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SPECIFICTION
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Koala Sampler

koalasampler.com

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid
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Spec score 8.9 #1 of 32 in Beat Making Software

What it is

Koala Sampler records sounds through a device microphone or imports audio for making beats and tracks. It can capture up to 64 samples and includes a high-resolution sequencer, keyboard mode, quantization, swing, and effects. Projects can be exported as WAV loops or tracks; the iOS version can also export Ableton Live Sets. MIDI control and Ableton Link support external control and Wi-Fi jamming. Optional in-app purchases add more tools: Samurai includes time-stretch algorithms, a piano roll, auto-chop, a three-band EQ, a polyphonic synth, and MIDI output. Mixer adds four channels, a main bus, and five effect slots per channel; its external plugin hosting is available on iOS, Mac, and Windows, but not Android. Koala Sampler is listed for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows. Desktop builds for Mac, Windows, Linux, and Raspberry Pi are free for now, although the Windows build is in beta. The iOS app costs $4.99, paid once, with in-app purchases sold separately. The maker says mobile apps do not require an account and keep projects and audio on the device.

Spec sheet

What it does
Koala records microphone sounds or imports audio, turns them into beats, applies effects, sequences ideas and resamples performances.Read 14 Oct 2026 · manual.koalasampler.com
Purpose
Koala records sounds with a device microphone or imports sounds for making beats, adding effects, and creating tracks.Read 30 Sep 2026 · koalasampler.com
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · elf-audio.com
Integrations
iOS AUv3 operation works in hosts including AUM, GarageBand and Logic Pro, and Ableton Link enables Wi-Fi jamming.Read 14 Oct 2026 · manual.koalasampler.com
Privacy
The maker says iOS and Android apps do not require an account and do not send projects or audio to the maker; microphone, file, and photo permissions stay on the device.Read 30 Sep 2026 · koalasampler.com
Support
The help center provides knowledge-base articles, bug-report guidance, crash-log instructions and a contact route.Read 14 Oct 2026 · koalasampler.com
Headquarters
Sidcup, Kent, United KingdomRead 28 Sep 2026 · koalasampler.com
Audio export
Audio can be exported as WAV, FLAC or AAC at several sample rates and bit depths.Read 14 Oct 2026 · manual.koalasampler.com
Company facts
elf audio is a two-person London music-software company, according to its own about page.Read 14 Oct 2026 · elf-audio.com
Company facts: LinkedIn
LinkedIn lists elf audio as privately held, founded in 2019, headquartered in London and sized at 2–10 employees.Read 14 Oct 2026 · uk.linkedin.com
Desktop builds
Standalone desktop versions are available for macOS, Windows and Linux, with Samurai and Mixer functionality built in.Read 14 Oct 2026 · manual.koalasampler.com
Desktop platform limits
The maker offers Mac, Windows, Linux, and Raspberry Pi desktop versions for free for now and says the Windows build is in beta.Read 30 Sep 2026 · koalasampler.com
Desktop plugin data
The desktop plugin sends computer information to track active licence computers, while the maker says projects and audio stay on the computer.Read 30 Sep 2026 · koalasampler.com
Documentation
The maker publishes a structured manual covering basics, sequencing, performance, plugins, specifications and desktop operation.Read 14 Oct 2026 · manual.koalasampler.com
iOS requirement
The App Store listing requires iOS 14 or later and iPadOS 14 or later; Apple-silicon Macs require macOS 11 or later.Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Legal entity
elf audio trades as Mazbox Limited, company number 07511858, with a registered office in Sidcup, Kent.Read 14 Oct 2026 · koalasampler.com
Licence
The desktop plugin is proprietary software licensed personally, non-exclusively and non-transferably; one licence can run on up to three computers.Read 14 Oct 2026 · koalasampler.com
Licence limits
A desktop plugin licence can be active on up to three computers at once and is for one person.Read 30 Sep 2026 · koalasampler.com
Limit: Android differences
The help center documents Android latency, crackling, Bluetooth MIDI, installation and the absence of AUv3/plugin support.Read 14 Oct 2026 · koalasampler.com
Limit: bugs and audio problems
Apple reviewers reported sudden loud distorted output and poor audio-interface behavior in some setups.Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Limit: data-loss risk
The maker warns that deleting the app during an update erases songs unless the user has made a backup.Read 14 Oct 2026 · koalasampler.com
Limit: missing features
An Apple reviewer requested BPM detection for imported samples, and another asked for MIDI recording without triggering pads.Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Linux requirement
The Linux download is for 64-bit Intel systems.Read 14 Oct 2026 · koalasampler.com
Live effects
Performances can use 16 multitouch live effects, while the mixer provides more than 30 effects.Read 14 Oct 2026 · manual.koalasampler.com
MIDI
Koala imports MIDI files, exports sequences as MIDI and supports USB or Bluetooth MIDI controllers.Read 14 Oct 2026 · manual.koalasampler.com
MIDI and sync
Koala supports MIDI control and Ableton Link for jamming over Wi-Fi.Read 30 Sep 2026 · koalasampler.com
Mixer add-on
The Mixer adds four buses plus a master channel, with five effect slots per channel; external plugin hosting is unavailable on Android.Read 14 Oct 2026 · koalasampler.com
Notable news: press coverage
MusicRadar published an interview with Shabaka Hutchings about Koala on March 2, 2026.Read 14 Oct 2026 · musicradar.com
Notable news: version update
The iOS version history records version 2.0.12 on September 30, 2026, adding a higher-quality stem splitter optimized for older phones plus bug fixes.Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Payment processing
Desktop plugin checkout is processed by Paddle, which collects payment details; the maker says it does not see card numbers.Read 30 Sep 2026 · koalasampler.com
Plugin formats
Plugin hosting supports AUv3 on iOS, Audio Units, CLAP and VST3 on macOS, and CLAP and VST3 on Windows.Read 14 Oct 2026 · manual.koalasampler.com
Praise: ease of use
Google Play reviewers repeatedly describe Koala as intuitive, quick to learn and effective for experimenting with beats.Read 14 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Praise: value
Apple reviewers repeatedly praise the low one-time price, lack of subscription and hardware-like capability.Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Praise: workflow
MusicRadar's interview with Shabaka Hutchings highlights the touch interface, drag-and-drop sampling, stock sounds and frequent updates.Read 14 Oct 2026 · musicradar.com
Rating on Apple App Store
4.8 out of 5 from 1.4K ratingsRead 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Rating on Google Play
4.8 out of 5 from 3.27K reviewsRead 14 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Sample capacity
A project supports up to 64 samples, with sample length limited by device memory.Read 14 Oct 2026 · manual.koalasampler.com
Sample pack licence
In-app sample packs are royalty-free for music creation but cannot be resold, redistributed, or used in other sample packs or products.Read 30 Sep 2026 · koalasampler.com
Sampling and sequencing
The app can record up to 64 samples and provides a high-resolution sequencer, keyboard mode, quantization, and swing.Read 30 Sep 2026 · koalasampler.com
Samurai add-on
The Samurai in-app purchase adds time-stretch algorithms, a piano roll, auto-chop, a three-band EQ, a polyphonic synth, and MIDI output.Read 30 Sep 2026 · koalasampler.com
Samurai features
Samurai adds five time-stretch algorithms, piano-roll editing, auto-chop, three-band EQ, Quokka synth, MIDI output and automation.Read 14 Oct 2026 · manual.koalasampler.com
Security and privacy
The maker says projects and audio stay on the user's computer, mobile apps need no account, and it does not sell data or use it for advertising.Read 14 Oct 2026 · koalasampler.com
Sequencing
The app provides 32 sequence slots and unlimited sequence length.Read 14 Oct 2026 · manual.koalasampler.com
Video import
Audio can be extracted from video files supported by the device media player.Read 14 Oct 2026 · manual.koalasampler.com
Windows requirement
The Windows download requires Windows 10 or later on 64-bit hardware; the build is marked beta.Read 14 Oct 2026 · koalasampler.com

Plans and prices

Desktop Price not published Free desktop builds for Mac, Windows, Linux and Raspberry Pi Read 20 Sep 2026 · koalasampler.com
Desktop Koala Sampler Free free for now macOS · Windows · Linux · Raspberry Pi · Windows build beta Read 14 Oct 2026 · koalasampler.com
Desktop plugin trial Free 7-day trial per computer stops working after trial until licence purchase Read 14 Oct 2026 · koalasampler.com
Koala Sampler desktop plugin trial Free 7-day trial per computer After trial, plugin stops working until a licence is purchased Read 30 Sep 2026 · koalasampler.com
Koala Sampler (Mac, Windows, Linux, Raspberry Pi) Free Desktop versions are free for now · Windows build is in beta Read 30 Sep 2026 · koalasampler.com
Sample packs $2.99, paid once iOS in-app purchase per pack Cirrus Cuts · Analog Astronaut · Soon Come Dub · Solar Studies · Ese-O's Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Samurai Edition $3.99, paid once iOS in-app purchase time-stretch · piano roll · auto-chop · Quokka synth · MIDI out Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Koala Sampler for Android $4.99, paid once one-time Google Play purchase in-app purchases · 100K+ downloads Read 14 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Koala Sampler for iOS $4.99, paid once one-time App Store purchase iPhone and iPad · in-app purchases sold separately Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Koala Sampler (iOS) $4.99, paid once One-time App Store purchase iPhone and iPad · in-app purchases sold separately Read 30 Sep 2026 · apps.apple.com
Mixer $4.99, paid once iOS in-app purchase 4 channels plus main bus · five effect slots per channel · 29 effects Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com

Every Koala Sampler plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Records up to 64 samples.
  • Exports WAV loops or tracks.
  • Supports MIDI control and Ableton Link.
  • iOS supports Ableton Live Set export.
  • Desktop builds are free for now.

Limits

  • Windows desktop build is in beta.
  • iOS app costs $4.99, paid once.
  • In-app purchases are sold separately.
  • Mixer plugin hosting is unavailable on Android.

Who it suits

Koala Sampler suits people making beats and tracks from recorded or imported sounds, especially those who use sequencing, MIDI control, or Ableton Link. iOS users can also export Ableton Live Sets.

Koala Sampler in depth

Read the full write-up

Overview

Koala Sampler turns microphone recordings or imported sounds into beats and tracks, combining sampling with sequencing and sound-shaping tools. It suits makers who want a compact, sample-led workflow across mobile and desktop. Its breadth is appealing, but platform differences and separate add-ons matter if you need a particular export or external plugin hosting.

Key features

Koala can record up to 64 samples and provides a high-resolution sequencer, keyboard mode, quantization and swing. That is a useful toolkit for building beats from captured sounds and adjusting their timing and feel; the 64-sample ceiling is a practical boundary for projects that rely on larger collections.

Projects export as WAV loops or tracks, and iOS also supports export as Ableton Live Sets. MIDI control and Ableton Link add ways to connect Koala to other gear or jam over Wi-Fi. Those options give it reach beyond a closed sampler workflow, although Ableton Live Set export is an iOS-only advantage.

The Samurai in-app purchase adds time-stretch algorithms, a piano roll, auto-chop, three-band EQ, a polyphonic synth and MIDI output. It is the more relevant add-on for users who want deeper sample editing and sequencing. Mixer adds four channels, a main bus and five effect slots per channel, plus external plugin hosting on iOS, Mac and Windows. Android users do not get that hosting capability, so Mixer is a less complete fit there for anyone relying on external plugins.

Pricing

Koala uses a freemium model, but cost depends on platform and version. The iOS app is $4.99, paid once, a one-time App Store purchase for iPhone and iPad; in-app purchases are separate. This is the clearest priced route into the app, but it does not include the paid add-ons.

Desktop versions for Mac, Windows, Linux and Raspberry Pi are free for now. The Windows build is in beta, so users who need a stable Windows release should weigh that status before choosing it. The desktop plugin trial is free for a billed 7-day trial per computer; after the trial, the plugin stops working until a licence is purchased. A plugin licence is for one person and can be active on up to three computers at once.

Samurai and Mixer are separate in-app purchases, so buyers should account for those costs if their workflow depends on the added tools. Sample packs sold in-app are royalty-free for music creation, but cannot be resold, redistributed or included in other sample packs or products.

Platforms

Koala is available on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows, with desktop builds also offered for Raspberry Pi. Feature parity is not complete: iOS supports Ableton Live Set export, while external plugin hosting through Mixer is available on iOS, Mac and Windows but not Android. The Windows desktop build is in beta.

The maker says its iOS and Android apps do not require an account and do not send projects or audio to the maker; microphone, file and photo permissions stay on the device. The desktop plugin sends computer information to track active licence computers, while projects and audio stay on the computer. Desktop plugin checkout is processed by Paddle, which collects payment details; the maker says it does not see card numbers.

Who it's for

Koala is a strong fit for beat-makers who want to capture or import sounds, sequence them, and export finished loops or tracks without leaving a sample-focused workflow. MIDI control and Ableton Link also suit users who want to connect it to external control or jam over Wi-Fi. Look elsewhere if you need plugin hosting on Android, or if your Windows workflow depends on a non-beta desktop build.

The maker provides a help knowledge base, manual, learning resources and a contact route. It does not promise specific response times for desktop plugin support, which may matter to buyers who need a firm support commitment.

Pros and cons

Pros: Microphone recording and sound import feed directly into sequencing, with quantization, swing and keyboard mode for shaping material.

Pros: WAV export, iOS Ableton Live Set export, MIDI control and Ableton Link give users several ways to move work into connected setups.

Pros: Free desktop builds and the one-time iOS price provide clear low-cost entry points, though add-ons cost extra.

Cons: The 64-sample limit may constrain projects built around larger sound sets.

Cons: Mixer plugin hosting is unavailable on Android, and Windows desktop is still in beta.

Cons: The desktop plugin trial ends after seven days per computer and the plugin stops working until a licence is purchased.

Alternatives

Serato Studio is a better match for readers who want a Mac or Windows beat-making app with a defined free tier and four decks, four scenes and one audio track; its free plan limits recording and sound packs.

DrumBot AI suits users who prefer browser-based groove generation, with its free Explorer plan capped at 20 grooves a day, five MIDI and WAV exports a month and five audio analyses a month.

InsMelo AI Beat Maker is an Android, iOS and web alternative with a free plan of 3.9 credits for users who want an AI beat-making option.

Soundverse AI Beat Maker offers a web and mobile AI-oriented route, with 1,000 free signup tokens for creating songs, cloning voices and splitting stems.

MilkyTracker is a free option for Linux, macOS and Windows users who want tracker software.

Songen is an iOS and macOS alternative for generated loops, with a free allowance of 100 loops a day and one export.

DAWG is another free-plan option across Android, Linux, macOS and Windows, with a one-time payment plan starting at 5.00 USD.

Giada is a free, open-source GPL option for Linux, macOS and Windows.

For broader category browsing, see AI beat makers or Audio Editing Software.

Verdict

Choose Koala Sampler if you want to make beats from recorded or imported sounds and value sequencing, MIDI support and flexible export across platforms. Its strongest reasons to choose are the integrated sample workflow and generous free desktop builds; its clearest reasons to look elsewhere are the platform-specific limits, separate add-on costs and the lack of plugin hosting on Android.

Verdict

Koala Sampler combines sampling, sequencing, and sound-shaping tools, with optional add-ons for expanded capabilities. Check platform differences and separate in-app purchases, particularly if external plugin hosting is important.

Where Specifiction places it

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