What was the first sampler?

The Guardian described the Chamberlin as the first sampler, developed by the English engineer Harry Chamberlin in the 1940s. The Chamberlin used a keyboard to trigger a series of tape decks, each containing eight seconds of sound.

When was the first sampler created?

In 1969 the BBC Radiophonic Workshop-affiliated inventor Peter Zinovieff developed the first digital sampler, the EMS Musys.

Who did the first sampling?

In the 1940s, Pierre Schaeffer was splicing together bits of recorded material, crafting what would become musique concrète. These absurd sound montages were, to most people, completely unlistenable, but his revolutionary technique formed the primitive origins of sampling.

What was the first song ever sampled?

He’s Gonna Step on You Again

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the first song to use a sample was ‘He’s Gonna Step on You Again‘. The 1971 song by South African musician John Kongos used a sample of a recorded African drumming track.

What was the first affordable sampler?

Akai S900

The Akai S900 (1986) was the first truly affordable digital sampler. It was 8-note polyphonic and featured 12-bit sampling with a frequency range up to 40 kHz and up to 750 kB of memory that allowed for just under 12 seconds at the best sampling rate.

What is an old sampler?

Samplers were ornamental objects highlighting family history. 18th Century samplers usually depict family trees, alphabet lettering, pictorial images, geometric patterns, or life events such as weddings, births, or deaths.

Who is the greatest sampler of all time?

18James Brown – ‘Funky President (People It’s Bad)’



The Godfather of Soul might well be the most sampled musician of all time.

Is sampling illegal?

Sampling Music – What’s the Bottom Line? Despite popular belief and practice, sampling someone else’s songs without their permission is illegal. This is an act that can have serious consequences for those who do not obey the law. By sampling music illegally, you ultimately risk being charged a significant fine.

What is the most famous sample?



Amen Break

Now known as the ‘Amen Break‘, the six seconds of drums at the 01:26 mark of the 1969 B-side is the most sampled piece of music of all time.

Who sampled the most songs?

James Brown – Funky Drummer



With Brown’s (and his band’s) music being sampled 7,413 times, he’s the most sampled artist in music.

What is a 1800s sampler?

By the 18th century, samplers were a complete contrast to the scattered samples sewn earlier on. They became wider and more square, eventually with borders on all four sides. Samplers were mainly school exercises during the 18th and 19th centuries, and were almost entirely worked in cross stitch.

Where did sampling begin?



It’s a widely accepted view that hip-hop was responsible for the creation of sampling. There were early examples of sampling being birthed in the early 70s at hip-hop parties in the Bronx, where DJs like Kool Herc would spin funk and soul records, while MCs rapped over sections of these records live.

Why is a sampler called a sampler?

The English word ‘sampler’ derives from the Latin ‘exemplum’, or the old French term ‘essamplaire’, meaning ‘an example’. Before the introduction of printed designs, embroiderers and lacemakers needed a way to record and reference different designs, stitches and effects.

Who invented free samples?

19th-century soap manufacturer Benjamin T. Babbitt was one of the first known people, though not the first ever, to offer free samples of his products.

When did sampling become illegal?

These kinds of lawsuits have become commonplace since the early 1990s, thanks in large part to the 1991 U.S. District Court case Grand Upright Music, Ltd. v. Warner Bros. Records, Inc., which ended the days of free-for-all sampling by requiring artists to clear all samples in advance to avoid getting sued.

Is sampling music illegal?



Despite popular belief and practice, sampling someone else’s songs without their permission is illegal. This is an act that can have serious consequences for those who do not obey the law. By sampling music illegally, you ultimately risk being charged a significant fine.