1.4 - Sampling

Question 1

What is the definition of a sample and how is it triggered?

Answer 1

A sample is a pre recorded piece of sound - it is triggered when something tells the sampler or software to play it - this cab be sending a MIDI note to a sampler instrument

Question 2

What are the advantages of using samples?

Answer 2

• access to high quality sound
• saves time
• creative freedom
• Cost effective

Question 3

What is trimming

Answer 3

Means cutting the start or end of a sample or audio clip to remove unwanted parts - like silence, noise, or anything you dont need.

Question 4

List two advantages of using sampled drum sounds in a pop production compared to recording a live acoustic drum kit

Answer 4

1. Sound choice - easy access to a wide variety of perfectly recorded drum sounds
2. Editing flexibility - MIDI triggered samples can be easily quantised for perfect timing, velocities adjusted, and individual drum sounds replaced or processed without issues like mic bleed

Question 5

You are creating a sampled instrument from a series of short “ooh” sounds. How can you use pitch mapping and velocity layering to make it more playable and expressive via a MIDI keyboard?

Answer 5

Assign each recorded “ooh sample to its corresponding key or a small range of keys on the MIDI keyboard. If one pitch was recorded, the sampler would transpose it across the keyboard. Record the “ooh sounds at different intensities. Assign these different samples to trigger based on how hard the MIDI keyboard is pressed. This allows for dynamic variation in volume and potentially timbre, making the sampled vocal instrument more expressive