PXToolkit
The Sequential Prophet X allows users to create and distribute their own installable collections of samples. Ideally, every feature the instrument is capable of, including multiple velocity layers per key and sets of round-robin samples chosen at random would be easily accessible to users putting together custom instruments.
Enter PXToolkit, an ambitious project to enable instrument creation using every feature supported by the hardware. What follows is a demonstration of the basic workflow running on macOS:
In addition to the features shown above there are numerous conveniences fully documented including dragging samples between regions, instant audio previews for individual samples, and natural playback of full chords with velocity and round-robin selection using an attached MIDI controller. The same features are supported identically in the Windows version. Both are available from the download link at the top of the page.
PXToolkit creates installable .zip archives that the Prophet X can load into the available user groups, enabling tens of thousands of custom instrument slots across seventeen categories per group. The 50GB of space for additional samples in the Prophet X are definitely a key part of making the most of the instrument!
Updates
| v1.3.2 | Sample root notes are more reliably derived from filenames when they're used at the start or middle of the name The Import Samples... menu item now provides additional control over how to split existing velocity ranges |
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| v1.3.0 | Easier root note overrides by preferring the root note to derive from filenames when present, regardless of embedded metadata Silent sample automatically added on export otherwise for all otherwise unmapped keys Accessibility improvements significant experimental work, including a new sample import dialog |
| v1.2.0 | Windows ARM support added as a distinct download, labelled as experimental for now but it should be fully functional Apple Silicon support added as a distinct download, which isn't ideal but a Universal version would depend on support from the open source framework PXToolkit relies on macOS notarization means that PXToolkit will be trusted, eliminating a pesky prompt from the operating system that had gotten more ominous with each major release Upgraded foundations is mostly housekeeping, moving to newer versions of the foundation PXToolkit builds on |
| v1.1.5 | Improved compatibility with non-standard .wav files including those produced by MPC autosampler |
| v1.1.4 | Able to loop samples with no defined loop by optionally looping the entire recording |
| v1.1.3 | Support for Prophet X firmware 2.1.1 by adding an additional 24 user groups for samples Override auto-note detection by holding the alt/option key while dropping samples to prevent PXToolkit from reading metadata or detecting filename patterns to assign sample root keys Improved Windows compatibility by exporting using an underscore separator (_) instead of a pipe character (|) on macOS |
| v1.1.2 | Treat H as equivalent to B in note names for compatibility with SampleRobot's export naming conventions. |
| v1.1.1 | Improved compatibility with files that have upper-case extensions like .WAV |
| v1.1.0 | AIFF support works just like WAV support has from the start. Dragging and dropping a sample from the macOS Finder or Windows File Explorer into a PXToolkit document window is all it takes. Metadata describing the original pitch and looping are automatically extracted, and at export time conversion into the right format for the Prophet X is automatic. 24-bit support applies to both WAV and AIFF sample files. Samples load and preview just like their 16-bit counterparts, and when exported they're automatically dithered to high quality 16-bit counterparts as required by the Prophet X. Integrated documentation isn't fancy, but it gives immediate access to everything in the original README file packaged with the app, now conveniently accessible from the Help menu. |
Quotes
The following exchange tool place on gearspace.com shortly after the beta release of PXToolkit:
"I sometimes imagine a world for Prophet X users where Lady Gaia did not buy one and where we would all be right now and I am so thankful it is only something I have to imagine. ~ Mark Thomas Walker
"WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!" ~ @markodarko
"It's like one of those Netflix 'odd horror/sci-fi of the week movies'" ~ @ZT Scheer
Downloadable Sounds
| Replicants | Free | 18GB of extensively sampled Deckard's Dream sounds and matching presets. |
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| Pianobook "9000 Foot" | Free | Part of Christian Henson's Pianobook.co.uk project encouraging sample sharing among enthusiasts, this piano was captured at an altitude of 9000 feet in the mountains of Colorado. Three velocity layers and three round-robin samples contribute to the character of this alternative to the Prophet X factory piano samples. |
| Goldbaby Bluewave | Commercial | 1.6GB of PPG Wave 2.2 samples, a perfect pairing with the filters on the Prophet X which are of the same core design as this PPG classic. |
| Goldbaby Bonus | Free | Cassette noise, the sound of needle on vinyl, some tonal percussion, and a harp make up a free pack of sounds from Goldbaby as a welcome gift to the Prophet X community. |
Credits
Written for macOS and Windows by @LadyGaia. Copyright © 2019-2021.
Thanks to my alpha and beta testers, particularly @blewis_13, @ukvoyager, and @ComposerJK who were able to provide timely feedback early in development.
License
PXToolkit Copyright © 2019-2021. Free for personal use. Write to info@thinkersnacks.com for permission prior to releasing instruments prepared with PXToolkit for commercial purposes.
Remember that audio material is broadly protected by copyright law. Respect the rights of content creators by ensuring that you have the legal right to use any audio material you package using PXToolkit.