News
Updates, announcements, and tips from SampleStack.
How to make seamless loops for sustained samples
A practical guide to loop-point technique for pads, strings, organs, and other sustaining instruments: finding zero crossings, choosing a stable sustain region, crossfade looping, and carrying loop points into SFZ, SF2, and Decent Sampler.
Read more →Round-robin explained: why repeated notes need alternates
What round-robin sampling is, why the machine-gun effect happens, how SFZ and Decent Sampler implement cycling alternates, and where hardware modules fit in.
Read more →Velocity layers explained: recording and mapping dynamics
What velocity layers are, how to record multiple dynamics of the same note, and how samplers assign those recordings to velocity ranges so your instrument responds to playing strength.
Read more →Free multisample instrument sources
A practical guide to the best free sources for multisample instruments: what each offers, which format it ships in, and what the license allows.
Read more →How to sample a synth into a playable instrument
A start-to-finish walkthrough: record a set of notes from a synth, map them across the keyboard in SampleStack, add velocity layers and an envelope, and export a playable multisample instrument.
Read more →SFZ instruments in SampleStack: what SFZ is and how to build one
What the SFZ format is, why it's a good default for multisample instruments, and how to create and export an SFZ from a folder of samples in SampleStack.
Read more →Version 1.2: Build and export multisample instruments
SampleStack 1.2 turns a folder of samples into a playable multisample instrument, with automatic pitch mapping, velocity layers, an amp envelope, and export to SFZ, SoundFont 2, Decent Sampler, Ableton, and the Disting EX and NT.
Read more →Ableton Sampler instruments in SampleStack: how to build one
How to turn a folder of samples into a native Ableton Sampler instrument in SampleStack, what carries over, and the fine-tune and gain limits to know about.
Read more →Decent Sampler instruments in SampleStack: what it is and how to build one
What the Decent Sampler format is, why it's ideal for sharing playable instruments, and how to create and export a .dspreset with artwork and controls from SampleStack.
Read more →Disting EX and NT multisamples in SampleStack: how to build one
How to build a multisample instrument in SampleStack and export it to the Expert Sleepers Disting EX and Disting NT, so you can play it from a Eurorack rack.
Read more →SoundFont 2 instruments in SampleStack: what SF2 is and how to build one
What the SoundFont 2 (SF2) format is, why a single self-contained file is useful, and how to create and export an SF2 from a folder of samples in SampleStack.
Read more →What I'm working on: multisample kits and a new Discord
A development update on SampleStack: multisample kit assembly with automatic zone and velocity mapping, a new community Discord, early Windows exploration, and the 1.1.3 release.
Read more →Bitbox mk2 sample management: a complete guide
How the 1010music Bitbox mk2 organizes samples, how presets reference files by path, how CV inputs work in a modular context, and the polyphony budget you're working within.
Read more →Choosing samples for Phase, the Reich-inspired looper for VCV Rack
How to choose and prepare source material for Phase, the Signal Function Set dual sample looper for VCV Rack built on Steve Reich's tape phasing.
Read more →Version 1.1.3: Lúbadh, Arbhar, ADDAC112, and Transcode Presets
SampleStack 1.1.3 adds support for the Instruō Lúbadh and Arbhar and the ADDAC112, introduces one-click transcode presets, and dramatically speeds up loading for very large libraries.
Read more →Loading samples on the 1010music Blackbox
A practical guide to getting samples onto the 1010music Blackbox: the preset model, multi-sample folder loading, Pack Preset, recording, and how to share presets between users.
Read more →Bitbox mk2 vs Blackbox: which 1010music sampler is right for you?
A side-by-side comparison of the 1010music Bitbox mk2 and Blackbox: shared engine, different contexts. What each does well, where they diverge, and which fits your setup.
Read more →Sample manager vs DAW: which do you need?
A DAW and a sample manager solve different problems. Here's what each handles, where they overlap, and the hardware-specific issues a DAW leaves unsolved.
Read more →Intellijel Multigrain sample management: a complete guide
How the Intellijel Multigrain organizes samples across projects, the format it needs, the 32-second limit, recording into the module, and how to keep a working library.
Read more →Octatrack sample management: a complete guide
How the Elektron Octatrack MKII organizes samples, the difference between Flex and Static machines, and how to prep, transfer, and manage a working library.
Read more →WAV, AIFF, and FLAC for hardware samplers: which format actually matters
A clear look at the three most common audio formats, what's inside each one, and which hardware samplers can actually load them.
Read more →Free sample sites for hardware producers
A practical guide to the best free sample sources online: what each offers, its license, and which hardware it suits best.
Read more →How to Prepare Samples for the Make Noise Morphagene
A complete guide to preparing samples for the Make Noise Morphagene: file format, splice markers, reel structure, naming, and the gotchas that trip up new users.
Read more →Version 1.0.2: 20 New Instruments
SampleStack 1.0.2 adds support for 20 new hardware samplers and grooveboxes, custom manufacturer icons for all 29 instruments, and performance improvements.
Read more →37 Instruments and Counting
The SampleStack instruments directory now covers 37 hardware samplers and Eurorack modules with full technical specs and folder structures.
Read more →