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Ami Sampler
What it is
Ami Sampler is a free, GPL-3.0 open-source 8-bit sampler inspired by the Commodore Amiga and intended for modern digital audio workstations. It runs as a standalone application or plugin on Windows, macOS, and Linux. The instrument provides twelve individual samplers, each with volume, pan, ADSR, solo and mute, plus mono, four-voice, or eight-voice polyphonic modes. Sound controls include sample-rate decimation, mono-mode pitch glide, two selectable low-pass filters, vibrato, and a Paula switch that alternates note panning. It loads WAV, AIF, 8SVX IFF, signed 8-bit raw PCM, mu-law BIN, and BRR files, and saves WAV, AIF, IFF, raw, and BIN formats. Plugin formats vary by system: VST3 on Windows, VST3 and AU on macOS, and VST3 and LV2 on Linux. The project reports use with Ableton, Studio One, Tracktion Waveform, GarageBand, Ardour 8, and MusE. GitHub Releases provides platform packages and optional sample directories. Sample presets and BLEP synthesis are still planned.
For and against
For
- Free and open source
- Twelve independent sampler channels
- Eight-voice maximum polyphony
- VST3, AU, and LV2 formats
- Standalone app for three systems
Against
- Sample presets not yet added
- BLEP synthesis remains missing
- Linux plugin window scaling disabled
- macOS may show an unsigned warning
The verdict
Ami Sampler offers multi-channel 8-bit sampling, Amiga-style controls, standalone use, and plugins across three desktop systems. Review the stated missing features and macOS signing warning before installing.
Who it suits
It suits musicians and producers using desktop DAWs who want an Amiga-inspired sampler with broad legacy sample-format support. Standalone users can install it without a host application.
On the record
- Channels
- It has twelve individual samplers, each with volume, pan, ADSR, solo/mute, and mono or polyphonic voice modes.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- DAW compatibility
- The maker reports testing it in Ableton, Studio One, Tracktion Waveform, GarageBand, Ardour 8, and MusE, with format availability varying by operating system.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- Installation instructions point to GitHub releases and list Windows, macOS, and Linux packages, including standalone applications and plugin files.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Formats and integrations
- The project describes VST3, AU, and LV2 plugin formats and reports testing with Ableton, Studio One, Tracktion Waveform, GarageBand, Ardour, and MusE.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Included samples
- The repository includes sample packs and samples recorded on the maker’s Amiga 500; additional sample directories are available for optional download.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Known bug
- The maker reports that the mouse cursor sometimes fails to change to the Amiga cursor, apparently in Ableton while the playhead is moving.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Known limitations
- The maker says sample presets and BLEP synthesis remain to be added, and notes that plugin window scaling is disabled in Linux plugins.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Known missing features
- The maker says sample presets and BLEP synthesis remain to be added.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository identifies its license as GPL-3.0.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- macOS installation note
- The installation instructions say the macOS installer may show a warning because the program has not been signed by Apple.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- macOS signing
- The installation guide says macOS may warn that the program is unsigned because the developer has not had it signed by Apple.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Master effects
- Master controls include volume, pan, two Amiga-inspired low-pass filters, and vibrato speed and depth.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- MIDI and controls
- It includes a computer-key virtual MIDI keyboard mapped to ProTracker/Fasttracker notes, sample looping, MIDI channel and transposition controls, and pitch glide in mono mode.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Paula mode
- The Paula switch alternates note panning to create a wide chord effect, and is disabled in mono mode.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Platforms and formats
- The project describes Windows, macOS, and Linux support with VST3, AU, and LV2 formats; the installation guide lists VST3 on Windows, VST3 and AU on macOS, and VST3 and LV2 on Linux.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Ami Sampler is an 8-bit sampler inspired by the Commodore Amiga for use in modern digital audio workstations.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Sample formats
- It loads WAV, AIF, 8SVX IFF, 8-bit signed raw PCM, mu-law BIN, and BRR files; saving supports WAV, AIF, IFF, raw, and BIN.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Sampler channels
- It has twelve samplers, each with volume, pan, ADSR, solo/mute, and monophonic, four-voice, or eight-voice polyphonic options.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
