Sampling sounds is a great way to create original music. It gives you access to sounds that you might not otherwise have been able to access and allows you to play around with them in a new way, adding depth and complexity to your songs. But before you can sample, you need to be aware of some key points that will ensure your samples are legal and won’t cause you any problems.
First and foremost, you should always use copyright-free music when sampling. This will prevent you from running into any legal issues down the road and allow you to legally release your music without paying any royalties. The best way to do this is to make sure you clear all your samples with the artists and publishers who own the rights to the song you’re using.
Another important tip is to save all the samples you have created. This way, you can easily find the right ones for your next project.
Often, the best samples don’t end up being used in the song that they were originally intended for, so it’s important to keep them around for when you need them in future. You can also re-sample them and combine them in other ways, or use them to create something completely new.
The Library of Congress has a huge database of free audio samples that you can browse for inspiration on their Citizen DJ website. These include recordings from public service announcements, films, and more – perfect for adding a layer of depth to your compositions.
There are plenty of sites out there that offer free music samples, so it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to finding the best ones. This is where our list of the top 10 music sample websites can help.
1. Sample Swap: Professional quality free audio samples and electronic music
Founded in 2001, Sample Swap offers over 100,000 professionally-produced, high-quality music and sound effects samples that are royalty-free. The site has a great community and offers plenty of tools to help you search for the perfect sample for your project.
2. Soundcamp: Tens of thousands of percussion, drums, instruments, and tracks
Doubling as a music production blog, Soundcamp is a great resource for sourcing free sound files, including drum loops, bass lines, instrument samples, midi files, and more. Unlike many sample sharing sites, the sound library on Soundcamp is fully searchable, allowing you to filter by genre or mood. You can even use the Camelot Wheel to pick out samples in a particular key, which can be helpful if you need a bass line for a track in a specific key.
3. Bedroom Producers Blog: A digital magazine for music producers
Bedroom Producers Blog is a great resource for all aspects of music production. It features a huge archive of free packs and round-up articles that help you find the best sample for your needs. It’s also an excellent source for downloadable drum kits, piano and guitar samples, and sound effects.
