sample editor
The sample editor is a tool which allows you to load and record audio files which can then be assigned to an instruments voice for playback. Samples can be played in their entierity, loop a custom range or be divided into smaller, individual snippets. Efflux can also tune the sample during playback, which allows you to treat samples as the source for granular synthesis.
The supported file types are MP3, WAV, FLAC,
Ogg Vorbis* and WEBM*.
*the latter have limited supported on Safari.
Minimal effort editing
You can load a sample by using the file browser buttons on the lower right or by simply dragging one of the supported formats into the Efflux window. You can audition the sample using the play and loop buttons.
Multiple playback modes
Using the Playback type-select box you can change the playback mode of the sample : default (sample plays back without change), repitched (sample is pitched to a note) and sliced (multiple ranges within the same sample can be started individually).
Custom playback ranges
For the default and repitched playback types, you can define a shorter snippet within the sample to use as the playback range.
By using the sample start and sample end controls you can adjust the region boundaries. You can also drag the highlighted range over the entire sample range.
Tuned to your needs
When the repitched playback type is selecte, once you;re satisfied with your sample and/or the specified range you can commit the changes by clicking Save changes. Upon save, your sample will be analyzed and its dominant pitch will be calculated.
Once the pitch is known you can play back the sample at any pitch of your liking (using any of the note entry modes or by defining notes in the pattern track list).
Slice and dice
When using the sliced playback type, the interface is adjusted to create and show multiple playback regions within the same sample. These regions are automatically created from strong transients, perfect for instantly slicing up drumloops into reusable sub-patterns.
By adjusting the threshold and lowpass cutoff controls you can change the algorithms sensitivity.
Each individual slice can be triggered by playing a unique note. The playback range starts at C1 for the first slice and goes up one semitone at a time, until no more slices are available.
Keeping an eye on storage
Samples are saved as part of your song, keeping your assets maintained within a single file. Be aware though that depending on the source material, samples can add considerably to the file size of your project.
In order to keep file size low you can choose to trim the samples that have a custom playback range (cutting out all unused areas). It's also good to delete the samples that you're not using.
Hearing sound
Now your sample is ready for use, you must assign it to an instrument so you can actually use it. For an unused sample, you can click create instrument to turn the last active instrument into a sampler.
When playing notes using the instrument, you will trigger the created sample. If the playback mode of the sample is set to repitched, you can play tuned chords with the chosen sample.
For more fine-grained control, within the instrument editor, you go to one of the available voices and open the oscillator select box, at the bottom you will find sample. Select sample as your voice source and you will automatically see the last edited sample, ready for playback. You can select a different sample using the select box above the waveform window.
All instrument properties (envelopes, modules, etc.) will work the same for sample source voices as those using waveform oscillators.
recording directly
You can also record a sample directly from your microphone or other connected audio input. By clicking the Record-button, the record window will open.
Recording is simple enough. All available audio inputs are listed in a select box (by default the first option is selected, which is likely to be your devices internal microphone). By clicking Start you will activate recording. You can record a sample of up to 10 seconds in length at a time. By clicking Stop during recording, the recording is ended early.
After recording, you are returned to the sample editor which will show you the newly recorded sample.
Note: on first use your browser will prompt your for giving Efflux permission to access your microphone. Only after providing this permission will you be able to record.