The availability of free 808 samples offers significant value to music producers across the United Kingdom, particularly those working within genres such as hip-hop, trap, drill, and future bass. These samples, which replicate the sounds of the iconic Roland TR-808 drum machine, provide the foundational bass kicks, snares, and percussion required for modern beat-making. Several online platforms and sample libraries currently distribute these assets at no cost, often under royalty-free licences that permit both personal and commercial usage. The following guide details the specific free sample packs currently available, their contents, and the requirements for accessing them.
Available Free 808 Sample Packs
A variety of sample packs are accessible to producers, ranging from comprehensive drum kits to focused bass sample collections. These packs are hosted across different music production websites and vary in size, format, and specific content.
Free Roland 808 Drums
This sample pack provides a selection of drum sounds inspired by the Roland TR-808 drum machine. It is described as containing over two hundred individual 808 drum samples. The collection is designed to provide producers with the essential sounds for creating beats.
The specific breakdown of the samples included in this pack is as follows: - 23 Kicks - 49 Snares - 45 Cymbals - 14 Toms - 16 Claps - 24 Bass sounds
The pack is available for instant download and is listed as a "Free 808 Drum Kit."
Lit Sample Pack
The Lit Sample Pack offers 20 ready-to-use 808 sound samples. A key feature of this pack is that it is 100% royalty-free, meaning the sounds can be used in commercial releases without additional licensing fees. The samples are described as "Drag and Drop Ready" and "Production Ready."
To access the Lit Sample Pack, an email address is required. The download process typically involves submitting an email to the provider.
808 Drum Sample Kit by ProducerSpot
This high-quality sample kit is sampled directly from the Roland TR-808 drum machine. It features over 200 individual drum samples. In addition to one-shot samples, this pack includes 10 Trap drum loops, which are suitable for creating a range of music genres including Trap, Hip-Hop, R&B, Pop, and House.
The contents of the 808 Drum Sample Kit include: - 10 Claps - 15 Claves - 25 Congas - 25 Cymbals - 25 Hats - 30 Kicks - 50 Snares - 30 Toms
The pack also comes with a bonus of 10 drum loops.
UNIT: 808
The UNIT: 808 kit is a comprehensive collection that includes kicks, snares, cymbals, hats, toms, and other percussion instruments. It offers 100 unique 808 bass samples, 16 additional drum kits, and a total of 329 samples. All samples in this kit are royalty-free and are organised by key and tempo. The pack contains both loops and one-hit samples and is provided in 24-bit WAV quality.
808 Vol. 1
This sample pack is a collection of 808 Bass Samples inspired by successful artists such as Travis Scott, Post Malone, and J. Cole. The samples are 100% royalty-free. The package includes 100 labeled 808 Bass Samples in multiple keys, suitable for Hip Hop, Trap, and Future Bass genres. Access to this pack requires an email address.
Warm 808 Bass Samples
The Warm 808 Bass sample pack is an updated set of 500 unique sounds. It is a large collection, totalling 1.5 GB of quality samples. The sounds are 100% royalty-free and are compatible with all major Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs). This pack is suitable for genres such as Hip Hop, Future Bass, Trap, and Drill.
The pack contains 500 free 808 bass samples. To start the download, an email address is required.
808 Trapstep Pack Vol. 1
This sample pack is designed to provide everything needed to start making 808-heavy trap, hip-hop, and future bass music. The samples are free to use in productions. The pack includes the following content: - 9 Kick Drums - 10 808 Basses - 27 Claps/Snare Drums - 23 Cymbals - 18 Vocal Chants - 13 FX - 3 Instruments
The total size of this pack is 35.6 MB. It is available as a free download.
Looperman User Uploads
The Looperman platform hosts a library of free 808 kick loops, samples, and sounds uploaded by other users. These files are available for commercial and non-commercial use on a royalty-free basis, subject to the site's terms and conditions. The library includes various user-submitted files, such as kick patterns that go with 808 loops and basic kick patterns with 808s. Users are encouraged to leave comments if they use these samples.
Usage Rights and Royalties
A recurring theme among the available free 808 samples is the licensing terms. Most of the packs listed explicitly state that they are "100% royalty-free." This is a critical distinction for music producers intending to release their music commercially.
- Commercial Use: Packs such as the Lit Sample Pack, UNIT: 808, 808 Vol. 1, and the Warm 808 Bass Samples explicitly permit use in commercial releases. This means that producers can sell the music they create using these samples without owing royalties to the sample provider.
- Royalty-Free Basis: The Looperman user uploads are available for use on a royalty-free basis, subject to the site's specific terms and conditions.
- Inspiration: The 808 Vol. 1 pack notes that it is inspired by top hip-hop artists, suggesting that the tonal quality is suitable for professional-standard productions.
Access Requirements
Accessing these free samples generally falls into two categories: instant download or email submission.
- Instant Download: The "Free Roland 808 Drums" and the "808 Trapstep Pack Vol. 1" are available for instant download, likely via direct links provided on the hosting websites.
- Email Required: Several packs require the user to submit an email address to access the download. This includes the "Lit Sample Pack," "808 Vol. 1," and "Warm 808 Bass Samples." This is a common marketing practice to build a mailing list for future product announcements.
Technical Specifications
The technical quality of the samples varies but generally meets industry standards for music production.
- Format: The majority of the packs provide samples in WAV format. The UNIT: 808 kit specifically mentions 24-bit WAV quality.
- Compatibility: The Warm 808 Bass Samples are noted to be compatible with all major DAWs.
- File Size: File sizes range from smaller packs like the 808 Trapstep Pack (35.6 MB) to larger collections like the Warm 808 Bass Samples (1.5 GB).
- Labelling: The UNIT: 808 and 808 Vol. 1 packs include samples labeled by key and tempo, which aids in the production process by ensuring harmonic compatibility with other tracks.
Conclusion
The landscape for free 808 samples is robust, offering UK producers high-quality, royalty-free sounds suitable for a wide array of modern music genres. From the comprehensive 329-sample UNIT: 808 kit to the genre-specific Warm 808 Bass Samples, there are options for both beginners and experienced producers. While some packs require an email address for access, the majority offer instant downloads. Crucially, the royalty-free status of these packs allows for unrestricted commercial use, making them a valuable resource for anyone looking to produce professional-sounding tracks without incurring licensing costs.