Subject:Importing high quality samples into DLS synth

Posted by: Laurence

Date:10/16/2002 8:41:33 AM

I have a collection of high quality instrument samples which I use constantly. Yesterday I began experimenting with converting these into DLS files which can be played back using Acid's DLS synth. I used Awave to convert from Soundfont to DLS.

To my surprise, it seems to work really well! My favourite piano sound is the "Splendid Grand" off the Akai web site. The 72 meg version is stereo with four velocity layers, and to my ears is on the same level as "The Grand" and the better Gigastudio grand pianos. After making the conversion with Awave, the resulting file loaded quickly into Acid's DLS synth and played back pretty much perfectly, although I did have to send a midi program change to call it up after it loaded. Playback was smooth and easy on the CPU. This is a demanding patch. It chokes Halion and Kontact. The Acid DLS synth is only the second sample playback engine I've found that is effecient enough to do this (Reason 2 is the other).

Next, I'm going to convert some more sounds and see how the efficiency is with a whole arrangement of high quality samples. If it works as well as I think it will, Acid will probably replace Reason as my primary writing tool.

Laurence Kingston

Subject:RE: Importing high quality samples into DLS synth

Reply by: pwppch

Date:10/16/2002 12:24:13 PM

Is this Akai sample set free?!!??

The DLS synth in ACID can do some amazing things. With a tool like AWave to create new sound sets it is a very good sampler. There are a number of DLS sound sets avaialble from third parties as well as tools such as Awave (and even the FREE editor from Microsoft will let you create DLS files.)

There are also thousands of SoundFont files that can be converted to DLS format for loading into the ACID DLS synth. AWave makes converting things over very simple.

Check out:

http://www.sonicimplants.com/

for some great commerical libs. They don't advertise the DLS formats, but in the past you could request them. If not, converting them with Awave is easily done.

Note also, this is the easiest way to get drum patches onto channels other than 10. A drum patch in DLS lingo is marked with a special "bit" to indicate "use this on Channel 10". If you don't set this bit, then it is a voice just like any other voice and can be played on any channel other than 10. Many drum patch DLS sets includ both a drum patch and voice patch set so that one is not limited by the channel number.

Good article on DLS.

http://emusician.com/ar/emusic_downloadable_sounds/index.htm

Peter

Subject:RE: Importing high quality samples into DLS synth

Reply by: Jacose

Date:10/16/2002 12:28:39 PM

thanks for the links!

Subject:RE: Importing high quality samples into DLS synth

Reply by: salad

Date:10/16/2002 12:57:10 PM

Yeah, thanks SonicPCH.
This is stuff I need to learn soon.

That Akai Grand Piano sounds interesting!

Subject:RE: Importing high quality samples into DLS synth

Reply by: anon

Date:10/16/2002 1:01:36 PM

Yeah, cool. I'm definitely still very in the dark about the DLS and so far have tended to bypass it straight for the VSTi's, but would like to explore it's capabilities further.

Subject:RE: Importing high quality samples into DLS synth

Reply by: pwppch

Date:10/16/2002 3:10:30 PM

There is a lot of potential for the DLS synth that we have yet to exploit. It is/can be a sampler with out a problem, but it is the UI for working with the lower levels that is the difficult part. Look at the complexity of the VSTi samplers that are available and you can see the undertaking it will be to expose the details correctly.

Peter

Subject:RE: Importing high quality samples into DLS synth

Reply by: Laurence

Date:10/16/2002 11:50:20 PM

The DLS sample playback looks like it can get pretty involved. I'm kind of tied up with work right now and haven't been able to really dig in yet. I agree with the positive comments about Sonic Implants samples. I own them all, and for the most part they are excellent. I don't like their piano though. There drums and strummed guitars in particular are outstanding.

Laurence Kingston

Subject:RE: Importing high quality samples into DLS synth

Reply by: nlamartina

Date:10/17/2002 12:43:55 AM

Oh my... it is free!!! I haven't finished downloading everything yet, but if it's as good as you say, then wow. I mean gosh... It's 256 megs, with 4 velocity layers. How could it not be good?

Click here to go to a website that has the samples all assembled in a 256 MB SoundFont.

Click here to check the Akai FTP where the samples are stored. They've got other things beside the piano. 5 volumes of free stuff. *yoink*

- Nick

Subject:RE: Importing high quality samples into DLS synth

Reply by: Laurence

Date:10/17/2002 12:48:45 AM

I downloaded both the 72 meg and the 256 meg versions. I always just use the 72 meg version. They did a great job of looping the samples. To my ears it sounds just as good.

Laurence Kingston

Subject:RE: Importing high quality samples into DLS synth

Reply by: nlamartina

Date:10/17/2002 1:52:05 AM

Yeah, I'm gonna try the 72 meg as well. I gave the 256 MB a shot an it brought my system to its knees. I guess I shouldn't be suprised. But yes, I've been pleased with 10 MB libraries, so 72 should sound wonderful. Still wish I could afford to put a 9' Steinway in my dorm room. =)

- Nick

Subject:RE: Importing high quality samples into DLS synth

Reply by: Laurence

Date:10/17/2002 8:33:46 AM

I have 512 megs of RAM, and I can play the 256 meg version if I don't do anything else. The 72 meg one sounds just as good so I wouldn't worry. Actually the 72 meg one sounds every bit as good as the gigabyte plus ones I've heard!

There are no "sustain pedal" layers like on the Gigasamlper pianos, but I really can't stand them anyway. They sound great when you first try them, but when you actually play with them, they just sound muddy.

Laurence Kingston