Audio Sampling: A Practical Guide

Description

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
Summary

2 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 tricks

3 Source preparation
Choosing your source
Preparing your source
Understanding your source
Putting it all together

4 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 up

5 Sample Editing
Editing styles
Basic editing
Advanced editing in the digital audio workstation
Adding additional effects/processors

6 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
Bibliography

9 Thoughts on the future of sampling
Modeling
Future uses of sampling
Summary