A one-shot is a short audio sample that normally plays once when triggered by a key, pad, or MIDI note. Kick and snare hits, impacts, and vocal shouts are typical examples. Unlike a loop, the sound contains no internal point that automatically returns to the beginning.
Common uses
One-shots are loaded into samplers and drum machines to build rhythms. In video, games, and streaming, they can also be triggered as sound effects for button actions and scene changes.
Playback modes
In trigger mode, a short key press can play the sample to its end. In gate mode, playback stops when the key is released. An instrument may also let repeated triggers overlap or cut off the previous instance.
Parameters to adjust
Common controls include start position, pitch, velocity-to-level response, filter, and envelope. Remove unnecessary silence before the sound so that it responds promptly, but do not cut off the leading transient.
Tails and voice management
Add a short fade-out if an abrupt sample ending creates a click. Preserve the full tail when the file includes reverb. If rapid triggering creates too much overlap, adjust the voice limit or use a choke group.
How it differs from a loop
A one-shot is placed as an individual event. Audio designed to return from its end to its beginning and repeat continuously is a loop. Choose the playback mode that matches the material.
