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I've been actively browsing Samplitude threads to learn about the product and scooped an older copy from my music store clearanced out for $100.00 . It's Samplitude 11, I realize it's not the latest and greatest but I didn't mind putting out 100.00 to play with it ... (I'm sure there must be an upgrade option as well)... Anyhow, the question I would like to ask is how was the transition to the Samplitude DAW from you're previous DAW and if it was pretty transparent. Or if the learning curve was steep (that's probably the better question)..

Thanks in advance..
K

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DonnyThompson Sun, 02/28/2016 - 01:21

Guelph_Guy, post: 436768, member: 47293 wrote: Anyhow another DAW to lean...

Once you get the program installed ... watch this video before you do anything else:

Do a search for Kraznet's other ( and numerous) Samplitude instructional videos on Youtube. They will become your best friends in the weeks and months ahead, GG.
Kraznet ( Martin) is so fantastic at explaining things in such concise and easy to understand ways, you'll find tremendous value there.

He's saved my bacon more than just a few times throughout the learning journey.
Once you become more familiar with this program, you're gonna wish you had made the move sooner.
It's an incredibly powerful DAW program; I've had it nearly two years, use it nearly everyday, and I still learn cool new things about it. It's features are deep, but powerful and very useful.

Oh.. and welcome to the dark side... Samplitude users are rebels... not very popular, but we're a mighty force for being so small and unknown.

BTW, Chris and I are thinking about having Samp gang jackets made. We'll need your street nickname and your jacket size... LOL

Let us know if you have questions. :)

d.

Guelph_Guy Sun, 02/28/2016 - 06:23

Thanks Donny That's great , I can source all that out on you tube and get the jump on some training... I should have it in the mail mid week , and apparently I can get an upgrade as well..
(I checked the sites upgrade policy). I understand there's a Samplitude Pro X2 and there is some sort of upgrade path available. Don't know what that entails but something else to read. I understand the DAW is object oriented (fine by me, I'm an object oriented programmer) .. so if the concept gets carried over I should be okay at least conceptually. Have to see how they put it into practice...and how to execute it ... from what I've read in the forums, the mix engine is exceptional..in terms of audio quality. Be interesting to see if I can hear it when I a/b platforms.

Thanks for everything
K

DonnyThompson Mon, 02/29/2016 - 02:52

The primary differences between Pro X and Pro X 2, is that Pro X 2 now incorporates VCA's on the faders, and, it also has an improved coding on the pitch correction.
There may be other differences, if I've left something out, I'm hoping that Chris ( audiokid ) or any of our other Samp users here will correct me, or add things to the list that I might have left out... but those two things are the primary differences between Pro X and Pro X 2.

(Personally speaking, I'm fine with Pro X. I have not yet upgraded to "2" ... as I haven't had any real reason to yet; for my workflow and style, Pro X works fine for me. I may upgrade at some point, but it's not a deal-breaker for me, at least not right now, anyay.)

The differences between the Pro X and the Pro X Suite versions is simply that the Suite versions include the Independence sample library ( VSTi). It's an "okay" sounding sample collection - I wouldn't say it's great, I've used it from time to time, but there are much better sounding collections out there, and if I was going to be paying extra for it, well.. I guess I'm saying I wouldn't.

But.... speaking for their defense, that's not what Samplitude's strong point is, anyway. They aren't a sample library manufacturer, that's not what their focus is. Their primary focus is to make a great DAW production platform, of which they've succeeded greatly ( in my opinion); and that should be the main reason why anyone would want to use it.

So... one of the vids you will want to watch - before you start watching all of Kraznet's other Samp instructional vids, is his video on how to revert to Menu version 11. ( see below, I've inserted it)

This video explains how to set up your menu/GUI for version 11; you'll want to do this because this is the version of Samp that Martin used to explain the various functions and features of Samplitude when he made his videos... so, if you are working with a newer menu version ( 12), you won't be able to locate some of the functions he is explaining, because the newer Samp menu layouts have several commands and actions placed in different locations than version 11 did.
You can always revert back to a newer menu version at anytime, although, I will tell you that I still use Menu Version 11, because it's what I learned on.
This menu in no way affects the function, quality or power of Samplitude. It's strictly a GUI thing.

-d. :)

audiokid Mon, 02/29/2016 - 06:44

Nice response Donny.

I'm sure there are more little features or bug patches that have been improved but stability with the current Windows 7, 8, 10 might be top on my list.
If I recall, there was an improvement with how Midi reacted from 11 to now.
There was a HPF noise 80hz and below in the main EQ that was fixed.
Improved VariVerb.

Matt Mon, 02/29/2016 - 06:47

I agree, definitely a steep learning curve, even for some of the more aspic functions. I have made some shortcut changes as well as I find some of the basic functions are onto very intuitive or user friendly. But as a DAW, i am getting more and more used to it and more and more happy with it. It can do a lot and I am still enjoying exploring some of the features.

DonnyThompson Mon, 02/29/2016 - 07:29

audiokid, post: 436792, member: 1 wrote: If I recall, there was an improvement with how Midi reacted from 11 to now.

I have found that occasionally ( very rarely, but it does happen from time to time) that when calling up a new VSTi in the middle of a tracking session - like a piano for instance - that the notes play fine on my controller, I can hear everything fine, the track is receiving data... but then when I hit record, it doesn't record the first time. I have to stop, and record it again, at which point everything works fine. It doesn't happen very often, and it's such an easy fix, because I know within the first measure if it's recording midi data or not, so I'm not all that bothered by it.

But, that is one little hiccup I have noticed. It doesn't happen very often, but occasionally, and for no apparent rhyme or reason...

Guelph_Guy Mon, 02/29/2016 - 17:27

Matt, post: 436793, member: 48561 wrote: I agree, definitely a steep learning curve, even for some of the more aspic functions. I have made some shortcut changes as well as I find some of the basic functions are onto very intuitive or user friendly. But as a DAW, i am getting more and more used to it and more and more happy with it. It can do a lot and I am still enjoying exploring some of the features.

Thanks for your input Matt, I'm always looking forward to try new software... but like many I'm concerned about the learning curve. I'm a pretty quick study , so hopefully I can get productive fairly quickly

DonnyThompson Tue, 03/01/2016 - 01:17

Guelph_Guy, post: 436801, member: 47293 wrote: but like many I'm concerned about the learning curve.

Those Kraznet vids are going to get you moving along pretty quickly ... and smoothly. You're a smart guy. Don't be concerned. Be excited by the possibilities. :)

I know you are concerned with the curve, but keep this in mind... I switched from Sonar to Samp in the middle of the an album project, and the album turned out pretty good. I wouldn't really recommend doing that, but, that's what I did.
(I hear tell the album even garnered an award or two. ;) )

DonnyThompson Wed, 03/02/2016 - 01:49

Guelph_Guy, post: 436824, member: 47293 wrote: Brave guy you are to switch daws midstream!

Ya... maybe it was "brave", or maybe it's just that my decision was as dumb as a box of rocks.

I certainly wouldn't recommend that anyone in a similar situation do what I did, nor would I do it again, either. LOL

I'm proud of that particular album, but it damn-near killed me. ;)

I mean ... in the end, it turned out to be the right move, because I don't believe the album would have sounded the same if I'd stuck with Sonar for the album's duration of production ( just my opinion, everyone put down your flame-throwers), but that's not to say it was an easy switch to make.

If I told you that I was getting around Samp like a breeze in just a few days ( or even weeks), or that within that time, that I was doing certain actions without really having to think about them, I'd be lying... like a rug.

And, giving proper credit where credit is due, I can honestly say that I would not have been able to successfully make that move without Kraznet's videos. His stuff on Youtube became my bible for the program.
His videos bailed me out more times than I could count.

For that matter, I'm still learning new things about Samp, and I work with it nearly everyday, and I've now had it for over two years.... so that's either a testament to its very deep power and capabilities - or it's a reflection of my own very limited level of intelligence. LOL.

Speaking strictly from a self-esteem angle, I prefer to think that it's the former. ;)

-d.

DonnyThompson Wed, 03/02/2016 - 23:55

I'm using an ADK AP 1, with "pop and swap" Transformers and Op-Amps, for my main vocal and solo instrument pre ( it's a single channel pre), and I use a Presonus VSL1818 - which is an 8 channel rack version of their Studio-Live desk - as the i/o.
I have various other preamps, both SS and Tube, but the ADK gets the most use, as I can sculpt the sound/character by putting in different XFO's and XFO/Op-Amp combinations.

These XFO's include a Lundhal1538 ( Focusrite ISA console), a Jensen 110k ( used in API 312 Preamps) a Sowter 9820C ( Soundcraft desks); and the Op-Amps include a John Hardy 990c, an ADK Vint-Op-N ( Neve clone) and a Cinemag.

Mic wise, I have 2 vintage AKG 414 EB's (w/ the original ck12 brass capsules), a Neumann U89i, along with the standard fare of RE-20's, 421's, 57's and 58's... and a few cheap ribbons and cardioid-only condensers.