Free 909 Drum Samples Where To Download Quality Samples For Your Music

The Roland TR-909 drum machine, introduced in 1984 by the famous Japanese Corporation, has become an iconic instrument in electronic music production. Known for its distinctive sounds and programmable features, the 909 has shaped countless genres from house and techno to hip-hop and pop. For producers looking to incorporate these classic drum sounds into their music, free 909 samples offer an accessible entry point. This article explores the various free 909 sample packs available, their contents, licensing terms, and how to access them.

Understanding the Roland TR-909 Drum Machine

The TR-909 Rhythm Composer is a partially analog, partially sample-based drum machine that features a 16-step step sequencer and a drum kit designed for both realism and cost-effectiveness. Unlike its predecessor, the 808, the 909 can store entire songs with multiple sections rather than just patterns. This versatility has made it a staple in electronic music production for decades.

The 909's distinctive sound comes from its analog circuitry, which produces punchy kicks, crisp snares, and sharp claps that cut through mixes. Producers often seek out 909 samples to capture this classic sound without needing access to the original hardware. Fortunately, numerous free sample packs are available that capture the essence of the 909 drum machine in various processing states.

Types of Free 909 Sample Packs Available

Free 909 samples come in several forms, each offering different characteristics:

1. Clean Samples: These capture the original 909 sounds without additional processing, preserving the authentic analog character of the drum machine.

2. Processed Samples: These samples have undergone additional treatments such as tape saturation, distortion, or filtering to achieve specific sonic textures.

3. Loops: These are pre-programmed rhythmic patterns that showcase how 909 sounds can be arranged in a musical context.

4. One-Shot Samples: These are individual drum hits that allow producers to create their own patterns.

Each type serves different production needs, and many sample packs include a combination of these elements to provide maximum flexibility for music creators.

BPB Cassette 909 Sample Pack

One of the most comprehensive free 909 sample packs is the BPB Cassette 909, available through Bedroom Producers Blog. This pack offers 155 carefully edited one-shot samples in 24-bit WAV format, divided into three categories:

• Clean Samples: 71 original 909 drum sounds
• Cassette 1: 84 tape-processed samples with slight distortion
• Cassette 2: 84 tape-processed samples with full distortion

The samples were created by taking extensive 909 recordings made by Edgar Maguyon and processing them through CrO2 cassette tape at two different gain settings. This approach provides two distinct flavors of tape saturation: slightly distorted in the first folder and fully distorted in the second. The clean samples preserve the original character of the 909 without additional processing.

The pack also includes a Reason Refill, allowing users to easily incorporate these sounds into Reason, and a demo track (320 kbps MP3) that demonstrates how the samples can be used in a musical context. The download size is 8.9 MB, packaged as a ZIP archive.

The license for the BPB Cassette 909 samples permits free use in both commercial and non-commercial audio and video projects. However, redistributing any part of the drum sample library or claiming the recordings as one's own is strictly prohibited. It's important to note that this sample pack is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Roland Corporation.

909 Free Samples Pack from TheHighestProducers.com

TheHighestProducers.com offers another free 909 sample pack containing 78 drum samples from the famous 909 drum machine. This pack aims to provide producers with every sound needed in various tones and pitches to create electronic music genres including EDM, techno, and house.

Each sample was carefully recorded through a Preamp Universal Audio 2-610 and converted with Apogee Rosetta AD and Protools HD 8, ensuring high-quality 24-bit, 44.1kHz audio. The samples are in WAV format, making them compatible with most digital audio workstations and samplers.

The pack includes a comprehensive selection of 909 drum sounds: - 16 TR909 Kicks - 1 TR909 Clap - 23 TR909 Toms - 12 TR909 Crashes - 3 TR909 closed hats - 14 TR909 Snares - 1 TR909 Rimshot - 5 TR909 Ride

These samples are free for both commercial and non-commercial projects, offering producers flexibility in their music production without licensing concerns.

Looperman's Collection of User-Uploaded 909 Loops

Looperman provides a platform where users can upload and share free 909 loops, samples, and sounds. These files are available on a royalty-free basis for both commercial and non-commercial use, subject to the platform's terms and conditions.

The platform's search functionality allows users to find free 909 loops that include "909" in the title or description. Each loop can be accompanied by comments from other users, creating a community-driven resource for producers.

One notable feature of Looperman is the variety of recording approaches users take when creating their 909 samples. For example, one user mentioned uploading 909 loops from their RD-9, combining it with Koala Sampler to explore interesting sound design possibilities. This variety allows producers to find samples recorded through different equipment and processing techniques.

Looperman's terms and conditions specify that users should contact the uploader directly with questions about specific files, while content that breaches copyright or violates upload guidelines should be reported to support.

MusicRadar's Processed 808 and 909 Samples

MusicRadar offers a collection of free processed 808 and 909 samples that provide an alternative take on these classic drum sounds. The samples were created by processing TR-808 and TR-909 drum machines through effects that bend them out of shape, resulting in warped and mangled drums that remain recognizable as 808s and 909s despite their unconventional character.

The pack includes 12 sets of tempo-labeled loops along with a selection of individual hits for crafting custom patterns. These samples are royalty-free, allowing producers to use them in their music in any way they like, with the only restriction being that the samples cannot be redistributed.

The samples are supplied in a ZIP file, which users must extract before accessing the individual audio files. MusicRadar also offers additional music and gear news, reviews, deals, and features for music-makers of all types.

Licensing and Usage Rights for Free 909 Samples

Understanding the licensing terms for free 909 samples is crucial for producers to ensure they're using the samples appropriately. While most free sample packs permit both commercial and non-commercial use, the specific terms can vary:

1. Commercial Use: Most free 909 samples allow for commercial use in music production, meaning producers can sell tracks that incorporate these samples without additional licensing fees.

2. Non-Commercial Use: All free samples permit non-commercial use, allowing hobbyists and students to experiment with these sounds in their personal projects.

3. Redistribution Restrictions: Nearly all free sample packs prohibit redistributing the samples themselves, meaning producers cannot include these samples in their own sample packs or distribute them separately.

4. Attribution Requirements: Most free 909 samples do not require attribution, though it's always good practice to check the specific license terms for each pack.

5. Modification Rights: Most free samples allow producers to modify the samples to suit their production needs, including pitching, time-stretching, and processing them further.

Producers should carefully review the license terms for each sample pack to ensure compliance and avoid potential legal issues.

How to Download and Use These Sample Packs

Downloading and using free 909 samples is straightforward:

1. Accessing the Samples: Visit the websites that offer these sample packs, such as Bedroom Producers Blog for the Cassette 909 pack or TheHighestProducers.com for their 909 samples.

2. Downloading the Files: Most sample packs are provided as ZIP archives that contain the individual WAV files. Click the download link and save the file to your computer.

3. Extracting the Files: Use a file compression utility (most operating systems include this functionality by default) to extract the WAV files from the ZIP archive.

4. Loading into Your DAW: Open your digital audio workstation and create a new instrument track. Load the WAV files into a sampler plugin or directly onto audio tracks.

5. Programming Patterns: Use the one-shot samples to create your own drum patterns or incorporate the loops directly into your productions.

6. Processing Further: Feel free to apply additional processing to the samples to match them with your mix, including equalization, compression, and effects.

Many sample packs also include documentation or demo tracks that demonstrate how the samples sound in a musical context, providing inspiration for producers.

Tips for Working with 909 Samples

To get the most out of free 909 samples, consider these production tips:

1. Layering: Combine multiple samples to create richer drum sounds. For example, layering a clean kick with a processed kick can add both punch and character.

2. Pitch Variation: Experiment with pitching samples up or down to achieve different timbres. Lowering pitch on kicks can create sub-bass elements, while raising pitch on snares can add brightness.

3. Processing: Apply effects such as reverb, delay, distortion, and saturation to further shape the samples to fit your mix.

4. Velocity Programming: Vary the velocity of your drum hits to create more realistic and dynamic performances.

5. Sample Selection: Choose samples that complement each other in terms of frequency content and dynamics to ensure a cohesive drum sound.

6. Rhythmic Variation: Use the one-shot samples to create patterns that go beyond standard 909 rhythms, incorporating more complex syncopation and variations.

By experimenting with these techniques, producers can create unique drum sounds that stand out while still capturing the essence of the classic 909.

Conclusion

Free 909 samples offer an accessible way for producers to incorporate the iconic sounds of the Roland TR-909 drum machine into their music. From clean, unprocessed samples to tape-reated versions and processed alternatives, there's a wealth of options available at no cost. The BPB Cassette 909 pack, TheHighestProducers.com's collection, Looperman's user-uploaded loops, and MusicRadar's processed samples each provide unique approaches to capturing the 909 sound.

When using these samples, it's important to respect the licensing terms, which typically allow for commercial and non-commercial use but prohibit redistribution. By understanding how to download, process, and effectively use these samples, producers can enhance their music with classic drum machine sounds without breaking the budget.

Whether you're producing electronic dance music, hip-hop, or experimental soundscapes, free 909 samples offer a versatile resource that can elevate your productions with their distinctive character and timeless appeal.

Sources

1. Free Roland 909 Sample Pack
2. 909 Wav Drum-kit
3. BPB Cassette 909
4. Free 909 Loops on Looperman
5. Processed 808 and 909 Samples