# Sound Server

> Free search engine, REST API and MCP server for music samples. One query searches 41 sample sites (Freesound, Wikimedia Commons, Openverse, ccMixter, the Internet Archive, sound effect libraries and producer packs, plus deep links into Splice, Looperman and others) for drums, 808s, loops, vocals, FX, foley, ambience and instrument one-shots, with previews, BPM/key/length and a licence verdict on commercial use for every sound. No account or API key needed; a free, non-commercial service that never re-hosts sounds.

**When to use Sound Server.** Use it when a user or task needs existing sounds:

- finding a sample for a track ("punchy kick", "dark 808 in F minor", "vocal chop 140 bpm", "riser");
- building a drum kit for a style, tempo and key, with a Strudel snippet and a General MIDI / SFZ map;
- getting sound effects for a game, app or video (zaps, impacts, UI clicks, footsteps, rain);
- downloading WAV/AIFF/FLAC/OGG/MP3 files with ATTRIBUTION.md into a project;
- checking whether a sample may be used in a commercially released track and which credit line it needs.

**Catalog (counted 2026-10-23).** 306,366+ sample listings from 13 counted sources, 306,366+ free and 1,927 CC0: 25,382 ambience, 13,701 fx, 12,798 other, 6,122 vocals, 5,254 drums, 3,903 foley, 1,355 synth, 428 bass, 412 strings, 331 keys, 267 woodwind, 266 mallets, 138 guitar, 114 brass.

Do not use it to generate new audio, to download full commercial songs, or to buy packs (paid results link to their store). Licence rules for agents: search commercial-safe by default, report every sample's `license.verdict`, never present `no` or `check-terms` results as cleared, and pass on the `attribution` line when there is one.

**How to call it.** MCP (preferred): add `https://sound.shep.bot/mcp` (Streamable HTTP, no auth) under the name `sounds`, e.g. `claude mcp add --transport http sounds https://sound.shep.bot/mcp`, then call `search_samples` → `get_sample` → download its `selection.downloadUrl`, or `build_kit` for a drum kit. REST: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=...&category=drums.kick&commercial=true` → `GET /v1/samples/{id}` → `GET /v1/samples/{id}/download?bundle=true`; `POST /v1/kits`. Limits: 120 requests/minute per client (RateLimit headers, 429 + Retry-After). Full agent guide: https://sound.shep.bot/AGENTS.md

## Docs

- [Agent guide](https://sound.shep.bot/AGENTS.md): when to use the service, licence rules, and how an AI agent should search, choose and download samples
- [Quick start](https://sound.shep.bot/docs.md): Get started with Sound Server in two minutes. Search sample sites in the browser, connect Claude Code or Cursor over MCP, or call the REST API.
- [MCP server for AI agents](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/mcp.md): Connect Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf, Codex or Gemini CLI to the Sound Server MCP server so your agent finds, vets and downloads music samples.
- [REST API guide](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/api.md): Search music samples across many sites with one REST call, read licence verdicts and credit lines, play previews with CORS, build drum kits and download files.
- [Sample licences explained](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md): What CC0, CC BY, share-alike, NC, ND, Sampling+ and royalty-free licences mean for music samples, how credit works and how each verdict is decided.
- [Frequently asked questions](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/faq.md): Short answers about what Sound Server searches, licence verdicts, credits, downloads, rate limits, AI agents and self-hosting.
- [Versioning, deprecation & rate limits](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/api/versioning.md): How the Sound Server API is versioned, how deprecations are announced with Deprecation and Sunset headers, and how rate limits and RateLimit headers work.
- [Sources & licences](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/sources.md): The 41 sites searched, with licences.
- [Sound Server CLI](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/cli.md): Use the sound-server command line tool to search sample sites from a terminal, run the MCP server over stdio for local downloads, or start your own HTTP server.
- [Self-hosting](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/self-hosting.md): Run your own Sound Server with Docker or Node.js, add Freesound and Openverse keys, protect it with an API key, and expose Prometheus metrics.

## Guides

- [All guides](https://sound.shep.bot/guides.md): answer-first guides on sample licences, credits, clearance and production
- [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.
- [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.
- [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.
- [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 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.
- [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.
- [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.
- [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.
- [Glossary](https://sound.shep.bot/glossary.md): one-shot, loop, 808, BPM, key, sample rate, CC0, CC BY, NC, SA, ND, Sampling+, royalty-free, clearance, SFZ, General MIDI, Strudel, MCP and more

## API

- [OpenAPI 3.1](https://sound.shep.bot/openapi.json): machine-readable REST API description (rate-limit headers, 429 responses, schemas)
- [API reference](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/api/reference.md): every endpoint, parameter, response and schema
- [API playground](https://sound.shep.bot/docs/api/playground): send live requests from the browser (interactive Scalar client)
- [MCP endpoint](https://sound.shep.bot/mcp): Streamable HTTP; tools search_samples, get_sample, build_kit, find_similar, list_sources
- [Search endpoint](https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=punchy+kick&category=drums.kick&commercial=true): example search

## Collections

- [All sample collections](https://sound.shep.bot/samples.md): curated, daily-refreshed lists of free samples by topic, with licence verdicts and sample ids
- [Free drum samples: kicks, snares, hats and breaks](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/drums.md): 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.
- [Free 808 and bass samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/bass-808s.md): 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.
- [Free loops by genre and tempo](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/loops.md): 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.
- [Free vocal samples: chops, a cappellas and shouts](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/vocals.md): 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.
- [Free sound effects for music: risers, impacts, sweeps](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/fx.md): Free sound effects for music production and video: risers, downlifters, impacts, whooshes, zaps, glitches and noise, with licence verdicts and previews.
- [Free foley sounds and ambience recordings](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/foley-ambience.md): Free foley sounds and ambience recordings: footsteps, doors, water, rain, forests, city streets and room tone, for music, film and games, with licences.
- [Free instrument samples: piano, guitar, synth, strings](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/instruments.md): Free instrument samples and multisampled instruments: piano, Rhodes, guitar, synth pads and leads, strings, brass, flutes and mallets, 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.
- [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 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 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 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 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 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 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.

## About

- [About Sound Server](https://sound.shep.bot/about.md): What Sound Server is, who runs it, how it finds music samples across many sites, and how it treats licences and the sites it searches.
- [Samples in numbers](https://sound.shep.bot/stats.md): How many drum hits, loops, vocals, FX and instrument samples every source holds (counted daily), plus live usage.
- [Contact](https://sound.shep.bot/contact.md): How to reach the Sound Server maintainers for support, bug reports, security issues, source and licence questions, and requests from sample sites.
- [Privacy](https://sound.shep.bot/privacy.md): What Sound Server records (search text in server logs, anonymous counters, which AI tools call MCP), what stays in your browser, and who else you contact.

## Optional

- [Claude Code skill](https://sound.shep.bot/skill/SKILL.md): drop into ~/.claude/skills/sounds/SKILL.md
- [Everything in one file](https://sound.shep.bot/llms-full.txt)
- [Web search](https://sound.shep.bot/search.md): search parameters and categories as URLs
- [Kit builder](https://sound.shep.bot/kit.md): build a drum kit with one API call
- [Sitemap](https://sound.shep.bot/sitemap-index.xml)