For any modern producer, a sampler is essential. However, if you're strapped for cash or just starting out, it can be difficult to find good-quality sampler plugins that actually work and add to your beats.
The Hadron plugin is your ultimate granular synthesis tool. In fact it is such a complete implementation of granular synthesis we've renamed the technique to particle synthesis. The plugin is of course free and open source. For your convenience, we've made a preset system allowing you to quickly get started making music with it.
Rubbadub is a delay vst effect plug-in designed with versatility in mind. As a dub delay, it can be tempo synced and offers a state variable filter in the feedback line. At the lowest extremes of delay line lengths, Rubbadub becomes a through-zero flanger with a variety of modulation options. Synth Granular Audio Plugins Select OS/Type(VST,RTA.) - Windows VST RTA-Windows DirectX AAX Mac VST-Mac RTA AudioUnit AAX Linux VST-Linux LV2 Ladspa iOS Sort By Popularity Sort By Date Crystal. Quanta is a easy-to-use, full-featured granular synthesizer for AAX, AudioUnits, VST, and VST3 hosts. DEMO (75mb ZIP file. Fully functional, works for 20 minutes at a time, and can not save.
Luckily, we've cut through the weeds and compiled 9 of the best free sampler VST plugins out on the market today.
Free Sampler VSTs
Without delay, here are our top picks. Sit back, relax, and explore these excellent samplers.
Grace Sampler by One Small Clue
The Grace Sampler is simple, sleek, and suited to synth users. The sampler has optional patches free for download on its website, most of which are for synths, but there's also a couple for drum kits, keys, and bass.
This sampler comes in both 32 and 64-bit versions, so you won't have to worry about compatibility from device to device. With most DAWS, you can drag and drop your samples right into the sampler, simplifying your workflow.
Grace Sampler comes with 2 step sequencers, 2 LFOS, and 4 different control pads. The sampler supports WAV, AIF, and SND formats directly which is impressive for a free plugin.
Grooove by BPB
If you're looking to create some vibey drums, Grooove by BPB is a great pick. This drum sampler is perfect for techno and EDM musicians, looking to create catchy, unique loops.
The plugin has different slots in which 2 different drum samples can be layered and played simultaneously. The slots all have built-in LFOs for altering filter cutoff, sample delay, pitch, and standard attack, volume, pan, and start/end times. Luckily, the VST is supported in both 32 and 64-bit versions.
Grooove BPB is the free version of a full-on instrument, so if you like the notable sampling capabilities that come with the free VST, the purchased version by brunsandpork is a great step up.
TX16W Software Sampler
The TX16W software sampler has a wide array of features that usually only come with paid plugins. With this sampler, you can record samples directly and edit keyboard mappings making it a great pick for musicians looking to incorporate their DAWs into live performance.
As for modulation, the sampler has 2 LFOs and 3 step sequencers. Velocity and mapping can be handled by drawing a custom curve or using the integrated knobs. The plugin also acts as a bus so you can send in and out effects in real-time.
TX16W has 64-bit support and has a built-in arpeggiator, for a paid add-on, you can have time-stretch and pitch-bend modes. For free or otherwise, this plugin is no joke.
Sforzando by Plogue
Sforzando prides itself on its simplicity, with no graphic visualizer. There's only one sample slot, with no effects or mixers.
The plugin simply consists of standard ADSR knobs, volume, pan, tone, and tune controls. Although this may feel limiting, for seasoned producers looking for a specific sound that doesn't need a whole lot of extra fluff, Sforzando can be extremely helpful.
If anything else, the plugin works as a great ear-training tool and can train musicians to rely on their skillset rather than software. It comes with 64-bit support.
Zampler by Plugin Boutique
Zampler by Plugin Boutique is an excellent add-on for electronic musicians as you can download drum & bass, hip hop, even dubstep expansion packs.
The sampler has 3 LFOs and a large effects library including chorus, phaser, tube saturation, and many more. There are 2 sample banks and 3 ADSR envelopes for full modulation control.
Zampler has a step sequencer as well as sample oscillators for you to further tweak your sound. Unfortunately, Mac users only have 32-bit support. Windows has both 32 and 64-bit support, but any sample formats outside of sfz must be converted.
Paraphrasis by VirtualAnalogy
Paraphrasis helps you create those retro analog tones with any sample. Simply place your sample into the Paraphrasis sampler, and the modeling synthesizer will analyze the sound data to produce a more classic sound.
This VST is pretty simple, and the UI reflects that; there's simply a pitch, resolution, analyze, and source toggle with no extra bells or whistles. There's only one slot to the plugin, but on the upside, it doesn't take up a large amount of CPU.
There's also a handy reverse toggle, so you can reverse your sample before giving it that added analog touch. Some users had trouble using this plugin in 64-bit though it supports both versions, so make sure you're downloading the proper .dll when acquiring this plugin.
XTT01 by Synthedit Labo Japan
The XTT01 has that classic rack-mount feel and is designed to give you a sound reminiscent of the past. This sampler is known for its signature glide function.
This VST is pretty bare bones. There are the standard ADSR knobs to toggle the filter and amp envelopes, and a built-in LFO with speed, PW, and depth knobs. You can also pitch shift by semitones within the sampler.
XTT01 has no visualizer, so it's a great tool to use for musicians who are more auditory based learners. You can only load one sample at a time in this plugin. Unfortunately, this simple yet powerful sampler only supports 32-bit software, so it may not work for you if you have more modern equipment.
Bassje by Odosynths
Bassje by Odosynths is a great drum sequencer to give your beats the funky groove they've been missing. It's loaded with 3 different toms as well, so if you're just looking for a great tom loop generator, Bassje is a great addition to your library.
The plugin is separated into two main sections: An octave and filter sequencer. Nothing can describe the sounds you can get out of this puppy other than using is. Bassje has a volume, reso, and volume knob.
Its retro UI speaks to the nature of the plugin, as it'll generate patterns very reminiscent of physical drum machines. For any musician trying to create retro-inspired music, Bassje is perfect.
Helios by TobyBear
Helios is an impressive audio sampler unit that is meant to be used during live performance. It has 8 different LFOs, including 2 that sync up to the sample's tempo.
This plugin is able to tweak a sample is real-time with pitch-bending, looping, delays, and LFO filters. You can drag and drop wave files directly into the interface, making it ideal for DJs or musicians who have to improvise often. Unfortunately, it only supports a 32-bit connection so newer equipment may not work with this plugin.
What We Recommend
Any of these VSTs are excellent to try out but there are two that stand out in our minds:
Grooove BPB
Grooove BPB stands out in its flexibility and abundance of features for a free plugin. With 6 different drum slots and a variety of effects, it's a versatile sampler that can act as an effect bus if nothing else.
Oftentimes rhythm is the core and soul of music production, so having a drum sampler to assist in that process is priceless (literally).
TX16Wx Software Sampler
This sampler is a full-on replacement for any stock sampler you may have, and then some. No other sampler can compare to this VST's level of flexibility: With separate windows MIDI mapping, envelopes, modulation, arpeggiator, and samples themselves, it's hard to believe that this plugin is free.
Another great thing about this plugin is the ability to record and drag samples directly into the interface. This may seem like a small factor, but for the right producer, it can significantly simplify your workflow.
Paid Plugins
If you've tried out a couple of these free options and you're looking to take the next step, be sure to check out our guide on the best-paid sampler VSTs of 2019. Here are our two standout picks from that piece.
Phalanx by Vengeance Sound
Phalanx is an impressive sampler and sound effects generator that is very versatile in use. The plugin has a number of optional expansion packs catered to specific genres of music, so you're sure to find one that works for you.
The plugin has a polyphony threshold at 256 notes, and 32 single samples can be played at once. In addition to its bevy of embedded effects, Phalanx holds its ground when used as a drum sampler.
Read more at Best Sampler VSTs
Polygon Sampler by Glitchmachines
This sampler is relatively affordable, making it a great paid VST to consider in your transition. Although it is mainly geared towards electronic music, the unique user interface and 120 embedded presets make this a fun tool for any producer.
If anything else, this sampler surprisingly works well as a synthesizer with an impressive 8 LFOs. It has a lot of granular synthesis capabilities, making it a great way to boost your low-end frequencies without altering the timing of your samples.
Read more at Best Sampler VSTs
***
All in all, any of these options are great to test out considering there's no upfront cost other than your time. Have creating exciting new beats using your free Sampler VSTs!
$99.00
DEMO (75mb ZIP file. Fully functional, works for 20 minutes at a time, and can not save. Doesn't include all presets.)
MANUAL (2mb PDF file.)
FORMATS
VST64-bit VST3 64-bit AAX 64-bit
Windows 8.1 or newer and a 64-bit DAW.
Read more at Best Sampler VSTs
Polygon Sampler by Glitchmachines
This sampler is relatively affordable, making it a great paid VST to consider in your transition. Although it is mainly geared towards electronic music, the unique user interface and 120 embedded presets make this a fun tool for any producer.
If anything else, this sampler surprisingly works well as a synthesizer with an impressive 8 LFOs. It has a lot of granular synthesis capabilities, making it a great way to boost your low-end frequencies without altering the timing of your samples.
Read more at Best Sampler VSTs
***
All in all, any of these options are great to test out considering there's no upfront cost other than your time. Have creating exciting new beats using your free Sampler VSTs!
$99.00
DEMO (75mb ZIP file. Fully functional, works for 20 minutes at a time, and can not save. Doesn't include all presets.)
MANUAL (2mb PDF file.)
FORMATS
VST64-bit VST3 64-bit AAX 64-bit
Windows 8.1 or newer and a 64-bit DAW.
Disk reader for pc. VST64-bit VST3 64-bit AAX 64-bit AudioUnit 64-bit
10.12 Sierra or newer and a 64-bit DAW.
AUv3 64-bit IAA & Standalone 64-bit
iOS 11 or newer and a separate purchase in the iOS App Store.
VST64-bit VST3 64-bit
Ubuntu 18 or later and a 64-bit DAW.
VIDEO OVERVIEW
HIGHLIGHTS
Granulate! |
Synthesize! |
Modulate! |
Control! Quanta is customizable to your taste and playing style. With full MPE support, it can take advantage of the extended control set of your Linnstrument, Seaboard, Soundplane, Continuum, or other MPE controller, and support for TUN files lets you use tuning tables. The resizable Hi-DPI GUI lets you adjust the size to match your visual needs, and the cross-platform preset mechanism lets you share your creations with your friends and collaborators, no matter what system they are using. |
AUDIO EXAMPLES
Listen to the album 'Quanta - Audio Demos' by Audio Damage.
FEATURES
- Multi-Format Sample Loader
Quanta can load AIFF, WAV, Broadcast WAV, FLAC, MP3, and Ogg in any sample rate, bit depth, and channel configuration. - Grain Engine
Up to 100 simultaneous grains per voice, of up to 1 second long, with control over grain rate, pitch, direction, shape, length, panning, source position, and level. - Sidecar Oscillator
Continuously variable wave shape, with pulse width modulation, and independent control over pitch (separate from grain engine.) Can be injected directly into grain engine. - Noise Source
Noise source features a 'color' control that affects tonal characteristics of the noise. Can be injected directly into grain engine. - Dual Multi-Mode Filters
Filters can be used in serial or parallel modes, and include lowpass, highpass, bandpass, and notch in 2-pole and 4-pole configurations. - Flexible Envelope Generator (FEG) x 4
The four FEGs are arbitrary function generators, with up to 99 steps, curve and step level control, arbitrary loop points, and host tempo sync. - Flexible Low-Frequency Oscillator (FLFO) x 2
The pair of FLFOs utilize four controls (phase, shape, skew, and warp) to access a virtually limitless palette of waveforms, and feature host tempo sync and retrigger. - Sample And Hold
The S&H mod source can sample noise (random) or any of the other mod sources, at either a user-defined rate or a musical division. - Modulation Matrix
Every mod and MIDI source can be easily and simply assigned to any destination using the quick-access bi-polar modulation matrix. Touch a destination on the UI and the matrix automatically scrolls to the correct row. - Tuning Tables And Global Tuning Offset
Re-tune Quanta to new intonations and temperaments using the open-source and easy-to-use TUN file format. A global tuning offset (default to A=440) allows you to easily retune the entire synth to match a different A frequency without using a tuning table. - MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression)
Quanta understands both 'legacy' MIDI and MPE. Use your Linnstrument, Roli Seaboard, Haken Continuum, or Madrona Labs Soundplane (among others) to directly access per-note pressure, pitch bend, and modulation. - Per-Instance Settings
Quanta utilizes a per-instance customization method: set MPE mode, aftertouch smoothing, pitch bend range override, tuning table, and global tuning offset for each instance in your DAW. - Factory Presets
Quanta comes with a substantial collection of factory content, including Designer Presets from Marcus Fisher, Joseph Fraioli, Chris Carter, and Richard Devine. - Cross-Platform Preset Format
Quanta utilizes an XML-based preset manager, and stores the sample within the preset for easy asset management. Work between multiple systems without troubles, make a preset on your desktop machine and paste it to the iOS version with Handoff, easily share your creations with your friends, or make a preset bundle to sell, no asset management required. - Fully Resizable Hi-Dpi/Retina GUI
Quanta's vector-based GUI is resolution-agnostic, and displays the same on every system and resolution. Easily resize the UI (per instance) to match your visual needs, from postage stamp to poster-sized.
Extra Content
Hainbach - Lab Grains(25mb .zip)
Berlin-based electronic music composer Hainbach created these twenty patches for Quanta using samples sourced from his wall of test equipment, covering both the dark and foreboding soundscapes and the light and airy dynamism he is known for. Watch this excellent video that he made of the process.
Audio Damge - Organico(27mb .zip)
Granular Plugin
Organico is a selection of presets for Quanta using electro-acoustic instrumentation as the source material. From xylophone to various other idiophones to a vintage Rhodes, recorded with condenser microphones and contact mics, Organico pays homage to the source material while imagining new soundscapes.
Free Granular Vst
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