EXS 24 instrument organisation

Question

I've just started working with samples using the EXS 24 and have created a couple of instruments. I'm wondering where the best place to store my samples.
Logic creates the instrument in its own folder but doesn't copy the samples. I experienced a problem when I moved the samples from the desktop to another folder thinking Logic would search for them, or at least give me the option, but I ended up having to re-create the instrument.
I know Logic stores its own instruments in its factory samples folder, but I don't want to do this just yet because I'm confused by the fact that:
* Logic appears to have two folders, one stored in Macintosh HD, and one in my user folder structure.
* My new instrument appears in my user folder, but not in the main folder where Logic's own instruments are stored.
* My user folder does not appear to contain a default samples folder I can use.
Are my user folders real folders or in fact aliases?
Anyway, I've only just started creating instruments and any ideas how best to keep them organised would be appreciated. I don't want to do anything just yet in case I mess with what I've already done.

Answer 1

Hi I tend to do a lot of work for Film & TV as well as general Music Production work, so for that I require 'Sample Sets' which simply put are, a set of samples grouped in a folder for a certain use. I.e. Foley effects which would have everyday run of the mill stuff like diffrent versions of keys turning in a lock, footseps in various places, croweds in diffrent locations, people talking laughing etc.
*How do I set about achieving this*
What I do is in my user folder where the sample instruments are made I have a nested group of folders in which I group my samples accourdingly so for example the top layer folders would maybe Effects/ Music Genra/ instruments/
Within the Effects folder I would creat may be the following folders General Foley effects, Horror, Action,Special BIG Budget Movie effects
Within the Music Genra folder I would creat diffrent folders for the diffrent types of music I am creating i.e soul, Hip Hop, Pop, Classical/Big Band World Music etc. In the these folders I would collect all the sounds I would need to create these tracks from the bases to the strings to the guitars. (This requires you becoming familiour with the type of sounds and instruments used for the diffrent genras.
In the insrument folder I would create sub folders that would house diffrent instrument families such as Perc kits Aucustic Drum kits Strings Synths Difrrent Pianos etc.
This way I can come to this folder when I want to go in a totally diffrent direction from the other genra led folders.
*Dealing with the Factory Samples which come with Logic*
Now what do I do with the factory samples which load with logic? Well I have an external drive with all the raw sound files on which roughly mirror the folder hierachy that I would have created in my user folder within Logic. I then place the factory samples into a folder withthe same name on this sample drive. The EXS 24 sample instruments I will place on the user directory within logic.
*Why do it this way?*
I do it this way a) because its simpler all my sample instruments are in one directory. b) when you are creating your own samples, by the very nature of how logics folder structure is set up, Logic will defaults to saving any new or edited samples to the user folder, and in so doing seeks to protect the files placed in the EXS folder on the system Library side of things. This is why all source files such as your *Ultrabeat/Space designer type files* will be found here and any edited editions you make of these files within logic will appear over in the user side of things, which shows up in the edited instrument (EXS 24/Ultrabeat/Space designer) as a sub menu.
Once you have been able to get your head around how Logice utalizes its filing structure then you can manipulate it to your own needs. By doing so you get to save precious space on your system drive.
*Important Note*
I have found it best to keep the 'Dual folder directories' intact on the system drive. What do I mean by 'Dual folder directories'? These are the folders which are created in the garageband directory which then appear in logic so that you can import garageband projects into Logic and thus carry on building and tweaking to your hearts content.
If you move these folders to another location and even if you create an alias in their place this, in my experience, can cause a whole host of problems, so when loading logic for the first time on your system leave these file in the location of where logic natrully places them on the system drive within the logic folder and the garageband folder.
*A word of warning to the Wise*
A word of warning building a sample library is easy. Building one which is going to be an effective tool and does not get in the way of the creative flow takes lots of time, planning and paitience. However after the blood sweat and tears, it will be worth it and you will be glade you did it in years to come.
Back Up! Back Up! Back Up!
One last thing back your sample drive up so that you do not loose all those samples you took time to import and carfully group. Also back up your sample insrtuments on your user directory again for the same reason.
Good effective sample libraries can be as simple or as complex as you want and can take a good couple of years to perfect. Good Luck and happy sampling.