Vocal sampling is a widely used technique in modern music production, adding an expressive human element to your beats. By creatively repurposing snippets of vocals from pre-existing recordings, producers can use them as rhythmic, melodic, or atmospheric elements. This guide explores various vocal sampling techniques and offers practical insights on how to incorporate them into your music for a unique and expressive sound.
1. Understanding Vocal Sampling
Vocal sampling gained prominence in the 1980s with the rise of digital sampling technology. Pioneers like Grandmaster Flash and The Bomb Squad used vocal samples from vinyl records, cutting and looping them to create new musical ideas. Since then, vocal sampling has spread across genres like hip-hop, electronic music, pop, and R&B.
Today, producers can source vocals from a wide variety of places—vinyl, cassettes, digital tracks, or online royalty-free libraries. Whether you're chopping up vocals from old records or using pre-recorded acapellas, vocal samples can add a human touch to your productions.
2. Techniques for Manipulating Vocal Samples
Once you've chosen a vocal sample, there are numerous ways to manipulate it to fit your beat. Here are a few techniques that can drastically transform the original sample.
a. Chopping and Rearranging
Slicing the vocal sample into smaller segments and rearranging them can produce new rhythms or melodies.
Practical Solution: Slice and Restructure
- Break the sample into smaller parts and rearrange them to form new patterns.
Example: Kanye West's "Gold Digger" chops and rearranges vocals from Ray Charles' "I Got a Woman," turning them into rhythmic elements for the beat.
b. Pitch-Shifting and Time-Stretching
Pitch-shifting alters the sample’s pitch without changing its speed, while time-stretching changes the length of the sample without affecting the pitch.
Practical Solution: Modify Pitch and Tempo
- Shift the pitch up or down to match the melody of your track, or stretch the sample to create unique textures.
Example: Daft Punk's "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" uses pitch-shifting to match the vocals to the track’s rhythm and melody.
c. Effects Processing
Adding effects such as reverb, delay, or distortion can dramatically change the tone and texture of the vocal sample.
Practical Solution: Apply Effects
- Experiment with reverb, delay, or modulation effects to create new textures and space.
Example: Burial's "Archangel" uses heavy reverb and delay to craft an atmospheric and haunting vocal sound.
d. Layering
Layering multiple vocal samples or stacking vocals with other instruments can create a fuller, richer sound.
Practical Solution: Stack Vocals for Depth
- Layer different vocal samples or combine them with instruments to create a lush effect.
Example: Flume's "Never Be Like You" uses layered vocals to create a thick, chorus-like texture that enhances the emotional impact of the track.
3. Incorporating Vocal Samples into Your Beats
Here’s how you can creatively incorporate manipulated vocal samples into your music production.
a. Vocal Loops
Looping a vocal phrase can create a hypnotic effect that serves as the song’s primary hook.
Practical Solution: Use Repeating Phrases
- Find a catchy vocal phrase and loop it throughout the track to create a memorable hook.
Example: Rihanna's "Work" repeats a looped vocal sample as the central hook, giving the song its iconic vibe.
b. Rhythmic Vocal Chops
Chopped vocals can be used rhythmically, almost like a percussive instrument, to enhance the beat.
Practical Solution: Use Vocal Chops as Percussion
- Chop the vocal sample and arrange it to act as a rhythmic element in your beat.
Example: The Chainsmokers’ "#Selfie" uses rhythmic vocal chops to add an extra layer of percussive energy to the track.
c. Atmospheric Vocal Pads
By applying reverb or delay and removing the attack, you can turn a vocal sample into a smooth, ambient pad that fills out the background of your track.
Practical Solution: Create a Dreamy Atmosphere
- Use heavy reverb or delay to transform a vocal sample into a soft pad that adds depth to your track.
Example: Moby’s "Porcelain" features atmospheric vocal pads that create a dreamy, expansive backdrop.
d. Melodic Vocal Leads
By pitch-shifting and sequencing vocal samples, you can turn them into melodic leads.
Practical Solution: Use Vocals as Melodies
- Manipulate the pitch of the vocal sample to create melodic patterns that lead the track.
Example: Skrillex's "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites" uses pitch-shifted vocal samples as a melodic lead in the song's iconic drop.
e. Textural Vocal Effects
With enough effects processing, a vocal sample can become unrecognizable, adding texture and complexity to your beat.
Practical Solution: Transform Vocals into Textures
- Apply heavy processing to create a unique textural sound from the vocal sample.
Example: Aphex Twin’s "Windowlicker" uses heavily processed vocal sounds to create an intriguing and unique sonic texture.
4. Legal and Ethical Considerations of Vocal Sampling
When sampling vocals from copyrighted material, it’s important to obtain proper clearance from the copyright holder. Many high-profile tracks have faced legal battles over unauthorized samples. However, using royalty-free sample libraries or original vocal recordings can help you avoid legal complications while still incorporating vocal samples into your work.
5. Tools for Vocal Sampling
Numerous software tools make vocal sampling easy and flexible, allowing you to manipulate and integrate vocal samples seamlessly into your beats.
- Ableton Live’s Simpler and Sampler: These tools allow easy chopping, pitch-shifting, and detailed control over vocal samples.
- FL Studio’s Edison: A powerful sample editor with time-stretching, looping, and spectral analysis features.
- Logic Pro X’s Quick Sampler: Provides intuitive sample manipulation with drag-and-drop functionality.
- Serato Sample and Output’s Arcade: Offer advanced real-time pitch-shifting, key detection, and sequencing for creative sample manipulation.
6. MIDI Controllers for Vocal Sampling
Using MIDI controllers allows for hands-on control over vocal samples, making it easier to ‘play’ the samples like an instrument.
- Pad Controllers: Devices like Native Instruments' Maschine or Akai's MPC let you trigger and manipulate vocal chops in real-time.
- Keyboard Controllers: These can be used to play pitch-shifted vocal samples melodically, as seen in Madeon's "Pop Culture" mashup.
7. Advanced Vocal Processing Techniques
For more creative control over your vocal samples, consider these advanced processing techniques.
a. Granular Synthesis
This technique breaks down a sample into tiny grains that can be rearranged for unique textures.
Example: Radiohead’s "Everything in Its Right Place" uses granular synthesis to create an ethereal vocal sound.
b. Formant Shifting
This alters the timbre of the vocal without changing its pitch, giving it a deeper or lighter character.
Example: Bon Iver’s "715 - CR∑∑KS" uses formant shifting to create a unique vocal effect.
c. Vocal Resynthesis
Tools like iZotope’s VocalSynth allow you to resynthesize vocals, converting them into waveforms that can be manipulated like synths.
Example: Resynthesize a vocal sample to create robotic or choral effects, expanding the possibilities for vocal-based sound design.
8. Creating a Cohesive Mix with Vocal Samples
To ensure your vocal samples blend well with the rest of your track, use these mixing techniques:
a. EQ Matching
Use EQ to match the frequency profile of your vocal sample to the rest of your mix.
b. Sidechain Compression
Sidechain your vocal sample to duck out of the way of other elements (like kick drums) and create rhythmic interaction.
Example: Sidechain compression in Avicii’s "Wake Me Up" helps the vocal samples blend seamlessly with the beat.
c. Reverb and Delay
Add space and depth with reverb and delay, helping the sample sit naturally in the mix.
Conclusion
Vocal sampling offers endless creative possibilities in beat-making, from basic chopping to advanced processing techniques like granular synthesis. With the right tools, techniques, and careful attention to mixing, vocal samples can add depth, character, and emotion to your tracks. As you continue to experiment with vocal sampling, remember that the key to mastering this art lies in creativity and innovation. The more you explore and experiment, the more unique your beats will become. Happy beat-making!