Audio Sampling A Practical Guide

Bringing sampling to a new generation of audio engineers and composers Audio Sampling explains how to record and create sampled instruments in a software setting. There are many things that go into creating a sampled instrument and many things that can go wrong, this book is a step by step guide through the process, from introducing sampling, where it begins to recording editing and using samples, providing much sought after detailed information on the actual process of sampling, creating sampled instruments as well as the different ways they can be used. The software used is the NN-XT a sampler that is a part of the Reason studio software and ProTools LE, however the material discussed is applicable and can be used with any sampler. The companion website has exclusive material including a comprehensive comparison of the different hardware software available, as well as audio examples and video clips from each stage of the process

1 Introduction to Sampling What is sampling? A sampler survey Basic Sampler Expectations Other expectations Additional software sampler features Benefits to using samplers without creating your own instruments Benefits to creating your own sampled instruments Summary2 Making connections Required equipment Capturing the sound source Using microphones Using a line input / instrument input Using microphone preamplifiers Using analog to digital converters Using audio interfaces Using an alternative audio interface Hooking it all together Cable types Balanced vs. unbalanced Grounding MIDI connections General equipment tips and tricks3 Source preparation Choosing your source Preparing your source Understanding your source Putting it all together4 Recording the First Sample Ear training Goals Transparent listening Focused listening Listening memory Projected listening Summary Basic Acoustic Issues Microphone Choice and Placement The recording session Tidying up5 Sample Editing Editing styles Basic editing Advanced editing in the digital audio workstation Adding additional effects/processors6 Creating the Instrument Importing files into zones Advanced mapping Fine tuning An example of mapping Additional sampler features 7 Using Samples MIDI Musical terms and definitions Sampling, composition and orchestration: a maximum of ingenuity with a minimum of resources Musical terms Compositional Techniques Performance characteristics MIDI Performance control Observations 8 Examining the roots of sampling Timetable of processes Timetable of historically innovative systems Bibliography9 Thoughts on the future of sampling Modeling Future uses of sampling Summary

Sam Mcguire is on the faculty of the University of Colorado Denver and has served at the Appalachian State University as assistant professor and director of the Robert F. Gilley Recording Studio.