# Curated free libraries

> Curated free libraries as searched by Sound Server: 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.

- Website: https://github.com/arielshad/sound-server/blob/main/src/providers/data/curated-packs.json
- Best for: 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.
- Categories: Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Drums, Guitar, Mallets, Keys, Foley, FX, Vocals, Ambience, Synth
- Pricing: free
- Licence: set per sample
- How it is searched: static
- Direct download through Sound Server: yes
- Restrict a search to it: `https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=...&providers=curated`
- Listings counted 2026-10-23: 46 packs, 46 free
- By category: Drums 13, Strings 7, FX 5, Brass 3, Mallets 3, Foley 3, Vocals 3, Woodwind 2, Guitar 2, Keys 2, Synth 2, Ambience 1

## What it is

A hand-checked list of well-known free sample libraries and instruments, such as the Philharmonia orchestra samples, the University of Iowa instrument recordings, VSCO 2 Community Edition, VCSL, FreePats, DrumGizmo kits and the Sonniss GDC bundles.

## Best for

Orchestral and acoustic instruments, multisampled kits and large free sound-effect bundles.

## Licence

Recorded per library from its own terms: several are CC0, others royalty-free with conditions such as no redistribution. Each listing links to the library's licence.

## How Sound Server searches it

A static catalogue maintained with the server, with direct downloads where the library offers them.

## Example searches

- [Strings](https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=strings&category=strings&providers=curated)
- [Acoustic drum kits](https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=drum+kit&category=drums&providers=curated)

Guides: https://sound.shep.bot/guides/sample-formats-wav-mp3-flac.md, https://sound.shep.bot/guides/cc0-vs-cc-by-vs-royalty-free.md

All sources: https://sound.shep.bot/docs/sources.md

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Source: https://sound.shep.bot/sources/curated