The phrase “electronic dance music” can encompass a huge number of disparate subgenres, each with its own particular tonalities, fans, and festivals. Future Bass, Electro Pop, House, Techno, Bounce – as different as these genres can sound from one another, they all have one thing in common: rhythm. It’s the foundation upon which EDM is built, and it all starts with a good drum sound.
Quality drum samples are the cornerstone of the genre, from sub-frequency kicks to snappy, “clappy” buildups. Fortunately, there are plenty of affordable options that are easy to integrate into your workflow.
Whether you prefer to drag-and-drop WAV files into your tracks or patch your samples through a virtual instrument, we’ve collected a list of sample packs for producers of all skill levels can implement in their productions for a powerful rhythmic foundation.
EDM Drum Samples Highlighted
- Progressive House Drums – House
- Deep Tech Drums – Techno and Deep House
- EDM Festival Kicks + Drops – Melbourne Bounce
- Killer House and EDM Drums Vol. 01 – House
- Future Bass DrumSource – Future Bass/Pop/Trap
- EDM Drums (The Audio Bar) – All Subgenres
- Epic Drums Bundle – House, Electro Pop
- Techno Drum Trax 2 – Techno and Minimal
Adding Samples To Your DAW
The process of adding samples to your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) is similar across almost every DAW in use today. Samples take the form of individual sound files that are collected together in a folder, typically in WAV format for easy use in your workstation.
It’s usually as simple as dragging the sample you want from the folder and dropping it directly onto a track in your song. Depending on the limitations of your specific DAW, you’re free to layer as many samples as your system can handle. Check out our piece on recording software for some great DAW suggestions.
In general, there are two types of samples: loops and one-shots. A loop is a sample that includes multiple pieces of percussion played to a specific rhythm, like a kick-and-snare combo or a series of percolations.
Loops
Loops often last for at least one full measure, and multiple instances of the same sample can be placed back to back (or “looped) to fill out a song section.
One-Shots
One-shots are precision samples of a single kit piece, like the sound of an isolated snare or cymbal. You can layer multiple one-shots together to create the sound of a full kit, or you can add them in selectively to bolster specific sounds. You don’t need to feel limited by the samples in any particular pack, though – feel free to experiment and build your own unique sound!
Top EDM Drum Samples
Your next production doesn’t have to make deadmau5 or Skrillex jealous, but it’s fine if it does, right? For that you’ll need some heavy low end, so here’s a look at some of the best EDM drum samples available today:
1. Progressive House Drums from Zenhiser
Zenhiser’s offering features plenty of loops if you’re looking for a drag-and-drop solution for your workflow. The one-shot kicks have punch and of course, despite the name of the pack, can be used for more than just progressive house. If you’re a newcomer to EDM production, this pack is a great place to start.
Where to get it: Splice
This pack is available as part of Splice’s subscription service. You can preview it on their website and take it for a spin with their free trials if you’re new to the service.
What’s in this pack:
- 178 loops
- 100 one shots
2. Deep Tech Drums from Datacode
Best for: Techno, Tech House, Deep House.
This sample pack includes construction kits designed to flow seamlessly in and out of one another – ideal for producers at the beginning of their career. The one-shot selections available will keep even veteran producers busy and should provide plenty of inspiration for the money.
Where to get it: ADSR Sounds
ADSR offers a variety of construction kits and sample libraries for purchase. They also run sales frequently, so be sure to check for discounts.
- 104 loops
- 30 kicks
- 40 claps & snares
- 40 hi-hats
- 20 percussion hits
- 20 drum construction kits
3. EDM Festival Kicks + Drops from Sample Tools by Cr2
Best for: Melbourne Bounce, Electro House.
Quality over quantity is the name of the game here. Rather than providing an exhaustive set of general-purpose loops, Cr2 Records has deliberately honed in on the big room and festival sound with kick drums that pound. There’s no shortage of celebrity endorsements for this pack too, with producers like Fatboy Slim and Stafford Brothers jumping on the hype train.
Where to get it: Splice
Another option from Splice, and always royalty free.
What’s in this pack:
- 158 loops
- 216 one shots
4. Killer House and EDM Drums Vol. 01 from Producer Loops
Features subfolders for the drum loops that contain the constituent one-shots so you can use them to create alternate loops that pair perfectly with the ones provided. While not an exhaustive selection, the loops are useful for drag-and-drop production flow. Although created with House in mind, it’s stylistically suitable for a variety of EDM subgenres.
Where to get it: Splice
Available via subscription service. Splice also offers other related volumes from Producer Loops if you find you need more, but this is a great place to start.
What’s in this pack:
- 25 drum kits
- 179 loops
- 127 one shots
5. Future Bass DrumSource from Apollo Sound
Best for: Future bass, future pop, trap.
A large selection of one-shots makes this an ideal package for producers looking to piece together their own loops. In addition to the regular sample library, this pack also contains patches that are mappable to Kontakt and EXS24 samplers, so you can play the sounds yourself if you’re so inclined.
Where to get it: Loopmasters or Loopcloud
This pack is offered for purchase via Loopmasters, but please note that the audio demo on the site contains sounds not found in this pack. This one is just for the drums!
What’s in this pack:
- 391 samples total
- 47 snares
- 44 claps
- 19 open hats
- 29 toms
- 15 foleys
- 22 Fxs
- 43 kicks
- 17 snaps
- 58 hi-hats
- 25 cymbals
- 50 percussion hits
- 38 sampler patches
6. EDM Drums from The Audio Bar
Don’t let the simplicity of the name fool you – this sample pack is loaded with useful sounds for almost any application. An excellent choice for beginners, the loops here are ideal for a quick workflow and the one-shots are straightforward enough to take additional processing well.
Where to get it: Splice
If you’re short on funds or in a hurry, Splice’s catalog is a go-to for samples of all kinds. Your subscription also gets you access to a number of VSTs ideal for slapping a little extra processing on some of these samples.
What’s in this pack:
- 106 loops
- 286 one shots
7. Epic Drums Bundle from Electronisounds
The definitive collection from Electronisounds (Dean Daughters), and an absolutely exhaustive number of samples. Ideal for intermediate or advanced producers as this may be an overwhelming number of choices for a beginner, but the one-shots selection here spans over 2 decades of the sound designer’s career. Break out your external hard drives for this one.
Where to get it: Sounds
You can purchase this sample pack directly from Sounds. Just be sure you’ve got the space on your hard drive!
What’s in this pack:
- 9,622 classic drum sounds
- 3,282 nu-school drum sounds
- 554 bonus unreleased drums (from the Electronisounds collection).
8. Techno Drum Trax 2
A simple, no-nonsense sample pack that provides simple WAV loops and one-shots you can slip right into your tracks. Undrgrnd Sounds provides a plethora of other options that are well worth checking out for veteran producers, but this one is straightforward and makes a great (and affordable) package for beginners.
Where to get it: Undrgrnd Sounds
Undrgrnd Sounds provides all of their samples royalty free. This sample pack is a little less pricey than some of their other offerings, so it’s a good starting point.
What’s in this pack:
- 93 loops
- 72 one shots
Future Sounds
Although some of our suggestions may work particularly well within the standards of a given genre, you shouldn’t be afraid to use them how you see fit to create your next project. The future of EDM isn’t about the sounds available in any one sample pack – it’s about your creativity and what you do with those sounds. If you’ve exhausted this list and still need more drum sample options, we’ve got just what you need. If you’d like to learn a few production tricks to make your creative journey a little easier, check out our suggestions for where to learn audio engineering online and keep learning!
Learn More About Samples:
Do I need to credit the sample artist if I use their sample in my song?
Can I get free EDM drum samples?
Do sample or sample packs take up a lot of space on your hard drive?
