7 Sampling Techniques to Become A Master Sampler

Sampling any part of a song without clearance is illegal, regardless of sample length. Even unregistered work cannot be sampled without permission.

Copyrights expire 70 years after the last surviving co-author or original author of the work.

Vintage songs work well for sampling and can provide unique sounds.

Once you get the sample, click on warp so it syncs properly and find where the song loops.

When dealing with vintage songs, the rhythm and tempo can change during the song. Loop the sample and adjust as needed.

Use quantize function to align samples properly with your track's tempo.

Change the pitch so it is not exactly the same as the original. Try different algorithms like complex to find the right texture.

Make the loop fit into your track by blending it with existing elements.

• Use classical EQ and reverb to manage drum frequency issues • Apply sidechain compression to the kick for breathing effect

Use parametric EQ to duck frequencies when the snare hits, creating a rhythmic gluing effect.

Address sustained sounds that can be problematic in samples.

These techniques help glue everything together for a unified sound.

Duplicate the same sound and use warp mode with re-pitch function, then double the tempo multiple times.

Add the duplicated layers together with effects on top to create rich sustained textures.

This technique was used in old-school jungle tracks to create sustained sounds.

Multiple layers can be combined in different ways for creative control.

Make samples more personal by chopping them into the parts you like.

• Ctrl+E cuts the sample at the desired place • Ctrl+D duplicates the sample • Ctrl+drag duplicates and moves the sample to a new location

Start reversing things and experimenting with different arrangements to find interesting combinations.

Fix the ins and outs to make transitions smoother between chopped pieces.

Load the Simpler and put the sample inside, then pick the Slicer to make it a playable instrument.

Decrease sensitivity for fewer slices, increase for more slices. Adjust volume to keep levels consistent.

Prepare a background loop to jam on so you can hear if the slicing is working properly.

Create different alternatives and layer them together in various ways for unique results.

Put the sample into a Sampler and change to sustain mode.

Loop the end of the sample to create artificial sustain, which is very typical in house music.

This technique solves the sustain problem specific to house music production.

Creates characteristic house music sustained tones.

• Put a sampler on a track with old-school vocals • Activate the pitch envelope • Set the amount to 12 (exact number doesn't matter for non-tonal sounds)

Give the sample an attack to make it more pronounced, then shape the sustain and decay for a vinyl stop effect.

Change the curve style to control darkness and tone. Add layers with different curves for richer textures.

This technique works in both hip-hop and techno music production.

Take a disco loop and use reverb to create ambient textures.

• Add chorus for more stereo feel • Apply reverb with a decent amount of decay • Use sidechain compression to the kick

Click freeze on the reverb, then click the sample and resample to capture the ambient effect as a new sample.

The resulting ambient sample adds dimension and movement to the overall track.

Old sampling methods didn't consider keys and scale when using chord samples from pianos.

Put a piano chord sample into a sampler and play it as a phrase without overthinking musical constraints.

This creates a unique hall sound that became characteristic of old-school sampling.

Random chord playback produced distinctive textures that became iconic in music production.

Create a really small piece from a cinematic vocal sample and load it into a sampler.

• Change sustain back and forth • Use LFO to modulate sample start and end positions • Set sample start to 100 to vary start points • Increase LFO frequency for movement

Adjust modulation amount and tweak beat timings to create unique rhythmic and melodic patterns.

• Render the track and quantize for tempo alignment • Add sidechain compression and hybrid reverb • Layer with synthesizers for enhanced results

Create a new track in resampling mode and recording mode to capture effects in real-time.

• Loop a vocal phrase • Add multiple effects to the original track • Build effects gradually like delay and additional processors

Pull the recording back to see all the layers that were created during the session.

• Use 24-bit pitch shifting for surprising results • Overdrive for more aggressiveness • Create complex songs from simple vocal pieces