Where To Get Percussion Samples and Percussion Loops
Today we're going to be talking about where to source percussion samples, percussion loops, and what to look for in percussion sample packs in general.
So much of being a capable producer is starting with the right raw ingredients. But there is also the added challenge of doing this without stirring up legal headaches or software problems that might limit how you distribute your music or monetize it.
We will be looking at common sources of samples for both professional and hobby producers and digging in to how to make the most of them, as well as when it makes sense to use each source.
Where do professional producers get their percussion samples?
This is a big question and if you ask 10 producers, you'll get 10 different answers.
Depending on the genre of music you work on and the circle of music producers you're interested in, some people are very open about their sources and others are very secretive.
There are basically 4 categories of sources we can think of where a producer might get their percussion samples:
Records
Internet Media, like YouTube videos or popular podcasts
Percussion sample packs for sample sites like us or our competitors
Musicians or DIY sources
We're going to examine each of these in more detail and we'd advise that you explore all of them. They all have pros and cons. Both from a musical perspective, a legal perspective, and a workflow perspective.
So let's jump in and see what each of these sources have to offer.
Digging for Gold: Percussion Samples from Vinyl Records
Digging for percussion samples in vinyl is a true art. Documentaries have been made about how various producers approach this, especially in hip hop and related genres. Going to the record store to dig is practically like going to church for a lot producers.
If you have an open mind, you can get every kind of sound you would ever need from just a record store if you have the patience to look and listen to many different kinds of recordings.
You'll find drums, cymbals, bells, congas, bongos, one shots, loops, textures, and many other instruments all at the record store.
When you hear something you think you can use, you need to dub the sounds from vinyl into your sampler or DAW where you can work on it.
The one drawback to sampling from vinyl: you might attract lawyers & repel money
These sounds are not royalty free!
If you do something like sample the surface noise of the record you're in the clear, but as soon as you start lifting drum breaks or synths or any of the copyrighted material, you invite legal scrutiny.
Some people don't care and just figure it out later. That works, but it can be expensive. Danny Brown did this on Atrocity Exhibition and later said in interviews he was in debt after the record came out because it cost him $70,000 to clear all the samples on the album.
I'm a small producer, it doesn't matter who I sample
For a smaller music producer, odds are pretty low that someone spends the money to sue you if there's no money to take. But it can still ruin your fun if the music gets taken down from streaming platforms.
A bigger concern for a smaller artist would be that you lose out on opportunities. A label might not want to deal with releasing an albums full of uncleared samples and it will make the music much harder to pitch for sync licensing, which can be a significant source of income.
Many producers make their first real money from sync well before they have a fanbase or reputation, so you don't want to wall yourself out of this in the beginning.
Creative Sampling from Non-Musical Internet Sources
Another approach that's become popular in recent years is to sample more unconventional sources that are not music. Things like podcasts, popular YouTube or TikTok videos, or sound effects like iPhone notifications.
These can but fun and more culturally relevant if you're trying to reference a viral trend that a lot of people are going to be familiar with. These also have a very difference sonic character because you are dealing with digital sources of audio, not analog sounds like you would get from vinyl or tape.
However, you're still dealing with potential copyright issues since you're still borrowing from sources that are not your intellectual property.
A key difference is if you are sampling from a YouTube creator, it may be easier to get in touch with the rights holder and get explicit permission to use the sample as well as negotiate a price if they want to be paid for the use.
Navigating Sample Pack Companies
This is where we work to help you. Sample pack companies ideally make the process of sourcing great sounds without a legal headache simple and easy.
These are some of the principles we try to incorporate in our packs like STONEWIRE, VISION MAGNET, GRITMATTER and the others. However, even if you decide to use a product from one of the many other sample pack companies out there, we think these are factors you should keep in mind.
Insist On Good Sounds
This should go without saying, but you should curate your sample library like your record collection.
Insist on quality sounds you can use in many ways. Samples should sound good and be well organized. If you find free sample packs that sound good to you, use them.
But don't fill your hard drive with mediocre sounds because they're free. A lot of people just hoard free stuff then can't figure out why they're having trouble finishing tracks.
A well recorded, versatile collection of sounds you can use over and over again is worth paying a few bucks for.
Think about cost per use, not cost.
The more you use a sample pack, the more the "cost per use" will decline. Say you buy a few percussion sample packs. One cost you $30 and you used it 2 times. Your cost per use is $15 ($30/2 uses).
But say one of your other percussion sample packs was $40 and more usable. So you end up making 60 beats with it that year. The cost per use of that pack is $0.67 ($40/60 uses).
The sample pack with the higher upfront cost is actually cheaper in the long run if you use it more often. So you should always consider how much you'll be using a collection of sounds as well as your immediate needs.
Look For Royalty Free Sample Packs Only
We think the royalty free model is the cleanest way to do it for everybody involved.
You pay for a sample pack, download it, then you're good to go. If we want to make more money we need to find more customers and make more sounds for you to use.
What To Watch Out For In Sample Packs
Hidden Royalty Splits
Not every company or producer who releases a sample pack does it in a royalty free way. Always read the terms of use. For example, many sample packs will actually require that you split royalties with its creator if you release anything made with the pack.
Don't assume anything, always read the fine print!
In our opinion, this undermines the whole point of a sample pack by creating another administrative headache to deal with, which frankly music already has too much of.
Stolen Sounds
There are plenty of subreddits and sample pack sites that either sell or give away pirated sounds that once again defeat the purpose of a good sample pack.
You want a collection of usable sounds that you can use without having to worry about, like you would an instrument.
Overused Sounds
Sounds that are widely available for free, made from stock synth presets, or ship with major DAWs tend to become very overused.
Even if you love the stock Apple loops that ship with Logic Pro for example, you have to remember that literally every other user of that software will have those loops so they're going to pop up in all kinds of other contexts. And this will include other types of media you probably don't want to be associated with outside of music. We're not going to name names, but use your imagination.
Rolling Your Own Samples: The DIY Way
Lots of producers get their samples the way we do at Glitch Magic. They make them! Either by recording things like foley sounds and manipulating them in the studio to fit their music or by collaborating with musicians they like.
This is something everybody should at least be a little involved in because it will help you to find your own voice. Think of it as curating a private sample library. Yes, use plugins you like and sample packs that inspire you, but you should also be using some sounds that nobody else on Earth has except for you.
Getting Started Making Your Own Samples
If you've never done this before, you can start by making a little bit of everything. Even if your first batch of homebrew samples isn't super usable, you will learn a lot about what goes into good samples and it will elevate your production.
Set a goal to make 30-50 one shots. Find some objects around the house you can turn into percussion samples. Make some "drums" out of thuds and taps against ordinary objects. Jingle your house keys to make some off kilter rhythms to sample.
Take all of those sounds and try to make some interesting loops or even full tracks with them.
Even if it takes you a few tries to really nail your own percussion samples, there is no way this doesn't improve your skills as a music producer if you've never done this before.
Something nobody talks about is this is also a great way to network with other producers. 50 sounds is not a huge collection of sounds so it might be tough to sell as a product, but if you meet a producer you want to work with this kind of thing makes a nice olive branch to hold out as a show of willingness to collaborate.
Percussion Samples Demystified (We Hope!)
Hopefully you have a better idea of where each of these samples will fit into your workflow as a producer in a way that helps elevate what you do.
And of course since we offer royalty free sample packs that we built for our own production needs, we hope you check them out. We offer percussion sample packs, foley sounds, synth loops and samples, as well as some other toys that we hope inspire you!
