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Berlin 17 - 20 July 2025

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we celebrate 10th Anniversary

Ten years ago, we launched this intergalactic platform for creative beings mastering innovative instruments like DJ and MIDI controllers. Today, Sample Music Festival has evolved into a global phenomenon with pop-up events worldwide. Let’s celebrate this incredible journey with expanded content and new opportunities to create music together!

this year`s Landing point

Over four days, the SMF spaceship lands at various locations, with its main program anchored at the House of Music—Berlin's premier creative hub in the vibrant RAW area.

Immerse yourself in Berlin's vibrant day and nightlife at some of the city's most iconic urban music hotspots in districts like Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain.

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House of Music

The House of Music is Berlin's creative hub for musicians, companies, and organizations from the music industry. It is located at the RAW area in Friedrichshain/Kreuzberg, at Revaler Strasse 99, 10245 in Berlin.

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HHV Store

Hip Hop Vinyl Store, Berlin's renowned shop for vinyl, shoes, and streetwear, is located in Friedrichshain at Grünberger Strasse 54, 10245 near the RAW area. They frequently host in-store concerts and events featuring artists from all around the world.

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Cafe Wendel

Cafe Wendel is a well-known spot in Berlin where monthly beat-making and DJ sessions take place. Located in the heart of Kreuzberg, it serves as a central meeting point for the entire community.

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breaking new ground

Our main event is hosted at The House of Music, home to the Noisy Rooms, Berlin's premier rehearsal spaces for musicians, producers, and DJs. During the festival, several rooms will be transformed into fully equipped creative hubs, thanks to support from our industry partners.
Here, participants can train, experiment, and collaborate with artists from diverse musical backgrounds they might not otherwise meet.

Noisy Rooms
Showcases Competition Jam Sessions Workshops Networking Symposium Exhibition Showcases Competition Jam Sessions Workshops Symposium

Join us for four exciting days featuring an out-of-this-world lineup of competitions, jam sessions, and music exhibitions. Discover the event highlights below!

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SOMA Showcase

In collaboration with SOMA Synth, we're introducing a new live competition format tailored for finger drummers and modular artists. Show off your skills in a 2-minute performance using a SOMA synth and win gear. On Saturday, you can join the training session while the setup is still under construction. This format is a creative fusion of finger drumming and analog modular culture.

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FD World Championship

On July 19, Berlin will welcome the world’s top finger drummers for an electrifying competition. Festival attendees can expect jaw-dropping performances and incredible music. On top of that we will run an additional format in cooperation with Yamaha.

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Beat unit
beat battle

Beat Unit is a community for music production and networking—genre-independent, with regular events and in-studio workshops. With over 190 members, it's the largest network for music producers and beatmakers in Europe. During the SMF event, we’re hosting a beat unit battle inviting beat makers to come together and create.

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Team battle

After the success of last year’s team battle, we’re bringing it back this Sunday! To prepare, you can book one of our jam boxes for a rehearsal or a jam session—whether with new faces or familiar friends. Excite us with a 2–3 minute routine and show us what you’ve got!

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outdoor stage

Every weekend, the RAW area draws thousands of visitors, many of whom pass by the House of Music without stopping. With our Outdoor Stage and captivating finger drumming and turntablism showcases, we aim to change that. A specially designed short-visit ticket invites attendees to explore the venue and immerse themselves in the experience. Feel free to reach out if you want to perform.

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Clash of the Titans

As part of SMF, we’re hosting the legendary **Clash of the Titans**—an international scratch battle established in 2020. Each participant has one minute to showcase their skills on the ones and twos. Don’t miss this epic showdown in Berlin!

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Scientific Symposium

This year, our annual symposium focuses on the world premiere of an innovative composition that merges turntablism and finger drumming. The event will feature an in-depth presentation of the notation models used and a detailed exploration of the composition's development process.






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Do you want to participate?

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DJ ChedeRac

DJ Chederac is one of the most promising turntablists in Europe, holding multiple championship titles. He is a DJ, turntablist, producer, composer, sound engineer, and multi-instrumentalist. A proud member of the world champion Needlework Scratch Crew (NSC), he will present a special showcase at SMF 2025 in Berlin.

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Hawt Coco

Hawt Coco claimed third place at the Finger Drumming World Championship 2024. He is a sound designer, Ableton drummer, and head of the School of Creative Human Development. Returning to compete again this year, visitors can look forward to witnessing his incredible skills live at the competition.

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Tim Kroker

Tim Kroker is head of education at SMF and a professional finger drummer, working as a product specialist for companies such as Yamaha and SOMA. At Sample Music Festival, he will lead workshops on using the SOMA synth and the Yamaha FGDP – the first controller designed specifically for finger drumming.

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DINGSTAR

dingStar is the creative alias of Malte Bender a.k.a. ding$ a.k.a. Bum Bum Nappy, serving as a platform for improvised and experimental performances with electronic instruments and controllers. His style blends rhythm-driven finger drumming with dub mixing techniques to create a unique, organic sound. Under the motto "dings IN Dub," each session becomes an audiovisual journey offering a break from everyday routines.

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ENTEK

Entek is a French musician and performer based in North London. His productions blend rhythms and elements from a variety of musical styles, creating a distinctive hybrid sound. He earned second place at the Finger Drumming World Championship 2024 and will return to compete again this year.

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Jey

Jey has a long-standing career as a musician, DJ, producer, vocalist, and label owner, with international performances dating back to the ’90s—from Loveparade and Mayday to tours with The Prodigy, Moby, and XPQ-21. Twelve years ago, he co-founded the EMS – Electronic Music School in Cologne. At this year’s SMF, he will lead several workshops focused on music production.

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BEAT UNIT

We’re excited to partner with BeatUnit – Germany’s leading network for music producers. For two days of the festival, they’ll host a dedicated platform for beatmakers, including the BeatUnit Beat Battle. To register, follow the link in our program or visit their website.

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HitYAWitthat

Sample Music Festival began in 2015 with the support of HitYaWithThat – Berlin’s leading community session for turntablism and DJing. That’s why we’re especially excited to have them on board for our 10th anniversary. Don’t miss the sessions on July 16 and 17 at cafe wendel in Berlin Kreuzberg.

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Ben Ebelt

Since day one, BenEbelt has been a part of the ever-growing finger drumming community at Sample Music Festival. We’re excited to welcome him back this year as he returns to compete in the battle. Get ready for his jazzy, musical approach to pad performance.

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HHV Store Berlin & Cafe Wendel Thursday 17 July, 2025

House of Music Friday 18 July, 2025

Outdoor

Noisy Room #8

House of Music Saturday 19 July, 2025

Event Hall

Noisy Rooms

  • Room 1Icon Right

    rehearsal room for competitors

    14:00

  • Room2Icon Right

    rehearsal room for competitors

    14:00

  • Room 3Icon Right

    music production with EMS berlin

    14:00

  • room 4Icon Right

    scratching and beats with playground

    14:00

  • room 5Icon Right

    scratching and beats with playground

    14:00

  • room 6Icon Right

    Synth & sounds with SOMA

    14:00

  • room 7Icon Right

    creative technology with Andrew Hockey

    14:00

  • room 8Icon Right

    beat making with Beat unit

    14:00

Outdoor

House of Music Sunday 20 July, 2025

Event Hall

Noisy Rooms

  • Room 1Icon Right

    rehearsal room for competitors

    14:00

  • Room2Icon Right

    rehearsal room for competitors

    14:00

  • Room 3Icon Right

    music production with EMS berlin

    14:00

  • room 4Icon Right

    scratching and beats with playground

    14:00

  • room 5Icon Right

    scratching and beats with playground

    14:00

  • room 6Icon Right

    Synth & sounds with SOMA

    14:00

  • room 7Icon Right

    creative technology with Andrew Hockey

    14:00

  • room 8Icon Right

    beat making with Beat unit

    14:00

Outdoor