One-shot mode plays a drum sample to its full decay; gate mode ties sample length to note length

When loading a sound into a sampler, you choose how note length controls playback. In one-shot mode the sample plays its full length regardless of how long the MIDI note is held — a kick plays its whole decay whether the note is a 16th or a quarter. In gate mode the sample plays only as long as the note is held. Most drum programming uses one-shot so hits ring out naturally. The key exception is the trap 808: gate mode lets note length control sustain, so a short note gives a punchy 808 and a long note gives a sustained bass tone. Terminology differs by DAW — Ableton’s Simpler calls it Classic vs. One-Shot; Logic’s Quick Sampler uses a One Shot toggle.

Examples

In Ableton Simpler, set a kick to One-Shot so it always plays its full decay. Then load an 808 in Classic (gate) mode: draw a short note for a punch, a long note for a sustained sub — the MIDI note length now shapes the 808’s tail.

Assessment

Explain why one-shot mode is standard for kicks but gate mode is preferred for trap 808s. Predict what happens to a one-shot kick’s decay if you shorten its MIDI note to a 32nd.