Resetting Library Data

How to remove a library or start completely fresh — and what each option does (and doesn't) delete.

Overview

SampleStack keeps two kinds of data about your libraries: the list of library locations it watches, and derived data it builds for speed — audio analysis results, waveform previews, and the metadata you've added (tags, ratings, notes). There are two levels of reset, depending on how fresh a start you need.

Your Audio Files Are Safe

Neither option below touches your audio files. Removing a library or resetting all data only affects SampleStack's own records — your samples stay exactly where they are on disk, untouched.

Option 1: Remove a Single Library

If one library is misbehaving (or you just don't need it anymore), remove and re-add it:

  1. Right-click the library in the sidebar
  2. Choose Remove
  3. To re-add it, use the + button in the sidebar (or File → Add Sample Library) and select the same folder
Tip: Removing a library detaches it from SampleStack but keeps your tags, ratings, and notes in place — they're stored by file path, so they reappear when you re-add the same folder.

Option 2: Reset All Data

The full reset wipes everything SampleStack knows and returns the app to a first-launch state:

  1. Open SampleStack → Settings (or press ⌘,)
  2. Select the General tab
  3. Scroll to the Data section and click Reset All Data…
  4. Confirm by clicking Reset
  5. Quit and relaunch SampleStack
Warning: Reset All Data permanently deletes your tags, ratings, notes, BPM and key entries for every sample. This cannot be undone. If you've invested time in tagging your library, only use this as a last resort.

What Gets Deleted

Data Remove Library Reset All Data
Audio files on disk Kept Kept
Library list entry Removed (that library) Removed (all)
Tags, ratings, notes Kept Deleted
Analysis cache Kept Deleted
Waveform cache Kept Deleted
App preferences Kept Deleted

After a Reset

After relaunching, add your libraries back via the + button in the sidebar. SampleStack will rescan and re-analyze your samples from scratch — for very large libraries this happens in the background, and you can keep working while the analysis catches up. Waveforms and analysis results are re-cached as the scan progresses, so subsequent launches are fast again.

When Should I Reset?

  • A library shows stale or wrong information: try removing and re-adding just that library first
  • You moved your samples to a new disk or folder: remove the old library and add the new location
  • The app misbehaves in a way a restart doesn't fix: contact hello@samplestack.app first — a full reset destroys your tags and ratings, and most issues can be fixed without it
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