Dub

Legends like King Tubby and Lee Scratch Perry have shown the limitless potential of dub music. With these samples, you can bring the roots of dub and reggae into your beats. Deep basslines, reverb, delay, drum loops, and a selection of drum hits, all in one dope sample collection.

What are dub samples?

Dub emerged from the Jamaican reggae scene in the late 60s and early 70s, spearheaded by remixing culture. The samples in this selection have a heavy emphasis on rhythm—particularly the bass and drums—and are often enhanced with effects like reverb and echo. Dub samples create a distinctive, atmospheric sound, ranging from dark dub samples to reggae percussion.

How are dub samples used in music production?

In music production, dub samples are used to add depth and texture to a track. Producers often isolate drums and basslines from existing dub recordings, or extract vocal samples from the original records. With Tracklib’s selection of multitracks you can even sample original stems from dub and reggae records. This technique has been instrumental in the development of electronic music, offering new possibilities for sampling and sound manipulation.

Origins, influences and the evolution of dub music

The roots of dub music lie in the sound system culture of Jamaica. The genre has been influenced by Jamaican reggae and remixing culture, technological advancements in music production, and social and political themes. Dub music is often called a subgenre of reggae but its influence stretches far beyond that. Dub music has evolved into a force majeure that influences numerous other music genres including hip-hop, dancehall, dance music, post-punk, disco, and a myriad of pop hits.

Early pioneers of dub music: King Tubby and Lee "Scratch" Perry

Dub was pioneered by recording engineers and producers. Among them are King Tubby and Lee "Scratch" Perry, who are legendary figures in the world of dub music. King Tubby—known for his innovative use of studio techniques and effects—and Lee "Scratch" Perry—with his experimental and psychedelic style—have both significantly shaped the sound and direction of dub music. In a way, dub music uses the studio as an “instrument,” working with a wide range of recording techniques, effects, and studio tricks. Iconic catalogs of dub & reggae samples available on Tracklib include Fashion Records (UK) and VP Records (Jamaica to the USA).

Drum loops in dub music

Drum loops are a fundamental aspect of dub music, forming the backbone of the genre’s rhythmic structure. These loops are often characterized by heavy basslines and hypnotizing rhythms, essential in creating the signature sound of dub.

Overview of Tracklib's R&B Soul samples page

In addition to all the dub samples, Tracklib also offers a diverse collection of R&B and soul samples. An ideal go-to source for producers who are looking for soulful elements or vocal samples to use next to the dub samples. Explore the overview of genres for the full collection of sample packs.

Clearing dub samples for Legal Use

Unlike LANDR samples, the dub samples on Tracklib are all taken from originally released records. All pro-quality samples, instead of royalty-free fabricated sounds. Tracklib simplifies the process of clearing samples for legal use, ensuring that producers can use dub, reggae, and other music samples in their productions without legal concerns. Learn more about that on How It Works, which also explains how Tracklib's game-changing Unlimited Sample Clearance works.

Similar samples to our dub collection

For those interested in dub samples, Tracklib's Collections section offers a range of similar sounds for the real sample diggers out there. including drum loops, vocal samples, instrumental tracks, and a collection of sample packs such as Reggae Riddims, Riddim and Stems, and Reggae, Dub & Dancehall - Ready To Flip.