# 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.

## Samples

| Sample | id | What | Source | Licence | Commercial use | Direct download |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Upbeat Cyberpunk Synth Drum Loop – Pulsating Beat, 160 BPM](https://orangefreesounds.com/upbeat-cyberpunk-synth-drum-loop-pulsating-beat-160-bpm/) | `orangefreesounds:58632` | Drums, Loop, 160 BPM, 6.0 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Drum loop (Carrai Pass)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Drum_loop_(Carrai_Pass).wav) | `wikimediacommons:Drum_loop_(Carrai_Pass).wav` | Drums, Loop, 12 s | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0 | Restricted: read the conditions | yes |
| [Prehistoric Drum Loop](https://opengameart.org/content/prehistoric-drum-loop) | `opengameart:prehistoric-drum-loop` | Drums, Loop | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Classic Retro Electro Drum Loop – 160 BPM](https://orangefreesounds.com/classic-retro-electro-drum-loop-160-bpm/) | `orangefreesounds:58624` | Drums, Loop, 160 BPM, 3.0 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Dough Samples · loop · 6](https://github.com/Bubobubobubobubo/Dough-Samples/blob/main/loop/loop%20drum%202.wav) | `strudel:dough-samples/loop/6` | Drums, Loop | Strudel sample banks | GPL-3.0 (repository licence) | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Drum Dirty Loop](https://opengameart.org/content/drum-dirty-loop) | `opengameart:drum-dirty-loop` | Drums, Loop | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Mazurka Style Drum Loop – 152 BPM](https://orangefreesounds.com/mazurka-style-drum-loop-152-bpm/) | `orangefreesounds:58619` | Drums, Loop, 152 BPM, 4.0 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Sacred Battle Loop by MusicLFiles](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sacred_Battle_Loop_by_MusicLFiles.ogg) | `wikimediacommons:Sacred_Battle_Loop_by_MusicLFiles.ogg` | Drums, Loop, 30 s | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Dough Samples · loop · 8](https://github.com/Bubobubobubobubo/Dough-Samples/blob/main/loop/loop%20drum%201.wav) | `strudel:dough-samples/loop/8` | Drums, Loop | Strudel sample banks | GPL-3.0 (repository licence) | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Get Equipped (8-bit drum loop)](https://opengameart.org/content/get-equipped-8-bit-drum-loop) | `opengameart:get-equipped-8-bit-drum-loop` | Drums, Loop | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Acoustic Old School Drum Loop 100 BPM](https://orangefreesounds.com/acoustic-old-school-drum-loop-100-bpm/) | `orangefreesounds:58508` | Drums, Loop, 100 BPM, 2.0 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Funk carioca 8 bar loop](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Funk_carioca_8_bar_loop.ogg) | `wikimediacommons:Funk_carioca_8_bar_loop.ogg` | Drums, Loop, 3.7 s | Wikimedia Commons | CC0 1.0 | Commercial use OK | yes |
| [2 tribal drum loops](https://opengameart.org/content/2-tribal-drum-loops) | `opengameart:2-tribal-drum-loops` | Drums, Loop | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [1960s Solo Acoustic Drum Loop Beat](https://orangefreesounds.com/1960s-solo-acoustic-drum-loop-beat/) | `orangefreesounds:57685` | Drums, Loop, 98 BPM, 2.0 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Fantasy Music and Drum Loops Pack](https://opengameart.org/content/fantasy-music-and-drum-loops-pack) | `opengameart:fantasy-music-and-drum-loops-pack` | Drums, Loop | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [80 BPM Salsa Rhythm Drum Loop](https://orangefreesounds.com/80-bpm-salsa-rhythm-drum-loop/) | `orangefreesounds:55763` | Drums, Loop, 80 BPM, 3.0 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Tense Bass Boost Drum Loop 140 BPM](https://opengameart.org/content/tense-bass-boost-drum-loop-140-bpm) | `opengameart:tense-bass-boost-drum-loop-140-bpm` | Drums, Loop, 140 BPM | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Electro Pulse – 80 BPM Electro Drum Loop](https://orangefreesounds.com/electro-pulse-80-bpm-electro-drum-loop/) | `orangefreesounds:56991` | Drums, Loop, 80 BPM, 6.0 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Taiko drums (seamless loop)](https://opengameart.org/content/taiko-drums-seamless-loop) | `opengameart:taiko-drums-seamless-loop` | Percussion, Loop | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Techno Drum Loop 135 BPM – Free WAV Download](https://orangefreesounds.com/techno-drum-loop-135-bpm-free-wav-download/) | `orangefreesounds:55748` | Drums, Loop, 135 BPM, 4.0 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Horde War Drums loop](https://opengameart.org/content/horde-war-drums-loop) | `opengameart:horde-war-drums-loop` | Drums, Loop | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Lo-Fi Chill Drum Loop 91 BPM – Smooth Vintage Groove](https://orangefreesounds.com/lo-fi-chill-drum-loop-91-bpm-smooth-vintage-groove/) | `orangefreesounds:55738` | Drums, Loop, 91 BPM, 3.0 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Energetic Retro Mambo Dance Drum Loop 194 BPM](https://orangefreesounds.com/energetic-retro-mambo-dance-drum-loop-194-bpm/) | `orangefreesounds:55685` | Drums, Loop, 194 BPM, 5.0 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Cinematic percussion loop](https://opengameart.org/content/cinematic-percussion-loop) | `opengameart:cinematic-percussion-loop` | Drums, Loop | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Groovy 132 BPM Drum Loop](https://orangefreesounds.com/groovy-132-bpm-drum-loop/) | `orangefreesounds:55437` | Drums, Loop, 132 BPM, 2.0 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Hip Hop Electronic Industrial Drum Loop – 132 BPM](https://orangefreesounds.com/hip-hop-electronic-industrial-drum-loop-132-bpm/) | `orangefreesounds:55416` | Drums, Loop, 132 BPM, 3.0 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [EDM Drum Loop Driving Beat](https://orangefreesounds.com/edm-drum-loop-driving-beat/) | `orangefreesounds:54608` | Drums, Loop, 120 BPM, 4.0 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Kick Drum Loop – 140 BPM – Techno/Electronic](https://orangefreesounds.com/kick-drum-loop-140-bpm-techno-electronic/) | `orangefreesounds:55157` | Kick, Loop, 140 BPM, 3.0 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |

## 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.

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Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-drum-loops