BandLab Sounds vs Samples From Mars
BandLab Sounds
bandlab.comSamples From Mars
samplesfrommars.comSide by side
| Figure | BandLab Sounds | Samples From Mars |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $8.25/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 4 | 3 |
| Spec score · Music Sample Libraries | 8.6 (#3) | 8.4 (#7) |
| Founded | 2015 | 2013 |
| Headquarters | Singapore | Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| Privacy | BandLab says personal information may be stored on cloud servers in Singapore and the United States with safeguards for international transfers. | The privacy policy says the site collects personal and device information and may use cookies for preferences, analytics, and advertising. |
| Product | BandLab Sounds is a library of royalty-free loops, samples, and one-shots. | Samples From Mars sells downloadable prerecorded sounds, sound effects, loops, and samples. |
| Security | BandLab prohibits phishing, malware, unauthorized access, and attacks intended to compromise platform security. | The FAQ says checkout information is handled by Shopify, which it describes as Level 1 PCI DSS compliant, and that PayPal is also available. |
Plans
BandLab Sounds
- FreeFree
- BandLab Pro$14.99 a month
- BandLab Pro$99 a year
- BandLab Max$199 a year
Samples From Mars
- 101 Drums From MarsFree
- Cassette Drums From Mars$29, paid once
- 808 From Mars$39, paid once
In their own words
BandLab Sounds
BandLab Sounds is a library of royalty-free loops, samples, and one-shots for music creation. Its website advertises more than 160,000 loops and one-shots. Users can browse Packs, Loops, and One-Shots, preview sounds, save favorites, and download them; samples can also be dragged into BandLab Studio to make tracks. Downloads use claims that refresh weekly without carrying over: the Free plan gives 20 claims per week, BandLab Pro gives 100, and BandLab Max gives 500. A non-exclusive, royalty-free license allows use in personal or commercial compositions when a sound forms part of a larger composition, but standalone redistribution or resale is prohibited. My Sounds lets members upload external audio to cloud storage, organize collections, and search with custom tags. Supported formats are AAC, FLAC, M4A, MP3, and WAV, with a 2 GB allocation and a one-minute limit per file. BandLab Sounds is available on Android, iOS, and the web, including through the BandLab mobile app and Sounds Hubs. Listed prices include $14.99 a month for Pro and $199 a year for Max in the first year, then $299 a year.
Samples From Mars
Samples From Mars sells sample libraries and software instruments made from vintage electronic and vinyl instruments. Its team captures sounds using hardware, consoles, tape machines and vinyl, then provides libraries as ZIP files containing 24-bit, 44.1 kHz WAV files. Downloads are for offline use, not a cloud sample service, and products are sold per item. The free 101 Drums From Mars plan includes 60 drum hits and is 60 MB unzipped. Cassette Drums From Mars costs $29, paid once and includes 430 one-shots, 16 pre-made kits and 488.5 MB unzipped. 808 From Mars costs $39, paid once and lists 16 formats. Other listed content includes 18 multi-sampled instruments, 22 drum patterns and fills, vocal synths and trumpets. Formats include Ableton, Battery, FL Studio, Kontakt, Logic, Maschine, MPC, Reason, SFZ and WAV; installation instructions name Ableton, Kontakt and Maschine. Sounds are royalty free in commercially released musical compositions, but redistribution is prohibited and use in websites, applications or software requires a separate license. The company was founded in 2013 and is based in Brooklyn, New York.