26 Samples Tips: The A-Z of Using Samples in Your Music Production

S. Slicing modes

Many hardware and plugin samplers include a slicing mode for chopping samples into smaller segments that can be retriggered and manipulated.

Common slicing functions include creating slices based on grid divisions or transients detected in the source sample.

Slicing can make even the most mundane samples come alive.

Timestretching refers to slowing down or speeding up a sample.

It’s usually used when you want to modify the tempo of a particular sample.

Timestretching can have a radical impact on a sample’s pitch and quality. Try using it creatively for an effect.

Upsampling, also called “oversampling” is when you process a sample at a higher sample rate.

Some plugins can do this to improve the quality of the processing they apply.

The limited storage and primitive AD/DA conversion of vintage samplers gave them a unique sound.

You can get some of this vintage flavour for yourself with plugins that model the classics.

Try using plugins such as TAL Sampler, Sonic Charge Cyclone or 112 dB Morgana to add that perfect retro grittiness to your samples.

Some sampler plugins have a built-in wave editor for fine tuning your source samples.

Try editing your samples directly at the waveform level using a wave editor.

X-fade stands for crossfade.

Enable X-fade on looped samples in your sampler plugin to ensure they loop seamlessly without clicks or artifacts.

A Y-cable is used to create parallel signal chains with hardware like effects pedals.

But you can do the same thing with samples in your DAW.

Experiment with different parallel and serial effects chains for radical new textures.

A .zip file is an archived or compressed file format.

You might use .zip or .rar files for transferring or downloading stems and sample packs.