Formats, The Page
The Sample libraries are often available in different formats, or will contain multiple formats on one CD. What follows is a brief description of some of those formats and compatibility. For information on the format of an individual library, please refer to the individual product page.
Audio:
Overview:
This is an audio CD that you can play in any CD player.
Pros:
- Compatible with any sampler.
- Ability to audition samples in any CD player.
Cons:
- Limited to 99 Tracks.
- Generally have fewer samples than Data CD libraries.
- Requires you to build your own sampler patches if you want to use it with your sampler.
Refill (.rfl):
Overview:
A compressed format for Propellerheads Reason.
Pros:
- Takes less disc space than original sounds.
- Compatible with Mac and PC
Cons:
- Individual samples cannot be extracted from a refill.
- Inability to edit REX loops.
- The whole refill needs to be present to use individual sounds.
- No support for notes on individual programs.
AIFF (.aif or .aiff):
Overview:
Originally A.A.I.F.F. (Apple Audio Interchange File Format), and now often simply "AIF," this format started out as an Apple audio format. For many years it and SD2 (Sound Designer File) were the primary formats for anyone who worked with music on a Mac.
Pros:
- Excellent sound quality is possible.
- Compatible with most software/ samplers.
- Can hold loop information.
Cons:
- Incompatible with some PC based applications.
- Large file size for high-quality samples.
WAV (.wav):
Overview:
From "MS WAVeformat". Originally a Windows format, it has become ubiquitous and "I for one welcome our new ant overlords..."
Pros:
- Excellent sound quality is possible
- Compatible with most software/ samplers
- Compatible with Mac and PC
- Can hold loop information.
Cons:
- Large file size for high-quality samples.
AKAI (. akp):
Overview:
There multiple AKAI formats (S1000/S3000) which a have pretty much become the standard for samplers.
Pros:
- Compatible with nigh every sampler today.
Cons:
- Can't be browsed in many software waveform editors or sequencers.
- Akai formatted discs will not mount on Macintosh
Recycle (.rex):
Overview:
Another great idea from the Propellerheads.
Pros:
- Allows loop tempos to be modified without pitch change.
- Allows "grooves" from loops to be applied to MIDI information
- Loop segments can be reordered to create new loops and fills.
Cons:
- Can create artifacts at extreme tempo changes.
- Editing this format requires specialised software.
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Other Sample Formats
NN-XT (.sxt):
Reason's advanced sampler. While sadly lacking a lot of compatibility with other sampler formats, the NNXT kicks ass and takes names.
EXS24 (.exs):
Emagic's very worthy entry into the world of samplers. Great integration with Logic, it's quickly become the sampler of choice for many Mac users.
HALION (.fxp):
Is a software sampler that Steinberg makes. Popular with Cubase users.
KONTAKT (.nki):
Native Instruments' sampler format.
GIGA (.gig):
PC only, and so not something which is not currently supported by Bad Mucking Fastard.
