Using samples: Simpler and Sampler devices

Music Lesson

Welcome back!

So really, the next stage is to start generating some ideas here. To do that, I want to create some MIDI tracks. This is going to allow me to play the keyboard. I've got my Akai MPK Mini here, which lets me input the samples into a sampler device.

The USB keyboard is plug and play, so I'm plugged in. I don't have to do anything on my MIDI channel; it's all set up for me.

Setting Up the Sampler

The next stage is to grab the Simpler device from my instruments folder.

1. Double click it to load it onto the channel.
2. The Simplest device is a sampler, and it's a bit of a pun with the name, it's really a very simple sampler.
3. If I drag any sound into this device, I'm able to trigger it straight away on the keyboard.
4. It links and maps the samples chromatically to the keys on my keyboard.

This setup is very quick, and when sampling, you're going to be running through ideas. Some things will work, and some won't, so it's important to keep moving through quickly to get a vibe going. Essentially, I'm just using sounds that I've either found or sampled myself.

Finding Sounds

Now, let's dive into my samples folder:

1. Double-click to open it and look at the variety of sounds available.
2. First off, I want to create some kind of rhythm track.

I'm thinking a good track to start with is a percussive guide track. Rather than just hearing the electronic beep of the metronome, I find it helpful to get some shakers or hi-hats to create a little rhythm track.

Searching for Samples

As I scroll through my bank of samples, I'm looking for something fairly sparse. I find this shaker sound, which I like.

• Drag the sample into the Simplest window; this means I can now play the keyboard, and my sample will play automatically.

I've trimmed these samples in terms of where they start, which is a really good idea. One way to do this is to count along with your sample:

"2, 3, 4, 1."

By doing that and looking at the sample window, I'm able to trim it down effectively. If I want it a bit faster, I can play higher up the keyboard.

Perfecting the Sample

Now, I'm aiming to liberate the actual shaker sound. I check to ensure it starts in the right place, and if I want to move the start point, I simply adjust the locator. For now, the sample seems to work quite well.

Finding Inspiration

The next thing I want to do is find something that's really going to inspire me to lay down some music.

• I'll come out of my percussion folder and go into field recordings.
• I'm going to grab this mysterious hang drum sample.

Creating the Track

1. I create an audio track and drag the hang drum sample over.
2. I'll also create a new MIDI track and drag the Simplest device over again.
3. I load a sample into this window by dropping the audio in.

Next, I'll take the record off the shaker track; I know it's there and ready to use when I need it.

Arming the Hang Drum Track

Now, let's arm the hang drum track. This was a sample of someone playing the hang drum in a park in Switzerland. It was a nice calm day, with not a lot of wind, so I was able to get a good recording.

There's quite a bit of talking in the background as well, so I'll listen through to see if there are any nice parts to take.

• I find an interesting section that catches my ear, so I move in the locators to focus on that part.

I'll work roughly to start, counting in my head to figure out where potentially a bar is. I'm working in a four-four time signature, so I'll count where the first beat comes in.

This is starting to sound good, and I'll stop it there.