# Samples

The `sample` source plays audio files from disk with pitch tracking.

## Loading Samples

There are two ways to load samples:

* **From the app:** Navigate to the Engine view and find the Samples section. Press `A` to open a file browser, then select a folder containing your samples. Press `D` to remove the last added path.

* **From the command line:** Use the `-s` flag when launching Cagire:

```
cagire -s ~/samples -s ~/more-samples
```

The engine scans these directories and builds a registry of available samples. Samples load in the background without blocking audio. Supported file formats are `.wav`, `.mp3`, `.ogg`, `.flac` and `.aiff`.

## Folder Organization

```
samples/
├── kick/              → "kick"
│   └── kick.wav
├── snare/             → "snare"
│   └── snare.wav
└── hats/
    ├── closed.wav     → "hats" n 0
    ├── open.wav       → "hats" n 1
    └── pedal.wav      → "hats" n 2
```

Folders at the root of your sample directory become sample banks named after the folder. Each file within a folder gets an index. Files are sorted alphabetically and assigned indices starting from `0`.

## Playing Samples

```forth
kick sound .                     ( play kick sample )
hats sound 2 n .                 ( play third hat sample )
snare sound  0.5 speed .         ( play snare at half speed )
```

## Parameters

| Parameter | Range | Description |
|-----------|-------|-------------|
| `n` | 0+ | Sample index within a folder (wraps around) |
| `begin` | 0-1 | Playback start position |
| `end` | 0-1 | Playback end position |
| `slice` | 1+ | Divide sample into N equal slices |
| `pick` | 0+ | Select which slice to play (0-indexed, wraps) |
| `speed` | any | Playback speed multiplier |
| `freq` | Hz | Base frequency for pitch tracking |
| `fit` | seconds | Stretch/compress sample to fit duration |
| `cut` | 0+ | Choke group |

## Slicing with Begin/End

The `begin` and `end` parameters define what portion of the sample plays. Values are normalized from 0 (start) to 1 (end).

```forth
kick sound 0.25 begin 0.75 end .   ( play middle half )
kick sound 0.5 begin .             ( play second half )
kick sound 0.5 end .               ( play first half )
```

If begin is greater than end, they swap automatically.

## Slice and Pick

For evenly-spaced slicing, `slice` divides the sample into N equal parts and `pick` selects which one (0-indexed, wraps around).

```forth
break sound 8 slice 3 pick .          ( play the 4th eighth of the sample )
break sound 16 slice step pick .      ( scan through 16 slices by step )
```

Combine with `fit` to time-stretch each slice to a target duration. `fit` accounts for the sliced range automatically.

```forth
break sound 4 slice 2 pick 1 loop .   ( quarter of the sample, fitted to 1 beat )
```

## Speed and Pitch

The `speed` parameter affects both tempo and pitch. A speed of 2 plays twice as fast and an octave higher.

```forth
snare sound 2 speed .              ( double speed, octave up )
snare sound 0.5 speed .            ( half speed, octave down )
snare sound -1 speed .             ( play in reverse )
```

For pitched playback, use `freq` or note names. The sample's base frequency defaults to middle C (261.626 Hz).

```forth
kick sound 440 freq .              ( play at A4 )
kick sound c4 .                    ( play at C4 )
```

Negative speed will reverse the sample and play it backwards.

```forth
crow sound -1 speed .              ( play backwards at nominal speed )
crow sound -4 speed .              ( play backwards, 4 times faster )
```

## Fitting to Duration

The `fit` parameter stretches or compresses a sample to match a target duration in seconds. This adjusts speed automatically.

```forth
kick sound 0.25 fit .              ( fit kick into quarter second )
snare sound beat fit .             ( fit snare to one beat )
```

## Choke Groups

The `cut` parameter assigns a sample to a choke group. When a new sample with the same cut value plays, it kills any currently playing samples in that group.

```forth
hihat_closed sound 1 cut .         ( choke group 1 )
hihat_open sound 1 cut .           ( kills closed hat, starts open )
```

This is essential for realistic hi-hat behavior where open and closed hats shouldn't overlap.

## Bank Variations

Add `_suffix` to sample names to create variations that share the same base name.

```
samples/
├── kick.wav
├── kick_hard.wav
├── kick_soft.wav
```

Select variations with the `bank` parameter:

```forth
kick sound .                       ( plays kick.wav )
kick sound hard bank .             ( plays kick_hard.wav )
kick sound soft bank .             ( plays kick_soft.wav )
```