The NN-19 Sampler

In Reason's NN-19, we see a number of things that look familiar to features of the SubTractor: MIDI control of parameters via the controller's Modulation and Velocity routings; an LFO that can be routed to the "Oscillator" (Engine), Filter or Panner; an Amplifier with an ADSR Envelope Generator; a multi-mode Filter with with its own dedicated ADSR Envelope; and a set of global controls for the "Oscillator" section.

Keyzone Window

The chief difference is in the Keyzone Window. Here the individual sample can be loaded and several of its parameters can be adjusted. The NN-19 supports multi-zone sampling. This lets you assign a sample to one key, or a range of adjacent keys on the controller. Aside from the obvious application of mapping a set of drum or percussion sounds to different keys, it also allows for a more realistic sampling of acoustic instruments.

The key concept to understand is that a sampler will—in real time—transpose a sample higher or lower from the original recorded pitch in order to play the different notes within the span of its keyzone. Just like altering the pitch of a turntable, raising the pitch shortens the duration of the sample and gives it a hyped, "chipmunky", sound. Lowering the pitch slows the duration and gives the sample a heavier, "logy", sound. The ear is very sensitive to these changes in timbre. However, if the range of the keyzone is limited so that each sample is raised or lowered by no more than a whole step (two semitones), these transposition artifacts can be mostly hidden.

With electronic sounds, such as a sample of a synth bass, the ear has fewer expectations of what the patch should sound like. In many cases, a synth patch may be effectively reproduced with a single sample (i.e., one keyzone).