Free Apple Loops, Are they worth it? Options

[d...]

Hi,
I was wondering how everyone responds to offers of free Apple Loops. On the one hand, it would be nice to build my library of Apple Loops, and free is a very nice price. However, I sequence on a PowerBook and maybe I would be better off keeping my hard-drive as free of clutter as possible, particularly since I probably won`t use most of the loops in any one free collection. Anyway, my question is who jumps on every offer of free Apple Loops and who is a little more cautious? and why?

[nreyes]

Interesting question. I must admit, that I am pretty weak when it comes to "Free" and pretty much download everything that comes along. But let me explain because I think I have a different perspective:

I am a 'semi-pro' Dance Music Producer. At one point I was perhaps considered "Pro" in the UK. My main job was part of the celebrated (Bristol-based) DeEsser Productions team who successfully produced four top 10 UK Techno / House 12" mixes for a major London label. Most people didn't know us in person (which was embarrassing when we were actually invited to events), but most people eventually let us into their clubs on the VIP list - such is the hypocrisy we all aspire to.

After several excursions into club promotion in Ibiza (where we still strive to retain the 2000-2001 vibe for you old crusties!) we soon realised that times moves on, and rising costs pushed the company to relocate to Spain and France where we have (separately) continued to produce and implement our contribution to the growing 'Breaks' scene.

Once an avid Pro Tools user, I started the 'cross-over' to Garageband and Logic Express as a means of "amusement". I am shocked to say that it became the basis for last year's BBC 1 Record of the year as voted independently in DJ Magazine and the online / phone-in poll. The secret of our success? Apple Loops. Or, to be fair, inspiration provided by Apple Loops. The ideas still came from a 5-man and woman team but the basis was a 1 minute 'demo' cooked up in a drag and drop frenzy after a few drinks and a 3 hour DJ set.

Please don't slate my message here. I am getting to a point (honest!).

These days, I concentrate on DJ-ing and Club Promotions which is now my sole occupation, but enjoy an active "Dance Music Production" hobby which complement my lifestyle and main source of income. However, I don't consider myself different from the many talented "Bedroom Producers" who are trying (like I did) to get more recognition than a few thumbs up from your mates.

Times are changing. And Free and Loops may well be a way forward. However, it's how you use them.

Budget is always an issue (particularly for me). We all choose where to spend our money depending on what "tickles our fancy", and with the incredible range of synths and software out there, we are quite frankly spoilt for choice compared to a few years ago. So use the "free" as an opportunity to buy something that will help you. I don't want to start preaching - do what you want. But if you use a particular software, or extensively use a set of loops, do the right thing and pay up, for the sake of progress.

My personal opinion is "Free is Good" but not only for "Freeloading" reasons - basically, I am always watching 'loops' as a means for understanding what demos I will be sent in the next 3 to 6 months. I am the PR agent for three major clubs in Toulouse and often get sent demos from people who either seek our label support or wish to perform "live".

Most of the time I can almost anticipate the type of music several weeks before the demo CD arrives because the track more than likely tends to use these loops 'out of the box' and hence starts to join a growing trend which will eventually become a 'style'. Just a word of caution: be inventive - we want to hear new stuff, but by all means use free loops if you wish

Far from this been a self-indulgent "nostalgia" message, I should point out that I still work on several major projects based in France. We would, of course, welcome demos (contact me directly by email, please) but allow 3 to 4 weeks for a response. And yes, free loops are welcome if used intelligently. At the end of the day (having worked on three sample libraries in the past), the loops are building blocks for greater creativity. They will never write your song for you.

[chappy]

Loops can be a writing tool as well as a legitimate componant for almost any music these days. The use of loops is accompanied by a deserved snobbery regarding
'ou of the box' loops or overused loops. I get major label artists who write a song based on a static loop and think it's'hip'. It ain't. It's how you use and treat the loops and what role they play in the big picture.
Don't be afraid to mangle the loop beyond recognition and it will increase your creative chops as well as allow you to sneak a few obvious ones by the powers that be.
Every high school kid has Fruity Loops so is it really cool?
Make your own and the world opens up. Avoid the 'Funky Drummer' and
program demos and your stuff will stay vital.
I've quit sampling old school records because it's too corny now unless you mangle the loops.
best,
chap

[azusa]

I set aside 80 GB on my firewire HD for this purpose.
Free loops, free sounds, freewares I have a lot, and all categorized.
Sometimes they come in very handy you'll never know when you gonna need them.
I have used some of them.

But in your case, I think you should keep your hard drive less clutter.
Listen and keep the ones that you like, discard the rest.