If you’re diving into electronic music production, you know that finding the perfect sample can make or break your track.

From atmospheric pads to punchy drum hits, samples are the lifeblood of any producer’s arsenal. But where do you find these sonic gems?

Let’s explore some of the best places to hunt for samples, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out.

Paid Sample Libraries

Splice

When it comes to sample libraries, Splice is a heavyweight champion. Splice offers a subscription service with millions of royalty-free samples, loops, and presets.

The search functionality is super powerful, allowing you to filter by genre, BPM, key, and specific instruments.

Splice’s vast collection is regularly updated, so you’ll always have fresh sounds to experiment with.

Be sure to check out Callum's great in-depth article about Splice that outlines its key benefits in detail.

Benefits:

• Extensive library. Millions of royalty-free samples, loops, and presets.
• Advanced search. Filter by genre, BPM, key, and specific instruments.
• Regular updates. Constantly refreshed collection with new sounds.
• Collaboration tools. Share projects with friends or collaborators for remote work.

Pro Tip: Take advantage of Splice’s collaboration features. You can share projects with friends or collaborators, making it easier to work on tracks together, even remotely.

Loopcloud

Loopcloud is another powerhouse platform for finding samples, especially if you want a comprehensive and integrated solution.

Loopcloud provides a vast library of over 4 million samples, all available directly within your DAW through their plugin. This seamless integration allows you to audition samples in the context of your project before committing to a purchase.

Mike's introduction to Loopcloud provides a great summary of this platform's benefits and drawbacks.

Benefits:

• Cloud storage. Keep all your samples in one place with Loopcloud's cloud storage.
• Advanced search. Find samples based on instrument, genre, key, and more.
• Subscription tiers. Various plans to fit your budget, with points to download samples.
• Integration. Directly access and audition samples within your DAW.

Pro Tip: Take advantage of Loopcloud’s daily free sample downloads. It's a great way to build your library without spending extra money. Plus, their built-in effects and pattern editor let you customize and tweak samples on the fly, adding a personal touch to your music.

Loopmasters

Okay, so Loopmasters = Loopcloud. But whereas Loopcloud is their subscription offering, Loopcloud is their marketplace where you can buy individual sound and packs.

Loopmasters has mix of free and paid sample packs across multiple genres without the need for a subscription.

This is perfect if you're looking for some really specific sounds and you don't want to commit to an ongoing subscription.

With Loopmasters (and Loopcloud),  you’re not just getting random samples but carefully crafted sounds designed to fit your music style.

Benefits:

• Diverse collection. Mix of free and paid sample packs across genres.
• Genre-specific packs. Curated by industry professionals for targeted sounds.
• High quality. Professionally produced samples for polished tracks.
• Artist series. Packs created by well-known producers for unique insights.

Pro Tip: Check out Loopmasters’ “Artist Series” packs, which feature samples created by well-known producers. It’s a great way to get insight into the sounds and techniques of your favourite artists.

Free Sample Packs

If you’re on a budget, there are plenty of free sample packs available online. Websites like Bedroom Producers Blog and LANDR often feature curated lists of free samples.

These packs may not be as extensive as those on Splice or Loopmasters, but they’re perfect for adding unique touches to your tracks without breaking the bank.

Benefits:

• Free (obviously). Completely free samples for cost-effective production.
• Curated lists. You can still get some really high quality packs for free, selected by websites like Bedroom Producers Blog and LANDR.
• Accessibility. Easy to find and download online.

Pro Tip: Free samples can sometimes lack the polish of paid ones. You may need to use effects and post-processing to improve how these samples sound in your mix.

Reddit and Online Communities

Reddit is a goldmine for music producers.

Subreddits like r/WeAreTheMusicMakers and r/edmproduction regularly have threads where users share their favourite sample packs and secret sources. Engaging with these communities can also lead to collaborations and feedback on your work.

Benefits:

• Community sharing. Users share their favourite sample packs and sources, crowdsourcing research and saving time finding new packs.
• Collaboration. Opportunities to meet and collaborate with other producers.
• Resourceful threads. Regular discussions on sample sources and techniques.

Pro Tip: Don’t just lurk—participate! Sharing your discoveries and contributing to discussions can build relationships and help you learn from more experienced producers.

Field Recording

Sometimes the best samples come from the world around you.

Grab a portable recorder (or even your smartphone) and start capturing sounds from your environment.

The sound of a busy street, a thunderstorm, or even the hum of a refrigerator can create unique textures for your tracks.

Benefits:

• Unique sounds. Capture one-of-a-kind samples from your environment that no other producers will have in their tracks.
• Free (obviously). Nothing more to say!

Pro Tip: When recording, try to capture sounds in high fidelity and different environments. Experiment with layering and manipulating these recordings to create entirely new sounds.

YouTube and SoundCloud

YouTube and SoundCloud aren’t just for listening—they’re treasure troves of obscure and unique samples.

Many producers upload sample packs or royalty-free sounds. Additionally, old recordings and public domain content can provide interesting snippets to incorporate into your music.

Benefits:

• Abundant content. Wide variety of samples and sounds uploaded by users.
• Unique finds. Discover obscure and interesting audio snippets.
• Public domain. Access to old recordings and public domain content.
• User contributions. Sample packs and sounds from fellow producers.

Pro Tip: Always double-check the usage rights for samples found on these platforms. The last thing you want is a copyright issue down the line.

Your Own Synths and Drum Machines

Don’t forget the power of creating samples from scratch.

Using synths, drum machines, and even software instruments, you can craft one-of-a-kind sounds that are entirely yours.

This not only gives you a unique edge but also deepens your understanding of sound design.

Benefits:

• Original sounds. Create unique samples that are entirely yours.
• Sound design. Improve your skills by crafting sounds from scratch.
• Consistency. Maintain a consistent sonic palette across your tracks.
• Library building. Export your creations to build a personal sample library, building and refining your unique sound.

Pro Tip: Once you’ve created some cool sounds, consider exporting them as samples to build your library. This can speed up your workflow and ensure consistency in your music.

Recap

Finding the right samples is a journey of exploration and experimentation. Whether digging through Splice’s extensive library, participating in Reddit threads, or capturing sounds in the wild, the key is to keep an open mind and have fun with the process.

Happy sampling!