Today's article is focused on the sampler and it's critical role in hip-hop. We'll cover the exact function of a sampler and how it can be used in your studio.
A sampler is essentially a high-tech tape recorder. It allows you to record "samples" of audio, and then map that sample to keys on your keyboard or pads on your sampling drum machine so that you can play that piece of audio like a live instrument. To accomplish pitch shifting, samplers will actually change the pitch (and speed) of the audio in order to make the desired pitch. For example, if you sample yourself singing a middle C via microphone, a sampler will allow you to play back your voice by hitting the middle C on your keyboard.Furthermore, if you play A or B, you will hear your voice singing A or B as well. The beauty of the sampler is that it allows a beat maker to update and add new sounds at low cost. Without a sampler, you'd have to buy a whole new synthesizer or program in order to get new sounds. With a sampler, you can just update your sounds by getting them from the following sources:
3rd Party Companies: Today, there are a plethora of companies that specialize in selling drum kits, loops, and completely multi-sampled instruments online. Big Fish Audio is a reputable firm that sells a variety of sample cds from different genres. Modern Beats is another company that specializes in selling drum sounds to hip-hop artists.
Other Records: With this method, you slice certain segments of audio from other commercial recordings. These segments can be as small as individual drum hits or brass stabs, or they can be entire portions of a song that loops. With this form of sampling, there are also very serious legal ramifications. Be sure to clear your samples up front and go through the proper legal channels before releasing a record with a sample on it.
Self-Recorded Samples: Grab your microphone and do anything from beat boxing to recording yourself knocking on various surfaces. One of the benefits of this method is that you get unique sounds that are completely yours.
The sampler is truly a critical instrument in hip-hop that can open up a world of possibilities for a producer. If you don't already have one, think about incorporating one into your studio setup. In our next article, we'll discuss some of the more advanced terms used when talking about a sampler.
A sampler is essentially a high-tech tape recorder. It allows you to record "samples" of audio, and then map that sample to keys on your keyboard or pads on your sampling drum machine so that you can play that piece of audio like a live instrument. To accomplish pitch shifting, samplers will actually change the pitch (and speed) of the audio in order to make the desired pitch. For example, if you sample yourself singing a middle C via microphone, a sampler will allow you to play back your voice by hitting the middle C on your keyboard.Furthermore, if you play A or B, you will hear your voice singing A or B as well. The beauty of the sampler is that it allows a beat maker to update and add new sounds at low cost. Without a sampler, you'd have to buy a whole new synthesizer or program in order to get new sounds. With a sampler, you can just update your sounds by getting them from the following sources:
3rd Party Companies: Today, there are a plethora of companies that specialize in selling drum kits, loops, and completely multi-sampled instruments online. Big Fish Audio is a reputable firm that sells a variety of sample cds from different genres. Modern Beats is another company that specializes in selling drum sounds to hip-hop artists.
Other Records: With this method, you slice certain segments of audio from other commercial recordings. These segments can be as small as individual drum hits or brass stabs, or they can be entire portions of a song that loops. With this form of sampling, there are also very serious legal ramifications. Be sure to clear your samples up front and go through the proper legal channels before releasing a record with a sample on it.
Self-Recorded Samples: Grab your microphone and do anything from beat boxing to recording yourself knocking on various surfaces. One of the benefits of this method is that you get unique sounds that are completely yours.
The sampler is truly a critical instrument in hip-hop that can open up a world of possibilities for a producer. If you don't already have one, think about incorporating one into your studio setup. In our next article, we'll discuss some of the more advanced terms used when talking about a sampler.
About the Author:
Learn more about hip-hop beats for sale by visiting Frank Lubsey's site on how to purchase beats.
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