From: rmartin@ccu.umanitoba.ca (Richard Martin)
Subject: Re: Can a Mac function as a sampler?!? (and question re: "SampleCell")
Organization: University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
Date: Sun, 27 Dec 1992 01:05:19 GMT



HHHHMMmmmmmm.  Lets take a look at this.  The mac is a great vegematic
machine (as you described it) but you did not specify how much cash you
wanted to spend.  Not knowing that may make it difficult to answer your
question, but I will try.

	First, having a seperate sampler makes things easier not only on
yourself, but on the mac as well. BUT, there are many programs that will
allow you to sample into and play back on the mac.  These can be divided
into two major categories.  The first are the 8 bit, 22khz sampler
programs, and the higher (what she would probably want) 16 bit, 44.1khz. 

	The 8bit sampling devices (digitizers) include Paracomps
MacRecorder and Articulate Systems VoiceLink. Macs such as the Classic,
LC, and IIsi have built-in digitizers. The digitizers (with software)
allow you to to create your own soundfiles and play them back.  But,
remember, these are only 8 bit, and if she is doing high quality recording
(which she no doubt is, if she is looking at EPS's and stuff), she will
want to look into the 16 bit option. 

	A number of options exist for 16 bit recording and/or playback.
The cards include Sound Accelerator, Audio card, Audio Media, Samplecell,
as well as others. The sample cell card that you want to know about is a
midi-controlled 16 voice, 8 polyphonic outs, 8 MB ram sample player where
up to four of these cards may be installed (depending on your budget, and
the computer you have). It has a sampling rate of up to 48 khz. SampleCell
comes with a 630 MB CD ROM, and the boad supports Sound Designer and AIFF
files (?). With the software that comes with it, you can edit samples you
bring in from other software, cards or the CD ROM it comes with.  For
example, you can't sample with SampleCell directly, but with a Sound
Accelerator card or an Audiomedia card, you can bring in sounds to
SampleCell. SampleCell can then edit the sounds as a normal dedicated
sampler can and much more easily. Sounds in SampleCell can have up to 16
modulation routings (each voice can) so if she's into synthesis, this is
WAYCOOL. The other cards I mentioned above are basically Hard Disk
recorders (two or four tracks of digital). Space does not allow me to go
into these at depth. Most of these cards can be used in conjunction with
midi, to syncronize audio with video or film. The cards can also be used
to master CD's! There are also cards available which can be used for
synthesis, and then dropped into SampleCell, but I will not get into those
right now. If you would like to know more about these, just ask! ask!
ask!. 

	Macs such as the II, IIx, and IIfx have five nubus card which can
be used for music applications, the IIcx or IIci  have three nubus slots
available. The SE30 or IIsi have one slot available. 

	If midi is to be used (as in your case, for sequencing) ,
everything can be conected through Apples Midi Manager or OMS (Opcodes
version). 

	How MidiManager works may take some explaining, but here it goes.
When multifinder became popular (allowing more than one program to work at
a time on a Mac) and RAM started coming down in price, more people started
using sequencers, librarians, and other midi utilities at the same time
(keping them all in RAM).  The problem was that each program had its own
serial port drivers(for midi adapters). Each program would use its own,
and when you switched from one proram to the other, the program would have
to reinstall its own midi drivers. To become more friendly with each
other, software developers (mac-guys) came up with the Apple MidiManager.
A problem is that not all software is Apple MidiManager compatible..... 
YET! Soon, though, most will be, and most of the reall good stuff is   
:).  SampleCell and sequencing software such as MOTU Performer are Midi
Manager compatible, as are many others. 

	For example, my IIci can theoretically run two sample cell cards
and a sound accelerator card along with my MOTU Performer sequencing
software! Ofcourse, pushing your mac to its limits may cause problems. It
has been suggested to me that running more than one or two cards at a time
may require a IIci, IIfx, or quadra, though I am not sure of their
individual limits. 

	A number of sequencers are available for the mac, some of which
can digitize (sample sounds and play them with midi running right along
side). This would be useful for vocals and stuff, but not neccessarily for
sampling (does that make sense). These include Studio Vision, Digital
Performer, and Audio Cubase. If you plan to use SampleCell, and would like
to run a sequencer with it, the above three sequencers mentioned all can
be bought without the digital manipulation option. If fact, with the
sequencer Performer 3.64, you can send midi data directly to a SamplecCell
card directly, without having to use midi manager. If you are to be
running a number of programs at the same time for music applications, it
should be suggested that alot of RAM and a rather large (enormous)
harddrive should be bought, especially for16 bit digital audio. Also
remember that a midi converter will be needed to allow her outboard synths
and such to talk with the computer. 

	CD roms I am not too familiar with, except to say that they can
come both in audio and CD ROM formats. SampleCell even has their own. 

	So, in summary, a nubus card such as Samplecell, can be used for
sample playback with the Mac. To get samples into the Mac, you must use a
digitizing card (16 bit) or another soundsource (CD ROM). To play back in
sync with midi, either from a mac sequencer such as Performer or another
program may require using Apple's MidiManager (which can slow down your
computer in some special cases). You may also use a outboard sequencer,
although I do not know how you would go about this. To have a computer
talk with midi requires a midi adapter. All of these things are going to
cost MONEY, and tons of it. For example, I believe SampleCell is over a
Grand. Add to that the cost of the computer itself, and sequencing
software to boot, and you running into some huge figures.  If she is into
the Art thang, she may want to spend the dough, because the mac can be
used for a number of other chores as well. 
 
May I suggest you try and find the book MACWORLD: Music and Sound Bible. 
It has everything (printed in 1992) on music, sound, and that other
ever-increasingly used M-word, MULTIMEDIA. With everything on Midi,
Digital Audio, Notation software, CAI, Film and Video, and SOund Design. 
We are talking everything, including the different programs and all (Where
do you think I got all this info from :).  I think the prices are also
included.  It lists for about 37.95 U.S., but is well worth it if you plan
to get into this field. BTW, its 1398 pages long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No joke,
1398 pages. (plus forwarded by no one other than the Funk master himself,
Herbie Hancock. 
 
BTW: yes, I realize I like Performer alot, yes, I like my Mac alot, and
yes, I make alot of spelling errors.  Blah.   
 
Once again, if you have any other questons, feel free to ask.  If you
would like to know more about any of the cards, I have my Bible handy :).

me and my 'four-line' .sig

-- 
RICHARD MARTIN.      .         .     .    .   .C.Y.B.E.R.A.D.D.I.C.T.
NOISE.       . .   .. .   .   . .   . .. . . . ..N...O...I...S...E...
............   . .    . . . .   . .    .   .   .....................
                 .      .   .     .   industrial_Martin@UManitoba.CA.
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