Linux sampler projects, was Re: [linux-audio-user] Some music made with Linux

[Dave Phillips]

Greetings:

  Interesting discussion. I'll bet the apparent differences of opinion 
would be better handled over a few pints instead of over the wires.

  It might be a far more valuable discussion if we all agreed upon what 
we think a software sampler should be doing. I've owned a number of 
hardware samplers, so I should expect at least the following features in 
one made entirely of software :

    Raw sample editing (envelopes, tuning, signal processing)
    Full MIDI implementation (responsive to full range controllers, 
controller mapping, SPMTE/MTC support)
    Realtime parameter adjustments (filter cutoff frequency, tuning)
    Flexible audio output routing (stereo, individual channels a la 
Hydrogen)
    Flexible keyboard mapping & layering (velocity zones & switching, 
overlapping sample layers)
   
  I'd like to read what others here think should go into the design of a 
software sampler. I've looked over the specs of Gigasampler but have 
never used it: is anyone on this list familiar with its features ? If 
so, which of its features should be introduced into Pete's or anyone 
else's Linux sampler ?

  Btw, at this point I consider Pete's app more of a sample-playback 
program. It's a far cry from the hardware samplers I've used, but it's 
also a *lot* more easily usable, ergo a lot more fun to use. I've been 
using it lately for some song experiments, it's very impressive. Pete's 
been quite responsive to suggestions, he has every right to be proud of 
his project, but I also consider Benno's project to be something 
different (at this time: that difference may narrow in the near future). 
IIRC the Linux sampler project includes support for some commercially 
available sample formats, and I imagine it's going to be very concerned 
about its realtime performance under heavy loads. That said, I should 
point out that Specimen rocks under JACK. Given more time and some more 
essential features, Specimen may well evolve into the Linux sampler 
project we've all been waiting for.

  Okay, just my two pfennigs. Back into my shell...

Best regards,

dp