Koala Sampler is a fast, hands-on sampling app for iOS and Android that lets you record any sound, chop it across pads and turn it into a beat in minutes. This guide shows you how to sample, sequence, add effects and resample, so you can go from a random noise to a finished groove without overthinking it.
What makes Koala Sampler special
Koala strips sampling down to its most fun, immediate form. You record a sound straight into a pad, slice it, play it musically across a pad grid, and sequence it, all in one screen. It runs on both iPhone/iPad and Android, so almost anyone can use it. It is a favourite for lo-fi, hip-hop and experimental producers who like to build tracks from found sounds. If you are exploring this style of music-making, see our roundup of the best sampling apps.
Step 1: Record a sample
Tap a pad and record using the device mic, a connected interface, or audio from your library. You can sample anything: a chord on a keyboard, a vocal phrase, a vinyl loop, or a household sound. Keep the recording short and trim the start and end so the sample triggers tightly when you tap the pad. For cleaner captures on a phone, see how to reduce noise when recording on a phone.
Step 2: Chop the sample across pads
The real magic is slicing. Take a longer sample, such as a drum loop or a melodic phrase, and use the slice feature to chop it into pieces spread across the pads. Now each pad triggers a different slice, so you can replay the loop in a new order and create something fresh from the original. Try:
- Slicing a drum break and rebuilding the groove in a different pattern.
- Chopping a vocal so you can stutter and rearrange words.
- Slicing a chord loop to play the chords in a new sequence.
Step 3: Play it musically
Koala can pitch a sample across the pads so one sound becomes a playable instrument. Switch a pad to keyboard or pitch mode and you can play melodies and basslines from a single recorded note. This is how you turn one sampled sound into multiple instruments in a track.
Step 4: Sequence a beat
Use the built-in sequencer to record or program a pattern. Hit record and tap pads in time, or step-program the hits. Layer a drum pattern, a bassline and a melodic part on top of each other. Quantise to tighten the timing if your taps drift. For genre starting points, our guides on making lo-fi on your phone and making trap beats on your phone pair well with Koala’s workflow.
Step 5: Add effects
Koala includes a generous set of effects you can apply per pad or across the whole mix, including filters, reverb, delay, distortion and more. Use them to glue sounds together or to mangle a sample into something new. A low-pass filter and a touch of reverb instantly push a sample into lo-fi territory. For broader technique, see how to add effects in mobile music apps.
Step 6: Resample to build complexity
Resampling is a powerful trick: record your current pattern (with effects) back into a new pad, then chop and rework that. This lets you layer ideas far beyond the original pad count and create dense, evolving tracks. Build a loop, resample it, add a new layer, and repeat.
Step 7: Export your track
When you have a loop or arrangement you like, export the audio to share it or to finish it in another app. You can bounce the full mix, and in many cases move stems into a DAW for final mixing. See how to export a song from a music app for options.
Frequently asked questions
Is Koala Sampler on Android and iOS?
Yes. Koala runs on both Android and iOS/iPadOS, which makes it one of the most accessible sampling apps regardless of your device.
Can I use Koala Sampler inside another app?
On iOS, Koala can run as an AUv3 plugin inside hosts like AUM, Cubasis or other AUv3-compatible apps, so you can sequence it alongside your other instruments. Read what AUv3 apps are to understand how that works.
Do I need any extra gear?
No. The built-in mic and your library are enough to start. An audio interface or external mic improves the quality of what you sample, and headphones help you hear detail while you chop.
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