What is sampling?

August 20, 2003 1:12 PM

What is sampling? To some, sampling is an art. To others it's a question of permission and legality. With modern technology, movies and tv shows can also become great sources of samples, as seen in the The Top 1035 Sample Sources List.
posted by starscream (20 comments total)

Should I be embarassed for my IndieCred(tm)'s sake that I've heard of most of the samplees, and just about none of the samplers from this list?
posted by majick at 1:45 PM on August 20, 2003

That just lists movies? 95% of sampling comes from other SONGS. I think "Amen Brother" would take the cake for that category, simply for the Amen break alone.
posted by afx114 at 1:51 PM on August 20, 2003

what about James Brown's "Funky Drummer?" I still hear that one in songs that came out this year.
posted by mcsweetie at 2:23 PM on August 20, 2003

See also:

http://www.sloth.org/samples/sourcelist.txt

http://www.the-breaks.com/(Which also doubles as a ranty, interesting blog on rap culture)
posted by 40 Watt at 2:25 PM on August 20, 2003

Cheers for this Starscream. A few friends on samplers list...

Interesting altho' there is still a way to go as there are holes - no Drum Club, Adam Freeland/Tsunami One or the dons of sampling (and been sued to buggery for it) Shut Up and Dance. Bill Hicks missing from the samplees list.

Guess I have to contribute...

majik: Yes. Yes you should ;-)
posted by i_cola at 3:08 PM on August 20, 2003

Sampling rocks. Too bad the lawyers have guaranteed albums like "Three Feet High and Rising" and "Paul's Boutique" will be made only by those with money or under the radar.
posted by infowar at 4:05 PM on August 20, 2003

speaking of Paul's Boutique!
posted by mcsweetie at 4:11 PM on August 20, 2003

p diddy style "sampling" = cheap, punkass theft. blinded by greed.. its just sad.

dj shadow sampling = the SHIZNAT!
posted by shadow45 at 5:14 PM on August 20, 2003

MACOS .

No comment, just thought I'd through it out for the interested.
posted by blackfly at 5:38 PM on August 20, 2003

Thanks blackfly, I was meaning to fit MACOS somewhere into the fpp, but I forgot. ;)
posted by starscream at 5:40 PM on August 20, 2003

i intend to make an album using only samples from Puzzle Bobble online.
posted by ejoey at 8:47 PM on August 20, 2003

Pantera sampled Spongebob Squarepants?

Found while Googling (great post, btw, starcream):
"a re-examination of sampling from the perspective of the record collector" (Backspinning Signifying by Joe Allen)

"What's the deal with all you break record cats putting out all the original records that we sample from and snitching by putting us on the back of it saying we used stuff? You know how that goes. Stop doing that. Y'all violating." - DJ Premier
posted by eddydamascene at 9:30 PM on August 20, 2003

sorry, starscream.
posted by eddydamascene at 9:33 PM on August 20, 2003

Sampling for me is, quite addictive, not only the quest to get the right sample, but as well hearing things in songs and later hearing the source song and going " Ahhhh so that is where they got that one!"

I think it is an art and DJ Shadow does quite good ( nod to shadow45 )

I have heard some great sampling usage in hardcore dance too ...particularly good was a piece using quotes from ....what I THINK is "Any Given Sunday " off ( Hardcore for the Headstrong )

I was once floored while watching... what movie was that with Matthew Broderick and John Lithgow ...something to do with the air force and WW2....anyway...I was not looking at the TV but was listening while doing whoknowswhat and suddenly there it was! A line from some dance track I was drumming into my brain a fews years back

" I wish I could tell you ...how Tommy died..."


that I think is the best feeling ...


I don't think most kinds of sampling are grand theft so to speak....hook stealing...well...jeez bowie is the master of that .... and was doing so before sampling was a great issue. Fame Fame Fame Fame Fame Fame [SWITCH] James Brown: I need LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE....
posted by RubberHen at 10:43 PM on August 20, 2003

I'm trying to decide if 2-Pac sampling Star Trek is a good thing or a bad thing.
posted by Katemonkey at 12:44 AM on August 21, 2003

"People Like Us", samples obscure movies without permission.
Some of it doesn't work (IMO) but some of it, like "Swing Largo" is terrific.

Illegal Art's Copyright in Music History

Illegal Art's Compilation CD with liner notes [Swing Largo at No.3]
posted by Blue Stone at 4:27 AM on August 21, 2003

I feel I want to share that what happened to The Verve, with Bittersweet Sympathy, makes me very angry, and is at least one reason why I think The Rolling Stones should swing from a tree.

/steam from ears.
posted by Blue Stone at 4:32 AM on August 21, 2003

[obviously symphony]
posted by Blue Stone at 4:33 AM on August 21, 2003

eddydamascene: pantera's music was featured in an episode of spongebob. they are on the soundtrack: "SpongeBob SquarePants: Original Theme Highlights", with, of all people, WEEN. I love that I can expose my kids to this stuff.
posted by quibx at 6:31 AM on August 21, 2003

push the little daisies and make em come up!
posted by shadow45 at 12:46 PM on August 21, 2003