Sample size for Volca Sample

[Edward]

Since Volca Sample has 4mb of memory that means there is approx ~40kb per sample. I wanted to play around with some samples I downloaded from the web however most of them are around 200kb. What would be your suggestions to reduce sample size without giving up too much quality? Would you convert wav to mp3? What software would you use for such conversions?

[volcaPaul]

You don't have to stick to 40kb per sample - I've loaded 1mb+ loops into mine. You will probably need to free up memory by deleting unused preset samples though.

I'm using the free caustic editor for volca sample to handle sample editing/import/deletion:

http://www.singlecellsoftware.com/cevs

The 1mb+ was the original wav file size - the vSample uses 31.25 kHZ, 16 bit samples internally. So if the original was 44.1kHZ, 24 bit then they're going to be converted by the app into smaller files for upload to the vSample.

Also, with loops, there is the 4 bar pattern size of the vSample to consider. If the original sample was 8 bars at 140bpm, then if you have the vSample at 140bpm, it is going to re-trigger after only playing half the sample.

You can lower the tempo to 70 on the vSample (the loop will still play at 140bpm), but then you effectively lower the quantizing down to 2 steps per bar for anything else you're playing step by step on the vSample.

[chris-korg]

I've cleared all samples first and then loaded my own samples on the Volca Sample. (Windows Standalone Caustic 1.0.0b)

After loading 71 of 100 samples Caustic says "71% Memory" BUT my Volca Sample says "Memory Full".
I do know that Caustic gives just an approximation but is that much deviation really possible??

[chris-korg]

Reduced in the meanwhile sample-size with help of audacity (44100Hz->22050Hz); now total-size of all 100 samples is around 3MB.

Caustic-Editor warned "110%" but I was able to load all 100 samples on my Volca Sample without any Problem.

Learning point: Have a look at the total sample size and ignore Caustics estimate.

Anyhow: the Caustic-editor is a great tool!!!!

[Kazoo]

Interesting, I was under the impression the samples were converted internally on the VS to 31250KHz, looks like they aren't and just keep the source sampling rate.

I'll try to fix up my memory estimate routine to take this into account.