Sampling is one of the most powerful tools a DJ or producer has. Done well, it can completely transform a track — pulling something from the past and making it feel urgent and new. This guide covers what sampling is, where it came from, how to actually do it, and what tools to use when you’re incorporating samples into a live DJ set.
What is Sampling?
Sampling means taking a section of an existing audio recording — a drum hit, a chord, a vocal phrase, an ambient sound — and using it as raw material in a new piece of music. It’s not copying. It’s more like using an existing ingredient to cook something completely different. The sample might be the backbone of the new track, or it might be one small element buried in a larger arrangement. Either way, the skill is in what you do with it.
A Brief History of Sampling
Sampling goes back further than most people think. Experimental composers were cutting and looping tape recordings as early as the 1940s and 50s — manipulating audio physically to create new sounds. The real shift came in the 1980s when affordable hardware samplers hit the market and suddenly producers in hip hop and electronic music could lift sounds from records and rebuild them into something new. That’s when sampling went from an avant-garde experiment to a central part of popular music.
One of the most famous examples is “Amen Brother” by The Winstons (1969). The drum break in the middle of the track — just a few seconds of a drummer playing solo — became one of the most sampled pieces of audio in history. You’ll find it in classic hip hop, jungle, drum and bass and rave records from the 90s. It’s a neat illustration of how a small moment from one recording can echo through decades of music.
What Sampling Makes Possible
Sampling lets you pull from any point in music history and any genre simultaneously. You can layer a 1960s soul vocal over a modern electronic beat. You can build an entire track from fragments of film scores, jazz records and comedy sketches. The Avalanches did exactly that on “Since I Left You” — an album made from over 3,000 samples that sounds like a single cohesive piece of music. It remains one of the best arguments for what sampling can achieve when it’s treated as a genuine art form rather than a shortcut.
The Legal Side of Sampling
Here’s the part that catches people out. Using someone else’s recorded music without permission is copyright infringement — regardless of how short the sample is, how heavily you’ve processed it, or how different it sounds from the original. If you’re releasing music commercially, you need to clear your samples. That means contacting the copyright holders, negotiating a license, and getting the agreement in writing. It’s a process, but skipping it can lead to tracks being taken down, royalties being seized, or worse. We’ve got a full guide to clearing samples linked below.
How to Sample Music
The basic process looks like this:
- Choose your source material: Vinyl records are the classic starting point, but field recordings, film dialogue, found sounds and digital archives are all fair game. The broader your sources, the more distinctive your work tends to sound.
- Load samples into a sampler: Hardware samplers like the Akai MPC or software options like Native Instruments Kontakt let you load, trigger and manipulate audio with precision. Most DAWs also have built-in sampling tools.
- Manipulate the sample: Pitch it up or down, change the tempo, chop it into fragments, layer it with other sounds, run it through effects. This is where you make it your own rather than just lifting someone else’s work.
- Arrange into a track: Once you have your material shaped, arrange it into a composition. This is the part that separates good sampling from great sampling — knowing when to use what, how much to reveal, and how to build something with structure and movement.
Sampling Tools Worth Knowing
Hardware samplers:
- Akai MPC series: The industry standard for hardware sampling. Intuitive, durable and deeply connected to the history of hip hop production. The MPC One and MPC Live are the current go-to models for most producers.
- Roland SP-404 series: Beloved for its portability and workflow. A favourite for lo-fi producers and beatmakers who want something tactile and immediate.
- Elektron Octatrack: The most powerful and complex hardware sampler on the market. Steep learning curve, but exceptional for live performance and deep sound design.
Software samplers:
- Native Instruments Kontakt: An industry-standard software sampler with an enormous library of instruments and sounds. Great for both production and live use.
- Ableton Live (Simpler and Sampler): Both built-in tools are excellent for chopping and arranging samples within a production or live performance context.
- Logic Pro Sampler: Formerly EXS24, now called Sampler. A powerful and flexible option for anyone working within the Apple ecosystem.
Using Samples in DJ Sets
In a live DJ context, sampling means triggering pre-prepared sounds, loops or one-shots during your set — layering them over the tracks you’re playing to add texture, create transitions or build moments that wouldn’t be possible with just two tracks playing. Done well it makes a set feel genuinely alive and responsive rather than just a playlist played back in order.
Serato Sample
Serato Sample is a plug-in sampler designed specifically for DJs and producers, integrating directly with Serato DJ software and most major DAWs. It lets you browse, load and trigger samples in real time during a set, with solid key detection and BPM matching to make sure what you drop in sits in tune with whatever’s playing. It’s one of the more intuitive options for DJs who want to add samples to live performances without a complicated setup.
Rekordbox Sampler
Pioneer DJ’s Rekordbox has a built-in sampler that integrates neatly with the rest of the Rekordbox ecosystem. If you’re already using Rekordbox to manage your library and Pioneer hardware for your sets, the sampler is a natural extension of what you’re already doing. You can trigger samples in real time, manage a sample library within your existing workflow, and sync everything to the master tempo of your mix.
Traktor Remix Decks
Native Instruments’ Traktor includes Remix Decks — dedicated performance decks designed for live sampling and remixing. You load samples, loops and one-shots into the decks and trigger them alongside your regular tracks, with full control over effects, sync and parameter adjustments. They’re particularly powerful for DJs who want to build live remixes on the fly rather than just layering pre-made loops. The flexibility is considerable, though the setup requires more preparation than plug-and-play options.
Getting the Most Out of Samples in a Live Set
The technical side of live sampling is learnable. The harder skill is knowing when to use something and when to hold back. A well-timed vocal drop or a drum loop layered at the peak of a mix can be the moment the crowd remembers. An overloaded set full of constant sample triggers just becomes noise. Build a curated sample library that fits your sound, practise triggering in time, and treat samples as a way to add detail to a performance rather than as a crutch.
The DJs who use samples most effectively are the ones who make them feel like a natural part of the set — not an add-on, but something that was always meant to be there.
Final Thoughts
Sampling has been at the centre of popular music for over forty years, and it’s not going anywhere. Whether you’re building tracks entirely from found sound like the Avalanches, digging for breaks to flip like a classic hip hop producer, or triggering loops live in a club set, the principles are the same — find something with potential, treat it with craft, and make it yours. The tools have never been better or more accessible. The rest is down to taste and time.
FAQ’s: DJs Sampling Music
Where can I find free music samples?
Freesound, Looperman and SampleSwap are all solid starting points for free samples. Many music production communities also share free sample packs regularly. Always check the licensing terms before using anything — some free samples are cleared for commercial use, others are for personal or non-commercial projects only.
Can I use sampled songs in my own music?
If the source material is copyrighted — which most commercially released music is — you’ll need clearance from the copyright holder before using it in a release. The short answer is: don’t assume you can use something just because it’s old, obscure or heavily processed. If you want a simpler route, royalty-free sample libraries and services like TrackLib offer pre-cleared material you can use without going through the full clearance process.
What are music loops and how do I use them?
A loop is a section of audio — a drum pattern, a chord progression, a bass riff — that repeats seamlessly. Loops are the building blocks of a lot of electronic music production. You’ll find them in sample libraries, platforms like Splice and Loopcloud, and bundled with most DAWs. To use one, drag it into your project, set the tempo to match, and arrange it as you would any other element in a composition.
What are Splice and Loopcloud?
Both are subscription-based platforms with large libraries of samples, loops and one-shots covering virtually every genre. Splice integrates directly with most DAWs and lets you download individual samples rather than buying whole packs. Loopcloud has strong DAW integration too and a particularly good browser for finding sounds quickly. Both are worth trying — most producers end up settling on one based on which library fits their sound better.
How do I clear a sample?
Clearing a sample involves getting legal permission from the copyright holders of both the composition and the master recording. You’ll need to contact them directly — usually via the publisher and the record label — explain how you intend to use the sample, and negotiate a licensing agreement. It takes time and can involve royalty payments or upfront fees, but it’s the only way to release sample-based music legally. We’ve got a full step-by-step guide to the process linked below.
If you enjoyed our guide to sampling music, check out our blog on How To Clear A Sample.
Or check out our YouTube video on making a mixtape in Ableton here.