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History Of Samplers | SOS Podcast

From Tape To Digital By Oli Freke
Published May 2025
Oli Freke, Electronic Musician and Author

Oli Freke talks us through the history of samplers, from the introduction of the Mellotron in 1963, through to current day sampling software, while highlighting the golden era of sampling from the late 80s to early 90s.

Show Notes

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction
01:08 - The Mellotron
02:28 - Pre-Digital Samplers
03:18 - Pierre Schaeffer And The Phonogène
04:03 - Peter Zinovieff And EMS
05:44 - The University Of Illinois' PLATO
06:08 - Harry Mendell's Melodian
07:21 - Wendel Sampling Computer
08:29 - The Fairlight and Fairlight II
15:20 - The Fundamentals Of Sampling
19:43 - The Synclavier
23:47 - Digital Delay Lines (DDLs)
26:04 - EMU Systems Emulator
31:01 - Ensoniq Mirage
32:39 - Other Notable 1980s Releases
34:46 - Akai S1000 and Roland S Series
38:14 - Sampling And Legal Issues
41:16 - Modern Day Sampling

Oli Freke - Biog

Oli Freke is a London-based musician, artist and author who has had a life-long passion for electronic instruments, synthesizers and electronic music. Currently working for the BBC, he has previously enjoyed success with electro band Cassette Electrik supporting the Human League on tour, written music for television and produced dance music since the 1990s.

His Synth Evolution range of posters, celebrating the synthesizer and electronic music culture, launched in 2017 and led to the definitive, hand-illustrated book, Synth Evolution: From Analogue to Digital (and Back), featuring every commercial synth of the 20th century.

www.synthevolution.net
www.linktr.ee/olifreke


About the Electronic Music podcast channel

On this channel we feature some of the pioneers of the industry, interview musicians and talk about retro and current gear.

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