Vector Sampler Morph, developed by Remo De Vico, is an M4L device that combines a quad-sample playback engine with vector synthesis.
You can do a lot with samples. The simplest thing is to incorporate them straight into your tracks. But you can also work very creatively with them, as a sound source for synthesizers and samplers.
A special new sample instrument comes from developer Remo De Vico. Vector Sampler Morph is an experimental sample-based M4L device that allows you to combine samples using vector synthesis.
Vector Sampler Morph
We all know vector synthesis from synthesizers such as the Sequential Prophet VS and many other software synthesizers. In this case, however, vector synthesis is combined with four sample playback engines rather than oscillators.
The heart of Vector Sampler Morph is the oscilloscope, which shows a moving point over time. Two oscillators with adjustable waveforms control the oscilloscope’s motion. You can adjust these with two parameters (vector for high frequencies and slow for LFO rates) on each axis.
These, in turn, determine how the point moves along the X and Y axes. This can be slow and orderly, but also very fast and chaotic, depending on the waveform and speed.
The point is important in conjunction with the sample blocks; its position determines the blending between the four sources.
Each sampler in Vector Sampler Morph includes classic controls: playback start and end positions, reverse, pitch, random pitch, and gain. Additionally, you have buttons to set the samples, normal speed, reset, and random/speed.
The random parameter sets the random regions of the samples, while speed controls how quickly these selections occur.
First Impression
A fun, creative tool for Max for Live. It’s certainly not a melodic tool, but it’s great for experimentation. Excellent for generating new sounds from your own sample pool.
Vector Sampler Morph is available now for 10€ + and runs as a Max For Live device. It requires Ableton Live Suite or a Standard with a Max For Live license.
More information here: Remo De Vico
I personally really like the look -that is to say the design concept at work here. Overall it’s clear, simple in the right way, uncluttered, but with an interesting and potentially informative visual feedback element that makes good use of the free space made available because of the uncluttered design in the first place. This is an approach that software-based music tools should excell at, and it looks to me like a great example of this.
I’m a scavenger on the edge of survival and perpetually in a state of near total poverty ( plus, I tell myself I’m saving up for a pulsar 23), so I almost never pay for software, but I think I will buy this. Sometime later this week, when I have time to check it out. It’s not expensive –
I don’t even know how good it is but the design is quality enough to get me to bite.