How to use loops
Choosing Programs:
There are so many programs available today as shareware which means you can try before you buy and most
companies allow this. With every purchase of any aussiebeats CD there's a detailed help file in all aspects of
recording & sound card setup using a basic computer, a must for beginners.
Sony's Acid Programs for Tempo Changes & Paint and Paste options are next to none.
I use Flavio`s n-Track Studio for ease of use and reliability try it for yourself and see.
Another great program is Adobe Audition 1.5 or higher which has two many features to cover here.
Also Value for money would have to be
Cockos Reaper and
Acoustica by Mixcraft.
What is a loop :
A Loop is simply a short piece of music, instrument, or sound which has been sliced at the Beginning & End
so when the 
loop button is pressed on your favorite audio program it will play continuously without sounding out of "sync" and will play endlessly until you click the stop button.
Before we go any further this is what most stereo Wave Files or Loops look like when viewed through most loop
& audio programs see pic-1 & 2 below.
| Pic-1 | Pic-2 |
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To hear your loop or beat you simply click on your folder icon 
which every program has, then open it. Choose your loop load it into your program and press play. As I said above, most programs have the paint and paste option, plus delete, cut, copy, add effects, etc.
Using Loops :
Here's a sample below of how it looks when you load some loops Into a program. You can also see all the
various loops painted & placed along each track. Remember it doesn't have to be a small drum loop you place
in to your track of choice, you can paint any sound you like from a whole song to a screaming guitar solo.
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Once all this is done simply Mix them all down to one track, open file then click on mix to one track, and save to
a folder for future reference, then lay all your Instruments & Vocals down. You can paint a small loop onto a track
and keep Repeating it non stop until you have your song worked out then build the whole drum track up adding
all the Crash cymbals, Toms, Hats, etc or play live and press record.
Final Touches :
When you become accustomed to working with the Pre Mixed Loops & Beats you can make you're own loop's
by building them from the single hits available for instant download. You can add some Effects like Eq, Change
Tempo, add Reverb, etc. Also try to combine different types of Snares, Kicks, Hats, etc with each other of Snares, Kicks, Hats, etc with each other to make your own unique kit.
Remember that to truly get an original sounding drum kit try to mix and match all the various types of single hits
for example, place a vocal percussion under say a snare drum or a kick drum and even layer 2 or 3 snare to
really get a fat sound. There is no limit to what single hit goes where it all depends on what suits your song or
what sounds cool as iv said before music,s for fun.
I hope this " How to page " has helped you understand the concept of Loops and maybe now you can start enjoying the art of music.
Best Wishes
Peter J Gutteridge:
