Here you'll find frequently asked question about sample usage and how sample clearance works with Tracklib. 

Do I need to have a license for each track/stem of a song?

No. One license is valid for all available tracks/stems of a song. Also, if the sections of the stems that you use overlap in the master, you aren't required to count them twice when calculating your how much you have sampled.

How much of an original song can I sample?

You can sample up to 60 seconds of any song. If you are sampling the same part of a song from different stems of the same song, you don't have to count the duration twice.

Do I need a license to pitch or sell a beat or an instrumental?

Yes - you need to get a sample license to openly pitch/share your beats (for example, on sites like Beatstars), instrumentals or other ”work in progress” productions that use samples from Tracklib.

If you sell your production as a lease, the releasing artist/label must get a new sample license for the new song directly from Tracklib. Make sure to link to Tracklib when and where you pitch your productions so the releasing artist/label are aware of Tracklib and that a sample license is required to release a song commercially.

Can I sample a track in your library from vinyl?

No. A sample license agreement is only valid for the original master file from Tracklib. Your license will not be valid for a recording from vinyl, CD or a track purchased from another source than our website. The reason is that the vinyl or CD release people have in their collection is often a different release than the one we have sample clearance for.

Can you help us with a sample license for a song that is not in your catalog?

While we would love to help with all sample license enquiries, we are only able to provide sample licenses for the tracks in our catalog. 

If you are seeking to license a sample that you've sourced from somewhere else, we would recommend contacting the rightsholders directly, or a service that specialises in clearances.

How long does a sample license last?

The sample license remains valid as long as you report your revenue at least every 6 months and otherwise follow the rules outlined in the license agreement. You need to keep your Tracklib account to manage your license and report royalties, but it's in no way tied to having a paid subscription.