Sample Library question

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Mattias
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Sample Library question

Post by Mattias »

Hey fellas

Just a question about Sample Libraries for all of you.
This been bugging me for a while but...

Are loops essential for a sample library these days? If you browse through some forums and similar it appears most people refrain from using commercial loops & praise one-shot samples instead. I'm also of this opinion when it comes to commercial sample libraries which I personally never use (or at-least not often).
However the tricky thing is that if you check new releases you can hear commercial loops all around. The so called artists just been mounting them in their production and let them flow and checking sites selling samples & loops it appears loops are very popular...

The reason I ask is that I've been developing a sample library aimed at EDM (obviously!) that I plan to release commercially (not via any sample selling site this time however). I spent much time on crafting the samples from scratch and I've been thinking a lot about if loops will make or break the library. Maybe the more experienced users (the target audience I aim for really) will dig the one-shots but that might scare the less experienced / newbie producers from using the library if it contains only one-shots. They probably prefer to smash the loops instead?

Any input would be lovely!
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surface
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Re: Sample Library question

Post by surface »

i'm definitely more into building up beats from one-hits but there is times when it's fun to mess about with loops too.
I view using loops more as a gimmick though (unless there my own and I'm reusing them within a track as a secondary thing).

I never bought a sample cd, and I doubt I ever will, but if I did, I think the loops would stay on the cd and the one hits would get copied to my harddrive.

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Mattias
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Re: Sample Library question

Post by Mattias »

You think like me pretty much, thanks for your input.
Maybe another reason for loops is that people have them as inspirational tools ?
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Re: Sample Library question

Post by helloitsmeagain »

well from a less experienced view point, i never use loops. we can have a conversation on how disappointed I am that pro's do but i'll stick to your question here.

when i'm trawling youtube and the various other resources i frequent i see a lot of material out there on mangling loops, or getting the best out of loops etc. with that in mind, i'd say there is a huge audience out there for loops. Maybe in the answer lays in the balance between the 2. A lot of packs out there have a ton of loops but very few actual one shots. You mind consider a reversal to be a selling point.
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Mattias
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Re: Sample Library question

Post by Mattias »

Thanks! Yeah many libraries out there also have pretty mediocre one-shots for Techno in general. The 909 & 808 stuff is no need to cover again, everyone have those. Also all "Dark Progressive Techno" or "Underground Dub Techno" or whatever they're called are usually highly disappointing for people who are after proper Techno sounds I've learned after much research (...and stalking!). There are some wicked samples out there though.

I like your input there about that I should consider many one-shots as a selling point, goodie.
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Re: Sample Library question

Post by Patriek »

I never use loops, i rather make them myself with regular samples. Then again, i like to fiddle around with knobs and buttons alot, rather make the loops myself :)
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Re: Sample Library question

Post by helloitsmeagain »

audiotuts has a interview with the dude who runs zenhiser

http://audio.tutsplus.com/articles/gene ... and-craft/

worth the very short read.
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Re: Sample Library question

Post by Mattias »

Nice read yeah.
Looks like I'll skip loops for this one and add some more one-shots.
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Re: Sample Library question

Post by sam »

i never use loops either, although i really like it when there's a demo loop for each section or kit which show what can be done with the samples by someone with skill.

it can be quite fascinating hearing what can be done with a bunch of oneshots and it gives you a glimpse of some of the potential the pack has.

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Re: Sample Library question

Post by Críoch »

Though I never use loops.. I do like to get a bit of imspiration from a groove every now & then.

If I do find something that I like.. I'll reprogram it with one shots so I can have full control over it - by that stage, its mine. I think its a bit like playing a bit of tab with a guitar.. its cool to see how the groove is constructed like Sam has indicated.

I like the idea of construction kits also. Though I never use them.. they are cool to have when I am feeling paranoid about whether I've got too much stuff clashing. Its nice to reference them & see the ballpark ranges of stuff.
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Re: Sample Library question

Post by Lost to the Void »

Everything is useful when used creatively.

I sometimes use loops as they have a quality that you can`t get with one-shots.
Taking a loop, percussive or otherwise, and then mangling it leads to interesting results. Especially with the audio warping power of ableton, being able to stretch and re-pitch individual parts within a loop, and still having that loop as one entity, where the sounds are already blended together within that loop, can lead to amazingly creative trickery.

rule nothing out.

Sure Mattias, loops are useful.
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Re: Sample Library question

Post by Mattias »

Extremely valid points here, good thoughts and solid ideas. Cheers!
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Re: Sample Library question

Post by Dirk L »

I like flicking through loops. Wicked cutting a little bit of a tail of some other hit in it too and it sounding good 8-)

You can get some nice rhythms from them and its often be the unprogramable bit that you are looking for.

Big pity if there werent a couple of demo loops (not demo tracks) that show what they're like in context. I've a few loopmaster packs with drum kits in them. They usually have some loops to show you whats what and then the single shots from the loops in another folder within. Best of 2 worlds.

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Re: Sample Library question

Post by Mslwte »

Dirk L wrote:I like flicking through loops. Wicked cutting a little bit of a tail of some other hit in it too and it sounding good 8-)

You can get some nice rhythms from them and its often be the unprogramable bit that you are looking for.

Big pity if there werent a couple of demo loops (not demo tracks) that show what they're like in context. I've a few loopmaster packs with drum kits in them. They usually have some loops to show you whats what and then the single shots from the loops in another folder within. Best of 2 worlds.
I've thought that before :)
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Re: Sample Library question

Post by Mslwte »

What about adding midi parts with the pack Mattias? You know like tailor your own drum loop so to speak. Just a suggestion and something a little different.
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Re: Sample Library question

Post by Mattias »

Good idea, I'll look into it :)
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Re: Sample Library question

Post by Críoch »

And theres loads of packs out with Synth patches in them recently Mattias. Dont know if you've seen them.

This is going to be a huge pack - lol
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Re: Sample Library question

Post by Mattias »

Hehehe, I think its better to collect ideas and take em with me.
This one I'm working on now will be a serious test, or so to say.
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Re: Sample Library question

Post by Hefty »

just to say, i created my own sample pack from scratch and im selling it now on me own site. Anyways, reason i mention it is that i did some "market research" on what people would like in a sample pack, drum/fx loops came 1st :)

BUT if your saying you want to target the more experienced user, then loops are not very helpful for production, i personally cant work with loops at all, but i included them so that novice producers would b able to work with em :)

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Re: Sample Library question

Post by Venefician »

@all
Hello, I'm new here.

@Mattias

When I first started my my endeavors of producing music I have to honestly say I had sort of an ignominy for using loops. It felt that since it wasn't my work I should not be using it, sort of like a feeling of plagiarism. I would say that is mostly why I have never really accepted looped samples. However... I did some across some pack where I did use a couple of loops, I would say that was because it had very complex polyrhymic high hats that I did not know how to reproduce on my own. One thing I wished the packs had were single shots with another folder full of midi notes for the particular sample pack so I could of actually learned how these things were programmed in order to become a better programmer myself. In my opinion I think its essential to show the character in midi notes at least for discovery and style. I remember when I first got propellerhead reason and they had the ability to upload your track where another person could see exactly what u did with the midi. Sadly I only got 2 months worth of that until they closed that service down. So in other words single samples seemed the pro way (know what the h they were doing) while loops were the learning way, I cant really say what the demographic is for those groups.


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