This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
Creating Multiple Zones from Region Transients
In the previous exercises, you created a single zone sampler instrument from an audio file in the Tracks area. Using a similar technique, you can create a sampler instrument with multiple zones based on detected transients in the audio file. This is especially useful when dealing with rhythmic material such as drum and percussion loops that have clear transients.
In the following exercises, you will create a new sampler instrument from a basic drum loop and explore ways to extend and transform the sound using the EXS24 playback parameters and routing flexibility.
- Use the Mute tool to mute the new Vox Note region (Track 2).
- Select the Basic Drums track (Track 3).
- Unmute the Basic Drums region on Track 3.
- Play the project, and listen to the Basic Drums region to become familiar with the material.
From the Track menu, choose Convert Regions to New Sampler Track.
The Convert Regions to New Sampler Track dialog appears.
Select Create Zones From Transient Markers.
Click OK.
A new EXS24 track (also named Basic Drums) is created, along with a new MIDI region. This new region contains multiple note events that trigger each of the created zones in order, and for the same duration as the original audio region, thereby replacing the original audio region in the arrangement.
- Play the project, listening to the new Basic Drums MIDI region played through the EXS24. The playback sounds identical to the previous version.
- In the inspector, double-click the EXS24 in the channel strip to open the EXS24 interface.
Click the Edit button, located at the upper right.
The EXS24 Instrument Editor opens, displaying the multiple zones created from transients.
As you can see in the Parameters area, each transient from the original audio file is mapped chromatically to MIDI pitches C3 through G3.
Play the C3 through G3 keys on your MIDI keyboard, listening to the results.
When playing the associated MIDI pitches on the keyboard, you hear each individual slice. However, the slice plays only for as long as you hold down the key, and it can sound truncated if you release the key before the slice plays in its entirety. To allow the sample to play its complete length irrespective of the key release, you need to enable 1Shot in the Zone parameters.
- With the EXS24 Instrument Editor window having key focus, press Command-A to select all of the zones.
On any of the selected zones, select the 1Shot checkbox to select it for all.
Play the C3 through G3 keys on your MIDI keyboard, and listen to the results.
The slices play in their entirety.
Although this method provides an effective way to trigger the drums as a performance instrument, let’s explore additional playback parameters in the EXS24 Instrument Editor to further process the sound.
- Click in the background of the EXS24 Instrument Editor to deselect all zones.
In the Parameters area, Command-click the zones mapped to C#3, D#3, and G3 to select them.
Select the Reverse checkbox for one of the selected zones to enable it for all selected zones.
- Play the C#3, D#3, and G3 keys on your MIDI keyboard, listening to the result. The samples play in reverse.
- Close the EXS24 Instrument Editor window.
- In the dialog that appears, click Save.
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