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CK_Sample SYSTEM #2 Modules Information
Key Benefits of System_2
A) Up to 255 samples in one Station/Bank/Instrument (old system was 128)
B) RAM Storage options allow you to store up to twice as many samples in RAM memory
with no loss of sound quality for 16bit samples
C) Unrestricted Multi-Sample Mapping using a GUI editing window
You can place and re-use any Sample(1-255) on any Note(1-128) on any Layer(1-16)
Each multi-sample item has:- Sample_Name, Level(1-200%), Pan(+/-100), Tune(+/-96.00 semi), Reverse, FxA, FxB(0-200%) settings
This allows you to create many different sounds using the same sample
eg1 FX:- set wildly different Tuning values for the same sample eg +24/+36 semi
eg2 Reverse:- Layer Two could be the same as Layer One but playing all sounds in Reverse/backwards
eg3 Pseudo-stereo:- Pan one mono Layer Left and the other Right and detune each layer slightly
D) Note/Mute Group: Each midi Note can be assigned a Note/Mute Group number (Mute:1-128, ID:129-255)
eg you can group different 'cymbal' sounds together, the last sound stops when another 'cymbal' starts
Can also be used as a general 'ID' for each note using values (129-255)
E) Velocity Mixing [A] mode allows 16 Layer mixing using only two Sample_Player units
F) 100% compatible with Old '.CKi' instrument files
G) Many modules now feature GUI display/selection windows
H) Sample_Player modules can ouput Status/Loop info if you need to trigger events on each loop/repeat
I) Sample_Chop module (Pack10) allows you to break a sample into segments which can be played on multiple notes
Each Segment has a Loop/repeat point
Each Note has independent Pitch, Loop mode and Reverse settings
Grouping 2 segments allows full Loop/release support with Start, End, LoopStart and LoopEnd points
*Note: Regarding FL_Studio and similar Hosts that selectively shut down Audio/GUI Engines
The option "Reset plugins on transport" should be set to OFF
The VST GUI panels should be kept open *at all times* if using 'Background' sample loading
CK_Sample Modules provide a very 'open architecture' sample playback environment
This enables CK_Sample Modules to be used in numerous sample based applications
Some examples of Applications CK_Sample Modules can support:-
Single Sample Playback (Eqv to SE_Waveplayer)
'Wavetable' and similar Synthesis methods
'Rompler' style (multiple samples in RAM)
Instruments and Drum/Phrase/FX Sample Kits
End-User 'Instrument' creation with .WAV files
'CK' Proprietary Instrument Files (.CKi files)
Instruments can support Multi-Sampling and Multi-Layers with 'Velocity Layer Switching', 'Velocity Layer Mixing' or 'Layer Overlay' function
Currently supports 16 Layers for 'Velocity Switching' and 'Velocity Mixing[A]' and 4 Layers for 'Velocity Mixing[B]' and 'Overlay'
The CK_Sample Environment
All Samples/Instruments are loaded into system RAM - therefore at least 512MB RAM is recommended
This enables CK_Modules to playback samples extremely fast resulting in Very LOW CPU usage
Any Sample in RAM can be played by any of the CK_Sample_Playback/Player (Mono/Stereo) modules
It is recommened to load all samples into a 'Sample_Station' at startup (not on patch-change) if the total size is practical/manageable
This way all your 'Patches' have their samples 'ready to go' in memory and there wont be any delay waiting for samples to load
Large samples or a large number of samples(up to 255) can take a while to load
SYSTEM #2 has options to optimise the RAM storage for 16 bit sample files:-
16 bit: ALL .wav samples are converted to 16bit RAM storage
This option uses the least amount of RAM but requires a little bit more CPU to playback the samples
24bit and 32bit .wav samples will obviously lose a little resolution in this mode
With this option you can store Twice as many samples in RAM memory compared to SYSTEM #1
32 bit: This option is the same as used in "CK_Sample SYSTEM #1"
ALL .wav samples are converted internally to SE native format (float) which requires 4 bytes per sample
Therefore a 16bit sample file will require 2x more in RAM storage
A 24bit sample file will use 1.33x more in RAM storage
A 32bit sample file will use the same in RAM storage
This mode ensures ALL samples playback at the Highest resolution and with the Best overall CPU performance
Mixed: This option is recommened for general use
16bit .wav samples will be loaded into 16 bit RAM storage
24bit and 32bit .wav samples will be loaded into 32 bit RAM storage (as indicated above)
All samples will playback at the Highest resolution but 16bit samples will use a little bit more CPU for playback
CK_Sample modules can Load the samples either 'Immediately' or in the 'Background'
If loading 'Immediately' all Audio will stop and the CPU will spike while samples are loaded
Loading samples in the 'Background' does not normally affect standard 'host' playback(*)
(*)Note: Host Sample tracks, Midi playback and Automation Directly through Midi are not normally affected
However, GUI, Automation and processing via SE_Sub-Controls may be suspended during file loading
(*)Note: Opening a file selector window in SE_VST's can sometimes cause a glitch in the audio
This is due to the SE_Text_Entry module and Windows O/S
CK_Sample Technical Information
CK_Sample modules load uncompressed standard .WAV files and (Proprietary) 'CK_Instrument' files (.CKi)
Supported .WAV file formats are:-
16 bit (PCM) Mono and Stereo(Interleaved)
24 bit (PCM) Mono and Stereo(Interleaved)
32 bit (PCM) Mono and Stereo(Interleaved)
32 bit (Float) Mono and Stereo(Interleaved)
CK_Sample modules will also recognise a 'sustain' Sample Loop stored as 'Sampler Data'
It is recommended to add (Proprietary) CK_Extended_Loop information to .WAV files
CK_Extended_Loop information provides better control over Start/End, Loop points and playback method
CK_Instrument Files
A 'CK_Instrument' does not have to be an 'instrument' per se
You can store up to 255 samples within a single CK_Instrument file with optional multi-sampling information
All samples within the file can also be Locked (Encrypted) if required
You can freely mix different .WAV file formats:- mono, stereo, 16bit, 24bit, 32bit etc etc etc
Each sample can also be accessed individually for any purpose - in the same way as a 'Sample_Station_x255/GUI' module
To access individual samples by name in a CK_Instrument simply use a 'Sample_File_Choice' module (Pack 9)
CK_Instrument files can be used for Instruments, DrumKits, FX Kits, Phrase Kits, 'Sample Banks' or 'Rompler Banks'
or for any situation where you need a collection of samples in RAM without the hassle of handling separate .WAV files