Can I use samples in my music?
Yes, but if you want to use a sample of someone else's music you need the permission of the song's copyright holder (the writer(s) and/or the publisher), and permission from the owner of the recording, usually the label.
This also applies to samples taken from movies and TV shows.
Where to find royalty free samples:
Many services offer digital libraries making it easy for music makers to find license-free sample packs. Some suggestions are Tracklib, SampleRadar and Splice.
Derivative work in music
Derivative work in music can be three things:
- An original product that has aspects of someone else's copyrighted work in it. For example: a remix or a translation.
- A derivative work can also be when you decide to record the sample yourself instead of taking a sample from a preexisting track.
- A re-recording of someone else's original work for example: you do a recording of yourself doing someone else's riff instead of sampling the recording of the riff). In the case of derivative work you also need the permission of the copyright holder.