Sampling at higher speeds (45 rpm etc) properly

Something important on the sp is to remember sampling in tune, or sampling at higher speeds that still fall on perfect semitones, because the sp has no fine tune.

I wrote this for mpc-forums and everybody blew it off:

Someone had asked how much they should pitch a sound down to get it back to normal pitch.

Check it out:

The easiest way to test this is using a middle C sine test record, with the addition of a guitar tuner.

(If you do not have a test tone record, but you have serato, use soundforge or any other program to make a middle C tone wave file, and load that into serato).

With the record playing at 0% 33 rpm, the guitar tuner should hold a solid C.

When I use my old samplers like my sp-1200, I have no option for fine tune. The sp-1200 only pitches in semitones(halfsteps) with no way to fine tune. So if you sample out of tune, every note will be out of tune. Being that need to sample in fast to save as much sample time, here is what I do:

Put the turntable on 45 rpm, and using the guitar tuner, go up and down the pitch control (technics 1200) finding the highest speed that gives a *solid semitone* meaning the guitar tuner should be holding still on semitone X, X#, etc. It should not be teetering between two half steps, for example, going back and forth hunting between F and F# (a little sharp or a little flat). You don't want to take a sample and have your sample inbetween two half steps, because then you have to deal with fine tuning, etc. Waste of time.

On a technics 1200 turntable that *has a pitch control in GOOD CONDITION*, you will find that about +4.5% on 45rpm will give you the highest speed on 45 rpm that still falls onto a solid semitone. This translates to a F# (remember, 0% 33 rpm was middle C). F# is 6 semitones up from C.

So if I sample a record (considering the original players had their instruments all tuned), I know that I can sample in at 45 rpm +4.5% and pitch it back down 6 semitones (-6) and be right back in tune with the original record.

When I add synths, keys, or play live bass to my sampled beats, I never have to bother using fine pitch adjustment.

Keep in mind this works on MY 1200's. My 1200's are matched to each other so when I rock doubles, I KNOW that 7% on one table is 7% on the another table. I haven't done it with my Vestax tables. I recommend everyone use a tuner and see what works with THEIR turntables. If you have dirty turntables, or if your pitch controls are not calibrated properly, my values will NOT work for you.

Find a strobe tuner, like a Peterson, if possible. Most accurate IMO.

Somebody will probably say "wtf is this guy talking about" but anyone who has tuned an instrument knows what I am talking about when I say a a tune can be sitting in between two semitones (out of tune, a bit sharp or flat).

If the band/record you are sampling was too lazy to tune their instruments before they started recording, then you are **** outta luck and you need to deal with fine tuning. LOL.

If you have people play music over your tracks (session players), they will appreciate you doing this.

If you sample at normal speeds, don't worry about it.

P.S. I always see people using fine tune (doesn't apply to the sp-1200) in order to make a loop fit. That technique is garbage. Make the track a little faster or slower. Don't mess with the pitch if you know it is in tune. Or chop the loop into pieces and play it back in time so it fits properly.