# Search free music samples

> One search across 41 sample sites (Freesound, Wikimedia Commons, ccMixter, Internet Archive, BBC Sound Effects, Strudel sample banks and more) for drums, 808s, loops, vocals, FX, foley, ambience and instruments, with previews, BPM, key and a licence verdict on every result.

The search page (https://sound.shep.bot/search) is an interactive app. Every search is a URL, and the same parameters work on the JSON API:

- Web: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=punchy+kick&category=drums.kick&commercial=true
- API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=punchy+kick&category=drums.kick&commercial=true"`

## Parameters

| Parameter | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| `q` | Free text in producer language: `dusty snare`, `vocal chop 140 bpm`, `808 in F minor`. |
| `category` | Comma-separated categories (below). A parent matches its children. |
| `form` | `one-shot`, `loop`, `phrase`, `multisample`, `pack`, `midi`, `preset`. |
| `bpm` | `140` or `120-128`; half and double time match. |
| `key` | `F minor`, `F#m`, `Eb`; the relative key matches. |
| `commercial` | `true`: only samples cleared for a commercial release. |
| `free` | `true`: no paid samples or packs. |
| `downloadable` | `true`: only samples this server can download directly. |
| `providers` | Source ids, e.g. `freesound,openverse`. |
| `sample` | Opens one sample's details, e.g. `sample=freesound:2086`. |

## Categories

- `drums`: Drums
- `drums.kick`: Kick
- `drums.snare`: Snare
- `drums.clap`: Clap
- `drums.hat`: Hi-hat
- `drums.hat.closed`: Closed hat
- `drums.hat.open`: Open hat
- `drums.cymbal`: Cymbal
- `drums.cymbal.crash`: Crash
- `drums.cymbal.ride`: Ride
- `drums.tom`: Tom
- `drums.perc`: Percussion
- `drums.fill`: Drum fill
- `drums.break`: Breakbeat
- `bass`: Bass
- `bass.808`: 808
- `bass.sub`: Sub bass
- `vocals`: Vocals
- `vocals.acapella`: A cappella
- `vocals.chop`: Vocal chop
- `vocals.shout`: Vocal shot
- `vocals.spoken`: Spoken word
- `vocals.choir`: Choir
- `fx`: FX
- `fx.riser`: Riser
- `fx.downlifter`: Downlifter
- `fx.impact`: Impact
- `fx.sweep`: Sweep
- `fx.zap`: Zap
- `fx.noise`: Noise
- `fx.glitch`: Glitch
- `fx.transition`: Transition
- `foley`: Foley
- `ambience`: Ambience
- `keys`: Keys
- `guitar`: Guitar
- `synth`: Synth
- `synth.pad`: Pad
- `synth.lead`: Lead
- `synth.pluck`: Pluck
- `synth.stab`: Stab
- `strings`: Strings
- `brass`: Brass
- `woodwind`: Woodwind
- `mallets`: Mallets
- `other`: Other

Full API: https://sound.shep.bot/docs/api.md · OpenAPI: https://sound.shep.bot/openapi.json · Agent guide: https://sound.shep.bot/AGENTS.md

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Source: https://sound.shep.bot/search