So let’s say i download a LOT of sample packs from internet. I want to check every sample, collect the ones i want in a couple of folders and throw to trash the ones i don’t want. What is the best software for this kind of action on mac? I hate iTunes because it’s somehow separated from the files that are in my computer and it’s a total mess anyway.
And another conversation topic: what kind of workflow do you have for sampling stuff to Octatrack from external hardware and putting the recorded samples to the Flash Card in a meaningful and organized way?
I’ve used various sample management programs but for simple selection and culling, Apple’s built in Finder with the Preview function is, for me, the best solution.
Put your folder in list view, select a sample, then press the space bar to preview the sample.
Keeping that preview up, use your keyboard’s arrow keys to instantly preview the others. You’ll hear them play as you arrow down.
You can right click the ones you like and add a color tag.
Then once you’re done with all the samples in the folder, sort by Tags and then you can easily select all the untagged samples and trash them.
I’m a simple man, I don’t have much on the card, some generic stuff… I still got 16gb card.
I personally like to sample in an old fashion way:find something, sample in, use it and forget it.
I don’t even rename my recordings, in fact it’s full of R3738383whatever lol I just have the same type of sound in the same track so it’s easier to find it.
I come from old samplers without a screen or we just a simple one, by the time I scroll a list of kicks I grab the first loop and make a kick out of it.
The OT is amazing at sound design so it feels natural transform sounds instead of get something already made it.
Sometimes if I really need a folder or something I just do it on the OT, rename it’s quick and copy and paste it’s not bad with the 2 “windows”
My main source of samples are Splice, vinyls, synths, me playing live, Recordings from any device when I’m around. I have Splice search set to random lol but my favourite way is still from vinyl. I prefer this “chaos” because instead of spend time to organise my sample I go to a shop, living an experience which will inspire me, get a random vinyl and get excited because I don’t know what I’ll found. All that will actually help to get more creative and it push me to use it because now I have it.
Anyway I suggest you try to do 10 tracks with the same samples, I bet none of them will sound similar.
For a simple cull, then refer to @AdamJay’s response for the nice quick and dirty way.
For more advanced stuff, you may want to look into something like Iced Audio Finder or ADSR Sample Manager especially if you want to tag and sort etc. I developed my own sample management software; but that is obviously not for everyone.
