What You Need to Know About Using Samples

Using samples in your music can enhance creativity, but it also comes with legal responsibilities. If you use a sample from another artist’s work, you must obtain proper clearance to avoid copyright infringement. Here’s what you need to know about sample usage:

1. What is a Sample?
   A sample is a portion of a pre-existing recording used in a new composition. This can include melodies, drum loops, vocals, or any other sound extracted from an existing track.
   
   

2. Do I Need Permission to Use a Sample?
   Yes! Unlike cover songs, which only require a mechanical license, sampling requires both a master recording license (from the owner of the original recording) and a composition license (from the original songwriter or publisher).
   
   

3. Types of Sample Clearance:

   • Master License – Required to use the original sound recording.

   • Publishing Clearance – Needed to use the composition (melody, lyrics, or chord structure).
     
     

4. What Happens If I Don’t Get Clearance?
   If you use an unlicensed sample, your song may be taken down from streaming platforms, and you could face legal consequences such as copyright strikes or lawsuits.
   
   

5. Are There Royalty-Free Samples?
   Yes! Many platforms offer royalty-free samples that can be used without licensing. Popular sources include:

   • Splice

   • Loopmasters

   • Tracklib (which provides legal sample clearance options)
     
     

6. Does 2side Music Accept Songs with Samples?
   Yes, but only if you have proper clearance or are using royalty-free samples. If you are unsure, contact our legal team at legal@2sidemusic.net before submitting your song.