Samplers / Sampling

Akai’s MPX16 has more pads and functions than its MPX8 predecessor, but remains just as reasonably priced.

The hardware sampler market might be dwindling, but it’s not dead yet! Here’s our pick of the currently available options.

The latest addition to Korg’s cut-price Volca range takes a hands-on approach to sampling.

Competition for the accolade of best software sampler is fierce, despite some contenders having fallen away in recent years. Has MOTU's MachFive 3 got what it takes to come out on top?

Akai’s slimline follow-up to their Renaissance hybrid MPC aims to claim some territory from a certain competing machine...

The legendary MPC brand is reborn in a form that aims to marry its famous hands-on ethos with the unlimited possibilities of the software world. Does the combination work?

Samplr is a modestly-named app for sample and loop manipulation, notable for making superb use of the iPad's multi-touch surface to stretch, transpose, play and twist up to six samples.

Looking for a no-fuss looper for live performance? Look no further...

This “portable production system” certainly looks the part, but does its performance measure up to its dramatic styling?

Roland’s popular SPDS sampling drum pad gains an ‘X’, and a whole lot more besides, in the SPDSX.

Dynamic convolution can be used to ‘sample’ any piece of audio gear. Have Acustica succeeded in giving this advanced technology a friendly face?

Native Instruments’ flagship soft sampler continues to improve with age. We look at what’s new in version 5.

Swedish synthesists Elektron have turned their attention to sampling — and, with characteristic individuality, have created something quite unique.

Put down your bells, books and candles — this a ghost you do want in your machine...

Zoom have launched a sibling for their R16, adding a further eight tracks and some neat loop-sampling and rhythm-track features.

The phenomenally successful Microkorg brought simple, affordable synthesis to the masses. Can Korgs Microsampler do the same thing for sampling?

Native Instruments's hybrid hardware and software beat machine promises the best of both worlds. Does it deliver?

The M3 workstation, already a powerful beast, has gained impressive new features and an Xpanded name tag. Is it now top of its class?

Akai's MPC has been with us for 20 years now — an incredibly long time in music production. So is the latest addition to this venerable range, the MPC5000, a worthy bearer of its standard?

The world is not short of sampling sequencers at the moment, so what does the Roland SP555 have to make it worthy of your attention?

It's over five years since Native Instruments released the original version of their flagship soft sampler, and its third incarnation takes the Kontakt concept even further, with a streamlined user interface, a new waveform editor and a massive sample library.