Simple Drum Machine Sampler Setup Guide Using Snapbeat

drum machine sampler setup

Want to add a sampler to your drum machine or rhythm machine? Using the SnapBeat sampler with MIDI, you can effortlessly transform your setup into a drum machine sampler.

Drum Machine Sampler: What Makes It Great?

While you can’t change the preset sounds on a drum machine or rhythm machine, combining your drum machine with a sampler allows you to switch each instrument’s sound to various sampled tones. A drum machine sampler can create multiple variations of the same rhythm pattern by changing the instrument sounds.

Convenient Standalone Sampler for Combining with Drum Machines, Rhythm Machines, and Sequencers

SnapBeat is a straightforward standalone sampler that allows you to sample up to 8 sounds or phrases. You can trim the sampled sounds to play any part you like. The device lets you play the sampled sounds by hitting the 8 pads on the device or by receiving MIDI notes through the MIDI IN input.

image of snapbeat sampler connected with PC by cable

Stand Alone Sampling

Sample sounds and music through the LINE IN input.

image of truncating sampled sound

Sample Editing

Set start and end points to truncate your sampled sounds for perfect loops and clips.

Learn more about SnapBeat’s features and specifications here.

Connect SnapBeat to Your Drum Machine and Make a Drum Machine Sampler

To connect the SnapBeat sampler to your drum machine, all you need is a single MIDI cable. It’s that simple!

drum machine sampler setup

Use a MIDI cable to link the MIDI OUT port of your drum machine, rhythm machine or sequencer with SnapBeat’s MIDI IN port. Remember that SnapBeat’s MIDI IN port uses a TRS-type connection, so you’ll need a MIDI cable with a TRS jack (φ3.5mm) on one end. There are different wiring variations of MIDI-TRS cables, but for SnapBeat, please use the one specified by the MIDI Manufacturers Association. Click here for information on MIDI-TRS cables.

When connected with the MIDI cable, access SnapBeat’s settings menu to configure the MIDI channel and assign MIDI note numbers to the 8 pads (each linked to a sample sound). Ensure the MIDI channel on your drum machine, rhythm machine or sequencer matches SnapBeat’s MIDI channel. Set the MIDI note numbers on SnapBeat to correspond to the pads on your drum machine, rhythm machine or sequencer where you want to trigger the samples.

Congratulations! You can now play SnapBeat’s sampled sounds using your drum machine’s pads or rhythm patterns edited on a rhythm machine or sequencer! SnapBeat is ideal for quick, standalone sampling. Once you find a good sound, you can sample it directly and experiment with it immediately.

Click here for detailed information on SnapBeat, the simplest and easy standalone sampler.