EXS 24 Logic Sampler Users Group

> I bought it too, but I´m not really impressed so far: its socalled "vinyl
> sound" is very clean, too much room and modulation, too many processed similar
> loops (variations), it is very much mainstream. Some loops are dated!!  The
> big plus is the concept behind, the groovefiles. If the sounds would kick
> more, if it would be more like a funky drummer, it would be my tool...I know,
> just a matter of taste, but after reading only postings in this group praising
> Spectrasonics, sometimes thiis forum  seems to be a advertisement
> platform...Sometimes I think we should discuss how to make samples by
> ourselves instead of "whow there´s a fantastic new library out, let´s buy it"
> Cheers  Joh

I'm sure Stylus is a very well put together product. I bought Distorted
Reality when it came out cause a friend of mine was praising it. I was
initially very impressed with Eric's programming and processing skills which
are extremely impressive. I used that CD once and after that everything on
there just seemed too pre-processed for my music. It ended up feeling like I
was playing in a band with EP and his stamp was on my music. Then I heard
those types of sounds on TV and whoosh, I forgot about all that library
stuff and started making my own sounds exclusively. Using Distorted Reality
did inspire me to figure out how to use my own processing to get similar
effects, but with every Tom Dick and Harry using those samples on TV it's
hard for me to use them in an original context.

In my world, there's a place for libraries and a place for original sounds
equally. If you make original sounding, cutting edge music only you're going
to need lots of original sounds that you tailor to your own taste. If you
make music that needs lots of real instruments, like orchestras and pianos
and dulcimers, i.e. Film scoring/ Jingles... you'll need libraries.

Keep in mind that one man's "cutting edge" is another man's "mundane" and
vice versa.

Teddybut

PS Why don't you start the discussion on "how to make samples by ourselves"?

I can totally understand this point of view, Teddybut. This is one of the big 
reasons that we are making instruments now, instead of only sample libraries. 
With the virtual instruments, you can really change the character and vibe of 
the sounds to suit your own needs. We are very much interested in people 
being able to use our tools in a creative way. I would much prefer people 
being creative with our stuff, than to use things in a "stock" way. 
Hopefully, we can create an inspiring starting point for the user to go in 
new directions. I've been blown away at some of the stuff I've heard done 
with Stylus so far. To be honest, if they hadn't told me it was Stylus, I 
never would have guessed! For me that is the ultimate usage, when people can 
be really creative with our products and individual.

While the previous poster didn't care for the loops that come with the 
product, he didn't mention taking much time to create stuff on his own with 
Stylus. There is a TON of stuff to work with for creating your own grooves. 
(38,000 drum samples for a start!) Then when you get into what is possible 
with using Groove Control and editing individual zones.....it's totally 
infinite.

For the upcoming Atmosphere instrument, you will freak out at how easy it is 
to use and create your own stuff. It's almost done and I'm really excited 
about it!

As for putting my sonic stamp on my products.....for that, I confess I am 
guilty as charged :-)

I guess if you don't like it, then you always start with the EXS sine wave ;-)

all the best,

-EP

In a message dated 8/30/02 9:06:10 PM, teddybut@... writes:

>I'm sure Stylus is a very well put together product. I bought Distorted
>
>Reality when it came out cause a friend of mine was praising it. I was
>
>initially very impressed with Eric's programming and processing skills
>which
>
>are extremely impressive. I used that CD once and after that everything
>on
>
>there just seemed too pre-processed for my music. It ended up feeling like
>I
>
>was playing in a band with EP and his stamp was on my music. Then I heard
>
>those types of sounds on TV and whoosh, I forgot about all that library
>
>stuff and started making my own sounds exclusively. Using Distorted Reality
>
>did inspire me to figure out how to use my own processing to get similar
>
>effects, but with every Tom Dick and Harry using those samples on TV it's
>
>hard for me to use them in an original context.
>
>
>
>In my world, there's a place for libraries and a place for original sounds
>
>equally. If you make original sounding, cutting edge music only you're
>going
>
>to need lots of original sounds that you tailor to your own taste. If you
>
>make music that needs lots of real instruments, like orchestras and pianos
>
>and dulcimers, i.e. Film scoring/ Jingles... you'll need libraries.
>
>
>
>Keep in mind that one man's "cutting edge" is another man's "mundane" and
>
>vice versa.
>
>
>
>Teddybut
>
>
>
>PS Why don't you start the discussion on "how to make samples by ourselves"?

It's interesting to note that one of the posts wanted the sounds more 
processed and kicking, and the other wanted it less so.....just goes to show 
that there are lots of different tastes out there. My philosophy is to try 
and give elements that can be manipulated with as much control as possible. 
It's always easier to "pump it up" with compression and distortion, busier 
parts, etc. It's much more difficult to go the other way. It's easier to make 
a loop sound really impressive and produced, it's harder to make something 
that is flexible and simpler....and still inspiring. We do work hard to 
provide a good balance, and I always like to get constructive feedback.

Anyway, the most important aspect of Stylus is certainly what YOU can do with 
it and how much you can make it your own. With that in mind, I would offer 
our constantly expanding demos page for some great examples of how different 
people are using Stylus in dramatically different contexts and ways:

http://www.spectrasonics.net/instruments/stylus_demos.html

The majority of these examples are on the creative side, manipulating the 
instrument to make the grooves conform to what the composer wanted for there 
music....instead of the loop dictating what the music should be. You won't 
find presets in Stylus that have the exact grooves used in these demos....the 
artists made them their own and often created totally unique things. In fact, 
it would be quite difficult for me to recreate these tracks, even though I 
made Stylus!

Hope that helps explain the possibilities with Stylus a bit more.

-EP

> I can totally understand this point of view, Teddybut. This is one of the big
> reasons that we are making instruments now, instead of only sample libraries.

That's quite the marketing rebound there, Eric! ;-) Just poking fun. On a
serious note, I'm looking forward to hearing Atmosphere demos. That sounds
like something I might get a lot of use out of.

Eric Persing wrote:
>As for putting my sonic stamp on my products.....for that, I confess I am
>guilty as charged :-)

Eric, please continue committing these artistic crimes......

Regards - Colin
(Very happy STYLUS user)