Sampling sounds or...

[ganglion at utxvms.cc.utexas.edu]

At 11:33 AM 5/12/98 -0300, you wrote:
>Well, I think here is the only place where I can ask this to somebody.
>
>It's something like that: People say "Don't sample the TR's! Don't sample
>the Mini Moog! Don't sample this! Don't sample that! You have to buy them if
>you want, because of the 'feeling', the internal sequencer is different..."
>
>Man, aren't these people a bunch of idiots? They have ears that listen to
>errors where they aren't, they have a lot of analog stuff and keep annoying
>the ones with Nord Lead and JP-8000... I think that if I sample the TR-808,
>it will have the same final sound. So does the TB, and Juno, and MiniMoog...
>

Is this what you're saying?  A sample of a real instrument is basically the 
same sound as the original?   C'mon, we dropped that whole debate in 
the 80's.  The general consensus is an unequivocal 'NO.'  Why?
   I suppose you could say that the biggest reason samples don't sound 
the same is that you don't play a sample the same.  Most people are 
always using the same controller which will exhibit a certain tactile feel.
You will of course perform differently on this device than another.  All
instruments have a different feel which couple together with their circuits
(or acoustic nature) to create a signature sound.  
        Now, when you're talking little techno boxes like 303's and 808's.
Well, I tried to sample the 808 for years with little success at achieving
true fidelity.  Not until a year ago, when Rebirth came out, did I finally 
give up entirely.  I can't do it.  These sounds need to be generated by
synthesis.  Samples are too static, and can too easily sound lifeless when
they're not processed properly..   But hey, that doesn't keep the most
uninnovative DJ flunkies from making house music.

                -Robb Kunz