Organising your sample pack library is key to efficient workflow and a creative mindset. Enter your projects with a clear mentality and make your production sessions more effective. In this blog, we’ll be exploring different ways to sort your sample pack library so you can spend less time searching for samples and more time creating in your DAW.

Here are the 5 BEST ways to organise your sample pack library:

1. | Sort By Sample Type
2. | Sort By Genre
3. | Sort By Date
4. | Sort By Sample Pack Author
5. | Sort By Favourites

So without further ado, let’s get started!

| Sort By Sample Type

This method of organisation involves creating a variety of folders and sorting your sample packs into their sample type. No need to search through dozens of sample packs to find what you’re looking for. Sorting your sample packs by sample type is the best way to find what’s missing from your track. Individual sample packs generally sort samples by this technique so simply distribute the contents of each pack into your chosen categories.

| Sort By Genre

If you find yourself experimenting with different genres or looking for genre-specific loops and samples, then sorting by genre might be the best solution for you. This organisation technique is best for when you’re looking for samples to expand on an existing idea or you’re searching for inspiration to start a project. The genre of a sample pack is usually listed in the title so sorting by this method will be simple and time efficient.

| Sort By Date

If you love collecting new samples and find yourself frequently updating your sample pack library, then this next method of sorting could be for you. Sorting by date allows you to sort your sample packs by time periods. Whether it’s months, seasons or years, sorting by date keeps your sample packs up to date with the current trends in electronic music. The quality of your productions is always improving and this method ensures you aren’t using outdated samples.

| Sort By Sample Pack Author

An artist’s sound can often resinate with particular sample pack creators. Perhaps you prefer the way particular sample pack authors produce particular sample types? If you find yourself collecting sample packs made by the same group of authors, then you should consider this method of sample pack organisation. The author of a sample pack is usually stated in the title so sorting by this method will be simple and time efficient.

| Sort By Favourites

Regardless of the method you adopt, it’s always a good idea to have an additional ‘Favourites’ folder. Quickly access the samples you use most to help get down the idea in your head. A favourites folder saves you having to scan through dozens of packs to find a few simple samples to get your track started.

This method of sample pack organisation is also designed for producer’s who reuse the same selection of samples across their catalogue of projects. Having a single folder filled with samples you know well will allow you to focus on the creative process rather than wasting time finding samples that work.

| Conclusion

Depending on the size of your sample pack library, it is highly recommended to invest in an external storage device to store your sample packs. An artist’s collection of samples can often accumulate to more than 100GB. So before you get sorting, calculate the size of your library and brainstorm an organization plan that best suits you!

How do you organize your sample pack library? Let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you! 

Want To Know More?

Here at Live Aspects, we have dozens of useful lessons and tutorials created to enhance your music production skills and help speed up the learning process. You can access our huge range of music theory lessons and production tips and tricks here.