Daniel Dehaan

Week-05

Overview

Building on last week’s introduction, we’ll explore advanced sampling techniques including velocity layers, round-robin variations, effects processing, and creative sample manipulation. We’ll also discuss how to package and distribute your instruments.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will be able to:

  • Implement velocity layers for dynamic expression
  • Create round-robin variations to avoid machine-gun effect
  • Add effects processing within Decent Sampler
  • Package instruments for distribution

Topics Covered

Advanced Mapping Techniques

Velocity Layers

  • Why velocity matters for realism
  • Recording multiple velocity layers
  • Mapping velocity ranges
  • Crossfading between layers

Round-Robin Variations

  • What round-robin achieves
  • Recording multiple takes
  • Implementing RR in Decent Sampler
  • seqMode and seqPosition attributes

Effects Processing

Built-in Effects

  • Filter (low-pass, high-pass, band-pass)
  • Reverb
  • Chorus
  • Delay
  • Convolution

Effect Implementation

<effects>
  <effect type="lowpass" frequency="8000" resonance="0.5"/>
  <effect type="reverb" wetLevel="0.3"/>
</effects>

Modulation and Bindings

  • Connecting UI controls to effects
  • MIDI CC control
  • Velocity modulation
  • Key tracking

Creative Sampling

Non-Traditional Sources

  • Found sounds and objects
  • Processed/mangled samples
  • Granular textures
  • Layered composite instruments

Processing Techniques

  • Extreme time-stretching
  • Pitch manipulation
  • Convolution with unusual IRs
  • Layering and stacking

UI Design

Control Elements

  • Knobs and sliders
  • Buttons and switches
  • Labels and text
  • Custom graphics (images)

Binding Controls to Parameters

<labeled-knob x="120" y="20" width="90" label="Cutoff"
  type="float" minValue="200" maxValue="20000" value="8000">
  <binding type="effect" level="instrument"
    effectIndex="0" parameter="FX_FILTER_FREQUENCY"/>
</labeled-knob>

Packaging and Distribution

Folder Structure

MyInstrument/
├── samples/
│   ├── C3_v1.wav
│   ├── C3_v2.wav
│   └── ...
├── images/
│   └── background.png
└── MyInstrument.dspreset

Distribution Options

  • Pianobook community
  • Personal website
  • Gumroad/itch.io
  • Including documentation

Resources

In-Class Activity

Enhancing Your Sample Instrument

Part 1: Velocity Layers (25 min)

Add dynamic response to your instrument:

  1. If you have multi-velocity samples, organize them:

    • Piano_C3_p.wav (piano/soft)
    • Piano_C3_mf.wav (mezzo-forte)
    • Piano_C3_f.wav (forte/loud)

  2. Map with velocity ranges:

<group name="soft" loVel="1" hiVel="50">
  <sample path="samples/C3_p.wav" rootNote="60" loNote="58" hiNote="62"/>
</group>
<group name="medium" loVel="51" hiVel="100">
  <sample path="samples/C3_mf.wav" rootNote="60" loNote="58" hiNote="62"/>
</group>
<group name="loud" loVel="101" hiVel="127">
  <sample path="samples/C3_f.wav" rootNote="60" loNote="58" hiNote="62"/>
</group>
  1. Test velocity response
  2. Adjust ranges for natural feel

Part 2: Round-Robin Setup (20 min)

Add variation to repeated notes:

  1. Add seqMode to your group:
<group seqMode="round_robin">
  <sample path="samples/C3_rr1.wav" rootNote="60" seqPosition="1"/>
  <sample path="samples/C3_rr2.wav" rootNote="60" seqPosition="2"/>
  <sample path="samples/C3_rr3.wav" rootNote="60" seqPosition="3"/>
</group>
  1. Test by repeatedly playing the same note
  2. Listen for natural variation

Part 3: Effects Chain (20 min)

Add character with effects:

  1. Add an effects section:
<effects>
  <effect type="lowpass" frequency="12000" resonance="0.3"/>
  <effect type="reverb" wetLevel="0.25" roomSize="0.6"/>
</effects>
  1. Create UI controls for effects:
<labeled-knob x="200" y="20" width="90" label="Reverb"
  type="float" minValue="0" maxValue="1" value="0.25">
  <binding type="effect" level="instrument"
    effectIndex="1" parameter="FX_REVERB_WET_LEVEL"/>
</labeled-knob>
  1. Test and adjust to taste

Part 4: Finishing Touches (15 min)

  1. Add instrument name and info:
<ui width="812" height="375" bgImage="images/background.png">
  <label x="20" y="340" width="200" text="My Custom Instrument"/>
  1. Fine-tune all parameters
  2. Test across different octaves and velocities
  3. Create a simple background image (optional)

Part 5: Packaging (10 min)

  1. Organize all files in proper folder structure
  2. Create a README.txt with:
    • Instrument name and description
    • Your name/credit
    • Usage notes
  3. Zip the folder for distribution

Deliverable: Completed Decent Sampler instrument with velocity layers OR round-robin, effects, and UI controls.

Discussion: What other sounds or instruments would you like to sample? How might you use custom instruments in your MUSC 231 projects?