AudioLayer by VirSyn - The mobile Sampling Solution for iOS

Paa89

Hello guys here is a lil video of how it works in Cubasis as an AU

VirSyn

Sorry, i'm a bit late i know, everything shifted and manual and demo videos are delayed.

Just uploaded the first update which brings back the Document browser for sample import in the local storage version which somehow vanished in the final ( i think all beta testers got "cloudy" in the last week )
and fixed the crash bug with new folders in the local version.

Samu

Don't know if there's yet a 'proper' way to share patches?

From what I've noticed so far is that there are 'Instruments' and 'Samples' folders and if I create a Folder aka Bank each of the two (Samples & Instruments) get subfolders...

So If I create a bank/folder called 'mine' and a patch called '1st' the folder structure will be like...

Instruments/mine/1st (single file)
Samples/mine/1st/ (all the samples for the preset)

So in order to do 'proper' export a 'bank' I would have to export 2 folders to the target device.
(Instruments/mine and Samples/mine)

I do hope @Virsyn has 'patch/bank export' planned for future updates though

And well, I will for now just 'give up' on trying to get the AudioLayer folder to pop up in macOS Finder as it doesn't even pop up on iCloud.com but I can still see it under iCloudDrive on my iPad Air 2, iOS11.4.1...

Who knows, maybe iOS12 and macOS Mojave will 'fix' this

VirSyn

You're right the actual file size doesn't change, but AudioLayer doesn't load the sample and even using hundreds of Zones using these big samples cost nearly no ram resources in AudioLayer ( it's below 0.5 Mb / Zone even with gigabyte samples...). That's the special characteristic of the streaming engine.

In this first version we rely on using a third party importer like AudioShare if you really need cutting down recorded samples. Later we will add destructive editing inside AudioLayer too. It simply wasn't our priority due to the facts above.

@Dawdles said:

@gusgranite said:
@Samu isn’t the placement of the yellow markers for each zone the equivalent to crop/trim (as you can zoom in)? Fade would be nice but you can also use the Level envelope for fade in as well?

Doesn’t trim the actual file size. Big part of the attraction of this for me was making patches on mobile then exporting to iPad. With different samples per layers and zones we could be talking like 1gb per patch with a complex patch using lots of small chunks of long wavs....yikes!

[Deleted User]

@VirSyn said:
You're right the actual file size doesn't change, but AudioLayer doesn't load the sample and even using hundreds of Zones using these big samples cost nearly no ram resources in AudioLayer ( it's below 0.5 Mb / Zone even with gigabyte samples...). That's the special characteristic of the streaming engine.

Ah, that's good news for us older iPad users...

VirSyn

We plan to integrate direct importing of the formats which are open, but you get surprisingly far with the automapping features built in already. If the filename itself has the key and velocity information embedded it is as simply as selecting all files and AudioLayer maps them to appropriate zones ready to play.
If the filename does not include this AudioLayer can analyse the pitch of the files and will map them too.

I know this is not a replacement for proper import of the above formats, but you have 90% of the import and 100% of the fun...

@PhilW said:
Can it import complete instruments in one (or more) common file formats such as EXS24, Kontact or Soundfont? That would open up huge resources of premade instruments rather than having to make your own. (And provide material for more experimental uses). I mean, I like playing piano, but don’t want to have to build one!
I’m also confused as to why local storage would be crippled. Presumably this means if I am out of wi-fi coverage, I can’t play it!

VirSyn

I have it running her on an iPad 2 with iOS 9 ;-)
It even can handle up to 30 voices ( without filters... )

@MonzoPro said:

@VirSyn said:
You're right the actual file size doesn't change, but AudioLayer doesn't load the sample and even using hundreds of Zones using these big samples cost nearly no ram resources in AudioLayer ( it's below 0.5 Mb / Zone even with gigabyte samples...). That's the special characteristic of the streaming engine.

Ah, that's good news for us older iPad users...

[Deleted User]

@VirSyn said:
I have it running her on an iPad 2 with iOS 9 ;-)
It even can handle up to 30 voices ( without filters... )

@MonzoPro said:

@VirSyn said:
You're right the actual file size doesn't change, but AudioLayer doesn't load the sample and even using hundreds of Zones using these big samples cost nearly no ram resources in AudioLayer ( it's below 0.5 Mb / Zone even with gigabyte samples...). That's the special characteristic of the streaming engine.

Ah, that's good news for us older iPad users...

Wow, that's impressive. CPU usage is a big deal for me these days, as my old thing struggles to run a lot of the newer synths. Being able to load up a few AU instances of this one is very attractive.

Korakios

I’d love seeing a full automatic way for sampling synths with loop point detection .
And support for sfz/ sf2 formats (import/export).
Then I’ll buy it ASAP

Samu

@VirSyn Regarding 'sampling'. It would be handy to be able to 'preview' the recorded sound when editing the start/end markers. Also when using multi-input audio-interfaces an input selector with stereo/mono options could come in handy.(I'm using the Steinberg UR-242 as my main Audio-Interface).

Will do some testing with sampling in AUM where I can probably feed a selected input to AudioLayer.

I feel like a 'kid on christmas eve' which is or can be a 'double-edged-sword'

Also worth considering is 'merging' features from ReSlice into AudioLayer (create a layer/zone using slices) for added creativity and to kick things up a notch 'FX Send Level > FX Slot #' per layer/zone would add insane flexibility considering the effects are processed in a serial order. (Some sounds may not need or require all of the effects in the chain).

Good to know an update is also in the works regarding Local Storage!

Will keep on exploring

eross

awwww this thing is awesome! how do i change the root note key position ? my sample currently is on c8, and i want to move it down to c2

eross

awww man, I just drooled in my phone..... this is the sampling app i have been waiting for... well done Virsyn!!

Carnbot

Only had a quick play so far but think it's great . Had quite a few crashes in apeMatrix but seems to have settled down a bit now. I hope the full screen AU stuff here will filter back to the other Virsyn apps too. it's their best AU so far.

icloud working well here and quickly could see everything on my PC icloud.
Is there a way to see graphically the gui trigger the sample in the AU version? I can see it in the standalone but can't see this in the AU, unless I've missed a control.

Samu

@eross said:
awww man, I just drooled in my phone..... this is the sampling app i have been waiting for... well done Virsyn!!

With AUM things get even more fun. Put AudioLayer in the effects slot and before it the RX950 to trash up the signal prior to sampling

lukesleepwalker

@MonzoPro said:

@VirSyn said:
You're right the actual file size doesn't change, but AudioLayer doesn't load the sample and even using hundreds of Zones using these big samples cost nearly no ram resources in AudioLayer ( it's below 0.5 Mb / Zone even with gigabyte samples...). That's the special characteristic of the streaming engine.

Ah, that's good news for us older iPad users...

To me, this is one of the big use cases with my "old" Air2. This app is dead simple to sample from sound sources in AUM or AB3. So I load up the usual CPU hogs, sample what I need--include a few variations to randomize or round robin layers--and then I can dispatch the CPU hogs.

Amazing to me that the LFOs and envelopes aren't being more celebrated. Getting some pretty wacked out stuff going quickly.

And finally: the looper is not quite what I expected but it's super fun.

McDtracy

@kobamoto said:
yep, k2000

OK. Kurzweil put out the K2000 Keyboard in 1992 with V.A.S.T. engine. Smart sound designers made it do wonderful things. It was on top for a long time sending Roland, Korg and Yamaha to the back bench for abut 10 years.

There maybe a cottage industry selling new "instruments" to load into this $15 AUv3 capable App... as a sound and FX engine.

[Deleted User]

@lukesleepwalker said:

@MonzoPro said:

@VirSyn said:
You're right the actual file size doesn't change, but AudioLayer doesn't load the sample and even using hundreds of Zones using these big samples cost nearly no ram resources in AudioLayer ( it's below 0.5 Mb / Zone even with gigabyte samples...). That's the special characteristic of the streaming engine.

Ah, that's good news for us older iPad users...

To me, this is one of the big use cases with my "old" Air2. This app is dead simple to sample from sound sources in AUM or AB3. So I load up the usual CPU hogs, sample what I need--include a few variations to randomize or round robin layers--and then I can dispatch the CPU hogs.

Amazing to me that the LFOs and envelopes aren't being more celebrated. Getting some pretty wacked out stuff going quickly.

And finally: the looper is not quite what I expected but it's super fun.

How many AU instances are you able to run on your Air 2?

VirSyn

@eross said:
awwww this thing is awesome! how do i change the root note key position ? my sample currently is on c8, and i want to move it down to c2

Tap on the root key in the sample editor - select "Next key" in the upcoming menu and now press C2 !
The other option "Analyse" takes the audio between the loop points and evaluates the real pitch and uses this as root key

[Deleted User]

@VirSyn said:
You're right the actual file size doesn't change, but AudioLayer doesn't load the sample and even using hundreds of Zones using these big samples cost nearly no ram resources in AudioLayer ( it's below 0.5 Mb / Zone even with gigabyte samples...). That's the special characteristic of the streaming engine.

In this first version we rely on using a third party importer like AudioShare if you really need cutting down recorded samples. Later we will add destructive editing inside AudioLayer too. It simply wasn't our priority due to the facts above.

@Dawdles said:

@gusgranite said:
@Samu isn’t the placement of the yellow markers for each zone the equivalent to crop/trim (as you can zoom in)? Fade would be nice but you can also use the Level envelope for fade in as well?

Doesn’t trim the actual file size. Big part of the attraction of this for me was making patches on mobile then exporting to iPad. With different samples per layers and zones we could be talking like 1gb per patch with a complex patch using lots of small chunks of long wavs....yikes!

that is awesome!

stormbeats

@VirSyn Its still early days but would be good to have 16 drum pads as an option to trigger samples. Any future plans for drum pads?
i.e Choose drum pads or keyboard
Are the effects per sample or per bank/keygroup?

Benis67

VirSyn, for the import and export of instruments you can use a unique .zip file: for import, afterwards, the app distributes the files in the various folders. it's a simple way to distribute, give away or sell performances! Small tip: it would be useful to have an AMP ENV with a delay before the decay time: it is important for example for a piano, guitar sound that uses es. 6 - 7 seconds of sample and then contains a loop.
Congratulations again for the excellent app ... and as mentioned before I also hope in importing formats such as sf2, sfz, exs. Greetings from Italy

stormbeats

@VirSyn is there an inbuilt bit crush/decimate effect?

lukesleepwalker

@MonzoPro said:

@lukesleepwalker said:

@MonzoPro said:

@VirSyn said:
You're right the actual file size doesn't change, but AudioLayer doesn't load the sample and even using hundreds of Zones using these big samples cost nearly no ram resources in AudioLayer ( it's below 0.5 Mb / Zone even with gigabyte samples...). That's the special characteristic of the streaming engine.

Ah, that's good news for us older iPad users...

To me, this is one of the big use cases with my "old" Air2. This app is dead simple to sample from sound sources in AUM or AB3. So I load up the usual CPU hogs, sample what I need--include a few variations to randomize or round robin layers--and then I can dispatch the CPU hogs.

Amazing to me that the LFOs and envelopes aren't being more celebrated. Getting some pretty wacked out stuff going quickly.

And finally: the looper is not quite what I expected but it's super fun.

How many AU instances are you able to run on your Air 2?

I had 10 channels of AudioLayer going in AUM last night and didn't hit 80% on ye olde DSP indicator.

Jumpercollins

Ok downloaded via Dougs link thanks for the early video as was on the fence but think I will get some use after watching the video. I made my first 2 layered I Instrument. I’m trying to pan layer 1 left layer 2 right inside the green layer tab on the left panel of the app. If I switch between layers both layers are moving the direction I’m turning the knobs and not splitting the signal anyone any ideas why this is? Is the a delinked button or something?

Jumpercollins

Also forgot to ask is there a way to mute layers when building a instrument that would be handy.

lukesleepwalker

@Jumpercollins said:
Also forgot to ask is there a way to mute layers when building a instrument that would be handy.

+1. I keep thinking I'm missing the mute button... I hope I am!

Samu

@Virsyn a couple of 'smaller' requests.

• Vertical Velocity for the built-in keyboard (it would be of great help when creating patches that respond to velocity).
• Velocity +/- to Envelope times (Low velocity Slow Attack, High Velocity Fast Attack and vice versa).
• Tera Synth Style multi-segment envelopes as an option for Pitch, Amp & Filter.
• Forward/Reverse Playback option for the Samples.
• More flexible FX sends for the Layers / Zone (ie. Select Send Level to FX Slot 1 thru 8), currently effects are 'global' and everything is passed thru them and since effects are processed in serial fashion it would be of great benefit to be able to select where the current Layer / Zone gets injected to the chain.

This whole 'thread' is a giant idea-pool for stuff to brainstorm around hopefully it's good enough for potential implementation

Cheers!

eross

@Samu said:

@eross said:
awww man, I just drooled in my phone..... this is the sampling app i have been waiting for... well done Virsyn!!

With AUM things get even more fun. Put AudioLayer in the effects slot and before it the RX950 to trash up the signal prior to sampling

exactly! I love that it goes in the fx slot! it changes the whole game by having that as an option. now i can record sample in , and also play the sample back from there. brilliant! I do t think i ha e been this excited about an ios app in a long time.

Samu

@eross said:

@Samu said:

@eross said:
awww man, I just drooled in my phone..... this is the sampling app i have been waiting for... well done Virsyn!!

With AUM things get even more fun. Put AudioLayer in the effects slot and before it the RX950 to trash up the signal prior to sampling

exactly! I love that it goes in the fx slot! it changes the whole game by having that as an option. now i can record sample in , and also play the sample back from there. brilliant! I do t think i ha e been this excited about an ios app in a long time.

Now we just need to get more DAWs to that allow routing midi to stuff in effect-slots

It works fine AUM but for example Cubasis and GarageBand are left behind big time for now.
Not even the almighty BM3 in it's current state allows one to route a midi-track to an effect in an effect-slot...

I don't know if the patch/preset updates are done in real-time or if the instances need to be re-loaded to update the patch/preset lists. (meaning for example load up a couple of AudioLayers to tracks, then add another to a 'master bus' for re-sampling once sampled load them samples into the instances that are already loaded).

[Deleted User]

@lukesleepwalker said:

@MonzoPro said:

@lukesleepwalker said:

@MonzoPro said:

@VirSyn said:
You're right the actual file size doesn't change, but AudioLayer doesn't load the sample and even using hundreds of Zones using these big samples cost nearly no ram resources in AudioLayer ( it's below 0.5 Mb / Zone even with gigabyte samples...). That's the special characteristic of the streaming engine.

Ah, that's good news for us older iPad users...

To me, this is one of the big use cases with my "old" Air2. This app is dead simple to sample from sound sources in AUM or AB3. So I load up the usual CPU hogs, sample what I need--include a few variations to randomize or round robin layers--and then I can dispatch the CPU hogs.

Amazing to me that the LFOs and envelopes aren't being more celebrated. Getting some pretty wacked out stuff going quickly.

And finally: the looper is not quite what I expected but it's super fun.

How many AU instances are you able to run on your Air 2?

I had 10 channels of AudioLayer going in AUM last night and didn't hit 80% on ye olde DSP indicator.

That’ll do for me then, will probably pick this up shortly.