AR as a sampler drum machine only (no synthesis)

Elektron Gear Analog Rytm
#9

Aren’t stereo samples converted to mono the moment you transfere them to the AR?
The Octatrack plays stereo samples. This might be another big difference.
[/quote]
samples, in stereo, ain’t necessarily stereo samples ! #twotracks
.
[/quote]

Right. But whats the point?

Take a 1.6 mb 16 bit 44100 HZ aif stereo file and transfer it to the AR.
After the covertion the file size on the AR will be… 0.78 mb.

Now take a 1.6 mb 16 bit 44100 HZ aif file with #twotracks and transfer it to the AR.
After the covertion the file size on the AR will be… 0.78 mb.

Now take a 1.6 mb 16 bit 44100 HZ aif mono file and transfer it to the AR.
After the covertion the file size on the AR will be… 1.56 mb.

So… “long samples in stereo” will not eat up more memory than mono files because they were converted into mono files. No matter if stereo or #twotracks.
[/quote]
eh ?
.
One extracted Left track of a stereo file panned left and one R track panned right using two separate L & R mono samples therefore spends twice the RAM - simple, no !
.
the point is that for whatever reason, someone may wish to retain the stereo image of a stereo sample and that’s the only way to do it = two tracks = twice RAM
.
it’s not for me, but that’s what he meant !
.
fwiw - i’d pre-convert or create all my source material to 16/48/mono

1 Like
#10

I just wanted to point out that the AR only plays mono samples.
This might be relevant if someone compares the ARs track count with the OTs track count like the OP did.

If you pre-convert your material… fine.
I just choosed 16 bit 44100 HZ as an example to point out pre and post convertion.

#11

I would suggest the Octa is a much better fit for you. I had an AR and sold it. The sample management is a pain in the arse. So slow. Very frustrating in 2016!
I love my Octa. So much in getting a second. It’s a perfect sample mangling machine and beautifully complex. It sounds very punchy too. The sample management via Compact Flash is really easy and can host an enormous amount of samples compared to the AR.
The only reason you might want an AR is if you really HAVE to use analogue filters. The Octa filters are really good imho though.

#12

With pseudo round-robin, velo mod matrix and stellar wavetable synthesis, your mileage can be substantial. Octa does not have trig conditions does it?

But rest assured that you’d be compelled to use the synthesis section as well (and if you insist on digi purism at the sound source level, you could use the new impulse and noise machines)

#13

Samples sound beautiful through the ar and its analog pathway.
haven’t used enough to say that actually all samples benefit of it.
With the limited ram I think a drum machine just based on samples would be too expensive for what you get out of it.
however when you use the ar anyway the sampling engine just rocks. as the tom sounds of the ar are just shit there are a couple of slots for you to drop your samples in.
would be good to get a collection of transients and other elements which compliment the analogue engines

#14

Getting an AR for sample playback is a bit like buying a car for the chassis and wheels only, with little interest in the engine.

That’s fine if all you want to do is go 4-wheeling through some rough terrain, but you could be putting a lot of money down for a key feature (8 voice analog synthesis) that you have little use for.

And keep in mind, while the Rytm has 12 tracks, it only has 8 voices, just like the OT. But greater on the OT as the samples are stereo, and further greater on the OT when you include the 8 track MIDI sequencer.

OT + Strymon Deco would be a better solution, I think.

1 Like
#15

My first elektron was an analog rytm. Basicly I used it only for sample playback/mangling. The analog sauce over the samples is really great and sounds very nice. I used it only with samples of my own voice, I had big fun, check my YT what I did…

https://youtu.be/r5SaiynXWIo

I sold it in the end because I didnt use it as drummachine but as a sampleplayer/mangler I found good alternatives (octatrack e.d.) and as a sampleplayer the rytm is way too expensive compared to an sp-404/mpc1000 e.d. I think you have to see the rytm as (drum)synth, aspecially with the latest update…

If I win the lotery… The rytm is the first piece of gear I will buy… Again…

#16

i do agree with the two previous posts…
if looking for a sampling machine, look for something different than an AR, which is a drum computer with sample playback capability
lots of people are using it just fine though, to me, all the slow process of loading the samples on the machine and the few options (good nonetheless) available for sample mangling, don’t make it for nice and smooth workflow…unless one day the AR will be able to sample straight away or be able to drag&drop samples into it…until then: i’ll still be wanting an OT or similar alternatives for that

#17

I have a question.

Is there some way you might be able to transfer samples from an Octatrack to a Rytm without using a computer?

I know the answer is probably no. It would make a really neat ecosystem… One can dream though i guess.

Lately I’ve been really vibing on an OTB workflow, particularly during composition.

Very tempted to get an Octatrack for deeper sample control, and general multi-layering and record.

#18

most of the time i use the analog synthesis to produce the transients for my samples masking and layering . i never start out with the synth. The samplesare much harder to tweak and i find re sampling them to a new wave is often the best move

#19

Is there a trick for recording samples sounds from AR to DAW in stereo? I mean, doubling the track, etc. I’m a complete ignorant in these matter. Thanks!

#20

You can use Live’s utility audio device to allow only the Left side to pass through, render for Left side.
Then repeat for the Right.

Import both samples to Rytm.
Choose one sample on a track, sequence, pan, copy track, paste track to another track, change sample slot to the opposing sample, invert the pan.

#21

No.

#22

Thanks for the advice!

#23

Stereo playback samples can be achieved with a future OS update?

#24

Not a chance, there are 8 mono voices, if you want to blow 2 on a stereo sample, then go ahead (as advised above) but there’s no way the OS will cater for that usage scenario imo

2 Likes
#25

stereo is overrated :meh:

3 Likes
Introducing Digitakt
#26

why would stereo samples eat up more memory than mono?
as i’ve read in various places (including this thread), C6/AR always convert samples to mono and thus very likely reduce the file size.

#27

The AR is a lot easier then the md when it comes to playing long samples and storing samples
There’s 1 gig on the AR and 64 meg ram
If you think terms of the md, the ar plays long samples and has the ability to lock 128 samples. So per 16 step per track you can have 16 samples - so let’s say you can get a few tracks of the md style sample playing on only one track
The sample engine sound" is high above the md and OT.
I reckon the synth sample layering is pretty unquie - it’s like dual poly.
as a standalone sampler it can done provided you use overbridge and abelton and sds drop
I’d use abelton and abelton sampler over the OT any day.
The AR comes with abelton lite.

quick demo of a tr606 sample chain that went a bit otherworldly

1 Like
#28

I own the MD UW+ MKII, the OT and just repurchased the AR.

The MD is my favourite. The Function Ctrl and CTRL ALL tracks are a joy to play with and instant gratification.

The AR I bought, sold and bought again. Its very easy to use and even though Im not the biggest fan of the synth, the sampling+synth combo is what I missed and blending whatever sounds I want to make it personal to me. Its a great nifty little box…

However - if you want the machine that can do it all, the OT is the most fun, most creative and provides the most flexibility. Yes the MD can hold 2 mb samples :slight_smile: yes the AR has the ipad apps etc… but the OT is only limited by what size CF card you use… its far more user friendly. The directory hirearchy is much simpler than the +drives because its a logical tree as you would see in any storage medium. Putting it in USB mode acts as a hardrive - so useful!

The CF card is priceless, the fader is priceless, time stretching and sample mangling goes to another dimension altogether… if its a sampler youre after, get the OT - its the best bang for your buck.

If you are a finger drumming guru get an MPC…

:pray::v:️