ProjectSAM vs Samples From Mars
ProjectSAM
projectsam.comSamples From Mars
samplesfrommars.comSide by side
| Figure | ProjectSAM | Samples From Mars |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 15 | 3 |
| Spec score · Music Sample Libraries | 8.6 (#4) | 8.4 (#7) |
| Audience | The company describes its libraries as tools for professional musicians, composers, and production studios, with a focus on film, television, and game scoring. | The maker says it aims to bring vintage instrument sounds into usable modern contexts for music makers. |
| Downloads | Libraries can be installed and activated through Native Access; the site also describes direct browser downloads and archive downloads. | The download guide says each order has two download attempts per file with no expiration, and support can reset attempts when they run out. |
| Founded | 2001 | 2013 |
| Headquarters | Utrecht, Netherlands | Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| Installation | Installation uses Native Access: users install Kontakt Player, enter a ProjectSAM serial number, then download and activate the library. | The installation guide says users can access libraries in DAWs including Ableton, Kontakt and Maschine, or use WAV files in their own samplers or DAW. |
| Support | ProjectSAM says it provides support by email and aims to respond within 24 hours on business days; it does not offer phone support. | The FAQ says customers who miss their download links can contact the maker to receive them, usually within 12 hours. |
| What it makes | ProjectSAM makes cinematic orchestral sample libraries for musicians, composers, and production studios scoring film, television, and games. | The maker creates sample-based instruments from vintage and often rare machines using hardware, consoles, tape machines, and vinyl. |
Plans
ProjectSAM
- The Free OrchestraFree
- Colours: Animator$119, paid once
- Colours: Orchestrator$119, paid once
- Colours: Adaptive Runs$179, paid once
- Pandora Core$199, paid once
- Symphobia$299, paid once
- Symphobia 2$299, paid once
- Lineage Percussion$349, paid once
- Lineage Percussion$349, paid once
- Lineage Strings$349, paid once
Samples From Mars
- 101 Drums From MarsFree
- Cassette Drums From Mars$29, paid once
- 808 From Mars$39, paid once
In their own words
ProjectSAM
ProjectSAM makes cinematic orchestral sample libraries for musicians, composers, and production studios scoring film, television, and games. Its Symphobia series combines pre-orchestrated ensembles, articulations, and orchestral effects. The collection covers full orchestra, strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion, keyboards and harp, choir, sound design, and multis; vocal content is included. ProjectSAM describes recording instruments in a concert hall with an ambient multi-microphone setup. Libraries use 44.1 kHz, 24-bit samples and Kontakt Player instruments. Most titles work in the free Kontakt Player, and Adaptive Sync matches sampled crescendos, rolls, and risers to project tempo. The Free Orchestra includes 14 instruments and 1.8 GB at free. Listed paid libraries include Lineage Strings and Lineage Percussion at $349, paid once, Swing More! at $449, paid once, and Symphobia 4: Pandora at $499, paid once. The pricing note says paid options start at €199. Libraries run on macOS and Windows.
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.