SampleRadar: 303 free Hi-NRG samples

These people are highly energetic.
These people are highly energetic. (Image credit: Bruno Ehrs/Corbis)

Like everyone else in the music world at the moment, SampleRadar has decided to step back to the '80s to bring you a taste of the up-tempo, synth-powered genre that was Hi-NRG.

Think Ian Levine and Patrick Cowley and you're in the right ballpark: if it's retro dance sounds you're looking for, you've come to the right place.

What you need to know

The samples are supplied in five folders: four of these are tempo-labelled construction kits, while the fifth is filled with multisamples.

All the samples are supplied as 24-bit WAV files so can be imported directly into your DAW or sampler of choice. Because they're royalty-free, you're welcome to use the samples in your music in any way you like - all we ask is that you don't re-distribute them.

The Hi-NRG samples are supplied in a zip file, so you'll need to extract them before you can see them. Enjoy!

Example sounds

Drums 132bpm

Arpeggio 130bpm

Bass 125bpm

Mini lead 130bpm

Hi-NRG samples: click to download

Hi-NRG samples (298MB)

These samples originally appeared on Computer Music magazine's cover DVD. Check out the latest issue for many more.

Tutorials

How to make a Chicago house bass sound

For more than 50,000 more samples, head to our SampleRadar hub

Ben Rogerson

I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it.