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SPECIFICTION
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Subsample

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Spec score 7.7 #16 of 26 in Sampler Software

What it is

Subsample is a standalone sampler that turns live input or recordings into collections of sounds that can be played from MIDI. It separates and sorts sound events, then maps them to MIDI notes by acoustic similarity without labels, training data, or manual tagging. In live sampling, it captures, trims, analyses, and adds distinct events to an instrument library in real time. For longer samples, onset detection can identify hits and place them on a beat grid at a target BPM. Its processors include filters, dynamics, distortion, radio, vocoder, pitch shifting, time stretching, and quantisation. It accepts WAV, BWF, FLAC, AIFF, OGG, and MP3/MPEG files, and supports MIDI input, OSC, and MIDI control bindings. Audio runs from mono through 7.1, with per-instrument routing and first-order ambisonic capture and playback. Subsample has no graphical interface and runs from a terminal, using YAML files and a MIDI map. It is an early release, and those formats may change. The open-source AGPLv3 license requires source availability for modified versions used as network services; proprietary use requires a commercial licence.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Subsample cuts separate sounds from live input or recordings, sorts them by sound, and plays them from MIDI.Read 8 Oct 2026 · subsystem.co
Platforms
It runs on Linux and macOS; Windows support is through WSL2 and native Windows is not tested.Read 8 Oct 2026 · subsystem.co
Integrations
It supports standard and virtual MIDI input, OSC sender and receiver, and MIDI control including Program Change and CC bindings.Read 8 Oct 2026 · subsystem.co
License
Subsample is released under AGPLv3, which requires modified versions used as network services to make source code available to users.Read 8 Oct 2026 · subsystem.co
Maker
The project was created by Simon Holliday, described on the project page as a senior technologist and junior musician.Read 8 Oct 2026 · subsystem.co
Audio formats
It accepts WAV, BWF, FLAC, AIFF, OGG, and MP3/MPEG audio.Read 8 Oct 2026 · subsystem.co
Audio routing
It supports mono through 7.1 audio and per-instrument output routing.Read 8 Oct 2026 · subsystem.co
Automatic mapping
It matches sounds to MIDI notes by acoustic similarity without labels, training data, or manual tagging.Read 8 Oct 2026 · subsystem.co
Automatic matching
It matches samples by similarity without labels, training data, or manual tagging.Read 8 Oct 2026 · subsystem.co
Commercial licensing
The maker invites contact to discuss a commercial licence for proprietary or closed-source use.Read 8 Oct 2026 · subsystem.co
Configuration
It is headless, has no graphical interface, and is configured with YAML files and a MIDI map.Read 8 Oct 2026 · subsystem.co
Interface
It has no graphical interface and is configured with YAML files and run from a terminal.Read 8 Oct 2026 · subsystem.co
Licence
Subsample is released under AGPLv3, which requires modified versions run as a network service to make their source available to users.Read 8 Oct 2026 · subsystem.co
Live sampling
It captures, trims, analyses, and adds distinct sound events to an instrument library in real time.Read 8 Oct 2026 · subsystem.co
Loop tools
It detects onsets in long samples and can place each hit on a beat grid at a target BPM.Read 8 Oct 2026 · subsystem.co
Multichannel audio
It supports mono through 7.1 audio, per-instrument output routing, and first-order ambisonic capture and playback.Read 8 Oct 2026 · subsystem.co
Platform support
It runs on Linux and macOS; on Windows it runs inside WSL2 and is not tested on native Windows.Read 8 Oct 2026 · subsystem.co
Release status
The project describes itself as an early release, and its configuration and MIDI map formats can change between releases.Read 8 Oct 2026 · subsystem.co
Sound processing
Its DSP processors include filters, dynamics, distortion, radio, vocoder, pitch shifting, time stretching, and quantisation.Read 8 Oct 2026 · subsystem.co

Plans and prices

Subsample (AGPLv3) Free Open-source sampler; proprietary or closed-source use requires a commercial licence Read 8 Oct 2026 · subsystem.co

Every Subsample plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Maps sounds to MIDI notes by acoustic similarity.
  • Captures and adds live sound events in real time.
  • Detects hits and places them on a target-BPM grid.
  • Supports mono through 7.1 audio and per-instrument routing.
  • Free and open source under AGPLv3.

Limits

  • No graphical interface; configuration uses YAML and a MIDI map.
  • Windows use is through WSL2, not native Windows.
  • Early-release configuration and MIDI map formats may change.
  • Proprietary or closed-source use requires a commercial licence.

Who it suits

Subsample may suit musicians and sound designers who want to build MIDI-playable libraries from live input or recordings. It is most appropriate for users comfortable with terminal operation, YAML configuration, and the AGPLv3 terms.

Verdict

Subsample offers detailed sampling, mapping, processing, and routing capabilities in a terminal-based standalone tool. Its lack of a graphical interface, early-release status, and AGPLv3 conditions are important considerations.

Where Specifiction places it

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