Music production software is made up of many challenges. Learning how to search for great free drum sounds is a challenge that many audio producers of all genres find themselves in. While it is an area where search engines don't always deliver, with knowledge of the different types of drum sources it is possible to build up a respectable drum library from the free hip hop samples and drum sounds available on the internet. Commercial sample providers might cringe at seeing this article, but I hope I can make up for it by posting links to their websites, and for telling the truth that it will take a much longer time to build up a drum library with only free samples than it would to buy a sample pack. I respect the art of drum creation and I do not support illegal downloading, and with so many legal opportunities there's really no need to. Keep your music producing legitimate and karma will help you succeed.
If you understand the types of places to get drums and why they exist, you will never be short on drum hits. In fact, you may have trouble with having too many. Four types of sources for free drum sounds, with plenty of links, are summarized below.
Source 1: Demos from commercial products (and the like)
The sounds from this source are designed as demonstrations of a larger product, and the creators of these packs provide them to encourage you to buy the full collection. As a result, many of the sounds are great, but be careful to check for a license or text file that outlines what you can do with the files. Most of the time, you will be able to use the sounds in your music producing, but sometimes the demo files are intended only for listening. You'll want to keep a copy of your licenses in a certain place on your computer for peace of mind should you come out with a release. Also note that you might be required to register, join a mailing list or fill out a survey in order to download the hip hop samples.
Sounds in HD
Look for (Demo)
Sonic Specialists
Look for (Free Sounds)
Bangin-Beats
Demo Kit
Analogue Drums
Big Mono
Samplecraze
Killa Kits
Loopmasters
Soundbwoy Killah
Free Drum Kits Blog
Free Drum Kits
Source 2: Free Sounds Pages from commercial products
Some commercial sample providers have a more convenient way to advertise their products. The examples I've listed have chosen to compile all their free sounds on one page, and there's no need to register or jump through any hoops. Like the first group, they attempt to find a balance between impressing the consumer and leaving them hungry for more. Since they are demos for commercial products, their description is the same as the first group, except more convenient.
Goldbaby
(uniquely sampled drum machines)
Zenhiser
(mostly loops in various styles)
Sample Magic,
(also mostly loops in various styles)
Pettinhouse
acoustic drum kits
Blazin Kits
hip hop drum kits
Source 3: Completely Free Drumkits
There are quite a few drum kits and hip hop samples for audio producers designed by individuals and made available for free download for no reason except the kit maker's desire to share. Sometimes the kits come from sounds the creators originally intended for their own use, and sometimes they are made with the intention of promoting web traffic. Whatever the motive may be, these hip hop sample packs tend to come with the freedom to be used in songs, but it's important to know that great sounds are sometimes hard to find in this group. The landscape is constantly changing and many of the kits I wanted to list have gone missing from the internet or have been moved. Since they're hard to find, you might find some unique sounds to layer with other drums to have your own custom sound. Lastly, make sure that the packs were actually created by the person providing them so that you respect the art of drums and don't break the law. To ease your search, I have listed some examples.
Warbeats
Files Section
Mahfuz
drumkit volume 2
AudiotutsFree page
Cyberworm's sample blog
No Dough deconstructed techno kit
Source 4: Magazine Sample CDs
Some magazines provide DVDs of samples with every issue. Since there's no preview for the audio files you'll receive, magazine sample CDs are hit-and-miss. Unless you are familiar with who is producing the samples for the CD, I recommend finding another reason to buy the magazine and then hoping for the nice bonus of good hip hop samples for audio producers.
Good luck in finding even more sources out there for your audio productions!
