Free Vocal Samples For Big Room And Edm Music Production

The provided source material focuses on vocal samples for electronic music production in general, with specific mentions of various free vocal sample packs. While not exclusively focused on "big room" vocal samples, this article compiles available information about free vocal samples that may be suitable for big room and EDM production based on the provided sources.

Free vocal samples have become essential tools for electronic music producers, particularly in genres like big room, house, and EDM. These samples provide ready-to-use vocal elements that can transform a track, adding human elements and emotional depth. The availability of high-quality, royalty-free vocal samples has democratized music production, allowing both amateur and professional producers to create compelling tracks without the need for recording vocalists. This article explores the various free vocal sample packs available, their features, and how they can be utilized in music production.

Types of Free Vocal Samples Available

The market offers a diverse range of free vocal samples catering to different music production needs. These samples come in various formats and styles, suitable for different genres and production techniques.

Complete Construction Kits

Some vocal sample packs provide complete construction kits, offering all the elements needed to build a track around vocal samples. For instance, Tropical House Vocal Samples Vol. 2 by W.A. Productions includes a full construction kit with top-line vocals, harmonies, and background textures. These comprehensive packs are ideal for producers looking to create entire songs around vocal elements.

Processed and Atmospheric Vocals

Many free vocal sample packs focus on processed and atmospheric sounds. Heaven Vox by Lion's Den Sounds offers 40 heavily processed vocal samples with pitch and formant shifting as well as reverb, making them suitable for creating ethereal atmospheres. These processed vocals can add depth and texture to electronic music productions.

Genre-Specific Vocal Samples

Several packs cater specifically to certain genres. The EDM Vocal Samples Pack Vol. 1 by FLP Family contains 25 free vocal samples designed for "huge club anthems," reminiscent of artists like Swedish House Mafia or Major Lazer. The free vocal samples from HighLife Samples are specifically suited for EDM genres like Trance, House, Progressive, and Future Pop.

Female Vocal Samples

Many free vocal packs focus on female vocals, which are particularly popular in electronic music. Free Vocal Kit II by GhostHack offers 60 female vocal samples ranging from simple breaths to chants and one-words, with different versions of each sample featuring added reverb or pitch modulation. The Ultimate Female Vocal Samples Pack by MusicRadar provides an extensive collection of 1,337 female vocal samples, each supplied in different variations with harmony parts.

How to Access Free Vocal Samples

Direct Downloads from Producer Websites

Many producers and sample companies offer free vocal samples directly through their websites. For example, W.A. Productions offers Free Gravity, a 1.6GB pack with 100% royalty-free instrumental stems and dry/wet vocals. Antidote Audio provides a free vocal samples pack in collaboration with Takeaway Sound, coming in at over 300MB with samples across multiple genres.

Sample Databases and Communities

Looperman offers not just a sample pack but an entire database of free vocal samples. Users can filter by genre, key, BPM, tempo, and more, searching specifically for "male vocal" or "female vocal" samples. Every sample is free to download, requiring only the creation of an account.

Newsletter Subscriptions

Some free vocal samples are available to newsletter subscribers. HighLife Samples mentions that if you're already a subscriber, you can access their free vocal sample pack through the subscription email they sent when you signed up. This is a common practice for sample companies to build their email lists.

Technical Specifications of Free Vocal Samples

File Formats

Most free vocal samples are provided in WAV format, which is compatible with all major digital audio workstation software. HighLife Samples specifically mentions that their free vocal samples are in WAV format and also include MIDI files, which allow producers to create their own melodies quickly.

BPM and Key Information

Many free vocal sample packs include BPM and key information to help producers integrate them into their projects. The Antidote Audio X Takeaway Sound Free Vocal Samples Pack, for example, includes samples with BPMs ranging from 100 to 174. The 50 Best Free Vocal Samples by LANDR provides key and BPM-tagged samples ranging from dry to processed to fully chopped vocal FX.

Sample Variations

Some packs offer multiple versions of the same sample to provide flexibility. Free Vocal Kit II by GhostHack includes different versions of each sample with added reverb or pitch modulation. The Ultimate Female Vocal Samples Pack by MusicRadar supplies each sample in different variations, along with two distinct harmony parts.

Techniques for Using Vocal Samples in Music Production

Time-Stretching and Pitch-Shifting

Producers can manipulate vocal samples by adjusting their tempo and pitch. As noted in the source material, "pick a vocal in a different BPM to your song, then speed it up or slow it down. Pitch it up or down to match your project and give it its own identity." This technique allows producers to use vocal samples that don't initially match their project's tempo or key.

Chopping and Slicing

Vocal samples can be chopped into smaller segments and rearranged to create new melodies. The source material suggests, "slice and re-arrange words or syllables from different samples to create brand new melodies." This technique is particularly popular in genres like big room and EDM, where short vocal chops are often used to build energy.

Creating Pads and Atmospheres

Vocal samples can be transformed into atmospheric elements using effects like reverb. The source material notes that vocals can be used "in excess to create haunting textures that will add depth to your tracks." This technique is useful for creating intros, outros, or background elements in electronic music.

Using Dry vs. Wet Vocals

Producers have the option to use dry vocals (unprocessed) or wet vocals (processed with effects). GhostHack's Free Vocal Kit II, for example, offers both versions. The source material suggests, "Use the dry vocals as an experimental for adding your own fx chain and see how it sound as a final result" or "use the wet vocals directly into your project without adding any extra fx."

Benefits of Using Free Vocal Samples

Royalty-Free Usage

Most free vocal samples come with royalty-free licenses, allowing producers to use them in their commercial releases. HighLife Samples specifically mentions that their samples are "100% royalty-free," and producers can "sell your track via Beatport, i-tunes, and any other music store."

Creative Flexibility

Vocal samples provide creative possibilities that might otherwise be inaccessible to producers without access to vocalists. As the source material suggests, even if a track isn't vocal-led, adding snippets of vocals can "humanize the song and allow people to connect to it more."

Time and Resource Efficiency

Using pre-recorded vocal samples saves producers the time and resources required to record and edit their own vocals. This is particularly beneficial for those working with limited budgets or tight deadlines.

Limitations of Free Vocal Samples

Potential Overuse

The source material cautions that "these are free, so it's likely that someone has already used it (again, manipulate the vocals)." This highlights a potential limitation of free samples - their widespread use may result in tracks that sound similar.

Quality Variations

While many free vocal samples are high quality, there can be variations in recording quality and processing between different packs. Producers should carefully evaluate samples to ensure they meet their production standards.

Specific Free Vocal Sample Packs for Big Room and EDM

Tropical House Vocal Samples Vol. 2

  • Producer: W.A. Productions
  • Features: Full construction kit with top-line vocals, harmonies, and background textures
  • Best suited for: Adding a summer vibe to tracks

Free Gravity

  • Producer: W.A. Productions
  • Size: 1.6GB
  • Features: 100% royalty-free instrumental stems and dry/wet vocals
  • Best suited for: Producers needing a substantial collection of vocal elements

EDM Vocal Samples Pack Vol. 1

  • Producer: FLP Family
  • Size: 25 samples
  • Features: Pre-drop phrases for huge club anthems
  • Best suited for: Big room and festival-style tracks

Free Vocal Kit II

  • Producer: GhostHack
  • Size: 60 female vocal samples
  • Features: Different versions with added reverb or pitch modulation
  • Best suited for: Producers looking for female vocal elements

50 Best Free Vocal Samples

  • Producer: LANDR
  • Features: Key and BPM-tagged samples from dry to processed to fully chopped vocal FX
  • Best suited for: Glitchy and left-field electronic tracks

Conclusion

Free vocal samples offer valuable resources for electronic music producers, particularly those working in genres like big room and EDM. These samples provide ready-to-use vocal elements that can enhance tracks, adding emotional depth and human connection. The variety of available samples, from complete construction kits to individual processed vocals, ensures that producers can find elements suitable for their specific needs. By understanding the different types of samples available, how to access them, and techniques for manipulating them, producers can effectively incorporate vocal samples into their productions. While limitations exist, particularly regarding potential overuse, the benefits of free vocal samples make them indispensable tools in the modern producer's toolkit.

Sources

  1. EDMProd Vocal Samples Guide
  2. HighLife Samples Free Vocal Samples