New to Sampling?

The Art of Sampling: A Deep Dive into Vinyl

You've got the question: How do you sample a record? But the truth is, the answer goes far beyond just one method. There are so many options to get those creative juices flowing, and the best way is the one that sparks your own inspiration.

Where to Find Your Samples

You can find great sounds everywhere if you listen closely enough.

• Sample packs: A quick and easy way to get high-quality sounds ready to go.

• Straight from your phone: Record anything that catches your ear, from a conversation to a street musician.

• Buying from a record store: The classic approach, where the hunt is part of the fun.

Regardless of how you get there, the real magic happens when you hear something that makes you say, "Hell yeah, I can't wait to flip that!"

For many producers, the journey starts with vinyl. I know for me, it was all I had in the beginning. Over time, my sources expanded to include CDs, TV shows, and YouTube. But one day, my son found a crate of gospel records just sitting on a curb, and I fell back in love with sampling vinyl. It reignited my passion for digging and hunting for those hidden gems. For me, it's about finding some crazy record that you would never think to sample and flipping it into something new and unexpected. That's when the creativity truly comes alive.

Vinyl just has that warmth, that grit, even the static and pop that brings out a certain "umph." It's a feeling you can't always replicate. 

A Crucial Tip

No matter what you're sampling, always remember to clean your record first before sampling it! This ensures you're working with the best possible source material.

And if you're looking for some records to pick up, be sure to check out CrossFader at CrossFaderLA.com.

Check me out, finding a bargain bin record, sampling it, and making something out of it..