Here comes the drums

Got drums?

If not, fret not, because we're about to hit you with some primo links to all the free one-shots and breaks you will ever need.

First up, a well recorded live drum kit. Sadly the legendary NS7 kit is no longer free, but there is a really rather tasty alternative - the Analogue Drums Big Mono kit.

Analogue Drums say:
Big Mono is a roomy rendition of a lovable Ludwig, a Rogers Dynasonic snare drum, some tasty Zildjians, and a Sabian ride for good luck. Tracked through a '75 Neve desk, and as always onto a nice thick roll of tape. Recorded in mono using a decca-tree configuration, this kit sounds retro with plenty of space.

Each drum has been multisampled at loads of different velocity levels, for realistic sounding drum sequencing.

You have to register to get your hands on it, but you get 254 discrete 24-bit, 44.1khz mono wav samples, a quick-reference card (PDF) and sampler mapping files for Battery, Kontakt and Logic's EXS24 - all in a handy 135MB package.

Download Big Mono here.


Now for all the drum machine samples you will ever need. From Acetone Rhythm Ace to Yamaha TX16W, taking in 200 different machines on the way, including the seminal Roland TR-505, 808 and 909.

Simply go to this page, hosted by netlabel Hexawe.

Still want more? For a grittier take on the drum machine sample pack, check out Goldbaby Productions. The site sells kits including the Tape-808 and Tape-909 (the classic sounds recorded through a Metric Halo ULN-2 and a valve 1/2" Ampex reel to reel tape machine).

But, those generous guys also give away sample packs, including Tape-606, Cassette-808 and much more.

Check their 'Free Stuff' page and get the goods.




Still hungry? Well why not check out Cheeb's Beats where you can find some very nifty packs including 'Tweaked 808', 'Tweaked 909' and 'Khaotic Kicks'.



Finally, let's bless you with some of the classic breaks you hear all over hip-hop and breakbeat tracks.

Phat Drumloops does exactly what it says on the tin, provides phat breaks from some of the most distinctive drum tracks ever recorded.

It's got yer 'Amen Brother', yer 'Think', yer 'Apache', yer 'Funky Mule' - but it also has some more obscure and unexpected freshness. For example: 'Atlanta Boogaloo' by The Inclines and 'Oh Woman, Oh Why' by Sir Paul of McCartney.

With 580 entries, their beats archive is definitely worth a look for noobs and break-jaded pros alike.

Not enough for you? You're a greedy pig. But here's some more links anyway:

Some freebies at Dubsounds

More drum machines at kb6

Deuce Black's 100MB drum pack at future producers (do the right thing and thank the man if you download it)

Loads of other stuff at the Download My Drums blog.