Free Handpan Samples Where To Find And How To Use Royalty-Free Handpan Sounds

Oct. 12, 2025, 9:33 p.m.

Tags: hand

The handpan, also known as hang drum, is a unique percussion instrument with a distinctive melodic sound. For music producers and enthusiasts looking to incorporate handpan sounds into their projects, there are numerous free sample resources available. This article explores the various sources for free handpan samples, the types of samples available, licensing considerations, and quality factors to keep in mind when using these resources.

Sources for Free Handpan Samples

Several online platforms offer free handpan samples for music production:

Looperman

Looperman provides a collection of free handpan loops and sounds uploaded by users. These samples are available for both commercial and non-commercial use on a royalty-free basis, subject to the platform's terms and conditions. Users can find samples by searching for "handpan" in the title or description. The platform encourages users to leave comments if they use any of the loops and provides contact information for both sample uploaders and support staff. In case of copyright concerns or guideline violations, users can contact support.

Musical Artifacts

Musical Artifacts offers free samples of both handpan and hang drum. These samples were uploaded on May 6, 2023, and may require editing due to background noise such as breathing, clicking, or static sounds from microphone or environmental issues. The platform notes that some functionality may be limited if JavaScript is disabled.

Free Sample Packs

Free Sample Packs provides a specialized handpan sample pack titled "One Man Tribe Handpan Tribalized." This creative collection imagines how the handpan might sound if it were created in Africa, combining traditional percussion instruments with lo-fi melodic loops played on a handpan. The pack includes: - 48 loops - 44.1 kHz WAV files - Stereo files - 100% royalty-free usage

Splice

Splice offers an extensive collection of handpan samples with 2,275 results available. The samples include various types of handpan recordings, such as: - RAREpercussionhandpanhangdrum loops - RAREmetalhandpan dry oneshots - BOSMHP Handpan melody loops - Various handpan recordings with different articulations and effects

Hip Hop Makers

Hip Hop Makers provides a roundup of free handpan VST plugins for both Windows and Mac systems. These plugins offer a variety of handpan sounds, loops, and percussive samples to help create experimental tracks. The site includes features, images, and audio examples to demonstrate how each plugin sounds.

Types of Handpan Samples Available

Free handpan samples come in various formats and types to suit different music production needs:

Loops

Many handpan samples are available as loops, which are repeating sections of handpan performances that can be incorporated into tracks. These may include: - Rhythmic loops in various time signatures (80 BPM, 96 BPM, 120 BPM, 140 BPM) - Melodic loops in different keys (Dm, Em, Fm, Gbmin, etc.) - Wet and dry versions of the same loops - Loops with different effects such as echo, reverb, or distortion

One-Shot Samples

One-shot samples are individual handpan hits that can be triggered by MIDI notes. These include: - Individual notes in various scales - Harmonic chords - Special techniques such as muted notes, releases, and finger taps - Different articulations (open, muted, open release, muted release)

Multi-Sampled Instruments

Some resources offer multi-sampled handpan instruments that capture the full range of the instrument with multiple velocity layers. These provide more realistic and playable handpan sounds in a sampler format.

Free Handpan VST Plugins

For those looking for more playable handpan instruments rather than just samples, several free VST plugins are available:

Ample Percussion Cloudrum

The Ample Percussion Cloudrum is a steel tongue drum plugin that produces relaxing tones. Key features include: - Steel tongue drum with a 3-octave range - Size: 760 MB - Two microphone positions (stereo and mono modes) - Four types of articulation: open, mute, opened release, muted release - Customized parameters control with MIDI CC or automation

This plugin offers unique steel drum sounds and provides flexibility in sound shaping through its various articulations and microphone positions.

Quality Considerations

When using free handpan samples, several quality factors should be considered:

Background Noise

Some free handpan samples may contain background noise such as: - Breathing sounds - Clicking noises - Static or hum from microphone issues - Room ambience

As noted by Musical Artifacts, many samples "will need to be edited though, as many contain background noise." Producers should budget time for cleaning up samples or use noise reduction techniques.

Recording Quality

The quality of handpan samples can vary significantly between sources. Factors affecting recording quality include: - Microphone type and placement - Recording environment (studio vs. room) - Audio resolution (sample rate and bit depth) - Processing (EQ, compression, effects)

Tuning and Intonation

Since handpans are acoustic instruments, tuning can be affected by factors such as temperature and humidity. Some free samples may have tuning inconsistencies or intonation issues that could be problematic for certain musical applications.

Licensing and Usage Rights

Understanding the licensing terms of free handpan samples is crucial to avoid legal issues:

Royalty-Free Usage

Many free handpan samples are labeled as royalty-free, meaning they can be used in commercial projects without paying additional royalties. However, this doesn't always mean the samples are completely unrestricted.

Attribution Requirements

Some sample packs may require attribution to the creator or sample provider. Users should check the specific terms of each resource to determine if attribution is necessary.

Non-Commercial vs. Commercial Use

While many free handpan samples allow commercial use, some may be restricted to non-commercial purposes only. It's important to verify the usage rights for each sample before incorporating it into commercial projects.

Modification Rights

The ability to modify samples (pitch shifting, time stretching, editing, etc.) can vary between different sample packs and resources. Some providers allow extensive modification while others may restrict alterations.

How to Incorporate Handpan Samples in Music Production

Free handpan samples can be incorporated into music production in various ways:

Beat Making

Handpan samples can add unique melodic or percussive elements to beats. The melodic nature of handpans makes them suitable for: - Hip hop beats - Electronic music - World music - Ambient soundscapes

Sound Design

Handpan samples can be transformed through various processing techniques to create new sounds: - Layering with other samples - Applying effects (reverb, delay, distortion) - Granular synthesis - Pitch and time manipulation

Live Performance

Some producers incorporate handpan samples into live performances using: - Samplers or drum machines - DAW triggering - MIDI controllers

Conclusion

Free handpan samples offer accessible resources for music producers and enthusiasts looking to incorporate the unique sound of this instrument into their projects. From loop libraries and one-shot samples to playable VST instruments, there are numerous options available across different platforms. When using these resources, it's important to consider quality factors such as background noise and recording quality, as well as understanding the specific licensing terms for each sample. With proper selection and processing, free handpan samples can add distinctive melodic and percussive elements to a wide range of musical styles.