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#Mimetic Sampler Problem

13 messages in this thread
#33055From: MARC LIMATASep 13, 1986 10:00 PM
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
#33121From: Mel FishmanSep 14, 1986 5:14 PM
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
#33159From: MARC LIMATASep 14, 1986 11:27 PM
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
#33159From: MARC LIMATASep 14, 1986 11:27 PM
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
#33121From: Mel FishmanSep 14, 1986 5:14 PM
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
#33213From: Richard RaeSep 15, 1986 3:57 PM
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
#33213From: Richard RaeSep 15, 1986 3:57 PM
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
#33232From: Pat SammonsSep 15, 1986 7:50 PM
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.
#33269From: MARC LIMATASep 15, 1986 11:09 PM
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
#33342From: Pat SammonsSep 16, 1986 7:29 PM
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.
#33342From: Pat SammonsSep 16, 1986 7:29 PM
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.
#33269From: MARC LIMATASep 15, 1986 11:09 PM
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
#33232From: Pat SammonsSep 15, 1986 7:50 PM
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.