# Internet Archive: Sample and Sample-Patch CDs

> Public collection of vintage sample CDs, synth patches, and retro soundfonts.

An archival collection hosted on the Internet Archive featuring digitized CD-ROMs and audio sample discs from the 1990s and 2000s. It provides music producers access to classic sample packs, Akai formats, and hardware synth soundbanks that defined early hip-hop and electronic music. Files can be directly downloaded in ISO, WAV, or original disk image formats for use in modern digital audio workstations.

Website: https://archive.org/

## What it is for

- Dig for vintage drum breaks and 90s sound effects
- Source rare synthesizer and hardware instrument soundfonts
- Load classic Akai-format and E-MU sound libraries into virtual samplers

## Features

- Repository of archived 90s and 2000s commercial sample CDs
- Support for ISO disk images, raw audio tracks, and retro soundfont formats
- In-browser audio previews for supported collections
- Free direct downloads and torrent options for archived discs

## Pricing

Free to access and download

## Details

- Type: Website
- Category: [Other](https://xiry.app/topics/other.md)
- Topic: [Music Production](https://xiry.app/topics/other/music-production.md)
- Open source: no
- Platforms: Web
- For: Music producers, sound designers, and audio archivers looking for vintage sounds
- Alternative to: Splice, Loopcloud
- Tags: samples, audio, music production, sound design, archive, retro

## Why it was saved

- [@dotmvsic, 3 February 2026](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUTxRblj38x/): Provides free access to rare, discontinued 90s and 2000s sample libraries (e.g., Akai, E-MU, Spectrasonics) that shaped classic hip hop and electronic music.

## Compare

- [Alternatives to Splice](https://xiry.app/alternatives/splice.md)
- [Alternatives to Loopcloud](https://xiry.app/alternatives/loopcloud.md)

## Related

- [Dollar Bins at Thrift and Record Stores](https://xiry.app/resources/dollar-bins-at-thrift-and-record-stores): Finding unique, unindexed samples in cheap vinyl bargain bins. (Tip, Paid)
- [noteGRABBER](https://xiry.app/resources/notegrabber): DAW plugin that visualizes notes in audio samples to export MIDI (Desktop app, Paid)
- [Sampling Yourself](https://xiry.app/resources/sampling-yourself): Recording original instruments and sounds to build private, copyright-free sample libraries. (Tip, Free)
- [Tracklib](https://xiry.app/resources/tracklib): Catalog of real records and royalty-free sounds with pre-cleared licensing. (Web app, Paid)
- [Vinyl Frontier Extra](https://xiry.app/resources/vinyl-frontier-extra): YouTube channel curating obscure vinyl rips, loops, and library music playlists. (Website, Free)
- [Lost World Radio (The Nightly)](https://xiry.app/resources/lost-world-radio-the-nightly): Curated web radio stream of rare, vintage, and obscure world music (Website, Free)

Updated 3 October 2026. Page: https://xiry.app/resources/internet-archive-sample-and-sample-patch-cds

Make your own library: Xiry takes your saved reels, tweets, Reddit bookmarks and Watch Later videos, makes them searchable and pulls the useful stuff out, like this library. It's invite-only for now; join the waitlist at https://xiry.app/#waitlist.