In popular terms, Sampling refers to a digital recording of a short sound. Sampling synthesis is different from the technique of fixed waveform synthesis explained in the previous post on Bass Synthesis. Instead if scanning a wavetable made up of one cycle of a waveform (the process used in fixed waveform and wavetable synthesis) a sampler scans a large wavetable comprised of thousands of individual waveform cycles that make up several seconds of pre-recorded sound. As the w

It can’t be understated how essential bass is in every form of electronic music. The bass is as important as the beat, and when done properly will energize the listener to shake their ass and dance to the beat. Bass performs two functions in music, complimenting both the rhythm and melody at the same time, locking into the tempo and groove of the track with the kick drum while holding down the lower register notes and adding weight and movement to your track. There are severa

Distortion at any stage of the audio recording process has been viewed as both essential and intolerable based on what year it is and who you're talking to. Go back to an early rock & roll recording of Little Richard, James Brown or even the Beatles and you’ll hear recordings of artists and engineers pushing the equipment to the edge of their capabilities, adding colouration and tonal artifacts in electrifying ways. Alternately, as digital media became commercially available

In electronic dance music the kick is at the centre of the universe. The kick drum’s repetitive rhythm provides the pulse for which every other musical element is built on top of and around. Combined with its rhythmic counterpart, the bass, is what makes our ass shake and hairs stand up on end. Kick drums can come from almost any source imaginable - sampled from your favourite track, from a legendary hardware drum machine, a synth or euro rack kit, recorded live, or even by m