vst instruments, вст инструменты

Tascam's GigaStudio 3 - новая версия програмного сэмплера с поддержкой 96kHz/24-bit, ReWire, VST plug-in, низкая латенция и работающий в реальном времени Reverb, безлимитная полифония, 8 MIDI портов, GigaPulse Pro.

Большей части устоявшихся компьютерных музыкантов программа GigaStudio знакома еще под названием Gigasampler и благодаря имени ее разработчика NameSys. На самом деле данная разработка тогда приобрела просто огромную популярность по двум существенным причинам. Первая - Gigasampler "прошивалась" в систему Windows как одно из основных MIDI-устройств наряду с обычными MPU-401 или другими стандартными General MIDI-синтезаторами (эмуляцией) и могла их заменять. При этом в программе можно было создавать свои звуки-инструменты и использовать все это в обычных MIDI-редакторах. Подключаемых плагинов-инструментов (VSTi, DXi) тогда еще практически не разрабатывалось.

Вторая существенная причина огромной популярности Gigasampler - использование сэмплерных библиотек собственного формата, совместимого с другими, например, банками AKAI (при дополнительной конвертации), которые тогда имелись в большом количестве и использовались в профессиональной музыкальной технике. Это нововведение делало из обычного РС с достаточно скромными параметрами хороший универсальный программный сэмплер. А если сравнить графические возможности программного обеспечения ПК с небольшими монохромными ЖКИ-дисплеями студийных сэмплеров, то использование Gigasampler выглядело намного эргономичнее.

Через некоторое время произошло несколько перетрубаций - Gigasampler была переименована в GigaStudio и получила нового хозяина в лице Tascam/Teac.


GigaStudio

Новая и весьма долгожданная версия 3.0 появилась в трех модификациях: Orchestra, Ensemble и Solo, с поддержкой сэмплов 24 бита/96 КГц. Программа позволяет создавать и использовать практически неограниченную полифонию, зависящую только от количества носителей информации, их объема и скорости чтения, аппаратных ресурсов РС. Например, нам доступна 385-голосная полифония на базе процессора P4 - 2.8 ГГц (примерно в два раза больше, чем это было возможно в GigaStudio 2.5). Интерфейс также претерпел некоторые изменения.

Микшер программы рассчитан на 128 каналов или до 32 групп фэйдеров. На каждый канал предусмотрено по 4-полосному эквалайзеру и одному компрессору, при этом возможно подключение внешних эффект-процессоров стандарта VST. Для совместимости с большинством современного ПО предусмотрена поддержка и другого значимого технологического стандарта - протокола ReWire, используемого для коммутации аудио/MIDI потоков между различными программами и рабочими станциями.

Банков звуков для GigaStudio выпущено достаточно много (в GS 3.0 могут загружаться сэмплы по 3-4 Гб), причем в новой версии можно самостоятельно создавать очень сложные звуковые текстуры, а сами разработчики уже позаботились о том, что натуральные инструменты типа пианино или гитары исполнены на должном уровне - поставляются как готовые банки. В этом плане с компанией сотрудничает множество фирм и независимых саундпродюсеров. В частности, с версией Orchestra поставляется самая популярная на сегодня Vienna GigaSymphony sample library (giga-разновидность Vienna Symphonic Library).


В завершение

У GigaStudio до сих пор осталось очень много поклонников. В основном, эта программа популярна среди классических музыкантов, которым просто нужны качественные звуки хорошего живого рояля, пианино, скрипки, гитары. Вместе с тем, GigaStudio осталась очень требовательной к ресурсам компьютера, и существует где-то между новыми VST-инструментами и сложным ПО, связанным с физическим моделированием. Отдельная ниша - это не так плохо, особенно когда все сделано на качественном уровне.

With the best performance and best libraries in the world, the award-winning GigaStudio 3 is the ultimate sampling workstation. Kernel-Level processing means that the software accesses your processor directly, rather than waiting for the operating system to prioritize its requests. The result is the lowest latency delay of any sampler - taking the performance of GVI to the next level.

GigaStudio 3 has been the choice of professionals since its release. The unmatched sampling engine has unlimited polyphony - limited only by the power of your system. Up to 128 MIDI channels can be accessed using an 8-port MIDI interface or ethernet-based software. It includes Quick Edit for making minor, non-destructive edits, or the full GigaEditor used by nearly every sample developer to create their libraries.

Also included in the program is real-time convolution modeling, courtesy of GigaPulse Pro. Libraries can have built-in convolution processing, like as GigaViolin, or you can add multi-position reverb to loaded instruments or external inputs. This means that your trumpet can be placed center-stage, upright bass on stage right, and so on for a mix that sounds completely realistic. All of this reverb can be played in 7.1 surround, and also includes mic modeling with a collection of sampled classics.

If you're ready for the best sounds ever heard from a sampler - instruments convincing enough to fool an orchestra conductor - there's only one choice. GigaStudio 3 Orchestra is the ultimate sampling powerhouse.

For Windows XP with Service Pack 1 & 2
Minimum System Requirements for GigaStudio 3.0 and Above
Pentium 4 1.7GHz processor
AMD 2100 XP processor
512MB RAM
1024 x 768 monitor resolution
1000MB application hard drive space
Midi interface
GSIF-compatible sound card (for stand-a-lone operation)
ReWire-compatible host application
Recommended System Requirements for GigaStudio 3.0 and Above
Pentium 4 2.8GHz processor
AMD 3200 XP processor
2GB RAM
1024 x 768 monitor resolution
1GB application hard drive space
Dedicated Sample Drive 7200 RPM w/8MB cache, 8.9 ms seek time
Midi interface
GSIF-compatible sound card (for stand-a-lone operation)
ReWire-compatible host application
GigaStudio Certified Systems

Certified System Builders

These companies have been certified by TASCAM to provide systems that deliver outstanding GigaStudio performance along with world class technical support:
PC Audio Labs
Rain Recording
Vision DAW
Click on above links for important information pertaining to each Company's offered configurations, including specifications and documentation.


TASCAM Certified means that the following system components have been examined by TASCAM specialists and found to be of exceptional quality and to provide high levels of performance when used with GigaStudio:
Hardware build & assembly
Hardware component choices
Windows XP Optimizations

Configuring Your Own GigaStudio Computer

Click the links below for information pertaining to TASCAM recommended computer configurations:

Maximum & Minimum Computer Specification Guidelines, Known Issues & Incompatibilities

Only systems adhering to the Recommended Computer Specification Guidelines or higher will provide full GigaStudio 3.X Software Polyphony count, and DSP performance:
Minimum and Maximum Computer Specification Guidelines & Known Issues
System Guidelines include:


System Software
Full/Clean install of Windows XP Professional or Home Edition
Not Supported:
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
Windows XP Media Center Edition
OEM versions of Windows XP Professional or Home Edition
NOTE: TASCAM does not support the internet-publicized 3GB of RAM registry modification with GigaStudio. We recommend installing 2GB of RAM and using the System Memory Configuration Manager, included with GigaStudio, to optimize RAM usage.
GigaStudio 3.X Software is qualified with Windows XP Service Pack 1 and Service Pack 2

Streaming Samples and You

GigaStudio can load sample files up to 512 gigabytes in length. The first few milliseconds of each sample are loaded into RAM for instant playback, then the rest of the sample streams off of the hard drive. This gives you access to big, dynamic samples without needing tons of RAM into your computer.

But what does it mean to have gigabytes of samples? How is this better than the Piano sound in my favorite synth? Let's compare the 3 gigabyte GigaPiano II, included with the Orchestra and Ensemble editions of GigaStudio 3.0, with the 16 to 64 megabyte piano sample found in a typical synthesizer.

First, every key on the piano is sampled in GigaPiano II. On a typical synthesizer, the piano might only sampled twice every octave, so the middle C sample may need to stretch all the way up to middle F#.
 

Since a piano sounds different depending on how hard you strike the key, GigaPiano II samples each key sixteen times at different velocities. A typical synth piano will only have one to three "crossswitches" per key, so you can usually hear the transition from the soft sample to the loud sample. Some piano sounds on synths don't have any crossswitches, filtering and attenuating one sample to cover the entire dynamic spectrum. More crossswitches gives you a more accurate sound, and it's also a lot more satisfying to play.
 

GigaPiano II has enough memory to record the entire decay of a piano note, even though the low bass notes may decay for 20 seconds or more. A synthesizer can't possibly do this with just a few megabytes, so they loop the sample after only a second or so. This artificially looped sound is then attenuated using a synth filter and DCA to approximate the natural decay of a piano key, which is something GigaStudio can handle by just playing the actual recording.
 

Many GigaStudio libraries include different mic techniques to choose from. For example, the VintAudio Yamaha C3 library has close mic, distant mic and player's perspective mic locations. You can load all of these samples at once and balance between them when mixing, or even output different mics to multiple outputs for a 5.1 surround mix. Obviously, this is something that's impossible to do in a synthesizer.

Finally, samples are sometimes converted to a lower sampling rate to save on ROM space on synthesizers. Since they only have 50-100 megabytes of total sound ROM for all of the instruments they want to include, they might cut corners by sample rate converting to save space. For example, they may decide that a bass guitar or kick drum doesn't have a lot of high end, so resampling it at 22kHz is acceptable. GigaStudio is going the complete opposite direction, with version 3 now offering up to 96kHz sampling.
 

Hardware samplers might be able to load a bigger sample than hardware synthesizer, maybe up to 128MB or more, but simply nothing compares to GigaStudio. We don't mean to pick on your favorite synth, but if you haven't played a 3GB piano library you just don't know what you're missing.
Sequencing with GigaStudio
 

GigaStudio 3.0 comes in three sizes, the Orchestra version offering unlimited polyphony for full arrangements. GigaStudio 3.0 Solo has 96-voice polyphony, and GigaStudio 3.0 Ensemble plays up to 160 voices. More voices gives you the ability to layer instruments, add parts to your arrangement and approximate huge symphonic orchestras. And the efficient kernel-level processing and RAM usage in GigaStudio results in more polyphony than any other software sampler. Up to 8 banks of 16 MIDI channels can be played back for 128-part multitimbral sequencing.
 

Included for the first time in version 3.0 is Rewire support for routing GigaStudio into your sequencing program. This allows GigaStudio instruments to appear in your workstation software, right beside plug-in instruments and audio tracks.
Mixing in GigaStudio
 

GigaStudio 3.0 has a capable digital mixer built-in, with 128 channels and 32 fader groups. This allows you to submix instruments within GigaStudio so you don't need to deal with hundreds of faders during mixdown. It includes four-band parametric EQ and compression on every channel, with a graphic display to check your settings at a glance. Each channel has 8 aux sends, which can be linked for stereo operation. GigaStudio 3 can accept up to 32 input channels, useful for processing DAW tracks through GigaPulse Pro, and can output up to 64 simultaneous output channels.

GigaStudio 3.0 now includes VST plug-in support, so you can use your favorite effects plug-ins to process sounds within the DSP Station window. Insert your favorite vintage compressor plug-in on a snare drum, a filter plug-in on a string line, tube amp distortion on a bass track - wherever your imagination takes you.
Integration with your Studio

GigaStudio is a Windows application that takes advantage of the power of Pentium-compatible processors. As a free-standing application, it can take advantage of Kernel-level processing power. This means that it gets to dig underneath the Windows layer and get down to the nuts-and-bolts of your computer's CPU for more processing power. This results in more polyphony and lower latency (delay between MIDI input and sound coming out) than plug-in-based software samplers. In fact, GigaStudio has the lowest latency of any sampler, anywhere, ever.
 

You may be wondering how to take advantage of GigaStudio in a Mac-based studio. Most composers use a dedicated computer to run GigaStudio, dedicating all of the power of one system to running their sampling workstation. With the constantly-falling prices of PCs, you can put together a screaming system for less than the price of many rack-mount synth modules. If you look at price vs. performance, your GigaStudio computer workstation will give you much more realistic sounds than any synth module, not to mention more multitimbral parts, higher polyphony and better effects.
GigaPulse™

GigaPulse™ is an exciting new component of GigaStudio 3. GigaPulse employs convolution to create incredibly realistic reverb, mic modeling and instrument resonance simulation. Convolution uses an actual recording as the basis for signal processing, essentially sampling the sound of a room. For example, the sound of a concert hall is recorded with a set of unique tones. This "impulse" recording can then be imported into GigaPulse Pro (the encoding processor included with GS3 Orchestra) where our concert hall impulse can be included/encoded into a sampled instrument or .gig file. When this instrument is loaded into GS3, now embedded with convolution, GigaPulse SP (the convolution player included with all version of GS3) reveals itself. Your instrument loads with the GigaPulse SP effect automatically inserted. The result sounds like you're playing in that hall.

GigaPulse Pro can also be used as a stand-alone NFX plug-in on your own sample libraries. Use the new piano resonance model included with GigaPiano II on your favorite piano library, or use GigaPulse's surround reverb on your GigaStudio instruments.

TASCAM's new GigaPulse technology takes real-time convolution to the next level. With realtime surround Acoustic Space Modeling, our proprietary technology goes far beyond any other convolution-based plug-in. The location of the performer in an acoustic space can be specifically located in the room, and the perspective of the mic can be changed for close-micing simulation. Mic modeling is also included, with included impulses of the finest microphones ever made. GigaPulse has unlimited microphone locations, compared to the two channels most other convolution effects processors, which is ideal for simulating Decca-Tree mic techniques and mixing in 7.1 surround. All of these features are included in the GigaPulse SP engine in every version of GigaStudio, so that libraries encoded with GigaPulse impulses will play back in every version of GigaStudio 3

GigaPulse Demo Samples:

GigaPulse Demo

Click here to find out more about GigaPulse
MIDI Processing
 

GigaStudio 3.0 now includes a new kernel-level MIDI processing system, which means that latency is even lower than in previous versions. And since the previous version of GigaStudio had less latency than any other sampler on the market, you can imagine that sample playback in GigaStudio is just about instantaneous.

More than just changing MIDI features under the hood, GigaStudio 3.0 now offers Intelligent MIDI Processing modes. For example, the Alternation mode is great for recording string parts, where you can have notes alternate between up-bow and down-bow samples for more realism. A Legato mode triggers different samples depending how a part is played. For example, the initial attack of a flute note could have a "chiff", but legato notes played after it wouldn't have this sharp attack. And the Random mode is perfect for livening up sampled performances. Instead of triggering the same samples for repeated 16th notes, GigaStudio can select from a bank of alternate samples so the performance doesn't feel so synthetic.

Many GigaStudio libraries also include articulation files, which allow you to switch to a different instrument articulation by pressing a key. For example, pressing one key may switch to a legato viola, another key switches to an arco viola, and another to a whole-note trill. By using the keyswitches when playing a melody line, you can create very realistic lines that use three or more articulations.
Editing and Recording your own sounds
 

GigaStudio 3.0 has a new Quick Edit window that gives you instant access to the most commonly-accessed parameters. You can still use the full editor when creating your own samples, but Quick Edit is perfect for moving a part down an octave, changing the filter setting on a bass sound, shortening the release time of a synth sound, or other common tweaks you might do when putting together an arrangement. Just close the QuickEdit window when you're finished, no need to save and reload the sound. Changes are saved with your GigaStudio performance, so the original instrument on your hard drive stays the same.

GigaStudio 3.0 now also has the ability to record samples directly into the program. Just hook your DAT machine, CD player or mic preamp to a GSIF 2-compatible sound card and start recording. GigaSampler 3.0 supports samples at 96kHz/24-bit, so you can capture instruments and effects with extreme detail. GS3 can record up to 32 simultaneous channels, so you can sample in surround or route DAW track to GigaStudio 3 for processing through GigaPulse. You can still import WAV files to put together samples from sound files on your hard disk, but now the premier sample player is now a sampler as well.
The Best Sound Libraries in the World

It's no secret that GigaStudio has the best collection of sound libraries ever assembled. The best composers and arrangers in the music world rely on GigaStudio for accurate, musical sounds for their productions and film scores. GigaStudio's exclusive Quicksearch technology makes finding the right sound quick and easy. And with the new features in GigaStudio 3.0, those sound libraries will become even more realistic and musical.
 

For example, GigaPiano II is the followup to the piano that started it all. This 7'4" Kawai piano was sampled with 24-bit resolution. Each key was recorded for its full decay at seven velocity layers with the pedal up, and another seven with the pedal down.

The true breakthrough for this library is the soundboard resonance using GigaPulse SP. The piano's soundboard was recorded and imported into GigaPulse Pro with the pedal up and down. This results in the most convincing piano sample yet released, where the performance actually interacts with the soundboard like a real grand piano. GigaPiano II is included with GS3 Orchestra and GS3 Ensemble, and a limited edition is included with GS3 Solo.
 

One of the most ambitious libraries of the past decade has to be Vienna Symphonic Library. The latest version of Vienna Symphonic Library, the Professional Edition, takes up 230 gigabytes for an astonishing 360,000 samples. Unique instruments and articulations include solo contrabass trombone, solo Wagner tuba, string ensembles con sordino in all articulations (staccato, detache, pizzicato, tremolo, sforzato, legato, repetitions, more), col legno, sul ponticello, flautando, Bart??k (snap) pizzicatos, finger tremolos, flutter tongues for all woodwinds, a second solo flute (making up a flute quartet together with the first flute, the piccolo and the alto flute), drum ensembles and many more. And it keeps getting bigger: the new Symphonic Cube, coming soon, comes with both 24-bit and 16-bit samples.

Vienna Symphonic Library worked with TASCAM to create the Vienna Giga Symphony, included free with GS3 Orchestra. This 4GB library includes recordings from the acclaimed Vienna Symphonic Library collections, and every family of the orchestra is represented. See below for a listing of instruments included in this exclusive library.

21 июля 2008 года компания Tascam прекратила разработку виртуального семплера GigaStudio 3 и связанных с ним продуктов: плагина GVI, ревербератора GigaPulse, библиотек семплов. Продажи и техническая поддержка будут продолжаться до конца года.