Sampler (musical instrument)

In music production, a sampler is a device or software program that allows you to record, store, and manipulate digital audio samples. A sample is a short audio clip, usually a few seconds long, that can be played back at various pitches and speeds to create musical phrases and patterns.

Samplers can be used to record and manipulate virtually any sound, including acoustic instruments, vocals, and environmental sounds. Once a sample is recorded, it can be edited, trimmed, looped, and manipulated in a variety of ways to create new musical ideas.

In addition to their use in music production, samplers are also often used in live performance, allowing musicians to trigger and manipulate samples on the fly. Some popular sampler software programs include Native Instruments' Kontakt and Ableton Live's Sampler.