TAL-Sampler is not just a sample player. It's a full-featured analog-modeled synthesizer with a sampler engine as a sound source, including a powerful modulation matrix and a high-quality self-oscillating 24/12/6 dB low pass filter.
Don't expect a 40GB piano sample library with samples for every velocity or something similar. The idea is to bring back the fun sampling was in the good old times with small samples, fast loading times, and an intuitive workflow to create your own sample presets without getting lost in the settings.
It's possible to choose between different digital analog converters (DAC's) to get the vintage sound of different hardware samplers inside your DAW. We don't make cheap bit crushing or decimation on the output signal. We really down-sample the sample to the desired sampling frequency, then process the data depending on the chosen DAC and up-sample it to the desired pitch. Most DAC modes offer a LEVEL slider. This feature allows the user to reduce the volume of the recorded sample and decreases the sample quality. Load your favorite high-quality sample and make it sound vintage and noisy. The 24dB low pass filter will like it.
The plug-in has four layers and can play four samples simultaneously. There is also a simple SFZ import for samples that imports the mapping and sample paths, but the plug-in also contains an easy-to-use mapping editor.
It's possible to load and play your own samples in every common sample format (*.wav, *.aiff, *.aif, *.mp3, *.ogg, *.flac). Import samples with drag & drop from finder or explorer. There is also an intuitive sample browser that helps to find samples fast.
Some nice additions like a vintage real-time time stretcher and the possibility to modulate or automate the sample loop positions:
Reviewed By A9475EC [all]
May 5th, 2024
Version reviewed: 4.5.7 on Windows
Probably the best sampler on the soft sampler market, I pick this over kontact everytime, it's so easy to set up keygroups unlike other soft samplers, the timestretch per zone is epic, the reverb on this is pretty nice too even though its not the main feature, and obviously the dac of this is super, s1000 mode is just wicked.
All the dislikes must be broke amigo users that can't afford a decent soft sampler.
Read ReviewReviewed By sin night [all]
April 12th, 2024
Version reviewed: 4.5.7 on Windows
TAL-Sampler is probably my favourite virtual instrument. I have a strong preference for synths over samplers, yet TAL-Sampler is the big exception because I can approach it like a synth.
I record samples of my hardware synths (usually with the filter open and/or through various distortions) and I load them into TAL-Sampler as if they were complex oscillators, then I can mangle them by pitching them up/down the keyboard (like in the past, when multisamples were not common because of memory limitations), I can make delayed layers to build complex sounds, I can pre-filter (low and high pass) those layers, I can add the layers using the modulation wheel (by routing it to the layer gain in the modulation matrix)...
I have a lot of fun with it because I can do things I can't do with my synths (or they would sound differently).
The interface is quite simple (compared to the big software samplers) and it's quite fast to use. The only thing that takes a while is working on loop points (to be honest, finding the perfect loop points has always been a consuming task with every sampler), but once the loop is perfect you can save the sample as sfz and load it later already mapped across the keyboard with the correct loop points (I always do this when I record/import a new sample, so I can use it again later on other patches).
I really love it this plugin.
Read ReviewReviewed By kgarboski [all]
May 31st, 2022
Version reviewed: idk on Mac
This plugin is my little "Boards of Canada machine": throw some sample or meticulously resampled/bounced audio into it on Akai S1000 emulation, mess with the emulation parameters, and I quickly have a pleasantly somewhat degraded sound that has a lot of character, where the sonic characteristics are convincing and doesn't sound like some cheap digital emulation of a vintage sampler.
One of my favorite plugins ever.
Read ReviewReviewed By Duncle22 [all]
May 9th, 2020
Version reviewed: 3.5.7 on Windows
Already have some good samplers because i use Reason but i wanted something with that 'oldskool' sound so i got the TAL sampler & i'm glad i did. It sounds great & is easy to use. It also has a great time stretch fuction that my other samplers dont have. Plus it was good value at 56 pounds .
Read ReviewReviewed By Saukar30 [all]
November 30th, 2016
Version reviewed: 1.82 on Windows
This is one of my favorite samplers, hands down. It's perfect for when you need to manipulate a sound quickly.. but still want it to have character.
Keep in mind, when looking at this sampler, the question should be "how can I manipulate sound" not "how can I stack sounds". Tal Sampler is not meant to be an multi-layered sampler... but it could used in a realistic fashion if you think old school about how you use samplers (1-4 layers of good sounds with manipulation). Also... this is the ONLY simple sampler that has a realistic stretch function, 1 for each layer. The only other simple sampler hat I know of (that is not Kontakt, Halion, Mach 5, Falcon, UVI Workstation, Battery) that has stretch is the one included in FL Studio.
I now loads soundfonts & sfzs (although, only single samplers with a limit of 4 layers). This makes it super versatile for those who don't want to be stuck in Kontakt getting all scripted. You can slice, edit, stretch & loop each sample to your heart's content. It's also not just good for regular sampled instruments but for single cycle wave files as well. So if you have lots of Adventure Kid waveforms and want to give them some different flavor, this is a good ticket. It's not bad on the CPU and again... the sound! The sounds is one of the main reasons I chose it. A lot of us love that early vintage sound. his gives you a chance to come super close without a lot of effects. The onboard reverb & delay are a great addition & the EQ comes in handy. Also... LOVE the mod matrix. Everything is super simple if you need to work fast.
As with any instrument, I'd like to see a couple of things changed. Mostly, I like think that Tal Sampler would definitely use are some more filters. Granted there are 4 types of lowpass filters (4p, 2p, 1p, ) and 1 filter for each of the 4 sampled layers, it would be great if there was a highpass & a bandpass type included as well. (Personally, comb filters are fun, but not too many manufacturers include comb filters in their samplers.... such a shame!). I understand that there is a peak EQ included, but having more versatility wouldn't hinder this already versatile beast. Lastly... I think Tal Sampler could use a multi-out version...4 stereo outs, 1 for each layer. This sampler makes drums sound killer and if you have drum sounds on each layer going to different outputs, it could make a great simple drum sampler as well, though you can already use it like this if you just put everything to 1 output or have a separate instance for each drum sound.
I'm looking forward to whatever comes next with Tal. They make great products and I got turned on by the quality of their free FX & synths. Tal Sampler is not for te sample librarian. it's for the sample manipulator who likes samplers to sound like... well.. samples.
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