Sample file size and memory
Samples have two separate limits: file size on the SD card and memory capacity for playback on the device. Even if files fit on the SD card, you may not be able to load all of them into pads at the same time.
Limits to check first
| Item | Limit |
|---|---|
| Loadable file size | Up to 3,200KiB per file (about 3.2MB) |
| Length of one sample | Up to 20 seconds |
| Sample memory capacity | About 5MiB (about 5MB) |
File size and duration are checked separately. Audio longer than 20 seconds is limited to 20 seconds when loaded, even if the file is within 3,200KiB.
Memory shared by pads and KANTAN Synth
When loaded, samples are converted to PCM16 mono audio for playback and expanded into the device's memory. A compressed file such as MP3 may be small, but the memory needed after loading depends on its duration and audio format. Stereo audio is converted to mono.
For 48kHz, 16-bit mono audio, PCM data uses about 96kB per second. Approximate sizes are shown below.
| Duration | PCM data size after loading (at 48kHz) |
|---|---|
| 1 second | About 96kB |
| 10 seconds | About 960kB |
| 20 seconds | About 1.92MB |
Under these conditions, 5MiB holds about 55 seconds in total. This is a theoretical estimate assuming all available memory can be used for samples. It does not mean you can assign 55 seconds to a single sample. Each sample is limited to 20 seconds.
The 12 sampler pads and KANTAN Synth share the device's memory. The duration actually available is shorter depending on KANTAN Synth usage and sounds already loaded. Slices created with Chop reference the original audio data, so the full original audio also occupies this shared memory.
Separate from SD card storage capacity
You can store audio files within the SD card's available space, but each file is limited to 3,200KiB when loaded. To play a file stored on the SD card using a pad, you must also load it into the device's playback memory.
When transferring WAV / MP3 files with File Editor, check both the SD card's available space and the size limit for each file.
When memory is insufficient
If NOT ENOUGH SAMPLE SPACE or SAMPLE SAVE FAILED appears, remove samples from unused pads or load shorter audio. Removing a sample from a pad does not delete its original file from the SD card.
Changing Start / End edits the playback range. It does not shorten the sample's original data or free memory.
Add a sample Record a sample with the microphone When a sample cannot be loaded