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4 of the best free VST/AU sampler plugins

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By Computer Music ( Computer Music ) last updated 20 September 2022

If you don't want to pay for one of the big boys, try one of these

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Free sampling solutions

Free sampling solutions

The sampler was the first real casualty of the plugin revolution, and for obvious reasons: samplers have always been software-powered, even when they came in physical form.

The world of virtual samplers is reigned over by a handful of popular commercial products, but there are a few options on the freeware front. Thanks to SynthEdit and SynthMaker, the internet is peppered with free 32-bit, Windows-only sample-playback efforts, but there are far fewer coded-from-the-ground-up options. However, we've ferreted out a few of the finest.

• The best free music software and plugins: DAWs, synths effects and more

For more on making music with freeware, check out the March 2015 issue of Computer Music (CM214), which is in sale now. Also be sure to browse our round-ups of the best free plugin synths, free mixing plugins and free creative effect plugins.

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
Vember Audio Shortcircuit

Vember Audio Shortcircuit

From the makers of the Surge synth, the once-payware Shortcircuit is a superb sampler.

It offers support for multiple sample formats and ten playback modes (including various loop modes as well as a sliced mode). There are two multimode filters with 28 filter types, a trio of step LFOs, dual AHDSR envelopes, Group LFO and dual effects processors per Group. This one's 32-bit and Windows only.

Download Vember Audio Shortcircuit

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Page 2 of 5
Sonic Charge Cyclone

Sonic Charge Cyclone

This one aims to recreate the Yamaha TX16W down to its internal circuitry. That sampler was notoriously difficult to program but came to life many years after it was discontinued, thanks to the after-market Typhoon OS, created by the developer behind Sonic Charge.

Cyclone recreates the experience and sound of both, so using it is like stepping into the past - for better or worse! You can sample into it from your DAW or load the disk images available online. It’s also got a modulation matrix, loop-finder, dual LFOs and an ADSR envelope per channel.

Download Sonic Charge Cyclone

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
The LinuxSampler Project LinuxSampler

The LinuxSampler Project LinuxSampler

Despite its name, this is a cross-platform solution that’s found some favour with users of the now-defunct GigaStudio.

The free, open-source LinuxSampler Project began back in 2002 with the goal of producing a free and stable streaming sampler on a par with the commercial heavy hitters. It doesn’t actually have its own GUI, though there are GUIs available for it, most notably the popular JSampler Fantasia front end. It supports Giga, SFZ and SoundFont files.

Download The LinuxSampler Project LinuxSampler

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
CWITEC TX16Wx

CWITEC TX16Wx

Designed to recreate the vibe of classic hardware samplers, TX16Wx is yet another excellent virtual sampler, taking its cue from the venerable, quirky Yamaha TX16W of the late '80s.

Available for OS X and Windows, it offers plenty of modern features as well, and is perhaps the most well-rounded cross-platform free sampler out there.

Download CWITEC TX16Wx

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Page 5 of 5
Computer Music
Computer Music
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Computer Music magazine is the world’s best selling publication dedicated solely to making great music with your Mac or PC computer. Each issue it brings its lucky readers the best in cutting-edge tutorials, need-to-know, expert software reviews and even all the tools you actually need to make great music today, courtesy of our legendary CM Plugin Suite.

Get over 70 FREE plugin instruments and effects… image
Get over 70 FREE plugin instruments and effects…
…with the latest issue of Computer Music magazine
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Read more
plugins
"It's a stupendously powerful tool": 10 of the best sampler plugins in 2025
Best VST synths
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Full Bucket Music FB-3300
Fantastic (free) plugins and how to use them: Full Bucket FB-3300
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