Structure Free - Creating Instrument with Samples

[adam79]

I'm having a heard time using custom samples in Structure Free.

For example, I just downloaded a bunch of free Mellotron samples. When I go into the Browser tab I'm able to select one of the samples, but I can't figure out how to create a custom instrument that incorporates all the samples.

I've read the Structure manual, but can't find where it explains how to do this. Anyone know of a tutorial available, video, text or otherwise that explains how to do this?

Thanks.

[unkJE]

This should get you there:

Sample with Structure Free in Pro Tools

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt043JbO4z0

[unkJE]

This one's great:

Structure: Mapping Samples - Virtual Instrument for Pro Tools

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9bwpn77Nq0

[unkJE]

Then:

Structure: Layering Sounds - Virtual Instrument for Pro Tools
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXhdZoSZNbo


As well as:

Structure: Introduction - Virtual Instrument for Pro Tools
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBEXXNvysmo

Structure: Drag and Drop - Virtual Instrument for Pro Tools 10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmGCkV0mGz8

Please ask, if these don't answer your question!

[unkJE]

Keyswitching adds the cream!

Structure: Keyswitching - Virtual Instrument for Pro Tools

https://youtu.be/nnxFQfxuta0

[unkJE]

Phil Jackson made some great videos!

Structure: Multi-Timbral Operation - Virtual Instrument for Pro Tools

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcMP0bQXsqk

[DonaldM]

Originally Posted by unkJE

This one's great:

Structure: Mapping Samples - Virtual Instrument for Pro Tools

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9bwpn77Nq0

I can't remember what the limitations are for Structure Free, its been so long since I upgraded to the full Structure. Can you import multisamples into Free as shown in this video? I know Free is limited to no more than 4 patches at once, but beyond that, I just don't remember what other limits there are.

[DonaldM]

Originally Posted by adam79

I'm having a heard time using custom samples in Structure Free.

For example, I just downloaded a bunch of free Mellotron samples. When I go into the Browser tab I'm able to select one of the samples, but I can't figure out how to create a custom instrument that incorporates all the samples.

I've read the Structure manual, but can't find where it explains how to do this. Anyone know of a tutorial available, video, text or otherwise that explains how to do this?

Thanks.

When you say "a bunch of Mellotron samples" I assume you mean a multi-sample of ONE Mellotron sound? If that's the case, how are they named? Typically multi-samples will be named something like: "Mellotron C2"..."Mellotron F#2"..."Mellotron A2" etc. Where the name is just whatever the patch is and the "C2" or the "F#2" or whatever is the root note of the sample. Sometimes the root note can be first in the file name instead of after the patch name. Either way, its important to have those in any multi-sample.

If that is indeed what you have, then put all of them into one folder somewhere where you can easily find it. Open Structure from within Pro Tools, and then use the Browser inside Structure and navigate to whereever your multisample is. Clear out all other patches from Structure and create an empty patch. Then, select all your multisamples from the browser and just drag them onto the empty patch module. You should immediately get a pop-up window asking you how to map the samples. Generally, I would recommend that you map by root key centered. Structure will assign each sample so that it is centered on the named root key, and then fills above and below it a few notes depending on where the next sample's root key is. You could also opt to "fill up" or "fill down", where the first note is the root key, and then it fills up or down to the next sample's root key. Either way, it'll map the sample across your entire keyboard. Then in "EDIT" mode in Structure you can start to tweak things. You can set loop points for each sample if you wish, you can adjust the fade in and outs of each sample, and so forth. And, I think with Free you can add a few fx, such as reverb or chorusing to the sample layers. (I can't remember what all the limitations are for Structure Free vs the full version).

Anyway, this should allow you to play your multisample. Be sure to give it a name and save it with your other Structure Patches. I keep all my Structure patches on a separate drive that I use just for patches and samples, so I can find them easily. I moved all the factory stuff to that folder and drive a long time ago. I created a folder just for the patches I created, and then subfolders in that for patch types. So, if I were doing the Mellotron, I would put that in a folder called "Keys" and I would name it something like "KY-Mellotron-" The KY refers to "Keys" or "Keyboard sounds". (I use PD for pads, VOX for choirs, BA for bass, DR for drums, etc). By saving it in a special folder like this, Structure will create a folder for the samples that go with the patch. That folder will show up inside whatever folder you store you patch in. By creating special folders for different categories of patches, its MUCH easier to find those samples later if you need to get at the root samples.

Hope this helps a bit.

[unkJE]

Originally Posted by DonaldM

.... Can you import multisamples into Free as shown in this video? ....

http://duc.avid.com/showpost.php?p=1773459&postcount=10
…. The only reliable way to import multiple samples is to put the rootkey as the file name suffix, drag them from a folder not from the regions bin, make sure they're all highlighted in the import samples dialog, set root key: from name [note], map to key zone: by root key.

Trying to map chromatically or trying to use the default root keys that Structure appeared to assign to the samples when no root key was in the file name just doesn't work. Mostly the samples wouldn't map. Other times, they all mapped to just the A-1 key (the A below C0).

http://duc.avid.com/showpost.php?p=1364422&postcount=2
You can't make a patch in the same way as you can with the bigger versions, but you can do quite a lot.

The easiest way to do it is to make a folder on your desktop then drop your samples in the folder. Then name the samples with a post fix with the key that you want the sample to drop on, so if you want the for example a kick on C1 then name the file kick C1.wav then snare snare D1.wav and so on and so forth.

Then once you've done this, select all the samples you want in the patch and then drag them into Structure FREE. A dialogue box pops up and asks you how you want to map the samples. Select then one that makes sense for the sound you are trying to create.

Then you can't save the patch, but you can save the patch in the session you are using.

Another tip, because FREE has no 'one shot option' when mapping drums push the release of the Amplifier envelope all the way up.

http://duc.avid.com/showpost.php?p=1773408&postcount=9
“If you set the plug-in "Preset/Settings Preferences/Save plug-in Settings To..." to Root Settings Folder, then save your Structure Free plug-in settings, your patch will be available in all your sessions, just like any other plug-in's. Even your patch comments will show up.”


Structure's full editing functionality and fully re-sizeable Edit Window makes it worth the Upgrade.

Some more videos:

Structure Basics PT1
https://youtu.be/nLikkzouzls

Structure Basics PT2
https://youtu.be/nLikkzouzls

Make Your Own Patch in Structure
https://youtu.be/YdCTD7gWrcU

Structure Vocal Cutting
https://youtu.be/Jz2CP3Xw4Ow

Saving Structure Patches So You Can Browse Fast
https://youtu.be/tP3ghY92Cco

Using Structure Free in Tracks and GM Sounds
https://youtu.be/XhR-NnnTGec

Synth Power in Structure Free
https://youtu.be/-QCXxphMekk

Create Big Synth Patches in Structure Free
https://youtu.be/K5R0C7Hk6iw

Structure Multi Patch
https://youtu.be/hYAsIms2mBw

[DonaldM]

That's what I thought, John. I just couldn't remember what the limitations were on Structure Free as its been so long since I've used that version. Of course, I use the full Structure all the time. While there are some limitations with Structure (full version), such as no arp generator, it is, in my view, on of the easiest to use, and has so many features for tweaking and editing samples. I think it deserves a lot more attention than it seems to get.