In today's article, we'll talk about some terms used when describing samplers. In doing so, you'll have a better understanding of the features provided by a sampler before purchasing one. Before doing so, let's review the fact that a sampler allows one to playback audio recordings via their keyboard. The range of audio can be from a simple drum hit to a multi-sampled instrument. The key thing about a sampler is that it allows one to expand the sounds in his/her arsenal at a low cost. The following are some common terms you'll hear when discussing samplers.
Time Stretch: Samplers allow you to playback a sample at a different pitch by changing the speed of the sample. The problem with this is that the pitch of the sample becomes dependent on the speed of the sample and vice versa. Time stretch allows you to shift the playback speed of the sample without altering the pitch. For example, you can slow down the speed of a loop without changing it's pitch.
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: Sample mapping allows you to assign a sample to a note on a keyboard. For example, you may assign a sample of your voice and map it to the note C on your keyboard. You may then map another sample of yourself to the note of B on your keyboard. Also, via sample mapping, you may assign the sound of your voice to the keys D, E, and F on your keyboard. The result will be that your sample will be pitch shifted depending on the note pressed.
Velocity Layer: This is a type of sample mapping that allows you to have one key trigger numerous samples depending on how hard/soft the key is pressed. This is useful because the timbre of the sound changes depending on how hard or soft an instrument is played. With velocity layering, you can make your sampled instruments sound more realistic by assigning multiple samples to the same note. You achieve this by assigning "soft articulation" samples to a low velocity and "high articulation" samples to a high velocity. The finished product will be a much more realistic sounding multi-sampled instrument.
This article should serve as a handy reference guide when going over the features of a sampler. The sampler is a powerful instrument in hip-hop and great consideration should be given when purchasing one.
Time Stretch: Samplers allow you to playback a sample at a different pitch by changing the speed of the sample. The problem with this is that the pitch of the sample becomes dependent on the speed of the sample and vice versa. Time stretch allows you to shift the playback speed of the sample without altering the pitch. For example, you can slow down the speed of a loop without changing it's pitch.
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: Sample mapping allows you to assign a sample to a note on a keyboard. For example, you may assign a sample of your voice and map it to the note C on your keyboard. You may then map another sample of yourself to the note of B on your keyboard. Also, via sample mapping, you may assign the sound of your voice to the keys D, E, and F on your keyboard. The result will be that your sample will be pitch shifted depending on the note pressed.
Velocity Layer: This is a type of sample mapping that allows you to have one key trigger numerous samples depending on how hard/soft the key is pressed. This is useful because the timbre of the sound changes depending on how hard or soft an instrument is played. With velocity layering, you can make your sampled instruments sound more realistic by assigning multiple samples to the same note. You achieve this by assigning "soft articulation" samples to a low velocity and "high articulation" samples to a high velocity. The finished product will be a much more realistic sounding multi-sampled instrument.
This article should serve as a handy reference guide when going over the features of a sampler. The sampler is a powerful instrument in hip-hop and great consideration should be given when purchasing one.
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