Cut-Up Techniques: Turn Chopped Audio into New Phrases

Cut-Up Tips and an Efficient Workflow

Cut-up is a technique that chops up an existing audio file,
then rearranges the pieces or changes their rhythm to create a new phrase.

• Audio example

We will show an efficient way to make cut-ups with a sampler,
along with tips for creating a playful, busy sound.

Selected Questions and Answers from the YouTube Video

What song is this?

Thanks for listening. The phrase was created for this demonstration, so it has not been released and does not have a song title.

May I ask a question? I recorded audio from a microphone onto an audio track to follow along. When I try to assign one or more clips to Groove Agent SE pads as shown at 1:51, a “Find Missing Samples” window says the audio file cannot be found. The same window appears even when I specify the path containing the missing file. Could there be a basic setting I have missed? I would appreciate any advice.

There are two things to check: try a simple numeric filename such as 1.wav, and try using a wave file extension. Please let us know what happens.

Can I cut up a part that was originally MIDI if I first convert it to audio?

Thanks for your comment. Cut-up has a different feel from programming MIDI, so converting a programmed part to audio and cutting it up can be effective. Give it a try!

A common cut-up workflow is to chop audio on a track
and rearrange the pieces there, but this can take quite a bit of work.

Instead, we will load the chopped material into a software sampler and program it with MIDI.
This is the approach we will demonstrate.

We will use Groove Agent SE, which comes with Cubase, as an example,
but other software samplers have much the same features.

First, chop up the audio material.
Choose lengths that suit the tempo of the song and are long enough to retain a sense of pitch.
Our example is relatively fast at 180 BPM, so we use eighth notes as the basic unit.

Next, load the chopped material into the sampler.
In Groove Agent, drag and drop all the pieces onto the starting pad at C1,
and they will be loaded onto consecutive pads.

Next, configure the sampler so that playback follows the length of each MIDI note.
In Groove Agent, select all the pads and choose “No Loop.”

To make the sound stop cleanly when a note ends, set “Release” to 0 on all pads.

Once that is done, try programming a phrase.

To keep the rhythm from becoming monotonous, leave some gaps and
occasionally mix in faster rhythms such as sixteenth notes or triplets.
This can create a random-sounding, stutter-like effect.

The basic setup already gives a cut-up feel, but you can use more sampler features
to add energy and surprise.

1. Set each pad to a different pan position

Select the pads and distribute their pan positions at random.
This is a convenient way to use a sampler.
You can also set the panning precisely to suit the phrase.

2. Mix in sounds at different pitches

Try copying the sound from a pad to an empty pad and changing its pitch.
Octave shifts in particular are easy to use and produce an obvious effect.
Once you have assigned it to a new pad, decide where to use it and program the notes.

3. Set filters differently on each pad

Filters can also be very effective.
Try applying them to only some pads to create contrast.
Experiment with resonance, filter type, and other settings.

4. Use reverse playback

When using reverse, we recommend cutting the original sample a little longer.
Set up a dedicated pad and use the sampler’s reverse function.
Using it at just the right moment will make the effect stand out.

As you can see, a software sampler makes cut-up work more efficient
while allowing you to experiment easily with a variety of effects.
Give it a try.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the cut-up technique in music production?

Cut-up involves chopping an existing audio file into small pieces and rearranging them or changing their rhythm to create a new phrase. Developed from sampling culture, it can produce playful, original sounds.

Q2. What are the advantages of using a software sampler?

A software sampler greatly reduces the manual work of chopping and rearranging audio on a track. It also makes it easier to experiment with effects such as panning, pitch changes, and filters.

Q3. How can I create effective cut-up rhythms?

To avoid a monotonous rhythm, leave occasional gaps and incorporate faster patterns such as sixteenth notes and triplets. This creates a random-sounding stutter effect and a more refined sound.

Q4. Is there a sampler that is easy for beginners to use?

Groove Agent SE, included with Cubase, has a range of basic features and is suitable for beginners. The samplers included with other DAWs offer similar features, and the method described here can be applied to most software samplers.