Emulating Vintage Samplers

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In modern recording environments like DAWs, the limitations of current algorithms combined with the digital accuracy of 16, 24, or 32-bit depth or 44.1khz, 48khz, 96khz sample rates for audio can lead to "perfect" or "clean" sounding results - but the tradeoff is that the results can often lack "character". As we transitioned into 21st century recording technology, the accuracy that was thought to be highly desired eventually flipped on its head and now, software and audio engineers are often trying to recreate the "magic" that was originally present in vintage gear. In the process, they've found that character comes from high noise floors, digital "dirt" from lower bit depths and sample rates, saturation, etc.

In these videos, we learn some simple yet powerful techniques to quickly recreate that magic, and many of the examples in these lessons don't even require third party plugins or complex processing techniques. In particular, we'll look at the character that is inherent in vintage samplers - by understanding the fundamentals of what made them sound unique: old-school (state-of-the-art at the time) sample rates, bit depth, interpolation, analog-digital conversion, etc. - we will learn how to emulate the sound of these amazing machines.

Lesson topics include:

  • Emulating Vintage Samplers Intro
  • Sample Rate, Bit Depth, Interpolation
  • Turning Off Interpolation
  • Speeding Up a Sample When Recording
  • Manipulating ADC Settings Before Playback
  • Multiple Sample Layers as Zones


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


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