Where Can I Get New Samples and Sounds?

In this edition of FAQ Fridays, I’ll be giving you some tips on finding new sounds and samples.

Too often do I come across Producers and Beatmakers on forums asking for new samples, drumkits, VST instruments and such.

It seems they have retired and given up on the virtually unlimited potential of re-sampling their existing
samples and are now in search of new ones.

Fair deal. I once was playing the same game until I developed my snip-sampling technique, searched the web for new samples and utilized the conventional technique of  re-sampling sounds which simply involves such things as layering existing samples on top of each other, recording samples with effects on them, EQing and the list goes on.

The Future of Obtaining New Samples

The audio sampling game has dramatically transitioned into a virtual e-diggin-downloading fest.

Everyone is now taking advantange of the benefits of accessing (and listening to) once obscure and rare records (esentially sounds) that they would have never had had the chance to get their fingers dusted on. Imagine what the Pete Rock’s, RZA’s, Ced-G‘s, Premier’s, and Easy Mo Bee‘s  of the world would have created or sampled if they had what we have access to these days.

Continuing, below is a list of some places onilne you can get some new samples (or sounds):

Google / Search Engines – the holy grail of e-diggin’ and finding new sounds simply because you just type in what you’re looking for and you’re bound to find it or something similar. Heck you’ll probably stumble upon something you didnt even expect. (This is also known as E-Diggin’)

YouTube – this is a great source for finding all types of new samples and sounds. YouTube is our new TV and bacause its running from a computer, you’ll be able to sample the audio from the videos directly into your sampler or into an audio recording device.  Just fire up YouTube and search through the millions of videos from instructional videos, cartoons, kung-fu clips, movie clips, full songs and much more.

Forums – FutureProducers Sampling Technique forum has at least 10 new old school funky soul tracks posted daily by its community members.  Whats cool about it is that you can also battle and showcase your sampling skills to the fellow Producers and Beatmakers in the community over there.  The Dustry Fingaz community is similar beat spot that has built a reputable sampling community online.

Online Music Stores – you’d be surprised how effective my Snip-Sampling technique is when put into use.
Esentially you can sample the snippets of many songs available on these types of sites. This also includes
the iTunes Store that allows you to preview tracks for about 30 seconds. Give it a try! It doesn’t hurt.

I’ve only scratched the surface with this list so get started already and stay tuned for more spots to find new samples in upcoming FAQ Fridays.