Mixing Sample Based Hip Hop in Pro Tools

Mixing Sample Based Hip Hop in Pro Tools is a powerful, detail-oriented course led by audio engineer Nate Eaton, crafted specifically for producers and mixers working in the genre’s rich, sample-heavy tradition. Whether you’re flipping soul samples or blending boom-bap drums with modern textures, this course teaches you how to bring clarity, punch, and cohesion to your mixes using Pro Tools. Over the course of multiple focused lessons, Nate demystifies the techniques needed to balance sampled elements with live or programmed instruments—and most importantly, how to make vocals cut through the mix with professional polish.

The course begins with foundational setup strategies, where Nate walks you through organizing your session, defining mix priorities, and critically assessing your track before diving into technical decisions. Once inside the mix, you’ll explore how to approach drums—from gritty breakbeats to surgically layered programmed kits. Nate teaches you how to blend drum breaks with digital elements in a way that sounds seamless and full of character, ensuring your drums sit tight with the samples without overpowering the mix.

You’ll also dive into the intricacies of bass and sample integration. Learn how to extract and enhance the bass from a sample, combine it with programmed bass, and apply FX for speaker-optimized low-end. When it comes to samples, Nate covers restoration, stereo/mono compatibility, and how to preserve the vibe of a sample while optimizing its clarity. Finally, the course shifts to vocal mixing, teaching techniques to help your lead and background vocals shine through dense sample-based productions. From EQ and compression to stylistic FX and blending, you’ll learn how to get your vocals to sit perfectly in the pocket. Whether you’re mixing for yourself or clients, this course arms you with the technical and creative tools needed to master sample-based hip hop in Pro Tools.