There’s a reason why the job outlook for musicians is expected to increase by 11% over the next decade. The landscape of the music industry is changing drastically.
And nowhere is that more apparent than with audio sampling. Sampling is the practice of reusing an existing song or audio clip. While some people dismiss sampling, more and more individuals are learning about the creative universe that lies inside this practice.
So, what are some basic ways that you can start using audio samples? In this article, we’ll go over three popular ways. Let’s get started!
1. Vinyl and CDs
In the past, analog mediums like vinyl were the only way that artists could sample music. These days you can also use compact discs or CDs. How do you get started?
You will need a turntable or CD player with an audio out. You will also need an audio interface to record it. Then, create a track in your DAW, find the right input, and record it.
Keep in mind that any imperfections in the vinyl will also be recorded. However, many people think that this gives the sample a more human sound.
2. YouTube
YouTube is a treasure trove for people that enjoy audio samples. There are billions of hours of music and live shows to choose from. There are also more obscure samples that you can take advantage of.
Like viral videos, hard-to-find artists, and movies/television shows. The easiest way is to use a YouTube to MP3 converter. This converts a YouTube video into a sound recording.
Then, you can upload it to your recording software and adjust it with studio mixing as you see fit.
3. Sampler Packs
There are plenty of sampler websites out there. Some of these sampler packs contain specific drums, synths, and other programmable sounds. Others contain popular samples that are now in the public domain.
A lot of free audio samples and loops in these packs. If you want to take advantage of them, you can see more here. Others you will need to pay for.
However, the upside is that you don’t need to worry about getting in trouble with the sample if it becomes popular.
Most of these sampler packs can be used for commercial purposes. That being said you should still make sure before downloading.
Enjoy Learning About Different Audio Samples? Keep Reading
We hope this article helped you learn more about how you can use audio samples. Just remember that if you use sampled music for commercial purposes, you will need to license it.
Otherwise, it can be viewed as stealing. But, for the time being, you can have fun experimenting with it creatively.
If you found this article informative, then you’re going to love some of the other topics that we have. We have categories in everything from advertising to entertainment. So, keep reading to learn more.
