Do THIS to Turn Koala Sampler Into a Hardware Sampler

In today’s livestream, we’ll break down how to connect and map a Midi controller/keyboard to Koala Sampler. This opens up Koala Sampler to act more like hardware, similar to the SP404 MKII, routing fx, pads and even sample start/length to physical knobs and pads on your controller.
Thanks to everyone who voted for this topic in the community poll! Channel members here on KZbin get all of the samples from today’s stream and Solar Sailor tier members also get the full Koala project
🐨 Want to Make the Most Out of Koala Sampler? Check Out My Koala Cheat Sheet:
www.sunwarper.com/product-pag...
🎧Join the Channel to get downloads of the beats, sample packs, behind the scenes videos and more:
/ @sunwarper
Massive thanks to the members who help support the channel:
Solar Sailors: Levi Cole
Stargazers: David Cleckley
🥁Sample Packs: soundsbysunwarper.bandcamp.com/
🎧My Music: www.sunwarper.com/music
☕️Donate: ko-fi.com/sunwarper
📩Connect: www.sunwarper.com/links
🔷 SP404 MK2 Cheat Sheet:
www.sunwarper.com/product-pag...
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Help Support What I Do:
🎹Sample Packs: soundsbysunwarper.bandcamp.com/
🎧My Music: fanlink.to/imlnd
👕Merch: / @sunwarper
☕️Donate: ko-fi.com/sunwarper
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Gear You Need For This to Work:
Lightning to USB adapter: amzn.to/47Ql6HX
USB A to USB B Cable: amzn.to/3tbSQjT
This is my MIDI Controller, but any will work: amzn.to/470i9TI
*Purchasing anything from these links gives a small portion back to the channel at no extra cost to you. Thanks for the support!
Gear I Use:
Elektron Digitakt: amzn.to/47ik2M3
Roland SP404 MKII: amzn.to/3SrqlqC
Mackie Mix8: amzn.to/468Uror
Novation Circuit Tracks: amzn.to/41kgtmD
Behringer MS-1: amzn.to/3KsYjsS
Korg Minilogue: amzn.to/3Zf9adV
Synth Stand: amzn.to/40p97xT
Livestream Setup:
2023 M2 Macbook Pro: amzn.to/3AV32NS
Anker USB-C Dock: amzn.to/3LXhzPF
100w USB-C Cable: amzn.to/3VEDUVm
Anker Wall Charger: amzn.to/3LADUAS
iPhone 13 Pro (Camera)
These are affiliate links, if you're looking for new gear, help support the channel by going to these links and purchasing anything (not just what's linked). I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you, thanks for the support :)
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// Connect with me on socials
Instagram: / sunwarper
Twitter: / sunwarper
Facebook: / sunwarpermusic
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🕰️Time Stamps:
0:00 stream start
0:56 how to midi map a controller in Koala Sampler
1:10 adjusting sample start and length on a controller
2:15 cables you need
2:37 how to get to the midi map settings
3:08 mapping samples to pads
3:48 the samples (available to dl for channel members)
4:20 how to use chromatic mode on a keyboard
4:53 building a track
7:05 how I made these samples with Koala’s microphone & stretch
9:08 bus fx
9:38 performance fx mapped like the SP404
11:48 adding hi hats and mapping them to the keyboard
13:54 how I sequence a beat
16:22 mapping sequences to pads
17:50 how to clear out midi mapping
18:53 why this setup is the best way to use Koala
20:28 jam
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#dawless #dawlessjam #koalasampler #koalasamplertutorial #dawlesstutorial #musicproduction

[@pianoatthirty]

The amount of value packed into Koala continues to blow my mind. Thanks for this!

[@sunwarper]

Seriously, it’s a beast and so affordable! Cheers 🍻

[@snoooozer]

If you want to get really clever and map ALL of the koala pads to your controller, you can map different pad banks in koala to the same pads on your controller but different midi channels. Like make the koala samples on bank A map to your controller's pads on channel 1, map bank b samples to the same pads on channel 2, etc.

[@sunwarper]

Ah that’s brilliant! Cheers 🍻

[@dwpix]

Dude, Just the info I was looking for! THANKS MAN

[@sunwarper]

Cheers, glad it helped!

[@keremoktaymedya]

I use a beatstep for that. Very good for playing breaks or controlling sequences.

[@sunwarper]

Nice, that’s definitely a great way to go

[@boomboombaby9140]

If you make beats from scratch try using GarageBand with koala sampler as an iaa for your drums . After you rearrange your beat export it , import audio into koala turn up the volume , export current sample edited . I will sound like you used a mpc or reasons 🤯kind of angry because I love my mpc live to and an app can match it in sound and quality.

[@sunwarper]

Nice, there's also those session drummers (idk if garageband has it, but Logic for sure). Throwing on some bitcooker in the bus fx is my go to drum setting on Koala, makes everything sound like a retro sampler with that nice grit.

[@sunwarper]

🐨 Want to Make the Most Out of Koala Sampler? Check Out My Koala Cheat Sheet: www.sunwarper.com/product-page/koala-sampler-cheat-sheet-beatmaking-quick-start-guide

[@raenoldparkin]

How did you map the keyboard keys to the Koala Sampler? There is no option for this. The Keys doesn't highlight green?

[@sunwarper]

So this was filmed live back in December, but I rewatched the keyboard bit and I didn't map the keyboard, only used it in chromatic mode. At 4:20 is the only way I was using the keys by just entering chromatic mode. There might be a way to map keys to specific things, but I haven't tried it, I prefer the pads or now with the 4.04 update, just using the SP

[@postlex]

Very cool video and great tips! I was wondering, however, how happy you are using the Arturia and whether you have any experience using the Launchkey Mini [MK3] ? It might be a better fit because of the number of pads? Or do you prefer the greater number of assignable knobs on the Arturia? // I have been contemplating getting the SP404, but your video is making me reconsider. Thanks again!

[@sunwarper]

Cheers and glad the video helped! I have an old 49 key launchkey that I use with my daw, never synced it with koala. The arturia is cool but to be quite honest I don’t typically do much midi cc as I currently have an 8 month old kid that takes up most of my time, so when I can get in some beatmaking I’m using either koala on my phone or the SP404. Now that the sp and koala have official integration that’s my go to when I need to turn koala into hardware. Sorry if that’s a bit of a non answer haha I’ll have a video all about the koala/sp integration up next week :)

[@postlex]

@@sunwarper Thanks a lot for your reply! Yeah, the SP really is quite good, isn't it, particularly considering the recent update. // Congrats on your newborn and hope all is well!

[@jimshannononsounds]

Hi. I came in late. Will catch the replay, later

[@sunwarper]

Hey Jim, thanks for joining the stream 😄

[@jasontaylor404]

Pretty EFN rad, up until koala, I couldn't justify the price of the iPad pencil until I used it only to solely make a beat. Technology has changed! Great vid on midi mapping. Thanks

[@sunwarper]

Cheers! I've never tried Koala with the pencil, how do you find it? MIDI mapping definitely changes the game for Koala, it's nice to get some tactile response on there

[@jasontaylor404]

@@sunwarper I bought it when I bought my iPad. It was like 129usd, but I'm sure it's cheaper now.

[@Shayzare]

@@jasontaylor404 I think he was asking how do you midi map the pencil. Do you just use it as a mouse?

[@aoterou]

I don’t know what the answer from the other guy was, but for me, the advantage of the pencil is being able to precisely edit notes on the piano roll and settings on the FX mixer

[@shifteleven]

Hey. Coming back to the comments as I started re-watching :D For velocity, I'm wondering if it can record in / play in notes/pads in Koala with velocity. I really want to play in different volumes of hats or even chromatic sounds to humanize a little bit. Thanks for the video on this!

[@sunwarper]

Cheers! That’s a great questions, I’m not sure atm but will check and make a short on it if it’s doable in the next few weeks. One workaround (though a bit cumbersome) you could do for one shots/drums is make multiple pads at different volume settings.

[@shifteleven]

@@sunwarper yes. the pads at different levels is something I've rocked with :D

[@brddork]

@@shifteleven You can enable velocity sensitivity in the settings for koala.

[@shifteleven]

@@brddork hey. I see it now. Thanks!

[@jasontaylor404]

​@@brddorkThanks

[@brendanmcandrew2782]

I have the same setup. Love it but i cant get the first two knobs to work like the others. They just go right to the middle of the effect.

[@sunwarper]

I actually have a similar issue. The first two knobs work strangely even in a DAW when MIDI mapped. I assumed I had a bit of an issue in mine, but perhaps its the way those two are meant to be mapped? Not sure, but I just avoid using those when MIDI mapping in Koala. If you need more mapped than that, I think someone in the comments mentioned you can map more to the controller by setting different mapping per MIDI channel.

[@anomalyv3718]

This is great! Can't get my controller to work on my lenovo tablet I'll try my phone

[@sunwarper]

Cheers my friend! Double check the midi channels on Koala and the controller if it’s still not working on the phone. I had that issue previously

[@anomalyv3718]

@@sunwarper it works great on the phone! Sick edit: they suddenly both work!

[@sunwarper]

Yes!! I had an issue with mine where it wouldn't recognize the controller for MIDI mapping until I played a sample in chromatic mode first on the MIDI keyboard... weird but it's definitely worth it haha

[@ukpropertyinvest4113]

Can tjis work with an Android device.

[@sunwarper]

It should, and since most probably have a usb port you wouldn’t need the ridiculous Apple attachment haha