samplermodules

Samplermodules are modular units designed to load, store, and play back audio samples within a modular synthesis environment or digital audio workstation. They can exist as hardware Eurorack modules, standalone software plugins, or integrated components of a larger music-production system. The primary function of a samplermodule is to provide controlled playback of samples with flexible routing for pitch, timing, level, and effects, enabling complex sonic textures from short hits to long multisamples.

Typical features include sample loading from local storage or streaming, multiple playback modes (one-shot, loop, ping-pong, retrigger), adjustable start and end points, loop points, and reverse playback. They expose modulation inputs for pitch (CV or MIDI), start and end, rate, and level, and may offer envelope generators, LFOs, velocity layers, and polyphony. Many modules also include built-in effects such as filtering, compression, or granular processing, and support for stereo or multichannel samples.

Implementation considerations include memory management and format support, with hardware modules often using RAM for loaded samples and streaming for large libraries, while software samplermodules may stream from disk. The engine handles sample decoding, looping, and anti-aliasing, sometimes providing time-stretch and pitch-shifting algorithms. In modular setups, samplermodules interoperate with other modules via CV, gate or MIDI; in software, they integrate with DAWs through standard plugin formats.

Applications span sound design, percussion, voice and instrumental sampling, and live performance. Considerations for users include load times, latency, CPU and memory usage, and licensing for sample libraries. Samplermodules occupy a space between traditional samplers and modern virtual instruments, emphasizing real-time control and modular routing.

See also: sampler, samplerate, granular synthesis, wavetable synthesis, modular synthesis, CV/gate, time-stretch.