1st April, 2023
Whether it’s about creating your unique music style, sharing it with producers, or making a little money on the side, there are plenty of reasons for creating your sample packs. A sample pack refers to a collection of sounds (loops and one-shots). These sample packs are specially designed for music producers, beatmakers, and DJs so that they can create tracks and remixes or use them in live performances. They use these sample packs as building blocks for their productions. So, do you have the same plan to create your sample packs? This blog will share some practical tips for creating high-quality, professional, and original sample packs that you can sell.
1. Plan the Sample Pack
Before starting the sound design work, you should first plan the approach. Set clear goals, and it will help you work with maximum productivity. You should determine how many sample packs you need, what type of sounds you need, when you can finish the work, and so on. These will help you set a realistic plan and move ahead.
2. Target a Suitable Niche
Determining the exact stylistic choices or character of sounds will help you refrain from putting in unnecessary effort. In this way, you can ensure that the sample packs you create will be specific to a specific niche. If you are creating sample packs for the first time, it is recommended to stick to the genres you are familiar with.
3. Name the Pack
While naming your sound pack, you have to be a bit careful. Refrain from using any random name. Try to create a title that is both catchy and descriptive. Take the help of the internet or copywriters to come up with a catchy name that will attract your target producers or collaborators. Create a short, descriptive, and thoughtful name that brings to mind the context.
4. Check Copyrights
While creating your sample packs, you should avoid any kind of illegal practice. Generally, most of the time, you cannot use other samples for layering; however, in some cases, you can make it possible. Carefully consider the special requirements. For example, Zero-G (a sample pack manufacturer) lets new packs use their samples only in the ‘musical content’ format. The same thing is also applicable to romplers and sample-based instruments. Don’t forget to include copyright information in the EULA document.
5. Maintain Context
An effective technique for creating sample packs is to craft short tracks of loops and later extract their individual elements based on the requirements. It can ensure that the samples you are using will sound good in context. The same technique can be applied to tracks that you have already made. However, ensure that the sounds you have created are completely original.
6. Save in the Right Format
You need to export samples in the right format. The globally accepted sample pack format is WAV. It is effective for getting high-quality uncompressed audio and is compatible with nearly all DAWs. You can export sounds using 44.1 kHz and 24 bits. If you are looking for an alternative, you can try AIFF.
7. Enable Quality Control
Now you need to make sure that all your loops are working correctly without any dropouts or pops. It helps to have sample packs repeat naturally. You may need to utilize very short fades at the beginning and end of your loop to ensure seamless repetition. Keep your audio clean and ensure a high signal-to-noise ratio.
Wrap-Up
That’s it! Following these simple tips, you can create high-quality sample packs that you can sell and make a profit. Pay special attention to the copyright thing and the distribution of your sample packs. Making a sample pack means you’re creating a way to connect with more artists and producers. So keep up the good work and amaze the world with your creative sample packs.