I know you can drop your sample, and it will be key mapped. C3 being the original key the sample was in. Not really being in the key of “C”. Are there any videos clips here that walk through getting that sample key mapped, so I could stay in the proper track scale?
Now I’m no expert, but if you use a sample that is in perfect pitch, half the work is done for you.
If you’re trying to use the sample as an instrument where it hits multiple times at different pitches, you have a couple options. Both are equally simple and equally complex.
First: Leave the sample as-is and place midi notes within either the C Major scale or the C Minor scale, depending on whether your root key is major or minor. It just gets tricky if you forget that the scale you’re using for your sample looks different from the rest of the track.
The other option would be to play a tone of C and match the sample to it by ear. For some this can be difficult as discerning pitches that are separated by a few cents can be tough. Some samples are easier than others to work with, as well. Sometimes you’ll get a sample that only needs to be transposed by semitones, some will need fine tuning using semitones and cents. However, once you get your sample pitched to C, you can then use the scale of the rest of your track.
I’m sure there are other, easier options out there, but these are the ones that I know.
Thanks for the info… I think one of the training videos went through the same situation, but I can’t remember which one. If I’m not mistaken, the tutor put a sample in Simpler, and modified the transpose a few notches to correct the key. I was wondering how you decide the notches, and if it’s just the key/note distance from C. I’m going to dig around again, and see if I can’t find it.
I think the way to do it is to transpose the key of the sample by adjusting the semi tones. For example if the sample is D, bring it down 2 semitones to make it C. You always need to bring the sample back to C to make it work.
If you print of a list of notes and have the next to you it will make it easier, you should start to remember them off the top of your head quite easily too in time.
If you don’t know the key the sample is in, you could use something like Melodyne to find out.