One thing that used to slow me down with sampling was getting from “I found a good sample” to actually having something I could play and build a beat around. So for the latest MPC Beginner Blueprint, I broke down the workflow I use from start to finish. I show how to take a sample, find its original BPM, use Warp so it stays locked to your project tempo, and then chop it two different ways: manually or using BPM-based chops. The BPM method is especially useful if you’re just getting into sampling. Once you understand the basic 1-2-3-4 count, the MPC can divide the sample rhythmically, which gives you a really easy starting point for creating new patterns. From there, I show how to convert the chops to pads, pitch or stretch them when needed, and actually play them into a new sequence. Then I throw some drums underneath it so you can hear how quickly a sample can turn into something completely different. The biggest thing I’ve learned is that sampling isn’t really about having some secret chopping technique. It’s about understanding timing, rhythm, and what parts of the original sample inspire you. If you’re learning the MPC and sampling has felt confusing, hopefully this helps take some of the mystery out of it. 🎥 MPC Beginner Blueprint Ep. 2 — How to Chop Samples on MPC 3 For the producers in here who sample: do you usually chop by ear, manually place your chops, or use BPM/region-style chopping first and adjust from there?

Peace everyone, It's been a grueling few days as everyone in my house, has become ill. I'd like to thank everyone for their patience, as being on the computer/livestream, etc., has ben difficult. Lastly, thanks to all of you who checked in on me -I truly appreciate it. I hope to be back up and guns blazing in another day or so!

One of the easiest ways to become a better producer doesn’t require another plugin, piece of gear, or course. Learn how to listen differently. Pick a record you love and listen to it several times. But instead of listening to the whole song, focus on one thing at a time. 🥁 Listen #1 — Drums Where does the kick hit? What is the snare doing? When do the drums change or disappear? 🎸 Listen #2 — Bass Is it following the kick? Following the chords? How much space does it leave? 🎹 Listen #3 — Music What are the chords and melodies doing? How many musical elements are actually playing at once? 🎼 Listen #4 — Arrangement When do instruments enter and leave? How long are the sections? What changes when the hook comes in? 🎚️ Listen #5 — The Details Now listen for everything you normally don’t notice—drops, filters, panning, automation, transitions, ad-libs, reverb, little sounds tucked into the background. You’ll probably hear things on the fifth listen that you never noticed after hearing the record 100 times. That’s because there’s a difference between hearing music and studying music. Once you start listening for the decisions behind the record, your favorite songs become some of the best production lessons you can get. The records you already love can become your textbooks. Try it with one song this week. What record would you choose to dissect? 👇

One thing I’ve realized on this producer journey is that whenever I figure out a workflow or solve a problem that made my own process easier, there’s probably another producer out there trying to figure out the exact same thing. So instead of keeping it to myself, I’ve been trying to document more of what I learn and share it. This tutorial walks through how I turn a simple 4-bar loop into a full song on MPC 3 — building an 8-bar hook, creating different verse sections, adding an intro and outro, and then putting everything together in Song Mode. Hopefully it saves somebody else some of the trial and error I went through figuring it out. If you’re working with the MPC and you’ve been getting stuck making loops instead of full arrangements, check it out. And if you already have your own way of doing it, drop your method in the comments too. I’m always interested in seeing how other producers approach the same problem. https://youtu.be/W1jNSxHBFMo

Hey heyyyyy 😏😎