Best free sample packs for IDM and trip hop sounds
Get cerebral with this hand-picked selection of IDM and trip hop samples in the style of Machinedrum and Aphex Twin
Photo by Mick Hutson/Redferns
Rooted in the 1990s, IDM is characterised by complex, intricate compositions. The genre is as diverse as it is esoteric, incorporating elements from breakbeat, trip-hop, acid house, and ambient to name a few – so this week’s sample pack round-up is sure to be a goldmine of hidden gems.
Inspired by the vast back catalogue of Machinedrum off the back of his latest release, 3FOR82, you’ll find everything from snappy percussion for creating off-kilter rhythms, to atmospheric pads perfect for lush, detailed soundscapes.
READ MORE: Machinedrum: “That’s what’s exciting about making music: learning, evolving and experimenting”
Experimentation is integral to IDM – don’t be afraid to mangle and warp these samples into entirely new sonic ideas. If you’re really looking to get into the spirit of things, why not load up a tracker like Renoise for some of that old-school workflow?
Whether you’re looking to add complexity to your beats or evoke a moody, atmospheric vibe, this free sample collection is sure to get your brain working.
Machinedrum Presents Micron Sounds
Image: Ben Bentley for MusicTech
Put together by Machinedrum himself, this intriguing collection of characterful sounds comes from a ‘90s Micron computer. There’s plenty here to get you started on your IDM journey, from crunchy bit-crushed drums to bouncy bass sounds and glitchy keys.
Download Machinedrum Presents Micron Sounds
Trip Hop Volume 1
Bring the tempo down with this old-school trip hop pack, filled to the brim with mellow grooves, psychedelic pad swells, and organic textures. Of course, there’s a healthy dose of delay on top of these crusty, crunchy loops too.
Trip Hop Volume 2
If you didn’t get your fill with the first instalment, Trip Hop Volume 2 is almost double the size. This pack offers a slightly more modern take on the genre than its predecessor, with heavier half-time drum loops and a selection of FX samples to add some flourish to your arrangement.
Belibat Trip Hop
This next trip hop bundle, courtesy of Belibat, is darker and more melancholic in tone. You’ll find plenty of psychedelic loops and effects in the pack, along with emotive orchestral phrases – perfect if you’re making music in the vein of Massive Attack or Portishead.
Patch & Play Lab: Experimental Ear Candy
A hallmark of IDM is the level of detail in its arrangements. Experimental Ear Candy from Patch & Play Lab touts plenty of intriguing gestures and abstract noises to pepper across your production.
Download Patch & Play Lab: Experimental Ear Candy
Intelligent Dance Music
If you’re new to the genre, this collection of IDM sounds is an excellent foundational toolkit. Crisp and snappy drums, weird and warped pads, meandering leads – there’s loads here to get you started.
Download Intelligent Dance Music
Sample This: Smooth Liquid Drum & Bass
Bringing up the tempo, Smooth Liquid Drum & Bass from Sample This offers up deep grooves and skittish drum loops, with plenty of atmospheric sounds to build up your listeners and bring them back down.
Download Sample This: Smooth Liquid Drum & Bass
Classic Atmospheric Liquid D&B
Another collection of liquid D&B sounds, these samples have a little more old-school flavour, harking back to the early noughties. Inside you’ll find 100 loops at 172 beats per minute across drums, bass, pads, keys, and more.
Download Classic Atmospheric & Liquid D&B
Modular Samples
Whether you’re eschewing traditional drums or simply looking for some interesting textures to spice up a beat, this pack of 120 modular one-shots has you covered for all your glitchy, abstract needs.
Patch & Play Lab: Modular Patch Experiments
This experimental sound pack from Patch & Play Lab includes everything from acidic lead sounds to bubbling arpeggiators and squelchy bass sounds – all of which have been heavily processed by analogue hardware for extra character.
Download Patch & Play Lab: Modular Patch Experiments
Marie Ann Hedonia: Sounds From Another Place
Marie Ann is back with another modular synth pack, this time taking us on a journey to worlds beyond our own. Inside, you’ll find plenty of strange effects and stabs, along with spaced-out melodic ideas and modulated drums.
Download Marie Ann Hedonia: Sounds From Another Place
Patch & Play Lab: 50s Sci-fi
Analogue sounds from the future but with a decidedly retro feel are what you’ll find in this Patch & Play Lab pack inspired by ‘50s sci-fi. Watch out Delia Derbyshire, you could be about to get upstaged!
