how to make good analog samples

[popthree]

i record with reaper. i'm trying to make organic samples that fit the time signature and wrap around perfectly so they sound seemless. here is an example of a loop.. but the timing is slightly off on it...

http://www.soundclick.com/util/getpl...d=6954377&q=hi

does anyone know how to make something like this stretch or shrink into the grid so it is seemless and perfectly timed.. ?

[StuH]

Audio snap in Cakewalk Sonar 6 and up will do this. Maybe there is a similar feature in Reaper?

[popthree]

yeah thats pretty cool. i'll have to dig around and figure out how to do the same in reaper. i bet it is possible. thanks !

[Ben Harmless]

Hmm. I'm not 100% on what you're asking, but there are a few things you can do:

1. If you want to modify the sample to fit a specific tempo, you can use the snap-to-grid feature to fit the sample to the grid, and if there's only a little bit of noise sticking out, you can drag the heads and tails of the sample in and out, and use fades to change how the sample begins and/or ends.

2. Alternately, Reaper can automatically crossfade between overlapping samples, so that if you've got the beginning of the sample lined up to your grid, the end will simply overlap the next sample.

3. You can always shift the tempo of the piece to match the length of the sample if it's something that you'd like to be foundational to the piece. The math obviously varies here based on the relationship between the sample and your time signature.

4. You can timestretch or squeeze the sample. I don't really recommend this for any sample in which you don't intend for digital artifacts to be a part of the sound. You might have better luck if you don't care about maintaining the pitch, but I suspect you do. I've never heard this sound particularly good.

[graphs]

Your loop sounds pretty consistent as is. I would just fine tune the tempo of your song until it fits. You can get away with slight timing inconsistencies by re-triggering it each repetition rather than running it as a loop for a whole song. I think your software might have a bit of a struggle with quantizing that type of loop because.

[popthree]

i think the problem is that i'm using a footpedal type 'looper' and mic'ing my amp. the loops may sound 'in time' 4/4 but they aren't always exactly 4/4. so when i try and match up a basic rock drum loop with my slightly out of time guitar loop, it doesn't jive. i need to be able to slice a section of the loop and cure the timing problem... or, i guess, play it perfectly in time...which is really hard to do.

maybe i just need to figure out a better way to make the guitar loops... if i start in the recording software rather than relying on the hardware looper pedal.

[Ben Harmless]

Aaaaaahhhhhhh.

Well, in that case, I'd record a few loops into Reaper, and then use it to slice the loop to where it sounds best beginning and ending to you, then just loop it in Reaper at a tempo based on the final length of the sample, and play to that.

It sounds good to me too, BTW. I kinda want to go home and play with my looper now.

Once you get into "the zone" here, I think you're going to come up with even cooler stuff.

[graphs]

You could also use the metronome or backing track function on your looper while recording the loop and turn it off when you record the loop into your computer.

[popthree]

my looper is pretty simple..its nothing fancy... an akai headrush..great for spontanious jamming, but has no backing tracks, etc.. i'm not sure a metronome would help in this case. the timing issues are small... its only when i pull them into a recording software that it is really evident to me. could bea tiny delay with the analog switch mechanism i'm stepping on causing the inconsistency.

[popthree]

Originally Posted by Ben Harmless

It sounds good to me too, BTW. I kinda want to go home and play with my looper now.

Once you get into "the zone" here, I think you're going to come up with even cooler stuff.

its alot of fun. i've made some really intriguing (to me anyway) sounding loops but i've never recorded any of them...this was my first test at doing so... just to see if i could get something to align that i can work with. i'll have to keep playing around with it.

i may be able to get it timed more closely with my foot stomps..

these loopers are alot of fun. i get lost in the noise .. its a trip.

[octatonic]

I don't know Reaper but in Logic and Protools you just timestretch the sample to fit between locators.
It is one key command in both applications- I'd suggest asking on a Reaper forum if one exists.

[PeteMac]

I'm new to software recording, but could you record your parts directly into your software (with the metronome going ) and then set the software to loop?
I know it's bypassing your looper pedal, but unless it's doing something that you particularly like, I would think it would be the same thing, only "in time" with your software metronome ( and could therefore be stretched, looped, shifted, or coloured purple if you like!!!) :-)

[popthree]

Originally Posted by PeteMac

I'm new to software recording, but could you record your parts directly into your software (with the metronome going ) and then set the software to loop?
I know it's bypassing your looper pedal, but unless it's doing something that you particularly like, I would think it would be the same thing, only "in time" with your software metronome ( and could therefore be stretched, looped, shifted, or coloured purple if you like!!!) :-)

yeah i can do that. the magic of the looper is that creating the layers of loops is so dynamic and natural... i can just play and play and when i find something that is perfect all i do is step on the pedal and trap it... there is no stopping to make mouse clicks.