For many years, sampling has been the heart and lifeblood of popular music.
From pop and EDM to R&B and hip hop, countless songs across a wide array of genres have been crafted with the help of sampling. Look no further than a track like Rick James’ “Super Freak” being reimagined in MC Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This” and Nicki Minaj’s “Super Freaky Girl,” over the span of four decades.
Above, veteran producer and beat maker Isaac Duarte made a return to the Splice YouTube channel to break down the creative process behind two beats he made by flipping a sample. He also shares a couple forward-thinking tools and resources that make sampling easier and more accessible than ever, and demonstrates how you can isolate elements like vocals and drums from a sample with just one click.
“Sampling is an art,” Duarte says. “Some may say, ‘Oh, you’re just taking other people’s music and throwing drums on it’—but that’s a total lie. You’re being creative, you’re amazing at what you do, and honestly, it doesn’t matter how simple or complex you get with the chops. Regardless of how people feel about it, just create what you like to make. I hope this video helps you all find your own voice with sampling.“
What was your favorite tip from Duarte? What other topics would you like to see us explore next? Let us know in the comments section of the video, and subscribe to the Splice YouTube channel for more producer-led tips, tutorials, and insights.
Find inspiration with our new sample discovery feature:
March 4, 2024
