5.1 Fundamentals of digital sampling

Digital sampling revolutionized electronic music by capturing real-world sounds and transforming them into musical elements. This technique allows composers to incorporate a vast array of sonic possibilities, from field recordings to synthesized textures, expanding their creative palette.

The process involves converting analog audio to digital data, storing it as binary numbers. Key parameters like sample length, pitch, and envelope controls enable extensive manipulation. However, legal considerations around copyright and fair use are crucial when working with sampled material.

Digital Sampling Fundamentals

Digital sampling in electronic music

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• Captures and stores audio recordings digitally
  • Enables manipulation and playback of recorded sounds
• Plays a significant role in electronic music composition
  • Incorporates real-world sounds into compositions (field recordings, foley)
  • Provides a wide palette of sonic possibilities
  • Creates unique and innovative soundscapes (granular synthesis, glitch)

Process of audio sample capture

• Captures audio using a microphone or direct line input
  • Converts analog signal into digital form using an analog-to-digital converter (ADC)
• Stores digital audio as a series of binary numbers
  • Represents the amplitude of the audio signal at specific points in time
  • Determines resolution by the bit depth (16-bit, 24-bit)
• Sets sampling rate as the number of samples taken per second
  • Captures higher frequencies with higher sampling rates resulting in better audio quality
  • Uses common sampling rates of 44.1 kHz (CD quality), 48 kHz, 96 kHz

Key parameters of digital samplers

• Adjusts sample length to determine the duration of the recorded audio sample
• Modifies pitch to change the sample's pitch without affecting its tempo
  • Achieves through resampling or granular synthesis techniques
• Shapes volume over time with envelope controls
  • Utilizes Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release (ADSR) parameters
• Enables continuous playback of a portion of the sample with looping
  • Sets loop start and end points to create seamless loops
• Shapes frequency content of the sample with filters
  • Employs low-pass, high-pass, and band-pass filters

Legal aspects of sampling

• Protects samples under copyright law
  • Requires obtaining permission or clearance when using samples from copyrighted material
  • Results in legal issues and financial penalties for failure to obtain permission
• Allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission under fair use
  • Considers purpose of use, nature of the copyrighted work, amount used, and effect on the market
  • Qualifies transformative use, such as creating a new context or meaning, as fair use
• Respects original creators and their work as an ethical consideration
  • Provides proper credit and attribution when using samples
  • Obtains permission whenever possible, even if not legally required
• Offers alternative sources for sampling with royalty-free and public domain samples
  • Licenses royalty-free samples for use without additional fees
  • Uses public domain samples freely as they are not subject to copyright