Sampling and Sequencing: Exploring Styles of Music Production

In the realm of music production, there are broadly two styles that producers adopt – ‘Sampling’ and ‘Sequencing’. In this article, we delve into the specifics of these techniques, their application, and how they can be combined to create unique music tracks.

What is Sampling?

Sampling refers to the technique of borrowing portions from existing tracks and reassembling them to produce a fresh piece of music. The critical tool employed in this process is a ‘sampler’, a piece of equipment designed to capture and manipulate sounds from an external source.

Samplers come in two varieties: hardware and software. In both types, sounds are assigned to pads in the settings, and triggering these pads produces the corresponding sounds. MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) plays a significant role here, as it enables the triggering of phrases at desired timings. Therefore, to make the most out of sampling, one needs to effectively manage both audio and MIDI.

What is Sequencing?

On the other hand, sequencing involves inputting performance data via MIDI and routing this information through software-based sound sources to perform the track. The software sound sources used in sequencing are capable of playing musical scales. As a MIDI scale input is fed in, the corresponding waveform is generated and sounded.

The range of software sound sources is vast. For instance, some are designed to model the sound of a real piano, delivering an exceptionally realistic sound quality.

Combining Sampling and Sequencing

When producing music, you are not limited to using only one of these styles. In fact, combining sampling and sequencing can open up exciting possibilities. For instance, you can sample drum sounds from a record and pair them with an original melody created via sequencing. This fusion can result in a more sophisticated musical output.

In conclusion, while ‘sampling’ and ‘sequencing’ present two distinct styles in music production, you are not bound to choose just one. Leveraging the unique texture provided by sampling and the liberty of creating melodies offered by sequencing can let you craft your unique musical masterpiece. Feel free to experiment and see what combination resonates with your musical vision!