With a consistent climb to the top of the WAVS charts, Monii’s creativity has shown to be a trusty tool in getting his sound noticed and his work sampled thousands of times. As a top 50 creator on WAVS, Monii’s sound and growing fanbase are a testament to the incredible future this producer is building for himself. With Creator Corner, we aim to dive deep into the workflows of our most intriguing creators – exploring how they craft their sounds, what it takes to produce a #1 sample pack, and uncovering valuable insights from Monii’s journey to the top.
With this series, we wanted to dive deeper into the craft, but first, we had to cover the basics. So, our first question to Monii was: “What makes a great sample pack?”
For me, the best sample packs have a balance of creative processing, unique sound design, and simplicity. I love packs that have a consistent sound or character. The use of similar effects chains, plugins, and a theme of instruments (like electric or acoustic) contributes a lot to that.
Usability is also really important. Producers want samples where they can instantly hear a bounce or a drum pattern in their head. Having good space and a “pocket” in your samples plays a big role in achieving that.
In conclusion, samples need to be simple in their essence. Simple doesn’t mean basic; it means placing simplicity at the center of your creative approach. You create with the aim of simplifying things as much as you possibly can. All creative masterpieces have had simplicity as a north star to varying degrees, and mastering a simplicity-based approach without compromising your creative journey or sacrificing your art to mediocrity is a skill to be learned for sure. Additionally, one’s samples need to be blessed by good decisions in terms of sound design, sound selection and great processing. What this means is that whatever you do, however much you process, whether you have all the plugins in the world or not, choosing the source of your initial sound is key. Whether that’s a one-shot, a VST or even better a real sound you’ve played and recorded – it has to hit. After that, utilize your vision of what you want that sound to evolve into and utilize the tools you have to sound design it properly. Processing a sound only works well if you carefully use the tools you have, and by having a great source sound in the first place.
Places Vol. 3 by Monii
Following up, we wanted to know what makes Monii’s samples stand out to producers and what his #1 advice for new producers is in terms of creating their first great sample pack?
I keep my samples pretty simple, using instruments like guitar, bass, and vocals. I add my own flair by manipulating the audio, experimenting with recording techniques, and using different FX plugins. This keeps my sound unique yet simple and highly usable.
In terms of creating your first great sample pack, I’d say be unique with your sound and use your samples as a way to express yourself—treat it like art. Don’t just copy what’s trending right now. Your unique sound can become your selling point. That way, people who love your style will eagerly await each new pack you release.
Monii’s first 2 sample packs on WAVS, released more than 3 years ago. FUCHSIA LITE and DARKSOUL MIDI STARTERS
A historical look through Monii’s catalog shows us the evolution of his work. He started off with FUCHSIA LITE about 3 years ago, which is a Royalty-Free sample pack containing 65 samples. With this, he’s instantly provided maximum value to people interested in his work by dropping a large, royalty-free pack. By doing that he’s making sure as many people use his samples. This is great if you intend on playing the long game, as a creator you know you will continue creating so by going all-in with your work you’re making sure it reaches as far and as wide as it can go. If you create for no one but yourself, that’s viable too, but it may not help you achieve a potential end goal for many which is making a career out of being a music creator.
Monii’s follow-up pack titled DARKSOUL MIDI STARTERS is a great 2nd release, for one because it’s mostly royalty-free, but this time a couple of the samples in there are royalty-based. This is a great strategy, he’s still attracting his audience in because a lot of the work does not require any royalty-sharing, but he’s also making a few of his best pieces royalty-based. This shows a high regard for his best work, but also shows he’s still willing to provide value to the wider audience.
SPHERES X by Monii and NUGISOUND
Going further, we asked how Monii keeps his releases fresh and unique and whether he caters his samples for both beginners as well as professionals.
In terms of keeping my releases fresh and unique, I like to switch up my processing techniques for each pack. For example, I might focus on a specific reverb or delay, or experiment with a new plugin. While some elements remain consistent because they’re key to my sound, I often theme my packs. One series might highlight natural vocal tones, while another focuses on experimental guitar processing and ear candy.
In terms of catering to a certain category, I aim to make my samples as usable as possible. They’re generally simple, with rhythms that aren’t too complex, and I use common instruments like guitars, pianos, and basses. This makes them beginner-friendly. However, some of my more layered samples, with stacked vocals and intricate elements, are better suited for experienced producers who can easily hear the pockets.
2 of Monii’s best selling releases. Inharmonii Vol. 1 is a fully royalty-based sample pack, While Vox & Textures Vol. 3 is completely royalty-free.
A producer’s audience is always comprised of both long-term sympathizers as well as new people that stumble upon your work daily. These new people, they’re often not looking for you specifically, they’re looking at everyone and hearing what stands out. Some of them are industry veterans and some of them are people just starting out. If your demo sample or your top sample does stand out, they’ll get that instantly, and as is human nature, they’ll want more right away. If your aim is to convert these new listeners to long-term fans of your sound, you have to give more to them. How much more you give is up to you, but make sure there’s always a follow-up. A pack that’s all over the place stylistically is by no means a bad thing if it sounds good, but if you aim to convert these listeners and have a larger audience, you definitely need to take note of unifying your pack the same way you would unify an album if you were an artist.
Places Vol. 4 by Monii
Next, we asked how long it takes Monii to create and publish a pack, how he decides what kind of pack to release and what are the most common mistakes he sees in poorly performing sample packs?
Typically, it takes me three weeks to a month to create and publish a pack. I start with a clear vision of the vibe I want for the pack and create samples that fit that. Once I have about ten unique and inspiring samples, I move on to designing the artwork and publishing.
I try to maintain variety by alternating between formats—sample packs, multi-kits, and drum loop kits. The content depends on whatever inspires me at the time, so I don’t focus too much on trends. I naturally enjoy switching things up.
Even though it’s crucial to stay true to your creative desires, you also need to think about your audience. Producers and artists need samples that serve as strong foundations for their beats or songs. If a sample pack sounds great but doesn’t have pockets for drums or vocals, it won’t hold much value for a producer.
If you look at Monii’s recent releases, they’re very different from when he was starting out. He’s still providing a lot of value by releasing royalty-free packs, but his best and most carefully-crafted work is usually a separate pack, 10 to 15 samples, and entirely royalty-based. He has built this position for himself. He’s still making sure he has both segments of his audience watching and downloading, while earning a solid amount from selling his work which ensures he can keep creating full-time. With this, he maintains a constant growth of his audience and fan-base after all these years, and most likely for years to come too.
Monii (Private archives)
What tools and techniques help you craft unique sounds and What advice would you give to new creators on WAVS?
Since I work with a lot of live audio, my recording process plays a big role. Sometimes I freestyle melodies and piece them together in Ableton, which creates a more experimental vibe. Other times, I stick to a clear idea I have in my head, resulting in a more natural sound.
I also experiment with effects chains, different recording equipment (like using an iPhone mic versus a condenser mic), and plugins like Mic Mod to emulate vintage microphones.
In terms of advice to new creators, Include the stems and MIDI for your samples. Producers appreciate the flexibility this provides. It’s also helpful to ask your producer friends for feedback—find out which sample they think is the best or most usable and use it as your demo.
Looking at Monii and his work, it’s always exciting to witness a creator so deserving of the attention they get and seeing them incorporate a growth mindset which keeps them ever-evolving. Monii does not sacrifice his creativity to cater to an audience that isn’t inherently his, he makes sure that the people that like what he likes have a way of finding him. With this, he’s able to both be authentic as well as able to provide a new release as often as the audience would expect him to. Shifting between royalty-based and royalty-free releases helps keep him at the forefront of a larger audience, and having releases with a central theme in mind makes sure the entire pack gets love and trends higher, instead of just one sample taking off and the rest of the pack not getting the love it deserves.
