Loop Library
Exploring the
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What is the Loop Library?
(–)Soundtrap’s Loop Library is a super easy and super fun way of making music by choosing and combining premade “loops” of music to make your track…
It’s like a collage!
After this module, we will be able to…
Click here to open the Loop Library
Or here!
Search for loops here…
Click the play button to listen to a loop…
…or click one of these buttons to narrow down the options!
…and click the plus to add the loop to your project!
Once you’ve added one or more loops to your project, Soundtrap will recommend other loops that probably fit pretty well with what you already have!
These can be a great place to start if you don’t have a clear idea of what you want to make yet.
Dragging this icon left or right extends the loop by repeating it
These icons change the length of the loop itself
(You can see the segments where it repeats)
Check out the guided exploration for a more step-by-step tutorial, or jump right in to one of the other explorations!
Loop Library
Guided Exploration
Start by opening the loop library…
Click on “Beats” to narrow down the list to only drum grooves
Scroll down and listen to a couple beats until you find one you like…
…then add it to your project by clicking the plus sign!
(Ones that say “Full” are the whole beat with all the drums, “Tops” are mostly just the hi-hats, and “Kick & Snare” is, unsurprisingly, the kick and snare. Some beats include harmonies or bass parts too, but we’re going to add some of those in just a sec!)
Now that we have a beat to start with, let’s add some other parts! I usually add a bass or harmony instrument (like piano, guitar, or a synth) next, but add whatever you think is right!
Listening to a loop while you have your project playing is a great way to hear if you like the way it fits or not; Soundtrap will automatically sync it with what you already have.
The “Top picks” section is a great place to start. You can use the purple buttons above to narrow down the options, too.
Keep layering loops until you have a full beat you like! (Try to add at least 5 loops total!)
Loop Library
Process Exploration
Scroll down through the list and add three random loops without listening to them first. How does it sound?
If you don’t like it, try to figure out which loop isn’t working with the others and try replacing it with another random loop until it sounds better.
Keep adding on random loops!
Loop Library
Abstract Exploration
Make a series of loopable sections that gradually morph from one feeling to another.
Some possible start/end points:
Loop Library
Partner Exploration
Take turns picking loops and layering them on.
When you both agree a section feels like there’s enough going on (or like there’s too much going on!), extend one of those loops for another 4 bars, and start adding on top of that one.
Repeat until you have a whole sequence of loops!