Software sampler
Encyclopedia
A software sampler is a piece of software which allows a computer to emulate the functionality of a sampler
.
In the same way that a sampler has much in common with a synthesizer
, software samplers are in many ways similar to software synthesizer
s and there is great deal of overlap between the two, but whereas a software synthesizer generates sounds algorithm
ically from mathematically
-described tones or short-term waveform
s (i.e., less than 100 ms
in length), a software sampler always reproduces samples, often much longer than a second, as the first step of its algorithm.
Sampler (musical instrument)
A sampler is an electronic musical instrument similar in some respects to a synthesizer but, instead of generating sounds, it uses recordings of sounds that are loaded or recorded into it by the user and then played back by means of a keyboard, sequencer or other triggering device to perform or...
.
In the same way that a sampler has much in common with a synthesizer
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
, software samplers are in many ways similar to software synthesizer
Software synthesizer
A software synthesizer, also known as a softsynth is a computer program or plug-in for digital audio generation. Computer software which can create sounds or music is not new, but advances in processing speed are allowing softsynths to accomplish the same tasks that previously required dedicated...
s and there is great deal of overlap between the two, but whereas a software synthesizer generates sounds algorithm
Algorithm
In mathematics and computer science, an algorithm is an effective method expressed as a finite list of well-defined instructions for calculating a function. Algorithms are used for calculation, data processing, and automated reasoning...
ically from mathematically
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
-described tones or short-term waveform
Waveform
Waveform means the shape and form of a signal such as a wave moving in a physical medium or an abstract representation.In many cases the medium in which the wave is being propagated does not permit a direct visual image of the form. In these cases, the term 'waveform' refers to the shape of a graph...
s (i.e., less than 100 ms
Millisecond
A millisecond is a thousandth of a second.10 milliseconds are called a centisecond....
in length), a software sampler always reproduces samples, often much longer than a second, as the first step of its algorithm.
Software-based samplers
- GaragebandGarageBandGarageBand is a software application for Mac OS X and iOS that allows users to create music or podcasts. It is developed by Apple Inc. as a part of the iLife software package on Mac OS X.-Audio recording:...
by Apple Inc. - SpectrasonicsSpectrasonicsSpectrasonics is a music software company based in California, United States. Founded in 1994, the company originally produced sample libraries and then became one of the first companies to create software instruments in 2002 Their flagship product is Omnisphere, an extensive software synthesizer...
Omnisphere, a sample-based software synthesizer. - SpectrasonicsSpectrasonicsSpectrasonics is a music software company based in California, United States. Founded in 1994, the company originally produced sample libraries and then became one of the first companies to create software instruments in 2002 Their flagship product is Omnisphere, an extensive software synthesizer...
Trilian, a sample-based software bass synthesizer. - Image-Line DirectWave
- E-muE-mu SystemsE-mu Systems, Inc. is a synthesizer maker and pioneer in samplers and low-cost digital sampling music workstations.-History:Founded in 1971 by Scott Wedge and Dave Rossum, E-mu began making modular synthesizers...
Emulator XE-mu Emulator XE-mu Emulator X is a software-based audio sampler produced by E-mu Systems.The sampling software runs on a PC running the Microsoft Windows XP operating system. For the software to run, a particular soundcard used to be required... - FL StudioFL StudioFL Studio is a digital audio workstation developed by the Belgian company Image-Line. FL Studio features a graphical user interface based on a pattern-based music sequencer...
, formerly FruityLoops, created by Image-Line SoftwareImage-Line SoftwareImage-Line is a Belgian software company best known for its digital audio workstation program FL Studio and related audio plugins such as Sytrus. Founded in 1994, in 2007 Image-Line introduced Deckadance, a virtual DJ console application... - TASCAMTASCAMTASCAM is the professional audio division of TEAC Corporation, headquartered in Montebello, California. Tascam is credited as the inventor of the Portastudio, the first cassette-based multi-track home studio recorders. Tascam also introduced the first low-cost mass produced multitrack recorders...
GigaStudio, originally NemeSys GigaSampler - Miraton, freeware for Mac OS X
- http://www.112dB112dB is a music software company whose products are mainly aimed at electronic musicians.- History :112dB was founded in 2005 by Claude Climer and Jules Vleugels. Their first product was Morgana, an emulation of the Ensoniq Mirage hardware sampler...
.com 112db Morgana], a software emulation of a classic 8-bit sampler created by 112dB112dB112dB is a music software company whose products are mainly aimed at electronic musicians.- History :112dB was founded in 2005 by Claude Climer and Jules Vleugels. Their first product was Morgana, an emulation of the Ensoniq Mirage hardware sampler... - LinuxSamplerLinuxSamplerLinuxSampler is a music sampler under active development, aiming to provide a pure software audio sampler with professional grade features, comparable to both hardware and commercial Windows or Mac software samplers and to introduce new features not yet available by any other sampler...
, an open source sampler for LinuxLinuxLinux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
, WindowsMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
and OS XMac OS XMac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems... - Ableton SamplerAbleton LiveAbleton Live is a loop-based software music sequencer and DAW for Mac OS and Windows by Ableton. The latest major release of Live, Version 8, was released in April 2009. In contrast to many other software sequencers, Live is designed to be an instrument for live performances as well as a tool for...
- DigidesignDigidesignAvid Audio is an American digital audio technology company. It was founded in 1984 by Peter Gotcher and Evan Brooks. The company began as a project to raise money for the founders' band, selling EPROM chips for drum machines. It is a subsidiary of Avid Technology, and during 2010 the Digidesign...
Samplecell, a hybrid system that relied on a dedicated card (originally NuBus, then PCI), along with software - EVE 2, TDP and Knagalis
- Garritan
- Native InstrumentsNative InstrumentsNative Instruments is a technology company that develops software and hardware for music production and DJing. The company has originally been identified mostly with software instruments, but has also expanded to various other music equipment segments in recent years.Current products of Native...
Intakt - Native InstrumentsNative InstrumentsNative Instruments is a technology company that develops software and hardware for music production and DJing. The company has originally been identified mostly with software instruments, but has also expanded to various other music equipment segments in recent years.Current products of Native...
Kontakt - Native InstrumentsNative InstrumentsNative Instruments is a technology company that develops software and hardware for music production and DJing. The company has originally been identified mostly with software instruments, but has also expanded to various other music equipment segments in recent years.Current products of Native...
Kompakt, now discontinued - Mark of the UnicornMark of the UnicornMark of the Unicorn is a music-related computer software and hardware supplier. It is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts and has created music software since 1984.Products by MOTU include:*Digital Performer*AudioDesk*BPM*MachFive*MX4*Unisyn...
MachFive - Realtime Music Solutions RMSampler, integrated as part of the Sinfonia orchestral enhancement system
- SoundplantSoundplantSoundplant is a popular digital audio application that allows the mapping of sounds of unlimited length to keys on the QWERTY computer keyboard for use as a software sampler...
- Speedsoft VSampler
- SteinbergSteinbergSteinberg GmbH is a German musical software and equipment company based in Hamburg. It mainly produces music recording, arranging and editing software as used in digital audio workstations and VSTi software synthesizers.- History :...
HALion - UVI Workstation
- Yellow Tools Independence
- Wusik Station
- discoDSP HighLife
- iRomplerMap, freeware
- One Small Clue Poise: Percussion Sampler
See also
- Software synthesizerSoftware synthesizerA software synthesizer, also known as a softsynth is a computer program or plug-in for digital audio generation. Computer software which can create sounds or music is not new, but advances in processing speed are allowing softsynths to accomplish the same tasks that previously required dedicated...
- Sampler (musical instrument)Sampler (musical instrument)A sampler is an electronic musical instrument similar in some respects to a synthesizer but, instead of generating sounds, it uses recordings of sounds that are loaded or recorded into it by the user and then played back by means of a keyboard, sequencer or other triggering device to perform or...