Creating and Selling Loop Packs
A Step-By-Step Guide To Get You Started
Creating a loop pack can offer an artist a way to build creativity, awareness, and generate earnings. I stumbled into the world of loops by chance when I was part of the website Versionist.com back in 2007, where I saw people sharing loops in the forums. I joined in, created and shared loops, and was hooked.
What was the attraction?
At the time, selling loops was a growing market, but nothing compared to what it has become today. I’d purchased a few loop CDs at my local Long & McQuade music store, and Future Music would offer CDs as well, each month. I started revisiting my tracks, cutting them up, and recording new ideas, then compiling them all together. By 2009, I had launched my first 3GB loop pack on MySpace. The pack was priced at USD 75 and sold for approximately $3,000, solely on MySpace. What this did was demonstrate there was interest in the packs I was producing, so I looked up Loop websites and found Loopmasters. They took my packs on and split them into two - the first one was Dubmatix “Automatic”, and part two became Reggae Sound Clash (the #1 selling reggae loop pack at Loopmasters to date) and heard on Thievery Corporation's album Temple Of I & I’s track “Letter To The Editor” which starts with one of my loops from that same pack.
This opened up a new area of earning as releasing music never covered the cost of making the album. Secondly, it was an opportunity to gain more awareness as “Dubmatix,” the artist. For the supporters I had, a way for them to grab their inspiration with my packs and the final plus was - I could experiment and have fun creating sonic ideas which forced me to push myself to find new ways to manipulating sounds either via layering FX, the way I recorded say a snare drum or bass, the EQing and of course - the manual use of outboard fx where you’d never get the same result twice.
Since 2007, I’ve produced and released well over 250 Loop Packs - from dub, reggae, rocksteady, ska, afrofunk, funk, hiphop, trip hop, downtempo, jungle/drum & bass - all have a thread that appeals to me - drums & bass. My background as a drummer and bassist tuned my ear to what’s happening in groove (which is probably why dub has been so prominent in my musical life). Over the years, I've also learned to play the piano, guitar, and percussion to a level that allows me to express the ideas in my head.
Today, loop packs are standard and you see them everywhere, and there are plenty of outlets that you can sell from, be it your site, Loopmasters, Splice, etc…If you’re interested in creating loop packs, read on. If you have questions, message me.
Below is your blueprint for building a loop pack, from scratch to sale.
Step 1: Define the Concept
Why it matters:
Each time I start work on a pack, I have a clear idea of the genre, pack size, and what I want to include (loops and one-shots are standard; you can also add MIDI files, Stems, Ableton and Maschine Kits, and Presets). Think of it like an album: genre, vibe, tempo, and tone all matter.
Ask yourself:
What genre am I focusing on? (e.g., Dub, Trap, Afrobeat, Jungle)
What mood or era do I want to capture? (e.g., 70s Roots Reggae, Lo-Fi Chill, Dark Techno)
Who is this for? Bedroom beatmakers, pro producers, DJs?
Real-World Tip:
Your pack should solve a problem or fill a gap—"I can’t find any authentic rocksteady one-shots" or "I need reggae loops that sound vintage but hit hard."
Step 2: Choose Your Elements
Core Ingredients for a Loop Pack:
I try to offer wet & dry versions when possible. (wet means processed with fx such as reverb or delay, phaser, etc.) Dry allows artists to add their processing.
Drums: Full beats, tops, one-shots (Generally I’ll provide Full Kits, Tops (all parts except the Kick, Kick & Snare Combos, HiHat Combos if there are more than one, and individual parts - kick, snare, hit, toms, rimshot, crash, etc..)
Basslines: Synth or live, wet & dry versions
Melodic Loops: Keys, horns, guitars, synths, organs
FX: Risers, echoes, delays, dub sirens, drops
One-Shots: Hits from each instrument for sampler use
MIDI files (optional): Let users swap sounds while keeping your rhythms
Ideal Loop Count (Starter Pack):
40–60 loops
20–40 one-shots
MIDI files
Size: Start with a 300–500MB pack. Go bigger once you’ve tested demand.
Larger Packs (standard) are approximately 1 GB in size and can be larger; I’ve released packs that are up to 11 GB.
Pros - Smaller packs are easier to build out and are a good way to test for interest, as the price will be lower.
Step 3: Record & Produce
Keep it High Quality:
Record at 24-bit, 44.1kHz or higher
Clean up hum, noise, or digital glitches
Use analog gear or authentic plugin emulations if your genre calls for it (e.g., spring reverb in dub)
Check the loop points - depending on the program you use, there may be glitches when the loop begins again that are audible. Smooth them out either by re-rendering in another program (Ableton is flawless at this) or by using tiny fades at the start and end of the loop.
DAWs That Work Well:
Ableton Live (I’ll test loops here and/or re-render as they always come out seamlessly)
Logic Pro X
FL Studio
Reaper (tip: turn on Looping on the transport area to help)
Maschine - also flawless.
Bonus Tip:
If you’re doing dub or reggae, use live instrumentation when you can. Run your sounds through real analog delays and spring reverbs—even a guitar pedal works. That gritty echo and tail make all the difference, and your sound is unique.
Step 4: Mix & Organize
Normalize volumes but don’t squash dynamics (Most times, aim for -1 dB)
Label everything: 140_Am_Electric_Bass_1.wav
Organize folders:
Drums > Full Kits / Tops / Kicks / Snare / Cymbals / TomsBassMusic> Keys / Organs / Synths / Guitars / Horns, etc…
Percussion > Afuche / Tambourine / Shaker / Congas / Etc…Vox &
FX/MiscellaneousOne-ShotsMIDI
Add dry and wet versions (especially useful for FX-heavy genres)
Step 5: Packaging Your Loop Pack
Zip your folder structure
Include a PDF info sheet: genre, tempo, key info, breakdown of what is included (i.e., 5 Bass Loops, 20 Drums, 8 Guitars, etc) & how to use it.
Add a license agreement (e.g., royalty-free use, credit optional)
(Make it clear that the user is not allowed to use your artist name without permission).
Myself, Zion Train, Vibronics, and Mad Professor all have packs. Users cannot use the packs and release a song that includes our name, 'Artist featuring Mad Professor’.
Step 6: Where to Sell
Top Sites to Sell Loops: (There’s plenty of others as well)
Splice Huge exposure, monthly royalties, High competition
Loopmasters Established pros, boutique styles, More curated
Packs by Producer Loops, Genre-diverse audience,e Mid-tier sales
Reggae-Loops.com (My site: Reggae, Dub, Dancehall, Rocksteady, Ska, Jungle, and more)
DIY Selling:
Use Shopify, Gumroad, or BigCommerce
Add previews, artwork, and testimonials
Run ads: Instagram, YouTube Shorts, Reddit, Facebook Groups
Bonus Tips: Promotion & Community
Share pack creation behind-the-scenes on IG or TikTok
Offer a free mini-pack to collect emails - this is a common practice and a good way to gain awareness for your packs and build your customer base.
Reach out to YouTubers or beatmakers for reviews
Run a remix contest using your loops
YouTube Video for some ideas
Top-Selling Loop Pack Genres (2024–2025)
1. Vocal Packs
Why: Everyone needs vocals—whether it's hooks, phrases, ad-libs, or full toplines. One of my top sellers has been Retro Funk Vocals Vol. 1 - this remained on Loopmasters' annual bestseller list for three years in a row.
Best-sellers: Soulful female vocals, dancehall hooks, drill/rap verses, lo-fi vocal cuts
Works in: Hip Hop, EDM, Pop, Trap, Reggae, DnB
2. Hip Hop & Trap
Why: Still one of the biggest genres in streaming and beat licensing.
Hot elements: Melodic loops, 808 one-shots, dark piano melodies, drill kits, pluggnb melodies
Subgenres in demand: Drill, Lo-fi Hip Hop, Boom Bap, Trap Soul
3. Afrobeats / Afro Fusion
Why: Massive global growth. Major artists (Burna Boy, Tems, Wizkid) are influencing pop.
Essentials: Percussion loops, afro drum kits, melodic plucks, vocal shouts
Bonus: Works well with Dancehall and Latin fusion packs
4. Pop / EDM Vocals
Why: Indie artists, TikTokers, and producers use these to build full tracks.
What sells: Full vocal toplines, catchy choruses, chopped vocal FX
5. Lo-fi / Chillhop / Jazzhop
Why: Big for YouTube/Spotify playlists and background music creators
Elements: Dusty drums, Rhodes, guitar licks, vinyl FX, mellow bass
Tip: Instrumental-only packs still outsell vocal-based packs in this genre
6. Techno / House (especially Melodic House & Deep House)
Why: DJs & producers want plug-and-play grooves
Go-to sounds: Deep basslines, filtered synths, modular sounds, drum loops with swing
7. Reggae / Dub / Dancehall
Why: Niche but powerful. Especially when it’s authentic—live instruments, tape echoes, spring reverb.
Top sellers:
Skank guitar loops
Dub FX one-shots
Classic riddim kits (Steppers, One Drop, Rockers)
Vintage horn sections
Vocal packs with patois or Jamaican-style deliveries
8. Drum & Bass / Jungle
Why: Underground resurgence + sample-heavy genres thrive on loops
Must-haves: Breakbeats, sub basses, rave stabs, chopped vocals
Hot subgenres: Liquid DnB, Ragga Jungle, Neurofunk
9. Cinematic / Ambient / Soundtrack
Why: Used in games, film scoring, ads, YouTube content
Best sellers: Atmospheric textures, drones, string pads, dark tension loops
Real Examples & Inspirations
Splice: Vocal packs are often in the Top 10 each month
https://splice.com/soundsLoopmasters: Genre-specific packs dominate—Afrobeat, Melodic Techno, Boom Bap
https://loopmasters.comProducer Loops: Bestsellers often include complete vocal kits and hybrid packs (e.g. Trap + Vocals)
Final Thoughts
Building your loop pack isn’t just about loops—it’s about building value. You’re giving producers fuel to create something original. Whether you’re creating trippy dub, trap melodies, ambient textures, or Afrobeat kits, your unique perspective can set your pack apart.
We sure have come a long way since this https://www.discogs.com/release/312997-Simon-Harris-Bass ;^)