Some of the most creative sound design and alterations that I've ever heard have come from analog or natural effects sources. Guitar amp simulators and pedals have always been a happy addition to the sampler rig adding anything from warmth to grinding distortion to a source signal. Go outside the limitation of DI's and you begin to see a whole new world of possibilities. Try sampling with compression or gating taken to extremes. One of the coolest sounds I've seen created lately was of a large 16 in.
Imagination is the key.
Until next time, DR MIDI Jason Scott Alexander is a record producer, remixer and sound designer. He's currently working towards a busy fall remix schedule and will be producing tracks from Nashville for a newly-signed country artist from southern Ontario.