Drum loops and sample loops are a great starting point for creating a song. Whether it’s on a computer and loop editing software, or just playing an audio sample loop on repeat on your CD player, having ‘someone else in the room’ is a great thrill. And it’s that buzz that gives rise to wonderful new ideas and leads to creating new songs.
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USING DRUM LOOPS AND SAMPLE LOOPS ON A COMPUTER
By writing songs with a computer and audio software, you can quickly lay out your structure and feel. But there are dangers. You may find yourself with a very underdeveloped idea becoming a producer too early; find drum patterns and arrangements of strings and harmonies, all in 8 bars! (I use this method, too, and will talk about it in another article. It requires a lot of time management and I don’t recommend it for new songwriters. The world is dotted with home studio computers FULL of brilliant 8-bar arrangements. vaguely like songs).
Load drum loops and sample loops into your computer’s library
After loading a library of loops into its built-in sampler, you can simply trigger one beat after another, each on a separate track. It’s a simple process to add samples to your sequencing platform.
Buy an AIFF/WAV sample CD and load it. You will be guided by a wizard to load it correctly. However, you must choose the destination of your new loop library. Go to any existing loop library on your computer and read the full name. That name will be where those samples/loops are kept. For example
d://Program filesDigidesign DAEPlug-ins
Tea Program files is where you want new sounds to be kept when you are prompted to select a destination in the loading process.
ASSIGNING SOUND LIBRARIES TO TRACKS
To write happy, healthy songs, you need to have your basic equipment organized so you can jump right in and get going. I have a songwriting template in my Audio Logic. I loaded this up and it has an instrument preset that I use mostly for composing: audio 1 for vocal mic input, audio 2 for guitar line input, audio instrument tracks for piano, bass, drums and organ, etc.
By playing around with a preset composition template, I can always start with a known combination and work quickly. As ideas, I can make some modifications to the instruments. But I don’t focus on too many changes when I’m creating a song for the first time. My main concern/focus at this stage is sorting out the whole damn mess. I’m not getting into production at this stage of writing. It is entertaining and addictive. I work horizontally, getting most of the story and the different melodies laid out on the page.
To me, a lot of music production is a vertical process: drilling and dusting to give a song its foundation and dynamism. In this process, production comes later.
BEGIN SONG WRITING WITH AN 8 BAR LOOP
When using a new sample library, start at sample #1 and review it systematically. Don’t just skip and choose the ones you like or the ones that “make sense” to you. Doing this defeats the purpose of using drum loops and samples as songwriting starters; that is, to enter an unknown territory. You’ll be surprised what can come from creating songs over loops you’ve never heard before. Don’t be too picky. Give each one a chance.
So, let’s say we start with sample loop 1. Open your composition template, assign drums to your new sample, and load sample 1 into your drum track. Select at time. What will it be this time: walk (80bpm), jog (120bpm) or dance (160bpm)? This is a rough starting point and is all that is needed at this stage.
Play the loop for eight bars, then LOOP that track to continue for about 15 minutes. Why 15? I’ll tell you soon. For now, just set the length of your ‘song’ by placing the end tab on your screen template to that many bars. Look at the time clock in your software to see how many minutes it is.
SET DRUM LOOP OR SAMPLE LOOP FOR 15 MINUTES – WHY?
I recommend around 15 minutes because the most amazing events and insights happen in songwriting when you continue. don’t stop Even when you feel like ‘everything is wrong’ and ‘nothing’s wrong’.
I can guarantee you that at some point there will be a gift in the mix. And what point is that? When you give up When you stop talking about what the piece is No. Give. Lean over your instrument and take a deep breath. Even say to the music ‘OK. I’m here. I’m listening.’
Once you start, go directly to the end of your 15-minute sequence. Then, and only then, stop. Step away from the machine and water the plants or clean the toilet. Don’t they all clean and cook when they’re creating? Then go back and listen. I often listen while doing the dishes (in the sink in front of my computer). What I am listening to is something that arouses my attention while my attention is elsewhere. (I have to admit, I think it’s also an Aquarius thing that I have to get in the water often, even if it’s up to my elbows in dishwater!)
BOOSTS MUSCLE DEVELOPMENT
Once you’ve spilled the beans through your 15-minute sample cycle, it’s time to pick out the point of interest in the mix and begin gently unraveling it so the bright new song can emerge.
Select the section that catches you. That is your starting point for your new song. Start there and start the above process again. You might even want to copy and paste this segment into another new songwriting starter template and work from there.
WOULD YOU LIKE A FANTASTIC SELECTION OF SAMPLES TO TAKE YOUR COMPOSITION TO NEW HEIGHTS?
I have compiled the most fantastic selection of Sample and Drum Loop CDs. [http://tinyurl.com/9zynq]
I recommend that you start with basic drum kit and then get more adventurous in selecting a style that is COMPLETELY different from your own. It will shake things up. And have you write songs with a slightly different twist than your usual fare.
WON’T I SOUND LIKE EVERYONE ELSE?
Don’t be afraid of originality! You can produce or play the song live in any way you want. Later. The use of sample loops and drum loops is a point to give you energy and support in creating new songs. You can choose to leave the samples in the final mix or replace them with something simpler.
But I promise you that you will be really excited to hear the fresh little kicks in your songs that have been created on a bed of luscious rhythm and sound.