Sampling music to create a beat is one of the cornerstones of Hip Hop production, so with this in mind, here are some great tutorials to watch if you are interested in learning how to sample songs.
Table of Contents
- Sampling History
- Crate Digging
- How to Sample Songs
- How to Chop Samples
- How to Make Sampled Beats in FL Studio
- Making Sample Based Beat in Logic Pro
- How to Produce Sampled on the MPC
- Sampling Inspiration
Sampling History
Starting with a brief piece of history, sampling in hip hop began with DJ’s using turntables to cut up and rearrange funk and soul records into new arrangements. As technology progressed and samplers started hitting studios, producers were able to capture elements of songs, rearrange and manipulate them into new sounds pitches and variations.
When adding some drums and extra elements to the mix, these new instrumentals were perfect for rappers to write and record over. This style of sample-based hip hop has been going strong ever since, and is an important part of hip hop culture.
Popular Hip Hop Samples
Here are a few examples of popular sampled Hip Hop songs.
Crate Digging
Hunting for music to sample for your tracks is one of the most fun and rewarding parts of making hip hop. You can visit record fairs, visit second-hand shops, dig through friend’s and relative’s collections, and hunt online.
Where to Find Classic Samples Online
Another important thing to consider when producing a sampled hip-hop beat is where you source your drums. To start with you will be able to use free packs you find to download online, as well as the bundled drum samples that come with some software.
Those tend to not be as high quality or as unique as taking the time to either sample some drums from old records yourself.
Funk records from the 1970’s are a goldmine for these kinds of samples, however the golden rule of sampling is that ‘there are no rules’.
Top 25 Classic Drum Breaks
The video below gives great insight into some of the most famous sampled drum breaks used in hip hop, and will help to give you ideas on where you can find your own!
There are many different ways to compose a sampled hip hop beat. You can use all in one hardware samplers like the Akai MPC, or music production software like FL Studio, Cubase, Reason, or Logic Pro.
How to Sample Songs
Here are the basic steps to making a sampled beat. Making a beat can be simple or as complex as you like.
- Find a sample.
- Chop up and edit the sample.
- Record and rearrange the sample with drums.
- Add additional sounds and instruments.
Related: Music Equipment Essentials
Below we have picked some great tutorials that cover a few different ways to make sampled hip hop beats.
How to Chop Samples
Marcella Middleton shows us how he chops up a sample and makes a beat in Reason.
How to Make Sampled Beats in FL Studio
Making Sample Based Beat in Logic Pro
How to Produce Sampled Hip Hop Beats on the MPC
Sampling Inspiration
Boon Doc on the MPC shows how to sample songs to make a hit.
Jaisu Beat Tape
Sampling Resources
- WhoSample.com – Find out what samples were used for specific songs.
- Rhythm Roulette – Mass Appeal challenges music producers to make a beat by sampling three random records.
- Tap for Beats Per Minute – Tap to find a songs BPM.
- Music Production Courses – Online music related courses.
- Free Samples & VST Plugins – Tons of free music production resources.
As you can see, there are several ways to achieve similar results. Take some time to figure out which method suits you best, and most importantly – have fun!
Learning how to make sampled hip hop beats is a long and rewarding journey, but ultimately is well worth it. There are several websites with beats for sale out there, but what could be better than making your own?
Checkout our beginner’s guide on How to Make Beats.
Article was written by That Classic Sound & Edited by Mark V.
That Classic Sound is a London based music producer and writer for ThatClassicSound.com – Premium hip hop beats and knowledge resource for independent hip hop artists. Golden era sounds with a new school approach!
Do you have tips on how to sample songs?
Leave your comments below.
I liked those videos
must userfull
thank you dear mark
If you are looking for songs to sample, I just started a blog where I will post daily songs that are great to sample in a wide variety of genres. Check it out
Peace
this article pretty much covers the basic of sampling and the drum machine!! loving it!
@Nick J, Cool blog with great songs man.