https://www.norduserforum.com/general-synthesizers-keyboards-forum-f6/instrument-sounds-t8508.html#p54819
Some confusion seems to be around, so at risk of stating the obvious this may help:
- an instrument which supports Sampling: is able to record, (and often edit) sounds and play them back.
- an instrument which is a Synth: generates sounds by combining, shaping and filtering simple electronically generated waveforms into more complex sounds.
- an instrument which supports MIDI IN: is able to have its own sounds triggered/played by another external device
- an instrument which supports MIDI OUT: is able to trigger the sounds on another device (which might do sampling) - it may or may not be capable of making any sounds on its own (e.g. a drum pad, controller, sequencer etc.)
There are devices which do less (or all) of the above, (and tbh there are plenty of MIDI devices that have MIDI IN but don't make a sound at all), but hopefully this clarifies the differences for those that were unsure, and is not meant to be patronising in any way.