Sampling vs synthesis

[frank grimes jr.]

Bounce that shit to a wav man.
Work smart.

[Bazzle09]

^^ Yeah or get reason or at least something that wont upset your PC.

Im glad i learnt synthesis to what i know now, i can reverse engineer patches, and even work out how sounds are made to an extent, most of us can. But the most rewarding thing for me is, not using any patches and basically making the cake from scratch.

You got the time, go for it.

[nowaysj]

Really is both, and more.

But don't just take a sample of a line and loop that... no no no. Take a sample from a piece of music, or some audio source, not a sample cd, and start manipulating that sound. Sampling doesn't mean just use someone elses music. It means take that music, and create new music with it, and that doesn't mean just putting new drums underneath it.

Synthesis is the least fruitful method of creating audio for me, unless I'm seriously fucking with sound in reaktor or something. But just with an instance of massive, it's like pretty straight forward simple sounds...

But consider this - RESAMPLE yourself (this is the more part). Play your lines on your synth, play them into a sampler. Then start to reprocess your own sound. This is the way to start getting your sounds to have sufficient character and inventiveness to actually be interesting.

[3za]

Really is both, and more.

But don't just take a sample of a line and loop that... no no no. Take a sample from a piece of music, or some audio source, not a sample cd, and start manipulating that sound. Sampling doesn't mean just use someone elses music. It means take that music, and create new music with it, and that doesn't mean just putting new drums underneath it.

Synthesis is the least fruitful method of creating audio for me, unless I'm seriously fucking with sound in reaktor or something. But just with an instance of massive, it's like pretty straight forward simple sounds...

But consider this - RESAMPLE yourself (this is the more part). Play your lines on your synth, play them into a sampler. Then start to reprocess your own sound. This is the way to start getting your sounds to have sufficient character and inventiveness to actually be interesting.

That is a killer post, apart from I love synthesizers.

[amphibian]

I know that people are going to tell me oh synthesising all the time, but how much sampling do you do and how much synthesis do you do?

I'd like to start synthesisng most things from scratch (pads, strings, risers, leads) but I have neither the CPU or the know how.

So I use either the DAW presets or the synth presets whatever I'm using.

And then there's whole samples of things like melodies pianos etc from sample sites that I tend to use simply because I don't know enough theory to write my own music.

I know this is coming across as lazy in a way. But better to have a sample than attempt your own and it be terrible innit?

So what are your views on this: Do you sample more/synthesise more?? And if so why?

I do a shitload of synthesis - but you can also use any sample and create almost any kind of sound you want from it.

If you want to do something - do it. Only thing stopping yourself, is you.

I know this is coming across as lazy in a way. But better to have a sample than attempt your own and it be terrible innit?

That's a ridiculous argument imo. You'll never sound when you start out - get the hard stuff out of the way first. I spent an hour on music theory and started writing melodies that worked. I then spent another hour on chords. It doesn't take long. Synthesis however, is like unravelling parts of your brain. As you spend more time on it, you discover more and more.

[djlopht]

I don't think it is a cut or dry answer. Sampling and synthesizing should be something done in harmony with each other. If you find a great clip that works in well with what your trying to create, then you would be doing yourself a disservice to not use it (provided the sample is not long or central to the song without giving proper credit). Otherwise, I would say that the best and most unique toons are synthesized originally, but complimented well with fitting samples.

Cheers,
lopht

[step correct]

I use both liberally... but as time goes on I'm starting to avoid using any samples that have any kind of melody to them as they aren't always in key.

[narrator]

I need to sample more. my workflow suffers for the fact that i spend a shitload of time tweaking and making every little sound..

[tavravlavish]

I sample way more than I use synths.

[amphibian]

I need to sample more. my workflow suffers for the fact that i spend a shitload of time tweaking and making every little sound..

Na you need to change your workflow. Get the whole structure down with basic sounds then go back and tweak. Far easier, and way more productive when you know where you're going.

[narrator]

Na you need to change your workflow. Get the whole structure down with basic sounds then go back and tweak. Far easier, and way more productive when you know where you're going.

Yeah i agree with ya there.
i get too focused on the sounds which i feel has a negative effect against me as a producer. I do try mix as i go along instead of figuring out what to do with the mess at the end and have a general clear picture whilst working but this just tires you out and you lose interest/motivation to really go to town on the track itself even though i never settle for shit..