Tascam GigaStudio to Emagic EXS-24 mkI & II Translation

Status: Implemented in the current version of Translator.
This translation is available on the Windows and Mac versions.

Giga Files and Instruments have several properties which make them a little more difficult to translate into other formats.

Large Size
Although not all .gig files are large, some are. The EXS-24 offers streaming as well, so this is not an issue.

However, if you do want to limit the size of you composite files, you can do this by setting the appropriate parameter in Options-Sample Sample Mapping. Translator will then truncate proportionally the samples to guarantee a composite file size. If a loop carries over in a truncated space, the loop is turned off. Translator has a sophisticated algorithm that truncates the samples, preserving the smaller ones and placing the truncation burden on the larger ones. The algorithm also looks ahead and if any "dimensions" will be ignored, it simply deletes the samples and relieves some of the burden that way.

Giga3 Support
Translator fully supports the conversion of Giga3 files, and supports most every parameter. The exceptions are accelerated 16, 20, and 24-bit files, and also any iMIDI rules that may exist.

KeySwitching and Release Trigger Support
This format supports keyswitching, which is a function where pressing a non-sounding key (or a Patch Select in the case of Ensoniq) instructs the sampler engine to switch what samples play on what key.

This format also supports other similar features such as release trigger samples, samples manipulated by the sustain pedal, etc.

Since this source format may contain this type of information, it is supported by this destination.

The A-B-C-D Parameter
Giga has the under-used "A-B-C-D" parameter - this is a function where

Typically this is a modulation parameter where parameters A through D are incrementing figures between 0 and 127.

Giga is not the only format that has this - again, Ensoniq had it in 1988, and Emu and Roland use them also.

The EXS-24 does not have this parameter - however, you can effectively simulate it by using the EXS-24 Mark II's extensive modulation capabilities.

Compression
Some Giga libraries are compressed. Translator completely supports the decompression of these waves, so this is not an issue in Translator.

Otherwise, Giga is a pretty normal format.