Working with loops

[computers70]

I would like to ask opinion on using loops entirely to do music, as there are good loop pack available from loopmasters and many more.Does using loops make the music cheap or is it a quick way to do something.
In the professional music scene is there composers working entirely on loops ?

 

[Cheez]

The problem with loops is that you are limited in your creativity. You are reliant on the loop's arrangement, not your own.

However...it still takes skill to mix loops creatively. Bad looping will probably sound like rojak with everything out of place. Done creatively, I'm pretty sure it will sound good.

I have some loops (one of my favorites is Spectrasonics' Metamorphosis), but I hardly use them. I would rather create my own. But in some situations, I would still use them.

Do pros use them? Yes, I'm sure. How do I know? Because I recognise some of the loops!!! I know which library they came from. In particular TV series - I can't stand it when they keep using loop scoring libraries (and many times, the same ones). How do I know? Because I have the same libraries!!! For 99% of the general population, it wouldn't matter since they wouldn't know. But if you are using samples, you can probably identify them if you've keep track of libraries out in the market. That's one of the problems with loops.

 

[hohoholalala]

Hi computers,
using loops is part and parcel of quick composing or mockups. Few things u can do to make your stuff more unique tho..

put them thru dblue glitch: http://illformed.org/plugins/glitch/

audiostretch and mangle the loop with effects or whatever else until it becomes an ambient bed. Don't worry about how "cheap" it is..even the media venture guys run pre recorded loops thru ableton to give it a unique flava.

 

[kongwee]

It depend on your need. Loop is faster to mock up a demo, so that you present to customer to build up a project. Some loop are professionally done and allow you to spend more time to do something else. For me , I use more on non-musical or non-rhythmic loop to add layer on my project. Those musical or rhythmic loop is for project that don't really required original composition.

 

[computers70]

Yes, I do agree with loops being creatvely used. When using loops as what was told by Cheez is a reliant on the loop's arrangement, not my own. Can I still put down my name as the composer, arranger or not at all.

 

[logicdroid]

When using loops as what was told by Cheez is a reliant on the loop's arrangement, not my own. Can I still put down my name as the composer, arranger or not at all.

Usually the answer is yes. You buy their loops, they let you use in your creation.
Read the license agreement in the loops folder or during the installation of the loops, there's a read me document which spells out what you can or can't use the loops for.

On the side, get Melodyne Editor if you want to change the pitch/es of note/s in an audio loop arrangement. You can change individual notes, even in a chord. Of course these things aren't without bugs...

Best,
R.

 

[Cheez]

Always mix loops with multisamples. Using it raw is just too obvious. Try to hide in the background as ambience. Avoid using from one library.

These are all "cheating" ways to avoid others discovering you are using loops. Best way - learn arrangement and do it yourself. Sometimes, finding the right loops take a long time. It can be faster if you just come up with the arrangement.

 

[widdly]

The loops on sample CD's are clichéd and mostly awful. Most successful loop based artist tend to sample loops from old recordings. You are probably going to need a lawyer if you want to make money doing this.

Check out this tune from portishead...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkXGEmFXVRo
..then this tune from Issac Hayes in the 1970's..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgIqCy4rvKM&feature=related

..or this video on Daft Punk's sample sources..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJPdVVOmbz4

Check the drums in this beastie boys tune..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIikcGo_dgU
..straight from this led zep tune..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbrjRKB586s

 

[logicdroid]

Sometimes, finding the right loops take a long time. It can be faster if you just come up with the arrangement.

And you can call it your own.

The thing about playing along with loops is it's just fun. You'll encounter spontaneous rhythmic playing styles and tend to react differently to the different emotions they produce... it's like jamming with players from all over the world.

Like Kong Wee said, it's nice to have ambient and non-looping type of sound efx for background type stuff as well.

Best,
R.