About
Samplab is a groundbreaking AI audio editor built for musicians and producers who want MIDI-like control over polyphonic audio. Unlike traditional audio editors, Samplab analyses the individual notes within any audio file and lets you edit, transpose, and reshape them with the same flexibility as a MIDI piano roll — all while maintaining natural, high-quality sound output. Key capabilities include polyphonic note editing (adjust any note in a chord or melody), intelligent chord detection with key-aware editing and MIDI export, granular stem separation to isolate and modify individual instruments or voices, and audio warping for automatic tempo and key matching across multiple samples. The Resynthesizer feature (available on the Complete plan) enables deep audio resynthesis for even more creative control. Samplab is designed to plug seamlessly into existing DAW setups, available as a VST3 and AU plugin as well as a standalone desktop application for macOS and Windows. A free tier allows users to try core features on short clips, while paid plans unlock stereo audio, longer files, and premium controls. Ideal for beat makers, music producers, sound designers, and remix artists who want to repitch, retune, restructure, or reimagine audio samples with unprecedented precision — without losing the organic character of the original recording.
Key Features
- Polyphonic Note Editing: Edit individual notes within any polyphonic audio file just like a MIDI piano roll, adjusting pitch and timing while preserving natural sound quality.
- Chord Detection & MIDI Export: Automatically detect chords in any audio, edit them while keeping them harmonically in key, and export the results as standard MIDI files.
- Granular Stem Separation: Isolate individual stems (vocals, drums, instruments) from any audio file and freely edit the notes within each separated element.
- Audio-to-MIDI Conversion: Convert any audio recording into a MIDI representation, enabling re-use in any DAW or virtual instrument with full note-level control.
- DAW Plugin Integration: Available as a VST3 and AU plugin as well as a desktop app, integrating directly into your existing DAW workflow on macOS and Windows.
Use Cases
- Repitching and retuning sampled loops to fit the key of a new track without losing the original character of the recording.
- Extracting chord progressions from a reference track as MIDI to use as a starting point for a new composition.
- Separating stems from a mixed audio file and editing individual notes within the isolated vocals or instruments.
- Matching the tempo and key of multiple unrelated samples to make them work together cohesively in a beat or arrangement.
- Converting recorded instrument performances or found sounds into MIDI data for triggering virtual instruments or further editing.
Pros
- Unique MIDI-like Control Over Audio: Samplab fills a genuine gap in music production by enabling note-level editing of polyphonic audio that no other mainstream tool offers with comparable quality.
- Seamless DAW Integration: The VST3 and AU plugin support means producers can use Samplab without leaving their existing production environment.
- Free Tier Available: A no-credit-card free plan lets users experiment with core features before committing to a paid subscription.
Cons
- Free Tier Is Heavily Limited: The free plan is restricted to 10-second mono audio clips, making it insufficient for real production use without upgrading.
- Subscription-Only for Full Features: Advanced features like stereo audio, premium note controls, and the Resynthesizer require ongoing paid subscriptions rather than a one-time purchase.
- Requires Internet Connection: AI processing depends on a network connection, which may be a limitation for producers who work offline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Samplab and how does it work?
Samplab is an AI-powered audio editor that analyses polyphonic audio files to detect individual notes and chords, then lets you edit them as if they were MIDI data — adjusting pitch, timing, and harmony while maintaining a natural-sounding output.
Which operating systems and DAWs does Samplab support?
Samplab supports macOS and Windows as a standalone desktop app and as a VST3 (Windows/macOS) or AU (macOS) plugin, making it compatible with most major DAWs including Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio, and others.
Is a credit card required to try Samplab?
No, you can sign up and use the free Basic plan without entering a credit card. The free tier supports mono audio files up to 10 seconds in length.
Can I export edited audio as a MIDI file?
Yes. Samplab's chord detection and note editing features allow you to export the detected or edited notes as a standard MIDI file for use in any DAW or virtual instrument.
What is the Resynthesizer and which plan includes it?
The Resynthesizer is an advanced feature that provides deeper audio resynthesis capabilities for creative sound design and editing. It is available exclusively on the Complete subscription plan.
