Recording samples and making a holiday-themed soundtrack

On a mission to record the next holiday hit, Focusrite product specialist, Alex sets off to record samples that fit the season

With a Scarlett 2i2, a Scarlett Studio bundle microphone, and a few seasonal bits and pieces, Alex turns everyday festive foley and found sounds into a holiday track. Watch the video, then follow the steps below to see how it all came together. When you’re ready, download the sounds and have a go at making a festive song yourself.

Step one — recording samples

Alex records every sound through a Scarlett 2i2 and Scarlett microphone, from wrapping paper being straightened out or crinkled to a Christmas cracker snapping open. As you can hear in the video, mic placement matters — the camera’s built-in microphone picks up more of the room and more noise. Pointing the Scarlett microphone at the side of the cracker captures a more direct, precise sound that’s easier to work with.

Step two — turning sounds into a beat

Any sound can be turned into a musical one. Played rhythmically, straightened wrapping paper starts to sound like a kick drum. The cracker can be used as a snare and cutting scissors as a hi-hat. Layer a guitar over the top and these everyday objects start sounding like instruments.

Step three — shaping the samples

Next, Alex shapes the samples with reverb, pitch shifting and distortion to make them more melodic or atmospheric. This is all done within Ableton Live Lite — included for free with Scarlett interfaces, which includes virtual instruments, EQ, compression, reverb, and more. Every Scarlett purchase also includes Hitmaker Expansion, a complete collection of software for music production, mixing, and mastering.

Step four — building the track

Finally, it’s time to arrange the elements into a finished track. Alex puts together a beat, layers instruments and bounces a finished holiday track made from the sounds recorded in the video. All he needed to get started was some imagination, a Scarlett Studio bundle (which includes the Scarlett 2i2 interface, mic, and headphones) and its included software.

Download the sounds

Want to make your own holiday track? Download the samples Alex recorded in the video and shape them into your own song for the season. Happy holidays.

Download the sounds

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