Unique plugins for processing sampled beats

If you’re a pro at programming sampled beats, you may want to wring the most out of their sonics in a mix. Generic drum-processing techniques apply no matter where they come from, of course, but understanding the limitations of sampled one-shots and loops will help you dig deep for specific plugins that can solve unique problems.

Sampled drums lack the desired high-frequency content or ‘splash’. Instead of simply layering a new piece of audio into the mix, try a vocoder plugin set to generate white noise from the input signal, then mix its effect in subtly to coat the required ‘tail’ over the original sample. From here, automate settings for subtle variation.

If your track’s all-important kick drum is devoid of EQ-boostable low end, a subharmonic generator plugin can be used to add missing sub content. Though many prefer to swap out the drum for a different sample, using one of these tools can let you precisely blend, tune and envelope the sub bass in context.

Nebrini Audio Lo-Fi Clipper

It’s often the most basic tools that help when working to a tight deadline, and this three-knob dirtbox fits that remit like a charm. Though deceptively simple, it’s ideal for driving and darkening overly hi-fi sampled beats. It’s sensitively calibrated, so try the bare minimum 0.1 Saturation to shave off digital treble; raise Distortion a tad for grunt; then pull back Output to rebalance level increase.

Devious Machines Texture

If you need to bolster a sampled drum hit with additional content, this clever gadget removes the need for fiddly layering. It uses the input signal to trigger a sample – either one of the bundled ones, or you can import your own – that can then be enveloped and mixed in parallel. Perfect for, say, blending a splashy noise component over a dull snare sample, or for adding a transient click over a kick or tom.