Free Drum Loops and Beats | The Great Promise

Wah Bongo (sorta)

And...we're back!

Here's the first loop of the year.  Today's loop is using a pair of Bongos a friend gave me this past weekend, an african shaker and an LP One Shot shaker...recorded using Ableton, a beat up ATM41, and rendered as a mono wav file. (oh and I almost forgot:  tempo is 90bpm) As always, if you'd like the individual parts rendered out, please get in touch and I'll be happy to oblige!

Ready?  Here it is, the Loop of the Day for February 18th:

Download Loop of the Day for February 18th

Tricked Out Tuesdays

Welcome to the new place for my free drum loops and audio.  I've just finished manually moving over the loops from www.dalebakerdrummer.com where I originally started the Tricked Out Tuesdays - loop of the week.  After a few weeks, I realized I wanted a dedicated site to these audio bits, and with the new site an easy way for the visitor to the site, to sign up for future free loops. 

If you'd like to "subscribe", click on the button towards the top, and you'll be directed to a page where you can enter your email address.  Once entered you'll begin receiving my new loops in your email inbox, as soon as I post a new file.

If you like what you hear, please pass the word around.  And if you hear of anyone needing a drummer - I'm always looking for more work!

So, because of the site maintenance and the holidays, I'm not sure when I'll be posting the next loops, but I promise more (and better) loops are coming your way!

Gigantic Maracas - Audio (no loop)

Originally Posted here by Dale Baker on December 1, 2009

Today's loop is just a basic shaker shaker part that is about 8 bars long.  It was an extra part I recorded for last weeks loop, that I felt ultimately didn't work as well with the loop from last week.

I'm using these gigantic maraccas that are SUPER loud.  I will sometimes take them to recording sessions, and they'll end up NOT BEING USED, because they are SO LOUD.  I think you get the idea...I'll stop using upper case letters to make my point.

I think the tempo is 81bpm if I remember correctly.  It's a 16th note groove, and was recorded with an Earthworks overhead mic. 

(and I promise this will be the last of my use of Uppercase letters.) NOTE: Remember this isn't an actual loop.  It's about 8 bars of shaker, and I think there is enough information on the file for you to create your own loop. 

Loop of the Day for November 31 :: Download Dbd 16th maraccas 81bpm

I'm using these gigantic maraccas that are SUPER loud.  I will sometimes take them to recording sessions, and they'll end up NOT BEING USED, because they are SO LOUD.  I think you get the idea...I'll stop using upper case letters to make my point.

I think the tempo is 81bpm if I remember correctly.  It's a 16th note groove, and was recorded with an Earthworks overhead mic. 

(and I promise this will be the last of my use of Uppercase letters.) NOTE: Remember this isn't an actual loop.  It's about 8 bars of shaker, and I think there is enough information on the file for you to create your own loop. 

Loop of the Day for November 31 :: Download Dbd 16th maraccas 81bpm

Djembe "snare" loop

Originally Posted here by Dale Baker on November 24, 2009

Today's loop was inspired by the drum set up I used on Sunday at Emmaus Way.  I used my Remo 14" Djembe, but put a Rhythm Tech "Active Snare" on top of the drum, affixing it with two bungee cords twisted around the backside of the drum.  The  Rhythm Tech Snare makes the drum buzz a bit, plus it muffles out some of the "ringing" of the drum. 

Side Note:  I got this idea from seeing Jay Bellerose play with Paula Cole so many years ago - and then when I actually did meet him (he and Paula came out to a Sixpence show once in LA - and Sixpence played a show or two with Paula) he showed me exactly how he had devised his setup - (short version:  it involved nuts, and washers, some metal brackets and a couple of springs...I made a detailed drawing...maybe I'll post that one of these days if I can find it...). 

I mic'ed the setup with a Beta 52 for the low end off of the Djembe, and used an Earthworks SR20 for the top of the drum and the bongo part.  Oh, and I almost forgot - there is a "guiro" part that I'm playing with an old pair of Vic Firth "dreadlocks." I love using those sticks/brushes for percussion elements like this. That part is also being recorded by the Earthworks mic.

There are two loops again this week.  The first one is just the main pattern (and there is a small drum fill at the end).  The second loop adds a bongo pattern.  Both loops are 8 bars long, at 81bpm, so there is plenty of space to slice this beat up, if you don't want to include the drum fill I did in bar 8.  Again, if you'd like the individual tracks - just let me know and I can email them to you.

Here you go:

November 24 Loop of the Day : Dbd 81bpm djembe buzz no bongo

November 24 Loop of the Day : Download Dbd 81bpm djembe buzz WITH bongo

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

Originally Posted here by Dale Baker on November 24, 2009

Today's loop was inspired by the drum set up I used on Sunday at Emmaus Way.  I used my Remo 14" Djembe, but put a Rhythm Tech "Active Snare" on top of the drum, affixing it with two bungee cords twisted around the backside of the drum.  The  Rhythm Tech Snare makes the drum buzz a bit, plus it muffles out some of the "ringing" of the drum. 

Side Note:  I got this idea from seeing Jay Bellerose play with Paula Cole so many years ago - and then when I actually did meet him (he and Paula came out to a Sixpence show once in LA - and Sixpence played a show or two with Paula) he showed me exactly how he had devised his setup - (short version:  it involved nuts, and washers, some metal brackets and a couple of springs...I made a detailed drawing...maybe I'll post that one of these days if I can find it...). 

I mic'ed the setup with a Beta 52 for the low end off of the Djembe, and used an Earthworks SR20 for the top of the drum and the bongo part.  Oh, and I almost forgot - there is a "guiro" part that I'm playing with an old pair of Vic Firth "dreadlocks." I love using those sticks/brushes for percussion elements like this. That part is also being recorded by the Earthworks mic.

There are two loops again this week.  The first one is just the main pattern (and there is a small drum fill at the end).  The second loop adds a bongo pattern.  Both loops are 8 bars long, at 81bpm, so there is plenty of space to slice this beat up, if you don't want to include the drum fill I did in bar 8.  Again, if you'd like the individual tracks - just let me know and I can email them to you.

Here you go:

November 24 Loop of the Day : Dbd 81bpm djembe buzz no bongo

November 24 Loop of the Day : Download Dbd 81bpm djembe buzz WITH bongo

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

Two Free Tambourine Loops

Originally Posted here by Dale Baker on November 17, 2009

Today I've posted a couple of Tambourine Loops.  One with an 8th note feel and the other with the typical 16th feel to it.  Both have a back beat on 2 and 4.  The tempo is at 83bpm for both.  I recorded these in a tiled room (aka my shower) and am sitting here on the floor of my bathroom with my laptop sitting on my toilet.  The audio interface is up on my sink and the mic (Rode NT-4) is sitting there in my shower stall.  So, if you hear some extra brightness, now you know why.  I thought I'd give it a go, to see what would happen.  Never hurts to try right?

Also, in the middle of today's recording session my daughter (aged 4) had a bathroom emergency - which made me want to subtitle today's loops as "Poopy Loops" but I think I'll just stay with my typical naming scheme.  Here they are:

Loop of the Day for Nov 17 Dbd loop 83bpm 8th Tamb w BackBeat 

Loop of the Day for Nov 17 Dbd loop 83bpm w 16th tamb shake w Backbeat 

Oh, and I used 3 tambourines that I rarely use (I've got, like, a GAZILLION tambourines - but in the studio it always seems like the Rhythm Tech w/ aluminum jingles is the one that sounds "good" to everyone  - so that's typically the one that gets recorded the most):

• Egyptian Belly Dancing tambourine (metal with a head)  - plays the backbeats
• Ludwig Concert Tambourine (silver jingles (taped), calf-head) - plays the 8ths
• African Tambourine (goat head, kente cloth color on the sides with cheap aluminum jingles) - plays the 16th shaking part

Enjoy, and I hope you find these useful or at least fun to mess around with!

Originally Posted here by Dale Baker on November 17, 2009

Today I've posted a couple of Tambourine Loops.  One with an 8th note feel and the other with the typical 16th feel to it.  Both have a back beat on 2 and 4.  The tempo is at 83bpm for both.  I recorded these in a tiled room (aka my shower) and am sitting here on the floor of my bathroom with my laptop sitting on my toilet.  The audio interface is up on my sink and the mic (Rode NT-4) is sitting there in my shower stall.  So, if you hear some extra brightness, now you know why.  I thought I'd give it a go, to see what would happen.  Never hurts to try right?

Also, in the middle of today's recording session my daughter (aged 4) had a bathroom emergency - which made me want to subtitle today's loops as "Poopy Loops" but I think I'll just stay with my typical naming scheme.  Here they are:

Loop of the Day for Nov 17 Dbd loop 83bpm 8th Tamb w BackBeat 

Loop of the Day for Nov 17 Dbd loop 83bpm w 16th tamb shake w Backbeat 

Oh, and I used 3 tambourines that I rarely use (I've got, like, a GAZILLION tambourines - but in the studio it always seems like the Rhythm Tech w/ aluminum jingles is the one that sounds "good" to everyone  - so that's typically the one that gets recorded the most):

• Egyptian Belly Dancing tambourine (metal with a head)  - plays the backbeats
• Ludwig Concert Tambourine (silver jingles (taped), calf-head) - plays the 8ths
• African Tambourine (goat head, kente cloth color on the sides with cheap aluminum jingles) - plays the 16th shaking part

Enjoy, and I hope you find these useful or at least fun to mess around with!

Free 16th Shaker and Tamb Loop

Originally Posted here by Dale Baker on November 10, 2009

Today I have two loops for you.  These are a bit basic compared to my other ones, but they are still chock full of layered percussion goodness as well.  My intent with today's loop was to create a somewhat basic 16th note shaker pulse, albeit with some character so as not to get too pedantic. I recorded through my Rode NT4 Stereo Mic, and the loops consist of:

• LP Rhythmix Egg Shaker with LP Rhythmix Conga Shaker (played at the same time in one hand)
• A pair of Vic Firth "Puilis" (by Emil Richards) provide the back beat
• And my jingle crunch shaker thingy (a mix of jingle bells, tambourine jingles and LP One Shots) that I sometimes will mount on my hi-hat provides the half-time "crunch" on beat 3

If you care to have each of the above elements separately, just drop me a line with the subject heading "Loop of the Day Nov. 10th" and I'll email you the separate elements as soon as I can! 

The tempo is at 100 bpm and there is a bit of a quarter note pulse from the shakers.

So without further adieu, I present the following:

Loop of the Day for Nov. 10 ("back beat" on 2 and 4)

Loop of the Day for Nov. 10 (Half-Time Feel)

Originally Posted here by Dale Baker on November 10, 2009

Today I have two loops for you.  These are a bit basic compared to my other ones, but they are still chock full of layered percussion goodness as well.  My intent with today's loop was to create a somewhat basic 16th note shaker pulse, albeit with some character so as not to get too pedantic. I recorded through my Rode NT4 Stereo Mic, and the loops consist of:

• LP Rhythmix Egg Shaker with LP Rhythmix Conga Shaker (played at the same time in one hand)
• A pair of Vic Firth "Puilis" (by Emil Richards) provide the back beat
• And my jingle crunch shaker thingy (a mix of jingle bells, tambourine jingles and LP One Shots) that I sometimes will mount on my hi-hat provides the half-time "crunch" on beat 3

If you care to have each of the above elements separately, just drop me a line with the subject heading "Loop of the Day Nov. 10th" and I'll email you the separate elements as soon as I can! 

The tempo is at 100 bpm and there is a bit of a quarter note pulse from the shakers.

So without further adieu, I present the following:

Loop of the Day for Nov. 10 ("back beat" on 2 and 4)

Loop of the Day for Nov. 10 (Half-Time Feel)

Free Drum Loop - bpm: 80

Originally Posted by Dale Baker on November 3, 2009

Today is a special one...I am "babysitting" some mics for my friend Mark who is in Samoa, and I set up a couple of drums last night, my M-Audio interface, and started recording into Logic.  The kids were asleep, and so I tried to keep the sound of my drums down low, because of that I think I grabbed a bit of noise from having the gain too high on the mics...still, you'll get the idea and I think the results turned out pretty good, considering.  There are about 5 things floating around on this one:

• Kick Drum (26" Ludwig Scotch Bass Drum)
• Ludwig Acrolite snare played with Timpani Mallet cross-stick
• Egg Shaker
• Broom Brushes (playing 8th notes)
• iDrum - adding some low end "boom" and and a bit of thuddy "electronic - ness"

I then added some compression to the kick, egg and brooms, put some delay on the snare to add some motion, and then played with the volumes on the separate instruments to get a mix I was happy with.  I hope you're happy with it too...It was a fun experiment and I hope to do it again! 

For those keeping score at home, this one is at 80 beats per minute, so set your sequencer tempo accordingly.  Oh, and I think this is a 2 measure loop too, just fyi.  Here you go:

Loop of the Day for Nov. 2nd

Originally Posted by Dale Baker on November 3, 2009

Today is a special one...I am "babysitting" some mics for my friend Mark who is in Samoa, and I set up a couple of drums last night, my M-Audio interface, and started recording into Logic.  The kids were asleep, and so I tried to keep the sound of my drums down low, because of that I think I grabbed a bit of noise from having the gain too high on the mics...still, you'll get the idea and I think the results turned out pretty good, considering.  There are about 5 things floating around on this one:

• Kick Drum (26" Ludwig Scotch Bass Drum)
• Ludwig Acrolite snare played with Timpani Mallet cross-stick
• Egg Shaker
• Broom Brushes (playing 8th notes)
• iDrum - adding some low end "boom" and and a bit of thuddy "electronic - ness"

I then added some compression to the kick, egg and brooms, put some delay on the snare to add some motion, and then played with the volumes on the separate instruments to get a mix I was happy with.  I hope you're happy with it too...It was a fun experiment and I hope to do it again! 

For those keeping score at home, this one is at 80 beats per minute, so set your sequencer tempo accordingly.  Oh, and I think this is a 2 measure loop too, just fyi.  Here you go:

Loop of the Day for Nov. 2nd

3 Free Drum Loops

Here are 3 more free drum loops, originally posted by Dale Baker in October

I bet you thought I forgot about you today.  Well, I almost did.  I was busy this morning having breakfast and playing music with Patrick from Luego, and then got a call from the guy (Neil Young!) who I watched Napoleon Dynamite with the first time (on a break while recording his band's debut) who is now working at Plantation Studios down in Charleston. Which then got me listening to Need to Breathe, and then inspiration struck!  So I now present to you today's loop of funky (I hope you think it's the good kind of funky) goodness...Keep in mind the "kick" sound is the back beat...so when you hear the kick - it's on 2 and 4 - not 1 and 3.

All right everybody!  "Hear" you go:

Loop of the Day for Oct. 27

Posted by Dale Baker on October 27, 2009

Tricked Out Tuesdays

Loop of the Day for Oct. 20

Today's installment is not so much a loop as it is a sonic swath of hand drum goodness.  Weighing in at  - oh I don't know - somewhere around less than a minute is me playing some ( yes!  LIVE DRUMS y'all! ) various size Djembe/ Hand Drums to create a simple a Tumbao pattern of sorts.  I haven't tried to loop this one, so I don't know if it will be as simple to cut and paste as (hopefully) the rest have been.  But if it isn't, I think it's at least consistent enough to cut it up and create your own loop with it.  Again, I hope that this simple drum groove can serve as inspiration or the starting nugget of your next most awesome creation.  So get to it!  Here's to a creative day for us all! 

Posted by Dale Baker on October 20, 2009

Welcome to another wonderful Tuesday of pure loopiness.  This weeks installment sounds like it could've been on a Basia record from the 80's.  Anybody remember her?  Hmm. 

Well...let this be your inspiration for something creating some awesome music...Cheers!  (Oh, and it clocks in at 86 bpm.  For those of you interested in such things...)

Loop of the Day for October 13

Posted by Dale Baker on October 13, 2009 

Here are 3 more free drum loops, originally posted by Dale Baker in October

I bet you thought I forgot about you today.  Well, I almost did.  I was busy this morning having breakfast and playing music with Patrick from Luego, and then got a call from the guy (Neil Young!) who I watched Napoleon Dynamite with the first time (on a break while recording his band's debut) who is now working at Plantation Studios down in Charleston. Which then got me listening to Need to Breathe, and then inspiration struck!  So I now present to you today's loop of funky (I hope you think it's the good kind of funky) goodness...Keep in mind the "kick" sound is the back beat...so when you hear the kick - it's on 2 and 4 - not 1 and 3.

All right everybody!  "Hear" you go:

Loop of the Day for Oct. 27

Posted by Dale Baker on October 27, 2009

Tricked Out Tuesdays

Loop of the Day for Oct. 20

Today's installment is not so much a loop as it is a sonic swath of hand drum goodness.  Weighing in at  - oh I don't know - somewhere around less than a minute is me playing some ( yes!  LIVE DRUMS y'all! ) various size Djembe/ Hand Drums to create a simple a Tumbao pattern of sorts.  I haven't tried to loop this one, so I don't know if it will be as simple to cut and paste as (hopefully) the rest have been.  But if it isn't, I think it's at least consistent enough to cut it up and create your own loop with it.  Again, I hope that this simple drum groove can serve as inspiration or the starting nugget of your next most awesome creation.  So get to it!  Here's to a creative day for us all! 

Posted by Dale Baker on October 20, 2009

Welcome to another wonderful Tuesday of pure loopiness.  This weeks installment sounds like it could've been on a Basia record from the 80's.  Anybody remember her?  Hmm. 

Well...let this be your inspiration for something creating some awesome music...Cheers!  (Oh, and it clocks in at 86 bpm.  For those of you interested in such things...)

Loop of the Day for October 13

Here are 3 more free drum loops, originally posted by Dale Baker in October

I bet you thought I forgot about you today.  Well, I almost did.  I was busy this morning having breakfast and playing music with Patrick from Luego, and then got a call from the guy (Neil Young!) who I watched Napoleon Dynamite with the first time (on a break while recording his band's debut) who is now working at Plantation Studios down in Charleston. Which then got me listening to Need to Breathe, and then inspiration struck!  So I now present to you today's loop of funky (I hope you think it's the good kind of funky) goodness...Keep in mind the "kick" sound is the back beat...so when you hear the kick - it's on 2 and 4 - not 1 and 3.

All right everybody!  "Hear" you go:

Loop of the Day for Oct. 27

Loop of the Day for Oct. 20

Today's installment is not so much a loop as it is a sonic swath of hand drum goodness.  Weighing in at  - oh I don't know - somewhere around less than a minute is me playing some ( yes!  LIVE DRUMS y'all! ) various size Djembe/ Hand Drums to create a simple a Tumbao pattern of sorts.  I haven't tried to loop this one, so I don't know if it will be as simple to cut and paste as (hopefully) the rest have been.  But if it isn't, I think it's at least consistent enough to cut it up and create your own loop with it.  Again, I hope that this simple drum groove can serve as inspiration or the starting nugget of your next most awesome creation.  So get to it!  Here's to a creative day for us all! 

Repost of Sept. 29th Free Drum Loop

Originally posted here on September 29, 2009 by Dale Baker

Tricked Out Tuesdays

Today:  Installment #2!  Wherein, I your humble web servant, provides you with yet another free drum loop to download and play with to your heart's content.  So get playing!

This one is a bit grittier, maybe a tad bit funkier.  You be the judge.

Loop of the day for Sept 29

Today:  Installment #2!  Wherein, I your humble web servant, provides you with yet another free drum loop to download and play with to your heart's content.  So get playing!

This one is a bit grittier, maybe a tad bit funkier.  You be the judge.

Loop of the day for Sept 29

Free Drum Loop - bpm: 95

Originally posted by Dale Baker on September 22, 2009 here

Welcome to a new (hopefully weekly) installment that my friend and internet guru Able Parris suggested I do.

I will attempt to create a loop that is free to download each week. 

If successful, I will provide you with creative fodder that will enhance your most humble and grandiose musical offerings.  To which you will be eternally grateful, and recommend me for some awesome gig in the not so distant future.  However, if I'm not successful at this new endeavor, well, I'll still have fun creating these little snippets of rhythmical goodness (IMHO), so there.  :-) 

But seriously, if you end up using any of my loops, I'd love to hear how you used them and I'd love to hear your finished track.  My hope is that over time these little beats might prove creative fodder for someone, or at least a fun diversion.  So if that's the case for you, let me know...I'd love to hear your thoughts.  Feel free to leave a comment below or get in touch via my contact form.

So without further adieu...here is the first loop:  Enjoy!

Download dbd Loop bpm 95

Welcome to a new (hopefully weekly) installment that my friend and internet guru Able Parris suggested I do.

I will attempt to create a loop that is free to download each week. 

If successful, I will provide you with creative fodder that will enhance your most humble and grandiose musical offerings.  To which you will be eternally grateful, and recommend me for some awesome gig in the not so distant future.  However, if I'm not successful at this new endeavor, well, I'll still have fun creating these little snippets of rhythmical goodness (IMHO), so there.  :-) 

But seriously, if you end up using any of my loops, I'd love to hear how you used them and I'd love to hear your finished track.  My hope is that over time these little beats might prove creative fodder for someone, or at least a fun diversion.  So if that's the case for you, let me know...I'd love to hear your thoughts.  Feel free to leave a comment below or get in touch via my contact form.

So without further adieu...here is the first loop:  Enjoy!

Download dbd Loop bpm 95