Happy New Year, music makers! A fresh year means fresh tools from Shuffle Music Magazine, and we’re kicking things off with an exciting new release: Just a Sample, a free and open-source sampler by Binyamin Friedman.
This plugin is compatible with macOS, Windows, and Linux and works in both VST3 and AU formats.
Friedman has crafted Just a Sample as a sleek, modern sampler built for effortless use. It blends simplicity with power, thanks to an integrated effects suite featuring reverb, chorus, distortion, and EQ—ideal for adding depth and character to your sounds.
Here’s a quick video to learn more –
One of its standout features is the ability to zoom in on individual samples, letting you define boundaries with remarkable precision. The interface makes navigating waveforms intuitive, whether you’re using a mouse or touchpad.
The plugin also incorporates Kupix’s Bungee time-stretching technology, enabling users to adjust time and pitch independently. You can push the creative envelope by slowing playback to extreme levels, such as 0.01x, to craft otherworldly textures.
For even more sonic versatility, Just a Sample can function as a tone generator in Waveform Mode. By setting tight boundaries, the waveform loops like a wavetable synth, offering equal-power crossfade looping and customizable attack and release parameters.
Additional features include:
- Flexible attack and release curve adjustments
- Pitch bend and fine-tuning options
- Lo-fi effects by disabling antialiasing
- Direct sample recording and storage within the plugin to eliminate external dependencies
- An experimental auto-tune feature tuned to A440 for simple source materials
Activating Waveform Mode is simple: hit the pin icon at the waveform’s bottom right, zoom in, and watch the plugin transform into a mini wavetable synth.
Despite its rich feature set, the plugin remains highly approachable. Its streamlined interface ensures you can dive right in without a steep learning curve.
Friedman has also made downloading Just a Sample a breeze. It’s available on his Itch.io page and can be downloaded in just three clicks, with no personal details required. The file sizes are tiny, with the macOS version being the largest at just 6.7 MB.
Though free to download, the plugin operates on a ‘name your price’ model, allowing users to support Friedman’s work if they choose. For the tech-savvy, the source code is also available on GitHub.
Download: Just a Sample (FREE / Name-your-price)
