What the Sampler does

The sampler can capture audio from any combination of layers in a Rifff. It records up to 5 seconds of audio and maps it to the pads for playback like a Notes or Bass sound. This works great on single notes, chords or more complex sounds.

The default preset Straight plays the audio back unaltered while the other presets or use of macro knobs can distort and manipulate it in different ways.

How to use the Sampler

1. Pick the Sampler preset Straight
2. Select the active layer(s) that you want to sample.
3. Tap the small record button next to the layers to start capturing.
4. Tap it again to stop capturing (max length: 5 seconds).
5. Play the sound back using the pads.
6. Loop the sound like you normally would.

Recording will start exactly when you tap the button and is not quantised. On mobile, due to the inherent latency of touch screens, you will likely want to press the button a tiny bit earlier.

Making new layers with the sampler

The sampler has the useful property that it lets you target layers for recording. This functionality can also be used to place a loop into a specific layer of the Rifff.

Typically you will select a layer, record it and then immediately play it back like described above. If you keep the layer targeted and then capture a loop, both new and old audio will be merged into one layer.

Instead, it is recommended to select a different (empty) layer before capturing a loop.

Key & Root note

The sampler assumes that the sound you record is the root note of the key of the active Rifff. For example, if the Rifff is in the key of E Minor, then you will get the best results by recording a note that's an E.

Recording a note that is not the root of the key can lead to interesting and unexpected results that lead you in a direction you wouldn't have explored otherwise!

To bring a sampled sound back in tune, pitch it up or down by playing the pads as well as using the Tune macro knob to find the root note.

Next you play that note and make a new layer with it. Resample it again from this new version and the sampler will be back in tune.

Resampling and rhythmic sounds

The sampler pitches recorded sounds up and down through resampling. This means that it doesn't apply any time-stretching to keep the sound at its original length. You will quickly notice this when pitching the sound way up or down multiple octaves.

This means that rhythmic elements like drum loops can be played back at double speed or half time, or interesting ratios in-between.

Things to try out

Sing or whistle a single note into the microphone and loop it. Sample it using the sampler. Mute the original microphone layer and play your sampled note back in various ways. Adjust the Attack macro dial for a choir pad.

Surprise your fellow jammers by sampling a layer they created and turning it into a creative new sound. 

Sampler Presets