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Extreme sampling: 11 ways to create unique sounds

It’s not just instruments that you can record…

Computer Music, Thu 17 Jul 2008, 4:37 pm UTC

Extreme sampling

You don't have to have a burning piano to hand, but it could help.

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8. Hydro power
It's one of the oldest tricks in the book: fill a few glasses, cans or bottles with varying amounts of liquid and bang, tap and smack 'em with sticks. The pitch will vary depending on the amount of liquid each one contains - this technique works particularly well with big metal drums!

9. Shake rattle and roll
Find a second-hand kick drum or floor tom, cut out a bit of screen mesh and stretch it over the bottom head (not the batter head). Fill the space between with marbles, ball bearings and/or loose chains and set about it with a big stick.

10. String thing
If it's got a string, it can be tuned. Buy some bass, guitar or violin strings and strap them across any hollow object you can attach them to. Cut or wrap them to different lengths to tune them as needed. Pick, pluck or bow them. Use them acoustically or amp them up.

11. Blow hard
Any hollow tube can be made into a reed instrument. There are lots of resources online that will show you the spacings required for specific pitches. Drill some holes and pucker up!

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