In music production, a sampler is a device or software that allows musicians and producers to record, manipulate, and playback audio samples. A sample is a small portion of a sound recording that can be used to create a new musical composition or to enhance an existing one.
A sampler typically works by digitally recording a sound source, such as a musical instrument or a piece of audio from a recording, and then storing that recording in memory. The sample can then be manipulated in various ways, such as pitch shifting, time stretching, filtering, and looping, to create a new sound or to create rhythmic patterns.
Samplers can be standalone devices or software plugins that are used within a digital audio workstation (DAW) software. Some samplers also come with a variety of pre-recorded samples, such as drum sounds, chord progressions, and other musical phrases, which can be used as building blocks for creating new music.
Sampler and MIDI
Samplers and MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) often work together to create and manipulate sounds.
MIDI is a protocol that allows digital instruments, such as synthesizers and samplers, to communicate with each other and with other devices, such as computers and MIDI controllers. MIDI messages contain information such as note on/off events, pitch bend, and velocity, which are sent between devices to trigger and control sound.
When using a sampler with MIDI, a MIDI controller such as a keyboard or drum pad can be used to trigger the samples in the sampler. The MIDI controller sends MIDI messages to the sampler, telling it which sample to play, at what pitch, and with what level of velocity.
In some cases, the sampler can also be set up to respond to MIDI messages in real-time, allowing the MIDI controller to manipulate the sample in various ways. For example, a MIDI controller can be used to change the pitch or filter cutoff of a sample, or to add effects such as reverb or delay.
So, a sampler is a device or software that allows you to record, manipulate, and playback audio samples. A sampler can be triggered and controlled in a variety of ways, including via MIDI messages from a MIDI controller, allowing producers and musicians to create unique and original sounds and to incorporate a wide range of audio sources into their compositions.