Rival’s Guide to Creating Powerful, Expressive Bass Music
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Blending classical instrumentation with the high-energy pulse of bass music, Rival delivers an emotional yet hard-hitting sample pack with Rival Melodic Bass. With influences ranging from orchestral compositions to dancefloor-shaking bass, Rival’s unique approach brings a fresh perspective to electronic music production. We sat down with him to talk about his creative journey, the inspirations behind this pack, and his advice for producers looking to craft their own sounds.
Splice: Tell us about yourself – what led you to production and creating samples?
Rival: My musical journey started at the age of five, when I began improvising on my parents’ piano. I had no theoretical knowledge, so it was all about exploration and discovery. This sense of curiosity is at the heart of everything I do as "Rival." For me, producing music is like having an infinite playground. Every song is driven by the thrill of discovering new plugins, exploring fresh ideas, and shaping sounds in unexpected ways. This same spirit led me to the creation of samples. As a user of Splice myself, I have experienced firsthand how a single sound can inspire an entire track. I think that is pretty cool.
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Splice: What inspired the sounds included in this sample pack?
Rival: My classical training has always influenced my music as well, especially when it comes to conveying emotion through organic instruments like piano, strings, and brass. I wanted to bring that raw, emotional depth into the world of bass music, which I love for the high energy it brings to the dancefloor. The sounds in this pack combine both worlds: the live, human touch of classical instruments and the raw power of bass music. And on top of that, I brought in my longtime collaborator and friend, Veronica Bravo, whose vocal performance adds another layer of emotion and authenticity.
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Splice: What do you hope the Splice community will do with their sounds?
Rival: I would love for the Splice community to use these sounds to tell their own unique story. I hope to contribute to someone’s explorative process by allowing them to use my sounds and transform them into something entirely new, making the sound(s) their own. Whether you flip a loop, stretch it with effects, or layer it with your own ideas, the possibilities are endless. Don’t be afraid to experiment, try out new techniques like granular sampling, or add your own twist to the vocals from Veronica Bravo. Make it your own colorful sound salad.
Splice: Do you have any advice for other musicians who are striving to move into the world of sample creation?
Rival: My biggest advice is to never lose sight of why you started making music in the first place: for the love of it. The moment you approach music purely as a career, it can take away the joy that fuels creativity. I believe that the only reason why I have achieved the success as an artist I have today is because I stayed true to that core passion. If you want to move into sample creation, approach it as an extension of that love. So take your time and make music because you love making music. :)
Click the link below to check out the Rival Melodic Bass pack today and be sure to follow Rival on Instagram