How do you organize your samples/loops?

[Dajbro]

I'm amassing quite a collection of loops and samples each month from magazines such as Future Music, Computer Music, Music Tech, etc. Since each bunch of loops/samples comes from a different source each month, I have dozens and dozens of folders full of music and I'm having a hard time knowing what is where.

How do you organize all of this? Do you separate everything into different folders? For example 1. Drum loops 2. Drum singles 3. Pads 4. Sound FX, etc. Do you have sub-folders for different styles?

I'd love to hear what some of you do to keep all of this organized so you can find what you need and spend your time making music and not searching for sounds.

Thanks in advance.

[Rusty G.]

This is a little off topic. . .But, I have never used loops. How do you use them. . .Which software/DAW are you using, and can you post some of your work so I can see what something that has been done with loops sounds like?

Thanks,
Rusty

[Dajbro]

This is a little off topic. . .But, I have never used loops. How do you use them. . .Which software/DAW are you using, and can you post some of your work so I can see what something that has been done with loops sounds like?

Thanks,
Rusty

I'm new to the home recording game, so I don't have any music to post right now as an example. I hope to have some ready in the near future though.

I'm running Ableton Live 7.

If you wanted to check out some music that inspires me to use samples and loops creatively: David Torn, Jon Hassell, Squarepusher, Amon Tobin, DJ Olive, Livehuman, Nils Petter Molvear among many, many others (Peter Gabriel, tons of hip-hop, etc).

David

[russ6100]

Just the usual - folders and sub-folders with a tree-like structure. I'm guessing most people do it this way.

[Dajbro]

Just the usual - folders and sub-folders with a tree-like structure. I'm guessing most people do it this way.

Thanks for the response. But I'm curious as to specifics when it comes to organization. How do you break down each sub-folder? Do you do it by instrument, genre, or what? I've read about people who do it by tempo. Just trying to get a feel for what peoples choices are and, most importantly, why.

[Rusty G.]

Thanks for the response. But I'm curious as to specifics when it comes to organization. How do you break down each sub-folder? Do you do it by instrument, genre, or what? I've read about people who do it by tempo. Just trying to get a feel for what peoples choices are and, most importantly, why.


I wouldn't think that you'd loop midi loops by tempo, because you can change the tempo of the loop by changing the tempo of the song. However, I could see them grouping by feel, like "shuffle", Pop/rock, metal, hard rock, ballad, etc. . .Or, an even better way is by beats, like 4/4, 3/4, 6/8, etc.

I've got Superior 2.0 and BFD. They're grouped by "riff" and fills, with cymbals (ride versus hi-hat).

[Tone_Terrific]

Great question.
I understand how one may contruct a song around loops but cannot get loops to fit a song. There seems to be no way to organize the likely candidates without listening, evaluating, experimenting...getting distracted with all the sounds, etc.

[Dajbro]

Great question.
I understand how one may contruct a song around loops but cannot get loops to fit a song. There seems to be no way to organize the likely candidates without listening, evaluating, experimenting...getting distracted with all the sounds, etc.

Getting distracted and bogged down is exactly what happens. I'd love to find a better way.

[Brion]

I don't think anyone can actually answer this question for you. I guess everyone has to organise things in ways that make sense to them. I imagine that you would have to organise by Type (Drum loops, drum hits, etc.) then Genre, then by time signature (not tempo) although the Genre's can cross over a lot. When you get the loops maybe try to listen to them and put the ones you might have a use for in a special directory and put the others you're less likely to use into another one. This way the ones you know you like will be in one place, but the ones you can't see a need for are still available, just not in your way. The most frustrating thing is spending (wasting?) a lot of time trying to find a loop that fits the vibe you're going for, meanwhile your creativity starts to wane and it becomes a chore instead of a joy.

[Judson]

tempo, key, feel, instrument... Its all personal.

You having loops from magazine cds makes it kind of easy because most of the tempos and the key of the loop will change to what you have in your live session. Put drums in one folder, then do subfolders of hits, breakbeats, house... blah blah blah, whatever fits your work flow. Then do the same with rhodes, bass, vocals, synths, everything else/


The whole thing for me with using samples is getting the right one to fit. I make totally sampled music and record vocalists over it (along with other things) but to me getting 5 wrong samples before I find the one right one is part of the process and integral to sampling itself. Most of mine are from vinyl and if anyone wants to hear the throw away tracks they are posted in my sig. I can post finished products if anyone wants them. Sampling is fun, try to find your own source material and you sound will become more of your own even though you aren't actually playing any live instrument.