#KOUNTCHALLENGE
Download the free sample pack and craft a track for your chance to win.
Use of the Sample Pack is licensed royalty free, worldwide, non-exclusively, irrevocable, and in perpetuity to publicly perform and incorporate into other works, but sale, duplication, leasing, or distribution of the Sample Pack or each of its samples is strictly prohibited. The Sample Pack is provided AS IS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied, including without limitation, any warranties or conditions of TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY, or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
See the full terms and conditions.
How it works
Download the Official Kount Challenge Vol. 2 Sample Pack on Reverb between August 19 and August 31.
Use the samples to craft your own original track and share on Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok using the hashtag #KOUNTCHALLENGE by August 31.
The Kount will review all eligible entries and select the first, second, and third place winners.
See the full terms and conditions.
The Kount’s studio picks
What music gear inspires The Kount to stay creative? From synth classics to oddball rhythm keepers, here are a handful of his studio standbys:
Roland Juno-106
I remember a friend telling me that it's difficult to make this synth sound bad and—after owning one for many years—I couldn't agree more. This, in my opinion, is the ultimate workhorse synth. Bass sounds incredible, really expressive leads, and the pads are warmer than any of the other synths I own.
Fender Rhodes
I've owned two Rhodes and as soon as I sold my first one, I regretted it. It's the perfect instrument to fill in all the gaps between the rhythm section, and sounds inspiring even when played sparingly. They are also relatively easy to maintain. A timeless sound. They have gotten very expensive in recent years (and for good reason.)
Teenage Engineering OP-1
My desert island piece of gear. A self-contained inspiration machine. Incredible effects, a creative drum synthesizer, and an amazing user interface make this one of the most useful pieces of gear I own. I bring it everywhere, and the built in radio ensures there's always something to sample. I love everything Teenage Engineering makes but this is easily my favourite.
Zildjian Hi-hats
I love the dark sound of vintage hi-hats (1960s or '70s) and the Zildjian ones I own have the perfect warmth that I find adds a lot to an otherwise digital drum loop. I would recomend anyone of any skill level to try adding real hi-hats to their own beats. It's a great way to add human feel to an otherwise quantized beat.
Chase Bliss Mood Pedal
This pedal is an amazing way to inspire new ideas. I use it to create textures and generate loop ideas. It has a fantastic "slip" mode that can do some cool slapback octave effects. It also does some interesting things with sample rates that are fun to experiment with for some lofi grit.
Auxiliary Percussion
My sonic signature is my collection of random, dirty, sometimes borderline-dangerous percussion instruments. I recommend looking for stuff that's a bit more unique than the typical stuff that's in music stores (although sometimes you can find some cool stuff). Look everywhere. You'd be suprised where you find a dusty old cowbell that sounds great.
Boss SP-303
The legendary sampler that rivals hardware effects with its incredible compression. I just got this piece recently but it's been on my mind for a long time. Used by Madlib and Dilla, it has a really unique set of digital effects and is also a very capable workstation. I use mine as more of a multi-effects unit for adding interest to drums, keys, and bass.
Akai GX-4000D
If you're looking to integrate tape into your workflow and start to understand the magic it does on drums, I'd highly recommend this machine. Tape has a very unique saturation and compression that it imparts on any source material you feed into it. I've recorded hundreds of drum breaks into mine. Although they do require servicing every now and then, they're a fun and interesting tool to add to your arsenal. This machine is a great entry point and is easy to learn and operate.
Keep exploring
Selecting the Best Sampler
The Best Drum Machines
The Best Studio Monitors
The Best MIDI Controllers
Home Recording Essentials
