Sampler VST plugins are somewhat similar to hardware samplers, however, they differ in terms of efficacy and flexibility. In layman terms, Sampler VST’s can be defined as plugins that simply play back samples or audio files of varied lengths. We have done a rundown of some of the best sampler VST plugins on the market that will invariably enhance your studio arsenal.
Having a decent sampler VST can enable producers to play custom samples across a keyboard similar to a standard instrument. Essentially, some of the best sampler VST plugins are digital recreations of their hardware counterparts, but are more affordable, user-friendly and intuitive. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.
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5+ Best Sampler VST 2023
1) Serato Sample
Serato’s Sample is a nifty plugin that allows users to transpose, chop and find a ton of samples in massive sample libraries.
Sample’s powerful sample management system and editing features are accompanied by an elaborate time-stretch algorithm called Pitch ‘n Time.
This much sought after time-stretching algorithm gives Sample a definite edge and sample syncing abilities over other plugins in competition.
Sample also allows you to easily sync samples of varying tempos to each other seamlessly as well as find the key of your samples in real time.
2) Polygon 2 by Glitchmachines
One of the best sampler VST plugins on the market, Polygon comes in handy for experimental styles of trance, new wave, electronic music, and more.
For starters, Polygon comes with 4 granular samplers, 8 LFOs, over 100 factory presets, dual oscillator with FM synthesis, a massive factory sample bank, Randomizer, and lots of modulation utilities.
Sporting an intuitive graphical user interface and an unconventional approach for playing samples, Polygon is a worthy addition to any producer’s sound-creation arsenal.
3) ReCycle
ReCycle is renowned for its ability to extract individual loop elements by deconstructing, slicing, and combining loops in an accurate time-based manner.
Loops can be split into layers and from those layers you can extract individual slices which can be assembled for use in custom drum kits.
Alternately, you can also use these loops to spruce up the original loop or combine them to form a customized drum kit.
Although ReCycle was developed by the makers of Propellerhead Reason DAW, it is compatible with all the other major DAWs and apps including Logic Pro X, Ableton Live, FL Studio, Cubase, Native Instruments Maschine, Cakewalk Sonar, Presonus Studio One, and Pro Tools, to name a few.
All in all, ReCycle gives you the best out of your heavy sample stash.
4) TAL Sampler
TAL Sampler doubles up as a sample player and analog designed synth with a nifty sampler engine at the center of its operations.
TAL Sampler can load a plethora of drum/percussion loops, synth loops and also proves useful for vocal-chopping.
What’s more, TAL Sampler comes with a powerful MOD matrix, over 100 presets, 3 LFO’s, 4 Sample layers, 3 ADHDR envelopes, fast sample loading and microtuning support.
5) Logic EXS24 mkII
The EXS24 mkII is Logic Pro X’s inbuilt sampler that is a powerhouse by all means. The EXS24 is one of the best sampler VST that comes for free of cost. However, you will have to purchase Logic Pro X in order to use it.
The EXS24 is a modern sampler that can load tons of hyperrealistic sample libraries of orchestral instruments worth multiple gigabytes. It can also load loops, single samples and phrases with equal ease.
On the sound design front, the EXS24 features powerful filtering, envelope, and velocity triggering options.
6. TAL-Drum
Rounding up our list of the best sampler VST plugins is another solid TAL offering, the TAL-Drum.
A nifty sampler for drum tracks, short samples and loops, TAL-Drum was recreated on the lines of 80’s drum samplers.
Sporting a streamlined graphical user interface, TAL-Drum comes with a Slice Editor, over 20 factory drum kits, and 600+ samples, real time Lo-fi effects, to name a few.
Not to mention, various of time stretch algorithms, and time stretch modes, make TAL-Drum a handy plugin for slicing up and editing your drum tracks.
