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· Audiophile
#Mimetic Sampler Problem
13 messages in this thread
I would like to hear from anyone else who has the Mimetics Sound Sampler
(Sound Digitizer). I am having a few problems with one which is suppose to
be the latest version. First problem seems to be that no matter what I
sample there seems to be a considerable amount of hiss type noise . Using
best quality audio cables and they are short in length . Tried sampling
sounds from my synthesizer and no matter what level there still seems to be
some noise with it. PROBLEM #2 – Playing the Sampled sounds from a MIDI
keyboard and get stuck notes and other assorted problems. Any one else
having problems with the Mimetics Sound Sampler ???? Marc
I had that problem ( noise in background ), but then increased the volume
control input and the problem dissapeared. If the cable from the MIDI ktbrd
is defective, and disconnects, samppled sounds may not quit. I had that
happen too.! Mel Phase 4
The MIDI cable is perfect , I tried it between two of my other
synthesizers. I think the midi interface is O.K. I wrote a small program to
test it out. When you say volume control input do you mean the Threshold
Slider ??? I tried several levels going into the Sampler unit by varying
the volume control on the synth. I was sampling from. When I increased the
volume input to the point the noise was at a low level the sampled waveform
sounded distorted . When I brought the level down so the sound being
sampled had less distortion the noise was back up !. A competitor of
Mimetics warned me the Mimetics sampler was noisy. I also wished the
SAMPLING RATE was variable Marc
The MIDI cable is perfect , I tried it between two of my other
synthesizers. I think the midi interface is O.K. I wrote a small program to
test it out. When you say volume control input do you mean the Threshold
Slider ??? I tried several levels going into the Sampler unit by varying
the volume control on the synth. I was sampling from. When I increased the
volume input to the point the noise was at a low level the sampled waveform
sounded distorted . When I brought the level down so the sound being
sampled had less distortion the noise was back up !. A competitor of
Mimetics warned me the Mimetics sampler was noisy. I also wished the
SAMPLING RATE was variable Marc
I had that problem ( noise in background ), but then increased the volume
control input and the problem dissapeared. If the cable from the MIDI ktbrd
is defective, and disconnects, samppled sounds may not quit. I had that
happen too.! Mel Phase 4
Marc,
Regarding noise with the Mimetics sampler. Keep in mind that even if the
sampler were PERFECT, the absolute best S/N ratio you can expect is 52 db. This
is the theoretical maximum with 8 bits, and the real-world value will be lower.
This is roughly equivalent to a cassette tape with no noise reduction, which
you must admit is a tad on the noisy side.
I have three of the four available samplers here in house. Unless one of the
companies sent me a doctored version (which I highly doubt), the Mimetics is
quieter than one of the others, and the same as the other (though different in
type of noise). I doubt we'll know for sure which is quietest until we defeat
the extremely limited bandwidth filter in the Amiga.
The main difficulty with the Mimetics is that the other two have provisions for
adjusting input gain, whereas the Mimetics doesn't. If you think you might
want another sampler because of the noise problem, I _strongly_ recommend you
get ahold of the potential purchase and use it before you buy, as you may find
it no better than what you now have.
As to the software, I must admit that it seemed to be a bit "fragile" to me as
well. I was able to crash the system on several occasions by doing fast mouse
moves/clicks, and I also experienced occasional stuck notes. I have the older
software, though… they are shipping me the new stuff now. If your software
does not provide a visual representation of the waveform, ala oscilloscope,
then you do not have the newest version either.
Finally, keep in mind that the software shipped with the sampler is only a tiny
taste of what it can do. To use the sampler to its fullest you need to use it
as a module in the whole SoundScape system.
Keep me posted as to problems and comments.
Nybbles,
Rick
Marc,
Regarding noise with the Mimetics sampler. Keep in mind that even if the
sampler were PERFECT, the absolute best S/N ratio you can expect is 52 db. This
is the theoretical maximum with 8 bits, and the real-world value will be lower.
This is roughly equivalent to a cassette tape with no noise reduction, which
you must admit is a tad on the noisy side.
I have three of the four available samplers here in house. Unless one of the
companies sent me a doctored version (which I highly doubt), the Mimetics is
quieter than one of the others, and the same as the other (though different in
type of noise). I doubt we'll know for sure which is quietest until we defeat
the extremely limited bandwidth filter in the Amiga.
The main difficulty with the Mimetics is that the other two have provisions for
adjusting input gain, whereas the Mimetics doesn't. If you think you might
want another sampler because of the noise problem, I _strongly_ recommend you
get ahold of the potential purchase and use it before you buy, as you may find
it no better than what you now have.
As to the software, I must admit that it seemed to be a bit "fragile" to me as
well. I was able to crash the system on several occasions by doing fast mouse
moves/clicks, and I also experienced occasional stuck notes. I have the older
software, though… they are shipping me the new stuff now. If your software
does not provide a visual representation of the waveform, ala oscilloscope,
then you do not have the newest version either.
Finally, keep in mind that the software shipped with the sampler is only a tiny
taste of what it can do. To use the sampler to its fullest you need to use it
as a module in the whole SoundScape system.
Keep me posted as to problems and comments.
Nybbles,
Rick
The sampler is noisy . You can hear the same amount of background noise in
the samples they provide. In my opinion, the FutureSound samples are less
noisy, but for all around usefulness I prefer the Mimetics. Try increasing
your input volume to just below the point of distortion. By the way, the
Mimetics Sequencer module is terrific. I've had it for about three weeks
now and can highly recommend it. It also has an improved sampler section.
I have tried several levels. The only way I can reduce the background noise
to a tolerable level is to set the level so high that distortion occurs.
The background noise on the Mimetics samples are much lower than what I am
getting . I have spent several days trying differnt sound sources , levels
, and sampling times. I have used other samplers (dedicated MIDI based &
keyboard) this unit I have appears to be the noisiest one I have ever
heard. Marc
If your samples have a higher noiae level than the samples provided by
Mimetics then you may have a hardware problem. Try to exchange your unit.
Mimetics is supposed to be very good about this.
If your samples have a higher noiae level than the samples provided by
Mimetics then you may have a hardware problem. Try to exchange your unit.
Mimetics is supposed to be very good about this.
I have tried several levels. The only way I can reduce the background noise
to a tolerable level is to set the level so high that distortion occurs.
The background noise on the Mimetics samples are much lower than what I am
getting . I have spent several days trying differnt sound sources , levels
, and sampling times. I have used other samplers (dedicated MIDI based &
keyboard) this unit I have appears to be the noisiest one I have ever
heard. Marc
The sampler is noisy . You can hear the same amount of background noise in
the samples they provide. In my opinion, the FutureSound samples are less
noisy, but for all around usefulness I prefer the Mimetics. Try increasing
your input volume to just below the point of distortion. By the way, the
Mimetics Sequencer module is terrific. I've had it for about three weeks
now and can highly recommend it. It also has an improved sampler section.