Rainbow of Emotions: JiLLi on Versatility in Vocal Production
Black Octopus Sound is proud to present Rainbow of Emotions by JiLLi, a vocal sample pack with a twist. We sat down with JiLLi to ask what makes Rainbow of Emotions so unique, along with her approach to music, recording, life, and everything in between!
Splice: Tell us about yourself – what led you to production and creating samples?
JiLLi: I’ve been singing my entire life and writing songs is a way of understanding my own experiences. For me, the voice is the most powerful instrument—it can evoke raw emotion without words. When I create sample packs, I think about how my creativity can fuel other artists’ creativity, and that’s what I love most about this work.
My latest pack, Rainbow of Emotions, was inspired by my desire to showcase how toplines are malleable and take on different meanings in different contexts. I leaned into this idea by creating three unique versions of each topline, delivered with different emotions, keys, BPMs, and styles. This versatility is something I’m proud of, and it reflects my love for vocal experimentation and emotional expression.
Splice: What inspired the sounds included in this sample pack?
JiLLi: The concept of Rainbow of Emotions came from my belief that healing isn’t linear. When you’re processing life experiences, you go through a whole spectrum of emotions—sadness, anger, humor, empowerment—and I wanted to capture that.
Some lyrics in the pack were born from hurtful experiences, but I recontextualized them into something witty or sassy, while others lean into raw vulnerability. By offering three versions of each topline, I aimed to let producers choose the emotional lens that best serves their music.
Splice: What’s your typical setup for recording high-quality vocals?
JiLLi: I recorded the entire pack from my apartment using my trusty Neumann TLM 103 mic and a carefully crafted vocal chain. The plugin Clear was a lifesaver for reducing reflections and room noise, while I relied on RX for cleaning up mouth pops and clicks. Raum reverb is my go-to for creating the perfect vocal space.
The biggest challenge was staying organized. To manage three different versions of each topline, I had to make sure each version felt distinct, while maintaining the core idea. Some variations feel like entirely different songs. Others stayed true to the original idea but shifted in tone or delivery.
Splice: How does the topline creation process for a sample pack differ from traditional songwriting?
JiLLi: When creating for a sample pack, I focus on versatility and accessibility. These toplines aren’t just about my personal artistry; they’re tools for other producers to use and connect with. There’s also times where I’m just starting to write a song for myself and then I realize during the process it belongs in a sample pack.
Teaching students has also inspired this approach. I often emphasize the importance of recontextualizing lyrics and experimenting with melodies to better serve a song’s purpose. This pack is a culmination of that philosophy—giving producers toplines that can adapt to different genres, moods, and creative visions.
Splice: What makes this style of music special to you? What inspired you to create sounds that revolve around it?
JiLLi: I wanted Rainbow of Emotions to feel genre-agnostic. The pack is designed for any type of producer, whether they’re creating pop, bass, EDM, or cinematic soundscapes. The versatility of vocals is what makes them so special—they evoke universal emotion and can adapt to almost any style.
Creating this pack felt like building a bridge between my personal stories and the producer’s creative vision. It’s my hope that these vocals inspire not just great songs, but meaningful connections for the listeners who hear them.
Click the link below to check out the Rainbow of Emotions pack today and be sure to follow JiLLi on Instagram