Saturn Samples

A small but mighty collection of carefully selected microphones is behind the sound of Saturn Samples. We try to keep audio processing to a minimum, delivering the most natural sound possible. In order to do that, mic selection and configuration is key. I tried hundreds of microphone configurations before landing on this selection and setup. This studio is set up and optimized for delivering the most detail and flexibility so that you can place the instrument where you desire, preserving pristine sound across the board.

We carefully find each instrument specifically for sampling. Sound balance, intonation, tone, build, history. All are taken into account and no instrument pruchase is rushed. The right instrumetns come to us when the time is right.

The sampling process begins way before a note is played. An idea of what the end result is needed in order to break it down into its building blocks and reverse engineer a working virtual instrument.

Once we have the full recording block, its time to chip away to uncover the sound-sculpture that lies within. Carefully editing out noises, bad takes, mixing to enhance the feeling of being in the room with the instrument. Denoising to let every slightest detail of the instrument shine even under the quietest dynamics.

Chopping and mapping the instrument in a way that’s intuitive to play and responds as expected, wether it is a violin, a sythesizer, a brass orchestra, o experimental percussion.

Simplicity is at the core of our instruments. We don’t want to drown you in options, but only present what’s needed for you to remain laser focused in your creativity and don’t get distracted by all the knobs and faders. Option paralysis is real.

In order to get such a large amount of samples to perform and behave as a unit, I ensure all the instruments go through several layers of quality assurance in different parts of the process. That way I can make sure the noise floors remain low, the dynamics true, and there are no bumps or unnatural performance behaviors.