Hello everybody.

I have a dirty fantasy: I'd like to find raw material sampled straight from an SS-30, no editing necessary. Just sample the machine in every minor thirds, let the note play for 10 seconds, then play the next note (transposed by a minor third upwards) etc., then change the preset and do the same all over again. Attack and release should be as fast as possible and no compression should be used. Also, 16 bits/44.1 kHz is a definite minimum. Peak level at -0.1 dB. But hey, if it sounds like an SS-30, I'll take it. :-D

Could anybody help? My goal is to create an extensive non-profitable public domain (i.e. free) sample setup for EXS24/Kontakt software samplers. I could do editing and looping as well as preset engineering - that's what I'm doing already as a profession (I'm a sound designer & producer).

All hints and clues are warmly welcome. If somebody's gone thru this already, let me know.

-Peter (alankoATpeterlowlandDOTcom)
(yes, replace that AT with '@' and DOT with '.')

Update:

I've found a Yamaha SS-30 string ensemble here in Finland, the tedious sampling process (note by note, no detune, with some, with lots, with ensemble, with detuning and ensemble etc...) is going on, with lots of looping and editing awaiting behind the corner.

But hey, what seemed impossible seems right now unbelievable: The amount of raw data is just... wow. Huge. It's going to take a long time to finish this but I'm patient.

-Peter

Hi Peter!

GREAT!!! I really wanted to help, but I don`t
know where you could find the samples.
Do you know about the HollowSun-website?
www.hollowsun.com
Here you can download pro-samples from vintage
synths from time to time. Right now it`s the Oberheim 8.

All The Best
JesperDK

Wow, that'll be 1 sought after finished product on here I guess.

Someone ought to put together a website devoted to cheezy 1970s string machines...

Flip,

I definitely agree about that.

I've been thinking of putting together such a site for a long time myself but just haven't gotten around to do it.
I've got lots of pics and info on most strings & multikeyboards from back in the day, so if someone feels he's up to the task of making such a site, just give me a shout, and I'll help you out by providing pics, data and info.
Just give me a shout.

I would have done a few years ago. Not enough hours in the day now though, unfortunately!

Ok, everybody, an update - again:

Today, I've finished sampling the raw material (it's 24-bit, 44.1 kHz) and finished first NI Kontakt sample set (Violin1&2 + Viola with ensemble 2, i.e. full force kickass pad) - and it sounds just amazing. Shivers down my spine. :-D (And round the ankles, then a good smack to my forehead and here I lay on the floor.)

(Jeez, I shat me pants!)

I've had some real trouble replicating things due to unbelievably bad condition of the source, i.e. Yamaha SS-30 serial #3023. Four damaged keys, dying key contacts, etc. - but I got everything I needed, nearly 400 samples.. Er, should I get rid of the hiss? I could if wanted but, hey, it's an SS-30. There SHOULD be hissing. Now I gotta find some time to edit, loop & create programs

(that last sentence was put there just because I want you all believe I've got life)

-Peter

Well...I know you SAID you had a girlfriend...but to be honest....hmmm...I dunno...

Damn. I'm busted :-D There goes my alleged reputation as a notorious playboy. Sigh.

Ok, my assumed missus gave me permission to do this:

Get yourselves a Yamaha SS-30 Kontakt sample library! These libraries need a Native Instruments Kontakt 1 or 2. Just copy & paste addresses below. Note that these were done on a Macintosh, there may be some glitches even though Kontakt files should transfer pretty easily. Other versions are coming, I just need some (lots of) time.

http://www.peterlowland.com/ss30Cello1.zip (7.97 MB)
http://www.peterlowland.com/ss30Cello2.zip (10.16 MB)
http://www.peterlowland.com/ss30Viola.zip (15.66 MB)
http://www.peterlowland.com/ss30Violin1.zip (13.51 MB)
http://www.peterlowland.com/ss30Violin2.zip (17.60 MB)
http://www.peterlowland.com/ss30Violin1+2.zip (21.60 MB)
http://www.peterlowland.com/ss30ViolinsViola.zip (22.03 MB)

Note that these are Kontakt instruments in their rawest form, some loops may click (though they shouldn't), samples are not truncated and most of the preset programming is, well, absent. Plus, these are libraries sampled with Ensemble 2 setting. The Dry and ENS1 libraries are coming one day.

Oh, and then there are some vibrato issues. Just add some triangular wave-ish vibrato, rate 6.66 Hz (that's true, at least that was the Hz count in the machine these waveforms were sampled from, serial 3023... hmm, looking at that serial number: Last numbers are 2 and 3. 2 x 3 is 6, then three sixes in the row... that makes 666... :-D )

Ok. Calm down, Peter. Breathe (thanks, Midge). Now, announce clearly: "Is there an exorcist browsing this forum? Please contact yours truly asap, thank you. We seem to have a situation here." Insert a familiar piano riff here.

Damn, I shat me pants again,

-Peter

Peter, you're a complete fruitcake (welcome to the forum).

Thanks for the links - I'll d/l when I get home tonight and see if I can find a trial copy of Kontakt on the NI site.

Heh, thanks!

Oh, by the way. I'd like to know what software samplers (if any) people are using - I mean, conversions are coming.

-Peter

Halion for me normally (I got it in a package when I bought Cubase 5.1).

Didn't get chance to do any downloading last night - didn't do much at all to be honest after yesterday's news - but will get time to do a grab over the weekend now (so don't take them down yet please...! ).