Usually i start with a chord progression or if it's sampled, then i start with chopping up the sample. Figuring out all the parts that i want to use and how i want to use them. Then i move on to the drums etc. Most importantly, 90% of the time i have a clear vision where i want to go with the beat/song before i even start working on it. The feeling i want to spark in people when listening to it. It's all in my head. From the type of sounds i'm going to use (cold, warm, plucked, slow attack with delay etc.) to the style of drums (are they going to be old school, trap, live drums, some weird mixture). I think this helps me be more focused and stops me from adding too much stuff, which was one of the problems i had early on. Also it allows me to make beats when i'm not in the studio. I think some of you should try this approach. For example when you are waiting in line, driving around , pretending to listen to your girl etc. Write everything down in short hints and when you get home, just put that fire to life.
How dyou know what to sample? Like I know you have to just look around for what sounds good but how do you pick an era and how do you know what genre to explore first? I want to start sampling more because its a necessary evil to the creation of good music now a days.
I wouldn't call it evil nor is it a necessity. I'm not primarily a sampled based producer, but i love to do it from time to time. Especially on rainy days lol. The joy of sampling is actually finding something rare and flipping it your way, it's a whole process of searching for the right sample that's the best part IMO. Just be open minded when listening and you'll find something worth sampling in every song. Just pick a genre of music you want to sample and the era, you can even do it randomly. If you still don't know what to sample, try with some blues from 70's.
