Processing samples - why?

Discuss the various methods you use in music production, from compressor settings to equipment type.
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Processing samples - why?

By astral_Signal Mon Jun 04, 2012 1:49 am
I'm starting to feel a bit jaded about processing 'samples' with EQ, filters, compression, limiters, etc

Obviously an EQ is a producers best friend, and compression is a useful tool when used correctly for a range of different applications...but when the majority of your work revolves around 'samples' - i.e. a portion of professionaly recorded, mixed, and mastered music - any further processing would surely just reduce the overall sound quality.

There is of course a rising standard of audio quality for tracks actually being published, so sure you need to find a way to get those dusty vinlyl recordings to sparkle. But how far should you go before comprising the original quality?

Thoughts?
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Re: Processing samples - why?

By Lampdog Mon Jun 04, 2012 1:55 am
Go as far as you need to fit your vision of your beat then stop. If you don't need any processing then don't do any.
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Re: Processing samples - why?

By iNdaVizual Mon Jun 04, 2012 5:00 am
i always run all my samples through my korg kp3..so as im sampling its running through an effect..like eq, or even some weird LFO effect...than i go ahead and start choppin and pitching up or down in the mpc..and that gives it a different sound. makes the sample sort of unique. so i think doing this is a plus..just dont over do it
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Re: Processing samples - why?

By astral_Signal Mon Jun 04, 2012 10:09 am
I tend to record everything as dry/flat as possible - no effects, no processing.

Re: Processing samples - why?

By ntalec Mon Jun 04, 2012 12:02 pm
Not trying to insult anyone but

ArKyve-31 wrote:I believe it becomes a way to personalize and process your samples. I view it as another way for a producer to have a signature.



This is the answer.


astral_Signal wrote:I tend to record everything as dry/flat as possible - no effects, no processing.



This is part of why you don't understand the answer.


Lampdog wrote:Go as far as you need to fit your vision of your beat then stop. If you don't need any processing then don't do any.


This is a good place to start but it goes right back to

ArKyve-31 wrote:I believe it becomes a way to personalize and process your samples. I view it as another way for a producer to have a signature.


That whole record flat and dry thing is really for work being done inside of the computer.
If you are working with a MPC, MV etc then it's going to be harder to create something there then take it to the computer for character unless you are putting the same generic tweak on everything.

It goes right along with people who work on something on hardware then want to track it out through individual outs but the individual outs only work dry so they have to redo what ever they had come up with.

The point is to add your character but not have to do it twice.

Don't let your workflow get bent by the plug ins sound better than built in effects thought process it can prevent you from achieving a distinct sound or vision.

Re: Processing samples - why?

By acronym Mon Jun 04, 2012 1:38 pm
I recently been using Traktor and applying effects, mangling them in submission in cases and then sampling to the MPC. Surprisingly its been a really effective method for myself.

However, I don't just EQ, mess with a sample unless I need to, so it just simply a case by case.
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Re: Processing samples - why?

By ArKyve-31 Mon Jun 04, 2012 2:03 pm
Also, don't sleep on re-sampling. I will usually eq samples to my liking before I sample to the mpc, and then resample through effects units whether it be a rack mount or Reason's effects units and back into the mpc for sampling again. I have a video on my youtube page of why I do this. Basically it keeps the original sample in my mpc so I don't need to go back and sample it again if I change my mind of the effects outcome, plus I have the effected version too which can also come in handy to layer the two or Hans effect them.

Re: Processing samples - why?

By ntalec Mon Jun 04, 2012 2:15 pm
@ArKyve-31, acronym and Thy_Cow_punchers, exactly my the point.

You often have to hear things in their proper content to be creative with them.
Sampling with effects, re-sampling etc allows what you are hearing in your head to come together.

Thinking of doing it later in the process means you believe the idea will stick in your head until that time.

The more you do it the better you get at getting frontend sounds that work in the mix.

If you worked as a DJ and made the transition to remixing and doing your own creations you typically have a good understanding of getting things right on the frontend since you test drove them in the clubs.
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Re: Processing samples - why?

By elevated Mon Jun 04, 2012 2:20 pm
ArKyve-31 wrote:plus I have the effected version too which can also come in handy to layer the two or Hans effect them.


Did u really mean Hans effect here?
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Re: Processing samples - why?

By ArKyve-31 Mon Jun 04, 2012 2:37 pm
elevated wrote:
ArKyve-31 wrote:plus I have the effected version too which can also come in handy to layer the two or Hans effect them.


Did u really mean Hans effect here?



:lol: :lol: No I meant the Haas Effect
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Re: Processing samples - why?

By elevated Mon Jun 04, 2012 5:01 pm
ArKyve-31 wrote:
elevated wrote:
ArKyve-31 wrote:plus I have the effected version too which can also come in handy to layer the two or Hans effect them.


Did u really mean Hans effect here?



:lol: :lol: No I meant the Haas Effect


Homie I was looking up Clever Hans the horse, and German scientists,,, trying to relate that to beatmaking :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Re: Processing samples - why?

By bicedidit Mon Jun 04, 2012 5:46 pm
ntalec wrote:Not trying to insult anyone but

ArKyve-31 wrote:I believe it becomes a way to personalize and process your samples. I view it as another way for a producer to have a signature.



This is the answer.


astral_Signal wrote:I tend to record everything as dry/flat as possible - no effects, no processing.



This is part of why you don't understand the answer.




there is no right answer. its all up to the user. i always sample into the 2kxl dry and then do what needs to be done. and have been doing so for over 10 years. its the way i sample. if i sample everything with the same effect for a personal signature, that gets a little old after a while. i like the freedom to do whatever i want with my samples. if i sample with an effect, im stuck with that processed sample forever
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Re: Processing samples - why?

By Lampdog Mon Jun 04, 2012 6:38 pm
bicedidit wrote:there is no right answer. its all up to the user.

That is exactly why I said it the way I said it.
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Re: Processing samples - why?

By Wal Martian Mon Jun 04, 2012 9:45 pm
Unless you mix to tape like back in the day, you probably use a DAW. Sampling in dry is a good idea because it leaves the sound open to more possibilities when processing ITB. I have tracked in through effects and sampled through compression with good results though. It's nice to keep the samples dry in the MPC then track in through outboard. If you change your mind you can always reload the original sounds and try something else.
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