Today, we'll discuss the sampler, and we'll explain some phrases that are good to know before purchasing one. First, let's go over what a sampler does. A sampler is a device that allows you to play back audio from a variety of sources. The sources can be from self-recorded sounds to sample cds that are designed for electronic musicians. Some common terms that you'll run across when discussing samplers are:
Time Stretch: Originally, samplers allowed you to alter the pitch of the sample being played back by varying the speed of the sample played. Thus, if the original sample was in the key of C, you could play it in D because the sample would speed up the playback speed. However, the problem with this method was that pitch and playback speed were linked. Time stretch frees you from this constraint. With time stretching, you can change the playback speed of a sample without changing the pitch at all.
Pitch Shift: Pitch shift is similar to time stretch except that it allows you to adjust the pitch of a sample without changing the speed of the sample.
Sample Mapping: With this feature, you can have various samples triggered by certain notes on the keyboard. For example, you can have sample 1 triggered whenever the note A is played. You can then have sample 2 triggered whenever note B is played. Furthermore, some samplers will automatically pitch-shift a sample if one sample is assigned to multiple notes at the same time.
Velocity Layer: This is an advanced form of sample mapping that allows you to assign multiple samples to a single note. The sample that ends up being played is determined by how hard or soft a note is pressed. This is very useful for sampling instruments. With instruments, the timbre of the instrument changes depending on how hard the note was initially played. Thus, with velocity layering, you can have 3 samples mapped to the same key. One sample serves as the "soft articulation" sample, the second sample serves as the "medium articulation" sample, and the third sample is the "hard articulation sample". The end result is that the instrument you are sampling will be more realistic than just using the same articulation for any velocity played.
Use this article as a reference guide before purchasing your sampler. A sampler is an extremely versatile instrument that is central to a hip-hop studio.
Time Stretch: Originally, samplers allowed you to alter the pitch of the sample being played back by varying the speed of the sample played. Thus, if the original sample was in the key of C, you could play it in D because the sample would speed up the playback speed. However, the problem with this method was that pitch and playback speed were linked. Time stretch frees you from this constraint. With time stretching, you can change the playback speed of a sample without changing the pitch at all.
Pitch Shift: Pitch shift is similar to time stretch except that it allows you to adjust the pitch of a sample without changing the speed of the sample.
Sample Mapping: With this feature, you can have various samples triggered by certain notes on the keyboard. For example, you can have sample 1 triggered whenever the note A is played. You can then have sample 2 triggered whenever note B is played. Furthermore, some samplers will automatically pitch-shift a sample if one sample is assigned to multiple notes at the same time.
Velocity Layer: This is an advanced form of sample mapping that allows you to assign multiple samples to a single note. The sample that ends up being played is determined by how hard or soft a note is pressed. This is very useful for sampling instruments. With instruments, the timbre of the instrument changes depending on how hard the note was initially played. Thus, with velocity layering, you can have 3 samples mapped to the same key. One sample serves as the "soft articulation" sample, the second sample serves as the "medium articulation" sample, and the third sample is the "hard articulation sample". The end result is that the instrument you are sampling will be more realistic than just using the same articulation for any velocity played.
Use this article as a reference guide before purchasing your sampler. A sampler is an extremely versatile instrument that is central to a hip-hop studio.
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