Have you seen the Sampler in Soundtrap???
Sometimes new features fly under the radar when they are launched, and the brand new Sampler in Soundtrap is one of them. I can’t believe I just realized it was there!!! Holy %$#@ this thing is cool! With so many different ways to use it, the Sampler is something that you need to start using with your students right away. In this post I will go over what a Sampler actually does, as well as a step-by-step guide on how to use it.
What is a sampler? A sampler is a piece of hardware OR software that can capture, store, and play audio samples that you record. Samplers have been around for decades and are an essential part of creating music - especially in hip-hop and EDM. Once a small sound recording (a sample) has been recorded, samplers can then allow the user to manipulate the sound any way that you’d like - backwards, different pitches, etc. One fun way to experiment with students and samplers is to have them record themselves singing a single note (they can also make sounds instead of singing) using a handheld recorder - or even their phones. You can have the students sing the syllable “BAA” on middle C. Once you’ve recorded that, you can import that recording into Soundtrap, edit it, and then use that sample. If they’re using a USB keyboard (or the built-in on screen keyboard in Soundtrap) they’ll be able to play their own “Baa” recording as a musical instrument. You can have them play Baa Baa Black Sheep using their own Baa sounds. They’ll laugh a LOT if you do this with them.
So here is how it works….
Whenever you add a new track in Soundtrap, you should now see the new Sampler button at the bottom of the screen. Click it! You’ll then see this':
If you have a short audio recording that you’ve made using a handheld recorder or a phone, you can import it into Soundtrap by pressing Import File and selecting the recording you’d like to us. You can also choose from a BIG collection of pre-made samples, called One-Shots. If you click on Search One Shorts, you’ll see a mini loop library appear on the right and then you can drag & drop your preferred sample/one-shot from the Loop Library. These are very short audio files to help you get started. It appears that at the moment, you can’t record your own samples straight into the sampler. I tried several different ways, but couldn’t figure out how to do it. Perhaps it is a feature that will be brought out later.
Once you’ve selected which sample you’d like to use, you can use it with either the virtual keyboard (or a USB keyboard if you have one plugged in) OR the piano roll. The piano roll entry method allows you to draw in notes using the pencil tool. A USB keyboard is definitely the fastest option.
Once you’ve got your sample loaded, you can Edit it in a number of ways. You can use the handles (the little tiny circles at the top of the beginning and end of the sound in the track) to Cut, Fade In and Fade Out. You can Loop the sample so that if you hold down the key on the USB or virtual keyboard it will continue to play until you release the key. You can decide whether your sample is polyphonic, monophonic, or if it has lots of legato. You can also use the handles to create a crossfade. A crossfade allows you to overlap the fade in/out of your sample. Dragging the "X" button to the left creates a smoother loop transition, while dragging to the right creates a more punchy sound.
That’s really all there is to it. The Sampler is a fantastic new feature - especially for those who have been using Soundtrap for a while. It really opens up a whole new sonic palette. Best part - because its a web-based software program, you already have the feature right now. I strongly recommend checking it out.
If you would like to try the Sampler in Soundtrap for yourself, simply sign up for our FREE 30-day trial.