SampleRobot 7 beta test is in full swing and we would like to highlight one of the new features of the upcoming release, Release Sample Rendering.
Working with Release Samples is one of the key sampling techniques for creating naturally sounding virtual instruments. The problem with looped samples is that when you play them in a software sampler they 'stay in loop mode' even if you have released the dedicated keys. Without Release Samples there are two ways to deal with this. Either you edit the amp envelope to stop the loop playback when you release a key (the default setting) and add room or echo effects to cover the end of the playback, or you have the loop decaying to zero in a short time after note-off. Both methods lack authenticity when compared to the original sound. And here come the Release Samples. These samples start playing/fading in as soon as the regular note-off is received. Imagine a sampled church organ. In this case the release phase is just the complex hall reverberation after a note stops playing. This way you can have authentic decaying sounds that change their character during the release phase.
The project structure in SampleRobot 7 is now able to handle a Release Sample for each sampled key of a multisample. There are as many Release Sample layers as multisamples in the project. That means that you can have different release behaviours for as many layers as you like from soft to hard touch. The special Release Sample marker structure which is saved with a project is designed for non-destructive editing of the release phase.
This is the new recording procedure.
As usual you can define a note length and a release length which each can have a gradual sample length adaption from lower to higher notes. This allows for saving sample space when recording the upper register.
After you've setup the other parameters of your project and start recording SampleRobot will send out a Midi note (when in fully-automatic mode) for each selected key and will record the incoming audio. If you've selected auto-loop detection a smooth crossfade loop will automatically be created. As soon as the note length is fully recorded the special marker 'Release In' is positioned in the sample and the recording of the release phase of the sample will be executed with another marker 'Release Out' set to the very end of the release phase. If needed these markers can be edited like all other markers in SampleRobot. You can even have the release phase overlap with the loop area.
Once you export your project as wave/aiff files all your release phases will be rendered as separate audio files allowing them to be used as Release Sample triggers in your favorite software sampler. The Release Samples have a dedicated naming scheme for identification.
What else? The next days will again be a little crazy. Superbooth is coming to Berlin and we will be around. If you would like to say hello we would be glad to see you there. Just drop us a line and we'll arrange a meeting. If you're attending have fun at the Superbooth and in Berlin!