.svg)
.svg)
In today’s rapidly evolving world, creativity is the cornerstone of innovation—whether in technology, art, or education.
For college students, unlocking their creative potential is no longer just about mastering traditional skills; it’s about learning to use the cutting-edge tools that are shaping the future. Splice, a platform that bridges the gap between artistic expression and digital technology, is helping students do just that.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at how Splice is partnering with Arizona State University by facilitating experiences that help students capture, record, and refine their musical ideas—from initial concept to final composition—by recording a hit sample pack that will eventually show up on Splice (stay tuned).
These workshops offered students an invaluable opportunity to learn not only the technical aspects of music production, but also how to harness their creativity in new and exciting ways. These experiences bring uniqueness to the classroom and offer insights on how such innovative, tech-driven learning can be integrated into curricula to inspire and empower the next generation of creators.
Bridging the gap between creativity and technology
Splice is an innovative digital platform that empowers students and educators to explore music creation by providing access to loops, samples, and production software, enabling them to experiment, collaborate, and develop both their creative ideas and their technical skills in music production.
ASU Popular Music Assistant Director C. Samuel Peña, a longtime Splice user, says, “Sampling is my love language. From creating them to using moments from my favorite artists of the past to slicing up slivers of ear candy from obscure everyday sounds, samples are the thread count of my compositions. Splice’s platform is incredible… There is inspiration there for everyone, at every level in the game.
“For years, I have been using Splice in my compositions and beat making and music production courses. It has elevated the students’ productions and helped them realize their potential.
“I met Splice at NAMM and talked to them about creating a partnership with a Popular Music program, where we would ultimately collaborate on making a hit sample pack. I knew that, with their guidance as industry leaders in sample pack making, and the talent of our students and faculty in our program, it would be successful for all. I knew that real-world learning—from writing the music, to recording it, to editing the sample pack—was going to be extremely valuable to our students. And it was. Having involvement from our faculty, interns, and students on all aspects of the project—1) musicians, 2) engineers, and 3) videographers—has been important and made the project more meaningful.
“We recorded 15 grooves inspired by ’70s hi-fi soul sounds live in the multi-million-dollar recording studios at Fusion on First at ASU. I love what we recorded—it feels like we’re offering the world a foundation for future creators of all genres to craft the music of their souls.
“We have talent in the program and are connecting them directly to the industry leaders in the sample production game. It’s super cool and I’m looking forward to more.”
Workshop 1: From concept to composition—creating hit sample packs
The foundation of any great production starts with the right sounds. In this workshop, students at Arizona State University learned how to craft sample packs that could inspire producers worldwide. Led by Splice’s expert team, the session guided students through the entire sample pack creation process, from concept development to finalizing sounds for release on Splice.
Students began by writing and discussing their sample pack concepts in person, expanding on their ideas to better understand how their packs would stand on their own in the competitive world of music production. Through these discussions, they explored the intention behind their packs, refining their creative vision while considering how their sounds would resonate with producers.
This process allowed them to see their ideas evolve in real time, ensuring that their packs had a distinct identity and market appeal. From there, they moved into a structured pre-production phase, where they documented their concepts, determined source material, and planned recording sessions—key steps that mirror the professional workflow used by top sample pack creators on Splice.
”It was great to be in such a professional setting where the ideas we made were captured so authentically. I learned what it takes to get a very professional-sounding recording; the smallest of details matter.”
—Henry Koehler, ASU Popular Music Senior at the time
With their ideas in place, students moved into hands-on experimentation. Using Splice’s extensive library, technology like Similar Sounds, Create (AI-powered discovery), and the Sounds platform, they worked with loops, one-shots, and textures, refining their initial concepts and ideas to meet professional standards. Discussions focused on the key qualities of successful sample packs, such as the concept of quality and recording techniques, creative sound design, and the balance between originality and usability.
“The workshop confirmed to me that the music industry is the place for me. I enjoyed learning from the people over at Splice, and it’s inspired me to take what I’ve learned into my day-to-day, whether it was recording techniques, business matters, or just how to conduct myself as a professional in the industry. I’m grateful to have maintained connections with the folks that I have met, and excited to see where this road takes me and everyone else at ASU Pop Music!”
—Ryan DeBenedetti, ASU Popular Music Senior at the time
One of the most valuable aspects of this session was learning how to make samples that are both unique and commercially viable. Students explored best practices like proper folder organization, ensuring consistency across samples, and understanding how producers use samples in real-world production. Through interactive feedback and real-time adjustments, they refined their sounds, learning the importance of collaboration, iteration, and critical listening.
By the end of the workshop, students had a solid foundation in sample pack creation, with some even inspired to develop their own packs for self-release or distribution across various marketplaces. More than just learning technical skills, they gained insight into how sound design, organization, and creativity come together to shape the samples that fuel modern music production.
“It was truly inspiring to witness the collaboration between the Splice team, ASU professors, and ASU students. Working together with both the Splice team and the students to create music was a fantastic experience. The Splice team did an excellent job of showing us the high standards they uphold for each of their packs.”
—Raul Yanez, ASU Instructor
Workshop 2: Recording a hit sample pack
This process started with pre-production calls with essential faculty. On these calls, we go over the recording process and discuss the vision for the sample pack. During this phase, we lock down dates, equipment, facilities, and roles, including musicians.
Once we’ve decided on dates and a concept, we book sessions for students and/or staff to both perform and engineer the sample pack with us.
The sessions should happen over at least two days: one day for tracking and one day to demonstrate mixing and processing the files into a finished pack.
During this time, students and faculty can collaborate with Splice staff and get a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of a sample pack. Questions can be asked freely by anyone, encouraging collaboration and skill development for both students and staff.
Sessions start with engineering. Splice staff go through different miking techniques as well as signal flow and tips with the students. This is the time to show and explain why we do what we do to achieve the desired sounds. We select mics, preamps, and instruments to prepare for the session. Once we finish this process, we’re ready for the musicians.
The next step is actually recording audio for the sample pack, working with the performers to capture the raw material that will soon become part of an inspiration-sparking sample pack. In this phase, the students on the engineering or production side will be in the control room with Splice staff while we produce the performers. This provides deep insight not only into sample pack creation but also into general music tech and production as a whole.
This will last the entire first day. During this time, students can ask questions at any time, giving them full access to Splice staff’s expertise.
The second day should be focused on mixing and rendering the sounds into finished samples that are ready for retail. Focusing on mixing and sound design, we can go over both analog and digital processing. We’ll also listen to performances together and pull out the best pieces to work with.
The mixing process can be as long or short as needed. Once complete, we will bounce out stems to retail-ready samples. For advanced students, this process can be pretty quick; for more beginner students, the bouncing process should take 30 minutes to an hour of explanation and demonstration.
After this, it’s up to students and staff to complete their sample pack with Splice staff available for support afterwards.
After we receive the finished pack, we’ll do a quality control check, fixing anything that needs attention before release.
Educational benefits and takeaways for educators
Workshops like these provide students with valuable, real-world skills directly applicable to industries like music production, sound design, and digital media. By engaging with tools like Splice, students not only learn technical skills but also foster creativity, problem-solving skills, and adaptability—traits that extend well beyond music and can benefit other disciplines as well. These hands-on experiences help keep students motivated and engaged, especially when compared to traditional learning environments.
For educators, these workshops offer actionable strategies for incorporating technology into curricula. Platforms like Splice can enhance creativity and technology integration across various subjects. Music production in particular serves as an excellent gateway to interdisciplinary learning, allowing students to explore coding, design, and collaboration. Moreover, the student-centered nature of these workshops encourages autonomy, helping students take ownership of their projects and deepen their understanding of the tools at their disposal.
“The Splice sessions were such a great opportunity for our students. Not only did the students set everything up and get sounds themselves, they learned how to process and prepare the final recordings for an actual Splice sample pack, a real-world application not many get the opportunity to experience. I really enjoyed how we laid out this experience and went about explaining each step of the process, and the positive feedback from the students was through the roof. It was really inspiring for the students to see a unique way to earn a living in this industry. I learned a lot from this myself.”
—Tony Brant, ASU Faculty
Splice is connecting with creators early in their musical journeys, providing them with the tools and resources to craft music for years to come. We approach events like this with a deep sense of responsibility, knowing that we’re helping empower a new generation of artists to experience the lasting impact of music creation.
If you’re an educator interested in creating unique opportunities for your students, Splice has free semester-long trials for students, student discounts, and more. Contact us to learn more.
November 14, 2025
