Koala Sampler vs MixPad

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.

MixPad is a multitrack audio editing app with noise reduction, MIDI sequencing and support for third-party plugins. It runs on Windows and macOS, as well as iOS/iPadOS and Android. A free plan is available. The Home Edition is listed with 16 tracks, while Master’s Edition includes all features, unlimited tracks, full VST support and an unrestricted edition for studios. A separate Master’s Edition Quarterly Plan provides ongoing use of professional features and all upgrades. MixPad’s combination of multitrack editing, sequencing and plugin support spans desktop and mobile platforms. The maker is MixPad, founded in 1993 and headquartered in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. Readers choosing an edition can weigh the Home Edition’s specified track count against Master’s Edition’s unlimited tracks and VST support, and consider the quarterly plan’s stated upgrades.