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How to Sample a Sound Module

You may think the sound module in the corner of your room is useless with modern software, but with a simple lead and converter you can sample a sound module and use the sounds whenever you want to. These days many musicians just rely on software. This is a shame, because many sound modules have wonderful, rich sounds that can't be made with any program. If you sample a sound module, you can find bold and distinctive sounds from some of the best sound designers of the day that will make your music stand out from the computer crowd.

Things You'll Need

  • 6.35-mm jack to jack cable
  • 3.5-mm plug to 6.3-mm socket adapter
  • MIDI controller keyboard
  • MIDI or USB cable for your keyboard
  • Audio editing software
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clean your sound module if necessary. Make sure all the inputs, outputs, buttons and the screen are free of dust and dirt. Put your sound module somewhere near your computer and plug it into the main electrical socket. Put your MIDI controller keyboard somewhere near your computer where you can play the notes.

    • 2

      Plug one end of your MIDI cable into the "MIDI OUT" socket on your keyboard. Plug the other end into the "MIDI IN" socket on your computer sound card. Use the USB cable instead if your keyboard uses USB MIDI. Plug one end of your 6.35-mm jack to jack cable into the socket of your 3.5-mm plug to 6.3-mm socket adapter. Plug the other end into the "Line Out" socket on the back of your sound module. Plug the 3.5-mm plug on the adapter into the "Line In" socket of your sound card.

    • 3

      Download and install audio editing software such as Audacity, Krystal audio engine or Wavepad. Open the audio options in the software and make sure the input option is set to "Line In." Open a new file in your audio editing software. Switch on your sound module and MIDI keyboard. Check to ensure that the MIDI keyboard and sound module are set to the same MIDI channel.

    • 4

      Choose a sound to sample from your sound module. Press the note you want to sample on your keyboard and check that the signal in the level meter is quite high, but not going into the red.

    • 5

      Press the "Record" button or similar command in your software. Play the note you want to sample. Press the "Stop" button when the sound has finished. Click and drag to select the part of the sound you want to use. Crop the sound: "Tools ---> Edit ---> Crop" or similar command. Save the file. Use this sample in your music projects.

Recording Music

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