History of samplers

Question 1

Proto-Sampling (1950s–1960s)

Answer 1

Tape manipulation = Early form of sampling

Composers would cut, rearrange, and process pre-recorded tape sounds

Question 2

Early Popular Music Sampling (1960s)

Answer 2

Used tape loops and found sounds in pop songs

Question 3

Mellotron

Answer 3

Early sampler using tape playback

Pressing a key plays a pre-recorded tape of an instrument playing that note

Couldn’t record new sounds

Lofi, tape-like, vintage sound

Question 4

Early Digital Samplers (Mid-1970s)

Answer 4

First digital samplers available in the 1970s