Sampling
Serato Sample Is Now Available
After much anticipation, Serato has made its new Sample plugin available to the public. The production tool has been in an exclusive beta test for the past three months.
Sample is a plugin that enables producers to find and manipulate samples in tracks using any DAW that supports VST and AU formats, such as Ableton Live, FL Studio, and Logic Pro. Sample is Serato’s first production tool since it launched Pitch ‘n Time in 1998.
The announcement was made on Monday on Serato’s blog.
“We initially launched Sample as a Beta for experienced producers to test. Feedback from this group helped us improve and cater to different producer’s needs, giving us the versatile, powerful, user-friendly plugin that’s now ready for trial and purchase.”
As an incentive, the company has offered a free 30-day trial for its users.
Download the trial or purchase Sample 1.0 here and watch Serato’s overview video above.
Related: First Look: Serato Sample
Watch a Producer Make a Track Using Serato Sample
Serato made waves in April when it announced Serato Sample, the company’s first VST plugin. Since then, a select group of producers have been experimenting with it as part of an exclusive public beta.
Ryan Enzed, a DJ/producer from New Zealand, has shared a video of himself doing just that. In the clip, he makes a track with samples that he built using the VST. He offers insight into his process, as he adds layers and manipulates sounds with features like Key Shift and Time Stretch. The finished song can be heard at the end.
Enzed is no stranger to producing and sharing his knowledge. His YouTube channel, which has over 6 million views, contains numerous production tutorials. As a producer, he has released music on Dim Mak and Big Fish Recordings.
Serato recently stopped accepting applications for the beta, and there’s no word on when Sample will be released. However, Enzed’s video provides producers with an in-depth look at it in the meantime.
Watch his video above.
Related: First Look: Serato Sample
The Samples Behind Capone-N-Noreaga’s ‘The War Report’
Power 106‘s Wax Only series is back to examine Capone-N-Noreaga’s gritty debut album, The War Report. The project, which was released 20 years ago on Saturday, is considered an East Coast hip-hop classic.
The War Report included production from legends like Marley Marl, Lord Finesse, Buckwild, and DJ Clark Kent. It contained the singles “L.A. L.A.,” “T.O.N.Y. (Top of New York),” “Illegal Life,” and “Closer.” (“L.A., L.A.” was in response to Tha Dogg Pound’s 1995 track, “New York, New York.”)
Despite not having a hit single, The War Report was a commercial success. It peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard 200 and No. 4 on their Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, making it the pair’s highest-charting album to date.
Watch above to see Vin Rican go through the samples.
Related: The Samples Behind Wu-Tang Clan’s ‘Wu-Tang Forever’
Watch P-Lo Make a Beat by Sampling Random Records
Bay Area producer and rapper P-Lo was recently featured on Mass Appeal’s Rhythm Roulette.
The series challenges producers to make a beat by sampling three random records, chosen from a record store while blindfolded.
After picking up some vinyl at New York City’s A1 Records, P-Lo headed to the studio. The process started off slow, but he ended up delivering a bouncy track, which he classified as a “collar popper.”
Born in Pinole, California, P-Lo rose to prominence in 2013 after producing the singles “Act Right” for Yo Gotti and “Bout Me” for Wiz Khalifa. In 2008, he co-founded the HBK Gang, a collective whose members include Kehlani, Sage The Gemini, and IamSu. His recent album, More Than Anything, features tracks with E-40 and G-Eazy.
Watch P-Lo on Rhythm Roulette above.
The Making of Travis Scott’s ‘Antidote’
Rising Canadian producer Eestbound recently sat down with Genius to discuss producing Travis Scott’s 2015 hit, “Antidote.” The song, which peaked at No. 16 on Billboard’s Hot 100, was certified triple platinum in April 2017.
Eestbound recounted how he and co-producer, WondaGurl, stumbled upon on Lee Fields & The Expressions’ “All I Need,” which they used as the song’s main sample. He also discussed how his simplistic approach to producing the song helped fuel its creative process.
Watch the video above.
First Look: Serato Sample
Producers have been eager to get their hands on Serato Sample ever since its introduction last week. The plugin is currently in private beta, though, which means that not everyone who applies will be accepted.
Thankfully, Mojaxx has given a “first look” at Sample to provide an overview of its features and clear up any confusion.
Watch above and apply for the beta on Serato’s website.
Related: Serato Announces Public Beta for New Sampler Plugin
DJcity and Splice Release ‘Bootleg Bodega, Volume 3’ Sample Pack

Tall Boys
DJcity and Splice have kicked off the new year with the third installment of their Bootleg Bodega sample pack series.
The packs, which are curated by DJcity’s Tall Boys, contain sounds geared towards open-format DJs.
The third volume features sounds from KSHMR, Ekali, Medasin, Deekline, among others.
Download the pack and get two months of free access to Splice Sounds here (use promo code DJCITY3).
Watch below to see the Tall Boys demonstrate how they produced their “Bad & Boujee” edit, which makes use of the sample pack.
Related: DJcity and Splice Release ‘Bootleg Bodega, Volume 2’ Sample Pack
DJcity and Splice Release ‘Bootleg Bodega, Volume 2’ Sample Pack

The Tall Boys perform at the Ocean Bar in Hermosa Beach, California on July 4, 2016.
As promised, DJcity and Splice are back with the second installment of the Bootleg Bodega sample pack series.
The packs, which are curated by DJcity’s Tall Boys, contain sounds geared towards open-format DJs.
The second volume features sounds from deadmau5, Bad Royale, KRNE, among others.
Download the pack and get two months of free access to Splice Sounds here (use promo code DJCITY2).
DJcity Partners With Splice for Sample Pack Series

DJcity has partnered with music production platform Splice for a sample pack series called Bootleg Bodega. The packs, which are curated by DJcity’s in-house production team, contain sounds geared towards open-format DJs.
The first installment is curated by Los Angeles DJ/producer duo, the Tall Boys.
Download the sample pack and get two months of free access to Splice Sounds here (use promo code DJCITY).
Stay tuned for more packs in the coming months.
Related: Tall Boys Drop Bootleg of YoungBloodZ’ ‘Damn!’ and RL Grime, What So Not and Skrillex’s ‘Waiting’
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