Bjorn's sample mapper doesn't open

@robertpeveler

I've never had a problem opening Björn's .zip archives, or running his .exe applications on my Win10 machine. I'd advise grabbing the very latest v0.6.87 from his site, as apparently there were some problems with the previous one.

Note the file you download is a .zip archive, and you must actually unzip the contained BjSamMap.exe and put it somewhere to run it. Most recent Windows setups allow you to "open" zip archives as though they were ordinary folders, but this can be highly misleading. I made a new folder in the root of my C: drive where I put all of Björn's utilities, and I run them from there--no need to run as Admin.

Having said all that, I wouldn't expect Björn's programs to be able to interpret .rx2 files, though you might want to email him to ask if he has any suggestions. Also Guru Sampler itself can't use .rx2 files either; John has used manual methods to create sample maps for RX2 sample-sets. If you google "convert rx2 to wav", you'll find a number of links for utilities which may be useful. I haven't ever attempted this myself, though, so I can't advise beyond that.

If any Unify users can offer actual experience on this, please chime in!

@getdunne Thanks for (as always) speedy response - yes, I have the latest version, and have unzipped.  I will try again after a reboot.  I will also try another location for the .exe file.  I assume the utility should just run, and not need “installing”.

Re alternatives, NI Battery may be the best option, as that works well, though seems slight overkill; does have the advantage that it can load multiple loops mapped to different keys.  I can also get the TW16Wx sampler to work, but that’s a bit fiddly, because I then need to use Recycle to extract the MIDI file, then load it into MIDIBox. But then it’s very flexible.  

Still no luck with this - I have contacted Bjorn.

The other VST I have found that plays .rx2 files really easily is UVI workstation - easiest, I think, and of course free.  You can load up to 4 layers, and there are lots of controls possible (pitch, speed etc), mixing, and effects if you want them too.  Simple drag and drop of files on to the parts windows, so very quick.

@robertpeveler

One possibility is that you might need to install a newer version of the "Visual Studio redistributable" bundle. Google that exact phrase and the first result (from Microsoft) should be the correct one.

Thanks will give that a go.  I think this often gets updated when Native Instruments updates happen, but will see if any effect.

Just an update - I remain in conversation with Bjorn, but his latest update, which he was hopeful for, is still not opening for me.  I don’t know if other Unify users have this problem, but it sounds as if (from Bjorn) I am not alone.  I think John is planning a video on this topic re Guru sampler shortly?  Guru sampler is of course “free” once you have purchased Unify, but there are other options - the TAL sampler (paid) looks quite interesting.

@getdunne 

@robertpeveler

It opens fine for me...however, it locks up when trying to go to Options/Preferences.  

Latest version .0689.  Windows 11.

I wish that Unify was compatible with Convert with Moss.

Much more elegant solution for creating SFZ files.

However, Unify cannot read its SFZs.  Example:

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
////
//// Creator : Tony Thomas
//// Category: Bass

<global>
global_label=Rez Bass

<group>
group_label=Velocity Layer 1

<region>
sample=Rez Bass Samples/Rez Bass C2.wav
pitch_keycenter=48
lokey=0 hikey=54
offset=0 end=350846
loop_mode=no_loop
<region>
sample=Rez Bass Samples/Rez Bass C3.wav
pitch_keycenter=60
lokey=55 hikey=66
offset=0 end=350846
loop_mode=no_loop
<region>
sample=Rez Bass Samples/Rez Bass C4.wav
pitch_keycenter=72
lokey=67 hikey=127
offset=0 end=350846
loop_mode=no_loop

@getdunne

By the way, I sent a reminder to Moss on KVR:

https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8517229#p8517229

@tony10000

I have been in touch with Moss, and sent him a free license for Unify. He does not wish to provide an output mode compatible with Guru Sampler.

To convert the SFZ you provided, you need to put all the <region> tags onto single lines, e.g.

default_path=Rez Bass Samples
<region> lokey=0 hikey=54 pitch_keycenter=48 sample=Rez Bass C2.wav
<region> lokey=55 hikey=66 pitch_keycenter=60 sample=Rez Bass C3.wav
<region> lokey=67 hikey=127 pitch_keycenter=72 sample=Rez Bass C4.wav

Note I've eliminated tags which are just the defaults, and added a default_path line (supported in Unify v1.8) to simplify the sample paths.

Okay, thanks...I will try your suggestions.

Moss replied to my post on KVR:

"I was in touch with them and the idea is to improve the Unify SFZ import, which should not be too hard to do. But I cannot tell you if or when this will happen."

I guess you are at an impasse.  

"...the idea is to improve the Unify SFZ import..." because he didn't want to make the changes I suggested.

When this rises to the top of the priority list, I'll do it, but right now it's not close. Sorry, but my time is very limited at the moment.

Understandable.  I wrote to Bjorn to see what the problem with his sample mapper is.  

Did some more testing with Bjorn's Sample manager and discovered the solution:

John now seems to think that everyone can use this, and has started his collaborative library on this basis, but the failure to get a universal working solution to getting samples into Unify (promised a very long time ago, and still not realized) is very frustrating.  The process has been “contracted out” to Bjorn, and as yet he has not been able to fix it for all. I think some responsibility needs to be taken by the Unify team to get this working for everyone. We have been waiting almost a year. 

tony10000 - did you let Bjorn know that you had found this out?  It might help chase down the problem?

@robertpeveler Yes, I did.  Back on 9/27/22.

Hi Robert, I am sorry you are still having problems getting Sample Mapper to work. I apologize if I gave the wrong impression that everybody can use Bjoern's software as it clearly appears you are having issues. So far, you've provide no contstructive details about anything specific so neither Shane nor myself can give you any suggestions at this point. I have not been in touch with Bjoern so I don't know where he is at in regards to troubleshooting what the issue (s) might be in your case.

This is 100% FREE software.

That means there is no warranty or any promise attached to it. Not even a promise to reply to email so the fact you've been in conversation with him is an amazing gift to you from Bjoern. I have NEVER stated this will automatically work for everybody and I apologize if that is how you interpreted my promotion of Bjoern's software. Bjoern is under zero obligation to do anything to the tools he has released and we have no control over his software because it is HIS software. It works for me on my Mac computers as the last 5 Unify libraries were built with his software - I'm sorry if it doesn't work for you. I have hopes a solution can be found but there has never been a guarantee or statement of a guarantee said by anybody for these software tools.

I wish everything worked with everything, but computers are far more complex than I ever imagined until I started selling software, every computer is like a jungle unto itself!

@pluginguruforums Thanks - I have been corresponding with Bjorn over the matter as I thought that the more appropriate thing to do.  My issue is that the software simply does not open on my machine, so there is little constructive feedback I can give.  I cllick the .exe file, but the program does not open.  I have tried running as administrator, and the various compatibility options offered by windows, to no avail.  There is a suggestion in the forums that this might be linked to dual monitor systems, and I do have two monitors, but I don't know if that has been fed back to Bjorn.

@pluginguruforums The only thing I would add is that this is a feature that was trailed as coming to Unify at some point in the future, but it has now become "contracted out" to a third party, who has so far not been able to produce a universal solution.  It is something that many of us have long been  hoping would become part of Unify.

@robertpeveler Do you have multiple monitors?  My issue was that one of the screens appeared on the 2nd monitor and I don't have it on all of the time.

@robertpeveler 

Had this problem too and for me the solution was somewhat unexpected as it incolved

setting Compatibility for the EXE to Win98 !

Having done that , it runs without a problem.

Posted by: @robertpeveler

↑

@pluginguruforums The only thing I would add is that this is a feature that was trailed as coming to Unify at some point in the future, but it has now become "contracted out" to a third party, who has so far not been able to produce a universal solution.  It is something that many of us have long been  hoping would become part of Unify.

Nothing has been contracted out. Here is precisely what happened:

I had hoped to create a comprehensive sample-map editor as part of a paid add-on for Unify. I worked on it for several weeks, during which time I found Bjorn's tools. I contacted Bjorn directly, and found him more than willing to update them to improve Unify compatibility. It quickly became clear that it would be pointless to pour additional time into reproducing what Bjorn already offered for free, so I stopped, and John started showing Bjorn's tools instead of my prototypes. End of story.

@eallan

Posted by: @eallan

↑

setting Compatibility for the EXE to Win98 !

THX mate, that worked for me as well! I stopped trying at the XP compatibility 😉

OK will try Win 98.

@getdunne Understood - I was just hoping you and Bjorn could collaborate as he has been unable to get this working for everyone.

Posted by: @robertpeveler

↑

@getdunne Understood - I was just hoping you and Bjorn could collaborate as he has been unable to get this working for everyone.

I'm not sure how much more closely we could collaborate. Bjorn's programs are written using a BASIC-like system called Xojo, which I know little about.

When an .exe fails to open on a Windows system, it's almost always because one or more DLLs are missing. It's a shame Windows still doesn't provide useful error reports in such cases.

Fortunately, you can find installers for all relevant DLLs here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist?view=msvc-170. As far as I can tell, Bjorn's Windows programs are all 32-bit at this time, so be sure to download and run the 32-bit installers you find there. I'd advise starting with the most recent, and trying to run BjSamMap.exe after installing each one, until it opens successfully.

It should be completely harmless to install as many of these "redistributable" packages as you wish, and also to install both 64- and 32-bit versions. Disk space requirements are minimal.

Hi - well good news from me - I have tried the Win 98 compatibility hack, and it works!  I guess as Shane says, it might be to do with it being 32 bit.  I didn't realise that Bjoern was using a different type of programming, so I understand now why collaboration would be difficult.

Thanks everyone here and especially Shane for the help with getting this up and running and solving the frustration over nearly a year!  I hope this now works for everyone.