The practice of sampling in music is generally thought to have its roots in experimental music. This genre first appeared in the early 20th century to push the envelope and discover fresh auditory landscapes. Experimental music has roots in the avant-garde movement and frequently uses unusual instruments and noises, such as field recordings and discovered objects. It began with John Cage and has become so popular that it has even permeated the gaming industry.
John Cage is Hugely Influential in Sampling
One of the pioneers of experimental music was composer John Cage, who is widely recognized as the creator of musique concrète, a genre that involved manipulating recorded sounds and turning them into music. This technique was groundbreaking at the time and laid the foundation for what would later become known as sampling.
Cage’s work has always been about pushing the boundaries of what’s accepted in music, and his early compositions were influenced by Zen Buddhism. Later, he put more of a focus on turning everyday sounds into music, something that paved the way for sampling. Nowadays, sampling can be found in a wide range of musical genres, and it is common practice among artists.
Sampling Now Permeating Gaming Industry
In recent years, sampling has taken on a new form in the world of video games. Many games now incorporate sound effects that have been sampled from real-life sources, giving players a more immersive experience. Some of the top games to have used sampling include Super Mario Bros., Jet set Radio and Hotline Miami.
The technique is still being used in modern gaming as well. For example, the online casino industry is home to many titles that use sampling. When playing slots for real money, it’s hard to ignore the use of sound effects that have been recorded from real slot machines, adding to the realism of the game. These allow players to step back in time to where it all began and appreciate the way the reel spinners have evolved into the games that exist today. There are plenty of titles that have interesting soundtracks too, such as Sweet 16 Blast and Alien Wins.
Modern Bands Taking Sampling to New Levels
Many modern bands are taking sampling to new levels and inspiring others to do the same. A prime example of this is AJR, a pop-rock band from New York City. They have been praised for their unique and eclectic sound which blends elements of pop, rock, and electronic music with aspects of hip-hop and other musical genres.
One of the hallmarks of AJR’s music is their use of sampling, which they use to create innovative sounds that are both catchy and memorable. For example, in their song I’m Ready, they sample SpongeBob SquarePants, which they claimed hadn’t been done before they did it.
In addition to music samples, AJR also makes use of sound effects and other unconventional sounds in their music, which they often incorporate into their production in unexpected and creative ways. For example, in Drop, they use the sound of keys being dropped as a percussive element, giving the song an original and dynamic rhythm.
Sampling may have been a strange concept in the past, but experimental music has now made it the norm. It can now be found throughout the entertainment industry, and some acts are finding innovative ways to expand on what’s come before.
