Vol 2 — Sound Of Kshmr

Summary

What's included

Sound & Style

Quality & Production Value

Usability & Workflow

Strengths

Weaknesses

Who it’s for

Practical tips

Verdict

Related search suggestions (These may help you find demos, sales pages, tutorials, or comparisons.)

The air in the small mountain village of Dharamshala was thin, but the vibrations coming from the basement of an old colonial house were heavy enough to shake the foundations.

, a young producer who had spent years obsessing over the perfect kick drum, sat surrounded by glowing monitors and a single, weathered hard drive. On its casing, etched in faded ink, were the words: " Sound of KSHMR Vol. 2 ."

To the outside world, it was a legendary sample pack—the holy grail of modern electronic production. To Nile, it was a map. The Awakening

He clicked open the "World" folder. The sounds didn't just play; they breathed. A Sitar pluck from the pack didn't just ring out; it carried the humidity of a Kolkata afternoon. A heavy orchestral brass hit felt like the gates of a forgotten palace swinging shut.

Nile began to layer. He took a cinematic riser that sounded like a rising storm and fused it with a Dhol loop that hit with the precision of a heartbeat. The "Sound of KSHMR" wasn't just about the individual notes; it was about the culture baked into the digital signals. The Composition

As the sun dipped behind the Himalayas, Nile found the "Song Starters" folder. He didn't want to copy; he wanted to converse. He pulled a haunting vocal chant—ethereal and ancient—and processed it through a gritty distortion plugin.

The Contrast: The raw, organic vocal fought against a synthetic, aggressive bassline.

The Build: He used the signature "KSHMR sweeps" to create a tension that felt like holding one’s breath underwater.

The Drop: When the beat finally hit, it wasn't just dance music. It was a fusion of the digital future and the ancestral past. The Legacy

By dawn, the track was finished. Nile realized that the "Sound of KSHMR Vol. 2" wasn't a shortcut to fame; it was a toolkit for storytelling. It allowed a kid in a remote mountain town to bridge the gap between traditional Indian instrumentation and the mainstages of Tomorrowland. sound of kshmr vol 2

He hit "Export," the file name simple: Legacy_V2.wav. The sound of the village waking up outside matched the rhythm of his speakers. The world was loud, but he finally had the right tools to speak back.

The Sound of KSHMR Vol. 2 is widely regarded as one of the most influential sample packs in the history of electronic dance music (EDM). Released in July 2016 via Splice, it dramatically expanded on its predecessor, offering over 1,500 meticulously crafted samples designed to provide producers of all genres with "world-class" tools. A Massive Leap in Scale and Variety

While Volume 1 established the "KSHMR sound," Volume 2 was nearly four times its size, moving beyond standard EDM staples into cinematic and world-inspired territory. The pack is organized into several key categories:

Drums (609 samples): Includes highly processed, key-labeled kicks, snares, claps, and toms designed to cut through dense mixes.

Ethnic Instruments: Features unusual instruments from across the globe, including sitar (31 samples), duduk (5 samples), and chimes (4 samples), often playing melodies composed by KSHMR himself.

Animals (38 samples): A unique collection of animal sounds—from lion roars to bird chirps—processed and tuned to specific musical keys for use in cinematic sound design.

Vocals (121 samples): A mix of vocal shots, "beds," and loops intended to add a human element to digital productions.

Live Sounds & Foley: Over 230 samples of real-world recordings, ranging from grandfather clocks to crowds stomping in a gym. The "Arabic Scale" and Cultural Influence

One of the defining features of the pack is its focus on Middle Eastern and Indian scales. KSHMR introduced many producers to what he termed the "Arabic" Scale (using C as the root: C, C#, E, F, G, G#, A#), which is essentially the F harmonic minor scale starting on C. This scale is a hallmark of his signature sound, which blends bass-heavy EDM with rich cultural influences from his Kashmiri heritage. Impact on Music Production

Released on July 5, 2016, Sounds of KSHMR Vol. 2 is one of the most influential sample packs in modern electronic music production. Expanding on the foundation of its predecessor, this volume is four times larger than Vol. 1, containing over 1,500 producer-ready samples Pack Highlights & Contents

The pack is designed to be compatible with any Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) and features high-quality, key-labeled sounds: Drums & Percussion

: Over 600 drum sounds, including "stadium kicks," orchestral snares, cinematic toms, and world percussion like the sitar, tabla, and dhol. World Instruments

: A wide array of ethnic loops and one-shots, featuring Indian stabs, Arabic woodwinds, and Turkish instruments. FX & Atmosphere

: Includes war horns, alarms, animal sounds (e.g., lions, horses), and field recordings to add "humanity" and texture to tracks. Melodic Elements

: Arps, vocal beds, choir stabs, and guitar atmospheres, many utilizing unique scales such as the "Arabic Scale". Industry Impact Sounds of KSHMR Vol. 2

became a staple for both hobbyist and professional producers due to its "huge and cinematic" sound profile:

: Samples from this pack have been identified in mainstream hits, such as the guitar sample used in Alvaro Soler’s "La Cintura". Ease of Use : Reviewers from gave the pack a 4.5/5 rating

, noting that while it is heavily geared toward EDM and Big Room, its loops are highly creative and high-quality. Producer Education

: Alongside the pack, KSHMR released an Ableton project file on

, allowing producers to study his arrangement and mixing techniques firsthand. in the series or see a comparison of KSHMR's production techniques Sounds of KSHMR Vol. 2: Edm Sample Pack by Splice Summary

Sounds of KSHMR Vol. 2 is a massive EDM sample library featuring over 1,500 samples—four times the size of the original volume. It is widely considered an industry standard due to its professional processing, organizational clarity, and unique "world" influences that are difficult to synthesize from scratch. Core Pack Contents

The pack is divided into essential drum hits and more specialized melodic/creative folders:

Drums (600+ samples): Includes 127 kicks, 111 snares, 99 claps, 81 hats, and various percussion.

Live & Ethnic Instruments: Over 230 live sounds, including sitars (31), flutes (8), strings (80), and brass/woodwinds (69).

Vocals: 121 vocal one-shots, beds, and loops designed to add "humanity" to electronic tracks.

Unique FX: A signature "Animals" folder containing 38 processed sounds (birds, lions, zebras) tuned to specific keys.

Loops: Acoustic and electric guitar chord progressions, plus drum loops ranging from Indian percussion to crowds stomping. Essential Usage Tips from KSHMR

To get the most out of these samples, KSHMR recommends specific musical and technical approaches:

Master the "Arabic" Feel: Many ethnic loops utilize the C Phrygian Dominant scale (C, C#, E, F, G, G#, A#). If this is confusing, use the F Harmonic Minor scale starting on C to achieve that signature Middle Eastern vibe.

Selective Tuning: Almost every sample, including snares and claps, is key-labeled. While useful for cohesion, KSHMR advises producers to "take it with a grain of salt"—not every percussive element needs to be perfectly in key.

Parallel Processing: To avoid "clouding" melodies, use parallel processing for reverb and delay. Automating these effects to trigger only on specific notes creates movement without washing out the mix.

Building Texture: For a "vintage" feel, add a slight pitch wobble or distortion (like a "suction" reverb effect) to the clean samples to give them more character. Where to Access

Splice Sounds: You can grab individual samples or the full pack using credits at Splice.

Dharma Worldwide: The full ZIP is available for direct purchase at the Dharma Worldwide Store. Members of Dharma Studio often receive discounts on these packs.

The Sonic Boom: Unpacking the Sound of KSHMR Vol 2

The electronic music scene has witnessed a meteoric rise in recent years, with numerous DJs and producers making a name for themselves with their unique sounds. One such artist who has been making waves in the industry is KSHMR, a Danish DJ and producer known for his eclectic and energetic sound. His highly anticipated compilation, The Sound of KSHMR Vol 2, has finally arrived, and it's a game-changer.

The Concept

The Sound of KSHMR Vol 2 is a comprehensive collection of tracks that showcase KSHMR's signature sound, a fusion of bass-heavy electronic dance music (EDM) with melodic and harmonic elements. The compilation features 32 tracks, including collaborations with prominent artists like R3HAB, Hardwell, and Major Lazer.

The Sound

The Sound of KSHMR Vol 2 is a masterclass in sonic diversity, featuring a range of styles and sub-genres. From the opening tracks, it's clear that KSHMR has curated a selection of songs that are both heavy and melodic. The compilation seamlessly blends genres like trap, future bass, and progressive house, creating a cohesive and engaging listening experience. What's included

Standout Tracks

Some standout tracks on the compilation include:

The Production

KSHMR's production skills are on full display throughout the compilation. His attention to detail and ability to craft infectious melodies and rhythms are evident in every track. The production quality is top-notch, with a clear emphasis on heavy, punchy basslines and crystal-clear sound design.

The Impact

The Sound of KSHMR Vol 2 has already made a significant impact on the electronic music scene, with many critics and fans praising the compilation for its diversity and energy. The album has debuted at number one on various charts worldwide, including the US Dance Chart.

Conclusion

The Sound of KSHMR Vol 2 is a must-listen for fans of electronic music, particularly those who enjoy bass-heavy, melodic sounds. KSHMR's curation skills and production expertise have resulted in a compilation that is both engaging and entertaining. With its diverse range of styles and standout tracks, this album is sure to be a staple in many DJ sets and playlists for months to come.

Electronic music trends move fast. Five years is a geological age in producer time. So why are Beatport top 10 tracks still using sounds from Vol 2?

1. The "Pre-Mixed" Philosophy KSHMR designs sounds to sit in a mix instantly. A novice producer can drop a loop from Vol 2 onto a track, and it won't clip. It won't sound muddy. Because the harmonic content is so refined, mastering engineers often praise tracks built primarily from this pack for their headroom.

2. The Lonely Boy & ZEDD Connection During a 2023 masterclass, KSHMR revealed that ZEDD used a pluck from Vol 2 on his "Telos" album sessions. Additionally, countless K-Pop producers (SM Entertainment, HYBE) have been caught using the "KSHMR Noise Sweeps" in their transitions. The pack transcends genres.

3. The Death of Generic Loops Vol 2 encourages legos, not crutches. Unlike other packs that give you full 16-bar melody loops (which leads to copyright nightmares), Vol 2 focuses on "Stems." You get the flute melody separate from the tabla rhythm. You get the bass MIDI separate from the chord progression. This modular approach allows for infinite creativity.

Unlike Vol 1, which featured very "flat" and processed kicks, Vol 2 offers layered, transient-rich kicks. The pack introduced the concept of "Long Tails" vs. "Short Tails." You get kicks specifically designed for breakdowns (boomy and emotional) and kicks for drops (clicky and compressed).

If you struggle with transitions, this folder solves that problem.

The kicks in this pack are infamous for their transient punch. Unlike standard 808s, KSHMR’s kicks sit perfectly in the 100-128 BPM range without muddying the sub. The pack includes "Hard Kicks" for Big Room drops and "Punched Kicks" for psy-trance influences. The distortion layers are pre-mixed to cut through a club sound system without clipping.

If you open the folder for Sound of KSHMR Vol 2, you aren't greeted with the usual generic "House Loops 128 BPM." Instead, you find a meticulously organized library of:

When the pack was released, "Future Rave" and "Melodic Techno" were taking over. Vol 2 lacks the cheesy "zombie" leads of 2014. Instead, it offers dark, percussive loops that work just as well for a David Guetta set as they do for an Afterlife event. The drums are punchy but dry, allowing you to add your own reverb to fit modern tastes.

Let’s be clear: Vol. 2 isn’t something you casually listen to on a commute. It’s a producer’s treasure map. Released via Splice and his own Dharma Worldwide, this pack arrived as the sequel to his legendary first volume—which had already become the secret sauce behind countless festival anthems. But Vol. 2 didn’t just rehash the formula. It evolved the narrative.

Where the first volume introduced the "KSHMR sound"—orchestral stabs, Indian woodwinds, and punishing big room kicks—Vol. 2 feels like the dark second act of a film. The hero has crossed into enemy territory.