Ok, I'll start with a definition...
A sample is a sound recorded into a computer. It is often a single note from an instrument, though any sound(s) can be used. With a little bit of math, Computers can generate an entire scale from this one sample - this is the basis of Modules.
Basically, you get your samples, use programs called trackers to arrange the samples in a tune, and you've made yourself a Module!
More Tracker terminology:
- Channel
- A channel has a certain number of rows, and one sample can be played per row. Depending on the speed of the module, each row stands for a certain amount of time.
- Pattern
- A Pattern is one or more channels with equal rows, intended to be played together. Patterns make it possible to have chords and multiple instruments playing without the need to have lots of samples.
- Envelope
- An envelope is a graphical representation of some attribute over time. An example is a volume envolope. By changing the envolope, you can affect the volume at certain times during the sample/pattern.
Hopefully you've got some idea of what a module is like now...
Trackers also have the ability to add effects (such as vibrato, tremelos, glissandos, panning). Also, a tracker or module player will likely have a reverb option, which puts some randomness into the samples, so they don't sounds exactly the same every time they are played.
Well, here's some Trackers, if you want to fiddle around some more:
- ModPlug Tracker<www.modplug.com>
- MadTracker 2
- Fruity Loops
Modplug gets a URL becase a) I'm sure it's properly free, and b) I don't know where the others live :)