Free 808 Drum Samples For Music Producers A Comprehensive Guide

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What Are 808 Samples

808 samples refer to bass drum sounds inspired by the original Roland TR-808 drum machine, which was introduced in 1980. The 808 kick sound has become one of the most iconic and widely recognized sounds in music production, particularly in modern hip hop music. Even when not direct samples from the original Roland 808 drum machine, most people refer to any sine wave in the sub frequency range as an "808." These samples are essential for creating the deep, resonant bass sounds that characterize many contemporary music genres.

Where to Find Free 808 Samples

Several online platforms offer free 808 samples for music producers:

  • Wavgrind provides free 808 drum kits including the Zay 808 Bass Sample, DJ Spinz 808, Fire Rex 808 Sample, and CHASETHEMONEY 808 sample, all of which are 100% royalty free.

  • Cymatics offers free 808 sample packs including Orchid, Oracle, and Cobra, which contain not only 808 samples but also melody loops, MIDI chord progressions, and drum one shots.

  • Slooply provides a free 808 drum collection featuring 88 high-quality 808 sounds in WAV format, compatible with all major DAWs like FL Studio, Ableton Live, Cubase, and Pro Tools.

  • Producers Buzz offers an 808 BD Kick Drum Kit with 25 high-quality .wav DB kicks suitable for trap, hip-hop, house, and EDM music styles.

  • Looperman hosts user-uploaded free 808 kick loops, samples, and sounds available for commercial and non-commercial use on a royalty-free basis.

Types of 808 Samples Available

The sources indicate a variety of 808 sample types available for free download:

  • Short and long 808 samples
  • 808s tuned to different notes and keys
  • Processed and unprocessed versions (clean + distorted)
  • 808 BD kicks designed to be layered with 808 Sub Bass
  • 808 patterns with and without kick elements
  • MIDI files for basslines and patterns

Some sample packs include additional elements beyond just 808s, such as snares, claps, hi-hats, crashes, and percussion sounds. The Icon Drum Kit, for example, contains 351 drum samples including DNB 808s, claps, hi-hats, kicks, snares, and percussion. The Sauce Sound Pack offers 122 drum and 808 sounds with specific counts for each element type.

Notable Free 808 Sample Packs

Several specific free 808 sample packs are mentioned across the sources:

  • The Flora 808 Drum Kit contains high-quality drum samples and 808 kits perfect for any genre or style. This pack is 73MB and includes 530 files.

  • The DJ Spinz 808 is described as one of the most iconic 808s of all time, used in many top songs and favored by industry professionals.

  • The Travis Scott "Astroworld" inspired pack contains 85 samples and loops inspired by the sounds used in the 2018 album, which featured notable 808 samples.

  • The Vortex 808 Enhancer plugin is included for free with certain 808 bundles, providing additional tools for shaping 808 sounds.

Usage and Integration

Producers can use these 808 samples in various ways:

  • Layer 808s with kicks for powerful bass combinations
  • Use 808s standalone as the primary bass element
  • Arrange 808 patterns with complementary kick patterns
  • Process samples with distortion, saturation, EQ, and compression to create unique sounds
  • Use MIDI files for precise control over basslines and patterns

The samples are compatible with all major digital audio workstations (DAWs) and are available in WAV format for maximum compatibility.

Legal Considerations

All the free 808 samples mentioned in the sources are described as 100% royalty free, meaning producers can use them in both commercial and non-commercial projects without paying additional royalties or fees. However, users should review the specific terms and conditions of each platform to understand any usage restrictions or requirements.

Conclusion

Free 808 samples are valuable resources for music producers across various genres, particularly hip hop, trap, and EDM. Multiple online platforms offer extensive collections of these samples, ranging from individual iconic sounds to comprehensive sample packs with additional drum elements. The availability of both processed and unprocessed versions, along with MIDI files, gives producers flexibility in incorporating these essential bass sounds into their productions. When selecting free 808 samples, producers should consider compatibility with their DAW, the specific characteristics of the sounds, and the usage terms to ensure proper legal implementation in their projects.

Sources

  1. Wavgrind Free 808 Drum Kits
  2. Cymatics 808 Sample Packs
  3. Slooply Free 808 Samples
  4. Producers Buzz Free 808 BD Kicks
  5. Looperman Free 808 Kick Loops