A Short Audio Sampling Test!

1. Sometimes two or more samples are assigned to the same key so that different intensities of the same pitch can be articulated; what is this normally called?

A range of different articulations can be assigned to the same key. It is possible to differentiate between these using velocity. If it is a sudden switch, say from arco to pizz violin then this is a velocity switch if the change is gradually it is called a crossfade.

Explanation

A range of different articulations can be assigned to the same key. It is possible to differentiate between these using velocity. If it is a sudden switch, say from arco to pizz violin then this is a velocity switch if the change is gradually it is called a crossfade.

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2. Which analogue intrument was the predecessor of the modern digital sampler?

The Mellotron worked by storing the 'samples' on a bank of tapes. Famous tracks include 'Strawberry fields' by the Beatles and 'Watchers of the sky' by Genesis.

Explanation

The Mellotron worked by storing the 'samples' on a bank of tapes. Famous tracks include 'Strawberry fields' by the Beatles and 'Watchers of the sky' by Genesis.

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3. What is the mapping?

When you at different pitches to preserve the natural sound of a voice or instrument.

When you put a different sound to be triggered by each note.

Sometimes it is necessary to key a range of samples in one performance. To enable these different samples can be mapped to different notes. The MIDI drum map is a good example.

Explanation

Sometimes it is necessary to key a range of samples in one performance. To enable these different samples can be mapped to different notes. The MIDI drum map is a good example.

4. When did digital sampling become popular?

Late 1970's

Early 1980's

Early 1990's

An 80's track such as 'Nineteen' could not have been created without sampling.

Explanation

An 80's track such as 'Nineteen' could not have been created without sampling.

5. What is multi-sampling?

When you at different pitches to preserve the natural sound of a voice or instrument.

When you put a different sound to be triggered by each note.

The most natural sounds are achieved when samples are played at a similar pitch to the one they were sampled at. Multisampling allows for new samples to be taken every few notes for maximum realism.

Explanation

The most natural sounds are achieved when samples are played at a similar pitch to the one they were sampled at. Multisampling allows for new samples to be taken every few notes for maximum realism.

6. Which of the following were early samplers?

Emu-emulator

Yamaha DX7

Akai S612

The Emulator slogan was "From Pharts to Philharmonics..." The Akai S612 had a tiny memory by today's standards and saving was to floppy disk. The DX7 however was an FM Synthesiser.

Explanation

The Emulator slogan was "From Pharts to Philharmonics..." The Akai S612 had a tiny memory by today's standards and saving was to floppy disk. The DX7 however was an FM Synthesiser.

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7. What is the relationship between sampling and synthesis?

Sometimes sampled waveform is used as the 'oscillator' in digital subtractive synthesis.

The front end of a sampler will usually have a filter, amplifier and modulation functions of a subtractive synth.

Many GM sounds have sampled origins.

All the answers are true. Modern digital subtractive synths usually have the option of sampled waveforms and every sampler that I've ever used has a synth engine at the front to enable filtering and modulation etc.

Explanation

All the answers are true. Modern digital subtractive synths usually have the option of sampled waveforms and every sampler that I've ever used has a synth engine at the front to enable filtering and modulation etc.

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8. In what ways is sampling different from digital recording?

Sampling doesn't use complicated things such as anti-aliasing filters, etc.

With sampling the samples are held in RAM for instant performance.

Sampling often uses very short audio sections elongated by looping.

Samples can be triggered at different pitches.

Sampling uses the same digitizing process as digital recording, however, samplers can apply instant processes such as pitch-shifting as well as having dedicated controls for reversing and looping samples, etc.

Explanation

Sampling uses the same digitizing process as digital recording, however, samplers can apply instant processes such as pitch-shifting as well as having dedicated controls for reversing and looping samples, etc.

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