Sampler (musical instrument) facts for kids

A model of the sampling sequencer.

A sampler is an electronic musical instrument that is similar to the synthesizer. What a sample does is that instead of creating sounds from scratch however, a sampler starts with more than one recording (or "samples") of different sounds added by the user, and then plays each back based on how the instrument is configured. Because these samples are usually stored in RAM, the information can be quickly accessed.

Images for kids

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  Lichttonorgel (1936), an earlier sampling organ utilizing analog optical disc

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  Fairlight CMI (1979–)

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  Fig. 1: An example of how multiple samples can be arranged across a keyboard range. In this example, four different recordings of a violin are distributed across 12 notes. Each sample will play back at three different pitch values

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  Joaquín Lana using a Yamaha SU10 Sampler

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  DEC PDP-8/A (a minicomputer). Computer Music Melodian (1976) was developed based on it

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  Renoise, a graphical Tracker sequencer with integrated sampler

See also

In Spanish: Sampler para niños