Where To Find Drum Samples For Pro Tools
If you’re a Pro Tools user, it’s likely that at some point you’ve needed to add more drums or percussion to your song. However, if you don’t have access to live musicians in your area, getting drum samples can be difficult without having to shell out hundreds of dollars on sample CDs or go to great lengths to find the perfect sounds online. With that said, there are plenty of ways to get drum samples, and with this list of the top 7 places to find drum samples for Pro Tools, you’ll have access to them all!
1) Videohive
The Videohive website, as one of its main features, contains several drum samples you can download for free and use in your music projects. The samples cover a wide range of percussive instruments such as kick drums, claps, snare drums, and more. All files are available in WAV format at 24-bit depth and 44.1 kHz sample rate. Furthermore, many drummers offer loops for sale with corresponding MIDI data so that they may be easily manipulated or resampled. You can purchase these loop sets via the website’s interface with your credit card or PayPal account. Just head over to the site’s Percussion Loops tab and scroll down until you find what you’re looking for. Normally, the company provides a demo video so that you can hear what each sound will sound like before downloading it.
2) Project Phonic
If you’re looking for a professional set of samples that will give your tracks an authentic feel, look no further than Project Phonic. The online music community offers high-quality samples and loops that have been recorded by some of Hollywood’s most renowned musicians. You can also follow other producers in your field and see what they’re listening to. If you want more access to new releases, connect with other users via Project Phonic’s Facebook page. Due to its extensive catalog, Project Phonic is the perfect place to find drum samples for pro tools. They offer high-quality samples and loops that have been recorded by some of Hollywood’s most renowned musicians so you know the sound quality is impeccable.
3) Trap City
Trap City is one of my favorite online resources if you’re a fan of modern hip-hop. This site/forum is home to an active community of producers and users who upload their samples and share them with other members. It’s also home to weekly beat contests where users submit entries based on specific theme guidelines, the winner gets fame and bragging rights, along with credit for producing a hot new track. Commonly uploaded samples include kicks, snares, cymbals, hi-hats, shakers and percussion loops which are perfect for experimenting with different drum sounds. Because this website has a heavy focus on trap music, this can be a great resource for those who produce electronic or urban beats in general. The forum features thousands of posts from aspiring producers, providing feedback and help from fellow artists as well as showcasing their productions. So don’t let your search for where to find drum samples for pro tools stop here!
4) Free Loops
Instead of paying top dollar for drum samples, several sites offer free loops. There’s nothing like some completely free drum samples when you’re trying to create your next hit song or album. Of course, these samples might not be as professional sounding as those purchased from an online store, but they should get you in the ballpark. Just make sure you modify them and run them through your recording software before adding them to your song or album project. If you’ve ever gone looking for where to find drum samples for pro tools, you know that sometimes it can be tough. And sometimes it is just plain difficult.
5) Sample Magic
If you’re looking for something a little more traditional, Sample Magic might be your best bet. Their catalog is immense, but their library of drum samples can be easily sorted by genre or application. With packs ranging from $7.99 to $19.99 and sample libraries starting at $89, you’ll also have plenty of affordable options at your fingertips, and if you sign up for their mailing list, they’ll occasionally send you coupons and discounts on new collections. In addition to drums, Sample Magic has other sound effects available like guitars, basses, pianos, synths, vocals, and world instruments that are perfect for musicians seeking an all-inclusive audio library.
6) Prime Loops
Prime Loops is a great place to find drum samples, but they also have some of their loops and pre-made beats that you can work with. This website has hundreds of free audio samples, as well as premium content available for purchase. If you are looking for new sounds, this is a great site to check out. It’s easy to navigate and the search function makes it easy to find what you need. There are various types of drums on this site including Acoustic Drums, Electronic Drums, Cymbals, Synth Drums, and more. They have everything from Hip Hop Kits to Garage Kits, so if you are looking for something specific, there’s a good chance you will find it here.
7) Loopmasters
Loopmasters have a great selection of free and premium drum samples, but their sales are where it’s at. They regularly have ongoing sales that can save you $$$, so be sure to follow them on social media or subscribe to their mailing list. While you’re there, take a look at some of their other packs, as they have everything from ambient music loops to vintage synth samples and even vocal effects. You might find yourself going a little crazy with all your new sounds. If this happens, one way to make sense of the madness is by making quick folders in Finder (Mac) or File Explorer (Windows) for drums and subfolders within those folders based on genre.
Bottom line
There are a lot of places where you can find drum samples, and some are better than others. There are several sites dedicated exclusively to drum samples (and other media) that’ll provide you with thousands upon thousands of unique sounds. The above are seven great places to look for drum samples. They cover a wide range of styles, from hip-hop and R&B to rock and metal. Use them wisely.