NEMESYS GigaStudio 160
May 1, 2001 12:00 PM, By Dave Hill Jr.
A sampler, some argue, is a producer's best friend. What other relationship gives us so much flexibility and freedom? We can sample, resample, truncate, attenuate, crossfade, degrade. We can adjust the Q, apply an LFO, shave a little A (attack), and provide a bit more S (sustain), while leaving the R and D (release and decay) intact. We can turn on loop mode, stretch the tempo, adjust the pitch, garnish with effects, then mix with our own style. With all that freedom and history, why would we ever turn our backs on our main squeezes — our dependable, stalwart hardware samplers — for a software sampler, particularly since the hardware has become increasingly more powerful and simultaneously less expensive?
NemeSys Music Technology doesn't mean to bust up an old friendship, but the creator of GigaStudio 160 makes the tacit assertion that software samplers, not hardware, are the wave of the future. This is partly due to the awesome processing power of today's PCs and the affordability of roomy hard drives, all sitting right there under your desk. As with soft synths, soft samplers are manageable, reliable, and cost-effective, making them a logical choice for many studio environments. And you can expect an explosion of new options for soft samplers in the coming year. Let's face it — the soft-sampler argument really does make sense. Why, for instance, would you buy three or four identical Akai, E-mu, or Yamaha units if a PC-based sampler offers more polyphony, greater sampling capability, built-in real-time effects processing, and more MIDI channels?
BIGA GIGA
NemeSys's GigaSampler introduced the concept of disk-based sampling back in 1997. GigaStudio 160 represents the second generation of this patented technology, in which the software is specifically designed to stream samples directly from a hard drive instead of squeezing all samples into RAM. The clear-cut advantage of the NemeSys design is that RAM remains available for other processing tasks, while sounds play directly from where they are stored. NemeSys has engineered GigaStudio to outperform any hardware sampler currently on the market in terms of polyphony, sample size, MIDI mapping, and effects processing. GigaStudio 160 provides 160-note polyphony, 64 MIDI channels, zero-latency expandable DSP effects, and playability comparable to that of the best electronic keyboards and pianos.
The 24-bit samples that emanate from your PC speakers when you use GigaStudio are, at the very least, inspiring. Loading and mapping sound banks or layering and combining samples has never been this quick and easy, in part because the sounds are not loaded the way they are with hardware samplers — they are already assigned and instantly accessible. This lets you assign huge samples (200 MB or more) in less than 5 seconds. Once assigned, each channel has eight auxiliary sends, which you can set up as pre- or postfader. You can also apply effects processing to each channel using cascadable (serial) insert effects.
GIGA INSTRUMENT
GigaStudio 160 features two separate applications: the Workstation and the Instrument Editor. The Workstation is the primary window for sample playback, adding effects, and sample layering. The Instrument Editor alters amplitude, filters, pitch, LFOs, crossfades, and similar tweaks.
In the Workstation window, the QuickSound sample finder narrows the search when you're looking for a specific sample in your GIG-file library (which lives on your hard drive). QuickSound lets you easily browse large catalogs of effects and samples by remembering search criteria and searching by keyword. For instance, search for piano and QuickSound will return piano, Fender Rhodes, keys, electronic piano, and so on. As you update your hard drive, QuickSound updates the catalog behind the scenes. Once sounds are assigned to channels (loaded), the Workstation becomes the operating table for sample playback.
Whether you're interested in percussion stacks, pad layering, or synthesizer-orchestral combos, the MIDI channel map is straightforward and flexible. The 64 MIDI channels are grouped logically into four internal ports containing 16 channels each. You can link ports and layer them against corresponding channels in the following manner: a sample located on MIDI channel 1 on port 1 can trigger at the same time as a sound on channel 1 on port 2, 3, or 4. This method easily provides layering of up to four sounds.
If a sample needs more tweaking or layering, the Instrument Editor is the way to go. This part of GigaStudio is quite powerful — which means it's also a little tricky to use, even for some simple functions. Also, certain features lack corresponding help files. Nevertheless, even with my puny 14-inch monitor, it beats using an LED screen any day.
GAGGLES OF GIGAS
Managing all the different sample-file and brand-specific formats of hardware samplers is often a headache. GigaStudio can read GIG, SoundFont, SF2, and DLS files and can rip discs straight from your CD-ROM drive to WAV files. The S-converter utility can quickly convert batches of Akai S1000/3000 samples. Once a sample is in the correct format, you can access it via the QuickSound navigator, which takes inventory upon startup and then catalogs the new results.
As for GIG sample titles, NemeSys recently converted many classics to ship in GIG format, while new releases are already taking GigaStudio to a new level. The included GigaPiano (1 GB sampled piano) and RetroDrums (vintage drum libraries) are a decent start, but you'll likely crave a variety of instruments and new sounds to spice up the software's potential (see the sidebar “Gigable Planets”).
REQUIREMENTS
GigaStudio 160 is a bit finicky and unstable at times. You should expect a few of the usual “Bill Gates legacy” crashes that seem to accompany any new installation of PC audio software. Go slowly and carefully when saving patches with GigaStudio. More than once I experienced blue screens when the Instrument Editor window was open by itself and also while I was trying to save parameters to a custom patch.
GigaStudio 160 runs under Windows 95, 98, Millennium Edition, and XP. Also, NemeSys provides free updates to registered customers, so you can download the latest software update — gspatch160.exe — which upgrades the QuickSound sample finder and MIDI functionality and includes a laundry list of other necessary improvements.
There are some hardware considerations as well. The Getting Started guide recommends an 800 MHz Pentium or Athlon processor with 128 MB of RAM and at least 6.4 GB of space on a high-end hard drive. Because GigaStudio relies so heavily on your hard drive, NemeSys recommends drives with a maximum seek time of 9 ms and a minimum spin time of 7,200 rpm. I used a 20 GB Western Digital 7200 for testing and never heard any artifacts or glitches.
On NemeSys's recommendation, I used an M-Audio Delta 10/10 sound card for the evaluation on my 700 MHz (slower than recommended) Athlon PC with 256 MB of RAM. I was extremely satisfied with the sound of the card and the easy-to-use drivers and software mixer. The Delta 10/10 and GigaStudio 160 are a nicely matched pair.
Also of interest: when I pushed well over 100 MIDI notes through Cubase, creating a horrible noise, my PC reached only 32 percent CPU usage and 6 percent memory usage. Slick.
GigaStudio supports 24-bit, 96 kHz hardware and is network friendly. NemeSys promises that samples will play through a LAN with no impact on latency. The DSP Station contains a 32-bit, 32-input channel, 32-bus mixing console with eight stereo aux buses, inserts, level and pan controls, and automation. Its advanced synthesis engine boasts multimode resonant filters, turbo resonance LPF, external Q and FC, multiple crossfade modes, and amplitude, filter, and pitch LFOs.
NemeSys does not recommend USB MIDI or sound cards; the added 5 to 6 ms of latency can hamper GigaStudio's performance. GSIF sound cards are the best way to make the program feel like a sampler when playing it from the keyboard. (Visit www.nemesysmusic.com for a list of compatible sound cards.)
If you are using digital outs (for example, S/PDIF outputs), note that GigaStudio often sees these as the last two output channels. I used the S/PDIF out on the M-Audio Delta 10/10. I originally configured it to access output 1/2 and checked the S/PDIF-out box on my sound card mixer. Luckily, the folks at NemeSys pointed out that due to the lack of standardization among the gazillions of available sound cards, users employing the S/PDIF output should try the last two outputs first — in this instance, 9/10.
THE LAST BYTE
GigaStudio's main selling point is that it outperforms any other sampler in the marketplace in terms of polyphony and the size and accessibility of instruments. In a professional studio and film-scoring environment, the issue is efficiency. Movie-music composers depend on polyphony to achieve both realism and the lush cinematic sounds we have come to expect. Put simply, more polyphony equals a fatter orchestral bank, making the violas in that final cadenza sound richer and more plentiful.
GigaStudio provides an incredibly efficient and innovative way of handling your sampling needs, whether you're a producer, film scorer, composer of video-game music, or performing artist. The wealth of sample titles being released in GIG format and the company's expanding roster of endorsements — add Beck to the equation — speak of GigaStudio's increasing viability and supportability. All of this begs an even broader question: in 2001, is there any pro audio function you can't do from your PC?
Seattle-born drummer and producer Dave Hill Jr. has worked extensively with drummer Michael Shrieve (of Santana) and is currently composing and playing in New York City.
PRODUCT SUMMARY
NEMESYS GigaStudio 160
$699
PROS: Eliminates need for racks of expensive hardware samplers. Lets you use extremely large samples more efficiently. Massive polyphony.
CONS: Learning curve comparable to that of most hardware samplers. Powerful, detailed patch editor can be tricky to use.
Overall Rating (1 through 5): 4
Contact: tel. (512) 219-9181
e-mail info@nemesysmusic.com
Web www.nemesysmusic.com
Gigable Planets: GigaStudio Internet Resources
The Internet offers a wealth of GigaStudio user groups, demos, and samples. Here are a few cool sites worth checking out.
www.amazingsound.com
Maker of CDxtract, a versatile sample-format converter. There are three versions ranging in price from $44 to $345. A great tool for any GigaStudio 160 user.
www.chickensys.com
Maker of Translator, an equally slick file-conversion program ($59.95). Converts files from Akai, Roland, E-mu, Ensoniq, Kurzweil, GigaSampler, EXS-24, Reality, Reaktor, and more.
www.glasstrax.com/Tips/giggatips/newgigs.html
Ignorance may be bliss, but it can also be a tad frustrating. Try this unofficial user site to learn a few new ways to use GigaStudio.
www.i-records.org/samples/Giga.htm
GIG-specific sample CDs, including dance-friendly club tracks and a 680 MB piano that makes a nice alternative to GigaPiano. Demos are available for download.
www.nemesysmusic.com
The first stop for all future and current Giga product users. Lists the ever-growing library of sounds, along with helpful sound-card-compatibility guidelines and links to sample-CD manufacturer and user group Web sites.
www.northernsounds.com/sounds.html
User group site with GIG upload and download sharing.
www.numericalsound.com
Producer of the popular Drone Archeology sample CD. Its new release, Percussion Wall, contains some interesting layers of electronic percussion with a lively feel.
www.sonicimplants.com
Nobody is impressed with just decent drum sounds anymore. Sonic Implants has done a spectacular job in creating a range of professionally sampled hi-fi percussion and drum sounds formatted for use with NemeSys GigaStudio and GigaSampler. Both the Drum Series 1 and the definitive Afro-Cuban Percussion releases are excellent.
www.soundchaser.com
Sound Chaser builds standalone, turnkey GigaStudio and GigaSampler systems, providing a great solution for those among us who want to ensure compatibility, who fear the PC, or who cherish their Macintoshes.
www.spectrasonics.net
The latest batch of programming, mangling, and rhythmic mayhem from Eric Persing, creator of the newly released Metamorphosis. Here are some of the highest-quality sounds you can buy — incredible loops and sounds from Roland's former chief sound designer.
www.worrasplace.com
A none-too-shabby selection of synths and old-world samples: harpsichord, strings, guitar, organ, and so on.
All this Pentium talk may make Macintosh fans feel left out, but NemeSys reports that some of its best customers are Mac-based Pro Tools users who run GigaSampler or GigaStudio as a standalone box through MIDI.
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