Recent | Online | Vintage | Modern | Win | Mac  OS9 | DOS | Amiga | Atari ST | Graphics | Midi io | Sequencers | Roland "MC" | E-mu | Ensoniq | Akai MPCs | Samplers | Akai "S" | Roland "S"Synths | VST Samplers | VST Synths | Roland "JV" | Modules | Drums | Mixers | Timeline | HackintoshArtists | Graphics

Welcome to Oldschooldaw.com! (Online since 2014) if you are human, Register & Login to gain more access to all boards here; Some guest permissions have been limited to reduce traffic from bots and encourage registration, while other Guest permissions have been added such as guest posting of attachments and guest responses to threads!

Author Topic: SampleCell II PCI (1995) & SampleCell II PLUS (1999) for Win3.1/95/98/98SE only  (Read 17173 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline chrisNova777

  • Underground tech support agent
  • Administrator
  • Posts: 9649
  • Gender: Male
  • "Vintage MIDI Sequencing + Audio Production"
    • View Profile
    • www.oldschooldaw.com | vintage audio production software + hardware info
for the original samplecell nubus card, click here
Quote
SampleCell II PCI cards and SampleCell Editor are not compatible with Windows 2000 or Windows XP operating systems.
https://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/samplecell-cards-compatible-windows-xp/
System Requirements: Windows 98 SE, Windows Me, or Windows NT 4.0
(please see the Digidesign Compatibility Documents for more information)

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1995_articles/nov95/samplecell2.html
http://archive.digidesign.com/download/legacy/sc2mac/
http://archive.digidesign.com/download/legacy/sc2pc/
http://akarchive.digidesign.com/support/docs/fr/SampleCell_II_Guide_F.pdf
http://akarchive.digidesign.com/support/docs/fr/SampleCell_II_Guide.pdf

Quote
MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

• 486SX/25 with 4Mb RAM.
• VGA or SVGA monitor.
• Windows 3.1 or later.
• At least 8Mb of Macintosh memory (uses 30-pin, 4Mb Mac II SIMMs).
• CD-ROM drive (to use sound library CDs).
• MIDI interface (to use external MIDI devices).

 SAMPLES, INSTRUMENTS & BANKS

The most basic element of sound in a sampler is the sample, which is a digital representation of the actual audio data. The audio data takes up a fair amount of RAM (88 kilobytes per second of mono audio, 176 kilobytes per second of stereo audio). Digidesign's SampleCell II system has no facilities for either recording or editing the raw sample data.

Before a sample can be played by SampleCell it must be incorporated into an instrument, which defines both how the sample is played (ie. loop points, envelope) as well as how it relates to the MIDI keyboard and any other samples that make up the instrument. SampleCell offers you a lot of control of the instrument sounds, with 'synthesizer' type facilities like LFOs and filtering, almost to the point that you could use it as a synthesizer in its own right. The instrument data structures also define the looping parameters, allowing you to sustain the samples.

Instruments in turn can be incorporated into banks, which let you associate a number of instruments -- say, for a particular song -- into one logical group. The bank defines how the instruments are assigned to individual MIDI channels and audio outputs, and allows you to set up key ranges so that you can mix or layer instruments on the same MIDI channel. In essence, the bank determines how SampleCell II behaves as a multitimbral sound module.

 

SAMPLECELL II -- KEY FEATURES

• 32 dynamically allocated voices.
• 16-bit stereo or mono, 44.1kHz samples.
• 8 analogue line outputs.
• Supports 8, 16, 24 or 32Mb of sample memory.
• Dynamic digital filtering.
• 50 multi-sample instruments and 10 single-sample instruments.
• Extensive performance control facilities in the instrument programs.
• Windows-based editing control software.
• MIDI device driver for integration into a Windows-based sequencing system.
• Supports Windows WAV files.
• Compatible with Digidesign's Session-8 software.
• Bundled with two CD-ROMs of high quality instrument samples.

 

REVIEW PC SPECIFICATION

The following system was used to test the SampleCell II card.
• 486 SX/33 with 8Mb RAM.
• SVGA display (1Mb Trident chipset video adapter).
• 100Mb hard disk (IDE).
• Toshiba SCSI CD-ROM drive (single spin).
• Windows 95 (June beta).
• Other cards: Gravis Ultrasound with SCSI add-on (equivalent to Future Domain 950 card).


SAMPLECELL II PC £1210 (NO RAM)

PROS
• 8 individual outputs.
• CD quality sound (16-bit, 44.1kHz).
• Bundled instrument library CDs.
• Up to 32Mb of sample memory.
• Uses WAV format samples.
• Excellent software support.

CONS
• Uses Macintosh memory SIMMs, which must be bought separately.
• Signal-to-noise ratio probably not as good as a stand-alone sampler.

SUMMARY
This is undoubtedly the best (if not the only) choice of PC sample replay soundcard for use in a professional studio situation. However, there are some hidden costs that need to be considered when determining whether the card is cost-effective.

Offline chrisNova777

  • Underground tech support agent
  • Administrator
  • Posts: 9649
  • Gender: Male
  • "Vintage MIDI Sequencing + Audio Production"
    • View Profile
    • www.oldschooldaw.com | vintage audio production software + hardware info
Re: SampleCell II PCI & SampleCell II PLUS (1995)
« Reply #1 on: July 14, 2017, 09:36:03 AM »


Quote
August 10, 2000
Version 5.0.1 of the program Pro Tools LE supports Windows 98 with the systems Digi 001 and Digi Toolbox XP . Also supports Windows 98 for SampleCell II Plus PCI. Among other additions: monitoring with low latency in the Digi 001 system (Mac and PC), export in MP3 format for Windows Pro Tools.

The new version is free for registered users of Pro Tools LE 5.0.


Quote
February 10, 2000
Digidesign has announced that the SampleCell II Plus sample playback system will soon be compatible with the Windows 98 operating system, along with the existing compatibility with MacOS and Windows NT. However, the additional TDM Module, which allows to integrate SampleCell and Pro Tools, will not be compatible with Windows 98. It also claims the inclusion of the Bitheadz Osmosis program for converting Akai samples to SampleCell or Unity DS 1 in the SampleCell II Plus package.

Quote
June 20, 1999
Digidesign SampleCell II Plus The computer sample playback system (PCI card) SampleCell II Plus ($ 1295) has 32 MB of RAM, eight outputs, 32 polyphony voices and can be used with both MacOS and Windows NT. Stereo and mono samples with a 16-bit resolution and 44.1 or 48 kHz sampling rate, AIFF (MacOS and Windows NT), WAV (Windows NT) and Sound Designer II (MacOS) are supported. Multiple cards can be used simultaneously. The program of editing of samples and creation from them of patches is applied. Additionally, you can purchase a TDM module that integrates with Pro Tools (both on Windows NT and MacOS), each output appears on the Pro Tools mixer as a 20-bit input. There are four CD-ROM disks with sound libraries (two for MacOS and two for Windows NT), each containing more than 650 MB of data. The NT version can read libraries for Macintosh. It is possible to load sounds from an audio CD. Minimum system requirements: MacOS 7.5, 8 MB RAM; Windows NT Workstation 4.0, 32 MB RAM.


Offline chrisNova777

  • Underground tech support agent
  • Administrator
  • Posts: 9649
  • Gender: Male
  • "Vintage MIDI Sequencing + Audio Production"
    • View Profile
    • www.oldschooldaw.com | vintage audio production software + hardware info
https://archive.digidesign.com/compato/os9/hd/cards.html
according to this information, the samplecell II cards can be used in PTHD systems (192 i/o):

Quote
SampleCell II

SampleCell II Card without TDM module

The one exception is the SampleCell II card, although the TDM bus cannot be connected to the Pro Tools HD card because the SampleCell TDM Module is not compatible with Pro Tools|HD systems. SampleCell II cards can be utilized in Pro Tools|HD systems using Aux tracks to route the SampleCell I/O Analog outputs physically between the card and audio peripherals. In addition, you must install the DigiSystem Init v 5.1.1 in your Extensions folder. (included on the Pro Tools 5.3 CD) Playback is limited to samples at 44.1 and 48 kHz.

Note: The "Getting Started with Pro Tools|HD" guide (version 5.3) that ships with HD systems with Pro Tools 5.3 incorrectly states on page 11: "Do not use SampleCell hardware cards in a Pro Tools|HD system. Doing so can result in system crashes. Instead, please use Soft SampleCell which has been specifically engineered to support 24-bit depths and higher sampling rates." Although we do recommend using Soft SampleCell with HD systems, you can use SampleCell II cards as stated above. This information will be corrected in the next document revision.

Incompatibility with older SampleCell II Cards

A rev "QC" or later of the AMCC chip is required for Blue & White G3 and G4 compatibility. This rev number appears on the AMCC chip following number "5933". Older versions can cause your computer to hang while booting or when launching Pro Tools or DigiTest. QC or higher chip is required for compatibility with the PCI 2.1 spec. Ways to identify these boards are in the grid below:

Board
S/N's Below
Manufactured Before
Board Rev Before
DSP Farm I
FF09226
7/9/97
Rev H
SampleCell II
HH02001
5/20/97
Rev D
If a customer has previously updated their board (or received a refurbished card), the serial number will remain the same, but the board rev will be updated (and the AMCC chip will have "QC" or later). Cards with the rev "Q" chip can be upgraded. Please contact Digidesign Technical Support by phone to arrange for a return authorization. Registration is required.

Note: All SampleCell II Plus cards are newer, and therefore already have the compatible chip.(The SampleCell II Plus cards are the same as the original SampleCell II PCI cards, but with the included 32 MB of RAM soldered on the card)

Offline chrisNova777

  • Underground tech support agent
  • Administrator
  • Posts: 9649
  • Gender: Male
  • "Vintage MIDI Sequencing + Audio Production"
    • View Profile
    • www.oldschooldaw.com | vintage audio production software + hardware info
https://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/motu-issue-make-pci-macintosh-trigger-nubus-mac-samplecell/

Quote
MOTU Issue: How to make a PCI Macintosh trigger a NuBus Mac with a SampleCell card
Article #26068 Updated on Apr 27, 2007 at 12:00 AM
Here’s the premise: You own a NuBus Mac with a Sample Cell card. You like your NuBus machine; it works. You now own a lightnin’ fast PCI Mac and you would like to make the most of what you own. What if you could somehow connect both Macs, using the PCI Mac as the master and the NuBus Mac as a glorified sound module and sample editor? Here’s how.

To get started, you will need a MIDI interface that can be hooked up to both computers through their serial ports such as a MIDI Express or the legendary MTP series (MTP I, MTP II, or MTP AV). That interface will serve as the connection between the two computers. This connection will allow the PCI machine to trigger the sounds of the Sample Cell card through the network connection to the NuBus Mac. Basically, we’re going to tell FreeMIDI on the PCI Mac that there is a MIDI module out on port 8 of the MIDI interface, so that it will route data out to that port. We are then going to tell the NuBus Mac that there is a controller module out on port 8 of the MIDI interface, so that it will expect to receive controller information from that port. To complete the signal path, we’re going to use a MIDI cable to connect Out Port 8 to In Port 8, making sure in the MTP/Express Console to disconnect the connection from In Port 8 to the Computer port, so that the signal sent out by the PCI computer doesn’t get sent back into it and cause a MIDI feedback loop. Here we go.

I. FreeMIDI Settings:

NuBus Mac
1. Open FreeMIDI and create a new device.
2. Call it the SampleCell Controller.
3. Tell FreeMIDI that it transmits on all 16 channels and receives on none.
4. Give it the property of “Controller”.
5. For Studio Location, tell FreeMIDI that it’s connected to Port 8 of your MTP.
6. Select FreeMIDI Preferences from the File menu and check in the box to enable the SampleCell card.

PCI Mac
1. Open FreeMIDI and create a new device.
2. Call it the SampleCell Card.
3. Tell FreeMIDI that it receives on all 16 channels and transmits on none.
4. Give it the property of “Sampler”.
5. For Studio Location, tell FreeMIDI that it’s connected to Port 8 of your MTP.

II. MTP Console Settings:

1. In the Cable Routing window, disconnect the connection between Input Port 8 on the left hand side and the Computer Port Icon in the middle of the window.
2. Also in the Cable Routing window, make a connection between the Input Port 8 on the left hand side and the Network Port Icon in the middle of the window.
3. In real life, physically plug one MIDI cable into the In Port 8 and Out Port 8.

III. Performer/Digital Performer:

NuBus Mac
1. Open Performer.
2. Enable Multi record.
3. Make 16 MIDI tracks and record-enable them.
4. Assign the Input for said 16 tracks to SampleCell Controller, channels 1-16.
5. Assign the Output for said 16 tracks to SampleCell card, channels 1-16.

PCI Mac
1. Open Performer.
2. Assign the Output of tracks to the SampleCell Card as you normally would if it was a normal MIDI module.

Offline chrisNova777

  • Underground tech support agent
  • Administrator
  • Posts: 9649
  • Gender: Male
  • "Vintage MIDI Sequencing + Audio Production"
    • View Profile
    • www.oldschooldaw.com | vintage audio production software + hardware info
https://sonicstate.com/digital/comments.cfm?modelID=102
https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/using-samplecell-libraries-pro-tools
http://www.proaudiosupport.com/a32982/specifications-for-samplecell-ii.html
https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/installing-ram-for-nubus-pci-samplecell-ii-cards/
https://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/release-date-for-samplecell-ii-plus/
https://archive.digidesign.com/support/propix/scPCI.html
https://www.sonicstate.com/digital/model.cfm?modelID=102&manid=39&manuf=39
https://archive.digidesign.com/compato/osx/sc/
https://www.macintoshrepository.org/2286-samplecell-editor-2
https://archive.digidesign.com/support/readme/SC_Mac_2.1.1_ReadMe.html

SampleCell PCI card revisions:
11/22/96 SampleCell II-PCI
01/15/98 SampleCell II-PCI Plus

Quote
SampleCell II Plus is a second generation SampleCell II PCI card that has 32 MB of DRAM surface mounted on the card. This was done in response to the scarcity of 4 MB 30-pin SIMMs. We also reduced the list price of the card, in addition to eliminating the need to buy RAM for it.
01/15/98 initial release

Quote
The SampleCell II-PCI is a sample playback PCI card. It was released 11/22/96 with SampleCell Editor 2.1
-32 dynamically allocated voices.
-One sweeping LPF per voice.
-Instruments per card: 50 Multi-Sample mono (25 stereo) and 10 Single-Sample mono (5 stereo) Instruments.
-Samples per Instrument: 360 (60 Key Groups by 6 Velocity Zones).
-2 Tracking generators with 9 break points each.
-RAM Configuration: 8, 16, 24, or 32Mb (Mac II type, 30-pin, 70ns or faster).
-RAM must be loaded in pairs starting at the end of the card (socket furthest from the bracket with the 1/4" connectors).
-Outputs are wired Tip=Odd and Ring=Even (both of which are opposite of SC, SCII-NuBus, and SCII-PC).


Offline chrisNova777

  • Underground tech support agent
  • Administrator
  • Posts: 9649
  • Gender: Male
  • "Vintage MIDI Sequencing + Audio Production"
    • View Profile
    • www.oldschooldaw.com | vintage audio production software + hardware info
https://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/compatibility-between-old-digidesign-cards-newer-apple-computers-bw/

Quote
Compatibility between old Digidesign cards and newer Apple Computers (B&W G3’s and G4’s)
Article #554 Updated on Apr 27, 2007 at 12:00 AM
There is a compatibility issue with the Blue & White G3’s and ALL G4’s and the following Digidesign PCI cards:
Disk I/O,
DSP Farm I,
PT Project,
SampleCell II, and
Audiomedia III.

If you will be using any of the above cards in a B&W G3’s or G4′,
please check the line on the AMCC chip directly under “PCI Matchmaker” on the PCI Card.
It should end with Q, QC, or QE.
We have determined that the Q rev is not compatible with the B&W G3’s and G4’s (causes the Mac to hang consistently on boot, or when PT is launched).
Cards with the Q rev chip can be upgraded so please contact Digidesign directly to arrange this.

what does this mean?  SELECT Samplecell II cards only work properly with the older 233/266/300 mhz G3's + older PowerPC Macintosh with PCI slots