In sample-based music, the ability to choose the right samples and sounds is crucially important. More than any other aspect, the sample selection process can shape the entire direction of your beats. Your musical taste and well-trained ear are going to be your guiding light in this process. Trust in them and it will lead to beats that best represent your unique style.

In this blog, we’ll explore how to carefully pick and shape the perfect samples for your beats.

Style/Genre Considerations

Before diving into your sample library or browsing your favorite sample site it’s essential to have a clear idea of the style or genre you’re working in. Different genres have distinct characteristics. The samples you source and choose should apply and complement the specific sound you’re aiming to create.

For example, trap beats often feature crisp short hi-hats and heavy 808s, while lo-fi beats tend to utilise soft understated drums and atmospheric sounds. It’s therefore vital to research and understand the basic elements that make up the genre you’re working in.

That said, there’s also an argument for injecting an element of originality into your beats. So while staying true to genre conventions, also consider how you can mix in other elements to create something fresh.

Sourcing High-Quality Samples

Your beats are only going to sound as good as the raw materials you use. Sourcing high-quality samples is therefore vital. They should be professionally recorded while also inspiring to work with. It’s advisable to search for samples from reputable sample creators and sites. Websites like Sample Magic, Producer Loops, Splice and our very own RouteNote Create offer a wide range of samples from vetted professionals in the industry. Avoid using samples from sellers on file-sharing sites or directly through social media posts or YouTube as there may be issues with the legitimacy of their license agreements.

When hunting for and sourcing samples it is always good to exercise a level of discretion. With so much capacity available on modern computer setups it can be tempting to overstuff your machine or device with sounds and samples. Remember, quality always trumps quantity. A well-recorded sample can make a significant difference in the clarity and punchiness of your beat. If you work on limited equipment or your mixing skills are limited, then a well-recorded and processed sample will massively help you obtain a top quality professional sound.

Harmonic and Melodic Compatibility

Once you’ve sourced your samples, the next step is ensuring that they harmonize well with your overall beat. If you’re using various disspirate samples they must complement each other in terms of melody and harmony. This will make your beat feel more cohesive.

Luckily most samples have key and tempo information included so this takes a lot of the guesswork out of combining different samples. Melodic, harmonic and effects samples should be in the same key as the rest of your beat. This will help to create a unified sound.

It’s also important to consider the melodic balance of a track. Having too many different melodic samples, even in the same key, can create a confused and untargeted feel. Aim for one or two strong melodic motifs. Then try to work complimentary samples around these melodies. Or reverse this process, and try to find melodies to fit, for example, your chord progression.

While searching for samples in the same key and tempo makes the compiling of sounds much simpler don’t be afraid to pitch-shift or time-stretch samples to fit the key and tempo of your track. Most modern DAWs make this process easy. Being prepared to manipulate the pitch or timing of samples to fit perfectly within your project will give you a much wider pool of samples to choose from. Just bear in mind that if you stretch or tune a sample too much there may be artifacts that will affect the overall sound quality of the beat.

Drum Shaping

Drums are often considered the backbone of any beat. The right choice of drum samples can make or break an entire track. So, for maximum impact, it’s worth prioritising your drum tracks.

Your first consideration is whether to use looped drum samples or program your own unique patterns using one shots. The second programmed approach offers far more control and flexibility. It does however rely on your programming skills and generally takes longer than using drum loops. Although there is a case to be made for using pre-written MIDI tracks. You may also have to work harder to achieve a high-quality balanced drum mix when programming one shots.

Drum loops on the other hand offer a quick fix and instant inspiration. They are particularly essential when you are after a live acoustic drum sound. With so many sample makers in the industry, every kind of drumming style and genre is available. From vintage ‘Break Beat‘ sound-a-likes to Hard Rock and Metal Drums.

And if your drums still sound as though they need some added sparkle it could be worth considering drum layering. For more on drum layering check out this guide. And finally, the thing that many producers neglect is drum tuning. While the drum’s pitch is not as evident as that of a melodic instrument all drums will be in a specific key. Tuning your drum samples to match the key of your track can add a surprising level of cohesion.

Texture and Atmosphere

Textures and atmospheres are great for making your beats feel more immersive and full. Music from most genres can benefit greatly from the use of such elements. The subtle addition of a texture can transform a basic beat into a sonic experience. It can also help fill out your mix or give it space through the use of stereo fields.

Personalizing your Samples

Using wholesale samples with no form of editing or processing can risk making your beats sound generic. It also means that there’s a potential risk that your track will sound very similar to another beat using the same loop.

To give your beats more of a personal touch, try customizing and shaping your samples in unique ways. Rather than just dropping a loop into your project and letting it play, why not get surgical with some sample slicing and chops. This is a common technique in hip-hop production but can be applied to most genres.

Another option is to get busy with effects and processing. Reverbs, delays, phasers and filters for instance can help radically transform samples.

Legalities

When using samples in your beats you must always be aware of the usage rights. If you choose to source your samples from reputable sample makers and sites they will come with licence agreements that dictate these usage rights. With royalty-free samples, like the ones sold on RouteNote Create, you don’t need to worry about anything. They are free to use and exploit as you wish. The only limitation (which is the same for any 3rd party sample unless you have secured the exclusive rights) is you, or any artist featuring on the beats, cannot send it to content ID stores i.e YouTube, Facebook etc.

Other times samples may be Royalty Bearing. Generally, this means you are free to use the sample but there will be a clause attached in case the track containing the sample blows up. For instance, a royalty or renegotiation may be triggered if the beat is used on a major label or exceeds a high threshold of plays. For more info on this check out this article.

Finally, if you sample 3rd party samples that are under copyright i.e existing commercial recordings then you really need to tread carefully. If you are selling beats as a beatmaker this practice should be avoided as the artist using the sample beat will then be liable if a legal case was to arise. It also creates a problem when distributing the beat in question as many digital distributors will question the sample.

Summary

Choosing the right samples and sounds is about more than simply selecting what sounds good. It’s about creating cohesive, original beats that reflect you as an artist. By understanding the genre, sourcing high-quality samples, and customizing them creatively, you can transform your beats into unique bangers that will have artists queuing up to get their vocals on.

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