Sample-based beats from a blind perspective
This article complements Leo’s video tutorials on YouTube. Watch the matching video when you want to hear examples; use this page when you want step-by-step text.
Before you start
- Pick one short sample (one to four bars) with a clear transient — a snare hit or chord stab works well.
- Name your project file something you can search quickly, for example
2026-10-sample-chop. - Turn on metronome or use a counted reference so loop points stay stable.
Chopping without relying on the waveform display
- Listen for the attack. Mark the start point by nudging in tiny increments until the click feels early, then back up one step.
- Find the end by listening for decay into noise or the next musical event — not by looking for visual silence.
- Assign each chop a spoken label in the track name, such as Kick chop A or Vocal stab 3.
Arranging
Build eight-bar sections first. Duplicate only after you can hum the pattern. Keep one “dry” version of the sample on a muted track as a reference.
Video companion
Search Leo’s channel for the latest sample-chop walkthrough. New videos are announced on Instagram and in the newsletter on the home page.