Hot on the heels of the release of LANDR’s new plugin that is designed to transform your sample libraries into an instantly playable, endlessly inspiring instrument, Aphelion’s Orbit explores LANDR Sampler in our latest review.
What is it?
LANDR Sampler offers a brilliant way to breathe new life into your sample library without draining your creative energy. Over the years, many of us have accumulated vast collections of audio files—sometimes reaching gigabytes or even terabytes—that often go untouched. LANDR has introduced a solution that allows you to rediscover these forgotten sounds and seamlessly integrate them into your workflow for fresh inspiration.
Patrick Bourget, VP of Product at LANDR, perfectly captures the essence of this innovation:
“Creators today sit on massive libraries of inspiring sounds that too often go unused simply because they’re hard to find,” says Bourget. “LANDR Sampler changes that. It brings forgotten gems back into the spotlight and unlocks new creative momentum—with just one click.”
This tool could be the spark needed to transform unused samples into new sonic explorations, making creativity effortless and exciting.
First Impressions
As a true sampler enthusiast, I’ve explored both hardware and software—MPCs, CHOMPI, SP-404mkII on one side, and Serato Studio, Amigo, and various DAWs on the other. So naturally, my first impression of LANDR Sampler was its ability to bring together the best of these tools while streamlining sample selection. It captures the creative spontaneity of CHOMPI and Amigo, yet enhances workflow efficiency by pulling directly from my library with ease.
I found myself spending hours with LANDR Sampler, searching for flaws or limitations—yet there was little to critique. It seamlessly integrates into a creative process, keeping inspiration flowing effortlessly. If it looks familiar, that’s because it borrows heavily from Monkeyc’s Rando sampler, adapting its concept for the LANDR platform of music production tools. The result? A refined, intuitive sampler that truly maximizes creative potential.
Interface & Controls
The first step is to locate your sample libraries, including those from other VST instruments, and map them to the LANDR Sampler. You can assign entire folders, making all your sounds easily accessible, or take a more curated approach by structuring folders around a specific project—incorporating only the samples that fit your current creative direction.
For me, this functionality is truly game-changing. It streamlines workflow, eliminates the hassle of searching for sounds, and keeps inspiration flowing without interruption. It’s a simple yet powerful way to harness the full potential of your sample collection.
Once you’ve mapped your sample libraries, head back to LANDR’s home screen and press the “Load Samples” button. From there, LANDR will automatically distribute the samples across the keyboard—perfectly synced, in key, and time-stretched if desired. It’s an effortless way to ensure everything fits seamlessly into your creative workflow.
If the loaded samples aren’t quite what you’re looking for, simply press the “Load Samples” button again to refresh with a new set of random sounds. Alternatively, you can lock the samples you like directly on the keyboard and let LANDR randomize the rest—giving you a perfect balance of control and creative exploration.
3 Modes: Normal, Chromatic, Slice
At the bottom you have 3 views to work from. Normal is your default view. Chromatic for playing samples in key across the keyboard. and lastly slice mode for chopping samples.
Sound Shaping
LANDR Sampler comes equipped with all the essential sound-shaping tools you’d expect. You have full control over start and end points, effects, ADSR envelope adjustments, time stretching, reverse playback, and chromatic keyboard mapping. Plus, the built-in magic controls automatically align all your samples, ensuring a seamless and cohesive sound experience.
Pros
- Editing & Sound Manipulation.
- Scalable UI.
- Gorgeous Interface.
- Fun Factor.
- Trial Software.
Cons
- Note choke groups or key cutoffs in chromatic mode so notes don’t play over one another.
Final Thoughts
I can’t overstate how much I truly appreciate this sampler. Sure, there are other options like Amigo or the SP-404 that specialize in niche techniques like beat juggling and other creative tricks. But what makes LANDR Sampler stand out is its ability to randomly load an entire folder of samples, instantly igniting new ideas.
This approach taps into the spirit of classic beat digging—embracing the spontaneity of pulling fragments from various sounds to craft something entirely fresh. It’s a tool that seamlessly blends nostalgia with modern workflow efficiency, making creative exploration both effortless and inspiring.
LANDR Sampler is available for Windows and Mac (VST3, AU, AAX and standalone), priced $99 USD / 99 EUR at the LANDR store. It is also part of the LANDR Studio susbcription, which is available at a 20% discount for a limited time.
