How I Created This Soul Sample from S950 Magic Vol 1

I am going to start making a series of blog posts covering how I create my samples. If the interest is there I may end up making a masterclass on how to compose your own 100% original samples for you to flip in your own beats. If you are concerned of sample clearance this is the only way to go. Once I got hit with a copyright strike on YouTube I realized I better start making my own samples. This solves two problems:

This is where having your own MIDI keyboard comes in handy. If you want a good one that is affordable I suggest you check out this post.

The good news is you don't have to know a tons of music theory to make dope soul samples. You need to learn your basic notes, basic chords and experiment with what sounds good. For this sample I played an E major add 6 chord. To be honest, I wouldn't know what that chord consisted of until I looked it up. You just need to know what sounds good. Train your ear. Listen to a lot of soul records and understand what they sound like. Once you have that background you know how everything should sound.

Good composition typically results in you layering your chords with other instruments. In this case I chose an organ. Organs are perfect for making authentic soul samples. Soul music is a byproduct of Jazz and Gospel music. They use the Blues scale and it's also related to Rock in some ways. You could layer your piano with strings, brass or whatever you chose that sounds good. In this case I chose the organ because I wanted a gospel sounding feel to this one.

Strings come in all shapes and sizes. You could add a violin, a cello, a viola. Alternatively you can change the way they are played for example pizzicato, staccato, trills, tremolo. For this sample I chose a basic full sounding string that plays at the top of everything. You don't have to get too crazy with this. This just ties the whole composition together. For soul samples strings are practically a must have.

Horn sections are just like strings. There are multiple options for types and way they are played. For this one I just chose a natural sounding orchestral trumpet. This patch is one of my favorite go-to sounds for creating my own soul samples. You can play them in harmony with the string or bass section or you can change them up. It's up to you and what you are going for.

This is an extra sound that could be necessary to your soul sample or may just be filler that is not needed. Sometimes I use this patch if I want to fill the middle of the frequency and beef it up a bit. It has an expressive feel. Alternatively you could have one that is staccato that plays with the glockenspiel. The choice is yours.

This choir just basically fills up the frequency field. It's something you don't really hear in the final result but without it the sample doesn't feel as full. Sometimes you need sounds like this to beef up your soul samples. This is just the gospel whoo patch from Omnisphere. You could also use AI tools like Suno to make your own soul vocals. Just remember AI is a tool. As long as you're composing most of the sample yourself who cares if you get a little help from AI? Especially when you need a sound that cannot be done without an actual singer you don't have access too? Either way, make your own choices. It's your sample!

Bass makes all the difference in your samples. You need something natural sounding. This patch is the Motown Bass from Sampletank. Simple bass guitar sound that is really my go-to when creating my soul samples. Depending on the sample and what you are going for you could use a Moog bass sound or some synth but if you want an all original Motown type sound, bass guitar is the way too go.

Drums could be necessary in your soul sample or maybe not. This one needed that rhythm section. You don't have to have crazy drums. Just simple all natural kit sounds. Basic kick, basic snare and hi hats. Just make sure it sounds like a natural drum kit and don't use your regular hip hop/trap drums. They have no place here.

In the end all you have to do is arrange it in the playlist. Have the full production for 8 bars then you can switch it up for the next 8. I try not to make my samples more than 16 bars anymore because when I run them through my Akai S950 it will be too long to full fit. Besides 8-16 bars should give you enough material to flip the sample.

If you are interested in this sample go ahead and check out my S950 Magic Vol. 1 sample kit. It has: