Sampler
OriginUSA
Year1979
FamilyElectronic
About the Sampler
The Fairlight CMI in 1979 was the first digital sampler. The MPC60 by Akai in 1988 transformed hip-hop production. Any sound can be recorded and played back at any pitch. Over 90 percent of modern pop music uses samples. DJ Shadow built Endtroducing entirely from samples. The legal battles over sampling changed copyright law.
More Electronic Instruments
Synthesizer
Robert Moog created the first commercially successful synthesizer. The Minimoog in 1970 ma...
Theremin
The only instrument played without touching. Two antennas detect hand position for pitch a...
Turntable
Grandmaster Flash invented turntablism as a musical art form. The Technics SL-1200 is the ...
Drum Machine
The Roland TR-808 defined the sound of hip-hop and electronic music. The TR-909 defined ho...