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Chapter 21 EXS24 mkII 277
Using the EXS24 mkII typically involves the following steps:
1 Load or import a sampler instrument.
2 Change the overall sound of the sampler instrument in the EXS24 mkII Parameters
window by turning the knobs, pressing switches, and moving sliders. You can also
automate these controls, enabling dynamic changes over time.
3 Edit specific samples in the Instrument Editor. Advanced users may also create an
instrument from scratch, in which case they will start with this step, then move on to
step 2 above.
Learning About Sampler Instruments
A sampler instrument is the file type that is loaded into the EXS24 mkII for playing. A
sampler instrument instructs the EXS24 mkII which samples (audio files) to load, and
how to organize them into zones and groups. The EXS24 mkII allows you to play and
record the loaded sampler instrument like you would any other software instrument.
You load sampler instruments with the Sampler Instruments menu of the EXS24 mkII.
When you select a sampler instrument, the associated audio files are automatically
located on the hard disk (or disks), and are loaded into your computer’s RAM.
Sampler instruments are distinct from plug-in settings, which are loaded and saved in
the plug-in header. Plug-in settings reside above the sampler instruments in the file
hierarchy: A setting contains a pointer to a sampler instrument, and when a new
setting is selected, the sampler instrument it points to is automatically loaded.
Plug-in settings store all parameter adjustments made in the Parameters window.
These settings are not part of the sampler instrument being loaded.
∏ Tip: This separation allows you to use sampler instruments like waveforms in a
synthesizer. Create a plug-in setting and set its envelope, modulation, and other
parameters as desired. Then use the Sampler Instruments menu to load various
“waveforms” to create new “synthesizer“ sounds.
Plug-in setting
Parameter
setting
Audio files
Sampler instrument
points to audio files
Sampler
instrument
setting