Deconstructing Hit Songs: Vocal Sampling and Vocoders

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We're excited to bring you this course on vocal production! Specifically, we're going to look at using vocals to create interesting layers by slicing to MIDI, sampling, re-pitching, gating, and using vocoders. We'll also look at effects chains to enhance the resulting sounds. To provide context, we'll dissect a number of songs that exemplify these techniques from artists like DJ Snake, J. Dilla, Skrillex, Gryffin, Kasbo, and Giorgio Moroder.


Lesson topics include:

  • Using Simpler and Sampler for Vocal Sampling
  • Using MIDI to Trigger Vocals and Control Pitch
  • Vocal Harmonies and Warping Algorithms
  • Looping and BPM-Syncing
  • Slicing
  • Optimizing Instruments
  • Effects Chains
  • Sustained Vocal Loops
  • Creative Gating
  • Vocoders and Carriers


Your Instructor


Paul Laski
Paul Laski

Paul Laski (P-LASK) is an Ableton Certified Trainer with over six years of teaching experience at DubSpot New York and Icon Collective Music Production School in Los Angeles. Paul has been involved in the electronic music scene for over a decade as a producer, remixer, sound designer, DJ, and educator.

Blending sounds from house, techno, garage, and beyond, P-LASK's original productions and remixes have been featured on Moody Recordings, Groovebirds Records, Crowd Records, Cherrytree (Interscope) Records, Abe Duque Records, Mean Red Music, Krafted Music, and his own imprint, Electric Dangerous Records. He has done remix work for artists such as Coeur du Pirate, Abe Duque, Divisible, Pointe Claire, Edian (UK), Rainer Hoeglmeier (Germany), and Wei Wei (China).

A small selection of his sound design work can be heard in the factory preset bank of XFER Records’ SERUM software synthesizer. Paul continues to develop presets for software synthesizers, free Ableton Live Racks, and samples, many of which are available through his website (www.p-lask.com). When he's not busy in the studio, he offers instruction and consultation in Ableton Live and live performance for artists and producers in the LA area.


Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
If you purchase the course individually, you have lifetime access to the content. If you sign up for a membership, you'll have unlimited access to this course for as long as you keep your membership active.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.