Making soul samples from scratch can seem like a daunting task, but it really isn't that bad if you know how to approach it. Whether you know music theory or not, you can create amazing soul samples quickly if you have a formula. That is the purpose of this post. I want to give you the steps that you need to create authentic, realistic-sounding soul samples faster.
Before we start creating soul samples, I want you to get into the correct mindset. You are composing a piece of music, not just slapping some VSTs together and throwing some RC-20 on top. Getting into the right mindset will help your mind come up with fresh, new ideas as you work.
Tip #1
Start With Your Main Chord Progression
You can make a soul sample that makes listeners feel any kind of feeling you want. Dark, inspiring, nostalgic, angry, and luxurious just to name a few. It all comes back to the chords and scale you use. Come up with a chord progression first before you do anything and play it with a piano, electric piano, or Rhodes piano. This will lay the foundation of your sample. If you need help with chord progressions, check out the Basis MIDI pack at TheLoopSource.com. It features 190 essential chord progressions sorted by emotion, vibe, and genre to make selecting a chord easy and efficient.
Now that you have your chord progression, add a bass line by copying the bottom notes. You may have to try other notes in the scale that you are in to find the note you want. You have tons of choices for basses when it comes to soul samples. For this example, I am using the Native Instruments Rickenbacker Bass. Just make sure to use a bass that is used in soul samples.
Here you can see the bottom notes of the chord progression used for the bass line.
Then just add a little flavor to the beginning and ending of your bass line with notes in the scale you are using. Something like this...
Tip #2
Layer Your Sounds Properly
Be intentional and layer your sounds with a purpose. To our piano and bass, let's layer an electric piano or a Rhodes piano (if you started with a Rhodes or electric piano then add an acoustic piano), violins, violas, cellos, and a choir with the same chord progression.
We won't leave it like this, it's just a quick template to get you on the right track. Now, I'm going to go into different ways to layer your instruments.
1) Layer different VSTs with the same or similar instruments
This is the most basic way to layer instruments. Essentially, this is having a trumpet and layering it with another trumpet, a trombone, or a tuba. Different VSTs have different sounds and sometimes when paired with a similar instrument, it can make the fused sound more full and dynamic.
2) Layer more instruments to show development or a coming transition
You can add more instruments to thicken up a sound even more or to emphasize a change is coming. Usually, these instruments you'll want to blend these into the mix so they don't stick out and alarm the listener. You can use this technique to add excitement and energy.
Three more instruments are added to the second half of the melody
3) Layer more notes to show progression and development
Start with one or two notes and then expand to other notes in the scale. This will add a nice swelling effect as the dynamic range increases throughout the chord progression. It also increases variation so your listener doesn't get bored.
Here the notes show progression and development as more notes are added
Use these layering techniques with the supporting instruments not so much the pianos or Rhodes. These methods work best on strings, woodwinds, and brass.
For pianos, try some mild strumming with the notes so that they sound like they are being played live. Your secondary piano can be strummed more than your main piano to add some ear candy and texture.
The main piano should be strummed lightly to look something like this
The secondary piano can be strummed a little more liberally
Tip #3
Different instrument expressions and volume automation are key
Try to play the instruments how they are played in real life. Volume automation is HUGE when it comes to making strings, brass, choirs, and woodwinds sound realistic. When creating volume automations raise the channel volume as you get to the middle of the longer notes. After you pass the center of the note begin lowering the volume. When it comes to shorter notes, experiment to see what sounds good.
Look how the volume swells up and down
Some VSTs offer different articulations. Make sure you take advantage and use them to make your music sound more authentic.
Adding ear candy with percussion, harps, glockenspiels, bells, guitars, etc...can completely transform your soul samples. Ear candy can be used to add emphasis to something or a little style. Listen to music similar to the kind you are trying to make and try to recreate the accents you hear. Don't give the listener too many things to focus on at one time. You don't want your music to be confusing and overcrowded.
You want the instruments to create a sound as a collective unit.
Tip #4
Don't over-process your sounds
Let the instruments make the track, not the effects. We want it to sound realistic, so it's important to have great sound selection. Soul music is known for its authenticity so, less is more. Mainly stick to some light EQ, reverb, or delay when processing individual instruments. Panning instruments is also a good idea if you want a big, wide sound.
Tip #5
Getting that vintage sound
Here are the five things you need for that authentic, vintage lo-fi sound.
1) Wow and flutter or some kind of light detune
2) Cut 10k frequencies and up - do this with an EQ
3) Add some light saturation (you want this to be subtle)
4) Add some compression (don't go too crazy with this)
5) Add some tape noise, vinyl noise, or hiss
If you followed these steps, you should have a pretty fire soul sample. If you want a more detailed explanation I would recommend checking out the Youtube video at the top of this article.
Thanks for reading and I hope this helped.