Uploaded November 2019 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago

---

Here's how I turned my Raspberry Pi into a DIY sample-based multi-instrument solution for live performance! From 808 drums to synth leads, to fully multi-sampled grand piano, you can play them all with a standard MIDI keyboard. I wanted a way to easily incorporate virtual instruments into my live-looping workflow without running VSTi's on a laptop, and SamplerBox was the perfect solution.

See it in action as a drum machine: youtu.be/MTtppT-18jI

0:00 - Intro
01:23 - What is the Pi?
02:49 - Setting up SamplerBox
05:09 - Loading & configuring samples
09:20 - DEMO PERFORMANCE

I'm using the Raspberry Pi 3 (with HiFiBerry DAC+, unused in this video) with an Akai MPKmini mkII and a Focusrite Scarlett sound interface in conjunction with my Kaoss Pad for a standalone live-looping setup - no laptop necessary! This will also work on the Raspberry Pi 4. (Pi 2 may work, but probably not as smoothly... please share your experiences!)

SOFTWARE :
SamplerBox - samplerbox.org
Advanced project mod by Hans - https://homspace.nl/samplerbox/

HARDWARE :
Raspberry Pi 3 Model B - raspberrypi.org
HiFiBerry DAC+ - amzn.com/B0147RA2PY
Akai MPKmini mkII - amzn.com/B01M13A6JT
Korg Kaoss Pad KP3+ - amzn.com/B00B5SDFRG
Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 - amzn.com/B01E6T547Y

-=-=-=-=-=-

PEW PEW PEW!
Welcome to Phazerville! I'm your host, Nick, aka DJ Phazer! I'm a music nerd from Michigan who makes weird noizes and overthinks everything! I grew up with Nintendo and Nickelodeon. I'm known in some circles for my beatbox skillz. I like to spin Drum & Bass and occasionally get lost in sound design and synthesis. You can expect a lot of DIY music tech here ;)

Dig it? - LIKE it!
Have something to say? - COMMENT!
Wanna see more? - SUBSCRIBE!

Catch up with me elsewhere: https://linktr.ee/phazerville

Gear :
Korg Kaoss Pad KP3+ for live-looping and external FX
Akai MPKmini mkII MIDI controller
KRK Rokit 5 studio monitor speakers
Focusrite Scarlett 18i8
Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones
Shure SM58 dynamic mic
MXL 770 condenser mic
Raspberry Pi 3 running SamplerBox

DAW: REAPER with a lot of free VST plugins + Caustic 3 on my Android phone

Thanks for your support! 💖
#RaspberryPi #DIY #SamplerBox