Why Do You Need New Sound Samples?

Have you ever noticed if you use the same sound samples that after a while your beats start to sound very similar. This is a very common problem with producers. Keeping a fresh source of sound samples is a must for anyone who makes beats - no matter what type of music you produce.

If you listen closely, you'll hear the super producers changing their sound samples every once and a while. For example, many of the beats the neptunes were doing started to really sound the same. Check out the drum sounds used in the following songs:

Ray Jay - "Formal invite"

Usher - "You don't have to call"

Kelis - "Get along with you"

Jadakiss - "Knock yourself out"

These are just a few examples of songs with really similar drum kit sound samples. But you'll notice that the sounds have changed considerably in more recent songs like:

Nelly - "Hot in herr"

Snoop Dogg - "Drop it like it's hot"

Neptunes aren't the only producers to do this, you can find the same trend in any major producer. Check out some of Timbaland's earlier work and you'll here the same prominent snare used over and over. But you don't hear it that often in tracks like Omarion - "Ice box".

I believe this is what really defines a super producer. We all fall in love with certain sounds that go together. This is a natural occurrence as a producer. But super producers will keep coming out with new sound samples and redevelop their signature sound over and over.

Look at what's happening to Lil Jon. His signature synthesizer and club claps and kicks were used in at least a dozen songs, but now you don't really hear anything from him. I don't want to classify Lil Jon as a super producer or not, but I guarantee that if Lil Jon doesn't come out with new sounds to define his beats that he'll be a nobody in no time.

Ray J - Sexy Can I