Sampling Standalone Analog Synths

The Lounge Other Gear
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I just build a MFOS Noise Toaster. It’s a fun little synth and makes some great noises. But it’s not really something you can play—unless you just want a drone, I guess. There’s no MIDI or CV input suitable for a keyboard.

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With a synth like this, how would you go about using it to build a track in your DAW?

To me the easiest option seemed to be using it as a Simpler instrument in Ableton. I took a long sample, tuned it in Simpler, and looped a section of it so I can hold notes as long as I want to.

There do seem to be some drawbacks, like you can’t really use the release from the synth unless you’re happy with all your notes being a different length. But you could always use the envelope in Simpler.

Is there a better way to do this? Or how do people use synths like this in music production?

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Something like that, I’d probably use it more to improvise over the top of existing tracks. Run a couple of takes, listen back, edit, use any great moments.

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I don’t use simpler for this kind of sample playing, so there might be a trick to have the release phase as well …

… this said, the usual sampler typically allows four positions:

  • start of sample
  • start of loop
  • end of loop
  • end of sample

Such sample player keeps playing the loop during the sustain phase and after release of the note, it plays the sample to its end. IIRC the “Sampler” in Ableton does exactly this.

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