dropsicle sample player!
October 15th, 2007
this little Flash-based sample player lets djs (or anyone, really) play your own drops, samples and effects. it also lets you switch between a single-hit and repeating trigger mode, and lets you adjust the volume of individual samples so your bomb drop doesn’t blow the speakers.
instructions (and Flash source code for nerds) after the jump.
HOW IT WORKS:
Dropsicle lets you trigger up to 12 of your own samples using either the mouse or keyboard. it’s inspired by flossyfx which is an awesome lightweight Flash sample player, but i wanted to be able to add my own sounds. in addition to adding and changing sounds, you can individually control the playback volumes of each one, and also switch between two playback modes (restarting the sample each time it’s triggered or being able to play it multiple times).
getting it running is pretty simple, really. first thing, you’ll want to get some mp3 samples or sound fx together that you want to trigger with the sampler (i put in a kind-of-low-quality airhorn sound to get things started, but i’d replace that first thing). there are two steps to getting your own sounds ready for the sampler to play.
PLACE YOUR MP3 FILES IN THE RIGHT FOLDER.
the folder called “mp3?” that’s where all of your mp3 files go. only mp3 files will work with this right now. no wav, no aiff, no like ogg vorbis or whatever.
PUT YOUR MP3 FILES ON THE “SAMPLE LIST”.
there’s a file called “samples.xml” which tells Dropsicle which sounds you want it to play. open this file up in almost any text editor (Notepad - cool. TextEdit - cool. don’t use MS Word if you can help it, since it adds all sorts of extra trash that’ll probably mess things up).
once the file is open, all you have to do is copy and paste the line that starts with “<samples …>” one time for each new sample you wish to add. keep in mind that Dropsicle can only play 12 samples, so don’t put more than that.
finally, change the file names between the quotes to match the file names of each of your samples. so the first one’s default filename is “airhorn.mp3″ but you’ll want to change that to “lionroar.mp3″ or whatever the first mp3 file you want to trigger is. do that for each of your 12 sound files, save the document, and close it.
for the less technically-inclined, congratulations: you just edited an XML file.
START DROPPING BOMBS
yeah dude. so now that you have your 12 (or less than 12. but not more than 12) mp3 samples ready to go and added to the list, you can open Dropsicle and start playing.
i’ve included Flash projector files for both Mac and PC, so you should be good either way. if you have problems opening the Flash projector (i have issues on my old g4 powerbook) try dragging “dropsicle.swf” onto the projector file (the one with the big “F” icon) and see what happens. it should launch as a standalone application, which you can run behind Serato or however you like.
then, i just run my powerbook’s line out into my mixer’s mic channel, and then hit command-tab to switch from Serato to Dropsicle when it’s airhorn time. and when is it NOT airhorn time, really.
SOURCE CODE AND IMPROVEMENTS:
here’s a link to the Flash source code for Dropsicle if there’s anyone out there who wants to take a look or to add to it or incorporate it into their own applications. it’s built using Actionscript 3 which i’m new to, so it might not be the most efficient, but i’m definitely thinking that it’s not bad, either.
Download Dropsicle with source code (6mb)
if you have any suggestions for improvements or other features to add, leave them in the comments section. i’d love to hear them and to hear if you find this little application useful!
Filed under downloads
21 Comments Add your own
dave trax | November 8th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
Hello I just tried your program. I followed the instructions on editing the xml and adding the mp3s(5 of them) BUT when i open the program i just get the background with a stop button. Thought id bring this to your attention. Ive uploaded the xml file in case ive done something wrong so you can(if you dont mind)have a quick look at it.) Thanks Dave Trax
http://download.yousendit.com/58FD71C54C5A60E1
stakes | November 9th, 2007 at 12:03 am
hey dave - i just took a quick look and it looks like you copied and pasted the end tag a couple too many times. try this and you should be good to go:
http://download.yousendit.com/CD346F2532D6AB34
Albert | November 22nd, 2007 at 4:03 pm
I tried playing the sample drop that i’ve input at the command line but however the mp3 sample drop won’t play. Although im seeing that the mp3 is there - in the little flash base player….any idea?
Also, can it play mp3 drops with a lttle long time lenght…how long does it have to be. Thankz ! very much appreciated.
DJ iCe | November 23rd, 2007 at 4:48 pm
dude thats kick ass
this will work really goon on ma tablet pc that i used to use along side my mac for djing
DJ Kinetic | November 28th, 2007 at 9:08 pm
Thanks for this great simple samp. machine !!
It’s cool machine for MAC users !!!
dj haylow | January 25th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Thank you! The Flossy FX is tight, but this is a much needed improvement!
DJ Tony Bank$ | January 30th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Yo Thankz For The The Software i really needed something this….
gary levin | February 10th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
looking for sound eff
Dj CA | March 7th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Im having problems hearing my sounds that i stored in my mp3 folder. I followed the directions step by step and everything appears to be find the airhorn is the file that plays.. I have a dell pc
Makasi | May 18th, 2008 at 4:26 am
Can i combine this with Serato scratch live?
Jay | May 23rd, 2008 at 12:55 am
yo. .. this seems like a pretty dope program. .. I am not able to use it however. .. IM using a pc. ..I can not find the mp3 folder to add any samples. .. i can open the program . .. but having trouble playing the sample given . ..
DJESSA | May 26th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Hey Sir my name is Essa and I love your program but I hoped to get an update because it would be amazing if I save the volumen trigger or the mode. Hope to get an answer.
stakes | June 7th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
thanks for all the comments and suggestions guys. one of these days i’m hoping to build a new version that’s actually a standalone application (you won’t need flash to run it) that supports drag-and-drop so you don’t have to worry about the mp3 folder, the XML and all that. let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see!
Skillz | June 15th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Is this available for mac?
mrbones | June 17th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
been searching for hours .thx much needed, much appreciated
DJESSA | June 19th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
HEY ITS ME AGAIN DJ ESSA I REALLY REALLY HOPE to get the new update version as soon as possible for real I’m tryin to look at your page every week and I’m glad that you gave us an answer so pleaseee make it possible to save the mode and the volume faders thats my only wish and I got another idea , couldnt you do some pages like when you open the Programm you can choose above the RED STOP BUTTON on the left site PAGE 1 2 3 so that you have 36 drops on each page I hope you can understand me I mean it would be great if I can choose PAGE 1 for my sound effects like air horn and page 2 only for my drops so that I have more to play. Its just an suggestion because the ROLAND SP 404 can do that switching thru pages and stuff =)
Russ Cuban | July 21st, 2008 at 8:17 am
Man , this is wicked .Thanks..russ
dj p.b | August 1st, 2008 at 12:00 am
Hello I just tried your program. I followed the instructions on editing the xml and adding the mp3s BUT when i open the program i just get the background with a stop button. Thought id bring this to your attention. Ive uploaded the xml file in case ive done something wrong so you can(if you dont mind)have a quick look at it.)
DJ ESSA | August 20th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
HEY ITS ME AGAIN DJ ESSA I REALLY REALLY HOPE to get the new update version as soon as possible for real I’m tryin to look at your page every week and I’m glad that you gave us an answer so pleaseee make it possible to save the mode and the volume faders thats my only wish and I got another idea , couldnt you do some pages like when you open the Programm you can choose above the RED STOP BUTTON on the left site PAGE 1 2 3 so that you have 36 drops on each page I hope you can understand me I mean it would be great if I can choose PAGE 1 for my sound effects like air horn and page 2 only for my drops so that I have more to play. Its just an suggestion because the ROLAND SP 404 can do that switching thru pages and stuff =)
stakes | August 25th, 2008 at 9:18 am
@dj essa: those are some great ideas man. hopefully someday soon i’ll have time to do another version of this thing that also incorporates drag-and-drop and gets rid of that whole pain in the ass XML update system.
thanks!
DJ ESSA | August 25th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Hi Stakes I’m happy you mailed back, I’ve got a lot of gigs in the next time and i loveeeeeeeeee using dropsicle. THANK YOU FOR THAT, but there is a new software called KUEIT www.kueit.com look at it man its exactly the same idea behind like on dropsicle and the same idea I had with those banks so you can switch around but it costs 250 $ and thats a lot of money I mean your a taff guy who can make this kind of software SO PLEASEEEEE can you make an upgrade I need some more banks or can you pleasssssssse add some more letter maybe my whole keyboard Q,W,E,R,T,Y,U,I and so on ^^ I’m looking back for you
Say Something
Some HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>
Trackback this post | Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed