Hey there, audio enthusiasts!
Are you drowning in a sea of audio samples and struggling to find the perfect snare when you need it? Well, fret not, my friends! We're here to help you unleash your inner audio librarian and get those samples organized.
It will help you speed up your workflow and actually spend time on finishing those project ideas laying on your hard drive.
So, grab your headphones and let's dive into the magical world of audio sample organization!
1. Name Your Files Like a Boss
First things first, let's talk about naming your files.
Picture this: you're in the middle of an intense music production session, and you need to find that perfect kick drum sample to complete your masterpiece.
You open your sample library, and it's a mess. Thousands of files named "Kick_01", "Snare_02", "Perc_03", and so on.
Panic sets in as you realize you're lost in an ocean of generic file names
You can't organize anything if you don't know what it is, right?
So, give your samples descriptive names that include details like the instrument, pitch, and any other relevant info.
For example, instead of naming a file "kick1.wav," try "Kick_Drum_808_C.wav." This way, you'll know exactly what you're working with at a glance.
Here are some inspirations for how you could name your samples in your library:
Category_Type_Instrument_Key_BPM_Description.wav
- DrumLoop_Acoustic_Drums_Am_120_Groovy.wav
- Pad_Synth_Organ_Cm_080_Ambient.wav
Instrument_Key_BPM_Description_Variant.wav
- Piano_Gm_090_SoftChords_v1.wav
- Guitar_Em_075_Fingerpicked_v2.wav
Date_Category_Instrument_Description.wav
- 20211015_DrumLoop_Electronic_Bouncy.wav
- 20211020_Pad_String_Airy.wav
ProjectName_Instrument_Description.wav
- MySong_Guitar_Arpeggio.wav
- MySong_Vocal_Chorus.wav
Description_Instrument_Key_BPM.wav
- UpliftingChords_Piano_Cm_128.wav
- DeepBass_Synth_Am_140.wav
Remember, consistency is key when naming your audio samples. Choose a naming convention that works best for you and stick to it throughout your projects. This will make it easier to search for and organize your samples.
Following a consistent plan of naming your samples can give you a bunch of benefits. Here are some:
Find Your Sounds Faster 🚀
When your samples have descriptive names, you can locate them much faster. No more spending hours sifting through countless files. Instead, you'll be able to find that punchy kick or crispy hi-hat in a jiffy.
Time is precious, so let's not waste it on searching for sounds!
Unleash Your Creativity 🎨
With your samples neatly organized and named, you'll be able to see your entire sonic palette at a glance. This makes it much easier to experiment with different sounds and create new, unique combinations.
It's like having a well-organized toolbox, where you can quickly grab the right tool for the job and let your creativity run wild.
Avoid Duplicates and Save Space 💾
Ever accidentally downloaded the same sample pack twice? Or perhaps you've collected similar sounds from different sources? By naming your samples, you can easily spot duplicates and free up valuable storage space on your computer.
Plus, you'll avoid using the same sounds over and over again, keeping your music fresh and exciting.
Make Your Future Self Happy 😊
Let's be honest, we've all been guilty of procrastinating when it comes to organizing our files. But taking the time to name your samples now will save you so much time and frustration down the road.
Your future self will thank you!
2. Declutter your collection and delete duplicates
As mentioned, having too many samples in your arsenal is a recipe for spending unnecessary time on locating the right sample. Sometimes these many audio files taking up space on your hard drive are actually duplicates.
Duplicates can also take the form of for example 909 drum samples with different variations to pitch, length, frequency and so on.
Perhaps, you don’t need all of these variations of the sample - and to be honest, you can easily make those adjustments with stock plugins and the built-in sampler of the DAW.
I have an old folder with over 10 different variations of the same 909 clap. 10! And every time I go browse in this folder, I end up using the same 909 clap one shot anyways 🙈
My tip is to perhaps have 2-3 variations of the same source. The goal here is to decrease the amount of choices you have to make when producing. I want you to stay in the flow and spend as little time searching for sounds and samples!
I’m creating my own sample packs with just the samples that I use the most. Kicks, claps, SFXs, synth shots, and so on. They are crafted with the intention of decluttering my samples and making me focus more on being creative in the studio.
The good thing: You can get your hands on my tidy and useful sample packs here 👈
3. Get rid of everything you don't need
Ever bought or downloaded a sample pack with a couple of loops or one shots that you know you will never use?
Don’t just leave it be. Move it from your main sample folder or delete the samples.
In my opinion, you don’t need 1000 different kick samples. A lot of them are gonna sound the same and you will spend more time on finding the right sample instead of the actual music production.
I have relocated my favourite samples into a new folder.
This is my go-to folder.
It only holds a limited number of samples. It forces me to stick with the sound and move on to the next part - focusing my time on music production instead of endless sound selection.
I encourage you to try the same 😎
4. Separate one shots from loops
This one is to most people a no-brainer.
However, in some sample packs bought or downloaded, loops and one-shots can be mixed together in the folder.
A bit annoying if you are in need of some funky perc one shots and instead have to browse through a folder containing both loops and one shots. Not ideal!
I encourage you to split up your loops and one shots samples into separate folders for more effective organization.
My best tip for organizing your samples in this way is to follow the same folder and sub-folder structure for each one.
For example:
- One shots
- Drums
- Bass
- Synths
- SFXs
- Etc.
- Loops
- Drums
- Bass
- Synths
- SFXs
- Etc.
This will make your folder navigation much easier! 🤓
5. Locate the key of your samples
In all my years of producing, one thing has frustrated me the most: samples missing important key information 🤬
Especially for tonal and musical samples, the key is crucial for using them effectively together with other elements in a song.
For the not so trained ear, hearing the key of a sample can be very difficult. Luckily, a lot of plugins can help you find the key and pitch of a sample.
Tip: For many years, I have used the plugin Mixed In Key for locating the key of my samples. It is easy and quick at finding the key. Try it out!
Start labelling your samples with key information and get a useful organized sample library for quick and fun use!
Also read: How to find your signature sound
6. Make a meaningful sample folder structure
There are many ideas on how you can sort and structure your sample library. However, it is so crucial that you choose a structure that is meaningful to you.
Make some thoughts on how YOUR optimal sample folder structure would look like.
Don’t just blindly follow one of the many folder structure guides out there if it isn’t one that fits your workflow. Because that’s the ultimate goal we wanna achieve with an organized sample folder structure: a faster workflow!
Maybe you are the kind of artist that loves to construct custom and unique drum grooves. Perhaps it will be a great idea to choose a sample folder structure where you divide your drum and percussion hits into several sub-folders.
For example:
- Closed hihats
- Open hihats
- Rimshots
- Maracas
- Woodblocks
- Tambs
- Etc.
What you choose to do in terms of folder structure depends on your production style and workflow.
After all, we aim at strengthening your music production workflow with a meaningful folder structure ✌️
7. The most important: Be consistent
All of the other tips are helpful for getting a more organized sample library. However, everything does not matter if you are not consistent!
You have to use the same naming scheme for all samples in the folder.
You have to sort them into the right folders.
You have to commit and stick to your organized plan. Don’t wander off a new path because then all of your work spent on organizing your sample library will be wasted - and that will be a huge shame!
To stay consistent, I write down the sorting criteria for the sample folders.
- How will I name the files?
- How many folders and subfolders do I want?
- Do I want to sort by instrument or genre? Or something else?
Having a clear sorting strategy will make it easier to follow.
Another great tip is to schedule 30-60 minutes every month to go through your sample library and make sure you are following the structure and plan you have made.
See it as a kind of folder clean-up routine. It will help to make your library nice and tidy.
Wrapping up
I hope this blog post has planted some ideas in your head about how you can structure your sample library.
This is not a definitive guide on how you should do it but on how you can organize your samples.
After I have spent more time on sample structuring, the process of making music has been way better and more productive. My workflow has been improved by at least 10x.
I hope you are now ready to get started on sorting and structuring your sample library. Enjoy! 😃
