

Hip hop producers have been sampling vinyl records for decades, blending classic records with modern sounds. This could be a single instrument like a drum break or bass groove, or a full arrangement.

In some cases, a sample can refer to a sampled record. Some one-shot samples are processed, while others are “dry” and designed for you to sculpt and mold as needed. A “one-shot” sample is a short clip of a single instrument, like a kick drum or even a vocal adlib. However, it can take some work to get them to sit right in your mix.ĭepending on who you’re talking to, a sample could mean one of two things. In most cases, loops are pre-mixed, meaning they don’t require much processing to get them to sound good. It is always meant to be accompanied by additional recordings. It could be a single instrument or an entire ensemble, but it’s never intended to be the full instrumental track. Generally speaking, a loop is a pre-recorded piece of music that is used alongside original recordings in a track.

Let’s talk about the difference between loops, samples, and two-tracks. What’s the Difference?īefore you slap a multi-band compressor across your mix bus, it’s important to think about what kind of track you’re working with. In this blog, we’ll share a few of our favorite tips for working with loops, samples, and two-tracks to help you dial in a cohesive mix. And while they can add the perfect texture or tone to a track, they can sometimes be difficult to mix. Over the last few decades, it’s become increasingly common for commercial productions to use pre-made loops.
