Freesound

The Freesound Database is a large and fast growing online database of sounds that have been uploaded by people all over the world. Freesound requires that uploading users agree to license the samples with one of the Creative Commons licenses which permits the use of the samples by other people in their own compositions.

Sampling - Using samples from recorded music

A lot of modern music uses audio samples from previously published recordings. These may be sounds, spoken word, vocals or musical parts and loops. Using samples from other recordings is fine for personal use but if you ever want to publish your piece that includes a copyrighted sample from someone elses work, the process of obtaining permission can be long and expensive. However some of the best loved music made since the early eighties has used familiar samples. Finding a loop or sample from your favourite music can be a great way to start creating a new piece.

Creating new sounds

Sounds are everywhere and the process of creating new sounds for composition is only limited by your creativity, and the time you have to do it. Using a microphone and an MP3 recorder is a lightweight and easy to use way of recording environmental sounds such as birdsong, car horns, busking musicians (with their permission) or any other sound around. Freesound (see above) has a large variety of environmental sounds recorded and uploaded ready for use. Of course musical instruments are a great source of samples for music making. There are thousands of sample packs for use with music making software that include musical instrument samples of all sorts. Or you can record your own. For computer musicians the easiest source of sounds are software synthesizers that are included with music production software or made available separately.