Sample/VST Instument organization on your computer?

[Shobiz]

How do you guys organize your samples and virtual instruments on your computer? I might be over thinking it to much, but for the past week I have been learning Studio One. I love the drag and drop integration.

This is my normal routine on my MPC 4000. Load up from Disk -> check out sounds -> add to program -> make a beat -> save all. If I wanted to reuse that drum kit, I would just load up that sequence, change what I don't want and save it as something else. I'm sure there is a better way to do it.

Some I'm thinking, make a DRUM folder -> Make subset folders for Kicks, snare, hi hats, drum loops, etc.

Also, a folder for record samples. But for VST instruments, I HAVE NO CLUE.

What do you guys do?

[Killah_Trakz]

Originally Posted by Shobiz

How do you guys organize your samples and virtual instruments on your computer? I might be over thinking it to much, but for the past week I have been learning Studio One. I love the drag and drop integration.

This is my normal routine on my MPC 4000. Load up from Disk -> check out sounds -> add to program -> make a beat -> save all. If I wanted to reuse that drum kit, I would just load up that sequence, change what I don't want and save it as something else. I'm sure there is a better way to do it.

Some I'm thinking, make a DRUM folder -> Make subset folders for Kicks, snare, hi hats, drum loops, etc.

Also, a folder for record samples. But for VST instruments, I HAVE NO CLUE.

What do you guys do?

Drums by Kits
Samples
For my vsti I put the library's under shared thanks Native Intruments

[KevWest]

i have a folder called refills for all of my reason refills a folder called vsts for all my vst instruments and fx, a folder called Loose sounds for random odds and ends sounds/loops/reason patches I download, a folder for my rex sliced break beats a folder for my rex sliced vinyl loops and another folder full of loops that i have not chopped yet.

[evilpeezy]

LOL, i just organized all my drums. I deleted probably 30 gigs of drums off my computer and just kept the ones I needed. It was so much work as my studio computer was so unorganized. I finally got around to organizing them into folders.

Kicks & Bass
Snares & Claps
Hats & Misc
MV Sample Instruments
Vocal Samples
Scratches

thats how they are organized as of right now. I dragged and dropped them into my MV now I got everything in my MV and I can pick and choose what sounds easier now to put on zips for my MPC 2000xl. It was crazy how many sounds i accumulated over the years and i only probably used 20 of them. Next is to get rid of toooooons of VSTs off my computer and clean up alot more sample libraries that i dont use.

I noticed tho, collecting samples and sounds is just as slutty as collecting gear itself. There was no reason i needed over 30 gigs of drum sounds. or all of those samples seeing as i dont use any of them samples as i play all my melodies original.

[Shobiz]

Originally Posted by KevWest

i have a folder called refills for all of my reason refills a folder called vsts for all my vst instruments and fx, a folder called Loose sounds for random odds and ends sounds/loops/reason patches I download, a folder for my rex sliced break beats a folder for my rex sliced vinyl loops and another folder full of loops that i have not chopped yet.

For your VST folder, Is there a subfolder called Instruments and one called FX?

[KevWest]

Originally Posted by Shobiz

For your VST folder, Is there a subfolder called Instruments and one called FX?

no its just a big vst folder that i seldomly touch. In Sonar they won't let you open fx on a midi channel or play an instrument on an fx channel though you can use instruments for their fx on an fx channel either way its never been a problem for me

[KT1]

I only have about 4-6 brands of vst so have not segregated. To be honest the live folder management is prob one of the best i have ever seen in a DAW. I have shortcuts to all of my main tools so generally i can jump in and out of folders in seconds..

I would organise things without to much folder management. It's just adding menu dives unless it can be shortcut.

Loads of good file manager apps online too.