Sampling is a powerful tool in EDM production, allowing producers to bring unique textures, vocals, and sounds into their tracks. Whether you’re flipping a vocal chop, layering drum loops, or transforming melodic elements, using samples creatively can elevate your music. Learning how to properly chop, process, and integrate samples into your EDM productions will help you create fresh and dynamic tracks that stand out.
Choosing the Right Samples
Selecting high-quality samples is the foundation of a great track. EDM relies heavily on clear, punchy sounds, so using well-recorded samples ensures your mix remains professional. You can source samples from royalty-free sample packs, online libraries like Splice and Loopmasters, or even from classic records if you plan on manipulating them creatively.
The type of sample you choose should complement your genre. Future bass and melodic house often use lush vocal chops and atmospheric textures, while techno and deep house focus on percussion loops and deep, rolling bass samples. Trap and dubstep producers frequently incorporate aggressive synth shots and glitchy FX to add energy.
Chopping and Manipulating Samples
Simply dragging a sample into your project can work, but chopping and rearranging it will help create something unique. Most DAWs, including Ableton Live, FL Studio, and Logic Pro, have built-in samplers like Simpler, Fruity Slicer, and EXS24, which allow you to slice a sample into different sections and trigger them with MIDI.
Vocal chops are a staple in many EDM subgenres. By taking a vocal phrase, slicing it into small pieces, and triggering those pieces in a rhythmic pattern, you can create a fresh melodic hook. Using pitch-shifting, time-stretching, and formant shifting will help shape the vocal into something completely new.
Time-Stretching and Pitch-Shifting for Seamless Integration
To make a sample fit into your track’s tempo and key, time-stretching and pitch-shifting are essential. Most DAWs have built-in tools like Ableton’s Warp Mode, FL Studio’s Time Stretch, and Logic’s Flex Time, which allow you to adjust the speed of a sample without affecting its pitch.
If a sample doesn’t match the key of your song, pitch-shifting can help it blend more naturally. Many producers experiment with extreme pitch shifts, pushing samples up or down by several semitones to create unique textures. Formant shifting can further modify the sample’s character, making vocal samples sound robotic, airy, or deep.
Layering Samples for a Fuller Sound
To create a rich and professional mix, layering samples is crucial. Instead of using a single drum loop, adding additional percussion elements can enhance the groove. Layering a kick sample with a sub-bass hit can give your low end more impact, while stacking claps with high-frequency percussion can create a crisp and snappy transient.
The same applies to melodic elements. If you’re using a sampled chord progression, layering it with a soft pad or arpeggiated synth can create a more immersive atmosphere. This technique is especially useful in genres like progressive house and trance, where big, lush soundscapes define the mix.
Processing Samples with EQ and Effects
Once your samples are in place, processing them correctly will help them blend smoothly into your mix. EQ is essential to remove unwanted frequencies and ensure samples don’t clash with other elements. Cutting low-end rumble from melodic samples prevents muddiness, while boosting the high frequencies can add air and brightness.
Adding reverb and delay can help integrate a sample into the space of your track. For example, a short plate reverb on vocal chops gives them a polished feel, while a long hall reverb can create an ethereal atmosphere for ambient textures.
Distortion and saturation can add warmth and character, especially when working with bass samples. A tape saturation plugin can give a subtle analog feel, while more aggressive distortion can add grit and energy, perfect for dubstep and electro house.
Resampling for Unique Sound Design
Resampling is a technique where you take an already processed sample, apply further effects, and bounce it to audio for additional manipulation. This method is frequently used in future bass and bass-heavy EDM, where producers resample synth chords or bass lines to create evolving textures.
By applying granular synthesis, reversing, or extreme modulation, you can turn a simple sample into an entirely new sound. Many producers chop up their own previously used sounds, adding new effects or reversing sections to create unexpected variations.
Using Samples Legally in Your Music
When using samples in your music, it’s important to consider copyright and licensing. If you’re sampling a commercially released song, you may need to clear the sample or obtain permission from the copyright holder. Services like Tracklib offer pre-cleared samples that you can legally use in your productions.
If you want to avoid sample clearance issues, using royalty-free sample packs is the best option. Many online platforms provide high-quality sounds that can be used in commercial releases without legal concerns. Some producers also create their own samples by recording sounds, manipulating them, and integrating them into their music.
Bringing It All Together
Sampling in EDM is all about creativity and experimentation. Whether you’re chopping up a vocal, layering drum loops, or time-stretching a melody, the key is to manipulate samples in a way that fits your unique style.
By choosing high-quality samples, processing them effectively, and using techniques like pitch-shifting, layering, and resampling, you can create fresh, dynamic tracks that sound professional. If you want access to expertly designed samples, check out our EDM sample packs at Cedar Sound Studios and take your music to the next level.