as an old school hip-hopper on a budget i basically take all my samples from records. i can make all kinds of sounds through my mixer and go from there. i work on a fairly strict code of what i sample and dont. you cant beat the recording method of like '76 and before. it just sounds better, real. i use very very simple tactics after i get a recording of the sample i want, recorded at PROPER LEVELS. i go through and chop it all up and roll it like a blunt. like i said im on a budget. i like my sound and thats why i do it. check recent beats here
http://www.myspace.com/theundergrowthprofile
any critism is great