From Music Notes
Music History
Music Theory
Pitch and Tonality
Sound Samples
Music Styles
Jazz
New Music
Music Instruments
Composing
Scales and Chords
Arpeggios
Rhythm

All About Sound
Acoustic Design
Noise
Musical Brain

Sound Samples are waveforms converted to digital files, often using the wav format. Digital files can be stored easily in libraries for easy access. Given the right software, digital sound samples can be edited, analyzed, combined and turned into programs playable on electronic keyboards. Most current synthesizers are based on banks of sound samples.

In this EMU Emulator X2 editor window, a rhythm sound sample has been analyzed and deployed with beat notation. The sample can be modified in a variety of ways. The amplitude, tempo and pitch can be altered. The waveform can be passed through a number of filters that alter the sound. To create an instrument, the sample has to be the equivalent of one note that has an attack, sustain, decay envelope. The sample is then assigned to one or more keys on the keyboard.

EMU X2 sample edit window.

Samples can be assigned to different keys. The keyboard becomes a multi-instrument controller.

A sample or mix of samples can be used to create  musical  instruments that can be played on a keyboard or with another midi controller. Assigning samples to notes on the keyboard is the beginning, followed by moulding the sounds with a variety of functions. The next step is to create amplitude envelops that determine the attack, sustain and decays characteristics of the sound.  See Synthesis.

Sound Clips for Sale

For several years, sound samples have been offered as building blocks in instant music programs. No musical knowledge or instrumental skills are required. Samples are song fragments often presented in 2 to 8 bar clips that are inserted into a song sequence and repeated. A groove sample may be a recording of drums, base and rhythm guitar in a specific style. A pop or dance piece would require an intro, grooves for verse, chorus and bridge and an ending.

Many of the topics presented online are from Music Notes by Stephen Gislason. Download a free copy of the work in progress. Your comments are welcome.

Persona Digital Studio is located on the Sunshine Coast, Sechelt, British Columbia, Canada. www.personadigitalstudio.com  email  music@personadigitalstudio.com. Our Music catalogue includes recorded performances by the P2500 Band, Em4U, and the Persona Classical Consort. Music downloads are available from iTunes, Napster, AmazonMP3 and from our companion website: Persona Digital Online.  We have enjoyed association with Reverb Nation who provides an online service for musicians to present and market their music.