# 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.

## Samples

| Sample | id | What | Source | Licence | Commercial use | Direct download |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Patro nia (PAD)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Patro_nia_(PAD).ogg) | `wikimediacommons:Patro_nia_(PAD).ogg` | Pad, 33 s | Wikimedia Commons | Public domain | Commercial use OK | yes |
| [Dreamy Atmospheric Synth Pad Loop 135 bpm](https://orangefreesounds.com/dreamy-atmospheric-synth-pad-loop-135-bpm/) | `orangefreesounds:56930` | Pad, Loop, 135 BPM, 7.0 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Dirt-Samples · pad · 0](https://github.com/tidalcycles/Dirt-Samples/blob/master/pad/alien-monolith-pad.wav) | `strudel:dirt-samples/pad/0` | Pad | Strudel sample banks | No licence stated | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Dark, Moody Scifi Pad](https://opengameart.org/content/dark-moody-scifi-pad) | `opengameart:dark-moody-scifi-pad` | Pad | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Papercut PAD 100 bpm](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Papercut_PAD_100_bpm.wav) | `wikimediacommons:Papercut_PAD_100_bpm.wav` | Pad, Loop, 100 BPM, 1:17 | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 3.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Synth Pad Arp Groove](https://orangefreesounds.com/synth-pad-arp-groove/) | `orangefreesounds:46131` | Pad, Loop, 120 BPM, 18 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Dirt-Samples · pad · 1](https://github.com/tidalcycles/Dirt-Samples/blob/master/pad/angelpads.wav) | `strudel:dirt-samples/pad/1` | Pad | Strudel sample banks | No licence stated | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Underwater Ambient Pad](https://opengameart.org/content/underwater-ambient-pad) | `opengameart:underwater-ambient-pad` | Pad | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Dark Pad (ISRC USUAN1100269)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dark_Pad_(ISRC_USUAN1100269).mp3) | `wikimediacommons:Dark_Pad_(ISRC_USUAN1100269).mp3` | Pad, 1:05 | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 3.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [5th Pad Synth loop 120 bpm](https://orangefreesounds.com/5th-pad-synth-loop-120-bpm/) | `orangefreesounds:41081` | Pad, Loop, 120 BPM, 16 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Dirt-Samples · pad · 2](https://github.com/tidalcycles/Dirt-Samples/blob/master/pad/bellpad-harmonics.wav) | `strudel:dirt-samples/pad/2` | Pad | Strudel sample banks | No licence stated | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Alien's Life - Synth Pad](https://opengameart.org/content/aliens-life-synth-pad) | `opengameart:aliens-life-synth-pad` | Pad | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Paddy Pad (Antti Luode)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Paddy_Pad_(Antti_Luode).mp3) | `wikimediacommons:Paddy_Pad_(Antti_Luode).mp3` | Pad, 4:03 | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 3.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Saw String Synth Pad Loop 104 bpm](https://orangefreesounds.com/saw-string-synth-pad-loop-104-bpm/) | `orangefreesounds:28436` | Pad, Loop, 126 BPM, 19 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Dough Samples · pad · 0](https://github.com/Bubobubobubobubo/Dough-Samples/blob/main/pad/PAD5.wav) | `strudel:dough-samples/pad/0` | Pad | Strudel sample banks | GPL-3.0 (repository licence) | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Cutoff Acid w/Pads](https://opengameart.org/content/cutoff-acid-wpads) | `opengameart:cutoff-acid-wpads` | Pad | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Gated pad (Antti Luode)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gated_pad_(Antti_Luode).mp3) | `wikimediacommons:Gated_pad_(Antti_Luode).mp3` | Pad, 3:10 | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 3.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Air Pad Synth Loop](https://orangefreesounds.com/air-pad-synth-loop/) | `orangefreesounds:2630` | Pad, Loop, 104 BPM, 18 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Dough Samples · pad · 1](https://github.com/Bubobubobubobubo/Dough-Samples/blob/main/pad/pad4.wav) | `strudel:dough-samples/pad/1` | Pad | Strudel sample banks | GPL-3.0 (repository licence) | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Pad - searching (Gravity Sound)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pad_-_searching_(Gravity_Sound).wav) | `wikimediacommons:Pad_-_searching_(Gravity_Sound).wav` | Pad, 14 s | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Dough Samples · pad · 2](https://github.com/Bubobubobubobubo/Dough-Samples/blob/main/pad/PAD3.wav) | `strudel:dough-samples/pad/2` | Pad | Strudel sample banks | GPL-3.0 (repository licence) | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Cinematic Pad (Antti Luode)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cinematic_Pad_(Antti_Luode).mp3) | `wikimediacommons:Cinematic_Pad_(Antti_Luode).mp3` | Pad, 4:37 | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 3.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Dough Samples · pad · 3](https://github.com/Bubobubobubobubo/Dough-Samples/blob/main/pad/PAD2.wav) | `strudel:dough-samples/pad/3` | Pad | Strudel sample banks | GPL-3.0 (repository licence) | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Chorus on synth pad (Surge vst + amplitube digital chorus stereo)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chorus_on_synth_pad_(Surge_vst_%2B_amplitube_digital_chorus_stereo).ogg) | `wikimediacommons:Chorus_on_synth_pad_(Surge_vst_+_amplitube_digital_chorus_stereo).ogg` | Pad, 15 s | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0 | Restricted: read the conditions | yes |
| [Dough Samples · pad · 4](https://github.com/Bubobubobubobubo/Dough-Samples/blob/main/pad/AMBIANCE.wav) | `strudel:dough-samples/pad/4` | Pad | Strudel sample banks | GPL-3.0 (repository licence) | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Pad - stranded in space (Gravity Sound)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pad_-_stranded_in_space_(Gravity_Sound).wav) | `wikimediacommons:Pad_-_stranded_in_space_(Gravity_Sound).wav` | Pad, 14 s | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Space Lift Music Loop](https://orangefreesounds.com/space-music-loop/) | `orangefreesounds:13645` | Pad, Loop, 117 BPM, 16 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY 4.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Dough Samples · pad · 5](https://github.com/Bubobubobubobubo/Dough-Samples/blob/main/pad/PAD1.wav) | `strudel:dough-samples/pad/5` | Pad | Strudel sample banks | GPL-3.0 (repository licence) | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Artemis II Live Launch Coverage - Pad CS6 (KSC-20260401-AU-LMM01-0001-Artemis II Live Launch Coverage Pad CS6)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Artemis_II_Live_Launch_Coverage_-_Pad_CS6_(KSC-20260401-AU-LMM01-0001-Artemis_II_Live_Launch_Coverage_Pad_CS6).wav) | `wikimediacommons:Artemis_II_Live_Launch_Coverage_-_Pad_CS6_(KSC-20260401-AU-LMM01-0001-Artemis_II_Live_Launch_Coverage_Pad_CS6).wav` | Pad, 14:44 | Wikimedia Commons | Public domain | Commercial use OK | yes |
| [Dough Samples · pad · 6](https://github.com/Bubobubobubobubo/Dough-Samples/blob/main/pad/PAD%201.wav) | `strudel:dough-samples/pad/6` | Pad | Strudel sample banks | GPL-3.0 (repository licence) | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Artemis II Live Launch Coverage - Pad Camera Site 2 (KSC-20260401-AU-LMM01-0001-Artemis II Live Launch Coverage Pad CS2)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Artemis_II_Live_Launch_Coverage_-_Pad_Camera_Site_2_(KSC-20260401-AU-LMM01-0001-Artemis_II_Live_Launch_Coverage_Pad_CS2).wav) | `wikimediacommons:Artemis_II_Live_Launch_Coverage_-_Pad_Camera_Site_2_(KSC-20260401-AU-LMM01-0001-Artemis_II_Live_Launch_Coverage_Pad_CS2).wav` | Pad, 14:57 | Wikimedia Commons | Public domain | Commercial use OK | yes |
| [Dough Samples · pad · 7](https://github.com/Bubobubobubobubo/Dough-Samples/blob/main/pad/PAD%203.wav) | `strudel:dough-samples/pad/7` | Pad | Strudel sample banks | GPL-3.0 (repository licence) | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Artemis II Live Launch Coverage - Pad Camera Site 1 (KSC-20260401-AU-LMM01-0001-Artemis II Live Launch Coverage Pad CS1)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Artemis_II_Live_Launch_Coverage_-_Pad_Camera_Site_1_(KSC-20260401-AU-LMM01-0001-Artemis_II_Live_Launch_Coverage_Pad_CS1).wav) | `wikimediacommons:Artemis_II_Live_Launch_Coverage_-_Pad_Camera_Site_1_(KSC-20260401-AU-LMM01-0001-Artemis_II_Live_Launch_Coverage_Pad_CS1).wav` | Pad, 14:57 | Wikimedia Commons | Public domain | Commercial use OK | yes |
| [Dough Samples · pad · 8](https://github.com/Bubobubobubobubo/Dough-Samples/blob/main/pad/PAD%202.wav) | `strudel:dough-samples/pad/8` | Pad | Strudel sample banks | GPL-3.0 (repository licence) | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [SpaceX CLPS IM-2 Live Launch Coverage - Pad Mic 1 (1), Pad Mic 2 (2) (KSC-20250226-AU-ILW01-0002-SpaceX CLPS IM-2 Live Launch Coverage PadMic-1 PadMic-2)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SpaceX_CLPS_IM-2_Live_Launch_Coverage_-_Pad_Mic_1_(1),_Pad_Mic_2_(2)_(KSC-20250226-AU-ILW01-0002-SpaceX_CLPS_IM-2_Live_Launch_Coverage_PadMic-1_PadMic-2).wav) | `wikimediacommons:SpaceX_CLPS_IM-2_Live_Launch_Coverage_-_Pad_Mic_1_(1),_Pad_Mic_2_(2)_(KSC-20250226-AU-ILW01-0002-SpaceX_CLPS_IM-2_Live_Launch_Coverage_PadMic-1_PadMic-2).wav` | Pad, 4:21 | Wikimedia Commons | Public domain | Commercial use OK | yes |
| [Dough Samples · pad · 9](https://github.com/Bubobubobubobubo/Dough-Samples/blob/main/pad/PAD%205.wav) | `strudel:dough-samples/pad/9` | Pad | Strudel sample banks | GPL-3.0 (repository licence) | Unclear: check the terms | yes |

## 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.

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Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-synth-pad-samples