Above all else utilising plugins to configure the sound is the most important tool in turning a peice of audio into something special. By simply adjusting pitch, for example, a Tupac song can sound like a Jonas Brothers song - point is, you don't need to change much to get a whole different sound and tone! The various plugins offering ways to manipulate the audio is numerous allowing you to really express yourself and further you in bringing the sound in your head to reality. Edit a loopazon loop's pitch and change the tune, or speed to see for yourself.
2. Reverse the original sample
Here's a definitive method to transform your loop into something new. Flipping a track can sometimes produce an astonishing melody. It also allows you to reconsider the bit in a completely new way. A simple drum loop is a fantastic way to begin. Simply reverse the loop and see what crazy patterns are discovered!
3. Time stretch your samples
Time stretching is a commonly used tactic of professional music makers. By fast forwarding / slowing down the tempo you can find a whole new sound. By slowing down or speeding up a sample, you challenge the way the listener originally heard the sample, giving you leeway to introduce the sound in a new way. Imagine Tupacs “Hit em up” sped up, or slowed down, by half. It will have a totally different feel for the listener.
4. Chop up the sample
Many producers utilise a large amount of a track to sample and vocals are often broken down to many parts. Some chop samples into oblivion to achieve the desired effect, others sustain from it as much as possible - both to great effect. So much can be done by cutting and pasting, if you have a good ear for music that is.
5. Play with pitch shifting
Last but not least, manipulating pitch is commonplace for professionals nowadays. The top producers do it constantly, and above all else rely on it most. A good method of finding a new sound and making a loop from an existing song is to simply change the pitch. You know that squirell sounding voice that was popular in so many hit songs in the early 2000's? That was achieved through pitch. Pitch's most powerful effect tho, is on instruments. The tone can be changed entirely and allow you to reimagine a sound. This along with reversing are the first things you should do when manipulating a new sample.
6. Use layering to create new harmonies and rhythms
If you're working on a guitar progression consider increasing the pitch up or down a quarter. After that you can copy it and decrease the octabe. Keep this up until you haver a chord progression (or degression). This way of stacking layers of the same sound with different configurations is one of the most commonly used methods in music making todays. When doing this try and keep an artifact of the previous sound, so it still sounds familiar but feels new and original.