Hi everyone!
In this video, I explain how I converted 103 Pianobook EXS24 instruments into DecentSampler format -> https://youtu.be/zoI72uGVPzQ
Here are some informations about my process.
GENERAL THOUGHTS:
It is really incredible how creative this community is. The samples I listened to are great, and the way the EXS24 instruments were made was sometimes very imaginative!
Thank you for the pictures you provided with the instruments, it really helped to create the GUI and background.
For the pitch conversion: DS uses only one value (pitch) and EXS24 has 2 values (coarse and fine). Here is the formula to get the correct DS pitch value: (coarse) + ((fine value sign, +/-) 0.(fine value))
INSTRUMENTS NOT CONVERTED:
– Ye Oldee Piano: samples missing
– Ultra Ambiant Pad: AccessDenied on website
– Bass Face: AccessDenied on website
– Antique Zither v0.1: Download not working
PRESETS NOT CONVERTED:
– 12 String Guitar Piano – 12STR_PAD: samples missing
– 12 String Guitar Piano – 12STR_PAD_1: samples missing
– Pots and Pads – Bowed Pan Wobbly Pitch: samples missing
– Pots and Pads – Thermos Hit: samples missing
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN EXS24 AND DECENTSAMPLER:
ASAT CLASSIC VARIATIONS
The DI and Clean presets use EXS modulation matrix to link velocity to filter cutoff and attack, so it sounds a bit different, quite more bright.
BROADWOOD
Thanks to DS format, there are pedal noises when you press the sustain pedal!
FAMILY PIANO PADS
I merged the 3 pads into one preset, with 3 level knobs.
HUNSICKER HELPENSTILL
Both signals (DI and Mics) are merged into one preset, with 2 level knobs.
LYRA PAD
The EXS version uses extensively EXS24 features like monophonic voicing, glide, LFO, filter, etc. so the DS version sounds quite different, but still cool.
MICKLEBURGH PIANO
Thanks to DS format, there are pedal noises when you press the sustain pedal!
SOFT STRING SPURS
I created a new patch: SSS Swells Multi, inspired by Christian and his « pitch and transpose » trick. You have 4 layers of SSS Swells, the first is pitched normally, the second is pitched -3 semitones, the third -5, and the fourth +3. Use the modwheel to add layers.
SPRING PIANO
The 3 signals (Apollo, M149, Soyuz) are merged into one preset, with 3 level knobs.
METAL SAUCER
I merged the Hard and Soft signals into one preset, with 2 level knobs.
TRACKED PIANO
The 3 signals (KM, SM, Solo) are merged into one preset, with 3 level knobs. I created another preset with Take 1 on low velocity range and Take 2 on high velocity range for maximum playability.
TRIPLE FELT EXPERIMENT
The Piano Pad is included with the Piano preset. Thanks to DS format, there are pedal noises when you press the sustain pedal!
KNOBS:
I created templates to convert faster, so the knobs format follows some rules:
Knobs width and height are 120px (except when there are 7 knobs, it turns to 108)
Y value for all knobs is 80.
X value for 1 knob:
346
X values for 2 knobs:
278 413
X values for 3 knobs:
211 346 482
X values for 4 knobs:
142 278 413 549
X values for 5 knobs:
75 211 346 482 617
X values for 6 knobs:
9 142 278 413 549 681
X values for 7 knobs:
9 123 237 351 465 579 693
This way, the knobs stay well centered!
For the knobs colours, I went with trackForegroundColor=”E63D99F4″ (a light blue) and trackBackgroundColor=« 80808080 » (a semi transparent grey)
For now, the conversion tool made by my brother in law Julien is only available for Windows (I made it work on my Mac through Wine) and still have some bugs sometimes, so it is not really optimal to share it for now, I will see with Julien if there is a way to make this tool available for everyone. I think the best way to make this tool works for everyone on every platform would be to have it in a web-based tool, so if you are reading this and you have web skills, let’s talk about this!
Enjoy all these instruments, and don’t forget to leave reviews!
Fred.
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