Introducing “Just a Sample,” a free and open-source audio sampler developed by Binyamin Friedman. Designed for simplicity and ease of use, this plugin is available for macOS, Windows, and Linux in VST3 and AU formats.
Key Features:
- User-Friendly Interface: Easily navigate and zoom into individual samples for precise editing. The intuitive controls facilitate seamless waveform browsing with a mouse or touchpad.
- Independent Time and Pitch Modulation: Incorporates Kupix’s Bungee time stretcher, allowing users to adjust time and pitch separately. Extreme slow-downs (e.g., 0.01x) enable the creation of unique sounds.
- Waveform Mode: By setting small bounds, the plugin loops the waveform like a wavetable synthesizer, transforming it into a tone generator.
- Integrated Effects Chain: Enhance your samples with built-in reverb, chorus, distortion, and EQ to add depth and character.
- Advanced Looping and Envelope Controls: Features equal power crossfade looping with separate attack and release portions, along with adjustable attack and release curves. Supports pitch bend and fine-tuning for added flexibility.
- Additional Functionalities:
- Option to disable antialiasing for a gritty lo-fi effect.
- Record samples directly into the sampler.
- Store samples within the plugin state to eliminate external dependencies.
- Experimental auto-tune feature to A440, optimal for simple sounds.
“Just a Sample” is available under a ‘name your price’ model, allowing users to download it for free or contribute to support the developer’s work. For those interested in the source code, it is accessible on Friedman’s GitHub page.
For a visual overview and demonstration, you might find this video helpful:
Hands-On Experience: Endless Fun with “Just a Sample”
We had an absolute blast testing out Just a Sample. From its intuitive interface to its surprising flexibility, this plugin offers both creative potential and pure fun. The time-stretching feature was a particular standout—slowing down samples to a crawl (0.01x speed!) opened up a world of atmospheric, almost alien soundscapes. On the flip side, experimenting with pitch shifts and looping smaller waveform segments transformed basic audio clips into vibrant, playable synth tones.
The built-in effects added another layer of excitement. Whether we were dialing in lush reverb for cinematic textures or cranking up distortion for gritty, lo-fi vibes, every tweak felt rewarding. The ability to record directly into the sampler made it easy to capture and manipulate sounds on the fly, and the auto-tune feature, while experimental, led to some quirky and unexpected results.
Overall, “Just a Sample” isn’t just a sampler—it’s a playground for audio enthusiasts. Whether you’re a producer looking for a fresh tool or just someone who loves tinkering with sound, you’ll likely find yourself spending hours exploring its creative possibilities.
