Chopping Beats Using Recycle

One of the original and most powerful of all Slicing Tools is Propellerheads Recycle. This software uses the same principles as Hitpoints/Slices by detecting peak values using a Sensitivity function. The slices can then be saved as MIDI data, and exported as either a whole audio file or individual segments/slices into the REX (Propellerheads extension) format. Recycle also provides a Time Stretching function, plus a host of other editing tools including BPM Detection.

Important factors to consider are: Bars, Beats, and Signature.
If you import a loop into Recycle and do not know these, then donʼt worry too much. But it is extremely helpful if you can ascertain as much information about the audio sample as possible. If you donʼt, then you can take the loop and loop it in your sequencer to find the right tempo, number of bars, and beats. Most of the drum loops that people deal with are in 4/4 signature, so this makes life easy. However, you will come across samples that are both in different time signatures and crossing bars/beats, especially when dealing with musical phrases. So, try to get as much information as possible about the sample you are going to slice.

However, quite often, it’s powerful editing and processing tools are ignored. Let me take you through this Recycle journey and show you ALL the features this wonderful software has to offer.