl. the new envelopes, filters, effects and modulation
matrix. VX7 runs as DXi, VSTi and Standalone
(triggered by MIDI or Rewire). Registered VSampler 2 and 3 users will get it for
a special update price. |
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| 7. Where is the Preset mode from VSampler 2 gone? |
Check the open/closed padlock icon in front of the 16 MIDI channels (at MIDI
rack, Import rack and at the "MIDI channels" view of the quickbrowser). You can now set each of the
16 MIDI channels separately by doubleclicking the padlock icon:
- padlock opend (softwired): plays the instrument at the cursor position, allows to
step through instruments by cursor up/down and autoload them to the current
MIDI-channel on the fly
- padlock closed (hardwired): plays the assigned instrument until you
manually assign another instrument
Either way, the MIDI command "program change" will be executed of course. By
default all 16 MIDI channels are softwired, MIDI command "program change" ends
softwired mode for this MIDI channel.
The idea: let the padlock opend (softwired) as long as you're browsing
through the Instruments Pool, Import rack or Bank Manager to find the perfect
sound as easy as with no other sampler, on the fly, while the sequencer is
running. Close the padlock (hardwired) for those MIDI channels where you found the right
sound already. |
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