Samplers are electronic devices used to record, edit, and play back audio samples, allowing users to manipulate sounds, create unique sequences, and build complex textures. Popular in music production, samplers are essential for everything from hip-hop beats to experimental soundscapes. When samplers first emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s, they revolutionised music production. Big players like Fairlight and E-mu led the way, with the Fairlight CMI introducing digital sampling to high-end studios and E-mu’s Emulator series making sampling more accessible. Akai soon joined, dominating the market with its iconic MPC series, beloved in hip-hop and electronic music for its intuitive interface and rhythm-focused sampling. These pioneering brands paved the way for modern digital sampling, shaping genres and influencing production techniques that remain central today.
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