Samples are a digital representation of an analog signal.
A synth is an electronic musical instrument that generates audio signals.
This lesson explains the usage of samples or synths in creating beats and drum patterns. The basic difference between these is that synths provide a greater flexibility to shape the individual drum sounds.
A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument that creates percussion sounds, drum beats, and patterns.
This lesson explains drum machines. Drum machines are used for programming drum beats as they reproduce sounds suitable for the purpose.