In beatmaking, “16 levels” is a feature commonly found on drum machines and samplers, such as the Akai MPC series. This feature allows a producer to take a single sound, like a drum hit or sample, and map it across 16 different pads or keys at varying levels of a specific parameter. Here’s how it typically works:
How 16 Levels Works
1. Velocity:
- The most common use of 16 levels is to assign different velocity levels to each pad. This means that hitting different pads will trigger the same sound at different volumes or intensities, allowing for more dynamic and expressive drum patterns.
2. Pitch:
- Another popular use is to map the pitch across the pads. This allows the producer to play the same sample at different pitches, effectively turning the sampler into a melodic instrument.
3. Filter:
- Some devices allow you to map filter cutoff frequencies across the pads, giving each pad a different tonal quality.
4. Attack/Decay:
- You can also map parameters like attack or decay times, which can be useful for shaping the sound dynamically.
Benefits of Using 16 Levels
- Expressiveness: It allows for more nuanced and expressive performances by varying dynamics or pitch.
- Creativity: Provides an easy way to experiment with sounds and create variations without needing multiple samples.
- Efficiency: Saves time as you don’t have to manually adjust settings for each note or hit.
Using the 16 levels feature can greatly enhance your beatmaking process by providing more control over how sounds are played and manipulated, leading to richer and more varied musical compositions.