Managing a sample library

Ableton Setup for Music Production

Okay, so I'd like to talk a little bit about the setup that I've got going on in Ableton here.

Audio Tracks Configuration

I've got a bunch of different audio tracks. Some of them have been configured to take an input signal from any of these devices. For example, I've got the MicroKorg coming in on channels one and two.

• When I record any of these devices, I've obviously got only two inputs on the sound card, so I'll be swapping them over as needed.

Samples Folder

This is a rough template here. I've also got a Samples Folder prepared for these tutorials. Let's explore what's inside:

• Bass Samples: Various samples primarily from old records or things I've picked up in charity shops.

"There are possible copyright issues, so you've got to be a little bit wary about using someone else's samples here."

Example Samples

• For example, I have a Lalo Schifrin bass line. I can't use that because of copyright issues, but I could liberate one of the bass notes from here and put it onto a keyboard.
• I've got a bass sound, and moving over to the drum loops, there's a nice little hi-hat loop. I'm pretty sure I could use that and cut it up, which would work rhythmically with another beat focused on the kick and snare.

Field Recordings

I've also got some field recordings:

• Wind Chimes
• A recording of an instrument called a Hang Drum, played in the park. This might work really nicely in this tutorial.
• Carnival Crowds, military drums, and fireworks, which could create some interesting percussive sounds.

Percussion Section

Under Percussion, you can hear a bunch of different percussive sounds including:

• Congas
• Bongos

What I tried to do is grab sounds that have a lot of space and are on their own, effectively in solo. For instance, you could layer this up with a snare when creating a beat.

Strings and Vocal Samples

In the Strings section, we have ensemble instruments and several vocal bits and pieces.

"With regards to the record samples rather than the field recordings, I've got to be able to mask these quite well."

Tuning Samples

Another thing to mention is that I have a Grand Piano from Ableton's Factory Instruments. This is crucial for ensuring that my samples are in tune:

• I know that this instrument has been designed to replicate a grand piano accurately. My C will be a C, ensuring that when tuning any of my samples, whether field recordings or records, I'm aware that they might not be in tune.

So, that's really the setup!