Ableton Forum

Curious. Which do you think is better? Or what is your preferred method of sampling? Do you use sample packs or sample from vinyl and mp3's?

I was about to buy a sample pack and thought against it. I have Serato on one laptop that I record beats into another. It's nice and it reminds me of the old days. However, today many well known producers talk about using both samples and sample CDs as well as original sounds in their production. Namely people like Umek and Marco Bailey. See these interviews

http://www.sample-station.com/section.php/43/1/umek

http://www.trackitdown.net/news/show/104263.html

Anyways, what's your take on this?

Thanks

personally, i don't use sample packs. when i started making beats, i used about 90% samples from vinyl and occasionally CD. i sort of had the attitude that samples that were pre-conceived rather than unintentional was "cheating". i don't feel the same way anymore- anything that makes producing easier for you is a good tool, but i have held on to that boundary as one that i don't cross. i also have a few thousand records, so I have the luxury to use those that others might not.

the few things i have found that i prefer about vinyl samples are 1) gives me something unique that i'm pretty sure no one else is using, 2) gives a lo-fi-ness to my sound that i like and 3) forces me to listen to music in order to create it. its also challenging and a great way to learn- trying to isolate parts, filter out noise/rumble, making things fit together tempo-wise.

again, that's just me though. i don't view sample packs as cheating anymore, but i feel that my method is more 'pure' in some ways. knowing that the sample i've used was made with only the pure intention of musical expression vs. the person playing knowing that the sample will be used by someone and was made for that specific reason- this holds some weight with me. not only that, but there is a certain connection i have now with the artist. like chick corea- i've sampled him a bunch, so i feel like there is an extra layer of association between his music and me and my music.

if someone is paying money to deliver to a certain specification it might be easier just to buy a sample pack and get on with making the track they want to buy. If you're making music to explore your own craft and ideas about what music could be its probably a mistake to use sample packs - too prepackaged, too generic etc. most people will fit somewhere between these points.

memes_33 wrote:...forces me to listen to music in order to create it. its also challenging and a great way to learn- trying to isolate parts, filter out noise/rumble, making things fit together tempo-wise.

Great point.

It's interesting how attitudes towards sampling (at least online) have changed over the years. A few years ago few people were not so much into sample packs and CDs. Today people are at least willing to admit it's not that bad.

I'm interested to hear more on the subject

djadonis206 wrote:
It's interesting how attitudes towards sampling (at least online) have changed over the years. A few years ago few people were not so much into sample packs and CDs. Today people are at least willing to admit it's not that bad.

I'm interested to hear more on the subject

that's cuz we all spent so much time/money mining for great beats & samples! i imagine harp players felt the same way when the autoharp was invented...

djadonis206 wrote:

memes_33 wrote:...forces me to listen to music in order to create it. its also challenging and a great way to learn- trying to isolate parts, filter out noise/rumble, making things fit together tempo-wise.

Great point.

It's interesting how attitudes towards sampling (at least online) have changed over the years. A few years ago few people were not so much into sample packs and CDs. Today people are at least willing to admit it's not that bad.

I'm interested to hear more on the subject

I think a program like Ableton has brought that interest. Before I ever used Ableton, I was watching a video how a guy was manipulating short samples in Ableton.
I've become a sample junkie. I rarely use them but it is a short cut when you are not good using effects and such. Usally I go for the sample packs that have one shots and midi files.

i stoped sampling from mp3 or youtube or whatever is not full quality because when i go to mastering you hear the samples glitch a lot, specially in the break down, and if the mp3 is the beat or the bass or anything main, the track never going to sound tough or good...
i just spent a month tracking down a 12" from witch i sampled the beat. i did the production with the mp3 and going to reconstruct from the vinyl
vsll me freak if you want

Low4ate also reliably informs us that apparently...

CPEREZZZ RULES CPEREZZZ RULES

condra wrote:Low4ate also reliably informs us that apparently...

CPEREZZZ RULES CPEREZZZ RULES

I just had the very same private message.

Quite nice to hear from the crazy fucker again.

condra wrote:Low4ate also reliably informs us that apparently...

CPEREZZZ RULES CPEREZZZ RULES

Just got that as well...

Ditto.

Do you mean that you're sampling and then looping a beat or using samples of a kick or snare to build your own beat? I use samples in my drum racks constantly but never use a canned beat. I have way too much fun programming my own beats and if I heard one that someone else wrote that I really liked I could use some of those ideas but make it my own anyway.

As far as using someone else's beats goes, I think I'd feel more like I was making a remix than I was making an original composition. Especially if the beat was really incredible and I had just lifted it. "best part of song is not part I wrote" etc...

Tarekith wrote:Ditto.

Me too!

ollyb303 wrote:

Tarekith wrote:Ditto.

Me too!

Me too. Ban.

fragchamp wrote:

ollyb303 wrote:

Tarekith wrote:Ditto.

Me too!

Me too. Ban.

What, why? I didn't even know Cperez existed, let alone that he ruled.