What are samples in music?
Samples are sounds that can be used to make music. They’re called “samples” because the way digital audio recording works is by taking a sample of the level of the input signal at regular intervals (known at the sample rate), and this is used to make a file that recreates the sound. Hence, “sample” has become shorthand for a digital audio recordings in the music production realm.
Samples can come in various forms, and are often “loops” (usually rhythmic material of a specific number of bars that can be played repeated to create a backing), and “one-shots” (a single sound that can be played back rhythmically and chromatically, i.e. pitched up and down a keyboard).
What is a sample pack?
A sample pack is a collection of sounds, often designed to work well together to create a specific style of music. Native Instruments Expansions are sample packs that also include instrument presets, and now expansions are available in “WAV-only” editions that just feature the sample content.