What Exactly Is Sampling?
Essentially, sampling in the realm of music entails selecting audio from a specific source and incorporating it into a new track. To be more precise, sound samples consist of an array of potential constituents, including rhythms, speeches, and melodies. These elements are then substantially layered, sped up, or slowed down in a metamorphosis of sorts. Whereas some producers choose to pay homage to the source in their reconceptualized versions, others take an entirely novel route altogether.
Thanks to the modern-day inception of digital audio workstations — application software that plays an instrumental role in recording, composing, and producing music — integrating such components has now been made easier than ever before. Essentially, by slicing snares, manipulating choruses, or altering tempos, artists use sound samples to effectively meet their musical needs and open the gateway to creative success!
Is It Even Legal?
Presently, there is a plethora of discourse pertaining to the legitimacy and legality of music sampling. Contrary to popular belief, this refreshing method of creative expression is legal in every sense of the word if implemented with the utmost precaution and precision. To avoid any legal ramifications, it is crucial to obtain permission from the holders of the song’s rights — an amalgam of the record label, the publisher, and the writer.
To elaborate, you must acquire distinct pieces of copyright for both the song and the recording and receive clearance from the respective owners. Additionally, you must consider all monetary aspects and the general terms and conditions to avoid liability for copyright infringement. To reinstate what was previously said, you may not proceed to execute sampling in any of your projects before receiving the green light. By adhering to all the rules and requirements, you can then bid farewell to any chances of getting sued or breaching copyright laws and fully immerse yourself in an abundance of musical endeavors with ease!
How Did It Originate?
With roots in the 20th century, the contemporary sampling process has evolved in revolutionary ways to aid artists globally. To begin with, the earliest form of sampling involved the Musique Concrete in the 1940s. Developed by Schaeffer and Henry, this groundbreaking concept used rudimentary disk cutters to utilize recorded sounds and revolutionized the very core of music in profound ways.
Then, in 1962, Fransen crafted the Mellotron — a versatile, incredibly enhanced electro-mechanical instrument that used strips of magnetic tape to provide an array of genuine sound samples. Though it is evident that sampling had been a prevalent facet of society for multiple decades, the term was first coined officially in the late 1970s by the inventors of the Fairlight CMI — a digital sampling synthesizer with a colossal cultural impact on electronic music.
Thanks to copious decades of music-oriented evolution and a profusion of technological advancements, sampling remains a prominent, highly accessible constituent of our society. The emergence of hip hop in the late 1970s and early 1980s, too, contributed to the development and popularity of sampling as DJs manipulated vinyl records and highlighted the usage of drum breaks. As the 80s progressed, the launch of the first music production center sampler, the Akai MPC60, also greatly facilitated the process and allowed producers to attain access to a vital musical tool.
Today, modern digital audio workstations simplify sampling procedures in far-reaching ways, thus ensuring significant success in the realm of music production.
How Do I Sample Music?
Now that you are aware of the definition, legality, and history of sampling, you can now proceed to embark on sampling adventures on your own! Begin by acquiring the samples of your preference by thoroughly browsing YouTube and vinyl or digital music libraries. Once you’ve acquired the appropriate samples, select a digital audio workstation of your choice, and follow the steps listed below.
- Import the music file
- Extract a piece of the file for your sample
- Use the program’s looping function to craft a groove
- Repeat and layer samples as needed
Take your time to process these sound excepts and pitch, chop, and arrange them to your liking. Consider using effects like the equalizer to isolate portions of the audio and build complex song structures to cater to your audience and personal artistic objectives. Additionally, contemplate investing in royalty-free sample packs for sound samples, loops, and drum kits of the utmost quality. Fundamentally, the possibilities are endless.
Wondering which digital audio workstation to select for all of your musical journeys? We’ve got you covered! In the immensely vast music world, we understand that it can be rather hard to identify which workstations effectively accomplish the tasks at hand. For your convenience, here are an array of wonderful options.
- Ableton Live
- Image-Line FL Studio
- Apple Logic Pro
- Steinberg Cubase
- Acoustica Mixcraft
- PreSonus Studio One
- Cockos Reaper 6
- Reason Studios Reason
- Apple GarageBand
- Bitwig Studio
What Are The Benefits?
In ways more than one, music sampling is incredibly beneficial for aspiring and established musicians. For starters, this exhilarating process ensures exposure to copious genres, cultures, and instruments, thus promoting a newfound appreciation of sorts and allowing producers to integrate fresh sounds in their music. To add to that, by eliminating the requirement to start from scratch and providing ample inspiration for internal creative blocks, sampling assists artists by serving as the foundation for their projects and encouraging them to build from that point onward constructively.
Furthermore, the cost-effective process reduces the production process steps, thus saving substantial time and allowing producers to reach their outcomes efficiently. Overall, sampling paves the way for awe-inspiring innovation and vows to accompany you on the stairway to musical prosperity!
