Creation of a sample library
What Sample packs do producers want?
The ambient toolkit volume 2 library has been released for 2weeks now and has done well in terms of interest and sales.The sample library market is a fairly recent phenomenon and it would be interesting to find out who buys sample packs,why,what situations are they most useful in for producers and what types of sample packs would producers,musicians,dj's etc like to see more of?
There are loads of genres and sub genres,particularly in electronic music.Some genres become fashionable quickly and many sample library labels release packs to reflect the popularity of these genres.This is totally understandable as it is obviously beneficial to capitalise on a strong area of growth in any market,but what about the potential influence that sample library producers could have on future musical genres.Instead of reacting to changes in the market,what if sample producers became the trend leaders in creating new musical genres.
With software like able ton available,it has become easy to mix loops together and musical phrases from any genre.Hip hop beats could be worked together with acoustic guitar loops,generative synth sequences and dub bass lines without too much trouble.Some of these combinations obviously wouldn't work but the potential for creativity is there.
As a sample pack producer,the potential to put together sounds that wouldn't normally co exist in one pack might open up some creative possibilities for producers.So how about a sample pack with old school hip hop beats,folk guitars,sci fi sequences,jazz chords and generative ambient sequences.It may get messy but the creative possibilities would be open for my customers enabling them to create some unique tracks.I listen to Madlib a lot and have been inspired by the way he puts countless styles together to create an individual sound.any way just some thoughts from me on the future,any one with some opinions on what type of sample packs they would love to hear,let me know.Peace for now Papas st germain.
Monday, 28 October 2013
Monday, 21 October 2013
King Dome Downtown
King Dome Downtown
After releasing my new sample pack about 10 days ago,i decided to use the samples from some of my 9 previous packs to make a new track.This track is heavily influenced by the melancholic sounds of BoC from the Campfire Headphase era and by the heavy dub of King Tubby.In my eyes and ears, these two influences are pioneers in chasing unusual sounds and effects,making new sounds from old influences and creating music which is totally relevant now.Here is my tribute to those two outstanding influences in my music making,peace papas.
After releasing my new sample pack about 10 days ago,i decided to use the samples from some of my 9 previous packs to make a new track.This track is heavily influenced by the melancholic sounds of BoC from the Campfire Headphase era and by the heavy dub of King Tubby.In my eyes and ears, these two influences are pioneers in chasing unusual sounds and effects,making new sounds from old influences and creating music which is totally relevant now.Here is my tribute to those two outstanding influences in my music making,peace papas.
Monday, 14 October 2013
Ambient Toolkit VOL 2 - 50% Off Intro by Papas St Germain at Sampleism
Ambient Toolkit VOL 2 - 50% Off Intro by Papas St Germain at Sampleism
Unique quality samples created using some of the techniques described in my blog.A happy marriage between analogue and digital technology.The sounds are inspired by artists such Brian Eno,Burial,BoC,MBV,Four Tet,Phillip Glass,Autechre and any other true pioneers of experimental ambient music.peace for now Papas st germain.
Unique quality samples created using some of the techniques described in my blog.A happy marriage between analogue and digital technology.The sounds are inspired by artists such Brian Eno,Burial,BoC,MBV,Four Tet,Phillip Glass,Autechre and any other true pioneers of experimental ambient music.peace for now Papas st germain.
In The Box
I used an extensive range of software plug ins for the creation of Ambient Toolkit Vol 2.I have certain reliable favorites which i can always call upon to the job.These plug ins range from the free to the fairly expensive and can be simple dynamic and eq processors to harmonizers,time stretch and delay processors.All of these play an important part in sculpting the final sounds.
Probably my favorite plug in developers are PSP Audioware.I love all their stuff but i think they have some of the best EQ and dynamics processors on the market. The Vintage warmer is a classic and can be used to enliven any sound.I use it to get my beats sounding really saturated but it's such a versatile plug in that it can even be used in mastering or even on the master buss to give a track extra power.I also use the Noble Q EQ .This plug in is allegedly based on the old Pultec hardware EQ and the sound for this EQ is superb.I use it to get a bit more phatness in to snares or beats overall.Most PSP plug ins have a bit of a character to the sound which i prefer although many producers don't like the idea of plug ins colouring the sound. For sound mangling purposes i find Camel audio's plug ins The Camel phat and cm Alchemy player invaluable.Alchemy cm is free with the Computer Music monthly CD and amazing for sound mangling,filtering and re sampling of new sounds.I use both of these consistently and always get interesting results.Another plug in i use a lot is The Pulse Modulator by Audio Damage.This is a fantastic plug in capable of subtle tremelo effects or extreme distorted futuristic sequences.Incredibly, this is also a freebie also with CM magazine ,well worth checking out.The PSP plug ins are all available for a 14 day trial so you can try before you buy.
An unusual stand alone plug in i use is a timestretch plug in called paulextremesoundstretch. This great for taking boring sounds and turning them into symphonic ambient beauties, again a freebie.With all these software plug ins available,sound design and sound creation are ever more evolving with the potential to create and twist sounds to an extent not possible before.
I used an extensive range of software plug ins for the creation of Ambient Toolkit Vol 2.I have certain reliable favorites which i can always call upon to the job.These plug ins range from the free to the fairly expensive and can be simple dynamic and eq processors to harmonizers,time stretch and delay processors.All of these play an important part in sculpting the final sounds.
Probably my favorite plug in developers are PSP Audioware.I love all their stuff but i think they have some of the best EQ and dynamics processors on the market. The Vintage warmer is a classic and can be used to enliven any sound.I use it to get my beats sounding really saturated but it's such a versatile plug in that it can even be used in mastering or even on the master buss to give a track extra power.I also use the Noble Q EQ .This plug in is allegedly based on the old Pultec hardware EQ and the sound for this EQ is superb.I use it to get a bit more phatness in to snares or beats overall.Most PSP plug ins have a bit of a character to the sound which i prefer although many producers don't like the idea of plug ins colouring the sound. For sound mangling purposes i find Camel audio's plug ins The Camel phat and cm Alchemy player invaluable.Alchemy cm is free with the Computer Music monthly CD and amazing for sound mangling,filtering and re sampling of new sounds.I use both of these consistently and always get interesting results.Another plug in i use a lot is The Pulse Modulator by Audio Damage.This is a fantastic plug in capable of subtle tremelo effects or extreme distorted futuristic sequences.Incredibly, this is also a freebie also with CM magazine ,well worth checking out.The PSP plug ins are all available for a 14 day trial so you can try before you buy.
An unusual stand alone plug in i use is a timestretch plug in called paulextremesoundstretch. This great for taking boring sounds and turning them into symphonic ambient beauties, again a freebie.With all these software plug ins available,sound design and sound creation are ever more evolving with the potential to create and twist sounds to an extent not possible before.
Friday, 11 October 2013
Ambient Toolkit VOL 2 - 50% Off Intro by Papas St Germain at Sampleism
Ambient Toolkit VOL 2 - 50% Off Intro by Papas St Germain at Sampleism
Here is the new sample pack from papas st germain as documented in my blog. Sampleism have kindly helped with the artwork and the price will be low for a limited period.My next post will concentrate on some of the software plug ins which were instrumental in helping create some of the samples.
Here is the new sample pack from papas st germain as documented in my blog. Sampleism have kindly helped with the artwork and the price will be low for a limited period.My next post will concentrate on some of the software plug ins which were instrumental in helping create some of the samples.
papas st germain
papas st germain
This is a link to my sound cloud profile.Many of my samples are available here for free download.The samples give an example of the types of sounds i create using the techniques outlined in my recent blog posts.Feel free to use and abuse the available samples.The full packs are available to buy using the buy track button on each sound file.Peace and enjoy,papas st germain
This is a link to my sound cloud profile.Many of my samples are available here for free download.The samples give an example of the types of sounds i create using the techniques outlined in my recent blog posts.Feel free to use and abuse the available samples.The full packs are available to buy using the buy track button on each sound file.Peace and enjoy,papas st germain
Wednesday, 2 October 2013
Digital Days
I'm going to talk about the part that digital technology played in the creation of the Ambient Toolkit vol 2 sample library.The vast majority of sounds come from analogue sources outwith the computer but the true creative process really takes off when i get the sounds inside the computer.
I use Pro Tools for recording and editing.Reaper is used to create beats.I do this by importing individual kick,snare,hats,found sounds onto the time line and then i start placing them where i want to create the beat i want.I do this with the grid off and i refuse to quantise. I just use trial and error until i get the right sound tempo and swing.This takes a while sometimes but i like the end results from working this way.The freedom working in the computer gives me makes this process much easier than say working just in the MPC and allows me to move parts about quickly ,creating different accents.I also use Ableton to mangle a lot of sounds,create glitchy sounds and change pitch and bpms. Ableton is also great for quickly checking my samples to see if they work together. I prefer moving the blocks of audio around on the DAW timeline and it's a technique that Four Tet used on his last record "There is Love in You". He doesn't seem to work to the grid at all and manipulates the sounds as he works,rather than creating huge files of sound that then get mixed at the end.Digital technology is essential in this intricate editing and this is the real strength of working in the box.Can you imagine doing micro edits with tape? ,it'd take years to create a track.
Check this link to see how Four Tet worked in the box completely for two of his tracks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEUGilncRJs
In the next post ,i'll share some of the plug ins that i used to create the Ambient Toolkit sample pack.
I'm going to talk about the part that digital technology played in the creation of the Ambient Toolkit vol 2 sample library.The vast majority of sounds come from analogue sources outwith the computer but the true creative process really takes off when i get the sounds inside the computer.
I use Pro Tools for recording and editing.Reaper is used to create beats.I do this by importing individual kick,snare,hats,found sounds onto the time line and then i start placing them where i want to create the beat i want.I do this with the grid off and i refuse to quantise. I just use trial and error until i get the right sound tempo and swing.This takes a while sometimes but i like the end results from working this way.The freedom working in the computer gives me makes this process much easier than say working just in the MPC and allows me to move parts about quickly ,creating different accents.I also use Ableton to mangle a lot of sounds,create glitchy sounds and change pitch and bpms. Ableton is also great for quickly checking my samples to see if they work together. I prefer moving the blocks of audio around on the DAW timeline and it's a technique that Four Tet used on his last record "There is Love in You". He doesn't seem to work to the grid at all and manipulates the sounds as he works,rather than creating huge files of sound that then get mixed at the end.Digital technology is essential in this intricate editing and this is the real strength of working in the box.Can you imagine doing micro edits with tape? ,it'd take years to create a track.
Check this link to see how Four Tet worked in the box completely for two of his tracks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEUGilncRJs
In the next post ,i'll share some of the plug ins that i used to create the Ambient Toolkit sample pack.
Monday, 30 September 2013
The strong , strange haze
The strong , strange haze
This track uses samples from the last 6 sample libraries from Papas St Germain. The track is inspired by the guitar sounds of MBV and uses the techniques i've talked about in previous posts, such as analogue recording,natural noise and tape processing,found sounds,no quantising of beats and a free psychedelic feel to the music. I think it's good for electronic based music to use these techniques and to help to create a unique sound.
This track uses samples from the last 6 sample libraries from Papas St Germain. The track is inspired by the guitar sounds of MBV and uses the techniques i've talked about in previous posts, such as analogue recording,natural noise and tape processing,found sounds,no quantising of beats and a free psychedelic feel to the music. I think it's good for electronic based music to use these techniques and to help to create a unique sound.
Friday, 27 September 2013
Four Tet - Parallel Jalebi
Found this track by Four tet,another producer who does something totally unique with self imposed limitations,always good,peace papas
Found Sounds
I used a lot of found sounds in the creation of the beats for the Ambient Toolkit Vol 2. These sounds ranged from dropping metal bars in revereberant spaces to close micing keys and chains being dropped onto hard surfaces.Burial is a producer who uses this technique regularly on his productions, giving his tracks a unique sound and atmosphere. I like the idea of using everyday sounds from the world around us and incorporating them into musical textures and rythmns. I tend to layer these found sounds with snare hits from a SR 16 drum machine ,MPC 1000 or other found sounds i've recorded.I then compress and EQ the layered sound to create a one shot snare.Working this way ensures that the building blocks to the beats i create are unique .
I also like the way that Burial incorporates rain,vinyl crackle and hiss onto his productions.I think this gives his productions depth and life.I also sample sounds from the outside world such as bird song,traffic,rain and incorporate them subtly into synth samples and beats.By doing this,the samples sound as though they belong in the real world and can add depth and character to beats,pads and SFX. I view the sampler as an empty box that can be filled with any sound and made into a potential musical element.I think working this way helps create totally unique sounds which is what i'm trying to achieve with all of my sample packs including Ambient Toolkit Vol 2
Here is a link to an interview that Burial did for Wire magazine
I used a lot of found sounds in the creation of the beats for the Ambient Toolkit Vol 2. These sounds ranged from dropping metal bars in revereberant spaces to close micing keys and chains being dropped onto hard surfaces.Burial is a producer who uses this technique regularly on his productions, giving his tracks a unique sound and atmosphere. I like the idea of using everyday sounds from the world around us and incorporating them into musical textures and rythmns. I tend to layer these found sounds with snare hits from a SR 16 drum machine ,MPC 1000 or other found sounds i've recorded.I then compress and EQ the layered sound to create a one shot snare.Working this way ensures that the building blocks to the beats i create are unique .
I also like the way that Burial incorporates rain,vinyl crackle and hiss onto his productions.I think this gives his productions depth and life.I also sample sounds from the outside world such as bird song,traffic,rain and incorporate them subtly into synth samples and beats.By doing this,the samples sound as though they belong in the real world and can add depth and character to beats,pads and SFX. I view the sampler as an empty box that can be filled with any sound and made into a potential musical element.I think working this way helps create totally unique sounds which is what i'm trying to achieve with all of my sample packs including Ambient Toolkit Vol 2
Here is a link to an interview that Burial did for Wire magazine
Wednesday, 25 September 2013
Papas st germain remixes- Phoenix trying to be cool
Papas st germain remixes- Phoenix trying to be cool
slight diversion from my main blog theme here.This is a remix i did of the Phoenix track "Tryin to be cool".I used the Phoenix stems and added guitars,bass, beats and sfx from my own Nu Electronic Gaze sample pack to create the final remix.I always want to create a completely different feel from the original for a remix so i made a more melancholy track.Hopefully it puts a different slant on the original.Peace papas st germain.
slight diversion from my main blog theme here.This is a remix i did of the Phoenix track "Tryin to be cool".I used the Phoenix stems and added guitars,bass, beats and sfx from my own Nu Electronic Gaze sample pack to create the final remix.I always want to create a completely different feel from the original for a remix so i made a more melancholy track.Hopefully it puts a different slant on the original.Peace papas st germain.
Gear Junky
In my previous posts, i've only skimmed the surface of some of the techniques and inspirations behind the creation of Ambient Toolkit Vol 1 . In this post, i'm going to reveal some of the equipment used in the making of the sample pack and the specific purpose that some of the equipment serves.
First of all ,like most producers, i use a combination of analogue and digital.Analogue gear is still important when trying to create unique sounds and the original sound sources of a lot of my samples originate from analogue drum machines,found sounds,guitars,bass,synths ,hardware processors and microphones to record all this stuff.Personally, i like some subtle noise in the signal chain.I think it gives some depth to the sounds and conjures up the feeling of a living sound that has existed in the real world.I think that years of listening to analogue sound ,from the first ever recordings up to now,has almost pre- determined how us humans and music lovers perceive sound.I believe that we instinctively feel subtle nuances like slight hiss(not too much) ,natural reverb and echo as they place the sound and us in a real environment.Any way, let me crack on and reveal some of the older analogue equipment i used.
Out Board Kit List
Akai MPC 1000
I love this machine for creating beats on the fly,no quantisation as i like to create a slightly wonky feel for most of the beats i create.
Akai S1000 and S3000 XL
Probably most producers will think these machines are outdated and cumbersome but for me they have a magic sound to them.I put a lot of one shots and beats through these samplers for processing and it helps give the sound a slightly damaged ,crusty feel.I also love the timestretching on these for an early 90's vibe.
Joe Meek VC3 Optical Compressor
Good for recording any type of vocals,i use this to process synth sounds and beats.I get extra punch on beats in particular when using this.Great little unit,can be picked up on e bay cheaply.
Electro Harmonix Pedals
I've always used these pedals as a guitarist and use them even more as a producer.Big Muff,Holy Stain,Pulsar even the Poly chorus add subtle noise and character to sounds.
In my previous posts, i've only skimmed the surface of some of the techniques and inspirations behind the creation of Ambient Toolkit Vol 1 . In this post, i'm going to reveal some of the equipment used in the making of the sample pack and the specific purpose that some of the equipment serves.
First of all ,like most producers, i use a combination of analogue and digital.Analogue gear is still important when trying to create unique sounds and the original sound sources of a lot of my samples originate from analogue drum machines,found sounds,guitars,bass,synths ,hardware processors and microphones to record all this stuff.Personally, i like some subtle noise in the signal chain.I think it gives some depth to the sounds and conjures up the feeling of a living sound that has existed in the real world.I think that years of listening to analogue sound ,from the first ever recordings up to now,has almost pre- determined how us humans and music lovers perceive sound.I believe that we instinctively feel subtle nuances like slight hiss(not too much) ,natural reverb and echo as they place the sound and us in a real environment.Any way, let me crack on and reveal some of the older analogue equipment i used.
Out Board Kit List
Akai MPC 1000
I love this machine for creating beats on the fly,no quantisation as i like to create a slightly wonky feel for most of the beats i create.
Akai S1000 and S3000 XL
Probably most producers will think these machines are outdated and cumbersome but for me they have a magic sound to them.I put a lot of one shots and beats through these samplers for processing and it helps give the sound a slightly damaged ,crusty feel.I also love the timestretching on these for an early 90's vibe.
Joe Meek VC3 Optical Compressor
Good for recording any type of vocals,i use this to process synth sounds and beats.I get extra punch on beats in particular when using this.Great little unit,can be picked up on e bay cheaply.
Electro Harmonix Pedals
I've always used these pedals as a guitarist and use them even more as a producer.Big Muff,Holy Stain,Pulsar even the Poly chorus add subtle noise and character to sounds.
Monday, 16 September 2013
Sound track guitars BOC chords sample from ambient toolkit vol 2
Sound track guitars BOC chords sample from ambient toolkit vol 2
This sample was directly inspired by some of the sounds from Boards of Canada's Campfire Headhpase album.From what i have read on BoC and some of their techniques,it seems that they will record a sound live, resample it and then manipulate the sound using tape processing effects,some filtering and delays.I like the washed out blurred effect this creates and you can often hear some noticeable tape hiss on some of the sounds on their albums.For this sample i went for a similar idea .Many of the sounds on Ambient Toolkit are inspired by BoC, Burial, Four tet as well as older artists such as Philip Glass,Eno and The BBC Radiophonic workshop.In my opinion all of these artists are willing to go beyond the accepted norms of production to create their sounds,breaking a lot of rules on the way.Some times the limitations of the equipment being used can enforce great creativity,necessity being the mother of invention and all that.
I've blabbed on enough today so i'll leave it there for now,peace papas st germain
This sample was directly inspired by some of the sounds from Boards of Canada's Campfire Headhpase album.From what i have read on BoC and some of their techniques,it seems that they will record a sound live, resample it and then manipulate the sound using tape processing effects,some filtering and delays.I like the washed out blurred effect this creates and you can often hear some noticeable tape hiss on some of the sounds on their albums.For this sample i went for a similar idea .Many of the sounds on Ambient Toolkit are inspired by BoC, Burial, Four tet as well as older artists such as Philip Glass,Eno and The BBC Radiophonic workshop.In my opinion all of these artists are willing to go beyond the accepted norms of production to create their sounds,breaking a lot of rules on the way.Some times the limitations of the equipment being used can enforce great creativity,necessity being the mother of invention and all that.
Wednesday, 11 September 2013
soundtrack ambient chords ambient toolkit vol 2 taster sample
soundtrack ambient chords ambient toolkit vol 2 taster sample this is one of the samples from the forthcoming sample library Ambient Toolkit Volume 2.This sample represents the theme of the library with chilled out pads and synth sounds.This was created by resampling a guitar part that i had recorded .For this i used Camel audio's Alchemy cm version.I re sampled the guitar part in Alchemy and played the sample in real time using the Akai LPK midi controller.Working this way creates lots of happy accidents and sounds that just need to be edited and looped properly in order to create a good sample.I try as much as possible to create sounds out side of the computer,using analogue out board gear,microphones and found sounds.The idea is to create sounds that exist nowhere else as i get tired of hearing the same soft synth presets and sounds from the same soft synths as great as these instruments are.I'll keep you posted on how i created more sounds soon and hope fully upload some pictures of the gear and recording techniques used in the making of Ambient Toolkit Vol 2.Peace papas
Monday, 9 September 2013
creation of a sample library: Hi, my first Blog is a quick introduction to the c...
creation of a sample library: Hi, my first Blog is a quick introduction to the c...: Hi, my first Blog is a quick introduction to the creation of an audio sample library.I am creating a new sound library at the moment and my ...
Hi, my first Blog is a quick introduction to the creation of an audio sample library.I am creating a new sound library at the moment and my aim is to document the process from start to finish.I will add more content as the weeks progress with insights into production,recording and processing techniques as well as some visuals to highlight some of the equipment i use along the way,peace papas st germain
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