SAMPLED

Sampled is the past participle of the verb sample. It functions as an adjective or verb to indicate that something has been selected as a sample or that a process has produced samples. In statistics and research, sampling involves selecting a subset of individuals or items from a larger population for analysis. Sampled data are the results obtained from such a subset, and inferences about the population depend on the sampling method, such as random, stratified, systematic, or cluster sampling.

In signal processing and digital electronics, sampling refers to measuring a continuous-time signal at discrete points in time to create a sequence of numerical values. A signal that has been sampled is called a sampled signal; its properties depend on the sampling rate and method. The Nyquist-Shannon sampling theorem governs the minimum rate to capture a signal without aliasing, and higher rates preserve more detail. Sampling is essential in digitizing audio, images, and sensor data.

In other domains, samples are pieces or portions taken for analysis, quality control, or display, including soil, water, pharmaceutical, and consumer-product testing. A sample is intended to represent a larger batch or population and is typically selected according to a predefined protocol.

In music and media production, to sample a sound means to reuse a portion of an existing recording. A track described as sampled typically uses such material as a source.