# Sound Server: guide for AI agents > You are reading the agent guide for https://sound.shep.bot. This service searches many music-sample sites at once (Freesound, Wikimedia Commons, Openverse, ccMixter, the Internet Archive, sound effect libraries, drum machine banks and producer packs, plus deep links into Splice, Looperman and other sites that can't be searched automatically) and returns drums, 808s, loops, vocals, FX, foley, ambience and instrument samples with a preview, BPM/key/length where known, and a licence verdict on commercial use. It is a free, non-commercial service and needs no account or API key. ## When to use this Reach for Sound Server when the job is one of these: - **Find a sound for a track**: "a punchy kick", "a dark 808 in F minor", "a vocal chop around 140 BPM", "a riser for the drop", "vinyl crackle". One call searches every source. - **Build a drum kit**: kick, snare, clap, hats and 808 that suit a style, tempo and key, with a Strudel snippet and a General MIDI / SFZ map (`build_kit` or `POST /v1/kits`). - **Get sound effects for a game, app or video**: zaps, impacts, UI clicks, footsteps, rain and room tone. - **Put files into a project**: download WAV/AIFF/FLAC/OGG/MP3 into `./samples` together with `ATTRIBUTION.md` and `credits.json`. - **Check a licence before release**: every result says whether it can go into a commercially released track, and gives the credit line when one is needed. - **Compare options**: show the user a few candidates (title, source, verdict, preview link) when the choice is a matter of taste. ## When not to use it - Generating new audio from a prompt (this service finds existing recordings; it does not create them). - Full songs, stems of famous records or music for listening: it is for samples and sound effects. - Buying packs or subscriptions: paid results link to the store, where the purchase happens. - Clearing a sample from a commercial record: link the user to a clearance service instead. ## Licence rules (follow these) Music sample licences have traps, so every result carries `license.verdict`: | verdict | Tell the user | | --- | --- | | `yes` | Commercial use OK, no credit required. | | `yes-with-credit` | Commercial use OK **with the credit line** in `attribution`. | | `restricted` | Conditions (share-alike, Sampling+) usually rule out a normal release: read them. | | `clearance-required` | Needs paid clearance per release. | | `check-terms` | Unclear or unverified (no licence stated, uploader-asserted, subscription terms): read the terms first. | | `no` | Non-commercial only. | 1. **Search commercial-safe by default** (`commercial_only=true` on MCP, `commercial=true` on REST). Turn it off only when the user says the project is personal, practice or otherwise non-commercial. 2. **Report the verdict** of every sample you suggest or download, in plain words. 3. **Never present a `no` or `check-terms` sample as cleared**, and never drop the warning when the user only asked for "free" sounds: free to download is not the same as free to release. 4. **Pass on credit lines.** When `attribution` is present, give it to the user verbatim and add it to the project's credits (e.g. `CREDITS.md`). Local downloads collect them in `ATTRIBUTION.md`. 5. `license.assertedBy: "uploader"` means nobody verified the licence: say so. 6. Never redistribute samples (commit them to a public repo, repackage them, put them in a dataset) unless the licence is CC0 or public domain; royalty-free licences forbid it. Verdicts summarise the licence; they are not legal advice. Details: https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Option 1: MCP (best when you can add tools) MCP endpoint (Streamable HTTP, no auth): `https://sound.shep.bot/mcp`. Register it as **`sounds`**. - Claude Code: `claude mcp add --transport http sounds https://sound.shep.bot/mcp` - Cursor / Windsurf / VS Code / Codex / Gemini CLI: add an HTTP MCP server named `sounds` with that URL. Per-client snippets: https://sound.shep.bot/docs/mcp Tools: - `search_samples(query, categories?, forms?, bpm?, bpm_min?, bpm_max?, key?, max_duration?, commercial_only?=true, free_only?, downloadable_only?, strict?, providers?, limit?, offset?)` - `get_sample(id, format?, analyze?)`: licence, verdict, credit line, files, preview, and `selection.downloadUrl`; `analyze=true` measures BPM, key, length and loudness from the preview - `download_sample(id, dest_dir?, format?)`: local (stdio) servers only; files go to `./samples//` with `ATTRIBUTION.md` - `build_kit(style?, slots?, bpm?, key?, commercial_only?=true, alternatives?)`: one pick per slot with alternatives, a Strudel snippet and a GM/SFZ map - `find_similar(id, limit?)`: sounds similar to a Freesound sample - `list_sources()` ## Option 2: REST API (works with plain HTTP, curl or a fetch tool) Base URL: `https://sound.shep.bot`. Responses are JSON. 1. Search: `GET /v1/search?q=&category=&form=&bpm=<140|120-128>&key=&commercial=true&limit=10` → `results[]` (each has `id`, `title`, `provider`, `url`, `category`, `form`, `bpm`, `key{tonic,mode}`, `durationSec`, `previewUrl`, `license{id,name,url,verdict,note,assertedBy,attributionRequired}`, `attribution`, `requiresAccount`, `downloadable`) and `providers[]` (per-source status; `status:"link"` entries carry a `searchUrl` for sites that can't be searched automatically). Query words work too: `q=dark 808 in F minor`, `q=vocal chop 140 bpm`. 2. Inspect one result: `GET /v1/samples/{id}` (id like `freesound:2086`; URL-encode it) → sample + `files[]` (format, role, sample rate, size) + `shareUrl`. 3. Download into the project: `curl -L -o samples/.zip "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}/download?bundle=true"` (zip with the audio, `ATTRIBUTION.md` and `credits.json`), or without `bundle=true` to get the single file (302 to the source, so follow redirects). `?format=wav` picks a format. `409` means no direct download: send the user to the sample's `url`. 4. Preview with CORS (browsers, Web Audio, Strudel): `GET /v1/samples/{id}/preview` (add `?proxy=1` to stream it through this server). 5. Drum kit: `POST /v1/kits` with `{"style":"dark trap","bpm":140,"key":"F minor","slots":["kick","snare","clap","hat.closed","hat.open","808"]}`. Full OpenAPI 3.1 spec: https://sound.shep.bot/openapi.json ## How to do the job well - Use the words a producer would: "punchy kick", "dusty snare", "open hat", "808", "vocal chop", "riser", "impact", "rain ambience". Add `category` to cut noise (`drums.kick`, `fx.zap`); a parent like `drums` matches all drums. - For drum hits use `form=one-shot` (and `max_duration=2`); for loops use `form=loop` with `bpm`. - Pitched sounds (808s, bass, synths, vocal chops) can be filtered by `key`; relative major/minor also match. Use `get_sample` with `analyze=true` to measure a sound's key and BPM when the source doesn't state them. - Prefer `downloadable: true` results when the user wants files in the project. `requiresAccount: true` means the full-quality original needs the user's own (usually free) account on the source site; only the preview is available here. - Show a few options with their verdict and a preview link when the choice is subjective; download directly when the request is specific. - To let the user hear a sample (or share it), link `https://sound.shep.bot/search?sample=`: it opens the sample with its waveform, licence and downloads, and unfurls in chat apps with a card. - If a search comes back thin, try a simpler word, drop the BPM/key filters, or pass along the `searchUrl` links of `link` sources. ## Example User: "Add a punchy kick I can use in a released track to my project." ```bash curl -s "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=punchy+kick&category=drums.kick&form=one-shot&commercial=true&downloadable=true&limit=5" # pick a result, e.g. freesound:2086 (verdict yes-with-credit), then: mkdir -p samples/drums curl -L -o samples/drums/kick.zip "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/freesound%3A2086/download?bundle=true" unzip -o samples/drums/kick.zip -d samples/drums/ ``` Then tell the user: "Punchy Kick 01 by someone on Freesound, CC BY 4.0: commercial use is OK with this credit line: …" and add that line to `CREDITS.md`. ## More - Human docs: https://sound.shep.bot/docs - Agent setup: https://sound.shep.bot/docs/mcp - REST guide: https://sound.shep.bot/docs/api - Licences explained: https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences - Sources and licences: https://sound.shep.bot/docs/sources - FAQ: https://sound.shep.bot/docs/faq.md ## Guides to quote when users ask Answer-first guides (each `.md` starts with a short answer you can relay, then sources): - Can I use Freesound samples in a commercial release? https://sound.shep.bot/guides/freesound-samples-commercial-use.md - CC0 vs CC BY vs royalty-free: https://sound.shep.bot/guides/cc0-vs-cc-by-vs-royalty-free.md - How to credit CC BY samples: https://sound.shep.bot/guides/credit-cc-by-samples.md - What is CC Sampling+? https://sound.shep.bot/guides/cc-sampling-plus.md - Is BBC Sound Effects free for music? https://sound.shep.bot/guides/bbc-sound-effects-for-music.md - What counts as commercial use? https://sound.shep.bot/guides/what-counts-as-commercial-use.md - Sample clearance and Content ID: https://sound.shep.bot/guides/sample-clearance-and-content-id.md - Build a drum kit from free samples (Strudel, SFZ, General MIDI): https://sound.shep.bot/guides/build-a-drum-kit-from-free-samples.md - Finding samples by BPM and key: https://sound.shep.bot/guides/find-samples-by-bpm-and-key.md - All guides: https://sound.shep.bot/guides.md · Glossary of terms: https://sound.shep.bot/glossary.md - How many samples each source holds (counted daily): https://sound.shep.bot/stats.md, JSON at https://sound.shep.bot/v1/catalog - Everything as one text file: https://sound.shep.bot/llms-full.txt --- # Sound Server quick start **Sound Server** searches many free and paid sample sites at once and tells you, for every sound, whether you can use it in a track you release. Results cover drums (kicks, snares, claps, hats, percussion, breaks), 808s and bass, vocals and a cappellas, FX (risers, impacts, sweeps, zaps), foley, ambience and instrument one-shots, with BPM, key and length where known and a preview you can play. The public server at **https://sound.shep.bot** is a free, non-commercial service and needs no account or API key. It never re-hosts sounds: previews and downloads come from the source sites. ## Pick how you want to use it | You want to… | Use | Start here | | --- | --- | --- | | Browse, audition and download samples yourself | The web search | [/search](https://sound.shep.bot/search) | | Get a matching drum kit for a style, tempo and key | The kit builder | [/kit](https://sound.shep.bot/kit) | | Let Claude Code, Cursor, Copilot or another agent find sounds | The MCP server at `https://sound.shep.bot/mcp` | [Coding agents & MCP](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/mcp) | | Call it from a script, a DAW extension or a backend | The REST API | [REST API guide](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/api) | | Explore every endpoint and try requests | The interactive reference | [API reference](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/api/reference) | ## Connect your agent (30 seconds) For **Claude Code**, run this once: ```bash claude mcp add --transport http sounds https://sound.shep.bot/mcp ``` Then ask for what you need: ```text Find three punchy kicks and a dark 808 in F minor that I can use in a released track. Put them in ./samples and tell me any credit lines I need. ``` Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf, Codex CLI, Gemini CLI and the Claude apps take the same URL. See [Coding agents & MCP](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/mcp) for each one. ## Or call the API ```bash # Kicks cleared for a commercial release curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=punchy+kick&category=drums.kick&form=one-shot&commercial=true&limit=5" # Details, files and the credit line for one result curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/freesound:2086" # Download it as a zip with the audio, ATTRIBUTION.md and credits.json # (without bundle=true a single file redirects straight to the source) curl -L -o kick.zip "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/freesound:2086/download?bundle=true" ``` ## What a search returns Every search returns two lists: - **`results`**: samples merged from all sources and ranked by how well they match. Each has an `id` like `freesound:2086`, a `category` (`drums.kick`, `fx.riser`…), a `form` (`one-shot`, `loop`…), `bpm`, `key` and `durationSec` when known, a `previewUrl`, a `license` with a `verdict`, an `attribution` line when credit is required, and `downloadable`. - **`providers`**: one status line per source (`ok`, `error`, `timeout`, `skipped` or `link`). Sites that don't allow automated search (Splice, Looperman and others) come back as `link` with a `searchUrl` that runs the same search on their site. A slow or broken source never fails the search. Queries understand music words: "808 in F minor" filters by key, "vocal chop 140 bpm" by tempo, "loop" or "one shot" by form. ## Licences, in one line each - **Commercial use OK** (`yes`): release it, no credit needed. - **Commercial use OK with credit** (`yes-with-credit`): release it and credit the author with the `attribution` line. - **Restricted**, **Needs paid clearance**, **Unclear** (`restricted`, `clearance-required`, `check-terms`): read the terms first. - **Non-commercial only** (`no`): practice and personal projects, not releases. `commercial=true` keeps only the first two. The full explanation is in [Sample licences explained](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences). ## For AI agents reading this Machine-readable entry points: - [/AGENTS.md](https://sound.shep.bot/AGENTS.md): how to use this service as an agent, including the licence rules - [/llms.txt](https://sound.shep.bot/llms.txt) and [/llms-full.txt](https://sound.shep.bot/llms-full.txt): site index and full docs as plain text - [/openapi.json](https://sound.shep.bot/openapi.json): OpenAPI 3.1 description of the REST API --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/docs --- # Sound Server MCP server for AI agents Sound Server is a [Model Context Protocol](https://modelcontextprotocol.io) server. Connect it once and your agent can search every sample source, build drum kits, check licences and pull sounds into your project while it works on your track, game or app. **MCP endpoint:** `https://sound.shep.bot/mcp` (Streamable HTTP, no authentication). Register it under the name **`sounds`**. ## Claude Code ```bash claude mcp add --transport http sounds https://sound.shep.bot/mcp ``` Add `--scope user` to make it available in every project, or `--scope project` to share it with your team through `.mcp.json`. Check it with `claude mcp list`, or `/mcp` inside a session. ## Cursor Add this to `.cursor/mcp.json` in your project, or to `~/.cursor/mcp.json` for every project (the [home page](https://sound.shep.bot/#agents) has a one-click "Add to Cursor" button): ```json { "mcpServers": { "sounds": { "url": "https://sound.shep.bot/mcp" } } } ``` ## VS Code (GitHub Copilot) Add to `.vscode/mcp.json`, then use Copilot Chat in **Agent** mode: ```json { "servers": { "sounds": { "type": "http", "url": "https://sound.shep.bot/mcp" } } } ``` Or from a terminal: `code --add-mcp '{"name":"sounds","type":"http","url":"https://sound.shep.bot/mcp"}'` ## Claude desktop app and claude.ai Open **Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector**, name it *Sound Server* and paste `https://sound.shep.bot/mcp`. ## Windsurf Add to `~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json`: ```json { "mcpServers": { "sounds": { "serverUrl": "https://sound.shep.bot/mcp" } } } ``` ## OpenAI Codex CLI Add to `~/.codex/config.toml`: ```toml [mcp_servers.sounds] url = "https://sound.shep.bot/mcp" ``` ## Gemini CLI ```bash gemini mcp add --transport http sounds https://sound.shep.bot/mcp ``` ## Any other client Clients that only support stdio servers can bridge to the HTTP endpoint with [`mcp-remote`](https://www.npmjs.com/package/mcp-remote): ```json { "mcpServers": { "sounds": { "command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "mcp-remote", "https://sound.shep.bot/mcp"] } } } ``` ## Tools your agent gets | Tool | What it does | | --- | --- | | `search_samples` | Search every source. Arguments: `query` (music words work: "808 in F minor", "vocal chop 140 bpm"), `categories` (e.g. `drums.kick`, `bass.808`, `fx.riser`), `forms` (`one-shot`, `loop`, `phrase`…), `bpm` or `bpm_min`/`bpm_max`, `key`, `max_duration`, `commercial_only` (default **true**), `free_only`, `downloadable_only`, `strict`, `providers`, `limit`, `offset`. | | `get_sample` | Details for one `id`: licence, verdict and credit line, files, preview, and with `analyze=true` the measured duration, BPM, key, root note and loudness. Returns `selection.downloadUrl` for the best file. | | `download_sample` | Local servers only: writes the file into `./samples//` and keeps `ATTRIBUTION.md` and `credits.json` up to date. | | `build_kit` | Picks one sound per slot (default kick, snare, clap, closed hat, open hat, 808) for a `style`, `bpm` and `key`, with alternatives, a licence summary, a Strudel snippet and a General MIDI / SFZ map. Locally, `download=true` saves the kit. | | `find_similar` | Sounds that sound like a Freesound sample (Freesound's audio similarity). | | `list_sources` | Every source with what it is best for, categories, pricing, licence and capabilities. | The remote server never writes to its own disk, so agents with a shell download through the links it returns: ```bash mkdir -p samples/drums curl -L -o samples/drums/kick.zip "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/freesound%3A2086/download?bundle=true" unzip -o samples/drums/kick.zip -d samples/drums/ ``` ## Licence rules the agent follows Music licences have more traps than most, so the server tells every agent the same rules, and you can expect them to be followed: - Searches are **commercial-safe by default** (`commercial_only=true`). The agent turns that off only when you say the project is personal or non-commercial. - It **reports the verdict** of every sound it suggests, and never presents a `no` (non-commercial) or `check-terms` (unclear) sound as cleared. - When a sound needs credit (`yes-with-credit`), it gives you the exact `attribution` line, and local downloads collect them in `ATTRIBUTION.md`. - Uploader-asserted licences (for example on the Internet Archive) are flagged as unverified. Details: [Sample licences explained](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences). ## Prompts that work well ```text Build me a dark trap kit at 140 BPM in F minor: kick, snare, hats, clap and an 808. Commercial-safe only. Show me the picks with their licences first. ``` ```text Find a riser and an impact for a drop at 128 BPM. Only CC0 or royalty free. Download them into ./samples/fx. ``` ```text I need a vocal chop in A minor for a house track. Give me five options with preview links and tell me which ones need a credit. ``` Tips for agents and the people prompting them: - Write queries the way a producer talks: "punchy kick", "dusty snare", "open hat", "rain ambience". - Filter by category when the word is ambiguous: "crash" is a cymbal, not a sound effect. - Results with `downloadable: false` must be fetched from their `url` on the source site; `requiresAccount: true` means the original needs a (usually free) account there. ## Local mode: downloads straight to disk For `download_sample` and kit downloads into your project, run the server locally over stdio: ```bash claude mcp add sounds-local -- npx -y sound-server mcp ``` Or with Docker, mounting your samples folder: ```bash claude mcp add sounds-local -- docker run -i --rm \ --user "$(id -u):$(id -g)" -v "$PWD/samples:/app/samples" \ ghcr.io/arielshad/sound-server node dist/cli.js mcp ``` Files land in `./samples//` (packs in `./samples/packs//`). Add `-e FREESOUND_API_KEY=...` for Freesound search, and `-e FREESOUND_OAUTH_TOKEN=...` to fetch Freesound originals with your own account. ## Agents without MCP Any agent that can fetch URLs can use the REST API directly. Point it at [/AGENTS.md](https://sound.shep.bot/AGENTS.md); it has the whole workflow and the licence rules in a few lines. In Claude Code you can also install the ready-made skill: ```bash mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills/sounds curl -fsSL https://sound.shep.bot/skill/SKILL.md -o ~/.claude/skills/sounds/SKILL.md ``` --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/docs/mcp --- # Sound Server REST API guide A small JSON API over HTTPS. No key is needed on `https://sound.shep.bot`. Every endpoint is described in the [OpenAPI 3.1 spec](https://sound.shep.bot/openapi.json), which you can explore and try in the [interactive reference](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/api/reference). **Base URL:** `https://sound.shep.bot` ## The flow 1. `GET /v1/search`: find candidates across every source. 2. `GET /v1/samples/{id}`: read the licence verdict, credit line, musical facts and files of one result. 3. `GET /v1/samples/{id}/download`: get the file, or a zip with the credits. Plus `GET /v1/samples/{id}/preview` to play a preview from a browser or Strudel, and `POST /v1/kits` to assemble a drum kit in one call. ## Search ```bash curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=punchy+kick&category=drums.kick&form=one-shot&commercial=true&limit=10" ``` | Parameter | Description | | --- | --- | | `q` | Free text, written like a producer would: `punchy kick`, `dusty snare`, `vocal chop 140 bpm`, `808 in F minor`. BPM, key and form words become filters. May be empty when `category` is set (browse). | | `category` | Comma-separated dot-path categories. A parent matches its children: `drums` matches `drums.kick` and `drums.hat.closed`. See the `Category` schema for the full list (drums.kick, drums.snare, drums.clap, drums.hat.closed, bass.808, vocals.chop, fx.riser, fx.impact, foley, ambience, keys, synth.pad…). | | `form` | Comma-separated: `one-shot`, `loop`, `phrase`, `multisample`, `pack`, `midi`, `preset`. | | `bpm` | `140` or a range `120-128`. Half and double time also match. | | `key` | `F minor`, `F#m`, `Eb`, `A major`. Relative major/minor also match. | | `min_duration`, `max_duration` | Length in seconds (e.g. `max_duration=2` for drum one-shots). | | `commercial` | `true`: only samples whose licence allows a commercial release (verdict `yes` or `yes-with-credit`). | | `free` | `true`: exclude paid samples and packs. | | `downloadable` | `true`: only samples this server can download directly. | | `strict` | `true`: drop samples whose BPM, key or form is unknown when you filter on them (by default they are kept, ranked lower). | | `providers` | Comma-separated source ids from `/v1/providers`, e.g. `freesound,openverse`. | | `limit` | Max results, 1–100 (default 24). | | `offset` | Per-source offset for the next page (e.g. `24`). | The response (shortened): ```json { "query": "punchy kick", "filters": { "categories": ["drums.kick"], "forms": ["one-shot"], "commercialOnly": true }, "results": [ { "id": "freesound:2086", "provider": "freesound", "title": "Punchy Kick 01", "url": "https://freesound.org/s/2086/", "author": "someone", "category": "drums.kick", "form": "one-shot", "durationSec": 0.42, "previewUrl": "https://cdn.freesound.org/previews/2/2086_23-hq.mp3", "license": { "id": "CC-BY-4.0", "name": "CC BY 4.0", "assertedBy": "source", "attributionRequired": true, "verdict": "yes-with-credit", "note": "Credit the author in your release notes or description." }, "attribution": "“Punchy Kick 01” by someone (Freesound), https://freesound.org/s/2086/, licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)", "requiresAccount": true, "downloadable": true } ], "providers": [ { "provider": "freesound", "name": "Freesound", "status": "ok", "count": 10, "total": 1843, "tookMs": 412 }, { "provider": "splice", "name": "Splice", "status": "link", "count": 0, "searchUrl": "https://splice.com/sounds/search?q=punchy+kick" } ] } ``` ## Licence verdicts Every `license` has a `verdict` that answers one question: can this go into a commercially released track? | `verdict` | Meaning | | --- | --- | | `yes` | Commercial use OK, no credit required (CC0, public domain, royalty free). | | `yes-with-credit` | Commercial use OK with a credit line: use `attribution`. | | `restricted` | Conditions that usually rule out a normal release (share-alike, Sampling+). | | `clearance-required` | A real recording that needs paid clearance per release. | | `check-terms` | Unclear: no licence stated, uploader-asserted, or subscription terms. | | `no` | Non-commercial only. | `license.assertedBy` says who stated it: `source` (the site records it per item), `site` (one licence for the whole site) or `uploader` (an unverified claim; such licences are never better than `check-terms`). More in [Sample licences explained](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences). ## Sample details ```bash curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/freesound:2086" ``` Returns the sample plus `files[]` (each with `url`, `filename`, `format`, `role` (`original`, `preview`, `pack`, `stem`, `midi`), `sampleRate`, `bitDepth`, `channels`, `sizeBytes`, and `requiresAuth` when it needs an account on the source) and a `shareUrl` that opens it on the website. ## Choose files ```bash curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/freesound:2086/files?format=wav" ``` The files a download would contain for a `format` (`wav`, `aiff`, `flac`, `ogg`, `mp3`, `zip`) or `role`, with `totalBytes`, the licence and the credit line. `all=true` returns everything. ## Download ```bash curl -L -o kick.zip "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/freesound:2086/download?bundle=true" ``` A single plain file answers with a `302` redirect to the source (so use `-L`). Several files, files that need source headers, or `bundle=true` stream one zip with `ATTRIBUTION.md` and `credits.json` next to the audio. The response carries `X-License` and `X-Attribution` headers. Samples without direct downloads answer `409` with the sample's `url` and `requiresAccount`. The original from Freesound needs a Freesound account: send your own OAuth token as `x-freesound-token`, otherwise only the preview is available. ## Previews ```bash curl -L "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/freesound:2086/preview" -o preview.mp3 ``` Redirects to the source's preview. Sources whose previews need a `Referer`, or `?proxy=1`, are streamed through this server with `Access-Control-Allow-Origin: *`, so browser players, Web Audio and [Strudel](https://strudel.cc) can load them. Only previews are proxied, capped in size: this is not a general proxy. ## Build a kit ```bash curl -X POST "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/kits" -H "content-type: application/json" \ -d '{"style":"dark trap","bpm":140,"key":"F minor","slots":["kick","snare","clap","hat.closed","hat.open","808"]}' ``` One pick per slot with alternatives and the reason it was chosen, warnings, a count of picks per verdict, the credit lines, a Strudel sample map and snippet (pointing at the preview proxy, so it plays in strudel.cc as is) and a General MIDI / SFZ drum map. `commercialOnly` defaults to `true`; `perSlot` sets the number of alternatives (0–5). The [kit builder](https://sound.shep.bot/kit) is a page on top of this endpoint. ## List sources ```bash curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/providers" ``` ## Usage statistics and source health ```bash curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/stats" ``` Aggregate usage (searches by surface, downloads, MCP tool calls, top clients and categories) for the last 24 hours and 7 days, plus each source's success rate and p50/p95 latency. The same data is on the [statistics](https://sound.shep.bot/stats) page. `GET /v1/catalog` returns the daily count of what each source holds. ## Examples ### JavaScript / TypeScript ```ts const base = "https://sound.shep.bot"; const res = await fetch(`${base}/v1/search?` + new URLSearchParams({ q: "riser", category: "fx.riser", commercial: "true" })); const { results } = await res.json(); const pick = results.find((s) => s.downloadable); console.log(pick.title, pick.license.verdict, pick.attribution ?? "no credit needed"); new Audio(`${base}/v1/samples/${encodeURIComponent(pick.id)}/preview`).play(); ``` ### Python ```python import requests base = "https://sound.shep.bot" r = requests.get(f"{base}/v1/search", params={"q": "808", "key": "F minor", "commercial": "true"}) sample = next(s for s in r.json()["results"] if s["downloadable"]) with requests.get(f"{base}/v1/samples/{sample['id']}/download", params={"bundle": "true"}, stream=True) as dl: dl.raise_for_status() with open("808.zip", "wb") as f: for chunk in dl.iter_content(1 << 16): f.write(chunk) ``` ## Errors Errors are JSON: `{ "error": "message" }`. | Status | Meaning | | --- | --- | | `400` | Bad parameter (e.g. an unreadable `bpm` or `key`) or unknown source id. | | `401` | API key required (self-hosted servers with `SOUND_SERVER_API_KEY` only). | | `404` | Unknown sample, or no file matches the format/role. | | `409` | The source has no direct downloads; use the returned `url`. | | `429` | Rate limit exceeded; wait `Retry-After` seconds. | | `502` | The source site failed. | ## Authentication (self-hosted) The public server is open. If you run your own with `SOUND_SERVER_API_KEY`, send the key as `Authorization: Bearer ` or `x-api-key: `. Keys are accepted in headers only, never as a URL parameter, so they stay out of logs, browser history and `Referer` headers. ## Rate limits and versioning The public server allows 120 requests per minute per client. Every response carries `RateLimit-Policy` and `RateLimit` headers (plus `RateLimit-Limit`, `RateLimit-Remaining` and `RateLimit-Reset`); going over returns `429` with `Retry-After`. The API is versioned in the path (`/v1`), only grows additively within a version, and announces deprecations with `Deprecation` and `Sunset` headers at least 90 days ahead. Details: [Versioning, deprecation & rate limits](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/api/versioning). ## Fair use Cache results on your side for repeated queries, keep requests to a human pace, and respect each sample's licence. The server already caches source responses for a few minutes and deduplicates identical in-flight requests. Sound Server is a free, non-commercial service and does not re-host or resell sounds. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/docs/api --- # Sample licences explained A sample is only useful if you can release the music you make with it. Licences for sounds are written for many uses (films, games, archives, remixes), so the same words mean different things for a producer. This page explains the licences you will meet on free sample sites, what each one means for a track you release, and how Sound Server turns them into one verdict per sound. This is a practical guide, not legal advice. When a release matters, read the licence itself (every result links to it) and, for anything large, ask a lawyer. ## The verdicts Every result carries a `verdict` that answers one question: **can this go into a commercially released track?** "Commercial" includes selling the track, streaming it on paid platforms and putting it in a monetised video. | Badge | `verdict` | What you can do | | --- | --- | --- | | Commercial use OK | `yes` | Use it in a release. No credit required. | | Commercial use OK with credit | `yes-with-credit` | Use it in a release and credit the author. | | Restricted: read the conditions | `restricted` | Commercial use comes with conditions that usually rule out a normal release. | | Needs paid clearance per release | `clearance-required` | A real recording whose owners clear each release, usually for a fee. | | Unclear: check the terms | `check-terms` | Nobody verified the licence. Read the terms first. | | Non-commercial only | `no` | Practice, study and personal projects only. | The **Commercial-safe** switch on the search page, `commercial=true` on the API and the MCP default (`commercial_only=true`) keep only the first two. ## Public domain and CC0 **CC0** is a waiver: the creator gives up their rights as far as the law allows. Sounds marked **public domain** have no owner to ask. Both are verdict `yes`: use them, change them, release them, no credit needed. Crediting the recordist is still good manners. ## CC BY: credit the author **CC BY** (Attribution) allows commercial use as long as you give credit. For music that means naming the sound, its author, where it came from and the licence, in a place listeners can find: release notes, a Bandcamp or YouTube description, the credits of a game. Verdict: `yes-with-credit`. Sound Server builds the credit line for you. It looks like this: ```text “Deep Kick 01” by Jane Doe (Freesound), https://freesound.org/s/123456/, licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) ``` Copy it from the detail view, take it from the `attribution` field of the API, or download with `bundle=true` to get `ATTRIBUTION.md` and `credits.json` with every sound. Local MCP downloads keep one `ATTRIBUTION.md` per folder, so the credits for a release are in one place. ## Share-alike (BY-SA): your track inherits the licence **CC BY-SA** allows commercial use, but anything you make from the sound must be released under the same licence. For a song, that arguably means the whole track has to be CC BY-SA, so anyone could reuse it commercially. Labels and distributors usually won't accept that. Verdict: `restricted`. Fine for open projects that are happy to be CC BY-SA themselves. ## Non-commercial (NC) **CC BY-NC**, **BY-NC-SA** and similar licences forbid commercial use. A track on Spotify, a paid download, a beat you lease or a monetised YouTube video are all commercial. Verdict: `no`. Use these for practice, sketches and study, then replace them before release. Some broadcaster archives, such as the BBC's RemArc licence, are personal and educational use only and get the same verdict. ## No derivatives (ND) **CC BY-ND** lets people share the sound only unchanged. Putting a sample inside a track makes a new work built on it, which is a derivative. Verdict: `no`. ## Sampling+ **CC Sampling+ 1.0** was written for sampling but has been retired by Creative Commons. It allows commercial use only once the sound is transformed into a new work, never in advertising, and never selling the sound itself. **NC Sampling+** adds a non-commercial clause. Verdicts: `restricted` and `no`. You will mostly meet it on older uploads to ccMixter and similar sites. ## Royalty free: use it, don't share it Sample packs and sound effect sites often use their own **royalty-free** licence: you may use the sounds in your music, commercial releases included, without paying per use. What you may not do is **redistribute the samples themselves**: no reposting them in a pack, a public repository, a sample library or a dataset, even for free. Verdict: `yes` (or `yes-with-credit` when the site asks for credit). The `redistribution: false` flag on the licence marks this. Subscription services (Splice, Loopcloud and others) license sounds to subscribers under their own terms. Sound Server only links to those sites, and treats subscription terms as `check-terms` where they vary. ## Uploader-asserted licences On some sites anyone can upload anything and type in a licence. The Internet Archive is the best-known example: its collections include genuine public-domain recordings and also music the uploader had no right to give away. Sound Server marks these with `assertedBy: "uploader"` and never rates them better than `check-terms`, even when the stated licence is CC0. A licence recorded by the source per item (`assertedBy: "source"`, as on Freesound or Wikimedia Commons) or set by a site for all its sounds (`assertedBy: "site"`) is trusted more. ## Clearance A few services sell the right to sample real records. Using one of those recordings is legal only once the sample is cleared for your release, usually for a fee that depends on how the release is distributed. Verdict: `clearance-required`. Fine for sketching; budget for clearance before you release. ## Content ID and fingerprinting A licence protects you legally, but it does not stop automated systems from flagging your track. YouTube Content ID, distributor checks and similar systems compare audio fingerprints, and popular free samples are sometimes registered by someone else, or appear in many tracks that are. If your release gets a claim for a sample you are allowed to use, dispute it with the licence and the source URL (the credit line has both). Using less common sounds, or processing them heavily, reduces the chance of a false match. ## How verdicts are decided 1. Each source tells Sound Server the licence of a sound, per item (Freesound, Wikimedia Commons, Openverse) or for the whole site (royalty-free libraries). 2. The licence is normalised to an SPDX-style id (`CC0-1.0`, `CC-BY-4.0`, `CC-BY-NC-4.0`, `LicenseRef-…`) by one shared parser, so the same licence gets the same verdict on every source. 3. The verdict follows fixed rules: CC0 and public domain `yes`; BY `yes-with-credit`; SA `restricted`; NC and ND `no`; Sampling+ `restricted`, NC Sampling+ `no`; site royalty-free licences `yes` or `yes-with-credit`; unknown or unclassifiable licences `check-terms`. 4. Uploader-asserted licences are capped at `check-terms`. 5. A short `note` explains each verdict, and the full licence is always linked. The rules live in one module of the open-source server (`src/core/licence.ts`), with tests for every licence. If a verdict looks wrong, [open an issue](https://github.com/arielshad/sound-server/issues) with the sample id. ## What agents are told AI agents using the [MCP server](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/mcp) or the [agent guide](https://sound.shep.bot/AGENTS.md) get the same rules: search commercial-safe by default, report the verdict of every suggestion, never present `no` or `check-terms` sounds as cleared, and pass on the credit line whenever one is needed. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences --- # Frequently asked questions > Short answers about Sound Server: what it searches, licence verdicts, credits, downloads, rate limits, AI agents and self-hosting. ## About Sound Server ### What is Sound Server? Sound Server is a free search engine and API for music samples. One query searches 41 sites at once, including Freesound, Wikimedia Commons, Openverse, ccMixter, the Internet Archive and SampleRadar, and returns kicks, snares, hats, 808s, loops, vocals, FX, foley and instrument one-shots with a preview and a licence verdict. It works in the browser, over a REST API, and as an MCP server for AI agents. ### Can I use these samples in a song I release? It depends on each sample's licence, which is why every result carries a verdict. Green means commercial use is fine (CC0, public domain, royalty-free), or fine with a credit line (CC BY). Amber means read the conditions first: share-alike, Sampling+, uploader-asserted licences or paid clearance. Red means non-commercial only (CC BY-NC, BBC RemArc). Turn on Commercial-safe to see only green results. ### Why does a Freesound download need an account? Freesound lets anyone stream its MP3 and Ogg previews, but the original WAV or AIFF files are only handed out to logged-in users. Sound Server plays the preview and links to the sound on Freesound, where you sign in (free) to get the original. Self-hosted servers can use your own Freesound OAuth token to fetch originals locally. ### Does Sound Server host the samples? No. It never re-hosts or resells sounds. Previews play from the source site, single-file downloads redirect to the source, and multi-file downloads are streamed from the source into a zip together with ATTRIBUTION.md and credits.json. The sounds stay with their creators and their licences. ### Is it free? Is it commercial? Sound Server is a free, non-commercial service: no account, no API key, no ads and no paid tier. It is open source (Apache-2.0), so you can also run your own copy. Paid packs from stores like Cymatics or Prime Loops show their price and link to the store; the purchase happens there. ### How do I connect Claude Code, Cursor or another AI agent? Add the MCP server URL https://sound.shep.bot/mcp. In Claude Code run: claude mcp add --transport http sounds https://sound.shep.bot/mcp. Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf, Codex CLI and Gemini CLI take the same URL. The agent then gets search_samples, get_sample, build_kit, find_similar and list_sources, and is told to report each licence verdict and never to present a non-commercial sound as cleared. ## Searching ### How do I search by tempo and key? Write them in the query, like "vocal chop 140 bpm" or "808 in F minor", or use the BPM and key filters. Half and double tempo and the relative major or minor also match, because they fit the same track. Sounds whose source doesn't label tempo or key stay in the results, ranked lower, unless you turn on strict matching. ### Why are some results links instead of sounds? Some sites, such as Splice, Looperman and most sample stores, don't allow automated search or have no public API. Sound Server doesn't scrape them: it shows a link that runs the same search on that site. Of the 41 sources, 19 are searched directly and return playable results, and 22 are links. ### How fresh are the results? Searches run live against the sources each time, with short caching. The curated collections are saved searches refreshed daily, and the catalogue counts on the stats page are taken once a day. ### Can I search for sound effects, not just music samples? Yes. Foley, ambience and effects such as risers, impacts, whooshes and glitches are categories of their own, and many sources are sound-effect libraries. Video editors and game developers use the same search. ## Licences ### What do the green, amber and red verdicts mean? Green: cleared for a commercial release, with or without a credit line. Amber: conditions apply (share-alike, Sampling+, paid clearance, or terms nobody verified), so read the licence first. Red: non-commercial only. The licence of every sample is linked so you can check it yourself. ### Why is an Internet Archive sound marked 'check the terms' even when it says CC0? On the Internet Archive, uploaders type in the licence themselves and nobody verifies they owned the recording. Sound Server never rates an uploader-asserted licence better than 'check the terms'. Licences recorded by the source per item, as on Freesound and Wikimedia Commons, are trusted more. ### Is the verdict legal advice? No. It is a consistent reading of the licence each source publishes, applied the same way everywhere, with a note explaining it. For a release that matters, read the licence itself; for anything large, ask a lawyer. ### Do I have to credit CC0 sounds? No. CC0 waives the creator's rights, so a credit is optional. CC BY sounds do need one, and Sound Server writes the credit line for you. ## Downloads and credits ### What do I get when I download a sample? A single file redirects to the source's download. Several files, or a download with the bundle option, arrive as one zip with the audio, ATTRIBUTION.md (human-readable credits) and credits.json (the same, machine-readable). Samples that need an account on the source link to its page instead. ### Can I download a whole drum kit at once? Yes. The kit builder picks one sound per slot and gives you the credits, a Strudel snippet and an SFZ / General MIDI map. Run locally, the MCP tool build_kit saves the files into your project. ## API, agents and self-hosting ### Is there a rate limit? The public server allows 120 requests per minute per client across the REST API and MCP. Every response carries RateLimit headers, and a 429 response says when to retry. ### Can I run my own copy? Yes. Sound Server is open source under Apache-2.0 and runs with Docker or Node.js. A self-hosted server can use your own Freesound credentials for original-quality downloads and run as a stdio MCP server for local agents. ### How can an AI agent read this site? Every page has a Markdown version: add .md to the address or send Accept: text/markdown. Agents can start from /llms.txt or /AGENTS.md, and the REST API is described in /openapi.json. More: https://sound.shep.bot/guides.md · https://sound.shep.bot/glossary.md · https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/docs/faq --- # Versioning, deprecation & rate limits The rules below let agents and integrations build on the Sound Server API without surprises. ## Versioning - The major version is part of the path: every REST endpoint lives under **`/v1`**. - Within `/v1`, changes are **additive only**: new endpoints, new optional parameters, new fields in responses. Clients must ignore fields they don't know. - **Breaking changes** (removing or renaming a field or endpoint, changing a type or a default) only ship under a new major version (`/v2`). The previous version keeps working during its deprecation period. - The MCP tools follow the same rule: tool names and existing arguments stay stable; new optional arguments may appear. - The OpenAPI document at [/openapi.json](https://sound.shep.bot/openapi.json) always describes the current version. Its `info.version` follows semantic versioning. ## Deprecation and sunset When an endpoint, parameter or whole API version is going away: 1. It is marked `deprecated: true` in the OpenAPI document and listed in the changelog on GitHub. 2. Its responses carry a **`Deprecation`** header ([RFC 9745](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc9745)) with the date it was deprecated, a **`Sunset`** header ([RFC 8594](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc8594)) with the date it stops working, and a `Link: <…>; rel="deprecation"` header pointing at migration notes. 3. The sunset date is **at least 90 days** after the deprecation is announced. 4. After the sunset date the endpoint answers `410 Gone` with a JSON body naming its replacement. Example of a deprecated response: ```http HTTP/1.1 200 OK Deprecation: @1767225600 Sunset: Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Link: ; rel="deprecation" ``` Nothing in `/v1` is deprecated today. ## Rate limits The public server allows **120 requests per minute per client** across `/v1/*` and `/mcp`. Every response tells you where you stand, using the IETF RateLimit header fields plus their widely used single-value forms: | Header | Example | Meaning | | --- | --- | --- | | `RateLimit-Policy` | `"default";q=120;w=60` | Quota: 120 requests (`q`) per 60-second window (`w`). | | `RateLimit` | `"default";r=117;t=42` | 117 requests remaining (`r`), window resets in 42 seconds (`t`). | | `RateLimit-Limit` | `120` | Requests per window. | | `RateLimit-Remaining` | `117` | Requests left in this window. | | `RateLimit-Reset` | `42` | Seconds until the window resets. | Going over the limit returns **`429 Too Many Requests`** with a **`Retry-After`** header (seconds) and a JSON body: ```json { "error": "Rate limit exceeded: 120 requests per 60s. Retry after 12s.", "retryAfter": 12 } ``` How to behave: - Read `RateLimit-Remaining` (or `r=` in `RateLimit`) and slow down before it reaches zero. - On `429`, wait `Retry-After` seconds, then retry once. Don't retry in a tight loop. - Cache search results you reuse; a search fans out to every source, so repeating it costs everyone. All rate-limit headers are exposed to browsers through CORS. Self-hosted servers set their own limit with `SOUND_SERVER_RATE_LIMIT` and `SOUND_SERVER_RATE_LIMIT_WINDOW` (see [Self-hosting](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/self-hosting)). --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/docs/api/versioning --- # Sources & licences Sound Server searches 41 sites. Use the `id` with `providers=` to restrict a search. "deep link" sources are not searched automatically: the response carries a `searchUrl` that runs the same search on the site. | Source | id | Best for | Categories | Search | Pricing | Licence | Direct download | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Freesound](https://freesound.org) | `freesound` | The big Creative Commons sound library (700k+): drums, FX, foley, field recordings, synth hits and loops, with per-sound licence, BPM and key analysis. | Drums, Bass, Vocals, FX, Foley, Ambience, Keys, Guitar, Synth, Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Mallets, Other | API | free | per sample | yes | | [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org) | `wikimediacommons` | Free audio from Wikipedia's media archive: instrument demos, drum hits, field recordings and public-domain music; each file has its own CC0, public-domain or CC BY(-SA) licence. | Drums, FX, Foley, Ambience, Vocals, Keys, Guitar, Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Mallets, Synth | API | free | per sample | yes | | [ccMixter](https://ccmixter.org) | `ccmixter` | Creative Commons a cappellas (about 6,000) and remix stems from the ccMixter community; licence per upload (CC BY, BY-NC, CC0, Sampling+). | Vocals, Drums, Bass, Synth, Keys, Guitar | API | free | per sample | yes | | [Internet Archive](https://archive.org) | `internetarchive` | Uploaded sample packs, drum-machine recordings and sound-effect collections; only items whose uploader states CC0, public domain or CC BY(-SA) are listed, and commercial sample CDs are filtered out. | Drums, Bass, FX, Foley, Ambience, Vocals, Synth, Keys | API | free | per sample | yes | | [BBC Sound Effects](https://sound-effects.bbcrewind.co.uk) | `bbc` | 33,000 BBC archive and Natural History Unit recordings (nature, ambience, transport, machines, foley) as WAV and MP3; RemArc licence: personal, educational and research use only. | Ambience, Foley, FX | API | free | BBC RemArc licence (Non-commercial only) | yes | | [Strudel sample banks](https://strudel.cc/learn/samples/) | `strudel` | Sample banks that Strudel and TidalCycles load from GitHub: ~70 classic drum machines, Dirt-Samples, the CC0 VCSL orchestral set and the Salamander piano, one file per listing. | Drums, Bass, Keys, Synth, Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Mallets, Guitar, Vocals, FX, Foley, Ambience, Other | catalogue | free | per sample | yes | | [MusicRadar SampleRadar](https://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/free-music-samples-royalty-free-loops-hits-and-multis-to-download-sampleradar) | `sampleradar` | Around 270 free, royalty-free genre sample packs (loops, hits and multis) from MusicRadar and Computer Music, each a direct zip download. | Drums, Bass, Synth, Keys, Guitar, Vocals, FX, Ambience, Strings, Brass, Other | catalogue | free | MusicRadar SampleRadar licence (Commercial use OK) | yes | | [Curated free libraries](https://github.com/arielshad/sound-server/blob/main/src/providers/data/curated-packs.json) | `curated` | A hand-checked list of well-known free sample libraries and instruments (Philharmonia, Iowa MIS, VSCO 2 CE, VCSL, FreePats, DrumGizmo, Adobe SFX, Goldbaby, Sonniss GDC...), with verified direct downloads where they exist. | Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Drums, Guitar, Mallets, Keys, Foley, FX, Vocals, Ambience, Synth | catalogue | free | per sample | yes | | [Zenodo datasets](https://zenodo.org) | `zenodo` | Hand-checked research datasets on Zenodo that work as sample sources: orchestral and instrument notes (TinySOL, Good-sounds), singing, choir and guitar recordings, percussion one-shots and large CC BY drum-loop sets (WaivOps). | Strings, Vocals, Guitar, Drums, Woodwind | catalogue | free | per sample | yes | | [Kenney](https://kenney.nl/assets/category:Audio) | `kenney` | Kenney's CC0 game audio packs: UI clicks, impacts, sci-fi, RPG and casino foley, voice-overs and music jingles, as direct zips. | FX, Foley, Vocals, Other | site search | free | CC0 1.0 (Commercial use OK) | yes | | [Free Wave Samples](https://freewavesamples.com) | `freewavesamples` | Free 16-bit WAV one-shots sampled from vintage synths and drum machines: drums, cymbals, basses, pianos and instrument notes by pitch. | Drums, Bass, Synth, Keys, Guitar, Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Mallets, FX, Foley, Ambience, Vocals | site search | free | Free Wave Samples licence (Commercial use OK) | yes | | [OpenGameArt](https://opengameart.org) | `opengameart` | Community game audio: free sound effects, chiptune and game music, each entry with its own licence (mostly CC0, CC-BY and CC-BY-SA). | FX, Foley, Ambience, Drums, Synth, Vocals, Other | site search | free | per sample | yes | | [SoundBible](https://soundbible.com) | `soundbible` | Classic free sound effects (animals, doors, weapons, weather, household) in WAV and MP3, each with its own licence from public domain to personal use only. | FX, Foley, Ambience, Vocals, Drums, Other | site search | free | per sample | yes | | [Orange Free Sounds](https://orangefreesounds.com) | `orangefreesounds` | Free sound effects, drum and synth loops and background music; loops mostly CC BY 4.0, many effects non-commercial (licence per post). | Drums, Synth, FX, Foley, Ambience, Vocals, Keys, Other | site search | free | per sample | yes | | [BigSoundBank](https://bigsoundbank.com) | `bigsoundbank` | About 3,600 CC0 sound effects, ambiences and foley recorded by Joseph Sardin, each with a UCS category; search and page links only (the audio folder is closed to robots). | Foley, Ambience, FX, Vocals, Drums, Mallets, Keys, Other | site search | free | CC0 1.0 (Commercial use OK) | no | | [Openverse](https://openverse.org) | `openverse` | Keyless Creative Commons search over Freesound and Wikimedia Commons audio: licence and credit line per sound, Freesound previews without a Freesound key. | Drums, Bass, Vocals, FX, Foley, Ambience, Keys, Guitar, Synth, Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Mallets, Other | API | free | per sample | yes | | [Free pack news](https://99sounds.org/sounds/) | `freepacks` | Newly announced free sample and preset packs from 99Sounds, Bedroom Producers Blog and Reverb Machine, linking to the article or product page (downloads need an email or a $0 checkout there). | Drums, Bass, Vocals, FX, Foley, Ambience, Keys, Guitar, Synth, Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Mallets, Other | site search | free | per sample | no | | [Ghosthack](https://www.ghosthack.de) | `ghosthack` | German label's store of royalty-free sample packs: big vocal and acapella packs, cinematic FX, EDM, techno and trap kits, song kits, MIDI and Serum/Vital presets; demo mp3 per pack. | Vocals, FX, Drums, Bass, Synth, Keys, Guitar, Strings, Foley, Ambience | site search | paid | Ghosthack licence (Commercial use OK) | no | | [Black Octopus Sound](https://blackoctopus-sound.com) | `blackoctopus` | Label store of royalty-free sample packs and synth presets (vocals, drum hits, bass music, techno, cinematic), its own and partner labels'; a few free giveaways. | Drums, Bass, Vocals, FX, Synth, Keys, Guitar, Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Ambience | site search | freemium | Black Octopus Sound licence (Commercial use OK) | no | | [Prime Loops](https://primeloops.com) | `primeloops` | UK store of label sample packs: hip hop, trap and drill drum kits, melody and MIDI kits, world vocals and cinematic loops, plus many free taster packs. | Drums, Bass, Vocals, Keys, Guitar, Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Synth, FX | deep link | freemium | Prime Loops licence (Commercial use OK) | no | | [Cymatics](https://cymatics.fm) | `cymatics` | Big catalogue of drum kits, loop and one-shot packs, vocals, Serum presets and MIDI for trap, hip hop and EDM; a lot of free packs that go through a $0 checkout. | Drums, Bass, Vocals, Synth, Keys, Guitar, FX | deep link | freemium | Cymatics licence (Commercial use OK) | no | | [Function Loops](https://www.functionloops.com) | `functionloops` | Label store of royalty-free sample packs: vocal packs and acapellas, psytrance, techno, house, pop and hip hop kits, MIDI and presets (search on the site). | Vocals, Drums, Bass, Synth, FX, Guitar, Keys | deep link | paid | Function Loops licence (Commercial use OK) | no | | [Mixkit](https://mixkit.co) | `mixkit` | Envato's free sound effects: risers, whooshes, impacts, glitches, foley and ambiences, free for commercial use (link only: its terms forbid automated access). | FX, Foley, Ambience, Drums, Vocals | deep link | free | Mixkit Sound Effects Free License (Commercial use OK) | no | | [Splice](https://splice.com/sounds) | `splice` | The largest subscription sample library: millions of individual one-shots and loops from label packs, each licensed with credits, filterable by BPM, key and type. | Drums, Bass, Vocals, FX, Keys, Guitar, Synth, Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Mallets, Ambience | deep link | paid | Splice licence (Commercial use OK) | no | | [Loopmasters](https://www.loopmasters.com) | `loopmasters` | Long-running store of label sample packs across every dance and urban genre, with audio demos for each pack. | Drums, Bass, Vocals, FX, Keys, Guitar, Synth, Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Mallets, Ambience | deep link | paid | Loopmasters licence (Commercial use OK) | no | | [Loopcloud](https://www.loopcloud.com) | `loopcloud` | Loopmasters' subscription service: search the Loopmasters catalogue sound by sound and use it in the Loopcloud app or plugin. | Drums, Bass, Vocals, FX, Keys, Guitar, Synth, Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Mallets, Ambience | deep link | paid | Loopcloud licence (Commercial use OK) | no | | [Producer Loops](https://www.producerloops.com) | `producerloops` | Store of sample packs, construction kits, MIDI and presets from many labels, each with an audio demo. | Drums, Bass, Vocals, FX, Keys, Guitar, Synth, Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Mallets, Ambience | deep link | paid | Producer Loops licence (Commercial use OK) | no | | [ADSR Sounds](https://www.adsrsounds.com) | `adsr` | Store of sample packs, synth presets and plugins for electronic producers, plus tutorials. | Drums, Bass, Vocals, FX, Keys, Guitar, Synth, Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Mallets, Ambience | deep link | paid | ADSR Sounds licence (Commercial use OK) | no | | [Plugin Boutique](https://www.pluginboutique.com) | `pluginboutique` | Plugin store that also sells sample packs, presets and Kontakt instruments from many labels, with a free section. | Drums, Bass, Vocals, FX, Keys, Guitar, Synth, Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Mallets, Ambience | deep link | freemium | per sample | no | | [LANDR Samples](https://samples.landr.com) | `landr` | LANDR's sample library: individual loops and one-shots from label packs on a credit plan, with a set of free sounds. | Drums, Bass, Vocals, FX, Keys, Guitar, Synth, Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Mallets, Ambience | deep link | freemium | LANDR Samples licence (Commercial use OK) | no | | [Tracklib](https://www.tracklib.com) | `tracklib` | Original recordings (soul, jazz, funk, library music) with stems that you may sample legally, by paying a clearance fee for each release. | Drums, Bass, Vocals, Keys, Guitar, Strings, Brass, Woodwind | deep link | paid | Tracklib sample clearance (Needs paid clearance per release) | no | | [Looperman](https://www.looperman.com) | `looperman` | Free community library of user-uploaded loops and a cappellas, searchable by keyword, tempo and key; downloads need a free account. | Drums, Bass, Vocals, Keys, Guitar, Synth, Strings, Brass, Woodwind, FX | deep link | free | Looperman licence (Unclear: check the terms) | no | | [SampleFocus](https://samplefocus.com) | `samplefocus` | Community site of free user-uploaded one-shots and loops, with a monthly download allowance on free accounts. | Drums, Bass, Vocals, FX, Keys, Guitar, Synth, Ambience | deep link | freemium | SampleFocus licence (Unclear: check the terms) | no | | [Zapsplat](https://www.zapsplat.com) | `zapsplat` | Large free sound-effects library (with some music loops); free accounts must credit Zapsplat, paid accounts need not. | FX, Foley, Ambience, Vocals | deep link | freemium | Zapsplat Standard licence (Commercial use OK with credit) | no | | [Pixabay Sound Effects](https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/) | `pixabay` | Free sound effects uploaded by the Pixabay community, under the Pixabay Content Licence. | FX, Foley, Ambience, Vocals | deep link | free | Pixabay Content Licence (Commercial use OK) | no | | [Sonniss](https://sonniss.com) | `sonniss` | Sound-effects library store, best known for its free yearly GDC bundles of tens of gigabytes of professional effects. | FX, Foley, Ambience, Vocals | deep link | freemium | Sonniss licence (Commercial use OK) | no | | [Uppbeat SFX](https://uppbeat.io/sfx) | `uppbeat` | Sound effects for video creators, free with a monthly download limit or unlimited on a paid plan. | FX, Foley, Ambience, Vocals | deep link | freemium | Uppbeat licence (Unclear: check the terms) | no | | [Bandcamp](https://bandcamp.com) | `bandcamp` | Producers and labels sell (or give away, pay-what-you-want) sample packs and drum kits as Bandcamp releases. | Drums, Bass, Vocals, FX, Keys, Guitar, Synth, Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Mallets, Ambience | deep link | freemium | per sample | no | | [Soundsnap](https://www.soundsnap.com) | `soundsnap` | Subscription library of professional sound effects (foley, ambiences, impacts, whooshes) plus some loops. | FX, Foley, Ambience, Vocals | deep link | paid | Soundsnap subscription licence (Unclear: check the terms) | no | | [Epidemic Sound](https://www.epidemicsound.com/sound-effects/) | `epidemicsound` | Subscription sound-effects library for video creators, searchable by keyword and category. | FX, Foley, Ambience, Vocals | deep link | paid | Epidemic Sound subscription licence (Unclear: check the terms) | no | | [Artlist SFX](https://artlist.io/sfx) | `artlist` | Subscription sound-effects catalogue bundled with Artlist's music and footage plans. | FX, Foley, Ambience, Vocals | deep link | paid | Artlist licence (Unclear: check the terms) | no | Sources marked "per sample" set licences per item; check each result's `license.verdict`. Royalty-free licences allow use in your music but not redistribution of the samples. Licences explained: /docs/licences.md --- # Sound Server CLI The `sound-server` command searches every source from a terminal, runs the MCP server over stdio for desktop agents (with downloads to your disk), and starts the HTTP server. It is the same code that runs https://sound.shep.bot. ```bash npx sound-server search "dark 808 in F minor" --commercial ``` ## Commands ```text sound-server search [--category drums.kick] [--form one-shot] [--bpm 140] [--key "F minor"] [--commercial] [--free] [--providers freesound,wikimediacommons] [--limit N] sound-server mcp # MCP server over stdio, with download_sample writing to ./samples sound-server serve # HTTP API + website + MCP at /mcp on port 8787 ``` Queries understand music words, so `"vocal chop 140 bpm"` filters by tempo and `"808 in F minor"` by key, exactly like the flags. `--commercial` keeps only sounds whose licence allows a commercial release (verdict `yes` or `yes-with-credit`). `search` prints the filters it read from your query, then ranked results (score, licence verdict and sample id, then the title with its category, form, BPM, key and length, and the preview URL), followed by one status line per source: ```text Filters: {"key":{"tonic":"F","mode":"minor"}} 0.91 yes-with-credit freesound:123456 Dark 808 F (bass.808 · one-shot · F minor · 2.1s) https://cdn.freesound.org/previews/123/123456_1234-hq.mp3 Sources: freesound ok 12 splice link 0 https://splice.com/sounds/search?q=dark+808 ``` Pass the sample id to the REST API (`/v1/samples/{id}/download`) or the MCP `get_sample` tool to fetch files. ## Run it with Docker (no install) ```bash docker run --rm ghcr.io/arielshad/sound-server node dist/cli.js search "punchy kick" --commercial ``` As a local MCP server that writes downloads into your project: ```bash docker run -i --rm --user "$(id -u):$(id -g)" -v "$PWD/samples:/app/samples" \ ghcr.io/arielshad/sound-server node dist/cli.js mcp ``` ## Run it from source ```bash git clone https://github.com/arielshad/sound-server cd sound-server && npm ci && npm run build:server node dist/cli.js search "riser" --category fx.riser --commercial ``` Audio analysis (measured BPM, key, length and loudness) needs `ffmpeg` and `ffprobe` on your `PATH`, or set `FFMPEG_PATH` and `FFPROBE_PATH`. ## Environment | Variable | Purpose | | --- | --- | | `FREESOUND_API_KEY` | Enables Freesound search and previews ([free key](https://freesound.org/apiv2/apply)). | | `FREESOUND_OAUTH_TOKEN` | Local use only: your own Freesound OAuth2 token, to download originals from your account. | | `OPENVERSE_CLIENT_ID`, `OPENVERSE_CLIENT_SECRET` | Optional Openverse app credentials for higher rate limits. | | `SOUND_SERVER_PROVIDERS` | Comma list to search only some sources. | | `SOUND_DOWNLOAD_DIR` | Where `mcp` downloads go (default `./samples`). | | `NODE_USE_ENV_PROXY` | Set to `1` so the CLI honours `HTTPS_PROXY`. | See [Self-hosting](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/self-hosting) for every server setting. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/docs/cli --- # Self-hosting Sound Server Sound Server is open source (Apache-2.0). Run your own copy to use your own Freesound key and account, put it behind an API key, let the MCP server write files to a shared disk, or keep searches on your own network. ## Docker ```bash docker run -p 8787:8787 -e FREESOUND_API_KEY=... ghcr.io/arielshad/sound-server ``` Open http://localhost:8787 for the website, `/v1/*` for the API and `/mcp` for MCP. The image includes `ffmpeg`, which audio analysis needs. ## Node.js ```bash git clone https://github.com/arielshad/sound-server cd sound-server npm ci && npm run build npm start ``` Node 22 or newer. Install `ffmpeg` (with `ffprobe`) for measured BPM, key, length and loudness; without it everything else works and those fields come only from the sources. ## Source credentials | Variable | Purpose | | --- | --- | | `FREESOUND_API_KEY` | Enables Freesound search and previews. Get a free key at [freesound.org/apiv2/apply](https://freesound.org/apiv2/apply). Freesound's API terms need a separate agreement for commercial apps. | | `FREESOUND_OAUTH_TOKEN` | **Local use only.** Your own Freesound OAuth2 token, so `download_sample` and `/download` can fetch originals from your account. Never set it on a shared server: every visitor would download with your account. Callers of a shared server can pass their own token in the `x-freesound-token` header instead. | | `OPENVERSE_CLIENT_ID`, `OPENVERSE_CLIENT_SECRET` | Optional Openverse app credentials for higher rate limits. | ## Configuration | Variable | Default | Purpose | | --- | --- | --- | | `PORT` / `HOST` | `8787` / `0.0.0.0` | HTTP bind address. | | `SOUND_SERVER_API_KEY` | none | Require `Authorization: Bearer ` or `x-api-key` on `/v1/*` and `/mcp`. Keys are accepted in headers only, never in the URL. The website asks for it and sends it as a header. | | `SOUND_SERVER_PUBLIC_URL` | request origin | Base URL used in links handed to MCP clients and in kit maps. Set it behind a TLS proxy. | | `SOUND_SERVER_PROVIDERS` | all | Comma list to enable only some sources. | | `SOUND_DOWNLOAD_DIR` | `./samples` | Where MCP downloads go (`//…`, with `ATTRIBUTION.md` and `credits.json`). | | `SOUND_SERVER_HTTP_DOWNLOADS` | `false` | Expose `download_sample` on the HTTP MCP endpoint (writes to the server's disk). | | `SOUND_SERVER_HTTP_MCP` | `true` | Set to `false` to turn off MCP over HTTP at `/mcp`. The website and `/v1` API keep working, and the stdio MCP server is unaffected. | | `SOUND_SERVER_PROVIDER_TIMEOUT_MS` | `12000` | Per-source search timeout. | | `SOUND_SERVER_HTTP_TIMEOUT_MS` | `15000` | Timeout for each request to a source. | | `SOUND_SERVER_CACHE_TTL_MS` | `600000` | How long source responses are cached in memory (10 minutes). | | `SOUND_SERVER_MAX_DOWNLOAD_BYTES`, `SOUND_SERVER_MAX_ZIP_ENTRIES` | 2 GiB, `20000` | Caps for downloads and zip bundles. | | `SOUND_SERVER_DOWNLOAD_IDLE_MS` | `30000` | Abort a download when no bytes arrive for this long. | | `SOUND_SERVER_ANALYSIS_CONCURRENCY`, `SOUND_SERVER_ANALYSIS_CACHE` | 2-8 (by CPU), `1000` | How many ffmpeg analyses run at once, and how many results are cached. | | `SOUND_SERVER_USER_AGENT` | built in | The User-Agent sent to sources. Keep it descriptive with a contact URL. | | `FFMPEG_PATH`, `FFPROBE_PATH` | from `PATH` | ffmpeg binaries for audio analysis. | | `SOUND_SERVER_RATE_LIMIT` | `120` | Requests per client per window on `/v1/*` and `/mcp`, with RateLimit headers and `429` + `Retry-After` beyond it. `0` turns it off. | | `SOUND_SERVER_RATE_LIMIT_WINDOW` | `60` | Rate-limit window in seconds. | | `METRICS_PORT` | off | Serve Prometheus metrics on this port at `/metrics`, and log one JSON line per search, download and tool call. | | `PROMETHEUS_URL` | off | Prometheus that scrapes `METRICS_PORT`. `/v1/stats` and the `/stats` page then show the last 24 hours and 7 days; without it they count since the server started. | | `MAXMIND_ACCOUNT_ID`, `MAXMIND_LICENSE_KEY` | off | With `METRICS_PORT`: download MaxMind's free GeoLite2-ASN database (refreshed weekly) to label MCP callers by network (ISP, AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, other hosting). | | `SOUND_SERVER_ASN_DB` | none | Path to a GeoLite2-ASN `.mmdb` file to use instead of downloading one. | | `SOUND_SERVER_SESSION_SECRET` | random | Signs the MCP session IDs that carry each client's declared name. Set it so sessions keep their label across restarts. | | `SOUND_SERVER_TELEMETRY` | off | `1` to send anonymous usage counts to the maintainers (see [Privacy](https://sound.shep.bot/privacy)). `DO_NOT_TRACK=1` always turns it off. | | `UMAMI_WEBSITE_ID`, `UMAMI_HOST` | off | Add your own self-hosted Umami tracker to the website pages (cookieless page views). | ## Analytics With `METRICS_PORT` set, the server exports Prometheus metrics with bounded labels only (surface, client family, source, status, tool): - `sound_server_searches_total`, `sound_server_search_duration_seconds`, `sound_server_search_results` - `sound_server_provider_requests_total` and `sound_server_provider_duration_seconds` for each source's health and latency - `sound_server_downloads_total`, `sound_server_sample_views_total` - `sound_server_mcp_tool_calls_total` by tool, client family (Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, …), network and consistency (whether the declared client, User-Agent and network agree) - `sound_server_mcp_connects_total` and `sound_server_mcp_new_callers_total` (first tool call of the day per caller, counted from a hash with a daily salt) - `sound_server_http_requests_total`, `sound_server_page_views_total` The [/stats](https://sound.shep.bot/stats) page and `GET /v1/stats` read these counters back: from Prometheus when `PROMETHEUS_URL` is set, otherwise from this process since it started. Each search also logs a JSON line (`{"event":"search","query":…,"results":…}`) for top-query and zero-result analysis. Nothing personal is recorded with it: no IP addresses, keys or cookies. ## Stdio MCP ```bash node dist/cli.js mcp ``` Runs the MCP server over stdio with `download_sample` enabled and kit downloads (`build_kit` with `download=true`), for desktop clients that launch a local process. Downloads go to `SOUND_DOWNLOAD_DIR`. ## Content Security Policy The website ships with a strict Content-Security-Policy (no inline scripts or styles except by hash or per-request nonce). Audio previews play from the sources' CDNs, so `media-src` and `connect-src` allow `https:` and `blob:`; keep that in mind if you put a proxy in front that rewrites headers. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/docs/self-hosting --- # Guides: free samples, licences and production > Short, answer-first guides for music producers and AI assistants: whether a sample may be released, how to credit it, what common licences mean, and how to find and use samples by tempo, key and type. ## Licensing - [Can I use Freesound samples in a commercial release?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/freesound-samples-commercial-use.md): Yes, if the sound's licence allows it. - [CC0 vs CC BY vs royalty-free samples: what's the difference?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/cc0-vs-cc-by-vs-royalty-free.md): All three let you use a sample in music you sell. - [How to credit CC BY samples in a song](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/credit-cc-by-samples.md): Name the sound, its author, where it came from and its licence with a link, and say that you modified it, for example: “Deep Kick 01” by Jane Doe (Freesound, https://freesound.org/s/123456/), CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), pitched and processed. - [What is the CC Sampling+ licence?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/cc-sampling-plus.md): Creative Commons Sampling+ 1.0 is a retired licence written for sampling. - [Is BBC Sound Effects free to use in music?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/bbc-sound-effects-for-music.md): Only for non-commercial work. - [What counts as commercial use of a sample?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/what-counts-as-commercial-use.md): Any use mainly aimed at earning money or commercial advantage. - [Sample clearance and Content ID: a producer's guide](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/sample-clearance-and-content-id.md): A sample taken from someone else's record needs permission from two owners before release: the owner of the recording (the master, usually a label) and the owner of the composition (the publisher). ## Production - [What is an 808? The drum machine and the bass](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/what-is-an-808.md): “808” means two related things. - [One-shots vs loops: which samples should you use?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/one-shots-vs-loops.md): A one-shot is a single sound, such as one kick, one chord or one shout, that you trigger and arrange yourself. - [How to find samples by BPM and key](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/find-samples-by-bpm-and-key.md): Filter by tempo and key, then verify. - [How to build a drum kit from free samples](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/build-a-drum-kit-from-free-samples.md): Choose one sound per slot (kick, snare, clap, closed hat, open hat and, for trap or hip hop, an 808) that suit your style, tempo and key, check that every one is cleared for a release, then map them to pads: General MIDI drum notes for a DAW, an SFZ file for samplers, or a Strudel sample map to play it in the browser. - [WAV, AIFF, FLAC or MP3: which sample format should you use?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/sample-formats-wav-mp3-flac.md): Produce with lossless files: WAV or AIFF (uncompressed) or FLAC (compressed without loss). ## AI agents - [How AI music agents can find and license samples with MCP](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/ai-agents-find-and-license-samples.md): Give the agent Sound Server's MCP server (https://sound.shep.bot/mcp, no key needed). Glossary of sample and licence terms: https://sound.shep.bot/glossary.md --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/guides --- # Can I use Freesound samples in a commercial release? > Yes, if the sound's licence allows it. Every Freesound upload has its own licence: CC0 sounds can go in a commercial release with no credit, CC BY sounds can too if you credit the author, CC BY-NC sounds cannot be used commercially at all, and the older Sampling+ licence allows commercial use only once the sound is transformed and never in advertising. Licensing guide, updated 2026-10-23. Yes for CC0 and CC BY sounds (with a credit), no for CC BY-NC, conditions for Sampling+. How to check a Freesound licence before you release a track. ## How Freesound licensing works Freesound is a collaborative database of Creative Commons sounds run by the Music Technology Group of Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona. When someone uploads a sound, they choose its licence, and that licence applies to that one sound only. Two sounds by the same person can carry different licences, so there is no such thing as "the Freesound licence". The licences you will meet are: | Licence | Commercial release? | What you must do | | --- | --- | --- | | CC0 | Yes | Nothing. Credit is optional. | | CC BY (Attribution) | Yes | Credit the author, the sound and the licence. | | CC BY-NC (Attribution-NonCommercial) | No | Non-commercial projects only, with credit. | | Sampling+ (older uploads) | Only if transformed, never in ads | Credit the author. | Most newer uploads use the 4.0 versions of the CC licences; older sounds may still be under 3.0. For a producer the practical difference is small: both versions of CC BY allow commercial use with a credit. ## Checking a sound before you use it 1. Open the sound's page on Freesound (every Sound Server result links to it) and read the licence shown next to it. 2. If it's CC BY, save the credit line now, while you still know where the sound came from. Sound Server gives you one on every result. 3. If it's CC BY-NC, keep it for practice or replace it before you release. 4. If the sound is obviously a piece of someone else's record, a film or a commercial library, skip it whatever its licence says. Sound Server does this for you on every search: each result has a verdict (`yes`, `yes-with-credit`, `restricted`, `no`) based on the licence Freesound records for that sound, and the **Commercial-safe** switch hides everything that isn't cleared for a release. ## Downloading the original file Freesound streams MP3 and Ogg previews to anyone, but the original WAV, AIFF or FLAC file needs a free Freesound account. Sound Server plays the preview and sends you to the sound's page to download it. Previews are lossy, so always use the original file in a release. ## Crediting For CC BY sounds, put the credit where listeners can find it: the release notes on Bandcamp, the description of a YouTube video, the credits of a game or the liner notes of a physical release. See [how to credit CC BY samples](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/credit-cc-by-samples) for the exact format. ## Questions **Do I have to credit CC0 sounds from Freesound?** No. CC0 waives the creator's rights, so no credit is legally required. Crediting the recordist is still appreciated, and it costs you one line in your release notes. **Does a monetised YouTube video count as commercial use?** Yes. Ads revenue, paid streams, downloads you sell, beats you lease and sync placements are all commercial. A sound licensed CC BY-NC can't be used in any of them. **Can I re-upload Freesound samples in my own sample pack?** Only CC0 sounds without conditions, and CC BY sounds with the credit kept. Even then, sample stores usually refuse packs made of other people's sounds. Redistributing CC BY-NC sounds in a paid pack is not allowed. **What if the uploader didn't own the sound?** A licence can only be granted by someone who holds the rights. Freesound moderates uploads, but if a sound turns out to be copied from a record or a commercial library, the licence on it doesn't protect you. Avoid uploads that sound like sampled songs. ## Try it - [Commercial-safe kicks on Freesound](https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=kick&category=drums.kick&commercial=true&providers=freesound,openverse) - [CC0 and CC BY vocal chops](https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=vocal+chop&category=vocals.chop&commercial=true) - [Field recordings cleared for release](https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=rain&category=ambience&commercial=true) ## Collections - [Free kick samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-kick-samples.md): Free kick drum samples for any genre, from punchy acoustic kicks to drum machine thumps, each with a preview and a verdict on commercial use. - [Free rain ambience sounds](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-rain-ambience.md): Free rain ambience and storm recordings: light rain, downpours, rain on windows and thunder, as long field recordings with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free footstep sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-footstep-sounds.md): Free footstep sounds on wood, gravel, snow, concrete and grass, walking and running, for film, games and textured beats, each with a commercial-use verdict. ## Related guides - [CC0 vs CC BY vs royalty-free samples: what's the difference?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/cc0-vs-cc-by-vs-royalty-free.md): CC0, CC BY and royalty-free licences all allow commercial music, with different strings: credit, redistribution and who granted them. A plain comparison. - [How to credit CC BY samples in a song](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/credit-cc-by-samples.md): The credit line a CC BY sample needs (title, author, source, licence, changes), where to put it on Bandcamp, YouTube and streaming, with copy-paste examples. - [What counts as commercial use of a sample?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/what-counts-as-commercial-use.md): Selling, streaming for royalties, monetised videos, beat leases, sync and client work are commercial. How non-commercial (NC) licences apply to music. - [What is the CC Sampling+ licence?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/cc-sampling-plus.md): Sampling+ lets you transform a sound in new work, commercially too, but never in advertising or resold raw. What it allows and where you still meet it. ## Sources - [Freesound: licences (help)](https://freesound.org/help/faq/) - [CC0 1.0 Universal](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) - [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) - [CC BY-NC 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) - [CC Sampling+ 1.0 (retired)](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/sampling+/1.0/) This guide is practical information, not legal advice. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/guides/freesound-samples-commercial-use --- # CC0 vs CC BY vs royalty-free samples: what's the difference? > All three let you use a sample in music you sell. CC0 has no conditions at all. CC BY requires you to credit the author. Royalty-free is not a single licence but a family of store and site licences that let you use sounds in your own music without per-use fees, while forbidding you to redistribute the samples themselves; some also ask for credit. Licensing guide, updated 2026-10-23. CC0, CC BY and royalty-free licences all allow commercial music, with different strings: credit, redistribution and who granted them. A plain comparison. ## The short comparison | | CC0 | CC BY | Royalty-free (site or store licence) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Use in a commercial track | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Credit required | No | Yes | Sometimes | | Redistribute the raw sample | Yes | Yes, with credit | No | | Who grants it | The creator, through Creative Commons | The creator, through Creative Commons | The site or store, under its own terms | | Same terms everywhere | Yes | Yes | No: read each site's licence | | Sound Server verdict | `yes` | `yes-with-credit` | `yes` or `yes-with-credit` | ## CC0: no strings CC0 is a public-domain dedication. The creator waives copyright and related rights, so you can use, edit and release the sound without asking or crediting anyone. Kenney's game audio, many orchestral sample projects (such as VCSL) and a large share of Freesound are CC0. It is the simplest licence for a producer: there is nothing to track except, ideally, where the file came from. ## CC BY: credit, then do anything CC BY (Attribution) allows any use, commercial included, as long as you credit the creator, name the work, link to the licence and indicate if you changed it. In music, "changed" is nearly always true, because you chop, pitch and process samples, so a credit that says "sampled" or "modified" is good practice. Version 4.0 lets you give credit "in any reasonable manner based on the medium", which for a song means the release notes, video description or credits page. See [how to credit CC BY samples](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/credit-cc-by-samples). Watch for the add-ons. **BY-SA** (ShareAlike) would require your track to be released under the same licence, **BY-NC** forbids commercial use and **BY-ND** forbids changes. Those are not "CC BY" for release purposes. ## Royalty-free: use it, don't share it Sample packs and sound effect sites usually write their own licences, and most follow the same pattern: you may use the sounds in your own productions, including commercial releases, without paying again; you may not resell, share or repackage the samples themselves, even for free. Some sites ask for credit (Zapsplat's free tier, for example), and many list uses they exclude, so the details differ from site to site. Because each site's licence is different, Sound Server records the licence per source and shows its verdict on every result. Read the licence once for each site you rely on. ## Which to choose For a release, any of the three works. CC0 is the least paperwork, CC BY needs a credit line kept with the project, and royalty-free sounds need nothing on the release but must never be shared raw. Avoid mixing in NC, SA or ND sounds unless the project will never be sold. ## Questions **Is royalty-free the same as free?** No. Royalty-free means you don't pay a royalty each time the music is used or sold. Many royalty-free packs cost money up front; some are given away. The licence, not the price, is what the term describes. **Is CC0 the same as public domain?** In effect, yes. Public domain means nobody owns the copyright, usually because it expired. CC0 is a tool a creator uses to give up their rights as far as the law allows, with a fallback licence where waiving isn't possible. For a producer both mean: use it freely. **Can I put CC BY samples in a pack I sell?** The licence allows redistribution with credit, but it also lets everyone else share those same sounds for free, so packs built on CC BY material are a poor product and many stores reject them. Use CC BY samples inside your music instead. **Which is safest for a label release?** CC0 and established royalty-free libraries, followed by CC BY with a proper credit. Labels and distributors care most that you can show where each sample came from, so keep the licence and source URL for every sound. ## Try it - [Commercial-safe drums](https://sound.shep.bot/search?category=drums&commercial=true) - [Free royalty-free sample packs](https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=sample+pack&form=pack&free=true&commercial=true) - [CC0 foley and ambience](https://sound.shep.bot/search?category=foley&commercial=true) ## Collections - [Free snare samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-snare-samples.md): Free snare drum samples, from tight acoustic snares and rimshots to crunchy drum machine hits, with a playable preview and a licence verdict on each. - [Free string samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-string-samples.md): Free string samples: violin, viola, cello and double bass notes, ensemble sustains, pizzicato and staccato for orchestral and pop tracks, with licences. - [Free impact sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-impact-sound-effects.md): Free impact and hit sound effects: cinematic booms, sub drops, braams and slams for drops, trailers and transitions, each with a preview and licence verdict. ## Related guides - [Can I use Freesound samples in a commercial release?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/freesound-samples-commercial-use.md): Yes for CC0 and CC BY sounds (with a credit), no for CC BY-NC, conditions for Sampling+. How to check a Freesound licence before you release a track. - [How to credit CC BY samples in a song](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/credit-cc-by-samples.md): The credit line a CC BY sample needs (title, author, source, licence, changes), where to put it on Bandcamp, YouTube and streaming, with copy-paste examples. - [What is the CC Sampling+ licence?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/cc-sampling-plus.md): Sampling+ lets you transform a sound in new work, commercially too, but never in advertising or resold raw. What it allows and where you still meet it. - [What counts as commercial use of a sample?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/what-counts-as-commercial-use.md): Selling, streaming for royalties, monetised videos, beat leases, sync and client work are commercial. How non-commercial (NC) licences apply to music. ## Sources - [CC0 1.0 Universal](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) - [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) - [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) - [About CC licenses](https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/cclicenses/) This guide is practical information, not legal advice. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/guides/cc0-vs-cc-by-vs-royalty-free --- # How to credit CC BY samples in a song > Name the sound, its author, where it came from and its licence with a link, and say that you modified it, for example: “Deep Kick 01” by Jane Doe (Freesound, https://freesound.org/s/123456/), CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), pitched and processed. Put it wherever listeners can find the credits: release notes, the video description, the game's credits or a credits page you link to. Licensing guide, updated 2026-10-23. The credit line a CC BY sample needs (title, author, source, licence, changes), where to put it on Bandcamp, YouTube and streaming, with copy-paste examples. ## What CC BY asks for The Attribution licences ask you to keep four things with the work: who made it, what it is called, where it is published and which licence it is under, plus a note if you changed it. Creative Commons calls this TASL: **T**itle, **A**uthor, **S**ource, **L**icence. Version 4.0 is flexible about format: credit may be given "in any reasonable manner based on the medium, means, and context", and a link to a page that holds the credits is acceptable. ## Copy-paste examples One sample, in a release description: ```text Contains “Deep Kick 01” by Jane Doe (https://freesound.org/s/123456/), licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Pitched and processed. ``` Several samples, as a credits block: ```text Samples used - “Rain on tin roof” by fieldrec (Wikimedia Commons), CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - “Vox chop 3” by singer42 (ccMixter), CC BY 3.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ - Kick and hats from Kenney's audio packs (CC0) ``` The names above are examples. Sound Server writes the real line for every sample: copy it from the result's detail view, read the `attribution` field from the API, or download with `bundle=true` to get `ATTRIBUTION.md` and `credits.json`. ## Where the credit goes - **Bandcamp**: the credits field of the album or track. - **YouTube, SoundCloud, TikTok**: the description of each upload that contains the sample. - **Streaming platforms**: there is no description field, so keep a public credits page and link it from your bio, website or press kit. - **Games, apps and films**: the credits screen or an in-app "licences" page. - **Physical releases**: the liner notes. ## Common mistakes Crediting only the website ("sounds from Freesound") is not enough for CC BY: name the author and the sound. Dropping the licence link is the other frequent gap. And a credit doesn't turn a non-commercial sound into a commercial one; check the verdict before you rely on a credit. ## Step by step 1. **Collect the facts when you download.** Note the sample's title, the author's name or username, the URL of the sample page and the exact licence with its version. Sound Server's attribution field and ATTRIBUTION.md contain all four. 2. **Write one line per sample.** Use the TASL pattern: Title, Author, Source, Licence. Add a link to the licence and a word about changes, such as 'pitched', 'chopped' or 'processed'. 3. **Put the credits where listeners look.** On Bandcamp, in the album or track credits. On YouTube and SoundCloud, in the description. In a game or app, in the credits screen. On streaming services, which have no free-text credits, on a page you link from your profile or press notes. 4. **Keep the paperwork.** Store the credit lines and licence links in the project folder. If a distributor or Content ID claim asks where a sound came from, you can answer in minutes. ## Questions **Do I have to credit CC BY samples on Spotify?** The licence requires credit in a reasonable manner for the medium. Spotify has no field for sample credits, so the common practice is a credits page on your website or Bandcamp, linked from your artist profile, plus credits in any video or social post that uses the track. **What if the author's real name isn't given?** Use the name or username they publish under. CC BY asks you to credit the creator in the way they asked to be credited, if they did. **Do I need to credit CC0 samples?** No, but you can. A short 'samples from Freesound (CC0)' line is a courtesy that some producers include. **Is a credit enough for CC BY-SA or CC BY-NC samples?** No. A credit satisfies CC BY. Share-alike adds the obligation to license your work the same way, and non-commercial forbids commercial use whatever you credit. ## Try it - [CC BY drums with ready credit lines](https://sound.shep.bot/search?category=drums&commercial=true) - [Vocals cleared with credit](https://sound.shep.bot/search?category=vocals&commercial=true) ## Collections - [Free acapellas](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-acapellas.md): Free a cappella vocals for remixes and new tracks, mostly from Creative Commons remix communities, with tempo and key where known and a licence verdict on each. - [Free vocal chops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vocal-chops.md): Free vocal chop samples for house, future bass and pop: short sung syllables, cuts and stutters with BPM and key where known, and a licence verdict on each. - [Free forest ambience](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-forest-ambience.md): Free forest ambience: birdsong at dawn, wind in trees, insects at night and rainforest soundscapes for music, film, games and relaxation, with licences. ## Related guides - [Can I use Freesound samples in a commercial release?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/freesound-samples-commercial-use.md): Yes for CC0 and CC BY sounds (with a credit), no for CC BY-NC, conditions for Sampling+. How to check a Freesound licence before you release a track. - [CC0 vs CC BY vs royalty-free samples: what's the difference?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/cc0-vs-cc-by-vs-royalty-free.md): CC0, CC BY and royalty-free licences all allow commercial music, with different strings: credit, redistribution and who granted them. A plain comparison. - [Sample clearance and Content ID: a producer's guide](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/sample-clearance-and-content-id.md): When a sample needs clearing (master and publishing), why no number of seconds is safe, and how to handle Content ID claims on sounds you may use. - [What is the CC Sampling+ licence?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/cc-sampling-plus.md): Sampling+ lets you transform a sound in new work, commercially too, but never in advertising or resold raw. What it allows and where you still meet it. ## Sources - [CC BY 4.0 legal code, section 3(a): attribution](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode.en#s3a) - [Creative Commons: recommended practices for attribution](https://wiki.creativecommons.org/wiki/Recommended_practices_for_attribution) This guide is practical information, not legal advice. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/guides/credit-cc-by-samples --- # What is the CC Sampling+ licence? > Creative Commons Sampling+ 1.0 is a retired licence written for sampling. It lets you sample and transform a sound into a new work, including a commercial one, as long as you credit the author and don't use it to advertise anything; copying the whole, unchanged sound is allowed only non-commercially. Its NonCommercial variant forbids commercial use altogether. You will mostly find it on older uploads to Freesound and ccMixter. Licensing guide, updated 2026-10-23. Sampling+ lets you transform a sound in new work, commercially too, but never in advertising or resold raw. What it allows and where you still meet it. ## What the licence says Sampling+ was designed for remix culture. Its deed summarises three permissions and limits: 1. **Sampling and transformation**: you may sample, mash up or otherwise creatively transform the work for any purpose, commercial included, **except advertising**. 2. **Sharing**: you may copy and distribute the whole, unchanged work, but **only non-commercially**. 3. **Attribution**: you must credit the original author. The **NonCommercial Sampling+** variant adds a non-commercial condition to everything, so it rules out a commercial release. ## How it compares | | CC BY | Sampling+ | NC Sampling+ | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Commercial track that transforms the sound | Yes | Yes | No | | Use in an advert | Yes | No | No | | Sell or share the raw sound commercially | Yes | No | No | | Credit required | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Sound Server verdict | `yes-with-credit` | `restricted` | `no` | ## Why Sound Server says "restricted" "Transform" is a judgement call, and a track can end up in an advert later, through a sync deal you didn't plan. That makes Sampling+ awkward for a release you want to license widely. Sound Server rates it `restricted`: usable, but read the conditions and decide whether they fit your plans. If they might not, pick a CC0 or CC BY sound instead; the Commercial-safe filter does this automatically. ## Where you'll meet it Sampling+ was popular in the late 2000s with remix communities, especially ccMixter, and on Freesound, which offered it for uploads at the time. Older a cappellas and stems on ccMixter often carry it. The licence of an existing work doesn't change when a licence is retired, so these sounds remain under Sampling+. ## Questions **Can I sell a track that samples a Sampling+ sound?** The licence allows it if your track transforms the sample into a new work, and the track is not used to advertise a product or service. Because 'transform' isn't defined precisely, Sound Server marks Sampling+ as restricted rather than cleared. **Is Sampling+ still offered for new work?** No. Creative Commons lists it among its retired legal tools and recommends its current licences for new work. Sounds already published under Sampling+ stay under it, which is why you still meet it on older uploads. **Can I use a Sampling+ sound in a YouTube video?** In a monetised video that isn't an advert, only if you have transformed the sound. If the video promotes a product, a brand or a service, no: the licence excludes advertising. ## Try it - [ccMixter a cappellas](https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=acapella&category=vocals.acapella&providers=ccmixter) - [Commercial-safe vocals instead](https://sound.shep.bot/search?category=vocals&commercial=true) ## Collections - [Free acapellas](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-acapellas.md): Free a cappella vocals for remixes and new tracks, mostly from Creative Commons remix communities, with tempo and key where known and a licence verdict on each. - [Free vocal chops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vocal-chops.md): Free vocal chop samples for house, future bass and pop: short sung syllables, cuts and stutters with BPM and key where known, and a licence verdict on each. ## Related guides - [CC0 vs CC BY vs royalty-free samples: what's the difference?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/cc0-vs-cc-by-vs-royalty-free.md): CC0, CC BY and royalty-free licences all allow commercial music, with different strings: credit, redistribution and who granted them. A plain comparison. - [Can I use Freesound samples in a commercial release?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/freesound-samples-commercial-use.md): Yes for CC0 and CC BY sounds (with a credit), no for CC BY-NC, conditions for Sampling+. How to check a Freesound licence before you release a track. - [What counts as commercial use of a sample?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/what-counts-as-commercial-use.md): Selling, streaming for royalties, monetised videos, beat leases, sync and client work are commercial. How non-commercial (NC) licences apply to music. - [How to credit CC BY samples in a song](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/credit-cc-by-samples.md): The credit line a CC BY sample needs (title, author, source, licence, changes), where to put it on Bandcamp, YouTube and streaming, with copy-paste examples. ## Sources - [Sampling+ 1.0 deed](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/sampling+/1.0/) - [NonCommercial Sampling+ 1.0 deed](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/nc-sampling+/1.0/) - [Creative Commons: retired legal tools](https://creativecommons.org/retiredlicenses/) This guide is practical information, not legal advice. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/guides/cc-sampling-plus --- # Is BBC Sound Effects free to use in music? > Only for non-commercial work. The BBC Sound Effects archive is free to download, but its RemArc licence covers personal, educational and research use. A track you sell, stream for royalties, monetise on YouTube or license to a client is commercial, so it needs a separate commercial licence or a different sound. Sound Server shows BBC results with a red “Non-commercial only” verdict for that reason. Licensing guide, updated 2026-10-23. BBC Sound Effects is free for personal, educational and research use under the RemArc licence, not for commercial releases. What that means for producers. ## What the archive is The BBC Sound Effects archive puts tens of thousands of recordings from the BBC's own libraries online, including material from the Natural History Unit: animals, weather, transport, machines, crowds, interiors and decades of radio and television foley. Sound Server indexes about 33,000 of them, with WAV and MP3 downloads. ## What the RemArc licence allows The recordings are offered under the BBC's RemArc licence, which permits use for **personal, educational and research purposes**. In practice that covers: - practising sound design and production at home; - school, college and university projects; - research and archival study; - personal videos and projects that don't earn money. It does not cover selling or streaming music for royalties, monetised videos, client work, games or apps you sell, or advertising. Read the licence on the BBC's site for the exact wording; the archive also explains how to obtain a licence for commercial use. ## How Sound Server handles it Every BBC result carries the verdict `no` ("Non-commercial only"), and the Commercial-safe switch hides them. The MCP server tells AI agents the same thing: BBC sounds may be suggested for personal or educational work, but never presented as cleared for a release. ## Alternatives for a release Most kinds of sound in the BBC archive have openly licensed equivalents. Nature and city ambiences, rain, footsteps and machines are well covered by CC0 and CC BY recordings on Freesound and Wikimedia Commons, and by CC0 game audio packs. Search with Commercial-safe on, or start from the [forest](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-forest-ambience), [city](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-city-ambience) and [rain](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-rain-ambience) collections. ## Questions **Can I use BBC sound effects in a YouTube video?** In a personal, non-monetised video, the RemArc licence allows it. Once the video earns money or promotes a business, it becomes commercial use and the free licence no longer covers it. **Can students use BBC sound effects in coursework?** Yes. Educational use is exactly what the RemArc licence is for, including school and university projects that are not published commercially. **Where can I find similar sounds I can release?** Freesound, Wikimedia Commons and many field recordists publish nature, transport and ambience recordings under CC0 or CC BY. Search with Commercial-safe on to keep only those. **Why does Sound Server include BBC results at all?** Because they are excellent for sketching, study, student films and personal projects, and they are free. The red verdict makes sure nobody mistakes them for cleared sounds. ## Try it - [BBC ambience (non-commercial)](https://sound.shep.bot/search?category=ambience&providers=bbc) - [Commercial-safe ambience instead](https://sound.shep.bot/search?category=ambience&commercial=true) - [Commercial-safe foley](https://sound.shep.bot/search?category=foley&commercial=true) ## Collections - [Free forest ambience](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-forest-ambience.md): Free forest ambience: birdsong at dawn, wind in trees, insects at night and rainforest soundscapes for music, film, games and relaxation, with licences. - [Free city ambience](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-city-ambience.md): Free city ambience: street traffic, crowds, cafés, train stations, sirens and night-time cityscapes for film, games, podcasts and music, with licences. - [Free rain ambience sounds](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-rain-ambience.md): Free rain ambience and storm recordings: light rain, downpours, rain on windows and thunder, as long field recordings with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free water sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-water-sound-effects.md): Free water sounds: drips, splashes, pouring, bubbles, streams and waves for foley, ambient music and games, as one-shots and loops with licences. ## Related guides - [What counts as commercial use of a sample?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/what-counts-as-commercial-use.md): Selling, streaming for royalties, monetised videos, beat leases, sync and client work are commercial. How non-commercial (NC) licences apply to music. - [CC0 vs CC BY vs royalty-free samples: what's the difference?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/cc0-vs-cc-by-vs-royalty-free.md): CC0, CC BY and royalty-free licences all allow commercial music, with different strings: credit, redistribution and who granted them. A plain comparison. - [Sample clearance and Content ID: a producer's guide](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/sample-clearance-and-content-id.md): When a sample needs clearing (master and publishing), why no number of seconds is safe, and how to handle Content ID claims on sounds you may use. - [Can I use Freesound samples in a commercial release?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/freesound-samples-commercial-use.md): Yes for CC0 and CC BY sounds (with a credit), no for CC BY-NC, conditions for Sampling+. How to check a Freesound licence before you release a track. ## Sources - [BBC Sound Effects archive](https://sound-effects.bbcrewind.co.uk/) - [BBC Sound Effects: licensing](https://sound-effects.bbcrewind.co.uk/licensing) This guide is practical information, not legal advice. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/guides/bbc-sound-effects-for-music --- # What counts as commercial use of a sample? > Any use mainly aimed at earning money or commercial advantage. For music that includes selling downloads, streaming on platforms that pay royalties, monetised YouTube or Twitch content, leasing or selling beats, sync placements, games and apps you sell, client work and advertising. Samples under non-commercial (NC) licences can't be used in any of those; they're fine for practice, study and projects that never earn anything. Licensing guide, updated 2026-10-23. Selling, streaming for royalties, monetised videos, beat leases, sync and client work are commercial. How non-commercial (NC) licences apply to music. ## The definition The Creative Commons NonCommercial licences define non-commercial as "not primarily intended for or directed towards commercial advantage or monetary compensation". The test is about the **use**, not about who you are: a hobbyist monetising a video is making commercial use, even though they are not a business. Creative Commons' own guidance adds that edge cases depend on the specific use, so when in doubt, ask the creator. ## Commercial for a producer | Use | Commercial? | | --- | --- | | Selling a track or album, physical or download | Yes | | Spotify, Apple Music and other royalty-paying streams | Yes | | A monetised YouTube, Twitch or TikTok video | Yes | | Leasing or selling beats, including free "tagged" beats | Yes | | Sync: a track in a film, ad, game or podcast | Yes | | Client or commissioned work | Yes | | A sample pack you sell | Yes | | Practising, studying, school projects | No | | A free, non-monetised upload that promotes nothing | Usually not | ## Why it matters early The problem with NC samples is timing. A sketch made for fun becomes a release, and the NC kick in it is now a licence breach. Replacing one sound late is easy; replacing a vocal chop that defines the hook is not. If there's any chance a track will be released, start with sounds cleared for commercial use. Sound Server makes this a switch: **Commercial-safe** on the search page, `commercial=true` on the API, and the MCP default `commercial_only=true` for AI agents. Each result's verdict says why a sound was kept or left out. ## Questions **Is a free SoundCloud upload commercial?** A free, non-monetised upload is usually non-commercial. It becomes commercial if you monetise it, use it to sell something, or later distribute the same track to paid platforms, so replace NC samples before that happens. **Is a beat I give away for free with a 'buy to use' tag commercial?** Yes. A free beat that promotes paid leases is directed towards commercial advantage, so NC samples don't belong in it. **What about a non-profit or charity project?** Being a non-profit doesn't settle it: what matters is whether the use is aimed at commercial advantage or money. A charity's fundraising advert is still advertising. When in doubt, ask the creator or use a sound cleared for commercial use. **Can I ask the creator for permission instead?** Yes. A licence is a standing permission; the creator can grant you different terms directly, in writing. Many Freesound and ccMixter users are happy to be asked. ## Try it - [Only commercial-safe results](https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=kick&category=drums.kick&commercial=true) - [808s cleared for release](https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=808&category=bass.808&commercial=true) ## Collections - [Free 808 samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-808-samples.md): Free 808 bass samples for trap, drill and hip hop, from clean sub booms to distorted glides, with key, length and a commercial-use verdict for each. - [Free lo-fi loops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-lofi-loops.md): Free lo-fi hip hop loops: dusty keys, jazzy guitar, mellow drums and tape-warped textures with BPM and key where known, and a licence verdict on every loop. - [Free drum loops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-drum-loops.md): Free drum loops for hip hop, house, trap, rock and lo-fi, with tempo where known and a licence verdict on each, ready to drop into a project at the right BPM. ## Related guides - [Can I use Freesound samples in a commercial release?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/freesound-samples-commercial-use.md): Yes for CC0 and CC BY sounds (with a credit), no for CC BY-NC, conditions for Sampling+. How to check a Freesound licence before you release a track. - [Is BBC Sound Effects free to use in music?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/bbc-sound-effects-for-music.md): BBC Sound Effects is free for personal, educational and research use under the RemArc licence, not for commercial releases. What that means for producers. - [CC0 vs CC BY vs royalty-free samples: what's the difference?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/cc0-vs-cc-by-vs-royalty-free.md): CC0, CC BY and royalty-free licences all allow commercial music, with different strings: credit, redistribution and who granted them. A plain comparison. - [Sample clearance and Content ID: a producer's guide](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/sample-clearance-and-content-id.md): When a sample needs clearing (master and publishing), why no number of seconds is safe, and how to handle Content ID claims on sounds you may use. ## Sources - [CC BY-NC 4.0 legal code, definition of NonCommercial](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/legalcode.en#s1i) - [Creative Commons FAQ: NonCommercial](https://creativecommons.org/faq/#does-my-use-violate-the-noncommercial-clause-of-the-licenses) This guide is practical information, not legal advice. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/guides/what-counts-as-commercial-use --- # What is an 808? The drum machine and the bass > “808” means two related things. The Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer is an analogue drum machine made from 1980 to 1983 whose kick, snare, clap, cowbell and hats became staples of hip hop, electro and pop. In modern trap, drill and hip hop, “an 808” usually means its bass drum stretched into a long, tuned boom that plays the bassline. Production guide, updated 2026-10-23. An 808 is Roland's TR-808 drum machine (1980), and in trap and hip hop its long, tuned bass drum used as a bassline. History, tuning and free 808 samples. ## The machine Roland released the TR-808 Rhythm Composer in 1980. It made every sound with analogue circuits rather than recordings, so its drums sounded synthetic next to rival machines that played back samples of real drums. Production ended in 1983, after roughly 12,000 units. Cheap on the second-hand market, it was picked up by producers who loved exactly what reviewers had disliked: the deep, decaying kick, the snappy snare, the hand clap, the cowbell and the ticking hats. Records such as Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force's "Planet Rock" and Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing", both from 1982, made it famous. Electro, Miami bass, early hip hop and house all leaned on it. ## The bass The 808's bass drum has a decay control. Turn it up and the kick becomes a long, falling sine-like tone with a definite pitch. Southern hip hop producers tuned it to play basslines, and trap made the tuned 808 the centre of the track: a short kick for the attack, then a long 808 note per bar or half-bar, often distorted so it is audible on small speakers, with glides between notes. Today "808" in a sample pack almost always means this tuned bass sound, whether recorded from the machine, from a clone or synthesised from scratch. ## Using 808 samples 1. Pick an 808 with the character you want: clean and round, or distorted and gritty. 2. Find its root note and load it in a sampler, so the keyboard plays in tune. 3. Write the bassline in your key, leaving space for the kick. 4. Add glide between notes for movement, and saturation for presence on phones. 5. Check the low end in mono and on headphones. The [808 bass collection](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-808-samples) and the [TR-808 drum machine collection](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tr-808-drum-samples) list free samples with licence verdicts; the [kit builder](https://sound.shep.bot/kit) can pick a kick and an 808 that suit each other. ## Questions **How do I tune an 808?** Find the sample's root note (Sound Server shows it when known, or use a tuner plugin), load it into a sampler with that root, and play the bassline from the keyboard. Keep it in the key of your track and check the low notes on headphones, where pitch is easier to hear. **Why does my 808 clash with the kick?** Both sit in the same low frequencies. Shorten the kick, start the 808 just after it, or sidechain the 808 so it ducks when the kick hits. Choosing a kick and 808 tuned to the same note also helps. **What is an 808 glide?** A slide in pitch from one 808 note to the next, made with a sampler's portamento or glide setting in mono mode. Overlapping two notes slightly triggers the slide. **Are 808 samples free to use?** Only when whoever made the recording licensed it openly. Many free 808 sets are; others are copied from old collections with no licence stated. Sound Server shows a verdict on every 808 so you can tell them apart. ## Try it - [808 bass in F minor](https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=808&category=bass.808&key=F+minor) - [Commercial-safe 808s](https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=808&category=bass.808&commercial=true) - [TR-808 drum kit sounds](https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=808&category=drums) ## Collections - [Free 808 samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-808-samples.md): Free 808 bass samples for trap, drill and hip hop, from clean sub booms to distorted glides, with key, length and a commercial-use verdict for each. - [Free TR-808 drum machine samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tr-808-drum-samples.md): Free Roland TR-808 drum machine samples: the booming kick, snappy snare, clap, cowbell, rimshot and hats that shaped hip hop, electro and trap, with licences. - [Free sub bass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-sub-bass-samples.md): Free sub bass one-shots and loops: clean sine subs, rumbling drops and deep bass tones for dubstep, drum and bass, grime and house, with key and licence shown. - [Free TR-909 drum machine samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tr-909-drum-samples.md): Free Roland TR-909 drum machine samples: the punchy kick, clap, snare, open hat and ride behind house and techno, with previews and a licence verdict on each. ## Related guides - [How to build a drum kit from free samples](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/build-a-drum-kit-from-free-samples.md): Pick a kick, snare, clap, hats and 808 that suit each other, check every licence, then play the kit in Strudel or any sampler via an SFZ or General MIDI map. - [How to find samples by BPM and key](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/find-samples-by-bpm-and-key.md): Search loops, 808s and melodic samples by tempo and key, why half-time and relative keys match, and how to check a sample's real BPM and root note. - [One-shots vs loops: which samples should you use?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/one-shots-vs-loops.md): One-shots are single hits you program yourself; loops are recorded patterns that repeat at a tempo. When to use each, how to match them, and how to search. - [WAV, AIFF, FLAC or MP3: which sample format should you use?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/sample-formats-wav-mp3-flac.md): Use lossless WAV, AIFF or FLAC for production and MP3 or Ogg only for previews. Sample rate and bit depth explained: 44.1 or 48 kHz, 16 or 24-bit. ## Sources - [Roland: TR-808 history](https://www.roland.com/global/promos/roland_tr-808/) This guide is practical information, not legal advice. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/guides/what-is-an-808 --- # One-shots vs loops: which samples should you use? > A one-shot is a single sound, such as one kick, one chord or one shout, that you trigger and arrange yourself. A loop is a recorded pattern, usually one to eight bars at a fixed tempo, that repeats seamlessly. One-shots give you control and fit any tempo; loops give you a performance with feel built in, but must match your project's tempo and key. Production guide, updated 2026-10-23. One-shots are single hits you program yourself; loops are recorded patterns that repeat at a tempo. When to use each, how to match them, and how to search. ## Side by side | | One-shot | Loop | | --- | --- | --- | | What it is | One hit or note | A repeating pattern of bars | | Tempo | Fits any tempo | Recorded at one tempo | | Key | One root note (if pitched) | A key or chord progression | | Control | Full: you write the pattern | Limited: chop or re-arrange it | | Feel | Programmed unless you humanise it | A real performance | | Typical use | Drum kits, 808s, stabs, FX | Grooves, textures, sketching | ## When to reach for one-shots Drums in most modern genres are programmed from one-shots: a kick, a snare or clap, hats and percussion, arranged in a drum rack or sequencer. Pitched one-shots, such as 808s, plucks and stabs, load into a sampler and play melodies. Because nothing is fixed, one-shots suit any tempo and key, and they're the building blocks of the [kit builder](https://sound.shep.bot/kit). ## When to reach for loops Loops shine when feel matters more than control: a live drummer's groove, a strummed guitar, a percussion bed, a texture. They're also the fastest way to sketch. The price is matching: set your project to the loop's BPM (or stretch it), and keep pitched loops in a compatible key. See [finding samples by BPM and key](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/find-samples-by-bpm-and-key). ## Searching for each On Sound Server, the form filter separates them: `form=one-shot`, `form=loop`, `form=phrase` and `form=multisample`. Words in your query work too: "kick one shot" or "drum loop 90 bpm" set the filters for you. Each result shows its form next to its length, so a two-minute "kick" file stands out as a loop or a pack before you play it. ## Questions **Are loops cheating?** No. Loops have been part of music production since the first samplers. What matters is what you do with them: chopping, re-pitching and layering a loop makes it yours, and the licence decides whether you may release it. **What is a multisample?** A set of one-shots of the same instrument at different notes, and often different velocities, mapped across a keyboard so it can be played like the real thing. Free orchestral and piano libraries are usually multisamples. **What is a phrase sample?** A short performed passage that isn't designed to loop, such as a vocal line, a guitar lick or a fill. Sound Server labels these 'phrase'. ## Try it - [Kick one-shots](https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=kick&category=drums.kick&form=one-shot) - [Drum loops at 90 BPM](https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=drum+loop&category=drums&form=loop&bpm=90) - [Guitar loops](https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=guitar&category=guitar&form=loop) ## Collections - [Free kick samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-kick-samples.md): Free kick drum samples for any genre, from punchy acoustic kicks to drum machine thumps, each with a preview and a verdict on commercial use. - [Free drum loops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-drum-loops.md): Free drum loops for hip hop, house, trap, rock and lo-fi, with tempo where known and a licence verdict on each, ready to drop into a project at the right BPM. - [Free guitar loops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-guitar-loops.md): Free guitar loops: clean electric riffs, acoustic strums, funk licks and ambient textures with BPM and key where known, each with a commercial-use verdict. - [Free lo-fi loops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-lofi-loops.md): Free lo-fi hip hop loops: dusty keys, jazzy guitar, mellow drums and tape-warped textures with BPM and key where known, and a licence verdict on every loop. ## Related guides - [How to find samples by BPM and key](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/find-samples-by-bpm-and-key.md): Search loops, 808s and melodic samples by tempo and key, why half-time and relative keys match, and how to check a sample's real BPM and root note. - [How to build a drum kit from free samples](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/build-a-drum-kit-from-free-samples.md): Pick a kick, snare, clap, hats and 808 that suit each other, check every licence, then play the kit in Strudel or any sampler via an SFZ or General MIDI map. - [What is an 808? The drum machine and the bass](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/what-is-an-808.md): An 808 is Roland's TR-808 drum machine (1980), and in trap and hip hop its long, tuned bass drum used as a bassline. History, tuning and free 808 samples. - [WAV, AIFF, FLAC or MP3: which sample format should you use?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/sample-formats-wav-mp3-flac.md): Use lossless WAV, AIFF or FLAC for production and MP3 or Ogg only for previews. Sample rate and bit depth explained: 44.1 or 48 kHz, 16 or 24-bit. This guide is practical information, not legal advice. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/guides/one-shots-vs-loops --- # How to find samples by BPM and key > Filter by tempo and key, then verify. On Sound Server, type it in the query (“vocal chop 140 bpm”, “808 in F minor”) or use the BPM and key filters; half and double tempo and the relative major or minor also match, because they fit the same track. Not every source labels tempo and key, so unlabelled sounds are kept but ranked lower unless you switch on strict matching. Production guide, updated 2026-10-23. Search loops, 808s and melodic samples by tempo and key, why half-time and relative keys match, and how to check a sample's real BPM and root note. ## Tempo and key in a search Matching tempo and key is what makes a sample drop into a project without fighting it. Sound Server reads both from your query and from filters: - **BPM**: "140 bpm" in the query or `bpm=140`; ranges such as `bpm=120-128` for house. Half and double time match (a 70 BPM search returns 140 BPM loops). - **Key**: "F minor", "F#m", "Eb" or "A major", in the query or as `key=`. The relative key matches too (F minor with A♭ major). - **Strict**: `strict=true` drops sounds whose tempo or key is unknown, instead of ranking them lower. The same parameters work on the [REST API](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/api) and in the MCP tool `search_samples`, so an AI agent can ask for "a dark 808 in F minor" and get tuned results. ## Where the numbers come from Sources label tempo and key in different ways. Freesound analyses every upload and publishes the results, sample packs usually put tempo and key in file names, and many community uploads give nothing. Sound Server combines what the source states with what the title says, and can measure duration, BPM, key, root note and loudness on demand when you open a sample's details (`analyze=true` on the API). ## Checking a loop by ear A quick test for tempo: set your project to the stated BPM and drop the loop at bar 1. If it ends exactly on a bar line after one, two, four or eight bars, the tempo is right. If it ends halfway, the real tempo is half or double. For key, loop a bass note of your key under the sample: if they sit together without beating, you're in key; if not, try the relative key or a shift of a semitone or two. ## Collections to start from The [808 collection](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-808-samples) shows root notes where known, and the [lo-fi](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-lofi-loops) and [guitar loop](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-guitar-loops) collections show BPM and key. Each card plays in the page, so you can audition before downloading. ## Step by step 1. **Know your project's tempo and key.** Read the BPM from your DAW and identify the key from your chords or bassline. If you're starting from a sample, use its tempo and key as the project's. 2. **Search with them.** Add them to the query, for example 'piano loop 90 bpm A minor', or use the BPM (a number or a range like 120-128) and key filters. Combine with a category such as keys or vocals.chop. 3. **Decide on strict matching.** By default, sounds with unknown tempo or key stay in the results, ranked lower. Turn on strict to keep only labelled ones when you need a guaranteed match. 4. **Verify before you commit.** Check the loop's length lines up with whole bars at your tempo, and play pitched samples against your bassline. Labels on community sites are sometimes wrong. 5. **Adjust what's close.** Time-stretch loops a few BPM either way and pitch-shift up to two or three semitones. Beyond that, quality drops, so look for a closer match instead. ## Questions **Why does a 70 BPM search return 140 BPM loops?** Because they fit. A 140 BPM loop plays at half time over a 70 BPM beat, and trap and drill are often labelled either way. Sound Server matches half and double tempo for that reason. **Why do A minor results include C major?** A minor and C major use the same notes; they are relative keys. A sample in one usually works over a track in the other, so both match. **How does Sound Server know a sample's key?** From the source when it records it (Freesound analyses tempo and key, many packs label them in file names), from words in the title, and, when you ask for details with analysis, by measuring the audio. **Do drum one-shots have a key?** Kicks, toms and 808s have a clear pitch and benefit from tuning. Snares, claps and hats are mostly noise; their key matters much less. ## Try it - [808 in F minor](https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=808&category=bass.808&key=F+minor) - [Vocal chops at 140 BPM](https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=vocal+chop&category=vocals.chop&bpm=140) - [Piano loops at 90 BPM](https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=piano&category=keys&form=loop&bpm=90) - [House drum loops, 120-128 BPM](https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=drum+loop&category=drums&form=loop&bpm=120-128) ## Collections - [Free 808 samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-808-samples.md): Free 808 bass samples for trap, drill and hip hop, from clean sub booms to distorted glides, with key, length and a commercial-use verdict for each. - [Free lo-fi loops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-lofi-loops.md): Free lo-fi hip hop loops: dusty keys, jazzy guitar, mellow drums and tape-warped textures with BPM and key where known, and a licence verdict on every loop. - [Free guitar loops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-guitar-loops.md): Free guitar loops: clean electric riffs, acoustic strums, funk licks and ambient textures with BPM and key where known, each with a commercial-use verdict. - [Free vocal chops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vocal-chops.md): Free vocal chop samples for house, future bass and pop: short sung syllables, cuts and stutters with BPM and key where known, and a licence verdict on each. ## Related guides - [One-shots vs loops: which samples should you use?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/one-shots-vs-loops.md): One-shots are single hits you program yourself; loops are recorded patterns that repeat at a tempo. When to use each, how to match them, and how to search. - [What is an 808? The drum machine and the bass](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/what-is-an-808.md): An 808 is Roland's TR-808 drum machine (1980), and in trap and hip hop its long, tuned bass drum used as a bassline. History, tuning and free 808 samples. - [How to build a drum kit from free samples](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/build-a-drum-kit-from-free-samples.md): Pick a kick, snare, clap, hats and 808 that suit each other, check every licence, then play the kit in Strudel or any sampler via an SFZ or General MIDI map. - [WAV, AIFF, FLAC or MP3: which sample format should you use?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/sample-formats-wav-mp3-flac.md): Use lossless WAV, AIFF or FLAC for production and MP3 or Ogg only for previews. Sample rate and bit depth explained: 44.1 or 48 kHz, 16 or 24-bit. This guide is practical information, not legal advice. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/guides/find-samples-by-bpm-and-key --- # How to build a drum kit from free samples > Choose one sound per slot (kick, snare, clap, closed hat, open hat and, for trap or hip hop, an 808) that suit your style, tempo and key, check that every one is cleared for a release, then map them to pads: General MIDI drum notes for a DAW, an SFZ file for samplers, or a Strudel sample map to play it in the browser. Sound Server's kit builder does all of this in one step and gives you the credits. Production guide, updated 2026-10-23. Pick a kick, snare, clap, hats and 808 that suit each other, check every licence, then play the kit in Strudel or any sampler via an SFZ or General MIDI map. ## The slots A typical kit has six parts: | Slot | Job | General MIDI note | | --- | --- | --- | | Kick | The pulse, the low punch | 36 (C1) | | Snare | The backbeat on 2 and 4 | 38 (D1) | | Clap | Layered with or replacing the snare | 39 (D#1) | | Closed hat | Eighths or sixteenths | 42 (F#1) | | Open hat | Offbeats and accents | 46 (A#1) | | 808 | Tuned bass (trap, drill, hip hop) | Played chromatically | Add toms, a crash, a ride and percussion when the style calls for them. Note names for MIDI numbers vary between DAWs (some call note 36 C2), but the numbers are standard. ## With the kit builder The [kit builder](https://sound.shep.bot/kit) runs one search per slot for your style, tempo and key, and returns a pick for each slot with alternatives and the reason it was chosen. It searches commercial-safe by default. The result includes: - a licence summary (how many picks are cleared, how many need credit); - the credit lines to paste into your release; - a **Strudel** sample map and snippet that load the previews through Sound Server, so the kit plays in strudel.cc as is; - a **General MIDI / SFZ** drum map for samplers. The same kit is one call on the REST API (`POST /v1/kits`) or the MCP tool `build_kit`; run locally, the MCP tool downloads the files with an SFZ and ATTRIBUTION.md into your project. ## By hand Search each slot with the [Commercial-safe](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/what-counts-as-commercial-use) switch on, starting from the [kick](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-kick-samples), [snare](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-snare-samples), [clap](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-clap-samples), [hi-hat](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-hi-hat-samples) and [808](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-808-samples) collections. Download the originals, name the files by slot, and load them into your DAW's drum rack. A minimal SFZ file for a sampler looks like this: ```text key=36 sample=kick.wav key=38 sample=snare.wav key=39 sample=clap.wav key=42 sample=hat-closed.wav group=2 key=46 sample=hat-open.wav group=1 off_by=2 ``` The `group` and `off_by` settings make the closed hat (group 2) cut off the open one, like a drummer's foot closing the hi-hat. ## Playing it in Strudel Strudel loads samples from a map of names to URLs and plays patterns written in mini-notation: ```js samples({ bd: "kick.wav", sd: "snare.wav", hh: "hat-closed.wav", oh: "hat-open.wav" }, "https://example.com/my-kit/") s("bd hh [bd sd] hh, ~ ~ ~ oh") ``` The kit builder writes this map for you with working URLs. Strudel also ships its own drum machine banks (`.bank("RolandTR909")`), which Sound Server indexes as a source. ## Step by step 1. **Decide the style, tempo and key.** A dark trap kit at 140 BPM in F minor needs different sounds from a 124 BPM house kit. Tempo guides decay lengths; key guides the kick, toms and 808. 2. **Pick one sound per slot.** Kick, snare, clap, closed hat, open hat and an 808 cover most beats. Audition them together, not solo: the kick and 808 should share a root, and the snare and clap should complement each other. 3. **Check every licence.** Keep only sounds whose verdict is 'Commercial use OK' or 'OK with credit' if the track may be released, and save the credit lines for the ones that need them. 4. **Map the kit.** Use General MIDI drum notes (kick 36, snare 38, clap 39, closed hat 42, open hat 46) so patterns work in any DAW, or load the SFZ file into a sampler such as sfizz or Sforzando. 5. **Play it.** Program a pattern in your DAW, or paste the Strudel snippet into strudel.cc to hear the kit in a loop straight away. ## Questions **What is an SFZ file?** A plain-text format that tells a sampler which audio file to play for which note and velocity. It's open and supported by free samplers such as sfizz, so a kit described in SFZ works in many hosts. **What is Strudel?** A browser-based live-coding environment for music, a JavaScript port of TidalCycles. You load samples into it with a sample map and write patterns such as s("bd sd [~ bd] sd"). **How many kicks should I audition?** Five to ten is plenty. The kit builder offers alternatives for every slot, so you can swap one sound without starting over. ## Try it - [Commercial-safe kicks](https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=kick&category=drums.kick&form=one-shot&commercial=true) - [Commercial-safe snares](https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=snare&category=drums.snare&form=one-shot&commercial=true) - [Commercial-safe 808s](https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=808&category=bass.808&commercial=true) ## Collections - [Free kick samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-kick-samples.md): Free kick drum samples for any genre, from punchy acoustic kicks to drum machine thumps, each with a preview and a verdict on commercial use. - [Free snare samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-snare-samples.md): Free snare drum samples, from tight acoustic snares and rimshots to crunchy drum machine hits, with a playable preview and a licence verdict on each. - [Free clap samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-clap-samples.md): Free hand clap and snap samples, from stacked crowd claps to tight drum machine claps, ready to layer with snares, each with a licence verdict and preview. - [Free hi-hat samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-hi-hat-samples.md): Free closed and open hi-hat samples for programming grooves, from crisp drum machine hats to acoustic cymbals, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free open hi-hat samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-open-hi-hat-samples.md): Free open hi-hat one-shots, from tight half-open barks to long washy sizzles, for house, disco, trap and breaks, with a licence verdict on every sound. - [Free 808 samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-808-samples.md): Free 808 bass samples for trap, drill and hip hop, from clean sub booms to distorted glides, with key, length and a commercial-use verdict for each. ## Related guides - [What is an 808? The drum machine and the bass](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/what-is-an-808.md): An 808 is Roland's TR-808 drum machine (1980), and in trap and hip hop its long, tuned bass drum used as a bassline. History, tuning and free 808 samples. - [One-shots vs loops: which samples should you use?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/one-shots-vs-loops.md): One-shots are single hits you program yourself; loops are recorded patterns that repeat at a tempo. When to use each, how to match them, and how to search. - [How AI music agents can find and license samples with MCP](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/ai-agents-find-and-license-samples.md): Connect Claude, Cursor or another AI agent to Sound Server's MCP server so it searches 30+ sample sites, checks each licence and downloads sounds with credits. - [How to find samples by BPM and key](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/find-samples-by-bpm-and-key.md): Search loops, 808s and melodic samples by tempo and key, why half-time and relative keys match, and how to check a sample's real BPM and root note. ## Sources - [Strudel](https://strudel.cc/) - [SFZ format](https://sfzformat.com/) - [General MIDI percussion key map (MIDI Association)](https://midi.org/general-midi) This guide is practical information, not legal advice. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/guides/build-a-drum-kit-from-free-samples --- # How AI music agents can find and license samples with MCP > Give the agent Sound Server's MCP server (https://sound.shep.bot/mcp, no key needed). It then has tools to search every sample source (search_samples), read a sample's licence, credit line and files (get_sample), assemble a drum kit (build_kit) and find similar sounds (find_similar). Searches are commercial-safe by default, and the agent is told to report each sample's licence verdict and never present a non-commercial sound as cleared. AI agents guide, updated 2026-10-23. Connect Claude, Cursor or another AI agent to Sound Server's MCP server so it searches 30+ sample sites, checks each licence and downloads sounds with credits. ## Why an agent needs a sample search AI coding and music agents are good at writing patterns, Strudel code, game logic or a DAW template, but they can't invent where a legal kick drum comes from. Without a search tool, they guess URLs, suggest sounds from memory or fetch whatever a web search returns, with no idea of the licence. Sound Server gives them one interface to many sample sites, with the licence already read and turned into a verdict. ## The tools | Tool | What it does | | --- | --- | | `search_samples` | Searches every source; accepts music words ("vocal chop 140 bpm"), categories, forms, BPM, key, duration. `commercial_only` defaults to true. | | `get_sample` | One sample's licence, verdict, credit line, files and preview; optional audio analysis for BPM, key and loudness. | | `build_kit` | One sound per drum slot for a style, tempo and key, with alternatives, a Strudel snippet and an SFZ / General MIDI map. | | `find_similar` | Sounds similar to a given sample (currently Freesound's audio similarity). | | `list_sources` | The sites searched, with their licence models. | See [Coding agents & MCP](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/mcp) for setup in each client. ## What the agent is told The server's instructions, and the [agent guide](https://sound.shep.bot/AGENTS.md), set the licence rules: - search commercial-safe unless the user says the project is personal or non-commercial; - report the verdict of every suggested sound; - never present a `no` or `check-terms` sound as cleared for release; - pass on the credit line whenever one is required. ## A worked example Asked "make me a lo-fi beat in Strudel at 80 BPM with sounds I can release", an agent would call `build_kit` with a lo-fi style, 80 BPM and commercial-safe on, paste the returned Strudel snippet, and list the kit with each sound's verdict and credit line. If the user later swaps the snare, `search_samples` with `categories=["drums.snare"]` returns alternatives with their verdicts. ## Without MCP Agents that only browse can read [/AGENTS.md](https://sound.shep.bot/AGENTS.md) or [/llms.txt](https://sound.shep.bot/llms.txt) and call the REST API: `GET /v1/search?q=…&commercial=true`, then `GET /v1/samples/{id}`. Every page on this site is also available as Markdown, so an agent can read guides like this one directly. ## Step by step 1. **Add the MCP server.** In Claude Code: claude mcp add --transport http sounds https://sound.shep.bot/mcp. In Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf, Codex CLI or Gemini CLI, add the same URL as a Streamable HTTP server. 2. **Ask in producer language.** For example: 'find a dark 808 in F minor I can use in a release' or 'build a 124 BPM house kit, commercial-safe'. The agent turns this into search_samples or build_kit calls with category, key and BPM filters. 3. **Let it vet the licences.** Each result carries a verdict. The agent should list the verdict for every suggestion and keep the credit line for any 'OK with credit' sound. 4. **Download with credits.** The agent downloads the chosen file from get_sample's selection.downloadUrl, or with bundle=true to receive ATTRIBUTION.md and credits.json alongside the audio. 5. **Keep the paper trail.** Commit ATTRIBUTION.md with the project so the credits travel with the files into your release. ## Questions **Does the agent need an API key?** No. The hosted MCP server and REST API are free and keyless, with a rate limit of 120 requests per minute per client. Self-hosted servers can add your own Freesound credentials for original-quality downloads. **Can an agent tell whether a sample is safe for a release?** It can report the verdict Sound Server derives from the source's licence, which is what it is instructed to do. Final responsibility stays with the person releasing the music, especially for uploader-asserted licences, which are never rated better than 'check the terms'. **Can the agent generate new sounds?** No. Sound Server finds existing recordings and their licences. For generated audio use a different tool, and check that tool's terms for commercial use. **Which agents work with it?** Any client that supports MCP over Streamable HTTP, including Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code with Copilot, Windsurf, Codex CLI and Gemini CLI. Agents without MCP can read /AGENTS.md and call the REST API. ## Try it - [What the agent sees: 808s in F minor](https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=808&category=bass.808&key=F+minor&commercial=true) ## Collections - [Free 808 samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-808-samples.md): Free 808 bass samples for trap, drill and hip hop, from clean sub booms to distorted glides, with key, length and a commercial-use verdict for each. - [Free kick samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-kick-samples.md): Free kick drum samples for any genre, from punchy acoustic kicks to drum machine thumps, each with a preview and a verdict on commercial use. - [Free riser sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-riser-sound-effects.md): Free riser and uplifter sound effects for build-ups before a drop: white noise sweeps, pitch risers and tension builds, each with a preview and licence verdict. ## Related guides - [How to build a drum kit from free samples](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/build-a-drum-kit-from-free-samples.md): Pick a kick, snare, clap, hats and 808 that suit each other, check every licence, then play the kit in Strudel or any sampler via an SFZ or General MIDI map. - [How to find samples by BPM and key](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/find-samples-by-bpm-and-key.md): Search loops, 808s and melodic samples by tempo and key, why half-time and relative keys match, and how to check a sample's real BPM and root note. - [How to credit CC BY samples in a song](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/credit-cc-by-samples.md): The credit line a CC BY sample needs (title, author, source, licence, changes), where to put it on Bandcamp, YouTube and streaming, with copy-paste examples. - [What counts as commercial use of a sample?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/what-counts-as-commercial-use.md): Selling, streaming for royalties, monetised videos, beat leases, sync and client work are commercial. How non-commercial (NC) licences apply to music. ## Sources - [Model Context Protocol](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/) - [Sound Server agent guide (AGENTS.md)](https://sound.shep.bot/AGENTS.md) This guide is practical information, not legal advice. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/guides/ai-agents-find-and-license-samples --- # Sample clearance and Content ID: a producer's guide > A sample taken from someone else's record needs permission from two owners before release: the owner of the recording (the master, usually a label) and the owner of the composition (the publisher). There is no safe length that avoids this. Licensed samples (CC0, CC BY, royalty-free) don't need clearing, but they can still trigger automated systems such as YouTube's Content ID, which you dispute by showing the licence and the source. Licensing guide, updated 2026-10-23. When a sample needs clearing (master and publishing), why no number of seconds is safe, and how to handle Content ID claims on sounds you may use. ## Two copyrights in every record A released song carries two separate rights. The **sound recording** (the master) usually belongs to the label or the artist who paid for it. The **composition** (melody, lyrics, chords) belongs to the songwriters and their publishers. Sampling a record uses both, so clearing a sample means agreeing terms with both owners: often an upfront fee, a share of royalties, or both. Services such as Tracklib sell pre-cleared samples from original recordings for exactly this reason; Sound Server marks those `clearance-required`. This is a practical overview, not legal advice. Laws differ between countries, and anything with real money attached deserves a lawyer. ## Myths worth dropping - **"Under a few seconds is fine."** There is no universal safe length. Short samples have been found infringing; courts disagree on where the line is. - **"It's fine if I credit them."** A credit is not permission. It only satisfies licences, such as CC BY, that ask for one. - **"It's fine if I don't make money."** Uploading uncleared material can still be infringement, and platforms remove it either way. - **"I bought the record."** Owning a copy gives you no right to reuse the recording. ## Licensed samples don't need clearing Sounds published under CC0, CC BY or a royalty-free licence come with permission already attached, within that licence's terms. That's the point of using them: nothing to negotiate, only conditions to follow, such as giving credit. Sound Server's verdicts summarise those conditions, and the Commercial-safe switch keeps only sounds you can release. ## Content ID and fingerprinting YouTube's Content ID, and similar systems used by distributors and other platforms, compare new uploads with reference audio supplied by rights holders. A match can block a video, track it or redirect its revenue. The systems match audio, not licences, so a free sample can produce a claim when someone else has registered a track containing it. If you get a claim on a sound you're allowed to use: 1. Find the sample's licence and source URL. If you kept the credit line or ATTRIBUTION.md, both are in it. 2. Dispute the claim on the platform, quoting the licence and linking to the sample's page. 3. If the claimant registered a raw sample they don't exclusively own, the dispute usually ends with the claim released. Less common sounds and heavy processing make false matches less likely, and keeping your paperwork makes disputes quick. ## Questions **Is it legal to sample two seconds of a song?** Not without permission, in most cases. There is no rule that a short sample is automatically allowed. In Bridgeport Music v. Dimension Films (2005), a US appeals court held that even a two-second sample of a recording needed a licence; other courts have taken different views, which is exactly why labels insist on clearance. **What is an interpolation?** Re-recording a melody or riff instead of sampling the original recording. It avoids the master owner but still needs the publisher's permission, because the composition is the same. **Why did my track get a Content ID claim for a free sample?** Content ID compares audio fingerprints with reference files that rights holders upload. If someone else registered a track containing the same free sample, your use can match. If you hold a valid licence, dispute the claim with the licence and source URL. **Do royalty-free packs protect me from claims?** They give you the right to use the sound, which is what a dispute needs. Some pack makers also tell their users not to register tracks containing their raw samples with Content ID, precisely to avoid such conflicts. ## Try it - [Cleared drum breaks](https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=break&category=drums.break&commercial=true) - [Commercial-safe vocals](https://sound.shep.bot/search?category=vocals&commercial=true) ## Collections - [Free breakbeats and drum breaks](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-breakbeats.md): Free drum breaks and breakbeat loops for jungle, drum and bass, hip hop and breaks, with tempo where known and a licence verdict, including cleared breaks. - [Free acapellas](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-acapellas.md): Free a cappella vocals for remixes and new tracks, mostly from Creative Commons remix communities, with tempo and key where known and a licence verdict on each. - [Free vocal chops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vocal-chops.md): Free vocal chop samples for house, future bass and pop: short sung syllables, cuts and stutters with BPM and key where known, and a licence verdict on each. ## Related guides - [How to credit CC BY samples in a song](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/credit-cc-by-samples.md): The credit line a CC BY sample needs (title, author, source, licence, changes), where to put it on Bandcamp, YouTube and streaming, with copy-paste examples. - [What counts as commercial use of a sample?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/what-counts-as-commercial-use.md): Selling, streaming for royalties, monetised videos, beat leases, sync and client work are commercial. How non-commercial (NC) licences apply to music. - [CC0 vs CC BY vs royalty-free samples: what's the difference?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/cc0-vs-cc-by-vs-royalty-free.md): CC0, CC BY and royalty-free licences all allow commercial music, with different strings: credit, redistribution and who granted them. A plain comparison. - [Can I use Freesound samples in a commercial release?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/freesound-samples-commercial-use.md): Yes for CC0 and CC BY sounds (with a credit), no for CC BY-NC, conditions for Sampling+. How to check a Freesound licence before you release a track. ## Sources - [YouTube Help: how Content ID works](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2797370) - [YouTube Help: dispute a Content ID claim](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2797454) - [U.S. Copyright Office: Circular 56A, musical compositions and sound recordings](https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ56a.pdf) This guide is practical information, not legal advice. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/guides/sample-clearance-and-content-id --- # WAV, AIFF, FLAC or MP3: which sample format should you use? > Produce with lossless files: WAV or AIFF (uncompressed) or FLAC (compressed without loss). They all sound identical; pick whatever your DAW and sampler read. MP3 and Ogg are lossy and fine for auditioning previews, but avoid them in a release. For sample rate, 44.1 kHz suits music and 48 kHz suits video; for bit depth, 24-bit gives recordings more headroom, while 16-bit is enough for finished one-shots. Production guide, updated 2026-10-23. Use lossless WAV, AIFF or FLAC for production and MP3 or Ogg only for previews. Sample rate and bit depth explained: 44.1 or 48 kHz, 16 or 24-bit. ## Lossless vs lossy | Format | Type | Use it for | | --- | --- | --- | | WAV | Uncompressed PCM | Production, the universal default | | AIFF | Uncompressed PCM | Production, common on macOS and in older libraries | | FLAC | Lossless compression | Production and archiving at roughly half the size | | MP3 | Lossy | Previews, sketches, sharing | | Ogg Vorbis / Opus | Lossy | Previews, web and games | WAV, AIFF and FLAC decode to exactly the same audio. Lossy formats throw away detail the encoder judges inaudible; one generation is often hard to hear, but processing, pitching and re-encoding expose it, and transients such as drum hits suffer first. Always produce from the lossless original. ## Sample rate The sample rate is how many times per second the audio is measured. 44.1 kHz is the CD and music-streaming standard; 48 kHz is standard for video and most games. Your DAW converts on import, so mixing rates is fine, but setting your project to the rate of its destination avoids an extra conversion at the end. ## Bit depth Bit depth sets the dynamic range. 16-bit gives about 96 dB, enough for a finished, normalised one-shot. 24-bit gives far more headroom, which matters for quiet field recordings and sounds you will process heavily. 32-bit float files can't clip inside a DAW and are increasingly common in sample packs. ## What Sound Server returns Every result lists the formats the source offers. Sample details include each file's format, sample rate, bit depth, channels and size where the source states them, plus whether a download needs an account on the source. The `downloadable=true` filter keeps samples this server can fetch directly, and multi-file downloads arrive as a zip with ATTRIBUTION.md. ## Questions **Can I convert an MP3 back to WAV to improve it?** No. Converting a lossy file to WAV makes a bigger file, not a better one: what MP3 encoding removed is gone. Download the original lossless file instead. **Do I need 96 kHz samples?** Rarely. Higher rates help when you pitch a sound down a lot or do detailed sound design, because more high-frequency content survives. For drums and loops at normal pitch, 44.1 or 48 kHz is fine. **Why are Freesound previews MP3?** Previews are made for quick listening and streaming. The uploader's original file, often WAV, AIFF or FLAC, is available to logged-in Freesound users. **Which format does Strudel need?** Strudel plays anything the browser can decode, so WAV, MP3, Ogg and FLAC all work. Smaller files load faster, which is why the kit builder points Strudel at previews. ## Try it - [Samples with direct WAV download](https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=kick&category=drums.kick&downloadable=true) - [Multisampled instruments](https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=piano&form=multisample) ## Collections - [Free piano samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-piano-samples.md): Free piano samples: single notes from grand and upright pianos for building an instrument, plus chords and loops, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free string samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-string-samples.md): Free string samples: violin, viola, cello and double bass notes, ensemble sustains, pizzicato and staccato for orchestral and pop tracks, with licences. - [Free kick samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-kick-samples.md): Free kick drum samples for any genre, from punchy acoustic kicks to drum machine thumps, each with a preview and a verdict on commercial use. ## Related guides - [One-shots vs loops: which samples should you use?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/one-shots-vs-loops.md): One-shots are single hits you program yourself; loops are recorded patterns that repeat at a tempo. When to use each, how to match them, and how to search. - [How to build a drum kit from free samples](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/build-a-drum-kit-from-free-samples.md): Pick a kick, snare, clap, hats and 808 that suit each other, check every licence, then play the kit in Strudel or any sampler via an SFZ or General MIDI map. - [Can I use Freesound samples in a commercial release?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/freesound-samples-commercial-use.md): Yes for CC0 and CC BY sounds (with a credit), no for CC BY-NC, conditions for Sampling+. How to check a Freesound licence before you release a track. - [What is an 808? The drum machine and the bass](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/what-is-an-808.md): An 808 is Roland's TR-808 drum machine (1980), and in trap and hip hop its long, tuned bass drum used as a bassline. History, tuning and free 808 samples. ## Sources - [Xiph.org: FLAC](https://xiph.org/flac/) This guide is practical information, not legal advice. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/guides/sample-formats-wav-mp3-flac --- # Glossary of sample and licence terms > Plain definitions of the words producers meet when finding samples: one-shot, loop, 808, BPM, key, sample rate, CC0, CC BY, NC, Sampling+, clearance, SFZ. ## Samples ### Sample A recorded sound reused in new music: a single drum hit, a note, a loop, a vocal phrase or a field recording. Producers trigger, chop, pitch and layer samples in a sampler or DAW. [Search samples](https://sound.shep.bot/search) ### One-shot A single sound, such as one kick, one chord or one shout, that plays once when triggered. Drum kits and 808 basslines are built from one-shots. Also: hit. [One-shots vs loops](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/one-shots-vs-loops) · [Kick one-shots](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-kick-samples) ### Loop A recorded pattern, usually one to eight bars long at a fixed tempo, that repeats seamlessly. Loops carry a performance with feel built in and must be matched to the project's BPM and key. [Drum loops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-drum-loops) · [Finding samples by BPM and key](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/find-samples-by-bpm-and-key) ### Phrase A short performed passage that is not designed to loop, such as a vocal line, a guitar lick or a drum fill. ### Multisample A set of recordings of one instrument at many notes, and often several velocities, mapped across a keyboard so it can be played like the real instrument. Free orchestral and piano libraries are usually multisamples. Also: multisampled instrument. [Piano samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-piano-samples) ### Sample pack A collection of samples sold or given away together, usually in a zip. A construction kit is a pack whose loops share one tempo and key, so they combine into a track. Also: sample library, construction kit. ### Stem One part of a mixed track exported on its own, such as drums, bass or vocals. Remix contests and communities such as ccMixter share stems so others can rebuild a song. ### A cappella A vocal performance without the music, often isolated from a song or recorded for remixing. Free a cappellas come mostly from Creative Commons remix communities. Also: acapella, acappella. [Free a cappellas](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-acapellas) ### Vocal chop A short slice of a vocal, often a single syllable, replayed rhythmically or as a melody from a sampler. [Free vocal chops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vocal-chops) ### Breakbeat A drum solo section of a record, or any looped acoustic drum performance with that feel. Breaks from commercial records are still copyrighted; openly licensed breaks are the safe alternative. Also: break, drum break. [Free breakbeats](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-breakbeats) ### Foley Everyday sounds performed and recorded to match picture: footsteps, doors, cloth, paper, glass. Named after Jack Foley, a sound-effects artist at Universal Studios. [Footstep sounds](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-footstep-sounds) ### Ambience A recording of a place rather than an event: rain, a forest, a city street, an empty room. Used to set a scene in film and games and for texture under music. Also: atmosphere, field recording, soundscape. [Forest ambience](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-forest-ambience) ### Room tone The background sound of a space when nobody is speaking. Editors use it to fill gaps in dialogue so cuts are inaudible. [Room tone recordings](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-room-tone) ### Riser An effect that climbs in pitch, filter or volume to build tension into a drop or new section. Its opposite, played after the moment, is a downlifter. Also: uplifter. [Free risers](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-riser-sound-effects) · [Downlifters](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-downlifter-sound-effects) ### Impact A short, heavy hit used to mark a downbeat or a cut, often with a low boom or sub drop. Also: hit, boom. [Free impacts](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-impact-sound-effects) ## Music ### 808 The Roland TR-808 analogue drum machine (1980–1983), and by extension its long, tuned bass drum used as the bassline in trap, drill and hip hop. Also: TR-808, 808 bass. [What is an 808?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/what-is-an-808) · [808 samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-808-samples) ### 909 The Roland TR-909 drum machine (1983), with analogue drums and sampled cymbals, whose kick, clap and hats are the foundation of house and techno. Also: TR-909. [TR-909 samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tr-909-drum-samples) ### BPM Beats per minute: the tempo of a track or loop. Loops must match the project's BPM, or be time-stretched to it; half and double tempo also fit. Also: tempo, beats per minute. [Finding samples by BPM and key](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/find-samples-by-bpm-and-key) ### Key The set of notes and the home note (tonic) a piece is built on, such as F minor or A major. Melodic samples sound best in the project's key or its relative key. Also: musical key, tonality. [808s in F minor](https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=808&category=bass.808&key=F+minor) ### Relative key A major and a minor key that share the same notes, such as C major and A minor. A sample in one usually works in a track in the other, so Sound Server matches both. ### Root note The pitch a one-shot sounds at when played unchanged. A sampler needs it to play the sample in tune across the keyboard. ### Time-stretching Changing a sample's length or tempo without changing its pitch. Small changes are transparent; large ones add artefacts. Also: warping. ### Choke group A sampler setting where one sound cuts another off, as a closed hi-hat stops an open one on a real kit. ## Audio files ### Sample rate How many times per second audio is measured, in hertz. 44.1 kHz is the music standard and 48 kHz the video standard. [WAV, AIFF, FLAC or MP3?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/sample-formats-wav-mp3-flac) ### Bit depth How precisely each measurement is stored, which sets the dynamic range: about 96 dB at 16-bit, far more at 24-bit. 32-bit float files can't clip inside a DAW. ### Lossless Formats that keep every detail of the recording: uncompressed WAV and AIFF, and losslessly compressed FLAC. Use them for production. Also: WAV, AIFF, FLAC. ### Lossy Formats that discard detail to make files smaller, such as MP3, Ogg Vorbis and Opus. Fine for previews; avoid them in a release. Also: MP3, Ogg Vorbis, Opus. ### Preview A lossy, streamable copy of a sample that a site offers for auditioning. Sound Server plays previews from the source; the original file is the one to produce with. ## Licences and rights ### Copyright The exclusive rights a creator holds in a work, including copying and adapting it. A recorded sample is protected unless its owner licenses it, waives the rights or the term has expired. ### Public domain Works no one owns, usually because copyright expired or never applied. Anyone may use them for anything. Note that a new recording of an old public-domain piece has its own copyright. Also: PD. ### CC0 Creative Commons Zero: a tool by which a creator waives all rights in a work as far as the law allows. CC0 samples may be used commercially with no credit. Also: CC0 1.0, public domain dedication. [CC0 vs CC BY vs royalty-free](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/cc0-vs-cc-by-vs-royalty-free) · [reference](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) ### CC BY Creative Commons Attribution: any use, commercial included, as long as you credit the creator, name the work, link the licence and indicate changes. Also: Attribution, CC BY 4.0, CC BY 3.0. [How to credit CC BY samples](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/credit-cc-by-samples) · [reference](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) ### ShareAlike (SA) A Creative Commons condition requiring adaptations to be released under the same licence. For a song that uses an SA sample, the whole track may have to be CC BY-SA, which labels rarely accept. Also: BY-SA, CC BY-SA. [reference](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) ### NonCommercial (NC) A Creative Commons condition forbidding use primarily intended for commercial advantage or money. Selling, royalty-paying streams, monetised videos and beat leases are all commercial. Also: BY-NC, CC BY-NC. [What counts as commercial use?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/what-counts-as-commercial-use) · [reference](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) ### NoDerivatives (ND) A Creative Commons condition allowing only unchanged copies. Placing a sample inside a new track makes an adaptation, so ND sounds can't be sampled. Also: BY-ND, CC BY-ND. [reference](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/) ### Sampling+ A retired Creative Commons licence for sampling: transformation is allowed for any purpose except advertising, while copies of the whole work may only be shared non-commercially. The NC variant forbids commercial use. Also: CC Sampling Plus, NC Sampling+. [What is CC Sampling+?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/cc-sampling-plus) · [reference](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/sampling+/1.0/) ### Royalty-free A licence, usually a site's or store's own, that lets you use sounds in your music without paying per use or per sale, while forbidding redistribution of the samples themselves. Royalty-free does not mean free of charge. [CC0 vs CC BY vs royalty-free](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/cc0-vs-cc-by-vs-royalty-free) ### Attribution The credit a licence requires: the work's title, its author, its source and its licence (TASL), plus a note of changes. Sound Server writes the line for every sample that needs one. Also: credit line, TASL. [How to credit CC BY samples](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/credit-cc-by-samples) ### Redistribution Sharing the sample files themselves, for example in a pack, a repository or a dataset. Most royalty-free licences forbid it even when they allow use in music. ### Sample clearance Getting permission, usually paid, to use a sample from an existing record: from the owner of the recording (master) and from the owner of the composition (publishing). Also: clearing a sample. [Sample clearance and Content ID](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/sample-clearance-and-content-id) ### Master and publishing rights The two copyrights in a released song: the sound recording (master), usually owned by a label, and the composition (publishing), owned by songwriters and publishers. Also: master, publishing. ### Interpolation Re-recording part of an existing song instead of sampling the original recording. It needs the publisher's permission but not the master owner's. Also: replay. ### Content ID YouTube's system that matches uploads against reference audio from rights holders. It matches sound, not licences, so a licensed sample can still be claimed and the claim disputed. Also: audio fingerprinting. [Sample clearance and Content ID](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/sample-clearance-and-content-id) ### Licence verdict Sound Server's one-word answer to whether a sample can go into a commercial release: yes, yes-with-credit, restricted, clearance-required, check-terms or no. [Sample licences explained](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences) ### Uploader-asserted licence A licence stated by whoever uploaded a file, not verified by the site. Sound Server never rates such licences better than check-terms, because uploaders may not own what they share. ## Tools and formats ### DAW Software for recording, arranging and mixing music, such as Ableton Live, FL Studio, Logic Pro or Reaper. Also: digital audio workstation. ### Sampler An instrument that plays recordings from MIDI notes, pitching them across the keyboard, looping and layering them. Drum racks are samplers specialised for kits. ### SFZ An open, plain-text format that maps audio files to notes, velocities and articulations, read by free samplers such as sfizz. Sound Server writes SFZ maps for drum kits. [Build a drum kit from free samples](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/build-a-drum-kit-from-free-samples) · [reference](https://sfzformat.com/) ### General MIDI A standard that assigns instruments to MIDI programs and drums to notes (kick 36, snare 38, clap 39, closed hat 42, open hat 46), so patterns play the right sounds on any compatible kit. Also: GM, GM drum map. ### MIDI A protocol and file format for musical events (notes, velocities, controllers) rather than audio. MIDI packs give you parts to play with your own sounds. ### Strudel A browser-based live-coding environment for music, a JavaScript port of TidalCycles. It loads samples from a sample map and plays patterns written in mini-notation. Also: TidalCycles. [Kit builder](https://sound.shep.bot/kit) · [reference](https://strudel.cc/) ### MCP The Model Context Protocol, an open standard for connecting AI assistants to tools and data. Sound Server's MCP server lets agents search samples, check licences and build kits. Also: Model Context Protocol. [AI agents and MCP](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/ai-agents-find-and-license-samples) · [reference](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/) --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/glossary --- # Free sample collections > Curated collections of free music samples (drums, 808s, vocals, FX, ambience and instruments) from many sample sites, with a licence verdict on every sound, refreshed daily (last change 2026-10-23). Each collection is a saved search; agents can run the same search with `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search`. ## Free drum samples: kicks, snares, hats and breaks [All drum samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/drums.md) - [Free breakbeats and drum breaks](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-breakbeats.md): Free drum breaks and breakbeat loops for jungle, drum and bass, hip hop and breaks, with tempo where known and a licence verdict, including cleared breaks. - [Free clap samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-clap-samples.md): Free hand clap and snap samples, from stacked crowd claps to tight drum machine claps, ready to layer with snares, each with a licence verdict and preview. - [Free crash cymbal samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-crash-cymbal-samples.md): Free crash cymbal one-shots, from short trashy splashes to long cinematic crashes, to mark the start of a section, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free hi-hat samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-hi-hat-samples.md): Free closed and open hi-hat samples for programming grooves, from crisp drum machine hats to acoustic cymbals, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free kick samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-kick-samples.md): Free kick drum samples for any genre, from punchy acoustic kicks to drum machine thumps, each with a preview and a verdict on commercial use. - [Free LinnDrum and Linn drum machine samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-linndrum-samples.md): Free LinnDrum and Linn LM-1 drum machine samples: the tight 1980s kicks, snares, claps, toms and percussion behind classic pop records, with licence verdicts. - [Free open hi-hat samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-open-hi-hat-samples.md): Free open hi-hat one-shots, from tight half-open barks to long washy sizzles, for house, disco, trap and breaks, with a licence verdict on every sound. - [Free percussion samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-percussion-samples.md): Free percussion one-shots and hits: congas, bongos, cowbells, tambourines, woodblocks and more, for Latin, afro, house and hip hop, with licence verdicts. - [Free ride cymbal samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-ride-cymbal-samples.md): Free ride cymbal one-shots, including bell hits and bow strokes, for jazz, house and techno grooves, with previews and a commercial-use verdict on each. - [Free rimshot and side-stick samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-rimshot-samples.md): Free rimshot and side-stick samples: dry cross-stick clicks and sharp rim hits for reggaeton, ballads, house and lo-fi, each with a commercial-use verdict. - [Free shaker samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-shaker-samples.md): Free shaker one-shots and loops: egg shakers, maracas, cabasas and rattles that add movement to house, pop and Latin beats, each with a commercial-use verdict. - [Free snare samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-snare-samples.md): Free snare drum samples, from tight acoustic snares and rimshots to crunchy drum machine hits, with a playable preview and a licence verdict on each. - [Free tom drum samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tom-samples.md): Free tom drum one-shots, from high rack toms to deep floor toms and electronic toms, for fills and tribal grooves, each with a licence verdict and preview. - [Free TR-808 drum machine samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tr-808-drum-samples.md): Free Roland TR-808 drum machine samples: the booming kick, snappy snare, clap, cowbell, rimshot and hats that shaped hip hop, electro and trap, with licences. - [Free TR-909 drum machine samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tr-909-drum-samples.md): Free Roland TR-909 drum machine samples: the punchy kick, clap, snare, open hat and ride behind house and techno, with previews and a licence verdict on each. ## Free 808 and bass samples [All 808s and bass](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/bass-808s.md) - [Free 808 samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-808-samples.md): Free 808 bass samples for trap, drill and hip hop, from clean sub booms to distorted glides, with key, length and a commercial-use verdict for each. - [Free Reese bass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-reese-bass-samples.md): Free Reese bass samples: detuned, phasing saw basses for drum and bass, jungle, dubstep and techno, as one-shots and loops with a licence verdict on each. - [Free sub bass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-sub-bass-samples.md): Free sub bass one-shots and loops: clean sine subs, rumbling drops and deep bass tones for dubstep, drum and bass, grime and house, with key and licence shown. - [Free synth bass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-synth-bass-samples.md): Free synth bass one-shots and loops, from acid squelches to analogue plucks and house bass stabs, with root notes where known and a licence verdict. ## Free loops by genre and tempo [All loops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/loops.md) - [Free drum loops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-drum-loops.md): Free drum loops for hip hop, house, trap, rock and lo-fi, with tempo where known and a licence verdict on each, ready to drop into a project at the right BPM. - [Free guitar loops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-guitar-loops.md): Free guitar loops: clean electric riffs, acoustic strums, funk licks and ambient textures with BPM and key where known, each with a commercial-use verdict. - [Free lo-fi loops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-lofi-loops.md): Free lo-fi hip hop loops: dusty keys, jazzy guitar, mellow drums and tape-warped textures with BPM and key where known, and a licence verdict on every loop. ## Free vocal samples: chops, a cappellas and shouts [All vocal samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/vocals.md) - [Free acapellas](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-acapellas.md): Free a cappella vocals for remixes and new tracks, mostly from Creative Commons remix communities, with tempo and key where known and a licence verdict on each. - [Free choir samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-choir-samples.md): Free choir samples: sustained choral notes, chants, ahh and ooh pads and real choirs for cinematic, ambient and gospel-tinged tracks, with licences. - [Free spoken word samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-spoken-word-samples.md): Free spoken word and voice samples: narration, speeches, radio chatter and public-domain recordings for intros and breakdowns, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free vocal chops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vocal-chops.md): Free vocal chop samples for house, future bass and pop: short sung syllables, cuts and stutters with BPM and key where known, and a licence verdict on each. - [Free vocal shouts and ad-libs](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vocal-shouts.md): Free vocal shouts, chants, hype phrases and ad-libs for drops, hooks and transitions in dance and hip hop, each with a preview and a commercial-use verdict. ## Free sound effects for music: risers, impacts, sweeps [All sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/fx.md) - [Free downlifter sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-downlifter-sound-effects.md): Free downlifters and falling sweeps that release tension after a drop or lead out of a section, for EDM, trap and film edits, each with a licence verdict. - [Free glitch sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-glitch-sound-effects.md): Free glitch effects: stutters, digital errors, buffer repeats, bit-crushed bursts and data noise for electronic music, UI and video, with licences. - [Free impact sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-impact-sound-effects.md): Free impact and hit sound effects: cinematic booms, sub drops, braams and slams for drops, trailers and transitions, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free laser and zap sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-laser-zap-sound-effects.md): Free laser, zap and blaster sound effects: retro sci-fi pews, synth zaps and glitchy shots for music, games and video, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free riser sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-riser-sound-effects.md): Free riser and uplifter sound effects for build-ups before a drop: white noise sweeps, pitch risers and tension builds, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free tape stop sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tape-stop-effects.md): Free tape stop and record stop effects: the slowing, falling pitch of a stopping deck, used before drops and at song ends, with a licence verdict. - [Free transition sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-transition-sound-effects.md): Free transition effects for music and video: swells, reverse hits, sweeps and stingers that bridge two sections or shots, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free vinyl crackle samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vinyl-crackle.md): Free vinyl crackle, record noise and tape hiss samples for lo-fi beats and warm, worn mixes, as loops and long takes, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free white noise samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-white-noise-samples.md): Free white, pink and brown noise samples and noise sweeps for risers, snare layers, transitions and sleep or focus sounds, each with a commercial-use verdict. - [Free whoosh and sweep sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-whoosh-sound-effects.md): Free whooshes, swooshes and noise sweeps for transitions in music, video edits, trailers and games, as short one-shots with previews and a licence verdict. ## Free foley sounds and ambience recordings [All foley and ambience](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/foley-ambience.md) - [Free city ambience](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-city-ambience.md): Free city ambience: street traffic, crowds, cafés, train stations, sirens and night-time cityscapes for film, games, podcasts and music, with licences. - [Free door sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-door-sound-effects.md): Free door sounds: creaks, slams, knocks, locks, handles and sliding doors, wooden and metal, for film, games and podcasts, with a licence verdict. - [Free footstep sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-footstep-sounds.md): Free footstep sounds on wood, gravel, snow, concrete and grass, walking and running, for film, games and textured beats, each with a commercial-use verdict. - [Free forest ambience](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-forest-ambience.md): Free forest ambience: birdsong at dawn, wind in trees, insects at night and rainforest soundscapes for music, film, games and relaxation, with licences. - [Free glass sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-glass-sound-effects.md): Free glass sounds: breaking windows, shattering bottles, clinks, chimes and glass hits for film, games and percussion layers, with a licence verdict. - [Free paper sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-paper-sound-effects.md): Free paper sounds: page turns, crumpling, tearing, folding and writing, for foley, ASMR, podcasts and crisp percussion in beats, each with a licence verdict. - [Free rain ambience sounds](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-rain-ambience.md): Free rain ambience and storm recordings: light rain, downpours, rain on windows and thunder, as long field recordings with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free room tone recordings](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-room-tone.md): Free room tone and quiet interior ambience: empty rooms, offices, halls and hums to fill silence in film, podcasts and music, with a licence verdict. - [Free water sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-water-sound-effects.md): Free water sounds: drips, splashes, pouring, bubbles, streams and waves for foley, ambient music and games, as one-shots and loops with licences. ## Free instrument samples: piano, guitar, synth, strings [All instrument samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/instruments.md) - [Free brass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-brass-samples.md): Free brass samples: trumpet, trombone, French horn and tuba notes, stabs and section hits for funk, film and hip hop, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free flute samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-flute-samples.md): Free flute samples: concert flute, piccolo, pan flute, recorder and world flutes as notes, phrases and loops for hip hop, ambient and film, with licences. - [Free guitar samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-guitar-samples.md): Free guitar samples: acoustic and electric notes, chords, strums, harmonics and fret noises for producers who don't play, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free marimba and mallet samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-marimba-samples.md): Free marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, glockenspiel and kalimba samples, as notes and loops for pop, house, ambient and game music, with licence verdicts. - [Free piano samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-piano-samples.md): Free piano samples: single notes from grand and upright pianos for building an instrument, plus chords and loops, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free Rhodes and electric piano samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-rhodes-electric-piano-samples.md): Free Rhodes, Wurlitzer and electric piano samples: notes, chords and loops for neo-soul, lo-fi, jazz and R&B, with root notes and a licence verdict. - [Free string samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-string-samples.md): Free string samples: violin, viola, cello and double bass notes, ensemble sustains, pizzicato and staccato for orchestral and pop tracks, with licences. - [Free synth pad samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-synth-pad-samples.md): Free synth pad samples: warm analogue pads, evolving textures and ambient chords for ambient, synthwave, trap and cinematic tracks, with licences. - [Free synth pluck samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-synth-pluck-samples.md): Free synth pluck samples: short, bright plucked synth notes for house, trance, future bass and pop melodies, with root notes and a licence verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples --- # Free drum samples: kicks, snares, hats and breaks > Free drum samples by sound: kicks, snares, claps, hi-hats, percussion and breakbeats as WAV one-shots and loops, each with a clear licence verdict. Drums are where most tracks start, and where a weak sample shows first. These collections group free drum sounds by what they are: punchy kicks, crisp snares and claps, closed and open hi-hats, shakers and congas, and chopped breakbeats. Results come from Freesound, Wikimedia Commons, Kenney, Free Wave Samples, the Strudel drum-machine banks and more, and every card says whether you can release a track that uses it. Updated 2026-10-23. ## Collections - [Free breakbeats and drum breaks](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-breakbeats.md): 36 samples from 5 sources. Free drum breaks and breakbeat loops for jungle, drum and bass, hip hop and breaks, with tempo where known and a licence verdict, including cleared breaks. - [Free clap samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-clap-samples.md): 36 samples from 3 sources. Free hand clap and snap samples, from stacked crowd claps to tight drum machine claps, ready to layer with snares, each with a licence verdict and preview. - [Free crash cymbal samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-crash-cymbal-samples.md): 33 samples from 4 sources. Free crash cymbal one-shots, from short trashy splashes to long cinematic crashes, to mark the start of a section, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free hi-hat samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-hi-hat-samples.md): 33 samples from 3 sources. Free closed and open hi-hat samples for programming grooves, from crisp drum machine hats to acoustic cymbals, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free kick samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-kick-samples.md): 36 samples from 5 sources. Free kick drum samples for any genre, from punchy acoustic kicks to drum machine thumps, each with a preview and a verdict on commercial use. - [Free LinnDrum and Linn drum machine samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-linndrum-samples.md): 18 samples from 2 sources. Free LinnDrum and Linn LM-1 drum machine samples: the tight 1980s kicks, snares, claps, toms and percussion behind classic pop records, with licence verdicts. - [Free open hi-hat samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-open-hi-hat-samples.md): 28 samples from 2 sources. Free open hi-hat one-shots, from tight half-open barks to long washy sizzles, for house, disco, trap and breaks, with a licence verdict on every sound. - [Free percussion samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-percussion-samples.md): 22 samples from 3 sources. Free percussion one-shots and hits: congas, bongos, cowbells, tambourines, woodblocks and more, for Latin, afro, house and hip hop, with licence verdicts. - [Free ride cymbal samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-ride-cymbal-samples.md): 32 samples from 3 sources. Free ride cymbal one-shots, including bell hits and bow strokes, for jazz, house and techno grooves, with previews and a commercial-use verdict on each. - [Free rimshot and side-stick samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-rimshot-samples.md): 23 samples from 2 sources. Free rimshot and side-stick samples: dry cross-stick clicks and sharp rim hits for reggaeton, ballads, house and lo-fi, each with a commercial-use verdict. - [Free shaker samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-shaker-samples.md): 15 samples from 2 sources. Free shaker one-shots and loops: egg shakers, maracas, cabasas and rattles that add movement to house, pop and Latin beats, each with a commercial-use verdict. - [Free snare samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-snare-samples.md): 36 samples from 5 sources. Free snare drum samples, from tight acoustic snares and rimshots to crunchy drum machine hits, with a playable preview and a licence verdict on each. - [Free tom drum samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tom-samples.md): 31 samples from 3 sources. Free tom drum one-shots, from high rack toms to deep floor toms and electronic toms, for fills and tribal grooves, each with a licence verdict and preview. - [Free TR-808 drum machine samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tr-808-drum-samples.md): 28 samples from 3 sources. Free Roland TR-808 drum machine samples: the booming kick, snappy snare, clap, cowbell, rimshot and hats that shaped hip hop, electro and trap, with licences. - [Free TR-909 drum machine samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tr-909-drum-samples.md): 20 samples from 2 sources. Free Roland TR-909 drum machine samples: the punchy kick, clap, snare, open hat and ride behind house and techno, with previews and a licence verdict on each. ## Building a beat from one-shots Most modern drums are programmed from one-shots: a kick on the pulse, a snare or clap on the backbeat, hats on the subdivisions, and percussion to add swing. Pick the kick first, because it sets the low end everything else has to fit around, then choose a snare that answers it. Audition sounds in a loop with the rest of the kit rather than solo, and keep a choke group between closed and open hats so they behave like a real hi-hat. ## Acoustic, machine or both Recorded acoustic drums bring natural dynamics and room sound; drum machine samples such as the TR-808, TR-909 and LinnDrum bring the punch and character of the records that made them famous. Many producers layer the two: an acoustic snare for body with a machine clap on top, or a sampled kick with an 808 underneath. Free drum machine banks vary in licence, so check each verdict. ## Licences for drum samples Drum one-shots are among the most openly licensed sounds online. Kenney's packs are CC0, many Freesound and Wikimedia Commons drums are CC0 or CC BY, and the vintage-machine samples on Free Wave Samples come with a royalty-free licence. Breaks lifted from old records are the exception: they belong to whoever owns the recording, so use breaks that their drummers licensed openly. ## Questions **What drum sounds do I need for a basic kit?** A kick, a snare or clap, a closed hi-hat and an open hi-hat cover most beats. Add percussion, toms and a crash or ride as the style needs, and an 808 for trap, drill or hip hop. **Are drum machine samples legal to use?** A recording of a drum machine belongs to whoever recorded it, so it is legal to use when that person licensed it for your use. Each sample here shows the licence and whether it is cleared for a release. **What is the best format for drum samples?** A lossless WAV or AIFF at 44.1 or 48 kHz. Drum transients suffer first in lossy formats such as MP3, so use previews only for auditioning. ## Guides - [What is an 808? The drum machine and the bass](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/what-is-an-808.md): An 808 is Roland's TR-808 drum machine (1980), and in trap and hip hop its long, tuned bass drum used as a bassline. History, tuning and free 808 samples. - [One-shots vs loops: which samples should you use?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/one-shots-vs-loops.md): One-shots are single hits you program yourself; loops are recorded patterns that repeat at a tempo. When to use each, how to match them, and how to search. - [How to build a drum kit from free samples](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/build-a-drum-kit-from-free-samples.md): Pick a kick, snare, clap, hats and 808 that suit each other, check every licence, then play the kit in Strudel or any sampler via an SFZ or General MIDI map. ## Other kinds - [Free 808 and bass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/bass-808s.md) - [Free loops by genre and tempo](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/loops.md) - [Free vocal samples: chops, a cappellas and shouts](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/vocals.md) - [Free sound effects for music: risers, impacts, sweeps](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/fx.md) - [Free foley sounds and ambience recordings](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/foley-ambience.md) - [Free instrument samples: piano, guitar, synth, strings](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/instruments.md) --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/drums --- # Free 808 and bass samples > Free 808s, sub basses and bass one-shots and loops for trap, hip hop, drill and house, with key, length and a licence verdict on every sample. An 808 is a tuned, long-decaying kick that doubles as the bassline in trap, drill and modern hip hop; a sub bass or a bass loop does the same job in house and drum and bass. These collections group free bass sounds by style and show the root key where the source or our analysis knows it, so you can drop a sample in tune without guessing. Updated 2026-10-23. ## Collections - [Free 808 samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-808-samples.md): 13 samples from 3 sources. Free 808 bass samples for trap, drill and hip hop, from clean sub booms to distorted glides, with key, length and a commercial-use verdict for each. - [Free Reese bass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-reese-bass-samples.md): 13 samples from 1 sources. Free Reese bass samples: detuned, phasing saw basses for drum and bass, jungle, dubstep and techno, as one-shots and loops with a licence verdict on each. - [Free sub bass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-sub-bass-samples.md): 28 samples from 2 sources. Free sub bass one-shots and loops: clean sine subs, rumbling drops and deep bass tones for dubstep, drum and bass, grime and house, with key and licence shown. - [Free synth bass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-synth-bass-samples.md): 13 samples from 1 sources. Free synth bass one-shots and loops, from acid squelches to analogue plucks and house bass stabs, with root notes where known and a licence verdict. ## 808, sub or bass synth An 808 is a decaying, tuned bass drum that plays the bassline in trap, drill and modern hip hop. A sub bass is a steadier, purer low tone, close to a sine wave, that sits under dubstep, grime and house. A synth bass, from acid squelches to Reese growls, has more harmonics and character in the midrange. Many tracks combine two: a characterful bass for the ear and a clean sub for the body. ## Tuning is everything Bass is where an out-of-tune sample shows most. Find the root note of each sample, which the cards show when the source or an analysis knows it, and map it in a sampler so the keyboard plays in tune. Keep the bass in the key of your track, check it on headphones, and keep everything below about 120 Hz in mono. ## Making room for the kick Kick and bass share the same frequencies. Choose a kick and an 808 tuned to the same note or a fifth apart, shorten the kick's tail, and sidechain the bass so it ducks slightly when the kick hits. On small speakers, a little saturation on the bass adds harmonics that are audible where the fundamental isn't. ## Questions **Can I use the same 808 for a whole track?** Yes. One well-tuned 808 played across different notes is the norm in trap. Change the decay or add glide between notes for variation. **Why do bass samples list a key or root note?** Because a bass sample only fits a track when it is played in tune. The root note tells your sampler which key on the keyboard plays the sample unchanged. **Are free 808 packs safe to release with?** Many are, if the person who made them licensed them for commercial use. The verdict on each sample shows whether it is cleared, and whether a credit is required. ## Guides - [What is an 808? The drum machine and the bass](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/what-is-an-808.md): An 808 is Roland's TR-808 drum machine (1980), and in trap and hip hop its long, tuned bass drum used as a bassline. History, tuning and free 808 samples. - [How to find samples by BPM and key](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/find-samples-by-bpm-and-key.md): Search loops, 808s and melodic samples by tempo and key, why half-time and relative keys match, and how to check a sample's real BPM and root note. - [How to build a drum kit from free samples](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/build-a-drum-kit-from-free-samples.md): Pick a kick, snare, clap, hats and 808 that suit each other, check every licence, then play the kit in Strudel or any sampler via an SFZ or General MIDI map. ## Other kinds - [Free drum samples: kicks, snares, hats and breaks](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/drums.md) - [Free loops by genre and tempo](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/loops.md) - [Free vocal samples: chops, a cappellas and shouts](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/vocals.md) - [Free sound effects for music: risers, impacts, sweeps](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/fx.md) - [Free foley sounds and ambience recordings](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/foley-ambience.md) - [Free instrument samples: piano, guitar, synth, strings](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/instruments.md) --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/bass-808s --- # Free loops by genre and tempo > Free loops for music production: drum loops, melody loops, guitar and piano loops by genre, with BPM and key where known and a licence verdict on each. A loop repeats seamlessly at a tempo, so it can carry a whole section of a track or seed a new idea. These collections group free loops by instrument and genre, from lo-fi drum grooves to piano chords, and show the BPM and key so you can match them to your project. Many loops on free sites are licensed for non-commercial use only: each card says which. Updated 2026-10-23. ## Collections - [Free drum loops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-drum-loops.md): 28 samples from 4 sources. Free drum loops for hip hop, house, trap, rock and lo-fi, with tempo where known and a licence verdict on each, ready to drop into a project at the right BPM. - [Free guitar loops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-guitar-loops.md): 16 samples from 2 sources. Free guitar loops: clean electric riffs, acoustic strums, funk licks and ambient textures with BPM and key where known, each with a commercial-use verdict. - [Free lo-fi loops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-lofi-loops.md): 36 samples from 4 sources. Free lo-fi hip hop loops: dusty keys, jazzy guitar, mellow drums and tape-warped textures with BPM and key where known, and a licence verdict on every loop. ## Matching tempo and key A loop is recorded at one tempo, so set your project to its BPM or time-stretch it, and check that it ends exactly on a bar line. If it ends halfway, the real tempo is half or double the label. Pitched loops also have a key: play them over your bassline, and stay within two or three semitones when you transpose them. ## Making a loop your own Slice a loop at its transients and replay the slices in a new order, filter or re-pitch it, or layer it under your own drums. The more you transform it, the less it sounds like a stock sample, which also makes it less likely to collide with someone else's track in fingerprinting systems. ## Licences on loop sites Free loop communities often let uploaders choose a licence without checking that they own the material, and many loops are for non-commercial use only. Sound Server reads the licence for each loop and never rates an unverified uploader's claim better than check the terms. Use the Commercial-safe switch if the track may be released. ## Questions **What is the difference between a loop and a one-shot?** A loop is a repeating pattern recorded at a fixed tempo; a one-shot is a single hit or note you arrange yourself. Loops give you feel, one-shots give you control. **How do I find loops at my tempo?** Add the BPM to your search (for example drum loop 90 bpm) or use the BPM filter, which also matches half and double tempo. **Can I sell beats made with free loops?** Only with loops whose licence allows commercial use. Many free loops are non-commercial, so check the verdict on each one before you lease or sell a beat. ## Guides - [What counts as commercial use of a sample?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/what-counts-as-commercial-use.md): Selling, streaming for royalties, monetised videos, beat leases, sync and client work are commercial. How non-commercial (NC) licences apply to music. - [One-shots vs loops: which samples should you use?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/one-shots-vs-loops.md): One-shots are single hits you program yourself; loops are recorded patterns that repeat at a tempo. When to use each, how to match them, and how to search. - [How to find samples by BPM and key](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/find-samples-by-bpm-and-key.md): Search loops, 808s and melodic samples by tempo and key, why half-time and relative keys match, and how to check a sample's real BPM and root note. ## Other kinds - [Free drum samples: kicks, snares, hats and breaks](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/drums.md) - [Free 808 and bass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/bass-808s.md) - [Free vocal samples: chops, a cappellas and shouts](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/vocals.md) - [Free sound effects for music: risers, impacts, sweeps](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/fx.md) - [Free foley sounds and ambience recordings](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/foley-ambience.md) - [Free instrument samples: piano, guitar, synth, strings](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/instruments.md) --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/loops --- # Free vocal samples: chops, a cappellas and shouts > Free vocal samples: vocal chops, a cappellas, shouts and ad-libs, choirs and spoken word, with key and tempo where known and a licence verdict on each. Vocal samples give a track a human hook: a chopped syllable played as a melody, a full a cappella to remix, a crowd shout on the drop or a spoken line in a breakdown. These collections group free vocals by type. Vocals are the samples most often licensed for non-commercial use only, so check the verdict on each card before you release anything. Updated 2026-10-23. ## Collections - [Free acapellas](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-acapellas.md): 24 samples from 2 sources. Free a cappella vocals for remixes and new tracks, mostly from Creative Commons remix communities, with tempo and key where known and a licence verdict on each. - [Free choir samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-choir-samples.md): 32 samples from 3 sources. Free choir samples: sustained choral notes, chants, ahh and ooh pads and real choirs for cinematic, ambient and gospel-tinged tracks, with licences. - [Free spoken word samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-spoken-word-samples.md): 15 samples from 4 sources. Free spoken word and voice samples: narration, speeches, radio chatter and public-domain recordings for intros and breakdowns, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free vocal chops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vocal-chops.md): 14 samples from 1 sources. Free vocal chop samples for house, future bass and pop: short sung syllables, cuts and stutters with BPM and key where known, and a licence verdict on each. - [Free vocal shouts and ad-libs](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vocal-shouts.md): 17 samples from 4 sources. Free vocal shouts, chants, hype phrases and ad-libs for drops, hooks and transitions in dance and hip hop, each with a preview and a commercial-use verdict. ## Kinds of vocal sample A cappellas are full vocal performances without music, made for remixing. Vocal chops are short slices replayed as rhythms or melodies. Shouts and ad-libs are one-word accents for drops and gaps. Spoken word adds narration or atmosphere, and choirs add size. Each kind is a collection of its own here. ## Two rights in every voice A vocal sample involves the recording and the person whose voice it is, and a sung line also involves the song it comes from. That is why vocals lifted from records, films or interviews are the riskiest samples to release. Vocals recorded by singers for others to use, typically on Creative Commons remix communities, are the safe route. ## Credit and licences Many free vocals are CC BY, which allows a commercial release with a credit to the singer, and a large share are non-commercial. Sound Server shows the verdict and writes the credit line for each, and the bundle download keeps every credit in ATTRIBUTION.md. ## Questions **Where do free a cappellas come from?** Mostly from remix communities such as ccMixter, where singers upload their parts under Creative Commons, and from public-domain archives. A cappellas of commercial songs found elsewhere are rarely licensed for reuse. **Can I chop a vocal from a song on YouTube?** Not without permission from the owners of the recording and the song. Use vocals whose licence covers your use, which this hub filters by verdict. **Do I have to credit the singer?** For CC BY vocals, yes: the credit is the condition of the licence. CC0 vocals need no credit, though singers appreciate one. ## Guides - [How to credit CC BY samples in a song](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/credit-cc-by-samples.md): The credit line a CC BY sample needs (title, author, source, licence, changes), where to put it on Bandcamp, YouTube and streaming, with copy-paste examples. - [What is the CC Sampling+ licence?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/cc-sampling-plus.md): Sampling+ lets you transform a sound in new work, commercially too, but never in advertising or resold raw. What it allows and where you still meet it. - [Sample clearance and Content ID: a producer's guide](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/sample-clearance-and-content-id.md): When a sample needs clearing (master and publishing), why no number of seconds is safe, and how to handle Content ID claims on sounds you may use. ## Other kinds - [Free drum samples: kicks, snares, hats and breaks](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/drums.md) - [Free 808 and bass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/bass-808s.md) - [Free loops by genre and tempo](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/loops.md) - [Free sound effects for music: risers, impacts, sweeps](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/fx.md) - [Free foley sounds and ambience recordings](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/foley-ambience.md) - [Free instrument samples: piano, guitar, synth, strings](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/instruments.md) --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/vocals --- # Free sound effects for music: risers, impacts, sweeps > Free sound effects for music production and video: risers, downlifters, impacts, whooshes, zaps, glitches and noise, with licence verdicts and previews. Transitions are what make a drop land: a riser that builds tension, a downlifter that releases it, an impact on the first beat and a whoosh between sections. These collections group free effects by what they do in an arrangement, from cinematic hits to vinyl crackle and laser zaps, with a preview and a licence verdict on every one. Updated 2026-10-23. ## Collections - [Free downlifter sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-downlifter-sound-effects.md): 6 samples from 1 sources. Free downlifters and falling sweeps that release tension after a drop or lead out of a section, for EDM, trap and film edits, each with a licence verdict. - [Free glitch sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-glitch-sound-effects.md): 36 samples from 5 sources. Free glitch effects: stutters, digital errors, buffer repeats, bit-crushed bursts and data noise for electronic music, UI and video, with licences. - [Free impact sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-impact-sound-effects.md): 36 samples from 4 sources. Free impact and hit sound effects: cinematic booms, sub drops, braams and slams for drops, trailers and transitions, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free laser and zap sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-laser-zap-sound-effects.md): 19 samples from 3 sources. Free laser, zap and blaster sound effects: retro sci-fi pews, synth zaps and glitchy shots for music, games and video, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free riser sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-riser-sound-effects.md): 33 samples from 4 sources. Free riser and uplifter sound effects for build-ups before a drop: white noise sweeps, pitch risers and tension builds, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free tape stop sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tape-stop-effects.md): 5 samples from 2 sources. Free tape stop and record stop effects: the slowing, falling pitch of a stopping deck, used before drops and at song ends, with a licence verdict. - [Free transition sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-transition-sound-effects.md): 30 samples from 4 sources. Free transition effects for music and video: swells, reverse hits, sweeps and stingers that bridge two sections or shots, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free vinyl crackle samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vinyl-crackle.md): 14 samples from 1 sources. Free vinyl crackle, record noise and tape hiss samples for lo-fi beats and warm, worn mixes, as loops and long takes, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free white noise samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-white-noise-samples.md): 36 samples from 5 sources. Free white, pink and brown noise samples and noise sweeps for risers, snare layers, transitions and sleep or focus sounds, each with a commercial-use verdict. - [Free whoosh and sweep sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-whoosh-sound-effects.md): 26 samples from 3 sources. Free whooshes, swooshes and noise sweeps for transitions in music, video edits, trailers and games, as short one-shots with previews and a licence verdict. ## Effects by their job in a track Risers build tension into a drop, downlifters release it, impacts mark the downbeat, and whooshes and transitions bridge two sections. Noise, vinyl crackle and glitches add texture, and zaps and lasers bring a sci-fi edge. Layering several, each in its own frequency range, is how most big transitions are made. ## Timing is the trick An effect lands when its loudest point hits the beat or the cut, not when it starts. Line up the peak of a whoosh with the downbeat, end a riser exactly where the drop begins, and start a downlifter together with an impact. Tempo-synced delays and reverbs help effects feel part of the music. ## Also for video and games The same effects serve video editors, podcasters and game developers. Many free libraries, such as Kenney's CC0 packs and the open sound communities, were made with games in mind. The licence verdict is the same question for any project: may this go into something you publish or sell? ## Questions **What is the difference between a riser and a sweep?** A riser climbs in pitch, volume or brightness over several bars to build tension. A sweep or whoosh is shorter and passes by, filling a moment rather than building towards one. **Can I use these sound effects in YouTube videos?** Yes, when the verdict says commercial use is OK; a monetised video counts as commercial. Non-commercial effects, such as the BBC archive's, are for personal or educational videos only. **How do I make my own transition effects?** Reverse a crash or a vocal, sweep a filter on noise, or resample a long reverb tail. Your own transitions fit your track better than stock ones. ## Guides - [CC0 vs CC BY vs royalty-free samples: what's the difference?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/cc0-vs-cc-by-vs-royalty-free.md): CC0, CC BY and royalty-free licences all allow commercial music, with different strings: credit, redistribution and who granted them. A plain comparison. - [Is BBC Sound Effects free to use in music?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/bbc-sound-effects-for-music.md): BBC Sound Effects is free for personal, educational and research use under the RemArc licence, not for commercial releases. What that means for producers. - [What counts as commercial use of a sample?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/what-counts-as-commercial-use.md): Selling, streaming for royalties, monetised videos, beat leases, sync and client work are commercial. How non-commercial (NC) licences apply to music. ## Other kinds - [Free drum samples: kicks, snares, hats and breaks](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/drums.md) - [Free 808 and bass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/bass-808s.md) - [Free loops by genre and tempo](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/loops.md) - [Free vocal samples: chops, a cappellas and shouts](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/vocals.md) - [Free foley sounds and ambience recordings](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/foley-ambience.md) - [Free instrument samples: piano, guitar, synth, strings](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/instruments.md) --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/fx --- # Free foley sounds and ambience recordings > Free foley sounds and ambience recordings: footsteps, doors, water, rain, forests, city streets and room tone, for music, film and games, with licences. Foley is the sound of things being handled: footsteps, doors, paper, glass, water. Ambience is the sound of a place: rain on a roof, a forest at dawn, a busy street, the hum of an empty room. Producers layer both under beats for texture and space. These collections group free field recordings by subject, many of them CC0 from Freesound, Wikimedia Commons and the BBC Sound Effects archive. Updated 2026-10-23. ## Collections - [Free city ambience](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-city-ambience.md): 33 samples from 4 sources. Free city ambience: street traffic, crowds, cafés, train stations, sirens and night-time cityscapes for film, games, podcasts and music, with licences. - [Free door sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-door-sound-effects.md): 36 samples from 5 sources. Free door sounds: creaks, slams, knocks, locks, handles and sliding doors, wooden and metal, for film, games and podcasts, with a licence verdict. - [Free footstep sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-footstep-sounds.md): 28 samples from 4 sources. Free footstep sounds on wood, gravel, snow, concrete and grass, walking and running, for film, games and textured beats, each with a commercial-use verdict. - [Free forest ambience](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-forest-ambience.md): 29 samples from 3 sources. Free forest ambience: birdsong at dawn, wind in trees, insects at night and rainforest soundscapes for music, film, games and relaxation, with licences. - [Free glass sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-glass-sound-effects.md): 36 samples from 4 sources. Free glass sounds: breaking windows, shattering bottles, clinks, chimes and glass hits for film, games and percussion layers, with a licence verdict. - [Free paper sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-paper-sound-effects.md): 36 samples from 5 sources. Free paper sounds: page turns, crumpling, tearing, folding and writing, for foley, ASMR, podcasts and crisp percussion in beats, each with a licence verdict. - [Free rain ambience sounds](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-rain-ambience.md): 36 samples from 4 sources. Free rain ambience and storm recordings: light rain, downpours, rain on windows and thunder, as long field recordings with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free room tone recordings](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-room-tone.md): 14 samples from 1 sources. Free room tone and quiet interior ambience: empty rooms, offices, halls and hums to fill silence in film, podcasts and music, with a licence verdict. - [Free water sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-water-sound-effects.md): 36 samples from 4 sources. Free water sounds: drips, splashes, pouring, bubbles, streams and waves for foley, ambient music and games, as one-shots and loops with licences. ## Foley versus ambience Foley is a sound made by a specific action: a footstep, a door, paper, glass, water. Ambience is the sound of a place over time: rain, a forest, a city street, an empty room. Film and game sound uses both together; producers layer them under beats for texture and a sense of space. ## What makes a good recording For foley, look for close, dry recordings of a single action, so you can place them with your own reverb. For ambience, look for long continuous takes without voices, music or passing traffic, which make loops obvious and can hide rights you didn't expect. Stereo and binaural recordings give the strongest sense of place. ## Where the free recordings come from Field recordists share a great deal of their work under CC0 and CC BY on Freesound and Wikimedia Commons, and game audio packs add clean foley. The BBC Sound Effects archive holds decades of professional recordings under personal, educational and research terms, so its results carry a non-commercial verdict. ## Questions **Can I use BBC Sound Effects recordings in a release?** Not under the free RemArc licence, which covers personal, educational and research use. A commercial release needs a separate licence, or a CC0 or CC BY recording instead. **How do I loop an ambience without it sounding repetitive?** Use a long section, crossfade over at least half a second at a point without distinctive events, or layer two recordings of different lengths so they rarely line up. **Are there legal issues with recording in public?** Background sound in public places is usually fine to publish, but avoid recordings where an identifiable person speaks clearly, or where music plays in the background, as both bring rights of their own. ## Guides - [Can I use Freesound samples in a commercial release?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/freesound-samples-commercial-use.md): Yes for CC0 and CC BY sounds (with a credit), no for CC BY-NC, conditions for Sampling+. How to check a Freesound licence before you release a track. - [How to credit CC BY samples in a song](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/credit-cc-by-samples.md): The credit line a CC BY sample needs (title, author, source, licence, changes), where to put it on Bandcamp, YouTube and streaming, with copy-paste examples. - [Is BBC Sound Effects free to use in music?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/bbc-sound-effects-for-music.md): BBC Sound Effects is free for personal, educational and research use under the RemArc licence, not for commercial releases. What that means for producers. ## Other kinds - [Free drum samples: kicks, snares, hats and breaks](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/drums.md) - [Free 808 and bass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/bass-808s.md) - [Free loops by genre and tempo](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/loops.md) - [Free vocal samples: chops, a cappellas and shouts](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/vocals.md) - [Free sound effects for music: risers, impacts, sweeps](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/fx.md) - [Free instrument samples: piano, guitar, synth, strings](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/instruments.md) --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/foley-ambience --- # Free instrument samples: piano, guitar, synth, strings > Free instrument samples and multisampled instruments: piano, Rhodes, guitar, synth pads and leads, strings, brass, flutes and mallets, with licence verdicts. Instrument samples range from a single piano note to a full multisampled instrument you can play from a keyboard. These collections group free instruments by family, keys, guitars, synths, orchestral strings, brass and woodwind, and mallets, and show the root note where it is known so you can map one-shots across a sampler. Updated 2026-10-23. ## Collections - [Free brass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-brass-samples.md): 28 samples from 2 sources. Free brass samples: trumpet, trombone, French horn and tuba notes, stabs and section hits for funk, film and hip hop, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free flute samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-flute-samples.md): 26 samples from 2 sources. Free flute samples: concert flute, piccolo, pan flute, recorder and world flutes as notes, phrases and loops for hip hop, ambient and film, with licences. - [Free guitar samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-guitar-samples.md): 36 samples from 3 sources. Free guitar samples: acoustic and electric notes, chords, strums, harmonics and fret noises for producers who don't play, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free marimba and mallet samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-marimba-samples.md): 24 samples from 2 sources. Free marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, glockenspiel and kalimba samples, as notes and loops for pop, house, ambient and game music, with licence verdicts. - [Free piano samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-piano-samples.md): 36 samples from 4 sources. Free piano samples: single notes from grand and upright pianos for building an instrument, plus chords and loops, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free Rhodes and electric piano samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-rhodes-electric-piano-samples.md): 28 samples from 3 sources. Free Rhodes, Wurlitzer and electric piano samples: notes, chords and loops for neo-soul, lo-fi, jazz and R&B, with root notes and a licence verdict. - [Free string samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-string-samples.md): 28 samples from 2 sources. Free string samples: violin, viola, cello and double bass notes, ensemble sustains, pizzicato and staccato for orchestral and pop tracks, with licences. - [Free synth pad samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-synth-pad-samples.md): 36 samples from 4 sources. Free synth pad samples: warm analogue pads, evolving textures and ambient chords for ambient, synthwave, trap and cinematic tracks, with licences. - [Free synth pluck samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-synth-pluck-samples.md): 26 samples from 4 sources. Free synth pluck samples: short, bright plucked synth notes for house, trance, future bass and pop melodies, with root notes and a licence verdict. ## One-shots and multisamples A single note is enough for a stab or a quick melody. A multisampled instrument, with every few notes and several velocities recorded, plays like the real thing from a keyboard. Free orchestral projects such as the CC0 Versilian Community Sample Library and VSCO 2 Community Edition, university instrument archives, and piano sets such as Salamander provide multisamples for many instruments. ## Playing samples convincingly Write within each instrument's range and give players room to breathe. Vary velocity and timing slightly, use expression or volume automation for strings, winds and brass, and add one shared reverb so the instruments sound like they are in the same room. Root notes on the cards help you map one-shots correctly. ## Licences for instruments Instrument sample projects are among the most permissively licensed sounds available, often CC0 or free for any use, which makes them a safe base for a release. Recordings of public-domain pieces are different: the performance has its own copyright, so check the verdict on any recorded passage. ## Questions **What is a multisample?** A set of recordings of one instrument at many pitches, and often several velocities, mapped across a keyboard so it can be played like the instrument itself. **How do I load free instrument samples into my DAW?** Drop single notes into your DAW's sampler and set the root note. Multisampled instruments often come as SFZ files, which free samplers such as sfizz load directly. **Are free orchestral samples good enough for film music?** For sketches and many finished projects, yes, especially with careful programming and a good reverb. Large commercial libraries add more articulations and microphone positions. ## Guides - [CC0 vs CC BY vs royalty-free samples: what's the difference?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/cc0-vs-cc-by-vs-royalty-free.md): CC0, CC BY and royalty-free licences all allow commercial music, with different strings: credit, redistribution and who granted them. A plain comparison. - [How to find samples by BPM and key](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/find-samples-by-bpm-and-key.md): Search loops, 808s and melodic samples by tempo and key, why half-time and relative keys match, and how to check a sample's real BPM and root note. - [WAV, AIFF, FLAC or MP3: which sample format should you use?](https://sound.shep.bot/guides/sample-formats-wav-mp3-flac.md): Use lossless WAV, AIFF or FLAC for production and MP3 or Ogg only for previews. Sample rate and bit depth explained: 44.1 or 48 kHz, 16 or 24-bit. ## Other kinds - [Free drum samples: kicks, snares, hats and breaks](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/drums.md) - [Free 808 and bass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/bass-808s.md) - [Free loops by genre and tempo](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/loops.md) - [Free vocal samples: chops, a cappellas and shouts](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/vocals.md) - [Free sound effects for music: risers, impacts, sweeps](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/fx.md) - [Free foley sounds and ambience recordings](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/foley-ambience.md) --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/instruments --- # Free breakbeats and drum breaks > Free drum breaks and breakbeat loops for jungle, drum and bass, hip hop and breaks, with tempo where known and a licence verdict, including cleared breaks. 36 samples from 5 sources (Wikimedia Commons 13, Orange Free Sounds 10, Openverse 8, OpenGameArt 3, SoundBible 2), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=break&category=drums.break - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=break&category=drums.break"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## What a break is A break is a drum solo, often only a bar or two, where the band drops out and the drummer plays alone. DJs in the 1970s looped those bars to keep dancers moving, and hip hop, jungle and breakbeat were built on them. Today "break" means any looped acoustic drum performance with that loose, human feel. The most famous breaks come from commercial records, and those recordings are still owned by someone. This collection only lists breaks shared by their creators under a licence, so you can use them without clearing a record. Each card shows the verdict; green ones can go into a release. ## Making a break fit Set your project to the break's tempo, or time-stretch it with a beat-slicing mode to keep the transients sharp. Jungle producers speed breaks up to 160 to 175 BPM; hip hop slows them to 85 to 95. Layer a modern kick and snare under the break for weight, and high-pass the break itself so the low end stays clean. ## Questions **Are famous breaks like the Amen break free to use?** No. Breaks lifted from old records are still covered by the copyright of those recordings, however often they have been sampled. The breaks here are recorded by people who license them openly, which is the safe way to get that sound. Check each verdict. **How do I chop a break?** Slice it at each drum hit (most samplers do this automatically by transient), map the slices to pads or keys, then replay them in a new order. Jungle and drum and bass are built on rearranged, re-pitched breaks. ## Related collections - [Free drum loops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-drum-loops.md): Free drum loops for hip hop, house, trap, rock and lo-fi, with tempo where known and a licence verdict on each, ready to drop into a project at the right BPM. - [Free kick samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-kick-samples.md): Free kick drum samples for any genre, from punchy acoustic kicks to drum machine thumps, each with a preview and a verdict on commercial use. - [Free snare samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-snare-samples.md): Free snare drum samples, from tight acoustic snares and rimshots to crunchy drum machine hits, with a playable preview and a licence verdict on each. - [Free vinyl crackle samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vinyl-crackle.md): Free vinyl crackle, record noise and tape hiss samples for lo-fi beats and warm, worn mixes, as loops and long takes, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free clap samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-clap-samples.md): Free hand clap and snap samples, from stacked crowd claps to tight drum machine claps, ready to layer with snares, each with a licence verdict and preview. - [Free crash cymbal samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-crash-cymbal-samples.md): Free crash cymbal one-shots, from short trashy splashes to long cinematic crashes, to mark the start of a section, each with a preview and licence verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-breakbeats --- # Free clap samples > Free hand clap and snap samples, from stacked crowd claps to tight drum machine claps, ready to layer with snares, each with a licence verdict and preview. 36 samples from 3 sources (Openverse 14, Strudel sample banks 12, Wikimedia Commons 10), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=clap&category=drums.clap&form=one-shot - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=clap&category=drums.clap&form=one-shot"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Using claps Claps fill the same slot as the snare on beats two and four, and many genres use them instead of a snare altogether: house, disco and much of modern pop rely on a clap for the backbeat. In trap, a clap layered with a snare gives a wide, bright hit that still cuts through heavy 808s. A recorded clap from a real room has natural reverb and variation; a machine clap is tighter and more consistent. Try both against your track. If a clap sounds thin, add a short reverb or a second clap a few milliseconds later instead of boosting the highs. ## Licences These come from Creative Commons libraries, drum machine banks and royalty-free packs. Green verdicts are cleared for releases. CC BY sounds need a credit line, which the detail view lets you copy in one click. ## Questions **Why do drum machine claps sound like several claps at once?** Machines such as the 808 and 909 build a clap from a few quick bursts of filtered noise followed by a short tail, imitating several people clapping slightly out of time. That smeared attack is what makes them sound wide. **Are finger snaps in this collection?** Snaps share the clap category, so some appear here. Search for "snap" on the search page to see more of them, with the same licence verdict on every result. ## Related collections - [Free snare samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-snare-samples.md): Free snare drum samples, from tight acoustic snares and rimshots to crunchy drum machine hits, with a playable preview and a licence verdict on each. - [Free kick samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-kick-samples.md): Free kick drum samples for any genre, from punchy acoustic kicks to drum machine thumps, each with a preview and a verdict on commercial use. - [Free hi-hat samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-hi-hat-samples.md): Free closed and open hi-hat samples for programming grooves, from crisp drum machine hats to acoustic cymbals, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free breakbeats and drum breaks](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-breakbeats.md): Free drum breaks and breakbeat loops for jungle, drum and bass, hip hop and breaks, with tempo where known and a licence verdict, including cleared breaks. - [Free crash cymbal samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-crash-cymbal-samples.md): Free crash cymbal one-shots, from short trashy splashes to long cinematic crashes, to mark the start of a section, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free LinnDrum and Linn drum machine samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-linndrum-samples.md): Free LinnDrum and Linn LM-1 drum machine samples: the tight 1980s kicks, snares, claps, toms and percussion behind classic pop records, with licence verdicts. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-clap-samples --- # Free crash cymbal samples > Free crash cymbal one-shots, from short trashy splashes to long cinematic crashes, to mark the start of a section, each with a preview and licence verdict. 33 samples from 4 sources (Strudel sample banks 14, Wikimedia Commons 14, SoundBible 3, OpenGameArt 2), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=crash&category=drums.cymbal.crash - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=crash&category=drums.cymbal.crash"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Where a crash belongs A crash cymbal marks a change: the first beat of a chorus, the drop after a build, the end of a fill. In most arrangements it plays once every eight or sixteen bars, so a single good sample goes a long way. Layer it with the kick on the downbeat so the two read as one hit. Acoustic crashes carry a lot of low-mid "gong" alongside the shimmer. Cutting below 200 to 400 Hz keeps them from clouding the bass, and a gentle dip around 3 to 5 kHz tames harshness without losing air. ## Choosing between them Drum machine crashes, such as the 909's, are short and noisy and sit well in dance music. Recorded crashes from free libraries have more natural decay and stereo width, which suits live-sounding productions and film cues. If a crash is too long, fade the tail rather than cutting it, or the end will click. ## Questions **How long should a crash sample be?** As long as the section it introduces needs. A full acoustic crash can ring for several seconds; in a dense mix you will often fade it after one or two bars. Shorter crashes and splashes suit fills and busy electronic tracks. **Can I make a reverse cymbal from these?** Yes. Reverse a crash in your editor and place it so its loudest point lands on the downbeat. That swell is one of the oldest transition tricks, and it only needs a crash whose licence allows modification, which every green verdict does. ## Related collections - [Free ride cymbal samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-ride-cymbal-samples.md): Free ride cymbal one-shots, including bell hits and bow strokes, for jazz, house and techno grooves, with previews and a commercial-use verdict on each. - [Free open hi-hat samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-open-hi-hat-samples.md): Free open hi-hat one-shots, from tight half-open barks to long washy sizzles, for house, disco, trap and breaks, with a licence verdict on every sound. - [Free impact sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-impact-sound-effects.md): Free impact and hit sound effects: cinematic booms, sub drops, braams and slams for drops, trailers and transitions, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free riser sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-riser-sound-effects.md): Free riser and uplifter sound effects for build-ups before a drop: white noise sweeps, pitch risers and tension builds, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free breakbeats and drum breaks](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-breakbeats.md): Free drum breaks and breakbeat loops for jungle, drum and bass, hip hop and breaks, with tempo where known and a licence verdict, including cleared breaks. - [Free clap samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-clap-samples.md): Free hand clap and snap samples, from stacked crowd claps to tight drum machine claps, ready to layer with snares, each with a licence verdict and preview. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-crash-cymbal-samples --- # Free hi-hat samples > Free closed and open hi-hat samples for programming grooves, from crisp drum machine hats to acoustic cymbals, each with a preview and licence verdict. 33 samples from 3 sources (Strudel sample banks 14, Openverse 10, Wikimedia Commons 9), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=hi+hat&category=drums.hat&form=one-shot - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=hi+hat&category=drums.hat&form=one-shot"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Closed, open and pedal hats Hi-hats carry the rhythm between the kick and the snare, so they are the part listeners hear as groove. Closed hats give the steady eighths or sixteenths; open hats mark the offbeats in disco and house; pedal hats add a soft chick when the foot closes the cymbals. For trap and drill, short, bright hats work best because they are often programmed in fast rolls and triplets. For lo-fi and boom bap, darker, slightly distorted hats sit better behind the drums. ## Tips Filter the low end out of every hat to keep the mix clean, and pan them a little to one side as a real kit would. If you use an open hat, set your sampler to let the closed hat choke it. Check the licence badge before you build a whole loop around a sound. ## Questions **What is the difference between a closed and an open hi-hat?** A closed hat is played with the two cymbals pressed together, giving a short tick. An open hat lets them ring, giving a longer wash. In a drum machine they usually share a choke group, so a closed hat cuts off a ringing open one. **How do I make programmed hats sound less robotic?** Vary the velocity of each hit, shift some hits slightly off the grid, and use two or three different closed hats in rotation. Even small changes in volume and timing make a pattern breathe. ## Related collections - [Free kick samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-kick-samples.md): Free kick drum samples for any genre, from punchy acoustic kicks to drum machine thumps, each with a preview and a verdict on commercial use. - [Free snare samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-snare-samples.md): Free snare drum samples, from tight acoustic snares and rimshots to crunchy drum machine hits, with a playable preview and a licence verdict on each. - [Free clap samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-clap-samples.md): Free hand clap and snap samples, from stacked crowd claps to tight drum machine claps, ready to layer with snares, each with a licence verdict and preview. - [Free breakbeats and drum breaks](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-breakbeats.md): Free drum breaks and breakbeat loops for jungle, drum and bass, hip hop and breaks, with tempo where known and a licence verdict, including cleared breaks. - [Free crash cymbal samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-crash-cymbal-samples.md): Free crash cymbal one-shots, from short trashy splashes to long cinematic crashes, to mark the start of a section, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free LinnDrum and Linn drum machine samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-linndrum-samples.md): Free LinnDrum and Linn LM-1 drum machine samples: the tight 1980s kicks, snares, claps, toms and percussion behind classic pop records, with licence verdicts. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-hi-hat-samples --- # Free kick samples > Free kick drum samples for any genre, from punchy acoustic kicks to drum machine thumps, each with a preview and a verdict on commercial use. 36 samples from 5 sources (Openverse 14, SoundBible 7, Wikimedia Commons 6, Strudel sample banks 5, OpenGameArt 4), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=kick&category=drums.kick&form=one-shot - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=kick&category=drums.kick&form=one-shot"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Picking a kick Start with the genre. House and techno want a tight kick with a clear attack that cuts through a busy mix at 120 to 130 BPM. Hip hop and lo-fi lean on rounder, dustier kicks, often sampled from records or old machines. Trap usually pairs a short, clicky kick with a long 808 underneath, so the kick itself only needs to carry the attack. Audition kicks in context rather than solo: a kick that sounds huge alone can disappear under a bassline. Listen for the pitch of the body too. A kick tuned near the root of your track sits better than one that fights it. ## Layering Many producers stack two kicks: one for the click at the top and one for the low thump. High-pass the click layer, low-pass the body, and line up the start points so they hit together. Check that both layers are cleared for your release before you commit. ## Questions **What makes a kick sample punchy?** A short, loud transient (the click of the beater) followed by a body that drops away quickly. Kicks with long tails sound bigger on their own but can blur into the bass, so try a short one first when your low end gets crowded. **Can I use these kicks in a released track?** Every card shows a verdict. Green ones are fine for a release (some need a credit line, which the detail view gives you). Amber ones need a look at the licence first, and red ones are for non-commercial use only. **Why do some kicks come from drum machines?** Classic machines such as the 808 and 909 defined the kick sound of whole genres. Their one-shots are widely shared in sample banks, and they layer well with an acoustic kick for weight. ## Related collections - [Free snare samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-snare-samples.md): Free snare drum samples, from tight acoustic snares and rimshots to crunchy drum machine hits, with a playable preview and a licence verdict on each. - [Free clap samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-clap-samples.md): Free hand clap and snap samples, from stacked crowd claps to tight drum machine claps, ready to layer with snares, each with a licence verdict and preview. - [Free hi-hat samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-hi-hat-samples.md): Free closed and open hi-hat samples for programming grooves, from crisp drum machine hats to acoustic cymbals, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free 808 samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-808-samples.md): Free 808 bass samples for trap, drill and hip hop, from clean sub booms to distorted glides, with key, length and a commercial-use verdict for each. - [Free breakbeats and drum breaks](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-breakbeats.md): Free drum breaks and breakbeat loops for jungle, drum and bass, hip hop and breaks, with tempo where known and a licence verdict, including cleared breaks. - [Free crash cymbal samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-crash-cymbal-samples.md): Free crash cymbal one-shots, from short trashy splashes to long cinematic crashes, to mark the start of a section, each with a preview and licence verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-kick-samples --- # Free LinnDrum and Linn drum machine samples > Free LinnDrum and Linn LM-1 drum machine samples: the tight 1980s kicks, snares, claps, toms and percussion behind classic pop records, with licence verdicts. 18 samples from 2 sources (Strudel sample banks 14, Openverse 4), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=linn&category=drums - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=linn&category=drums"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Sampled drums, 1980s style Roger Linn's LM-1 Drum Computer was one of the first drum machines to play digital recordings of acoustic drums instead of synthesised tones. Its successor, the LinnDrum (also called the LM-2), added cymbals and lowered the price, and became one of the defining sounds of 1980s pop. The samples were short and low-resolution by today's standards, which gives them their tight, slightly gritty character. ## Working with Linn samples These kits are clean and punchy and sit well in synth-pop, funk, new wave and modern retro productions. Their claps and congas are as recognisable as the kick and snare. The machines let users tune each drum, so different sample sets can sound quite different. Pitch a snare down for weight, or up for snap. Most of these samples come from community drum machine banks, where licences are often not stated. Because the LinnDrum's sounds were stored on its memory chips, a bank copied from them carries the maker's recordings rather than the uploader's own. Use the verdict on each card: green ones are cleared for a release, amber ones need a closer look first. ## Questions **What was the LinnDrum?** A drum machine from Linn Electronics, released in 1982 as the follow-up to the LM-1 (1980). Unlike Roland's analogue machines, both played back short digital recordings of real drums, which made them sound far more like a kit. **How do I get the 1980s sound from these samples?** Use the snare and toms with a big, short reverb that is cut off by a gate, keep the kick dry, and program straight, quantised patterns. Tuning the snare down a few semitones gives it more weight. ## Related collections - [Free TR-808 drum machine samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tr-808-drum-samples.md): Free Roland TR-808 drum machine samples: the booming kick, snappy snare, clap, cowbell, rimshot and hats that shaped hip hop, electro and trap, with licences. - [Free TR-909 drum machine samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tr-909-drum-samples.md): Free Roland TR-909 drum machine samples: the punchy kick, clap, snare, open hat and ride behind house and techno, with previews and a licence verdict on each. - [Free tom drum samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tom-samples.md): Free tom drum one-shots, from high rack toms to deep floor toms and electronic toms, for fills and tribal grooves, each with a licence verdict and preview. - [Free snare samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-snare-samples.md): Free snare drum samples, from tight acoustic snares and rimshots to crunchy drum machine hits, with a playable preview and a licence verdict on each. - [Free breakbeats and drum breaks](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-breakbeats.md): Free drum breaks and breakbeat loops for jungle, drum and bass, hip hop and breaks, with tempo where known and a licence verdict, including cleared breaks. - [Free clap samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-clap-samples.md): Free hand clap and snap samples, from stacked crowd claps to tight drum machine claps, ready to layer with snares, each with a licence verdict and preview. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-linndrum-samples --- # Free open hi-hat samples > Free open hi-hat one-shots, from tight half-open barks to long washy sizzles, for house, disco, trap and breaks, with a licence verdict on every sound. 28 samples from 2 sources (Strudel sample banks 14, Wikimedia Commons 14), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=open+hat&category=drums.hat.open - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=open+hat&category=drums.hat.open"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## What to listen for An open hi-hat is the two cymbals of the hat stand struck while they are apart, so the sound rings instead of stopping dead. Samples range from a short half-open "tss" to a long, washy decay. Drum machine opens, such as the 808's and 909's, are bright and noisy; acoustic opens carry more pitch and a slower decay. Pick the length for your tempo. At 125 BPM an offbeat open hat has a little under a quarter of a second before the next kick, so a long sample will smear unless you shorten it with the amp envelope. ## Fitting it in the mix Open hats live in the same band as vocals' sibilance and snare crack. A high-pass around 300 Hz removes low thud you don't need, and a touch of velocity variation keeps a sixteen-bar loop from sounding like a copy-paste. Choke it with your closed hat, as a drummer's foot would. ## Questions **Why does my open hat sound messy next to the closed hat?** On a real kit the closed hat chokes the open one, because both come from the same pair of cymbals. Put both samples in one choke group (most samplers and drum racks have the option) so a closed hit cuts the open tail short. **Where should an open hat go in a house beat?** The classic placement is on the offbeat, the 'and' between kicks, which gives four-on-the-floor patterns their lift. Keep the tail short enough that it ends before the next kick. ## Related collections - [Free hi-hat samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-hi-hat-samples.md): Free closed and open hi-hat samples for programming grooves, from crisp drum machine hats to acoustic cymbals, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free crash cymbal samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-crash-cymbal-samples.md): Free crash cymbal one-shots, from short trashy splashes to long cinematic crashes, to mark the start of a section, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free ride cymbal samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-ride-cymbal-samples.md): Free ride cymbal one-shots, including bell hits and bow strokes, for jazz, house and techno grooves, with previews and a commercial-use verdict on each. - [Free TR-909 drum machine samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tr-909-drum-samples.md): Free Roland TR-909 drum machine samples: the punchy kick, clap, snare, open hat and ride behind house and techno, with previews and a licence verdict on each. - [Free breakbeats and drum breaks](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-breakbeats.md): Free drum breaks and breakbeat loops for jungle, drum and bass, hip hop and breaks, with tempo where known and a licence verdict, including cleared breaks. - [Free clap samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-clap-samples.md): Free hand clap and snap samples, from stacked crowd claps to tight drum machine claps, ready to layer with snares, each with a licence verdict and preview. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-open-hi-hat-samples --- # Free percussion samples > Free percussion one-shots and hits: congas, bongos, cowbells, tambourines, woodblocks and more, for Latin, afro, house and hip hop, with licence verdicts. 22 samples from 3 sources (Strudel sample banks 14, Wikimedia Commons 7, Orange Free Sounds 1), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=percussion&category=drums.perc - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=percussion&category=drums.perc"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Percussion adds the groove The kick and snare set the pulse; percussion gives a beat its swing and character. A conga pattern turns a house loop Latin, a cowbell signals an 808 classic, and a tambourine on the backbeat lifts a chorus. Free libraries are rich in percussion because it is easy to record well: many of these sounds are close-miked hand drums and small instruments recorded by enthusiasts and orchestral sample projects. ## Building a percussion layer Start with one part that answers the hi-hat, such as a shaker or a conga on the offbeats, then add a sparse accent like a cowbell or clave every bar or two. Vary velocity and pitch slightly between hits to avoid the machine-gun effect of the same sample repeating. Pitched percussion such as congas and woodblocks also reacts to your key, so tune it by ear. For a full kit, pair this collection with shakers and toms, or use the kit builder to assemble one in a few clicks. ## Questions **What counts as percussion in a drum kit?** Anything beyond kick, snare, hats, cymbals and toms: hand drums such as congas and bongos, shakers, tambourines, cowbells, woodblocks, claves, triangles and found sounds. In sample libraries these usually live in a 'perc' folder. **How do I stop percussion from cluttering a beat?** Give each part its own rhythm and space. Pan percussion away from the centre, keep it quieter than the kick and snare, and roll off its low end so only the attack and tone remain. ## Related collections - [Free shaker samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-shaker-samples.md): Free shaker one-shots and loops: egg shakers, maracas, cabasas and rattles that add movement to house, pop and Latin beats, each with a commercial-use verdict. - [Free tom drum samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tom-samples.md): Free tom drum one-shots, from high rack toms to deep floor toms and electronic toms, for fills and tribal grooves, each with a licence verdict and preview. - [Free rimshot and side-stick samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-rimshot-samples.md): Free rimshot and side-stick samples: dry cross-stick clicks and sharp rim hits for reggaeton, ballads, house and lo-fi, each with a commercial-use verdict. - [Free clap samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-clap-samples.md): Free hand clap and snap samples, from stacked crowd claps to tight drum machine claps, ready to layer with snares, each with a licence verdict and preview. - [Free breakbeats and drum breaks](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-breakbeats.md): Free drum breaks and breakbeat loops for jungle, drum and bass, hip hop and breaks, with tempo where known and a licence verdict, including cleared breaks. - [Free crash cymbal samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-crash-cymbal-samples.md): Free crash cymbal one-shots, from short trashy splashes to long cinematic crashes, to mark the start of a section, each with a preview and licence verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-percussion-samples --- # Free ride cymbal samples > Free ride cymbal one-shots, including bell hits and bow strokes, for jazz, house and techno grooves, with previews and a commercial-use verdict on each. 32 samples from 3 sources (Strudel sample banks 14, Wikimedia Commons 14, OpenGameArt 4), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=ride&category=drums.cymbal.ride - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=ride&category=drums.cymbal.ride"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Bow, bell and edge A ride cymbal makes three sounds. Hitting the bow, the wide flat area, gives a defined "ping" with a wash underneath. The bell, the raised dome in the middle, gives a cutting, almost metallic tone that pokes through loud mixes. Hitting the edge makes it behave more like a crash. Good free ride samples label which one you are getting; if not, the bell is the short, bright one. ## Programming a ride pattern Jazz rides swing: the familiar "ding, ding-a ding" pattern with the middle note pushed late. In house and techno the ride usually plays straight quarters or eighths, often a 909 sample with its pitch nudged up or down to sit with the hats. Vary the velocity of every other hit so the pattern breathes, and keep an ear on the low end of acoustic rides, which can build up when they ring continuously. ## Questions **What is the difference between a ride and a crash?** A ride is larger and heavier and is played in a steady pattern, keeping time like a hi-hat with a longer, pingier sustain. A crash is thinner and is hit for accents. Ride samples usually come as bow hits (the flat surface) and bell hits (the raised centre). **Why do techno producers use ride cymbals?** A ride on every quarter or eighth note adds drive above the hats without the hiss of an open hat. The 909 ride sample is a staple of techno for that reason. ## Related collections - [Free crash cymbal samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-crash-cymbal-samples.md): Free crash cymbal one-shots, from short trashy splashes to long cinematic crashes, to mark the start of a section, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free open hi-hat samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-open-hi-hat-samples.md): Free open hi-hat one-shots, from tight half-open barks to long washy sizzles, for house, disco, trap and breaks, with a licence verdict on every sound. - [Free hi-hat samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-hi-hat-samples.md): Free closed and open hi-hat samples for programming grooves, from crisp drum machine hats to acoustic cymbals, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free TR-909 drum machine samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tr-909-drum-samples.md): Free Roland TR-909 drum machine samples: the punchy kick, clap, snare, open hat and ride behind house and techno, with previews and a licence verdict on each. - [Free breakbeats and drum breaks](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-breakbeats.md): Free drum breaks and breakbeat loops for jungle, drum and bass, hip hop and breaks, with tempo where known and a licence verdict, including cleared breaks. - [Free clap samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-clap-samples.md): Free hand clap and snap samples, from stacked crowd claps to tight drum machine claps, ready to layer with snares, each with a licence verdict and preview. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-ride-cymbal-samples --- # Free rimshot and side-stick samples > Free rimshot and side-stick samples: dry cross-stick clicks and sharp rim hits for reggaeton, ballads, house and lo-fi, each with a commercial-use verdict. 23 samples from 2 sources (Wikimedia Commons 14, Openverse 9), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=rimshot&category=drums.snare - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=rimshot&category=drums.snare"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Two sounds, one name In drumming, a rimshot is a loud accent: the stick strikes the snare head and the metal rim at the same moment. A cross-stick, or side-stick, is the gentle click you hear in ballads and bossa nova. On drum machines, "rimshot" almost always means a short, tuned click, and that is what most producers search for. This collection covers all three, so listen before you pick. Acoustic side-sticks bring a woody tone and some snare buzz. Machine rimshots are bright and very short, which makes them ideal for fast syncopated patterns. ## Using a rim in a groove A rim works as a quiet backbeat in verses, with the full snare saved for the chorus. It also makes a good ghost-note layer between hats. Because rim samples are so short, small timing shifts matter: nudging them slightly late gives a laid-back feel, while early hits push the groove forward. ## Questions **Is a side-stick the same as a rimshot?** Not quite. A rimshot hits the head and the rim together for a loud, cracking snare. A side-stick (cross-stick) lays the stick across the head and taps the rim, giving a quiet woody click. Drum machines label the click sound 'rimshot', which is why the two names get mixed up. **Which genres use the 808 rimshot?** The 808's short, high click is all over reggaeton, dembow, Miami bass and minimal house, usually playing a syncopated pattern on top of the kick and snare. ## Related collections - [Free snare samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-snare-samples.md): Free snare drum samples, from tight acoustic snares and rimshots to crunchy drum machine hits, with a playable preview and a licence verdict on each. - [Free clap samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-clap-samples.md): Free hand clap and snap samples, from stacked crowd claps to tight drum machine claps, ready to layer with snares, each with a licence verdict and preview. - [Free percussion samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-percussion-samples.md): Free percussion one-shots and hits: congas, bongos, cowbells, tambourines, woodblocks and more, for Latin, afro, house and hip hop, with licence verdicts. - [Free TR-808 drum machine samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tr-808-drum-samples.md): Free Roland TR-808 drum machine samples: the booming kick, snappy snare, clap, cowbell, rimshot and hats that shaped hip hop, electro and trap, with licences. - [Free breakbeats and drum breaks](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-breakbeats.md): Free drum breaks and breakbeat loops for jungle, drum and bass, hip hop and breaks, with tempo where known and a licence verdict, including cleared breaks. - [Free crash cymbal samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-crash-cymbal-samples.md): Free crash cymbal one-shots, from short trashy splashes to long cinematic crashes, to mark the start of a section, each with a preview and licence verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-rimshot-samples --- # Free shaker samples > Free shaker one-shots and loops: egg shakers, maracas, cabasas and rattles that add movement to house, pop and Latin beats, each with a commercial-use verdict. 15 samples from 2 sources (Strudel sample banks 14, Wikimedia Commons 1), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=shaker&category=drums.perc - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=shaker&category=drums.perc"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## The sixteenth-note glue A shaker plays the fast subdivisions that a drummer's hi-hat might otherwise cover, but softer and with more grain. In house and pop it often runs as straight sixteenths under the hats; in Latin and afro styles it carries a swung pattern that defines the groove. Shakers are among the easiest instruments to record cleanly, so the free libraries hold good egg shakers, maracas, cabasas and seed rattles. ## Programming tips Alternate a strong and a weak sample on every other sixteenth, and add a little swing, around 54 to 58 percent in most drum machines. Pan the shaker slightly off-centre, opposite the hi-hat. If it gets harsh, a low-pass around 10 to 12 kHz softens it without losing its rhythm. Because the attack of a shaker is soft, nudge the samples a few milliseconds early if they feel late against the kick. ## Questions **Should I use a shaker loop or one-shots?** A recorded loop has the natural push and pull of a real player, which is hard to program. One-shots give you control over the pattern and tempo. A common approach is a loop for feel, with one-shot accents on top. **Why does my shaker sound unnatural when programmed?** A real shaker has two sounds, the forward and backward stroke, with different weights. Use two samples (or the same one at two velocities) and alternate them, accenting the beats. ## Related collections - [Free percussion samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-percussion-samples.md): Free percussion one-shots and hits: congas, bongos, cowbells, tambourines, woodblocks and more, for Latin, afro, house and hip hop, with licence verdicts. - [Free hi-hat samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-hi-hat-samples.md): Free closed and open hi-hat samples for programming grooves, from crisp drum machine hats to acoustic cymbals, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free open hi-hat samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-open-hi-hat-samples.md): Free open hi-hat one-shots, from tight half-open barks to long washy sizzles, for house, disco, trap and breaks, with a licence verdict on every sound. - [Free clap samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-clap-samples.md): Free hand clap and snap samples, from stacked crowd claps to tight drum machine claps, ready to layer with snares, each with a licence verdict and preview. - [Free breakbeats and drum breaks](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-breakbeats.md): Free drum breaks and breakbeat loops for jungle, drum and bass, hip hop and breaks, with tempo where known and a licence verdict, including cleared breaks. - [Free crash cymbal samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-crash-cymbal-samples.md): Free crash cymbal one-shots, from short trashy splashes to long cinematic crashes, to mark the start of a section, each with a preview and licence verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-shaker-samples --- # Free snare samples > Free snare drum samples, from tight acoustic snares and rimshots to crunchy drum machine hits, with a playable preview and a licence verdict on each. 36 samples from 5 sources (Strudel sample banks 12, Wikimedia Commons 11, Openverse 10, OpenGameArt 2, SoundBible 1), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=snare&category=drums.snare&form=one-shot - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=snare&category=drums.snare&form=one-shot"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## What to listen for A snare has three parts: the stick attack, the tone of the drum head, and the rattle of the snare wires. Tight, dry snares suit funk, boom bap and modern pop; roomy snares with a long tail suit rock and ballads; bright, compressed drum machine snares suit house and electro. Tune the snare to your track. Pitching a sample up a semitone or two often brings it forward without extra EQ, while pitching down makes it fatter and slower. Watch the tail: on fast tempos a long ring will overlap the next hit. ## Where these come from The list mixes field-recorded acoustic kits from Creative Commons archives with classic machine hits from drum machine banks and free sample packs. The verdict on each card tells you whether you can release a track with it, and whether you need to credit the author. ## Questions **What is the difference between a snare and a rimshot?** A snare hit sounds the drum head and the wires underneath it, giving a bright, noisy crack. A rimshot strikes the head and the rim at once for a sharper, louder accent, and a cross-stick (side stick) gives the quiet click often heard in ballads and reggae. **Should I layer a clap with my snare?** It is a common trick in pop, trap and house. The snare gives body and the clap adds width and a softer attack. Nudge one of them a few milliseconds later for a looser feel. ## Related collections - [Free clap samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-clap-samples.md): Free hand clap and snap samples, from stacked crowd claps to tight drum machine claps, ready to layer with snares, each with a licence verdict and preview. - [Free kick samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-kick-samples.md): Free kick drum samples for any genre, from punchy acoustic kicks to drum machine thumps, each with a preview and a verdict on commercial use. - [Free hi-hat samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-hi-hat-samples.md): Free closed and open hi-hat samples for programming grooves, from crisp drum machine hats to acoustic cymbals, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free breakbeats and drum breaks](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-breakbeats.md): Free drum breaks and breakbeat loops for jungle, drum and bass, hip hop and breaks, with tempo where known and a licence verdict, including cleared breaks. - [Free crash cymbal samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-crash-cymbal-samples.md): Free crash cymbal one-shots, from short trashy splashes to long cinematic crashes, to mark the start of a section, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free LinnDrum and Linn drum machine samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-linndrum-samples.md): Free LinnDrum and Linn LM-1 drum machine samples: the tight 1980s kicks, snares, claps, toms and percussion behind classic pop records, with licence verdicts. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-snare-samples --- # Free tom drum samples > Free tom drum one-shots, from high rack toms to deep floor toms and electronic toms, for fills and tribal grooves, each with a licence verdict and preview. 31 samples from 3 sources (Strudel sample banks 14, Wikimedia Commons 14, OpenGameArt 3), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=tom&category=drums.tom - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=tom&category=drums.tom"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Toms in a production Toms are the pitched drums between the snare and the kick. A kit usually has one or two rack toms above the kick drum and a floor tom on legs. In pop and rock they mostly play fills; in afrobeat, tribal house and film music they can carry the whole groove. Because toms have a clear pitch, they react to the key of your track. Tune each one to a note of your scale and fills will sound intentional rather than random. Acoustic tom samples often include the resonance of the head, which rings into the next beat: shorten it with the amp envelope, or keep it for a big, open sound. ## Acoustic or electronic Recorded toms from free kits sound natural and dynamic and work best with velocity layers. Drum machine toms, from the 808's soft boops to the punchy LinnDrum toms, are cleaner and easier to tune, which suits electronic music. Check each card's verdict: drum machine samples shared in community banks vary in licence. ## Questions **How do I build a tom fill from one-shots?** Use two or three toms tuned a few semitones apart, high to low, and play them as sixteenth notes into the next downbeat. If you only have one tom sample, pitch copies of it down by three to five semitones for the lower drums. **Why do 1980s toms sound so big?** Many records of that era used electronic toms such as the Simmons or the LinnDrum's, often with gated reverb: a large room sound that is cut off abruptly. You can recreate it with a short reverb and a noise gate on the tom bus. ## Related collections - [Free kick samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-kick-samples.md): Free kick drum samples for any genre, from punchy acoustic kicks to drum machine thumps, each with a preview and a verdict on commercial use. - [Free snare samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-snare-samples.md): Free snare drum samples, from tight acoustic snares and rimshots to crunchy drum machine hits, with a playable preview and a licence verdict on each. - [Free percussion samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-percussion-samples.md): Free percussion one-shots and hits: congas, bongos, cowbells, tambourines, woodblocks and more, for Latin, afro, house and hip hop, with licence verdicts. - [Free LinnDrum and Linn drum machine samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-linndrum-samples.md): Free LinnDrum and Linn LM-1 drum machine samples: the tight 1980s kicks, snares, claps, toms and percussion behind classic pop records, with licence verdicts. - [Free breakbeats and drum breaks](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-breakbeats.md): Free drum breaks and breakbeat loops for jungle, drum and bass, hip hop and breaks, with tempo where known and a licence verdict, including cleared breaks. - [Free clap samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-clap-samples.md): Free hand clap and snap samples, from stacked crowd claps to tight drum machine claps, ready to layer with snares, each with a licence verdict and preview. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tom-samples --- # Free TR-808 drum machine samples > Free Roland TR-808 drum machine samples: the booming kick, snappy snare, clap, cowbell, rimshot and hats that shaped hip hop, electro and trap, with licences. 28 samples from 3 sources (Strudel sample banks 14, Openverse 8, Wikimedia Commons 6), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=808&category=drums - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=808&category=drums"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## The machine behind a sound Roland built the TR-808 Rhythm Composer from 1980 to 1983. It sold poorly at first because its drums sounded nothing like a real kit, then became cheap on the second-hand market, where hip hop, electro and Miami bass producers found it. Its deep, long kick, papery clap, clicky rimshot and two-tone cowbell are now part of the vocabulary of pop. ## How these samples are made Because the 808 is analogue, every hit varies slightly, and the knobs change a lot: kick decay, snare snappiness, tone and tuning on the toms and congas. Sample sets are recorded from a real machine at several settings, which is why one 808 kit can sound quite different from another. Community banks, such as the drum machine sets loaded by Strudel and TidalCycles, include several 808 recordings. Licences vary between them, so read the verdict on each card. For the long, tuned bass hits of trap and drill, see the 808 bass collection; for the machine's successor, see the TR-909. ## Questions **Is the TR-808 a sampler?** No. The Roland TR-808 (1980) makes every sound with analogue circuits, not recordings. The samples here are recordings of real machines, or of clones and emulations, made by the people who share them. **Is an 808 drum sample the same as an 808 bass?** They come from the same place. The '808' bass in trap is the machine's bass drum with a long decay, tuned to play notes. This collection covers the whole kit; the 808 bass collection focuses on long, tuned bass hits. **Can I use TR-808 samples in a release?** It depends on who made the recording and how they licensed it. Some free 808 sets are recorded and openly licensed by the people who share them; others are copied from old sample CDs or collections with no licence stated, which Sound Server marks as unclear. Follow each sample's verdict. ## Related collections - [Free TR-909 drum machine samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tr-909-drum-samples.md): Free Roland TR-909 drum machine samples: the punchy kick, clap, snare, open hat and ride behind house and techno, with previews and a licence verdict on each. - [Free LinnDrum and Linn drum machine samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-linndrum-samples.md): Free LinnDrum and Linn LM-1 drum machine samples: the tight 1980s kicks, snares, claps, toms and percussion behind classic pop records, with licence verdicts. - [Free 808 samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-808-samples.md): Free 808 bass samples for trap, drill and hip hop, from clean sub booms to distorted glides, with key, length and a commercial-use verdict for each. - [Free kick samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-kick-samples.md): Free kick drum samples for any genre, from punchy acoustic kicks to drum machine thumps, each with a preview and a verdict on commercial use. - [Free breakbeats and drum breaks](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-breakbeats.md): Free drum breaks and breakbeat loops for jungle, drum and bass, hip hop and breaks, with tempo where known and a licence verdict, including cleared breaks. - [Free clap samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-clap-samples.md): Free hand clap and snap samples, from stacked crowd claps to tight drum machine claps, ready to layer with snares, each with a licence verdict and preview. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tr-808-drum-samples --- # Free TR-909 drum machine samples > Free Roland TR-909 drum machine samples: the punchy kick, clap, snare, open hat and ride behind house and techno, with previews and a licence verdict on each. 20 samples from 2 sources (Strudel sample banks 14, Wikimedia Commons 6), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=909&category=drums - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=909&category=drums"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## A hybrid machine Roland released the TR-909 Rhythm Composer in 1983 as a follow-up to the 808. It was one of the first drum machines to use samples: its hi-hats and cymbals were stored as short digital recordings, while the rest of the kit came from analogue circuits with knobs for tuning, attack and decay. It was also one of the first with MIDI, which made it easy to sequence. Like the 808, it was a commercial disappointment that found its audience second-hand, in Chicago and Detroit, where producers built house and techno around its kick, clap and bright hats. ## Using 909 samples A 909 kick works best with its attack intact: shorten its decay to tighten the low end, and add saturation for drive. The open hat and ride are short, gritty recordings, so they cut through without much EQ. Sample sets differ in the settings used to record them, so audition several kicks before you pick. Licences on community banks vary; the verdict on each card tells you whether you can release with it. ## Questions **What makes the 909 different from the 808?** The TR-909 (1983) mixes analogue drums with sampled cymbals: its kick, snare, toms, rimshot and clap are synthesised, while its hi-hats, crash and ride are short digital recordings. Its kick is tighter and punchier than the 808's long boom. **Which genres use the 909?** Chicago house, Detroit techno and most dance music since. A 909 kick on every beat with an open hat on the offbeat is the classic house pattern. ## Related collections - [Free TR-808 drum machine samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tr-808-drum-samples.md): Free Roland TR-808 drum machine samples: the booming kick, snappy snare, clap, cowbell, rimshot and hats that shaped hip hop, electro and trap, with licences. - [Free LinnDrum and Linn drum machine samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-linndrum-samples.md): Free LinnDrum and Linn LM-1 drum machine samples: the tight 1980s kicks, snares, claps, toms and percussion behind classic pop records, with licence verdicts. - [Free open hi-hat samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-open-hi-hat-samples.md): Free open hi-hat one-shots, from tight half-open barks to long washy sizzles, for house, disco, trap and breaks, with a licence verdict on every sound. - [Free ride cymbal samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-ride-cymbal-samples.md): Free ride cymbal one-shots, including bell hits and bow strokes, for jazz, house and techno grooves, with previews and a commercial-use verdict on each. - [Free breakbeats and drum breaks](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-breakbeats.md): Free drum breaks and breakbeat loops for jungle, drum and bass, hip hop and breaks, with tempo where known and a licence verdict, including cleared breaks. - [Free clap samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-clap-samples.md): Free hand clap and snap samples, from stacked crowd claps to tight drum machine claps, ready to layer with snares, each with a licence verdict and preview. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tr-909-drum-samples --- # Free 808 samples > Free 808 bass samples for trap, drill and hip hop, from clean sub booms to distorted glides, with key, length and a commercial-use verdict for each. 13 samples from 3 sources (Openverse 6, Strudel sample banks 6, Ghosthack 1), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=808&category=bass.808 - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=808&category=bass.808"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Choosing an 808 Listen for three things: the attack, the length and the tone. A clean, sine-like 808 leaves room for vocals and melodic parts; a distorted one fills a sparse beat on its own. Long 808s suit slow trap at 130 to 150 BPM, where notes ring for half a bar; shorter ones suit drill and faster patterns with lots of slides. ## Keeping it in tune Because an 808 is a note, it has to match your track's key. Load it into a sampler, set the root note, and play the bassline from the keyboard. If the key is not shown, tune it by ear against a piano: a wrong 808 makes the whole low end feel muddy. Many 808s in packs and archives are labelled royalty free; others are Creative Commons with a credit line. The badge on each card tells you which, so the sample you build your beat around won't block the release. ## Questions **What key is my 808 in?** An 808 is pitched, so it has a root note. Where the source states it or the preview has been analysed, the card shows it. Otherwise load it into a tuner or a spectrum analyser and look for the strongest low frequency, then transpose it to match your track. **Why does my 808 disappear on phone speakers?** Small speakers can't reproduce the fundamental under about 100 Hz. Add gentle saturation or distortion so the 808 gains harmonics higher up, which the ear hears as the same note even when the sub itself is missing. **Is an 808 a kick or a bass?** Both. The original Roland TR-808 kick had a long, tunable decay, and producers began playing it as a bassline. Today an 808 sample is usually treated as a bass instrument and played chromatically in a sampler. ## Related collections - [Free kick samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-kick-samples.md): Free kick drum samples for any genre, from punchy acoustic kicks to drum machine thumps, each with a preview and a verdict on commercial use. - [Free clap samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-clap-samples.md): Free hand clap and snap samples, from stacked crowd claps to tight drum machine claps, ready to layer with snares, each with a licence verdict and preview. - [Free hi-hat samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-hi-hat-samples.md): Free closed and open hi-hat samples for programming grooves, from crisp drum machine hats to acoustic cymbals, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free Reese bass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-reese-bass-samples.md): Free Reese bass samples: detuned, phasing saw basses for drum and bass, jungle, dubstep and techno, as one-shots and loops with a licence verdict on each. - [Free sub bass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-sub-bass-samples.md): Free sub bass one-shots and loops: clean sine subs, rumbling drops and deep bass tones for dubstep, drum and bass, grime and house, with key and licence shown. - [Free synth bass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-synth-bass-samples.md): Free synth bass one-shots and loops, from acid squelches to analogue plucks and house bass stabs, with root notes where known and a licence verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-808-samples --- # Free Reese bass samples > Free Reese bass samples: detuned, phasing saw basses for drum and bass, jungle, dubstep and techno, as one-shots and loops with a licence verdict on each. 13 samples from 1 sources (Openverse 13), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=reese&category=bass - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=reese&category=bass"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## A detuned bass A Reese is two or more sawtooth oscillators tuned slightly apart, so they drift in and out of phase and the sound moves on its own. Filtered and distorted, it becomes the dark, rolling bass of drum and bass and neurofunk; slowed down, it turns up in dubstep, techno and trap. A good Reese sample captures that motion, so listen for how it evolves over its length rather than how it sounds in the first half second. ## Getting it to work Reese samples are usually long notes or loops. Pitch them to your key in a sampler, and if the low end wobbles too much, high-pass the Reese around 100 Hz and add a clean sub underneath. Automating a low-pass filter over a phrase brings out the movement. Many free bass samples come from producers' sampler packs; check the verdict on each before you release. ## Questions **Where does the name Reese come from?** From 'Just Want Another Chance' (1988) by Kevin Saunderson, released under the alias Reese. Its growling, detuned bassline was picked up by jungle and drum and bass producers, and the sound kept the name. **How do I make a Reese bass mono-compatible?** Keep the low end in mono with a separate sub layer or a mid-side EQ, and let only the upper harmonics spread in stereo. Detuned saws can cancel out when summed to mono, which thins the bass on club systems. ## Related collections - [Free sub bass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-sub-bass-samples.md): Free sub bass one-shots and loops: clean sine subs, rumbling drops and deep bass tones for dubstep, drum and bass, grime and house, with key and licence shown. - [Free 808 samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-808-samples.md): Free 808 bass samples for trap, drill and hip hop, from clean sub booms to distorted glides, with key, length and a commercial-use verdict for each. - [Free breakbeats and drum breaks](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-breakbeats.md): Free drum breaks and breakbeat loops for jungle, drum and bass, hip hop and breaks, with tempo where known and a licence verdict, including cleared breaks. - [Free glitch sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-glitch-sound-effects.md): Free glitch effects: stutters, digital errors, buffer repeats, bit-crushed bursts and data noise for electronic music, UI and video, with licences. - [Free synth bass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-synth-bass-samples.md): Free synth bass one-shots and loops, from acid squelches to analogue plucks and house bass stabs, with root notes where known and a licence verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-reese-bass-samples --- # Free sub bass samples > Free sub bass one-shots and loops: clean sine subs, rumbling drops and deep bass tones for dubstep, drum and bass, grime and house, with key and licence shown. 28 samples from 2 sources (Openverse 14, Strudel sample banks 14), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=sub&category=bass.sub - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=sub&category=bass.sub"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## The lowest layer A sub bass is the part of the low end you feel more than hear. In dubstep, grime, drum and bass and a lot of house, it plays the bassline as a near-pure tone while a mid-range bass or lead carries the character. Because it is so simple, the details matter: a clean start without a click, a steady level and the right key. ## Using sub samples Treat a sub one-shot like an instrument. Load it into a sampler, check its root note (shown on the card where it is known), and play your bassline from the keyboard. Keep it mono, and avoid stacking it with an 808 or a long kick tail in the same register, or the two will fight. Sidechain it lightly to the kick so the kick's attack comes through. Watch for phase: two low sounds that start at different points in their cycle can cancel each other out. A sub that starts at zero, with a short fade-in, layers more predictably. ## Questions **What is the difference between a sub bass and an 808?** An 808 is a decaying drum hit with a punchy start, used as a bass. A sub bass is usually a steady, pure low tone, often close to a sine wave, that sits below everything else. Both live roughly between 30 and 80 Hz. **Why can't I hear my sub bass on laptop speakers?** Small speakers can't reproduce frequencies that low. Add a little saturation to create harmonics an octave or two above the fundamental, which small speakers can play, and check your sub on headphones or a proper monitor system. ## Related collections - [Free 808 samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-808-samples.md): Free 808 bass samples for trap, drill and hip hop, from clean sub booms to distorted glides, with key, length and a commercial-use verdict for each. - [Free Reese bass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-reese-bass-samples.md): Free Reese bass samples: detuned, phasing saw basses for drum and bass, jungle, dubstep and techno, as one-shots and loops with a licence verdict on each. - [Free impact sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-impact-sound-effects.md): Free impact and hit sound effects: cinematic booms, sub drops, braams and slams for drops, trailers and transitions, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free kick samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-kick-samples.md): Free kick drum samples for any genre, from punchy acoustic kicks to drum machine thumps, each with a preview and a verdict on commercial use. - [Free synth bass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-synth-bass-samples.md): Free synth bass one-shots and loops, from acid squelches to analogue plucks and house bass stabs, with root notes where known and a licence verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-sub-bass-samples --- # Free synth bass samples > Free synth bass one-shots and loops, from acid squelches to analogue plucks and house bass stabs, with root notes where known and a licence verdict. 13 samples from 1 sources (Openverse 13), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=synth+bass&category=bass - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=synth+bass&category=bass"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Basses from synthesizers Synth basses come in many shapes: round Moog-style tones in funk and disco, punchy square-wave stabs in house, resonant 303 acid lines, FM basses in 1980s pop and gritty saw basses in electro. Samples of single notes are useful when you don't own the synth, and loops give you a ready-made groove to chop. ## Picking and pitching Root notes matter more for bass than for any other sample. Check the note on the card, or play the sample against a reference tone, before you map it. Short, plucky basses stay in tune across a wider range than sustained ones. Layer a sine sub under a bright synth bass if the low end needs more weight, and keep both in mono below about 120 Hz. Free bass samples come from vintage-synth sample sites, Creative Commons archives and producers' giveaway packs, each with its own licence. The verdict on each card says which you can release with. ## Questions **How do I play a bassline from one synth bass sample?** Load it into a sampler, set the root note (shown on the card when known), and play it across a range of about an octave either side. Beyond that it starts to sound artificial; use several samples at different pitches for a wider range. **What is an acid bass?** The squelchy, resonant bass of acid house, originally from the Roland TB-303 with its filter cutoff and resonance swept while it plays. Acid samples capture single notes or whole patterns of that sound. ## Related collections - [Free Reese bass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-reese-bass-samples.md): Free Reese bass samples: detuned, phasing saw basses for drum and bass, jungle, dubstep and techno, as one-shots and loops with a licence verdict on each. - [Free sub bass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-sub-bass-samples.md): Free sub bass one-shots and loops: clean sine subs, rumbling drops and deep bass tones for dubstep, drum and bass, grime and house, with key and licence shown. - [Free 808 samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-808-samples.md): Free 808 bass samples for trap, drill and hip hop, from clean sub booms to distorted glides, with key, length and a commercial-use verdict for each. - [Free synth pluck samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-synth-pluck-samples.md): Free synth pluck samples: short, bright plucked synth notes for house, trance, future bass and pop melodies, with root notes and a licence verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-synth-bass-samples --- # Free drum loops > Free drum loops for hip hop, house, trap, rock and lo-fi, with tempo where known and a licence verdict on each, ready to drop into a project at the right BPM. 28 samples from 4 sources (Orange Free Sounds 14, OpenGameArt 9, Wikimedia Commons 3, Strudel sample banks 2), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=drum+loop&category=drums&form=loop - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=drum+loop&category=drums&form=loop"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Loops versus programmed drums A drum loop is a recorded or programmed beat that repeats seamlessly, usually one, two or four bars long. It gives you a groove with feel already in it, which is handy for sketching or when you want a live drummer's timing. Programmed one-shots give you more control; many producers use both, a loop for texture and their own kick and snare on top. ## Getting a loop to sit Check the loop's length in bars after you set the tempo: if it doesn't line up with your grid, the stated BPM may be half or double the real one. High-pass the loop if you are adding your own kick, and use a transient shaper to bring out or soften the attack. Slicing the loop into hits lets you rearrange it into a new pattern, which also makes it sound less like a stock sample. Tempo appears on each card when the source states it or our analysis can detect it. ## Questions **How do I match a drum loop to my tempo?** Read the BPM on the card and set your project to it, or time-stretch the loop. Most DAWs detect tempo when you import; for drums, choose a stretch mode built for beats so the transients stay sharp. **Can I sell a beat built on a free drum loop?** Only if the loop's licence allows commercial use. Many free loop sites are non-commercial or unverified, so check the verdict on each card and turn on Commercial-safe if you plan to sell or lease the beat. ## Related collections - [Free breakbeats and drum breaks](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-breakbeats.md): Free drum breaks and breakbeat loops for jungle, drum and bass, hip hop and breaks, with tempo where known and a licence verdict, including cleared breaks. - [Free lo-fi loops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-lofi-loops.md): Free lo-fi hip hop loops: dusty keys, jazzy guitar, mellow drums and tape-warped textures with BPM and key where known, and a licence verdict on every loop. - [Free guitar loops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-guitar-loops.md): Free guitar loops: clean electric riffs, acoustic strums, funk licks and ambient textures with BPM and key where known, each with a commercial-use verdict. - [Free kick samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-kick-samples.md): Free kick drum samples for any genre, from punchy acoustic kicks to drum machine thumps, each with a preview and a verdict on commercial use. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-drum-loops --- # Free guitar loops > Free guitar loops: clean electric riffs, acoustic strums, funk licks and ambient textures with BPM and key where known, each with a commercial-use verdict. 16 samples from 2 sources (Openverse 14, Wikimedia Commons 2), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=guitar+loop&category=guitar&form=loop - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=guitar+loop&category=guitar&form=loop"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## What you will find Guitar loops are short performances recorded to a tempo: a funk lick, a strummed chord progression, a lo-fi jazz phrase or a washed-out ambient texture. They are a quick way to bring a live instrument into an electronic or hip hop track. Free ones come from community uploads, Creative Commons archives and producer packs given away as samplers. ## Fitting a loop into a track Start with the key and tempo on the card, when the source states them. Loops in a minor key usually work over a track built on the relative major too. Roll off the low end below about 100 Hz to leave room for the bass, and carve a little space around 2 to 4 kHz if a vocal sits on top. Guitar loops often contain a recognisable riff, which matters for licensing. A loop from a community site is only as clean as its uploader's rights, so the verdict on each card treats uploader-asserted licences with care. ## Questions **How do I change the key of a guitar loop?** Pitch-shift it with a formant-preserving mode, and stay within two or three semitones so it still sounds natural. Further shifts make strings sound thin or muddy; re-recording or choosing another loop is often better. **Why does my guitar loop drift out of time?** Live players speed up and slow down slightly. If the loop's length doesn't match a whole number of bars at the stated BPM, warp it to the grid at the strongest beats, or let your drums follow it instead. ## Related collections - [Free guitar samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-guitar-samples.md): Free guitar samples: acoustic and electric notes, chords, strums, harmonics and fret noises for producers who don't play, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free drum loops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-drum-loops.md): Free drum loops for hip hop, house, trap, rock and lo-fi, with tempo where known and a licence verdict on each, ready to drop into a project at the right BPM. - [Free lo-fi loops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-lofi-loops.md): Free lo-fi hip hop loops: dusty keys, jazzy guitar, mellow drums and tape-warped textures with BPM and key where known, and a licence verdict on every loop. - [Free piano samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-piano-samples.md): Free piano samples: single notes from grand and upright pianos for building an instrument, plus chords and loops, each with a preview and licence verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-guitar-loops --- # Free lo-fi loops > Free lo-fi hip hop loops: dusty keys, jazzy guitar, mellow drums and tape-warped textures with BPM and key where known, and a licence verdict on every loop. 36 samples from 4 sources (Openverse 13, OpenGameArt 12, Wikimedia Commons 9, Orange Free Sounds 2), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=lofi&form=loop - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=lofi&form=loop"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## The lo-fi palette Lo-fi hip hop borrows from sampled jazz and soul records, but most producers now build it from new material: Rhodes or piano chords, nylon or clean electric guitar, soft boom-bap drums and a layer of noise. Loops give you that palette quickly, and this collection gathers free ones in every part of it. ## Making them your own A loop on its own is a starting point. Re-pitch it, chop it into a new order, or play its chords back through a sampler with a slow attack. Add your own crackle and a gentle low-pass, and use a saturation or tape plugin for wow and flutter. Lo-fi beats are often released commercially on streaming playlists, so licences matter here as much as anywhere. Many loops on free sites are for non-commercial use only. Every card shows a verdict; Commercial-safe keeps only the ones you can release. ## Questions **What makes a loop sound lo-fi?** Reduced fidelity on purpose: a softened high end, gentle pitch wobble like a worn tape, saturation, vinyl crackle and swung, slightly loose timing. Chords are often jazzy sevenths and ninths played on keys or guitar. **What tempo is lo-fi hip hop?** Usually between about 70 and 90 BPM, with a swung or behind-the-beat feel. Many loops are labelled at double time (140 to 180), so halve the number if a loop feels too fast. ## Related collections - [Free vinyl crackle samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vinyl-crackle.md): Free vinyl crackle, record noise and tape hiss samples for lo-fi beats and warm, worn mixes, as loops and long takes, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free drum loops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-drum-loops.md): Free drum loops for hip hop, house, trap, rock and lo-fi, with tempo where known and a licence verdict on each, ready to drop into a project at the right BPM. - [Free Rhodes and electric piano samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-rhodes-electric-piano-samples.md): Free Rhodes, Wurlitzer and electric piano samples: notes, chords and loops for neo-soul, lo-fi, jazz and R&B, with root notes and a licence verdict. - [Free guitar loops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-guitar-loops.md): Free guitar loops: clean electric riffs, acoustic strums, funk licks and ambient textures with BPM and key where known, each with a commercial-use verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-lofi-loops --- # Free acapellas > Free a cappella vocals for remixes and new tracks, mostly from Creative Commons remix communities, with tempo and key where known and a licence verdict on each. 24 samples from 2 sources (Openverse 12, Wikimedia Commons 12), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=acapella&category=vocals.acapella - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=acapella&category=vocals.acapella"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Working with an a cappella An a cappella is a full vocal performance without the music, usually recorded to a fixed tempo. Match your project to its BPM first, then set the key: if the original key isn't listed, find the vocal's tonic by humming along with a bass note until it settles. Most community vocals are dry, so you control the space with your own reverb and delay. Expect some breaths, clicks and room noise; a gate or gentle de-noising can clean them up without dulling the performance. ## Credit the singer Most free a cappellas exist because singers want their voices used, and the usual price is a credit. The detail view gives you a ready-made credit line to paste into your release notes, and every download through Sound Server includes it in ATTRIBUTION.md. ## Questions **Where do free acapellas come from?** Mostly from communities such as ccMixter, where singers publish their vocal tracks under Creative Commons so others can remix them, and from archives of public-domain recordings. Commercial song acapellas found on random upload sites are rarely licensed for reuse. **Can I release a remix that uses one of these?** Check the verdict. CC BY acapellas are fine with a credit to the singer. Share-alike ones require your whole track to carry the same licence, and NC ones rule out a commercial release. Many ccMixter vocals are NC, so filter with Commercial-safe if you plan to sell. ## Related collections - [Free vocal chops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vocal-chops.md): Free vocal chop samples for house, future bass and pop: short sung syllables, cuts and stutters with BPM and key where known, and a licence verdict on each. - [Free piano samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-piano-samples.md): Free piano samples: single notes from grand and upright pianos for building an instrument, plus chords and loops, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free riser sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-riser-sound-effects.md): Free riser and uplifter sound effects for build-ups before a drop: white noise sweeps, pitch risers and tension builds, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free choir samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-choir-samples.md): Free choir samples: sustained choral notes, chants, ahh and ooh pads and real choirs for cinematic, ambient and gospel-tinged tracks, with licences. - [Free spoken word samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-spoken-word-samples.md): Free spoken word and voice samples: narration, speeches, radio chatter and public-domain recordings for intros and breakdowns, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free vocal shouts and ad-libs](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vocal-shouts.md): Free vocal shouts, chants, hype phrases and ad-libs for drops, hooks and transitions in dance and hip hop, each with a preview and a commercial-use verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-acapellas --- # Free choir samples > Free choir samples: sustained choral notes, chants, ahh and ooh pads and real choirs for cinematic, ambient and gospel-tinged tracks, with licences. 32 samples from 3 sources (Openverse 14, Wikimedia Commons 12, Orange Free Sounds 6), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=choir&category=vocals.choir - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=choir&category=vocals.choir"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Many voices at once A choir adds size and emotion that a single voice can't: a held "ahh" under a drop, a chant in a film cue, a gospel stab in house music. Choir samples come in two kinds. Sustained notes and vowels, often multisampled, let you play your own chords. Recorded passages of real choirs give you a performance to chop, stretch or reverse. ## Getting a natural sound Choirs are recorded in large rooms, and the reverb is part of the sound. Use a matching space for the rest of your arrangement, or shorten tails with a gate. Layering a choir pad an octave below a string section is a classic cinematic trick. Recordings of old choral works can be confusing licence-wise: the composition may be public domain while the recording is not. Each card's verdict is about the recording, which is the part you need cleared. ## Questions **How do I turn choir samples into a playable instrument?** Map sustained notes across a keyboard in a sampler, one sample per few semitones, and set loop points in the steady part so notes can be held. Free multisampled choirs exist for exactly this, often as SFZ instruments. **Are recordings of public-domain choral music free to use?** The music may be in the public domain, but a recording of it has its own copyright. Use recordings whose performers or archive released them under a licence that allows commercial use. ## Related collections - [Free string samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-string-samples.md): Free string samples: violin, viola, cello and double bass notes, ensemble sustains, pizzicato and staccato for orchestral and pop tracks, with licences. - [Free synth pad samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-synth-pad-samples.md): Free synth pad samples: warm analogue pads, evolving textures and ambient chords for ambient, synthwave, trap and cinematic tracks, with licences. - [Free acapellas](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-acapellas.md): Free a cappella vocals for remixes and new tracks, mostly from Creative Commons remix communities, with tempo and key where known and a licence verdict on each. - [Free vocal chops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vocal-chops.md): Free vocal chop samples for house, future bass and pop: short sung syllables, cuts and stutters with BPM and key where known, and a licence verdict on each. - [Free spoken word samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-spoken-word-samples.md): Free spoken word and voice samples: narration, speeches, radio chatter and public-domain recordings for intros and breakdowns, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free vocal shouts and ad-libs](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vocal-shouts.md): Free vocal shouts, chants, hype phrases and ad-libs for drops, hooks and transitions in dance and hip hop, each with a preview and a commercial-use verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-choir-samples --- # Free spoken word samples > Free spoken word and voice samples: narration, speeches, radio chatter and public-domain recordings for intros and breakdowns, with a licence verdict on each. 15 samples from 4 sources (Strudel sample banks 7, OpenGameArt 3, Wikimedia Commons 3, SoundBible 2), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=speech&category=vocals.spoken - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=speech&category=vocals.spoken"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Words as texture A spoken line can set the mood of a track before a note plays: a narrator, a radio announcer, a fragment of an old speech. Ambient, hip hop, techno and lo-fi producers all use spoken samples as intros, breakdowns and hooks. This collection gathers free recordings of speech: readings, field recordings of announcements, public-domain archive material and voice lines recorded for reuse. ## Rights and reuse Spoken samples are where producers most often get into trouble, because the most tempting lines come from films, TV and interviews. Those need clearance. Public-domain archives, such as the many government and historic recordings on Wikimedia Commons and the Internet Archive, are a better source, but check each one: the Internet Archive relies on what uploaders state, so Sound Server never rates those better than "check the terms". When a recording needs a credit, the detail view gives you the line to paste. ## Questions **Can I sample a speech from a film or interview?** Not without permission. Film dialogue and interviews are copyrighted recordings. Public-domain recordings, such as many historic speeches and some government archives, and recordings their speakers licensed openly are the safe options. **How do I make a voice sample sound like old radio?** Band-pass it to roughly 300 Hz to 3 kHz, add mild distortion and a little noise or crackle. Mono and a small room reverb complete the effect. ## Related collections - [Free vocal shouts and ad-libs](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vocal-shouts.md): Free vocal shouts, chants, hype phrases and ad-libs for drops, hooks and transitions in dance and hip hop, each with a preview and a commercial-use verdict. - [Free vinyl crackle samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vinyl-crackle.md): Free vinyl crackle, record noise and tape hiss samples for lo-fi beats and warm, worn mixes, as loops and long takes, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free acapellas](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-acapellas.md): Free a cappella vocals for remixes and new tracks, mostly from Creative Commons remix communities, with tempo and key where known and a licence verdict on each. - [Free room tone recordings](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-room-tone.md): Free room tone and quiet interior ambience: empty rooms, offices, halls and hums to fill silence in film, podcasts and music, with a licence verdict. - [Free choir samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-choir-samples.md): Free choir samples: sustained choral notes, chants, ahh and ooh pads and real choirs for cinematic, ambient and gospel-tinged tracks, with licences. - [Free vocal chops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vocal-chops.md): Free vocal chop samples for house, future bass and pop: short sung syllables, cuts and stutters with BPM and key where known, and a licence verdict on each. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-spoken-word-samples --- # Free vocal chops > Free vocal chop samples for house, future bass and pop: short sung syllables, cuts and stutters with BPM and key where known, and a licence verdict on each. 14 samples from 1 sources (Openverse 14), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=vocal+chop&category=vocals.chop - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=vocal+chop&category=vocals.chop"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Getting good chops The best chops come from clean, dry vocals with clear vowels. Long open sounds such as "ah", "oh" and "ey" pitch well across a keyboard; consonants make good percussive accents. Look for chops that list a key, or tune them to your track before arranging them. To make chops your own, try formant shifting, reverse reverb tails, and a touch of stereo widening. Playing the same chop at several pitches can build a melody that sounds sung but is entirely sampled. ## Licences matter here Vocals are where licence problems surface most: a recognisable voice is easy to identify, and uploads of famous songs are sometimes labelled as free by people who don't own them. The badge on each card shows whether the licence was stated by the source or only by an uploader, so you can steer clear of risky sounds. ## Questions **What is a vocal chop?** A short slice of a sung phrase, often a single syllable, played back rhythmically or melodically from a sampler. Producers use chops as hooks, fills and lead lines, especially in house, future bass and pop. **Can I chop a vocal from an a cappella myself?** Yes, if its licence allows derivatives and your use. Many a cappellas from remix communities are CC BY or CC BY-NC: the first is fine for a release with a credit, the second is not. Check the verdict before you start cutting. ## Related collections - [Free acapellas](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-acapellas.md): Free a cappella vocals for remixes and new tracks, mostly from Creative Commons remix communities, with tempo and key where known and a licence verdict on each. - [Free riser sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-riser-sound-effects.md): Free riser and uplifter sound effects for build-ups before a drop: white noise sweeps, pitch risers and tension builds, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free impact sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-impact-sound-effects.md): Free impact and hit sound effects: cinematic booms, sub drops, braams and slams for drops, trailers and transitions, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free choir samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-choir-samples.md): Free choir samples: sustained choral notes, chants, ahh and ooh pads and real choirs for cinematic, ambient and gospel-tinged tracks, with licences. - [Free spoken word samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-spoken-word-samples.md): Free spoken word and voice samples: narration, speeches, radio chatter and public-domain recordings for intros and breakdowns, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free vocal shouts and ad-libs](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vocal-shouts.md): Free vocal shouts, chants, hype phrases and ad-libs for drops, hooks and transitions in dance and hip hop, each with a preview and a commercial-use verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vocal-chops --- # Free vocal shouts and ad-libs > Free vocal shouts, chants, hype phrases and ad-libs for drops, hooks and transitions in dance and hip hop, each with a preview and a commercial-use verdict. 17 samples from 4 sources (Wikimedia Commons 12, Orange Free Sounds 2, SoundBible 2, OpenGameArt 1), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=shout&category=vocals.shout - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=shout&category=vocals.shout"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Short phrases with energy Shouts and ad-libs are the vocal equivalent of a crash cymbal: a "hey!", "let's go", a crowd chant or a laugh that punctuates a section. In hip hop they fill gaps between lines; in EDM, house and jersey club they announce the drop. Because they are short and dry, they are easy to pitch, chop and throw into effects. ## Finding clean ones Look for dry, close-miked recordings without music behind them. A shout with reverb baked in is harder to fit to your space. Stack a few takes, or the same take pitched slightly, for a gang-vocal effect. Vocals carry more rights than other samples: there is the recording, and there is the person's voice. Free libraries where performers record lines for others to use are the safest source. Every card shows the licence verdict, and the credit line when one is required. ## Questions **How loud should a vocal shout be in the mix?** Loud enough to land as an accent, usually just before or on the downbeat of a drop. Compress it hard, add a short delay or reverb throw, and duck the music slightly under it so it cuts through. **Can I use a shout that says a brand or artist name?** Avoid it. Even when the recording is licensed, a name or catchphrase can raise trademark or personality-rights issues. Generic shouts such as 'hey', 'yeah' or counts are the safe choice. ## Related collections - [Free vocal chops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vocal-chops.md): Free vocal chop samples for house, future bass and pop: short sung syllables, cuts and stutters with BPM and key where known, and a licence verdict on each. - [Free acapellas](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-acapellas.md): Free a cappella vocals for remixes and new tracks, mostly from Creative Commons remix communities, with tempo and key where known and a licence verdict on each. - [Free spoken word samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-spoken-word-samples.md): Free spoken word and voice samples: narration, speeches, radio chatter and public-domain recordings for intros and breakdowns, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free riser sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-riser-sound-effects.md): Free riser and uplifter sound effects for build-ups before a drop: white noise sweeps, pitch risers and tension builds, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free choir samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-choir-samples.md): Free choir samples: sustained choral notes, chants, ahh and ooh pads and real choirs for cinematic, ambient and gospel-tinged tracks, with licences. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vocal-shouts --- # Free downlifter sound effects > Free downlifters and falling sweeps that release tension after a drop or lead out of a section, for EDM, trap and film edits, each with a licence verdict. 6 samples from 1 sources (Openverse 6), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=downlifter&category=fx.downlifter - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=downlifter&category=fx.downlifter"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Releasing the build After a big moment, a track needs to settle. A downlifter, also called a downsweep, is a falling sound, such as filtered noise sweeping down, a pitch drop or a decaying synth, that guides the ear from the peak into what comes next. Paired with an impact on the first beat, it makes a drop feel heavier; at the end of a chorus it signals a change without a hard cut. ## Using them Line up the start of the downlifter with the downbeat, then shape its length with a fade so it ends before the next phrase. Low-pass it a little if it competes with the lead. Many producers reverse a riser to make a downlifter, which is a quick way to get a matching pair. Check that both sounds are cleared before you release: the verdict on each card tells you. ## Questions **What is the difference between a riser and a downlifter?** A riser climbs in pitch, filter or volume to build tension towards a moment. A downlifter does the opposite: it falls away after the moment, usually starting on the downbeat of a drop or a new section. **How long should a downlifter be?** Usually one to four bars. Start it on the downbeat together with an impact, and let it fade under the new section so it clears space rather than covering the groove. ## Related collections - [Free riser sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-riser-sound-effects.md): Free riser and uplifter sound effects for build-ups before a drop: white noise sweeps, pitch risers and tension builds, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free whoosh and sweep sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-whoosh-sound-effects.md): Free whooshes, swooshes and noise sweeps for transitions in music, video edits, trailers and games, as short one-shots with previews and a licence verdict. - [Free impact sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-impact-sound-effects.md): Free impact and hit sound effects: cinematic booms, sub drops, braams and slams for drops, trailers and transitions, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free transition sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-transition-sound-effects.md): Free transition effects for music and video: swells, reverse hits, sweeps and stingers that bridge two sections or shots, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free glitch sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-glitch-sound-effects.md): Free glitch effects: stutters, digital errors, buffer repeats, bit-crushed bursts and data noise for electronic music, UI and video, with licences. - [Free laser and zap sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-laser-zap-sound-effects.md): Free laser, zap and blaster sound effects: retro sci-fi pews, synth zaps and glitchy shots for music, games and video, with a licence verdict on each. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-downlifter-sound-effects --- # Free glitch sound effects > Free glitch effects: stutters, digital errors, buffer repeats, bit-crushed bursts and data noise for electronic music, UI and video, with licences. 36 samples from 5 sources (Wikimedia Commons 12, Orange Free Sounds 11, Strudel sample banks 9, OpenGameArt 2, SoundBible 2), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=glitch&category=fx.glitch - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=glitch&category=fx.glitch"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Errors as instruments Glitch is the sound of digital things going wrong: a CD skipping, a buffer stuttering, a file read as audio. Since the late 1990s, electronic musicians have used those errors as material, and today glitches show up in IDM, dubstep, hyperpop and trap transitions, as well as in game interfaces and video edits. ## What to look for Short glitches, under half a second, work as rhythmic hits. Longer ones make good transitions or background texture. Listen for clicks at the end of a sample: a quick fade avoids an unintended pop, unless the pop is the point. Because many glitches are very bright, a gentle low-pass around 10 kHz can stop them from sounding harsh on headphones. Most glitch samples on free sites are made from scratch by sound designers, so licences are often permissive. The verdict on each card confirms it. ## Questions **How are glitch sounds made?** By breaking audio on purpose: repeating tiny slices of a buffer, reducing bit depth and sample rate, misreading files as audio, or recording malfunctioning electronics. Each method gives a different texture. **How do I use glitches without making a track messy?** Use them as punctuation: at the end of a phrase, in a fill, or replacing a hi-hat for one bar. A little goes a long way, and keeping them in time with the grid makes them sound deliberate. ## Related collections - [Free laser and zap sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-laser-zap-sound-effects.md): Free laser, zap and blaster sound effects: retro sci-fi pews, synth zaps and glitchy shots for music, games and video, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free white noise samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-white-noise-samples.md): Free white, pink and brown noise samples and noise sweeps for risers, snare layers, transitions and sleep or focus sounds, each with a commercial-use verdict. - [Free tape stop sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tape-stop-effects.md): Free tape stop and record stop effects: the slowing, falling pitch of a stopping deck, used before drops and at song ends, with a licence verdict. - [Free Reese bass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-reese-bass-samples.md): Free Reese bass samples: detuned, phasing saw basses for drum and bass, jungle, dubstep and techno, as one-shots and loops with a licence verdict on each. - [Free downlifter sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-downlifter-sound-effects.md): Free downlifters and falling sweeps that release tension after a drop or lead out of a section, for EDM, trap and film edits, each with a licence verdict. - [Free impact sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-impact-sound-effects.md): Free impact and hit sound effects: cinematic booms, sub drops, braams and slams for drops, trailers and transitions, each with a preview and licence verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-glitch-sound-effects --- # Free impact sound effects > Free impact and hit sound effects: cinematic booms, sub drops, braams and slams for drops, trailers and transitions, each with a preview and licence verdict. 36 samples from 4 sources (OpenGameArt 10, Openverse 10, Orange Free Sounds 9, SoundBible 7), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=impact&category=fx.impact - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=impact&category=fx.impact"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Making an entrance An impact marks a moment: the drop of a dance track, a hard cut in a trailer, a transition in a podcast. The strongest ones combine a sharp transient, a low boom and a long tail. If an impact sounds thin, layer it with a kick from your drum kit and a short reverse cymbal leading into it. Watch the low end. Big cinematic hits carry a lot of energy below 60 Hz and can clash with your kick and bass. High-pass the impact a little, or duck the bass for a beat when it lands. ## Sources Impacts come from sound effect libraries such as Freesound, OpenGameArt and royalty-free collections. Some libraries require a credit and some forbid commercial use entirely, and the badge on every card shows which. ## Questions **What is a sub drop?** A deep, falling sine tone that starts low and dives lower, often used on the first beat of a drop in EDM and trap. It adds weight you feel more than hear, so check it on headphones or a subwoofer. **Can I use these in videos and games as well as music?** The licence decides, not the medium. CC0 and most royalty-free licences cover videos and games too. NC licences rule out monetised videos. The verdict badge is written for music releases, so read the licence for other uses. ## Related collections - [Free riser sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-riser-sound-effects.md): Free riser and uplifter sound effects for build-ups before a drop: white noise sweeps, pitch risers and tension builds, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free laser and zap sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-laser-zap-sound-effects.md): Free laser, zap and blaster sound effects: retro sci-fi pews, synth zaps and glitchy shots for music, games and video, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free kick samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-kick-samples.md): Free kick drum samples for any genre, from punchy acoustic kicks to drum machine thumps, each with a preview and a verdict on commercial use. - [Free downlifter sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-downlifter-sound-effects.md): Free downlifters and falling sweeps that release tension after a drop or lead out of a section, for EDM, trap and film edits, each with a licence verdict. - [Free glitch sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-glitch-sound-effects.md): Free glitch effects: stutters, digital errors, buffer repeats, bit-crushed bursts and data noise for electronic music, UI and video, with licences. - [Free tape stop sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tape-stop-effects.md): Free tape stop and record stop effects: the slowing, falling pitch of a stopping deck, used before drops and at song ends, with a licence verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-impact-sound-effects --- # Free laser and zap sound effects > Free laser, zap and blaster sound effects: retro sci-fi pews, synth zaps and glitchy shots for music, games and video, with a licence verdict on each. 19 samples from 3 sources (Openverse 14, Strudel sample banks 3, OpenGameArt 2), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=laser+zap&category=fx.zap - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=laser+zap&category=fx.zap"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Zaps in music Zaps and lasers are not only for games. Dubstep, drum and bass and dancehall use them as fills and ear candy, and a short zap on the last beat of a phrase is a classic transition. In hip hop and trap, a quick zap can replace a hi-hat roll or announce a beat switch. Short zaps work like percussion: keep them tight and tune them to the key. Longer laser sweeps behave more like risers and can lead into a drop. ## Where they come from Game sound libraries are rich in zaps, and many of them are public domain. You will also find synth zaps in producer packs and Creative Commons archives. Each card shows whether the sound is cleared for a commercial release. ## Questions **How are laser sounds made?** Most start as a synth tone whose pitch falls quickly, sometimes with noise or ring modulation on top. A fast downward pitch envelope on a simple oscillator gets you surprisingly close, which is why so many of them are made on synths rather than recorded. **Can I use these zaps in a game I sell?** Many are CC0 or royalty free, which allows that. CC BY sounds need a credit in the game, and NC ones can't be used in a commercial game. The verdict on each card is the quick answer, and the detail view links to the full licence. ## Related collections - [Free impact sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-impact-sound-effects.md): Free impact and hit sound effects: cinematic booms, sub drops, braams and slams for drops, trailers and transitions, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free riser sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-riser-sound-effects.md): Free riser and uplifter sound effects for build-ups before a drop: white noise sweeps, pitch risers and tension builds, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free vinyl crackle samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vinyl-crackle.md): Free vinyl crackle, record noise and tape hiss samples for lo-fi beats and warm, worn mixes, as loops and long takes, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free downlifter sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-downlifter-sound-effects.md): Free downlifters and falling sweeps that release tension after a drop or lead out of a section, for EDM, trap and film edits, each with a licence verdict. - [Free glitch sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-glitch-sound-effects.md): Free glitch effects: stutters, digital errors, buffer repeats, bit-crushed bursts and data noise for electronic music, UI and video, with licences. - [Free tape stop sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tape-stop-effects.md): Free tape stop and record stop effects: the slowing, falling pitch of a stopping deck, used before drops and at song ends, with a licence verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-laser-zap-sound-effects --- # Free riser sound effects > Free riser and uplifter sound effects for build-ups before a drop: white noise sweeps, pitch risers and tension builds, each with a preview and licence verdict. 33 samples from 4 sources (Openverse 14, Orange Free Sounds 14, Wikimedia Commons 4, Strudel sample banks 1), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=riser&category=fx.riser - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=riser&category=fx.riser"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Building tension Risers tell the listener that something is about to happen. The classic is filtered white noise opening up over a few bars, often doubled with a synth note gliding upwards. Layer two risers with different characters for a fuller build, and automate a high-pass filter on the rest of the mix so the drop hits harder. End the riser just before the drop rather than on it: a beat of silence or a reverse cymbal makes the impact feel bigger. Pair it with an impact from the related collection for the moment the drop lands. ## Where they come from Many free risers come from game and film sound libraries released as CC0 or royalty free, as well as producer packs. Each card shows whether the sound is cleared for a commercial release, so a sound effect never becomes the reason a track can't be published. ## Questions **How long should a riser be?** Usually the length of the build-up: two, four or eight bars. At 128 BPM four bars last 7.5 seconds. Pick a riser close to that length, or time-stretch it, so its peak lands exactly on the downbeat of the drop. **What is the difference between a riser and a sweep?** A riser builds steadily towards a moment, rising in pitch, volume or brightness. A sweep is a shorter movement, often a filtered noise whoosh, used to bridge two sections. Downlifters do the opposite of a riser and lead out of a peak. ## Related collections - [Free impact sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-impact-sound-effects.md): Free impact and hit sound effects: cinematic booms, sub drops, braams and slams for drops, trailers and transitions, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free laser and zap sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-laser-zap-sound-effects.md): Free laser, zap and blaster sound effects: retro sci-fi pews, synth zaps and glitchy shots for music, games and video, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free vinyl crackle samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vinyl-crackle.md): Free vinyl crackle, record noise and tape hiss samples for lo-fi beats and warm, worn mixes, as loops and long takes, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free downlifter sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-downlifter-sound-effects.md): Free downlifters and falling sweeps that release tension after a drop or lead out of a section, for EDM, trap and film edits, each with a licence verdict. - [Free glitch sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-glitch-sound-effects.md): Free glitch effects: stutters, digital errors, buffer repeats, bit-crushed bursts and data noise for electronic music, UI and video, with licences. - [Free tape stop sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tape-stop-effects.md): Free tape stop and record stop effects: the slowing, falling pitch of a stopping deck, used before drops and at song ends, with a licence verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-riser-sound-effects --- # Free tape stop sound effects > Free tape stop and record stop effects: the slowing, falling pitch of a stopping deck, used before drops and at song ends, with a licence verdict. 5 samples from 2 sources (Openverse 4, Orange Free Sounds 1), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=tape+stop&category=fx - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=tape+stop&category=fx"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## The sound of a deck losing power When a tape machine or turntable stops, the playback slows down and the pitch falls with it, ending in a low groan. DJs and producers use that sound to stop a track dead before a drop, to end a song, or as a joke in the middle of a build. It works because the listener expects the beat to continue. ## Using tape stops There are two ways in. A plugin or your DAW's own pitch envelope applies a tape stop to your actual mix, which is the most convincing. A sample adds a ready-made stop, or the mechanical clunk and whine of a real deck, as a layer on top. Line the end of the stop up with the beat where the music returns, and leave a moment of silence before the drop for the most impact. Free tape and record stops come from sound effect libraries and producer packs, with the licence on every card. ## Questions **Is a tape stop sample better than a plugin?** A plugin applies the effect to your own audio, which is usually what you want for a drop. A sample is useful as a layer or a quick transition, and recorded deck stops have mechanical noise that plugins don't add. **How long should a tape stop take?** Usually between a quarter and a full bar. Faster stops sound like a scratch; slower ones sound like a power cut. Match it to the tempo so the silence lands on a beat. ## Related collections - [Free vinyl crackle samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vinyl-crackle.md): Free vinyl crackle, record noise and tape hiss samples for lo-fi beats and warm, worn mixes, as loops and long takes, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free glitch sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-glitch-sound-effects.md): Free glitch effects: stutters, digital errors, buffer repeats, bit-crushed bursts and data noise for electronic music, UI and video, with licences. - [Free downlifter sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-downlifter-sound-effects.md): Free downlifters and falling sweeps that release tension after a drop or lead out of a section, for EDM, trap and film edits, each with a licence verdict. - [Free transition sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-transition-sound-effects.md): Free transition effects for music and video: swells, reverse hits, sweeps and stingers that bridge two sections or shots, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free impact sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-impact-sound-effects.md): Free impact and hit sound effects: cinematic booms, sub drops, braams and slams for drops, trailers and transitions, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free laser and zap sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-laser-zap-sound-effects.md): Free laser, zap and blaster sound effects: retro sci-fi pews, synth zaps and glitchy shots for music, games and video, with a licence verdict on each. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-tape-stop-effects --- # Free transition sound effects > Free transition effects for music and video: swells, reverse hits, sweeps and stingers that bridge two sections or shots, with a licence verdict on each. 30 samples from 4 sources (Orange Free Sounds 14, Wikimedia Commons 14, OpenGameArt 1, Strudel sample banks 1), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=transition&category=fx.transition - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=transition&category=fx.transition"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Bridging two moments A transition effect connects the end of one section to the start of another: a reverse cymbal into a chorus, a swell before a key change, a short stinger between scenes in a video. In electronic music they are almost compulsory, because sections often change by adding or removing whole layers at once, and a transition smooths the jump. ## Building a transition Most good transitions are layered. Combine a rising element such as a riser or reverse swell, an impact on the downbeat, and a falling tail such as a downlifter or reverb throw. Keep each layer in its own frequency range so they don't smear. Automate the reverb and filter of the main mix along with them, and the effect feels like part of the music. Transitions from free libraries are a mix of sound-designed effects and processed recordings. Each card shows whether you can release or publish with it. ## Questions **What makes a good transition sound?** It moves in the direction of the change: rising into something bigger, falling into something quieter. Its loudest point should land exactly where the new section or shot begins. **Can I make my own transitions from samples?** Yes. Reverse a crash or a vocal, add a long reverb and resample it, or sweep a filter on noise. Your own transitions match your track better than stock ones. ## Related collections - [Free whoosh and sweep sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-whoosh-sound-effects.md): Free whooshes, swooshes and noise sweeps for transitions in music, video edits, trailers and games, as short one-shots with previews and a licence verdict. - [Free riser sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-riser-sound-effects.md): Free riser and uplifter sound effects for build-ups before a drop: white noise sweeps, pitch risers and tension builds, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free downlifter sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-downlifter-sound-effects.md): Free downlifters and falling sweeps that release tension after a drop or lead out of a section, for EDM, trap and film edits, each with a licence verdict. - [Free impact sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-impact-sound-effects.md): Free impact and hit sound effects: cinematic booms, sub drops, braams and slams for drops, trailers and transitions, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free glitch sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-glitch-sound-effects.md): Free glitch effects: stutters, digital errors, buffer repeats, bit-crushed bursts and data noise for electronic music, UI and video, with licences. - [Free laser and zap sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-laser-zap-sound-effects.md): Free laser, zap and blaster sound effects: retro sci-fi pews, synth zaps and glitchy shots for music, games and video, with a licence verdict on each. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-transition-sound-effects --- # Free vinyl crackle samples > Free vinyl crackle, record noise and tape hiss samples for lo-fi beats and warm, worn mixes, as loops and long takes, each with a preview and licence verdict. 14 samples from 1 sources (Openverse 14), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=vinyl+crackle&category=fx.noise - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=vinyl+crackle&category=fx.noise"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Atmosphere for lo-fi and beyond Vinyl crackle is the quiet bed of pops and hiss that makes a beat sound like it was lifted from an old record. It glues samples from different sources together and fills the silence between notes. Lo-fi hip hop, chillhop and ambient lean on it, and a touch of it can soften a bright modern production too. Look for long takes that loop cleanly, so the pattern of pops doesn't repeat every bar. Crackle recorded from the run-out groove of a record contains no music, which keeps it free of copyright problems. ## Licences Most crackle in archives is CC0 or CC BY, recorded by the uploader. If a sample includes music from the record itself, treat it with care: the badge shows whether the licence was verified by the source. ## Questions **How loud should vinyl crackle be in a mix?** Quieter than you think: usually just audible in the gaps between notes. Turn it up until you notice it, then back it off a few decibels. High-pass it so it doesn't add mud below the drums. **Is crackle from a real record better than a plugin?** Recorded crackle has irregular pops and a real surface noise that plugins only imitate, which is why lo-fi producers often prefer it. Make sure the recording has no music in it, or that the music is cleared too. ## Related collections - [Free rain ambience sounds](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-rain-ambience.md): Free rain ambience and storm recordings: light rain, downpours, rain on windows and thunder, as long field recordings with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free piano samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-piano-samples.md): Free piano samples: single notes from grand and upright pianos for building an instrument, plus chords and loops, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free riser sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-riser-sound-effects.md): Free riser and uplifter sound effects for build-ups before a drop: white noise sweeps, pitch risers and tension builds, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free downlifter sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-downlifter-sound-effects.md): Free downlifters and falling sweeps that release tension after a drop or lead out of a section, for EDM, trap and film edits, each with a licence verdict. - [Free glitch sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-glitch-sound-effects.md): Free glitch effects: stutters, digital errors, buffer repeats, bit-crushed bursts and data noise for electronic music, UI and video, with licences. - [Free impact sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-impact-sound-effects.md): Free impact and hit sound effects: cinematic booms, sub drops, braams and slams for drops, trailers and transitions, each with a preview and licence verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vinyl-crackle --- # Free white noise samples > Free white, pink and brown noise samples and noise sweeps for risers, snare layers, transitions and sleep or focus sounds, each with a commercial-use verdict. 36 samples from 5 sources (OpenGameArt 8, Orange Free Sounds 8, Strudel sample banks 7, Wikimedia Commons 7, SoundBible 6), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=noise&category=fx.noise - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=noise&category=fx.noise"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## The most useful sound with no pitch Noise contains every frequency at once, which makes it a raw material for other sounds. Filter it and sweep the cutoff up, and you have a riser. Shape it with a short envelope, and it becomes a snare layer or a hi-hat. Leave it steady, and it masks distractions, which is why noise tracks are popular for sleep and focus. ## Colours of noise White noise is the brightest; pink and brown noise put more energy into the low end. Producers usually reach for white noise for risers and snares and pink noise for reference mixing, since its spectrum is closer to how music is balanced. Synth-generated noise is easy to make yourself, but recorded noise sources such as tape hiss, radio static and air conditioners have character that a generator lacks. Noise recordings are rarely contested for rights, and many are CC0. Each card still shows the verdict. ## Questions **What is the difference between white, pink and brown noise?** White noise has equal energy per hertz, so it sounds bright and hissy. Pink noise falls by about 3 dB per octave, so it sounds more balanced. Brown (or red) noise falls by about 6 dB per octave and sounds like a deep rumble. **Why do producers layer noise under a snare?** A short burst of noise adds the 'snap' that a snare's wires make, and can make a thin snare sound bigger. Filter it and shape it with a short envelope so it ends with the snare. ## Related collections - [Free riser sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-riser-sound-effects.md): Free riser and uplifter sound effects for build-ups before a drop: white noise sweeps, pitch risers and tension builds, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free vinyl crackle samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vinyl-crackle.md): Free vinyl crackle, record noise and tape hiss samples for lo-fi beats and warm, worn mixes, as loops and long takes, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free glitch sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-glitch-sound-effects.md): Free glitch effects: stutters, digital errors, buffer repeats, bit-crushed bursts and data noise for electronic music, UI and video, with licences. - [Free room tone recordings](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-room-tone.md): Free room tone and quiet interior ambience: empty rooms, offices, halls and hums to fill silence in film, podcasts and music, with a licence verdict. - [Free downlifter sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-downlifter-sound-effects.md): Free downlifters and falling sweeps that release tension after a drop or lead out of a section, for EDM, trap and film edits, each with a licence verdict. - [Free impact sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-impact-sound-effects.md): Free impact and hit sound effects: cinematic booms, sub drops, braams and slams for drops, trailers and transitions, each with a preview and licence verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-white-noise-samples --- # Free whoosh and sweep sound effects > Free whooshes, swooshes and noise sweeps for transitions in music, video edits, trailers and games, as short one-shots with previews and a licence verdict. 26 samples from 3 sources (Orange Free Sounds 14, OpenGameArt 7, Strudel sample banks 5), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=whoosh&category=fx.sweep - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=whoosh&category=fx.sweep"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Sound of movement A whoosh is the sound of something passing quickly: air moved by a swinging object, or a burst of filtered noise that rises and falls. In music it fills the moment before a section changes; in video it sells a cut or a title. Most are under two seconds long and peak in the middle. ## Choosing and placing Time the loudest point of the whoosh to land exactly on the cut or downbeat, not its start. For music, a high-pass keeps it out of the bass, and a tempo-synced delay can stretch it into a transition. Recorded whooshes (sticks, cloth, ropes swung past a microphone) sound natural; synthesised noise sweeps sound cleaner and more electronic. Free sound effect libraries are full of whooshes, with licences from CC0 to non-commercial. Turn on Commercial-safe to keep only the ones you can publish. ## Questions **How do I make a whoosh sound bigger?** Layer two: a fast, bright one for the movement and a slower, darker one for weight. Pan or auto-pan the bright layer across the stereo field and add a short reverb tail. **Are whooshes useful outside music?** Very. Video editors use them for cuts, title cards and camera moves, and game developers for menus and fast motion. Check the verdict before using one in a monetised video too. ## Related collections - [Free downlifter sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-downlifter-sound-effects.md): Free downlifters and falling sweeps that release tension after a drop or lead out of a section, for EDM, trap and film edits, each with a licence verdict. - [Free riser sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-riser-sound-effects.md): Free riser and uplifter sound effects for build-ups before a drop: white noise sweeps, pitch risers and tension builds, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free transition sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-transition-sound-effects.md): Free transition effects for music and video: swells, reverse hits, sweeps and stingers that bridge two sections or shots, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free impact sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-impact-sound-effects.md): Free impact and hit sound effects: cinematic booms, sub drops, braams and slams for drops, trailers and transitions, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free glitch sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-glitch-sound-effects.md): Free glitch effects: stutters, digital errors, buffer repeats, bit-crushed bursts and data noise for electronic music, UI and video, with licences. - [Free laser and zap sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-laser-zap-sound-effects.md): Free laser, zap and blaster sound effects: retro sci-fi pews, synth zaps and glitchy shots for music, games and video, with a licence verdict on each. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-whoosh-sound-effects --- # Free city ambience > Free city ambience: street traffic, crowds, cafés, train stations, sirens and night-time cityscapes for film, games, podcasts and music, with licences. 33 samples from 4 sources (Orange Free Sounds 14, Wikimedia Commons 14, OpenGameArt 3, SoundBible 2), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=city&category=ambience - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=city&category=ambience"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## The sound of streets City ambiences capture the constant hum of urban life: traffic, footsteps, distant sirens, café chatter, trains and pedestrian crossings. They set a scene in film and games, add realism to podcasts, and give lo-fi and ambient tracks a sense of being somewhere. ## Watch for hidden rights A city recording may contain more than noise. Music playing from a shop, a radio, or a busker is a copyrighted performance that can trigger Content ID or a claim. Before you release, listen through the whole recording for music, advertising or clear speech. Field recordists publish city recordings from around the world under Creative Commons, and the BBC archive holds decades of them under personal-use terms. Each card shows the licence and its verdict, and the location when the source records it in the title. ## Questions **Can I use a city recording with people talking in it?** Background chatter where no one is identifiable is normally used freely, provided the recording's licence allows it. Avoid recordings where a person can be clearly heard and identified, or where music or a broadcast plays in the background. **How do I make a city ambience sound further away?** Cut the high frequencies, lower the level and add a longer reverb. Distance mostly removes detail, so a low-pass around 4 to 6 kHz goes a long way. ## Related collections - [Free forest ambience](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-forest-ambience.md): Free forest ambience: birdsong at dawn, wind in trees, insects at night and rainforest soundscapes for music, film, games and relaxation, with licences. - [Free room tone recordings](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-room-tone.md): Free room tone and quiet interior ambience: empty rooms, offices, halls and hums to fill silence in film, podcasts and music, with a licence verdict. - [Free footstep sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-footstep-sounds.md): Free footstep sounds on wood, gravel, snow, concrete and grass, walking and running, for film, games and textured beats, each with a commercial-use verdict. - [Free rain ambience sounds](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-rain-ambience.md): Free rain ambience and storm recordings: light rain, downpours, rain on windows and thunder, as long field recordings with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free door sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-door-sound-effects.md): Free door sounds: creaks, slams, knocks, locks, handles and sliding doors, wooden and metal, for film, games and podcasts, with a licence verdict. - [Free glass sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-glass-sound-effects.md): Free glass sounds: breaking windows, shattering bottles, clinks, chimes and glass hits for film, games and percussion layers, with a licence verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-city-ambience --- # Free door sound effects > Free door sounds: creaks, slams, knocks, locks, handles and sliding doors, wooden and metal, for film, games and podcasts, with a licence verdict. 36 samples from 5 sources (Openverse 8, Wikimedia Commons 8, OpenGameArt 7, SoundBible 7, Orange Free Sounds 6), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=door&category=foley - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=door&category=foley"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## More than open and close A door says a lot about a scene. A creaking wooden door suggests an old house; a pneumatic hiss, a spaceship; a car door, a street. Door effects are some of the most-used foley sounds, and free libraries hold many variants: knocks, handle turns, locks and keys, slams, creaks, sliding and revolving doors. ## Matching the space Doors carry the sound of the room they are in, so pick a recording whose space fits your scene, or a dry one you can place with your own reverb. Separate the parts of a door sound, handle, swing and latch, and you can retime them to match a picture exactly. Producers also sample doors for percussion: a slam makes a convincing kick or snare layer, and creaks become eerie drones when stretched. Every card shows whether the recording is cleared for that. ## Questions **How do I make a door slam sound heavier?** Layer the slam with a low impact or a kick drum pitched down, and add a short room reverb. Cutting the high frequencies slightly makes it sound like a thicker, heavier door. **Why do door recordings sound different from what I expect?** Doors recorded close up pick up mechanical details, like latches and hinges, that we don't notice in life. Sound designers often combine a close recording with a distant one to get both detail and space. ## Related collections - [Free footstep sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-footstep-sounds.md): Free footstep sounds on wood, gravel, snow, concrete and grass, walking and running, for film, games and textured beats, each with a commercial-use verdict. - [Free glass sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-glass-sound-effects.md): Free glass sounds: breaking windows, shattering bottles, clinks, chimes and glass hits for film, games and percussion layers, with a licence verdict. - [Free room tone recordings](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-room-tone.md): Free room tone and quiet interior ambience: empty rooms, offices, halls and hums to fill silence in film, podcasts and music, with a licence verdict. - [Free impact sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-impact-sound-effects.md): Free impact and hit sound effects: cinematic booms, sub drops, braams and slams for drops, trailers and transitions, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free city ambience](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-city-ambience.md): Free city ambience: street traffic, crowds, cafés, train stations, sirens and night-time cityscapes for film, games, podcasts and music, with licences. - [Free forest ambience](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-forest-ambience.md): Free forest ambience: birdsong at dawn, wind in trees, insects at night and rainforest soundscapes for music, film, games and relaxation, with licences. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-door-sound-effects --- # Free footstep sound effects > Free footstep sounds on wood, gravel, snow, concrete and grass, walking and running, for film, games and textured beats, each with a commercial-use verdict. 28 samples from 4 sources (Orange Free Sounds 14, OpenGameArt 9, SoundBible 3, Wikimedia Commons 2), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=footsteps&category=foley - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=footsteps&category=foley"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Steps on every surface Footsteps are the most-requested foley sound in film and games because they are everywhere and hard to record cleanly on set. A useful library covers several surfaces, such as wood, concrete, gravel, grass, snow and metal, and several paces, from a slow walk to a sprint, ideally with each step separable. ## Recording quality to listen for Good footstep recordings are close and dry, with little room sound, so they can be placed into any scene. Listen for consistent spacing in a walking loop and for the shoe: heels, trainers and boots sound very different. For games, longer takes with many distinct steps are worth more than a short perfect loop. Foley recordists often release their work under CC0 or CC BY on Freesound and Wikimedia Commons, and many game audio packs, such as Kenney's, are CC0. The verdict on each card tells you what applies. ## Questions **How do game developers use footstep samples?** They split a recording into single steps and play a random one for each step, often with slight pitch and volume changes, so walking never repeats. Separate sets per surface switch automatically as the character moves. **Can footsteps work in music?** Yes, as a rhythmic layer. Producers use steps as hi-hat or percussion replacements, or under a beat for a sense of place. Filter out the low thuds if they clash with the kick. ## Related collections - [Free door sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-door-sound-effects.md): Free door sounds: creaks, slams, knocks, locks, handles and sliding doors, wooden and metal, for film, games and podcasts, with a licence verdict. - [Free room tone recordings](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-room-tone.md): Free room tone and quiet interior ambience: empty rooms, offices, halls and hums to fill silence in film, podcasts and music, with a licence verdict. - [Free city ambience](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-city-ambience.md): Free city ambience: street traffic, crowds, cafés, train stations, sirens and night-time cityscapes for film, games, podcasts and music, with licences. - [Free paper sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-paper-sound-effects.md): Free paper sounds: page turns, crumpling, tearing, folding and writing, for foley, ASMR, podcasts and crisp percussion in beats, each with a licence verdict. - [Free forest ambience](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-forest-ambience.md): Free forest ambience: birdsong at dawn, wind in trees, insects at night and rainforest soundscapes for music, film, games and relaxation, with licences. - [Free glass sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-glass-sound-effects.md): Free glass sounds: breaking windows, shattering bottles, clinks, chimes and glass hits for film, games and percussion layers, with a licence verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-footstep-sounds --- # Free forest ambience > Free forest ambience: birdsong at dawn, wind in trees, insects at night and rainforest soundscapes for music, film, games and relaxation, with licences. 29 samples from 3 sources (Orange Free Sounds 14, Wikimedia Commons 12, OpenGameArt 3), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=forest&category=ambience - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=forest&category=ambience"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## A place in sound A forest ambience is a recording of a place: birds overhead, leaves in the wind, a distant stream, insects after dark. It turns an ambient track into a landscape, gives a game level its mood, and is one of the most-played kinds of relaxation audio. Recordings differ a lot by region and time of day, so listen to several before you choose. ## What makes a good one Look for long, continuous takes without voices, planes or traffic, which are surprisingly hard to avoid. Stereo or binaural recordings give a strong sense of space. If a bird call stands out, the ear will notice it repeat, so loop long sections or crossfade several recordings. Nature recordists publish a lot of forest audio under Creative Commons, and archives such as the BBC Natural History Unit's offer professional recordings with personal-use terms. The verdict on each card separates the two. ## Questions **How do I use a forest ambience in a track?** Keep it low, as a bed under the music, or feature it in the intro and breakdown. A high-pass removes wind rumble, and a slow fade-in makes it feel like the listener is walking in. **Why are BBC forest recordings marked non-commercial?** The BBC Sound Effects archive is licensed under its RemArc terms for personal, educational and research use. A commercial release needs a separate licence, so Sound Server marks those recordings as not cleared. ## Related collections - [Free rain ambience sounds](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-rain-ambience.md): Free rain ambience and storm recordings: light rain, downpours, rain on windows and thunder, as long field recordings with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free water sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-water-sound-effects.md): Free water sounds: drips, splashes, pouring, bubbles, streams and waves for foley, ambient music and games, as one-shots and loops with licences. - [Free city ambience](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-city-ambience.md): Free city ambience: street traffic, crowds, cafés, train stations, sirens and night-time cityscapes for film, games, podcasts and music, with licences. - [Free room tone recordings](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-room-tone.md): Free room tone and quiet interior ambience: empty rooms, offices, halls and hums to fill silence in film, podcasts and music, with a licence verdict. - [Free door sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-door-sound-effects.md): Free door sounds: creaks, slams, knocks, locks, handles and sliding doors, wooden and metal, for film, games and podcasts, with a licence verdict. - [Free footstep sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-footstep-sounds.md): Free footstep sounds on wood, gravel, snow, concrete and grass, walking and running, for film, games and textured beats, each with a commercial-use verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-forest-ambience --- # Free glass sound effects > Free glass sounds: breaking windows, shattering bottles, clinks, chimes and glass hits for film, games and percussion layers, with a licence verdict. 36 samples from 4 sources (Orange Free Sounds 13, Wikimedia Commons 13, SoundBible 7, OpenGameArt 3), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=glass&category=foley - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=glass&category=foley"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## From clinks to crashes Glass covers a wide range: the gentle clink of two wine glasses, a bottle set on a table, a window breaking, a pane shattering on concrete. Short clinks and taps are pitched and bell-like; breaks are noisy, bright and full of tiny falling pieces that make them sound real. ## Using glass in a mix Breaking glass is very bright, so it can sound harsh at full volume. Roll off a little above 10 kHz and put the weight in a separate low impact layer. For film, match the size of the break to the object: a bottle and a shop window need very different tails. In music, glass clinks make delicate percussion and sparkly textures, especially in ambient and lo-fi. Recordings from foley artists on Freesound and Wikimedia Commons are often CC0 or CC BY; each card says which, with the credit line when one is needed. ## Questions **How are glass breaking sounds recorded safely?** Usually with sugar glass or tempered panes, protective gear and microphones placed at a distance. Many libraries also build breaks from layers: an impact, the crack, and falling debris recorded separately. **Can glass sounds be used as percussion?** Yes. Clinks and taps on glasses or bottles make bright, pitched percussion, and a shatter can replace a crash cymbal. Tune clinks to your key with pitch-shifting. ## Related collections - [Free door sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-door-sound-effects.md): Free door sounds: creaks, slams, knocks, locks, handles and sliding doors, wooden and metal, for film, games and podcasts, with a licence verdict. - [Free water sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-water-sound-effects.md): Free water sounds: drips, splashes, pouring, bubbles, streams and waves for foley, ambient music and games, as one-shots and loops with licences. - [Free paper sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-paper-sound-effects.md): Free paper sounds: page turns, crumpling, tearing, folding and writing, for foley, ASMR, podcasts and crisp percussion in beats, each with a licence verdict. - [Free impact sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-impact-sound-effects.md): Free impact and hit sound effects: cinematic booms, sub drops, braams and slams for drops, trailers and transitions, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free city ambience](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-city-ambience.md): Free city ambience: street traffic, crowds, cafés, train stations, sirens and night-time cityscapes for film, games, podcasts and music, with licences. - [Free footstep sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-footstep-sounds.md): Free footstep sounds on wood, gravel, snow, concrete and grass, walking and running, for film, games and textured beats, each with a commercial-use verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-glass-sound-effects --- # Free paper sound effects > Free paper sounds: page turns, crumpling, tearing, folding and writing, for foley, ASMR, podcasts and crisp percussion in beats, each with a licence verdict. 36 samples from 5 sources (Wikimedia Commons 13, Openverse 12, Orange Free Sounds 5, SoundBible 4, OpenGameArt 2), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=paper&category=foley - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=paper&category=foley"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Small sounds, big detail Paper is quiet, but close up it is rich in texture: a page turning, a sheet crumpling into a ball, a tear, a pen scratching. Film and game sound designers use these to make on-screen actions believable, podcast producers to add life to a scene, and ASMR creators for the sounds themselves. ## Using paper sounds Because they are recorded close and quiet, paper recordings often carry room noise and handling sounds. A gentle noise reduction or gate cleans them up. In music, try them as replacements for hi-hats and shakers, or layer a crumple with a snare for grit. Paper foley is a favourite of hobbyist recordists, so the free libraries have plenty, often CC0. Each card shows the licence verdict. ## Questions **Why do producers use paper sounds in beats?** A crumple or tear has a crisp, noisy attack similar to a snare or shaker, but with an organic texture. Short paper sounds make good percussion layers in lo-fi, trip hop and minimal music. **How do I record my own paper foley?** In a quiet, soft-furnished room, with the microphone close. Different papers sound very different: newspaper is soft, printer paper is crisp, and card is stiff and thuddy. ## Related collections - [Free footstep sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-footstep-sounds.md): Free footstep sounds on wood, gravel, snow, concrete and grass, walking and running, for film, games and textured beats, each with a commercial-use verdict. - [Free glass sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-glass-sound-effects.md): Free glass sounds: breaking windows, shattering bottles, clinks, chimes and glass hits for film, games and percussion layers, with a licence verdict. - [Free room tone recordings](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-room-tone.md): Free room tone and quiet interior ambience: empty rooms, offices, halls and hums to fill silence in film, podcasts and music, with a licence verdict. - [Free shaker samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-shaker-samples.md): Free shaker one-shots and loops: egg shakers, maracas, cabasas and rattles that add movement to house, pop and Latin beats, each with a commercial-use verdict. - [Free city ambience](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-city-ambience.md): Free city ambience: street traffic, crowds, cafés, train stations, sirens and night-time cityscapes for film, games, podcasts and music, with licences. - [Free door sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-door-sound-effects.md): Free door sounds: creaks, slams, knocks, locks, handles and sliding doors, wooden and metal, for film, games and podcasts, with a licence verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-paper-sound-effects --- # Free rain ambience sounds > Free rain ambience and storm recordings: light rain, downpours, rain on windows and thunder, as long field recordings with a preview and licence verdict. 36 samples from 4 sources (Openverse 11, OpenGameArt 10, Orange Free Sounds 10, SoundBible 5), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=rain&category=ambience - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=rain&category=ambience"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Rain in music Rain is the most used ambience in lo-fi and chill music, and it works well under intros, outros and spoken word. A steady, mid-intensity rain fills space without stealing attention; a downpour or thunder makes a statement. Field recordings capture the space they were made in, so rain on a tin roof, a car windscreen or leaves each sound distinct. Keep ambience low and filter the extremes: roll off some low end to avoid rumble and some top end if it competes with hi-hats. Stereo recordings give width that a mono loop can't. ## Sources Most free rain recordings come from field recordists on Freesound and Wikimedia Commons, many under CC0 or CC BY. Broadcaster archives also have rain, but often under non-commercial terms, which the badge marks in red. ## Questions **How do I loop a rain recording without a click?** Pick a section of a few seconds where nothing stands out, crossfade the end into the start over half a second or so, and avoid loops that contain a distinctive drip or thunderclap, because the ear notices those repeating. **Can I use these in a video or podcast?** The licence decides. CC0 and CC BY recordings work in videos and podcasts (with a credit for CC BY). NC recordings can't go into a monetised video, and some broadcaster archives are personal use only, shown with a red badge. ## Related collections - [Free vinyl crackle samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vinyl-crackle.md): Free vinyl crackle, record noise and tape hiss samples for lo-fi beats and warm, worn mixes, as loops and long takes, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free piano samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-piano-samples.md): Free piano samples: single notes from grand and upright pianos for building an instrument, plus chords and loops, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free impact sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-impact-sound-effects.md): Free impact and hit sound effects: cinematic booms, sub drops, braams and slams for drops, trailers and transitions, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free city ambience](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-city-ambience.md): Free city ambience: street traffic, crowds, cafés, train stations, sirens and night-time cityscapes for film, games, podcasts and music, with licences. - [Free door sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-door-sound-effects.md): Free door sounds: creaks, slams, knocks, locks, handles and sliding doors, wooden and metal, for film, games and podcasts, with a licence verdict. - [Free footstep sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-footstep-sounds.md): Free footstep sounds on wood, gravel, snow, concrete and grass, walking and running, for film, games and textured beats, each with a commercial-use verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-rain-ambience --- # Free room tone recordings > Free room tone and quiet interior ambience: empty rooms, offices, halls and hums to fill silence in film, podcasts and music, with a licence verdict. 14 samples from 1 sources (Openverse 14), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=room+tone&category=ambience - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=room+tone&category=ambience"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## The sound of an empty room Every room has a sound even when nobody is talking: air conditioning, the hum of lights, distant traffic through a window, the acoustics of the walls. That background is called room tone. Recording engineers capture a minute of it on every set so editors can patch gaps, and sound designers use it to place a scene. ## Choosing one Match the size and character of the room: a small carpeted office, a tiled kitchen and a concert hall each sound different. Steady tones without clicks, voices or passing cars are the most useful, since they can be looped for as long as you need. Keep the level very low, just above silence. Room tones are rarely contested for rights and many are released as CC0. Each card shows the licence and the credit line when one is required. ## Questions **Why does a film or podcast need room tone?** Total silence between lines sounds like a mistake. Editors fill gaps with the quiet background of the room the dialogue was recorded in, so cuts are seamless. When you lack your own, a similar room tone is the next best thing. **Is room tone useful in music?** Yes. A faint room tone under an electronic track makes it feel recorded rather than generated, and a hum or air-conditioning drone can become a pad when pitched and filtered. ## Related collections - [Free city ambience](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-city-ambience.md): Free city ambience: street traffic, crowds, cafés, train stations, sirens and night-time cityscapes for film, games, podcasts and music, with licences. - [Free white noise samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-white-noise-samples.md): Free white, pink and brown noise samples and noise sweeps for risers, snare layers, transitions and sleep or focus sounds, each with a commercial-use verdict. - [Free footstep sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-footstep-sounds.md): Free footstep sounds on wood, gravel, snow, concrete and grass, walking and running, for film, games and textured beats, each with a commercial-use verdict. - [Free forest ambience](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-forest-ambience.md): Free forest ambience: birdsong at dawn, wind in trees, insects at night and rainforest soundscapes for music, film, games and relaxation, with licences. - [Free door sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-door-sound-effects.md): Free door sounds: creaks, slams, knocks, locks, handles and sliding doors, wooden and metal, for film, games and podcasts, with a licence verdict. - [Free glass sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-glass-sound-effects.md): Free glass sounds: breaking windows, shattering bottles, clinks, chimes and glass hits for film, games and percussion layers, with a licence verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-room-tone --- # Free water sound effects > Free water sounds: drips, splashes, pouring, bubbles, streams and waves for foley, ambient music and games, as one-shots and loops with licences. 36 samples from 4 sources (Wikimedia Commons 11, OpenGameArt 10, Orange Free Sounds 10, SoundBible 5), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=water&category=foley%2Cambience - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=water&category=foley%2Cambience"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Drips to oceans Water is one of the most versatile sound sources. Close up, drips and bubbles are pitched and percussive; a little further away, pouring and splashing work as foley; at a distance, streams and waves become ambience. Producers use water for texture under ambient tracks, sound designers for scenes and games, and many people for relaxation. ## Choosing a recording For foley, pick dry, close recordings with one clear action. For ambience, look for long, steady recordings without voices or traffic. Waves and rivers contain a lot of low end that can muddy a mix, so a high-pass around 80 to 150 Hz is common. Nature recordists share a lot of water on Freesound, Wikimedia Commons and the BBC Sound Effects archive. The BBC recordings are for personal, educational and research use only, so they carry a red verdict for releases; the others say on each card what you may do. ## Questions **How do I make a water drop sound musical?** Water drops have a natural pitch. Pick a clean one, tune it to your key, and play it from a sampler as a melodic percussion instrument. A little reverb makes it sound like it's falling into a cave. **Can I loop a stream recording?** Yes. Find two points with similar movement, crossfade over half a second or more, and avoid any distinctive splash near the loop point, or listeners will notice it repeating. ## Related collections - [Free rain ambience sounds](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-rain-ambience.md): Free rain ambience and storm recordings: light rain, downpours, rain on windows and thunder, as long field recordings with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free forest ambience](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-forest-ambience.md): Free forest ambience: birdsong at dawn, wind in trees, insects at night and rainforest soundscapes for music, film, games and relaxation, with licences. - [Free glass sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-glass-sound-effects.md): Free glass sounds: breaking windows, shattering bottles, clinks, chimes and glass hits for film, games and percussion layers, with a licence verdict. - [Free room tone recordings](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-room-tone.md): Free room tone and quiet interior ambience: empty rooms, offices, halls and hums to fill silence in film, podcasts and music, with a licence verdict. - [Free city ambience](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-city-ambience.md): Free city ambience: street traffic, crowds, cafés, train stations, sirens and night-time cityscapes for film, games, podcasts and music, with licences. - [Free door sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-door-sound-effects.md): Free door sounds: creaks, slams, knocks, locks, handles and sliding doors, wooden and metal, for film, games and podcasts, with a licence verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-water-sound-effects --- # Free brass samples > Free brass samples: trumpet, trombone, French horn and tuba notes, stabs and section hits for funk, film and hip hop, with a licence verdict on each. 28 samples from 2 sources (Strudel sample banks 14, Wikimedia Commons 14), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=brass&category=brass - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=brass&category=brass"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Power and punch Brass instruments make sound from buzzing lips in a metal tube, which gives them a bright, powerful tone that cuts through any mix. Trumpets carry melodies and stabs, trombones add weight and slides, French horns give the warm, heroic sound of film scores, and tubas anchor the bottom. Free libraries include solo notes for all of them and some ensemble hits. ## Two ways to use them For orchestral and cinematic music, use multisampled instruments and write lines that respect each instrument's range and the need to breathe. For pop, funk and hip hop, short stabs and swells are often enough: pitch one to your key and play it as a hook. Classic brass stabs lifted from records are not free to use, however common they are. The recordings here come from libraries and players who licensed them, and each card shows the verdict. ## Questions **What is a brass stab?** A short, loud chord played by a brass section, often with a fall-off at the end. Funk, disco, house and hip hop use stabs as hooks and accents, and many are sampled from or modelled on classic records. **How do I make sampled brass sound less robotic?** Brass players breathe and articulate: vary attack and length, add slight pitch scoops on some notes, and leave space between phrases. Layering a solo instrument with a section adds realism. ## Related collections - [Free string samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-string-samples.md): Free string samples: violin, viola, cello and double bass notes, ensemble sustains, pizzicato and staccato for orchestral and pop tracks, with licences. - [Free flute samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-flute-samples.md): Free flute samples: concert flute, piccolo, pan flute, recorder and world flutes as notes, phrases and loops for hip hop, ambient and film, with licences. - [Free impact sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-impact-sound-effects.md): Free impact and hit sound effects: cinematic booms, sub drops, braams and slams for drops, trailers and transitions, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free vocal shouts and ad-libs](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vocal-shouts.md): Free vocal shouts, chants, hype phrases and ad-libs for drops, hooks and transitions in dance and hip hop, each with a preview and a commercial-use verdict. - [Free guitar samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-guitar-samples.md): Free guitar samples: acoustic and electric notes, chords, strums, harmonics and fret noises for producers who don't play, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free marimba and mallet samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-marimba-samples.md): Free marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, glockenspiel and kalimba samples, as notes and loops for pop, house, ambient and game music, with licence verdicts. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-brass-samples --- # Free flute samples > Free flute samples: concert flute, piccolo, pan flute, recorder and world flutes as notes, phrases and loops for hip hop, ambient and film, with licences. 26 samples from 2 sources (Wikimedia Commons 14, Openverse 12), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=flute&category=woodwind - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=flute&category=woodwind"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Air made musical A flute makes sound from air blown across an opening, which gives it a soft, breathy tone that ranges from pure and sweet to husky and percussive. Free samples cover the orchestral concert flute and piccolo, recorders, pan flutes and flutes from many traditions, as single notes for a sampler or as played phrases and loops. ## Using flute samples Single notes are best mapped across a sampler for your own melodies; keep within the instrument's natural range, roughly from middle C up three octaves for a concert flute. Played phrases and loops give you real breathing and articulation, which is hard to program. Add delay and reverb generously: flutes sound best with space around them. Orchestral sample projects publish flute multisamples under CC0 and other open licences, while community loops vary. Each card shows the verdict for a release. ## Questions **Why are flute loops so popular in trap?** Breathy flute melodies over heavy 808s became a trademark sound of trap in the late 2010s. The contrast between a soft, airy lead and hard drums is what makes it work. **How do I keep breath noise from getting harsh?** Breath lives in the upper frequencies. A gentle dip around 6 to 10 kHz or a de-esser softens it without dulling the tone, and a short reverb blends it in. ## Related collections - [Free string samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-string-samples.md): Free string samples: violin, viola, cello and double bass notes, ensemble sustains, pizzicato and staccato for orchestral and pop tracks, with licences. - [Free brass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-brass-samples.md): Free brass samples: trumpet, trombone, French horn and tuba notes, stabs and section hits for funk, film and hip hop, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free marimba and mallet samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-marimba-samples.md): Free marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, glockenspiel and kalimba samples, as notes and loops for pop, house, ambient and game music, with licence verdicts. - [Free choir samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-choir-samples.md): Free choir samples: sustained choral notes, chants, ahh and ooh pads and real choirs for cinematic, ambient and gospel-tinged tracks, with licences. - [Free guitar samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-guitar-samples.md): Free guitar samples: acoustic and electric notes, chords, strums, harmonics and fret noises for producers who don't play, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free piano samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-piano-samples.md): Free piano samples: single notes from grand and upright pianos for building an instrument, plus chords and loops, each with a preview and licence verdict. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-flute-samples --- # Free guitar samples > Free guitar samples: acoustic and electric notes, chords, strums, harmonics and fret noises for producers who don't play, with a licence verdict on each. 36 samples from 3 sources (Wikimedia Commons 13, Openverse 12, Strudel sample banks 11), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=guitar&category=guitar&form=one-shot - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=guitar&category=guitar&form=one-shot"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## One instrument, many sounds A guitar can be plucked or strummed, clean or distorted, acoustic or electric, nylon or steel. Free guitar samples cover single notes, full chords, harmonics, muted chugs and the small noises between notes that make a part sound human. Multisampled guitars from projects such as the Versilian Community Sample Library and other free libraries let you play a guitar from a keyboard. ## Making samples sound played Guitarists rarely hit every string at once, so stagger the notes of a chord by a few milliseconds, faster for a hard strum, slower for a gentle one. Alternate up and down strums with slightly different velocities. Most guitar samples have their root note in the title or on the card; tune them against your track before you map them. For ready-made performances, see the guitar loops collection. For each sample here, the verdict says whether it can go in a release. ## Questions **Can I build a playable guitar from one-shots?** A basic one, yes: map single notes across a sampler and use slight timing and velocity variation for strums. Real strummed chords and slides are hard to fake, so chord samples and loops often sound more natural. **What are fret and finger noises good for?** Adding realism. A slide squeak or a string release between chords makes a programmed guitar part sound played. Keep them quiet and place them just before the next note. ## Related collections - [Free guitar loops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-guitar-loops.md): Free guitar loops: clean electric riffs, acoustic strums, funk licks and ambient textures with BPM and key where known, each with a commercial-use verdict. - [Free piano samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-piano-samples.md): Free piano samples: single notes from grand and upright pianos for building an instrument, plus chords and loops, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free string samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-string-samples.md): Free string samples: violin, viola, cello and double bass notes, ensemble sustains, pizzicato and staccato for orchestral and pop tracks, with licences. - [Free Rhodes and electric piano samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-rhodes-electric-piano-samples.md): Free Rhodes, Wurlitzer and electric piano samples: notes, chords and loops for neo-soul, lo-fi, jazz and R&B, with root notes and a licence verdict. - [Free brass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-brass-samples.md): Free brass samples: trumpet, trombone, French horn and tuba notes, stabs and section hits for funk, film and hip hop, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free flute samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-flute-samples.md): Free flute samples: concert flute, piccolo, pan flute, recorder and world flutes as notes, phrases and loops for hip hop, ambient and film, with licences. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-guitar-samples --- # Free marimba and mallet samples > Free marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, glockenspiel and kalimba samples, as notes and loops for pop, house, ambient and game music, with licence verdicts. 24 samples from 2 sources (Wikimedia Commons 14, Strudel sample banks 10), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=marimba&category=mallets - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=marimba&category=mallets"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Tuned percussion Mallet instruments are struck with sticks or soft mallets: marimba and xylophone with wooden bars, vibraphone and glockenspiel with metal ones, plus the hand-plucked kalimba. Their sounds are pitched and percussive, with a clear attack and a natural decay, which makes them work both as melody and rhythm. ## Getting a playable instrument Because each bar is a separate note, mallet instruments are easy to multisample, and several free orchestral and percussion libraries include them. Map the notes across a sampler, with two or three velocity layers if available; soft and hard strikes sound quite different. Repeated notes sound more natural if you alternate between two samples of the same pitch. Tropical house, pop, ambient and game soundtracks use mallets constantly. Licences on the free libraries are often open, and each card shows the verdict. ## Questions **What is the difference between a marimba and a xylophone?** Both have wooden bars, but a marimba is larger and lower, with resonator tubes that give it a warm, round tone. A xylophone is higher and brighter, with a short, dry sound. A vibraphone has metal bars and a motor-driven vibrato. **Why do so many phone ringtones use marimba?** A marimba's clear attack and quick decay are easy to hear on small speakers and don't feel harsh. The same qualities make it a favourite for pluck-like melodies in pop and house. ## Related collections - [Free flute samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-flute-samples.md): Free flute samples: concert flute, piccolo, pan flute, recorder and world flutes as notes, phrases and loops for hip hop, ambient and film, with licences. - [Free synth pluck samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-synth-pluck-samples.md): Free synth pluck samples: short, bright plucked synth notes for house, trance, future bass and pop melodies, with root notes and a licence verdict. - [Free piano samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-piano-samples.md): Free piano samples: single notes from grand and upright pianos for building an instrument, plus chords and loops, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free percussion samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-percussion-samples.md): Free percussion one-shots and hits: congas, bongos, cowbells, tambourines, woodblocks and more, for Latin, afro, house and hip hop, with licence verdicts. - [Free brass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-brass-samples.md): Free brass samples: trumpet, trombone, French horn and tuba notes, stabs and section hits for funk, film and hip hop, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free guitar samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-guitar-samples.md): Free guitar samples: acoustic and electric notes, chords, strums, harmonics and fret noises for producers who don't play, with a licence verdict on each. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-marimba-samples --- # Free piano samples > Free piano samples: single notes from grand and upright pianos for building an instrument, plus chords and loops, each with a preview and licence verdict. 36 samples from 4 sources (Openverse 14, Orange Free Sounds 14, Strudel sample banks 4, Wikimedia Commons 4), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=piano&category=keys - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=piano&category=keys"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## One-shots, chords and loops Piano samples come in three shapes. Single notes are the building blocks of a sampled instrument and are usually named by pitch, such as C4. Chords and stabs are ready to drop into a beat. Loops and phrases are complete musical ideas, often with a tempo and key. University and orchestra libraries recorded every note of a concert grand at several dynamics and released them for free use. Those are ideal if you want to build your own instrument. For beats, a chord stab or a short loop gets you started faster. ## Before you release Note-by-note recordings from public institutions are often public domain or CC BY. Loops on community sites vary widely. The badge on each card tells you if it is cleared for a release and if you need to credit the recordist. ## Questions **How do I turn single piano notes into a playable instrument?** Load each note into a sampler zone at its root note, and let the sampler stretch it across the keys in between. More notes per octave sound more natural. Some sources offer a whole multisampled piano, which comes ready to map. **Why do some piano samples have noise or room sound?** They were recorded with microphones in a real room, sometimes in a concert hall. That space is part of the character. University and orchestra collections are often very clean; home recordings can carry pedal noise and hiss. ## Related collections - [Free acapellas](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-acapellas.md): Free a cappella vocals for remixes and new tracks, mostly from Creative Commons remix communities, with tempo and key where known and a licence verdict on each. - [Free vinyl crackle samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vinyl-crackle.md): Free vinyl crackle, record noise and tape hiss samples for lo-fi beats and warm, worn mixes, as loops and long takes, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free rain ambience sounds](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-rain-ambience.md): Free rain ambience and storm recordings: light rain, downpours, rain on windows and thunder, as long field recordings with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free brass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-brass-samples.md): Free brass samples: trumpet, trombone, French horn and tuba notes, stabs and section hits for funk, film and hip hop, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free flute samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-flute-samples.md): Free flute samples: concert flute, piccolo, pan flute, recorder and world flutes as notes, phrases and loops for hip hop, ambient and film, with licences. - [Free guitar samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-guitar-samples.md): Free guitar samples: acoustic and electric notes, chords, strums, harmonics and fret noises for producers who don't play, with a licence verdict on each. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-piano-samples --- # Free Rhodes and electric piano samples > Free Rhodes, Wurlitzer and electric piano samples: notes, chords and loops for neo-soul, lo-fi, jazz and R&B, with root notes and a licence verdict. 28 samples from 3 sources (Openverse 14, Wikimedia Commons 13, Orange Free Sounds 1), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=electric+piano&category=keys - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=electric+piano&category=keys"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## The sound of soul and lo-fi Electric pianos were built as portable, amplified alternatives to the acoustic piano, and ended up with a sound of their own. The Rhodes is the warm, chiming keyboard of 1970s jazz fusion, soul and R&B, and of today's neo-soul and lo-fi hip hop. The Wurlitzer has a reedier, edgier tone heard in pop, rock and soul. Both respond strongly to how hard they are played. ## Using electric piano samples Single-note samples are most useful as a multisampled instrument: several notes and velocities mapped in a sampler, so you can play your own chords. Chord one-shots and loops are quicker for sketching. A Rhodes almost always sounds better with some movement, so add a tremolo or chorus, and a touch of saturation for the overdriven bark. Some free electric piano sets come from vintage-instrument sample sites; others are community recordings with mixed licences. The verdict on each card tells you which are cleared for a release. ## Questions **How does a Rhodes make its sound?** A hammer strikes a thin metal tine next to a tuned bar, and an electromagnetic pickup, like a guitar's, turns the vibration into a signal. Played softly it is warm and round; played hard the tines bark and bite. **What is the difference between a Rhodes and a Wurlitzer?** A Wurlitzer uses metal reeds rather than tines, which gives it a reedier, more nasal tone that breaks up into grit when played hard. A Rhodes is rounder and more bell-like. ## Related collections - [Free piano samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-piano-samples.md): Free piano samples: single notes from grand and upright pianos for building an instrument, plus chords and loops, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free lo-fi loops](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-lofi-loops.md): Free lo-fi hip hop loops: dusty keys, jazzy guitar, mellow drums and tape-warped textures with BPM and key where known, and a licence verdict on every loop. - [Free synth pad samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-synth-pad-samples.md): Free synth pad samples: warm analogue pads, evolving textures and ambient chords for ambient, synthwave, trap and cinematic tracks, with licences. - [Free vinyl crackle samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vinyl-crackle.md): Free vinyl crackle, record noise and tape hiss samples for lo-fi beats and warm, worn mixes, as loops and long takes, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free brass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-brass-samples.md): Free brass samples: trumpet, trombone, French horn and tuba notes, stabs and section hits for funk, film and hip hop, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free flute samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-flute-samples.md): Free flute samples: concert flute, piccolo, pan flute, recorder and world flutes as notes, phrases and loops for hip hop, ambient and film, with licences. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-rhodes-electric-piano-samples --- # Free string samples > Free string samples: violin, viola, cello and double bass notes, ensemble sustains, pizzicato and staccato for orchestral and pop tracks, with licences. 28 samples from 2 sources (Strudel sample banks 14, Wikimedia Commons 14), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=strings&category=strings - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=strings&category=strings"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Solo instruments and sections String samples come as solo instruments, violin, viola, cello and double bass, or as sections playing together. Each can be played with different techniques: sustained bowing (arco), short strokes (staccato or spiccato), plucked (pizzicato), tremolo and harmonics. A complete free orchestral library may include several of these for every instrument. ## Building a believable part Write as if for real players: violins on the melody, violas and cellos on harmony, basses doubling the cellos an octave down. Keep each line within the instrument's range. Most free multisamples are recorded dry or with a little room, so add a hall reverb to the whole section rather than to each instrument. Orchestral sample projects often release their work as CC0 or under permissive licences, which makes strings one of the safest categories for commercial use. The verdict on each card confirms it. ## Questions **Where do free orchestral string samples come from?** Mostly from open sample library projects and institutions, such as the CC0 Versilian Community Sample Library, VSCO 2 Community Edition and university instrument archives, which recorded each note of each instrument for others to use. **Why do my string samples sound fake?** Real strings change over time: notes swell, players vary their bowing, and lines connect with legato. Use expression (CC11) or volume automation, vary attack times, and overlap notes slightly for smoother lines. ## Related collections - [Free choir samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-choir-samples.md): Free choir samples: sustained choral notes, chants, ahh and ooh pads and real choirs for cinematic, ambient and gospel-tinged tracks, with licences. - [Free brass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-brass-samples.md): Free brass samples: trumpet, trombone, French horn and tuba notes, stabs and section hits for funk, film and hip hop, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free flute samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-flute-samples.md): Free flute samples: concert flute, piccolo, pan flute, recorder and world flutes as notes, phrases and loops for hip hop, ambient and film, with licences. - [Free piano samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-piano-samples.md): Free piano samples: single notes from grand and upright pianos for building an instrument, plus chords and loops, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free guitar samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-guitar-samples.md): Free guitar samples: acoustic and electric notes, chords, strums, harmonics and fret noises for producers who don't play, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free marimba and mallet samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-marimba-samples.md): Free marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, glockenspiel and kalimba samples, as notes and loops for pop, house, ambient and game music, with licence verdicts. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-string-samples --- # Free synth pad samples > Free synth pad samples: warm analogue pads, evolving textures and ambient chords for ambient, synthwave, trap and cinematic tracks, with licences. 36 samples from 4 sources (Strudel sample banks 13, Wikimedia Commons 13, Orange Free Sounds 6, OpenGameArt 4), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=pad&category=synth.pad - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=pad&category=synth.pad"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Sound that fills the space A pad is a soft, sustained sound that sits behind everything else: a slow-attack synth chord, a shimmering texture or an evolving drone. Pads glue an arrangement together, carry harmony quietly, and set the mood of ambient, synthwave, trap and film music. ## Single notes, chords and textures Free pad samples come in three forms. Single notes can be mapped to a sampler and played as any chord. Recorded chords are instant but fixed. Textures and drones have no clear pitch and work as atmosphere. Check the root note on the card for the first two. Pads benefit from movement: a slow filter sweep, a gentle chorus or a sidechain pump to the kick keeps them alive. Long samples also hide clicks at loop points, so set crossfades if you loop them. Each card shows the licence verdict before you build a track around one. ## Questions **How do I keep a pad from muddying the mix?** High-pass it well above the bass, often at 150 to 300 Hz, and leave space in the midrange for vocals or leads. Pads are a background element: turn them down until you only notice them when they stop. **Can I change the chord of a pad sample?** A single-note pad can be played as any chord from a sampler. A pad recorded as a chord can only be transposed, so pick one that fits your progression or use it as a texture. ## Related collections - [Free synth pluck samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-synth-pluck-samples.md): Free synth pluck samples: short, bright plucked synth notes for house, trance, future bass and pop melodies, with root notes and a licence verdict. - [Free choir samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-choir-samples.md): Free choir samples: sustained choral notes, chants, ahh and ooh pads and real choirs for cinematic, ambient and gospel-tinged tracks, with licences. - [Free string samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-string-samples.md): Free string samples: violin, viola, cello and double bass notes, ensemble sustains, pizzicato and staccato for orchestral and pop tracks, with licences. - [Free Rhodes and electric piano samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-rhodes-electric-piano-samples.md): Free Rhodes, Wurlitzer and electric piano samples: notes, chords and loops for neo-soul, lo-fi, jazz and R&B, with root notes and a licence verdict. - [Free brass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-brass-samples.md): Free brass samples: trumpet, trombone, French horn and tuba notes, stabs and section hits for funk, film and hip hop, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free flute samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-flute-samples.md): Free flute samples: concert flute, piccolo, pan flute, recorder and world flutes as notes, phrases and loops for hip hop, ambient and film, with licences. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-synth-pad-samples --- # Free synth pluck samples > Free synth pluck samples: short, bright plucked synth notes for house, trance, future bass and pop melodies, with root notes and a licence verdict. 26 samples from 4 sources (Strudel sample banks 14, Openverse 7, Wikimedia Commons 4, OpenGameArt 1), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily. - Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=pluck&category=synth.pluck - Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=pluck&category=synth.pluck"` - Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below. - Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md ## Short, bright and melodic A pluck is a synth sound with a sharp attack and a quick decay. It carries fast melodies and arpeggios without clogging the mix, which is why plucks lead so many house, trance, future bass and pop tracks. Variations range from soft, marimba-like tones to bright, detuned stabs. ## Playing plucks from samples Load a single pluck note into a sampler, set its root (shown on the card when known), and play your melody. Plucks transpose well, because they are short; a sample stays usable over two octaves or more. Program a sixteenth-note arpeggio, add a tempo-synced delay, and you have the basis of a lead. Free plucks come from producer giveaways, vintage-synth sample sites and Creative Commons archives. Licences vary, so check the verdict on each card before a release. ## Questions **What makes a synth sound plucky?** A fast attack and a short decay on both volume and filter, so the note starts bright and dies away quickly, like a plucked string. Little or no sustain is the key. **How do I make a pluck melody sound wider?** Add a short stereo delay, a little reverb and slight detune or chorus. Keep the low end of the pluck mono and let only the upper part spread. ## Related collections - [Free synth pad samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-synth-pad-samples.md): Free synth pad samples: warm analogue pads, evolving textures and ambient chords for ambient, synthwave, trap and cinematic tracks, with licences. - [Free marimba and mallet samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-marimba-samples.md): Free marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, glockenspiel and kalimba samples, as notes and loops for pop, house, ambient and game music, with licence verdicts. - [Free synth bass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-synth-bass-samples.md): Free synth bass one-shots and loops, from acid squelches to analogue plucks and house bass stabs, with root notes where known and a licence verdict. - [Free piano samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-piano-samples.md): Free piano samples: single notes from grand and upright pianos for building an instrument, plus chords and loops, each with a preview and licence verdict. - [Free brass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-brass-samples.md): Free brass samples: trumpet, trombone, French horn and tuba notes, stabs and section hits for funk, film and hip hop, with a licence verdict on each. - [Free flute samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-flute-samples.md): Free flute samples: concert flute, piccolo, pan flute, recorder and world flutes as notes, phrases and loops for hip hop, ambient and film, with licences. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-synth-pluck-samples --- # About Sound Server **Sound Server** (https://sound.shep.bot) is a free search engine and API for music samples. One query searches many sample sites at once, including Freesound, Wikimedia Commons, Openverse, ccMixter and the Internet Archive, sound effect libraries and producer packs, and returns kicks, snares, hats, claps, 808s, loops, vocals, FX, foley, ambience and instrument one-shots. Every result has a preview you can play, its tempo, key and length where known, and a plain verdict on whether you can use it in a track you release. It exists because finding a usable sample usually means opening a dozen tabs, auditioning sounds one site at a time, and then reading licences that were written for something else. Sound Server does that comparison once and puts the answer next to the sound. ## Who it is for - **Producers and beatmakers** who want the right kick, 808 or riser now, with a licence they can release under. - **AI agents** (Claude Code, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf, Codex and others) that make music, games or apps and need to find, vet and fetch sounds on their own. The service is an [MCP server](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/mcp) and has an [agent guide](https://sound.shep.bot/AGENTS.md). - **Developers and live coders** who call the [REST API](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/api) from scripts, DAW extensions or [Strudel](https://strudel.cc). ## Who runs it Sound Server is open source under the Apache-2.0 licence and developed in the open at [github.com/arielshad/sound-server](https://github.com/arielshad/sound-server). The public instance runs on Shep's infrastructure ([shep.bot](https://shep.bot)) as a free, non-commercial service: no accounts, no ads, no paid tier. Anyone can [self-host](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/self-hosting) their own copy. ## How it treats sources and licences - **Sounds belong to their creators.** The service never re-hosts, mirrors or resells samples. Previews play from the source sites, single-file downloads redirect to the source, and zips are streamed from the source's files with the credits added. - **Licences come first.** Every result shows its licence, who stated it and a verdict on commercial use, decided by one set of rules for every source ([how verdicts work](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences)). When a licence is unclear or only asserted by an uploader, the result says so instead of guessing. - **Accounts stay with the sources.** When a site only gives full-quality originals to logged-in users, as Freesound does, Sound Server plays the preview and sends you to the site to download the original with your own account. - **Polite access.** The server identifies itself with a descriptive User-Agent, caches responses, deduplicates identical requests and gives every source its own timeout. Sites that don't allow automated search (Splice, Looperman and others) are never scraped; they only get a deep link to their own search. See [Sources & licences](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/sources) for the full list, [Privacy](https://sound.shep.bot/privacy) for what the service records, and [Contact](https://sound.shep.bot/contact) to reach the maintainers. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/about --- # Samples in numbers Counted 2026-10-23 (daily). Machine-readable: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/catalog` (same as https://sound.shep.bot/catalog.json; daily history at https://sound.shep.bot/catalog-history.json). "+" marks lower bounds. ## Totals - Sample listings: 306,366+ from 13 counted sources (a listing is one sound, or one pack on sources that list packs) - Free: 306,366+ - CC0 / public domain: 1,927 - Free with direct download through this server: 306,366+ - Released in the last 30 days (sources that date their listings): 0 ## By category - Ambience: 25,382 - FX: 13,701 - Other: 12,798 - Vocals: 6,122 - Drums: 5,254 - Foley: 3,903 - Synth: 1,355 - Bass: 428 - Strings: 412 - Keys: 331 - Woodwind: 267 - Mallets: 266 - Guitar: 138 - Brass: 114 ## By source | Source | Listings | Free | Mostly | New (30 days) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Openverse](https://openverse.org) | 4,575,414 | 4,575,414 | | – | | [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org) | 218,112 | 218,112 | | – | | [BBC Sound Effects](https://sound-effects.bbcrewind.co.uk) | 33,066 | 33,066 | Ambience 25,329, FX 5,286, Foley 3,889 | – | | [ccMixter](https://ccmixter.org) | 21,942 | 21,942 | Vocals 5,985 | – | | [OpenGameArt](https://opengameart.org) | 11,895 | 11,895 | Other 10,164, FX 1,731 | – | | [Orange Free Sounds](https://orangefreesounds.com) | 8,210 | 8,210 | FX 6,378, Other 1,209, Synth 292 | – | | [Strudel sample banks](https://strudel.cc/learn/samples/) | 7,244 | 7,244 | Drums 4,250, Other 1,176, Keys 325 | – | | [Internet Archive](https://archive.org) | 2,483 packs | 2,483 | | – | | [Free Wave Samples](https://freewavesamples.com) | 2,353 | 2,353 | Synth 858, Drums 684, Strings 271 | – | | [SoundBible](https://soundbible.com) | 718+ | 718 | | – | | [MusicRadar SampleRadar](https://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/free-music-samples-royalty-free-loops-hits-and-multis-to-download-sampleradar) | 287 packs | 287 | Other 169, Drums 39, Synth 24 | – | | [Curated free libraries](https://github.com/arielshad/sound-server/blob/main/src/providers/data/curated-packs.json) | 46 packs | 46 | Drums 13, Strings 7, FX 5 | – | | [Kenney](https://kenney.nl/assets/category:Audio) | 10 packs | 10 | FX 5, Foley 2, Vocals 2 | – | ## Live usage Searches, downloads, MCP tool calls and per-source health change every minute: read them from `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/stats` (schema `Stats` in https://sound.shep.bot/openapi.json). Counts are anonymous totals: no search terms, IP addresses or user agents. ## Recently added sources - [ADSR Sounds](https://www.adsrsounds.com) (`adsr`), added 2026-10-23 - [Artlist SFX](https://artlist.io/sfx) (`artlist`), added 2026-10-23 - [Bandcamp](https://bandcamp.com) (`bandcamp`), added 2026-10-23 - [BBC Sound Effects](https://sound-effects.bbcrewind.co.uk) (`bbc`), added 2026-10-23 - [BigSoundBank](https://bigsoundbank.com) (`bigsoundbank`), added 2026-10-23 - [Black Octopus Sound](https://blackoctopus-sound.com) (`blackoctopus`), added 2026-10-23 All sources: https://sound.shep.bot/docs/sources.md --- # Contact Sound Server is maintained in the open. The fastest way to reach the maintainers is GitHub, where every conversation stays public and searchable for the next person with the same question. ## Support and bug reports Open an issue at [github.com/arielshad/sound-server/issues](https://github.com/arielshad/sound-server/issues). Helpful details: the search query or sample id (for example `freesound:2086`), the URL or MCP tool you called, what you expected and what happened. For API problems, include the response status and body. ## Security issues Please do not open a public issue for a vulnerability. Report it privately through GitHub's security advisories at [github.com/arielshad/sound-server/security/advisories/new](https://github.com/arielshad/sound-server/security/advisories/new). You will get an acknowledgement, and fixes are released as soon as they are ready. ## Sample sites and licences If you run one of the sites the service searches and want your source changed, rate-limited further or removed, or if a licence or verdict is shown incorrectly, open an issue with the sample id or source name. Requests from site owners are handled first. Sounds are never hosted here, so questions about using a specific sample go to its creator on the source site. If you are a creator and believe a sound of yours appears under the wrong licence on a source site, contact that site first: Sound Server shows what the source states, and will mark or hide the result once the source corrects it. ## Integrations and partnerships Building something on top of the API or the MCP server, or want your sample library added as a source? Open an issue describing the integration. Sources are added only when their terms allow automated search and the integration passes the test suite against the live site. ## Machine-readable entry points - Agent guide: [/AGENTS.md](https://sound.shep.bot/AGENTS.md) - Site index for LLMs: [/llms.txt](https://sound.shep.bot/llms.txt) - API description: [/openapi.json](https://sound.shep.bot/openapi.json) --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/contact --- # Privacy Sound Server has no accounts, no sign-up, no advertising and no cookies. This page explains what the public service at https://sound.shep.bot records and why. ## What the service records - **Search events.** For each search the server writes a log line with the search text, the filters, the number of results, which interface was used (website, API or MCP) and a coarse client family derived from the User-Agent (for example "browser", "curl" or "claude-code"). It does not put your IP address, API key or any cookie in these lines. They are used to improve ranking, to find searches that return nothing and to choose topics for the [sample collections](https://sound.shep.bot/samples). Logs are deleted after a short retention period. A collection page never shows who searched or how often. - **Aggregate metrics.** Counters such as searches per minute, downloads per source, page views per page and per-source error rates. They contain no search text and no personal data. Their totals are public on the [statistics](https://sound.shep.bot/stats) page. - **Which AI tools use the MCP server.** For MCP requests the server records the name and version the AI tool declares when it connects (for example "claude-code 2") and, where configured, a network category (an AI company's cloud, a cloud provider or an internet provider) looked up locally from your IP address. The address itself is not stored or logged. To count distinct callers per day, the server keeps a one-way hash of your IP address and User-Agent in memory, mixed with a random value that is replaced every day and never saved. - **Request logs.** Like any website, the hosting infrastructure keeps standard request logs (which include IP addresses and User-Agents) for security and operations, for a limited time. - **Rate limiting.** To keep the free service fair, the server counts requests per client IP address in memory for one minute at a time. These counters are never written to disk. ## Website visit counts If the operator configures it, the website loads a self-hosted [Umami](https://umami.is) script, which counts page views without cookies: the page address, the referring site, browser, operating system, device type, screen size, language and an approximate country. Before anything is sent, the page strips everything except `utm_*` tags from addresses, so what you search for is never part of it. If your browser sends Do Not Track, nothing is sent, and blocking the script does not break the site. No analytics company such as Google receives anything. ## If you run it yourself When you run Sound Server on your own machine or server (from source, with the `ghcr.io/arielshad/sound-server` Docker image, or as a local MCP server), **telemetry is off by default**. It is only sent if you opt in by setting `SOUND_SERVER_TELEMETRY=1` (and a telemetry website id). Then it sends anonymous event counts only: one per search, sample lookup, download and MCP tool call, with fixed labels (interface, client family, source, category filter, outcome, version and operating system). Never what you search for, sample ids, file paths, URLs, API keys or your machine's name. `DO_NOT_TRACK=1` always turns it off. ## What stays in your browser The website stores two optional preferences in your browser's local storage: your light/dark theme choice and, only on self-hosted servers that require one, the API key you entered. The API key is sent only to the same server, in a request header. ## Third parties you contact - **Previews** play directly from the sample sites (Freesound, Wikimedia Commons and others) when the site allows it, so those sites see your IP address while you audition sounds. Previews that need special headers are fetched for you by this server instead. - **Downloads** of single files redirect to the source's servers. Zips are assembled by this server from the source files. - **Links** to source pages and to linked searches (such as Splice or Looperman) take you to those sites, which have their own privacy policies. ## Your choices and contact Because no account or profile exists, there is nothing to export or delete for an individual visitor beyond the time-limited logs above. Questions or requests: see [Contact](https://sound.shep.bot/contact). This policy may change as the service evolves; the current version always lives at https://sound.shep.bot/privacy. --- Source: https://sound.shep.bot/privacy