INSTRUMENTS / GENERATORS

DirectWave Sampler

Player version: DirectWave installs as a 'player' version, free for all users. DirectWave (player) channels will be saved along with the projects as normal. The DirectWave Player limitations are: Only DirectWave's own formats (*.dwp & *.dwb) can be loaded, VST sampling is disabled, external samples can not be added to patches nor can new patches be created.

To unlock the extra functions including: Editing patches, adding samples, recording, sampling VST instruments, loading 3rd party formats then DirectWave full version needs to be purchased separately.

DirectWave is a powerful and versatile sampler featuring a fully programmable synthesis section and features such as inbuilt FX, velocity & randomization layering, looping, automatic sampling of VSTi plugins and the ability to 'sample' (record sound) when loaded into the mixer audio chain, in an effects slot.

• Upper window
  • Program Window

  • Library Window

• Lower window
  • Sample Tab

  • Zone Tab

  • Program Tab

• Options

Overview

For programming functions the DirectWave interface is divided into and upper and lower interface part:

• Upper interface - The upper part contains the Program Tab that allows samples to be spread across the keyboard and layered according velocity. The Library Tab shows the programs that are available from your DirectWave library.
• Lower interface - Each sample layer can be programmed using the Sample (sample start/end points, looping, etc.), Zone (pitch, filtering, ADSR, synthesis, etc.) and Program (FX, portamento, etc.) tabs. For more detail see the sections above.

Download Samples

Use the 'Select Preset' menu (to the right of the DirectWave logo) to access the Download Manager to download soundbanks directly from the Samplefusion Website. For more details on this feature follow this link to the Download Manager section.

Loading Programs and Samples

• To load programs - Use the Load folder icon to the right of the main DirectWave logo. OR Use the Library browser on the Zone Window Program Tab. NOTE: The default directory for browsing programs is set by the Content Library setting in the Options window. Alternatively drag .dwp program files from the Browser to DirectWave.
• To load samples - Either drag compatible files from the FL Studio Browser to the Zone Window or double click on a sample in the DW Browser, if the DW Browser is not visible it can be opened using the 'Show/Hide Browser' control noted in the image above.

Note on importing SoundFonts: If the SoundFont has more than one program bank a dialog will appear enabling you to load one or more program banks into DirectWave. Use Windows file selections - Left-click, Shift+Left-click and Ctrl+Left-click to select one, groups or selected banks respectively. After loading, SoundFont banks will be available as standard DirectWave banks. Limitations: Only basic SoundFont parameters such as key/velocity range, loop points, etc. are imported, filter cutoff, chorus, reverb, are not. This may result in SoundFont presets that vary ignored parameters to sound the same.

Sample format support

DirectWave currently supports the following formats:

• Samples
  • WAV (all types)
  • ACM decoder support (ogg).
• Programs

  To open the importer right-click on the Open icon to the left of the 'Select Preset' control (along the top of the interface) or right-click on the Program Tab.

  • AKAI AKP (S5/6K,Z4,Z8)
  • Battery (Version 1, 2 & 3 banks)
  • DWP (DirectWave Program, native format)
  • EXS24
  • Giga
  • Kontakt / Kontakt 2
  • Kurzweil (off DOS disk)
  • MPC (off DOS disk, not 1000/2500/500 series)
  • Reason NN-XT (any association with a Refill can't be loaded)
  • Recycle
  • SoundFont2
  • SFZ

WARNING: DirectWave will not import the above formats if they have been encrypted/protected. Encryption is sometimes used by vendors to prevent non-native import of program files (they want you to buy their sampler) so check with the vendor they are not encrypyted/locked to a given sampler if you are planning to purchase any of these formats for use with DirectWave.

Plugin Credits: Reflex & Argu