WDJ Pro Quick Guide To Sampling
What:
Sampling is a music artform that allows you to extract a portion of music from its original song and reconstruct it by reusing it as an instrument or a sound recording in a new song or piece.
When:
The roots of music sampling predate the 1980s, when the hip hop scene first emerged. Some point to the fact that jazz musicians have always borrowed each other’s riffs. But the sampling of recorded music evolved out of sound collage that started decades earlier. Early sound pioneers experimented with the very definition of music. This began when DJs started interacting with and manipulating the vinyl records they played. At first, it became popular to play and replay the breaks in funk music, simply because crowds loved to dance to these parts.
Where:
You can create your own samples or you can purchase music/sound samples online. Record samples from old vinyl or use audio recording devices and come up with your own unique ideas. This can be in various different locations i.e. parks, train stations, open crowd spaces. Or simply purchase already made sample packs from multiple online sample stores.
Why:
Why sampling music can be considered a creative idea is because there is a great possibility for reviving a song or creating something new and fresh. Can be used as inspirational starting points or to add a sprinkle of magic to a track that’s near completion. Of course you could make a track that’s made entirely from samples! A style made very popular in recent years by the electronic artist Madeon.
How:
With the digital age firmly established and the ever evolving advancement of music production technology, sampling has never been easier. Whether it’s using DAW music software with built in samplers or external hardware devices. The concept is the same there is only a difference in functionality.
Top 3 WDJ Pro Tools For Sampling:
Elektro Octatrack
Description
For the high end of hardware samplers this is a new approach to sampling. Record and process audio in real-time, add effects, restructure, experiment, and use the crossfader for the final twist. The Octatrack offers a variety of machines, each designed to fill a specific function. The machines can be assigned to the eight available tracks in any combination.
Features:
- The Sequencer
- 8 internal tracks
- 16 banks per project
- 256 patterns per project
- 8 arrangements per project
- 4 parts per bank
- 16 scenes per part
- Supports swing and slide
- Micro timing
- Parameter locks
- Sample locks
- Full real-time control
- 8 track external MIDI sequencer
WDJ Pro tip:
On the Octatrack, the content of the recorder buffer corresponding the active track can be opened in the audio editor by pressing [AUDIO RECORD] + [BANK].
Roland SP404SX
Description
Sampling is pretty straightforward on the 404SX. Plug in your source (mic, line or the internal mic) hit Rec, select the pad you want to sample onto, hit Rec again and sample away. Then hit Rec to stop.The sample can be marked and truncated (this is still a bit hit-and-miss without a waveform display), and sampling can be done in mono, stereo or the lo-fi mode. Resampling with FX is possible, too. It’s a creatively stimulating, powerful tool for DJs, musicians, producers, and live–sound engineers who trigger jingles.
Features:
- Sample anytime, anywhere with the built-in mic and battery power
- 29 DSP effects, including filter, delay, unique voice effects, subsonic, and looper
- 3 control knobs, 12 trigger pads, and Sub Pad for rapid repeat triggering
- Seamless effects switching for smooth, perfect performance
- Pattern sequencer with quantize mode and new shuffle feels
- 1GB SD card included; expand sample storage up to 32GB with SDHC
WDJ Pro tip: Use the inbuilt mic to record your voice, hand claps or clicks straight into the unit.
Korg ESX2
Description
The electribe series lets you play back your carefully constructed patterns while using intuitive operations to add spice and reveal new sonic possibilities. The electribe sampler has been reborn with cutting-edge technology inherited from popular KORG products such as the KingKORG, kaossilator, kaoss pad, and taktile. The internal memory lets you save 250 patterns, including preset patterns which are perfect for today’s dance music scene. There’s also support for the polyphonic playback that’s indispensable for styles that include complex chord progressions, such as House music.
Features:
- An evolved step sequencer
- Intuitive beat making with the Trigger pads and Touch pad.
- A hybrid synth engine with sampling and modeling
- Advanced use of samples with Time Slice and Resampling functions
- Even deeper creative potential: Effects and Groove templates
- New functions for live performance: Master effects, Pattern sets, Sync in/out
- A new workflow with Ableton Live
WDJ Pro tip: Export your projects straight into Ableton software for sequencing
Resources:
http://www.musicradar.com/tuition/tech/a–brief–history–of–sampling-604868
http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/music–sampling1.htm
http://www.dawsons.co.uk/blog/best–samplers–for–beginners
https://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1996_articles/jan96/samplebasics1.html
https://www.imusiciandigital.com/en/blog/sampling–technology–effects–part-1/
