Resampling Audio: 7 Enjoyable Methods To Create Model-New Sounds

Resampling audio is doubtlessly the most underrated sound design technique on the market.

You possibly can rinse and repeat several types of processing on any sound, ending up with hundreds of thousands of artistic prospects.

So why aren’t folks utilizing it extra? As a result of it’s complicated, and there are such a lot of methods you could method it.

On this information, we’ll provide you with some key suggestions for utilizing resampling in your individual music, corresponding to:

• Reverse echos (nice for transitions and constructing stress)
• Chopping your individual chord progressions & melodies
• The way to actually stand out via iterative resampling
• Processing basses to turn into large (with out ruining your sounds)

Let’s see what awaits! ?

A Fast Disclaimer: What Do I Imply By Resampling?

After I’m speaking about resampling on this information, I don’t imply the method of pattern fee conversion (e.g. changing 44.1kHz to 48khz).

I’m speaking about re-bouncing or re-recording audio to make use of it in numerous artistic methods.

You possibly can study concerning the different sort of resampling audio on this tutorial from Streaky.

Tip #1: Fundamental Resampling Workflow

With a purpose to resample, you want to perceive how your specific DAW handles audio.

Right here’s a rundown of the primary 3 DAWs for digital music: Ableton Reside, FL Studio, and Logic Professional X.

Resampling Audio in Ableton Reside

There are just a few methods to do that in Ableton Reside, however the easiest method is to make use of the ‘Resampling’ enter channel on a brand new audio observe.

It will mainly pattern something that goes via the grasp channel. Remember that you could be need to flip off grasp FX when performing this course of.

Hit file and watch the audio are available in.

Now you’ll be able to chop, course of, and mangle as a lot as you want! Ableton Reside is a brilliant highly effective DAW in terms of artistic sound processing.

Resampling Audio in FL Studio

Though it’s not as easy as in different DAWs, resampling in FL Studio is tremendous highly effective.

The easiest way is to load up Edison on the grasp channel on the level the place you need to begin recording the audio.

You then simply hit file alongside along with your observe enjoying, and it’ll file it till you cease.

When you’ve completed, click on and drag the pattern icon to wherever – the playlist or the channel rack.

Resampling Audio in Logic Professional X

Like different DAWs, Logic Professional has many alternative methods you’ll be able to resample audio. However the best by far is to make use of the ‘Bounce’ function on the Grasp channel.

Begin by deciding on the portion of the observe you’d wish to resample, after which hit ‘Bounce’ on the grasp channel within the mixer.

A dialog window with some settings will pop up (test the Begin and Finish so it traces up along with your choice).

I’d advocate ticking ‘Add To Undertaking’ so you’ll be able to entry the resample from the browser and drag it in.

Now it’s going to seem within the Undertaking part of your Browser.

Merely add it to a brand new audio channel and also you’re good to go!

Now, let’s transfer onto one thing a bit extra enjoyable.

Tip #2: Resampling in Xfer Serum

Do you know you’ll be able to resample any sound instantly in digital music’s hottest synth?

When you’ve designed a patch or have loaded up a preset, merely head as much as the Serum menu (top-right) and you’ve got just a few choices:

You possibly can resample in mono to both A or B, or in stereo to each.

What this does is data 1 bar of audio to Serum’s reminiscence, and slices that up into wavetables. So the WT POS will scan via that 1 bar of sound.

The perfect half? All these modulations and FX processors will likely be utilized to the sound – once more.

Right here’s this sound on a bass I made – observe that I’ve used LFO 3 to modulate the WT POS over 1 bar so as to add the unique movement again in.

I did just a few tweaks to the resampled model simply to make it work, which is commonly the case:

Earlier than resampling:

After resampling:

I personally like to resample to stereo due to the intricate particulars you’ll be able to seize. Simply be sure that each OSC A and B are turned on and turned up.

You can take this additional by:

• doing a number of rounds of resampling
• enhancing the wavetables after they’re re-sampled
• resampling present presets into one thing else

You are able to do all this simply inside Serum!

However let’s take it again to the DAW for the following one.

Tip #3: Reverse Reverb, Delay & Echo (Sweep)

One among my favorite all time tracks is Porter Robinson – Fellow Feeling:

From about 2:09 onwards, you’ll discover these cool vocal sweeps that lead into the spoken vocals.

It is a frequent resampling method the place you create a reverse sweep into any sound or instrument. It’s nice for vocals, leads, and pads.

Begin with some kind of instrument or sound. I’m going to make use of a vocal on this case:

Duplicate the sound and reverse the sound. Chop off every part earlier than the beginning of the sound.

At this level, you’ll be able to select to make use of any kind of time-based impact – reverb, delay, echo, you identify it.

Add it and tweak your settings to style. When you’re glad, resample it to audio (be sure that nothing else within the observe is enjoying) after which reverse once more.

Doubling up on the reversing means we are able to get a reverse reverb tail, however the authentic audio is again to its regular path.

Align the tail to the beginning of the phrase and mix the amount to style.

You are able to do this on any sound, and at any level on the observe. However vocals and pads aren’t the one components you could resample!

Tip #4: Bass Resampling for Loopy Sound Design

Should you’re into heavy bass design, resampling is a dream. You possibly can maintain resampling and processing till you get any variety of outcomes.

On this instance, I’m going to make use of a multi-layer bass with a little bit of post-processing:

I just like the sound of it thus far, however we are able to mangle and remodel it much more. So I’m going to resample the group into one audio observe:

I’m going to pull this sound right into a sampler and play it in MIDI. I’ll activate looping in order that the sound repeats indefinitely. One other profit is that greater notes loop sooner, giving every observe its personal character

That is an impact you hear quite a bit on bass music, dubstep, and drum & bass.

Lastly, I’m going so as to add further layers of distortion and saturation. Overdrive, OTT, and Ableton’s Saturator will do the trick right here:

I’m going to cease right here, however you don’t must. Be happy to resample this, chop and screw with the audio, and see what you’ll be able to provide you with.

Observe: need to dive into extra heavy bass design? Take a look at our course Breakthrough Sound Design.

Tip #5: Dreamy Atmospheres Utilizing The Whirlpool Approach

The Whirlpool Approach is one thing I’ve been utilizing for years to get dreamy, stretched-out goodness. This works nicely in ambient/chill genres, however you need to use it in something that wants an environment.

First, you’ll need to begin with a fundamental sound that has the core tonality you need. For instance, a piano chord will flip right into a very nice harmonic drone, or a area recording will flip right into a very nice spooky ambiance.

I’m going to make use of a guitar pattern:

When you’ve discovered a sound, you need to observe this course of:

Course of → Resample → Reverse → Repeat

I’m going to make use of a few reverb items to begin off with to actually blur the sound out.

As soon as I’m glad, I’ll resample and reverse the bounced part of audio.

This time, I’m going so as to add delay, echo, and one other dose of reverb. Now issues are beginning to sound very ethereal.

As soon as I’m glad, I’ll bounce and reverse it once more. Now I can add much more delay, reverb, and different results to moreover unfold it out.

You possibly can see this forwards and backwards ‘whirlpool’ course of turns something into a good looking soundscape. On the finish, you’ll be able to even export it as a WAV to make use of later in different tracks.

Bonus Tip: Take a look at Paulstretch for getting these tremendous lengthy drone-type textures. It really works a deal with with the above tip.

Tip #6: Grasp Audio Resampling

One of many coolest issues about resampling is something can turn into audio.

Even your complete tune.

That is the place grasp resampling is available in. You possibly can take your total observe and:

• reverse it
• course of it
• pitch it down
• stretch it out
• repeat all the above

I personally like to make use of this for fills on the finish of sections to shock listeners.

On this case, I’m going to resample this hip-hop observe I’m engaged on and reverse it on the finish of a 4 bar part.

Merely resample your complete grasp as normal, and take the snippet of audio at the start of the following bar. Even 2 beats may very well be lengthy sufficient.

Reverse it and place it two beats earlier than the beginning of that bar. You possibly can take it additional by processing it with different FX like refrain and delay to make it ‘leap out’.

Limitless audio resampling prospects! And lastly, let’s have a look at one thing a bit out-of-the-box.

Tip #7: Report Your Audio system/Screens…

…along with your telephone.

This sounds silly at first, however you’ll be able to really get some actually pretty outcomes. The variations in frequencies and tones can add one thing particular.

Many producers have accomplished this for years so as to add further texture to their basses, leads, and different sounds.

You’re not going to make use of your customary resampling workflow this time. Merely flip your studio displays as much as an inexpensive quantity, get your telephone recording app open, and file the sound.

After this, drag it into your DAW and align it with the unique sound. You could need to course of it with EQ and different FX for each mixing and inventive functions.

Right here’s how I did it with a lead sound:

Earlier than layering:

You possibly can hear the way it provides an entire lot of texture! Resampling audio is actually countless.

Past Resampling Audio

These are only a few methods you need to use resampling in your music. On the finish of the day, it’s a instrument in your producer toolkit that you need to use at any level. An enormous a part of resampling is having good materials to work with.

That’s why we created the EDM Starter Equipment – full of samples you could twist and mangle via resampling.

You’ll additionally get a bunch of different sources, together with PDF guides and Serum presets. Seize it under! ?

Missed something on this information? Drop me a line at [email protected].