Sample managers are a category of software used by musicians and digital audio professionals, to help keep their audio files organized and accessible.
Musicians often lose time combing through poorly named project directories and audio files, searching for a specific sample or idea. Yet they continue to play out the same unhealthy pattern at the end of their session, labeling a new project in a way that will be recognize to understand in the future.
There's an underlying problem shared by DAWs and OS file managers alike. DAW projects take forever to load, have not metadata, and offer no audio previews. MacOS does not support MIDI playback or metadata filters.
A great audio and MIDI file manager helps you collect your thoughts and find them in the future, without hassle. Each app has a different interface and philosophy, so we suggest scanning the options to decide what's best for you.
Table of Contents
6 Popular Audio Sample Managers
Each sample manager comes with a different set of perks. For example, Splice has a free tool with a great collection of built in sounds, but doesn't let you upload your own samples. To help you get better visibility on some of the big players in this space, we've outlined their core features below.
AudioCipher MIDI Vault (VST/AU/Standalone)
The AudioCipher MIDI Vault is a sample manager that bundles audio and MIDI files into cards. Each of these notecards is enriched with musical metadata that you can use for searching, filtering, and sorting through your collection.
Users can create unlimited cards and add unlimited audio + midi files to each card. These cards are stored safely on your local drive. You can export your collections at any time and store them in a zipped .AUCI file.
Build your own sample library with the MIDI Vault
Add your existing sample library to the Vault, with bulk import options
Card metadata includes BPM, Key, Mood, Genre, Instrument Type, and more
Create, edit and delete meta tags at will. All cards are updated automatically
Rate your cards by their quality or stage of development
Use advanced search, sorting, and filters to locate your cards instantly
Export your MIDI Vault collections in a single file
Export your Vault's card collection at any time as an .AUCI file
Import any .AUCI file into your vault with a few clicks of a button
Store your .AUCI collection on an external hard drive
Share collections with other MIDI Vault users
Sell your .AUCI collections online and keep 100% of the revenue
As a standalone app, you can use AudioCipher with any DAW on both MacOS and Windows devices. VST3 and AU plugin formats are also included for those who prefer to access the sample manager within their workstation.
Visit the MIDI Vault website or checkout the demos page to watch other music producers use the software.
ADSR Sample Manager (VST/AU)
The ADSR Sample Manager is a popular audio file manager. Like Splice, it doubles as a lead generation tool for ADSR to bring people into their marketplace. Users can search for one-off files and sample packs to purchase, using the metadata provided by their company.
Features of the ADSR Sample Manager
Sample Browsing and Organization: Sort through samples by instrument, genre and BPM.
Cloud Integration and ADSR Website Sync: Synchronize sample packs that you purchased from ADSR's library and they will sync directly with the Sample Manager. This saves you time downloading and sorting each file in the sample pack.
Random button: Don't know where to start? Hit the random button to select a random sample and get your project moving.
Sample Manipulation and Editing: The Sample Manager features a waveform display to edit the start and end points, along with applying fades.
Drag and Drop: The Sample Manager is designed with a straightforward, user-friendly interface, enabling a simple drag and drop process to the DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) of your choice.
The minimum specification for ADSR Sample Manager is Windows 7 4GB RAM, Mac OS 10.9.x 4GB RAM, MAC 64 bits, and PC 32 bits and 64 bits.
Splice Sample Library and AI search
Splice is more of a sample library than a sample manager. It's not possible to load your own audio or MIDI files into Splice, but you can use it to search for content on their platform. If you're an active user, the app is helpful for managing the files that you've purchased.
The metadata filters on Splice include a rich collection of instrument types, genres, key, BPM, and a broad 'type' category. They hose exclusive sample packs from some of the biggest artists in the industry. If you're looking for professional sounds that take your music to the next level, it's one of the best options around.
Since you can't save your own files and manage them in Splice, it won't help you organize existing projects or share them with others. For that, AudioCipher's MIDI Vault offers a better solution.
Discover new Splice samples with Similar Sounds
When you find a great sound on Splice, click the vertical ellipses shown below to reveal their Similar Sounds option. You can use this AI-powered feature to quickly discover other samples with a similar vibe. It works remarkably well!
With the right panel open, you can browse through a collection of tracks that could help you achieve a similar feeling to the original. They won't necessarily be in the same key or BPM. This feature is best if you found a sample that's almost what you wanted but not quite it. Here's what that menu looks like:
When you use a credit to obtain a track, the Splice Sample Library lets you drag and drop it directly into your DAW. This makes it great for any music production workflow, as long as they have the samples in their collection that you're looking for.
Sononym (AI-powered sample grouping)
Sononym is like a blend of the ADSR sample manager and Splice app. It allows you to upload files from your sample library like ADSR, but like Splice it can identify sonic characteristics of a sample to find other samples with similar sonic traits. This feature, backed by machine learning algorithms, enables a much more advanced and personalized sample searching process. It can be incredibly helpful when you're looking for a particular sound or feel.
Additionally, Sononym provides a suite of tools for detailed sample analysis, including key, pitch, rhythm, and timbral characteristics, allowing users to manipulate and optimize their samples to better fit their creative needs.
The application can support deep file categorization and labelling, promoting an organized and efficient workflow. This approach enhances the creative process by connecting users with the perfect sounds more rapidly and intuitively than traditional methods.
Waves Cosmos Sample Finder
Cosmos Sample Finder is a comprehensive program that utilizes artificial intelligence to manage and auto-tag your entire sample library. Here are some of its key features:
Identification and Cataloguing: Cosmos can identify and properly catalogue samples, even if they are not correctly named. For example, a sample named "#5B1" might be identified as "Kick Hip Hop Electronic Hit and Dry." This feature makes it easier to search for samples that lack adequate data.
Advanced Search Capabilities: Cosmos uses a neural engine to discern specific qualities of a sample, from style to instrumental content. For instance, if you're seeking a soul sample with vocals from a vinyl, you can simply input these parameters into the search bar, and Cosmos will serve up the results.
Key, BPM, and Instrument Recognition: The software can filter results by BPM and key (including relative key), thus helping to find samples that fit the current project. Moreover, it can identify the instrument used in a sample, even when it's not explicitly named.
One-Shot Browsing: The Cosmos interface allows users to view one-shot samples as a constellation of dots, where each dot represents a specific one-shot on your device. These can be organized by brightness or instrument, making it easy to find and drag-and-drop samples right into your project.
Flexible File Management: Users can control the files and folders the software analyzes, avoiding the potential overwhelm of having the program categorize massive sample libraries.
Inspiration and Efficiency: Instead of using the same samples because you know where they're stored, Cosmos helps discover new sounds, making sample browsing a more creative and efficient process.
A word of warning - due to the use of AI to analyze each file, it can take a long time to upload larger collections.
XLN's XO vs Algonaut's Atlas 2 (Drum sample libraries)
XO by XLN Audio is a sophisticated and intuitive sample management tool that stands out in the digital audio software landscape. Designed to serve as a sequencer, mixer, and sample explorer in one, XO offers a unique approach to sample sorting and creating drum loops.
One of its innovative features is the Space interface, which sorts one-shots by similarity, organizing them in a visual cloud where close proximity indicates similar sound characteristics. This visual clustering creates an engaging and productive way of browsing and selecting samples, simplifying the process of finding the perfect sound.
One aspect of XO that sets it apart is its timbre matching feature. It utilizes a powerful spectral analysis algorithm to compare the sonic characteristics of different samples. When you select a sample, XO immediately highlights other samples in your library with a similar timbre, creating a simple and intuitive way to find matching sounds.
We've previously shared a review of XO's main competitor, Atlas 2, and a comparison of their features. Check out that page for more context. Atlas 2 offers a robust and versatile solution to help producers, sound designers, and musicians manage their sample libraries.
Like XO, Atlas performs timbre clustering in a visual map, with provides a library browser and advanced filtering options. Unlike XO, you can create an unlimited number of maps to accommodate different libraries. Atlas also comes with a more powerful sequencer for creating AI drum loops.
Benefits of using a sample manager
For those of you who read through our product list above and are still not sure if using a sample manager will be helpful, consider the following benefits:
Organization: Your computer already comes with a basic file management system to display basic information like audio file size and length. The beauty of a sample manager is that it lets you add a layer of critical data about the key, bpm, instrument, genre, mood, and more. Making the effort to add that information makes it easier to retrieve the samples you're looking for in a fraction of the time.
Workflow Efficiency: With your audio files neatly organized and labeled, the sample manager will become a critical part of your creative workflow. Just filter through the library to grab what you need.
Preview and Audition: To preview audio files on a computer, you typically have to key through the file folder using your arrow pad. Some folder views will include a play button, but in most cases you have to double click each file to listen to it. This can become time consuming and annoying. Sample managers reduce the effort required to preview samples.
Create your own Metadata: Technical information about the file, like duration and file size, will automatically load into most sample managers. You can input additional information from the sample's file name, like BPM and key signature, and add a final layer of information about mood, genre, etc.
Integration: Sample managers sometimes integrate directly into the DAW as a plugin. This eliminates the need to tab back and forth between applications. Instead, users drag and drop files directly onto an audio track when you find something.
Instant Inspiration: Browsing through a well-organized sample library can trigger creative ideas. If you're using one-shots, sample management programs sometimes include features associated with drum machine, like sample pads and sequencers. Use rhythm presets and randomization for instant inspiration before dragging the idea into your DAW.
Backups and Safety: Some sample managers sync with cloud storage services, in case your hard drive fails and you lose all of your audio. That additional layer of security can provide peace of mind.
Space Management: Seeing all of your audio files in one place makes it easier to identifying duplicates, remove unused samples, and compress files when needed.
These are the main things to consider as you search for a new sample manager. We hope you found this overview helpful and encourage you to visit our blog for more inspiring music tech reviews.