Perfect chopping

Man it has been way to long since i last post but i just got back to using my 2kxl again...im looking for a way to get better choppes...any tips on what you guys do.

practice.

I do most of my chops on the computer using audacity, http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ -it's way too easy. Or sometimes I'll end up chopping more of the chop on the 2k classic so it fits the beat better.

you really dont need any additional software to do the chopping, just practise with the mp

learn the loop function. it takes me no time at all to chop up a 1 or 2 bar loop.
trim, zone, loop functions all come into play

honestly practice is probably the best answer. And critical listening. Really listen to where you are making your chops. Pay attention to what part of the bar you are editing. It also doesnt hurt to have a dummy drum track to help line it up a little better.

yeah i just have trouble trying to get the right parts on each pad so i can just tap thru the pads and it all sounds good.

i try to be as precise as possible if im chopping up a long sample. remember the the EXACT start or end points of the sample of whatever you have highlighed. zone and loop function is great to know as well.

you might know this already but in TRIM MODE hold SHIFT + cursor right or left when highlighted on ST. or END. will help to trim faster, not to scroll as much (my data wheel is going) and speed up the work flow.

as they say practice makes perfect...

You know to tell you the truth I dont even mess with the Zone function, IMO its kind of a tedious and slow process...thats just me though. Instead I prefer just chopping everything manually.

zone only helps me when i chop up drums... but its all personal i guess...

since I record most of my samples on the computer it's easy for me to chop them up on the computer with audacity since they are already there. But when I sample on my MPC 2k I'll record the whole section then make copies of that and make different chops on the different copies rather than sampling each chop individually.

DeeSprm wrote:you really dont need any additional software to do the chopping, just practise with the mp

true, i dont even use the 2kxl much and i have no problems chopping

mumkai wrote:i try to be as precise as possible if im chopping up a long sample. remember the the EXACT start or end points of the sample of whatever you have highlighed. zone and loop function is great to know as well.

you might know this already but in TRIM MODE hold SHIFT + cursor right or left when highlighted on ST. or END. will help to trim faster, not to scroll as much (my data wheel is going) and speed up the work flow.

as they say practice makes perfect...

also, just for those of you who don't know, while you're trimming samples with the start or end point highlighted, hold down the shift button and move the note variation slider up or down to adjust quickly. will probably save your jog wheel! and your life! also works in the zone or loop screen.

for drum breaks, choose start and end points so when loop is on, it loops perfectl


press zone.

highlight the number in the top right corner (zone:)

press open window

select how many pieces you want the drums to be chopped into.

close window.

switch (play:X) from (ALL) to (ZONE)

highlight (Zone: "*")

scroll right to go thru the zones (use (PLAY X) f-button to audition.

Use OPEN WINDOW to set perfect start and end points (or as perfect as you want)... if you move them too much, then the break will play funny, just move em enough to be close.

IF you dont see the transient really close to the place your start and end points are for each ZONE then you probably didnt have the original sample looped right.



when you have all your zones where you want them... press EDIT using your F button



select "slice sound" set end margin to "0"

If you already have stuff going for your beat, then you shouldnt "create a new program"...

...if you do, it makes the drums you just chopped land on the DRUM1 pad bank A.... making you have to set each TRACK to DRUM 2 (for every track of every sequence).


IF you dont "create new program" then you can just assign the various chopps to whatever pads you like to use.

TIP: pitch shifting before you chop******************



1: assign the break to a pad of your choice..

2: go to program mode. and find the pitch that is closest to the speed of your beat (with the front and back of the sample already trimmed perfectly).

3. note that pitch value and go back to your trim screen.

4. Click the F button that is under PARAM.

5. SET (Tune:) to the value you want.

6. execute the zone chop (after setting zones to liking).


This makes it so the drums are almost perfect to your beat, so they are neither too short for the speed, or too long for the beat (1/8-1/16'th notes commonly)

Actually i use 10 but Soundforge is great for chopping.If you're using the MPC.........practice,practice and more practice.Jacpot said it best........chop small.