McGill University Master Samples

CD-Audio Discs for Sampling

The McGill University Master Samples CD library is a comprehensive collection of classical and popular sounds for sampling. It features stereophonic samples recorded chromatically, many timbral variations, recordings by concert artists, and the use of very fine musical instruments and recording equipment.

The following CDs are still available:

Volume 1: Solo Strings and Ensemble Violin

violin, viola, cello, bass:
bowed (moderate vibrato)
pizzicato
harmonics
martelé

ensemble violin:
bowed with moderate vibrato
pizzicato
harmonics
martelé

Volume 2 Woodwinds and Brass

flute
piccolo
bass flute (sustained and flutter-tongued)
alto flute
Bb, Eb, bass, and contrabass clarinets
oboe and English horn
bassoon and contrabassoon
trumpet
Bach trumpet
French horn
tenor, alto and bass trombones
tuba
All brass are with and without mutes.

Volume 3: Piano, percussion, and saxophones

Two different 9-foot Steinways (loud, soft, plucked strings)

marimba
xylophone
glockenspiel
crotales
tubular bells
skins, metals, bells, and woods too numerous to mention

soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, and bass saxes

Volume 5: Rock strings

electric bass:
deep bass (flanged, fingered--single notes, slides, harmonics)
slap bass (pops, dead notes, slides)
bright bass (plectrum, fingered--single notes, slides, and harmonics

Synthesized bass Moog style, one octave

Electric guitar:
unprocessed single notes and harmonics
stereo chorus
distorted power fifths.

Volume 6: Latin Grooves #1, Solo Instruments

8- and 16-measure dance rhythms played by solo congas, tumba, timbales, wood blocks, shakers, claves, guiro, tambourine, triangles, mark trees, Burma temple bells, finger cymbals, Chinese, Turkish, and sizzle cymbals, flexatones, and darbuka.

Steel drums (single notes and short rolls)
marimba with soft mallet (single stroke, roll, glissando)

Bonus! Accordion: left and right hand bass single notes; bass chords.

Volume 7: Latin Grooves #2, Ensembles

8- and 16-measure dance rhythms for 2+ instruments. Rhumba, mambo, compasa, cha cha, wawonko, and Egyptian belly dance. 80 mixes.

Bonuses! Acoustic bass improvised patterns; Bb trumpet with hard attack and with bucket mute, played loudly.

Volume 8: Jazz Sounds

vibes with soft mallet
Bb trumpet with bucket mute, played softly
cornet
tenor sax growls and subtones
alto sax screams and multiphonics
electric guitar chords and octaves
acoustic bass notes, harmonics, and slides
fretless bass (flanged, single notes)