Emax II operation manual
186
THE ART OF SAMPLING
Session No. 1: SAMPLING FROM TAPE
Maintaining Sample Quality with VCRs
One excellent way to sample involves using a VCR and digital audio adapter (such as
the Sony PCM-F1) for recording different sounds. Compared to using conventional reel-
to-reel tape recorders, this approach offers several advantages:
■
Digital-quality Fidelity:
A VCR/audio adapter combination adds virtually no
degradation to the signal being sampled. Signal-to-noise ratio, wow, flutter, and
dynamic range exceed that of all but the very finest analog recorders. These tapes of
source sounds can serve as a “master” library.
■
Lower Tape Costs:
VCR cartridge tape is very inexpensive; you can record hours and
hours of samples for only a few dollars.
■
Portability:
Using a portable VCR and battery powered audio adapter makes for a
very compact and portable package.
Although splicing is not easy with VCR-based audio systems, you can generally do the
required signal splicing and manipulation within the Emax II. A good alternative to the
VCR/adapter approach is to use a Sony Beta Hi-Fi recorder—the audio tracks are of
excellent quality. VHS Hi-Fi gives comparable results.
■
Digital Audio Tape
recorders (DATs) use the same type of technology, but are
optimized for audio recording and are generally smaller and more convenient to use. All
of the advantages of VCR/PCM recording apply to DATs, with the added advantage of
DAT recorders being fully integrated, small-size units.
Maintaining Sample Quality with Reel-to-Reel
Follow common-sense recording practice—be extremely careful about mic placement,
use noise reduction when recording samples on to tape, limit the signal going on to tape
rather than limiting the signal coming off the tape into the Emax II, and add aural
enhancement if desired.
■
Using Variable Speed Tape Recording
: Variable speed can help time-compress
samples. For example, suppose you have one second of bank memory left and want
to sample a two second sound. Record the sound on tape, and play back the tape at
twice normal speed into the Emax II. This gives you a one second sample. Assign the
original pitch one octave above the sample’s pitch, the low note one octave below the
sample’s pitch, and the high note as desired. Playing the low note, which is an
octave-lower version of the sample, will produce a two second sound at the desired
pitch. This technique is also useful for speech compression.
Variable speed can help increase high frequency response as well. Record a sample on
tape, then set the recorder to half speed and record the sound into the Emax II. Assign
the original pitch to one octave below the sample’s pitch, the low note also one octave
Sampling From Tape
To Next Page
Loading...