The Koala Sampler Ultimate Feature Wishlist: A Community-Driven Compilation

The Koala Sampler Ultimate Feature Wishlist: A Community-Driven Compilation

If you’re passionate about mobile beatmaking, chances are you’ve run into Koala Sampler—an intuitive, fast, and fun app for capturing ideas on the go. While Koala Sampler is already a powerhouse, a dedicated user community has compiled countless ideas to make it even better. Below is a concise, user-driven wishlist of new features and improvements. Whether you’re looking to craft lo-fi sample packs, produce trap beats on the fly, or simply streamline your music production workflow, this wishlist has plenty of inspiring requests from Koala’s biggest fans.

1. Recording & Sampling

Count-In / Pre-Roll - Many beatmakers want a short countdown before recording. This makes sampling live instruments, vocals, or external gear much easier.

Auto Tempo & Key Detection - A popular request is the ability to automatically detect BPM and key when importing loops—perfect for quickly aligning those sample pack loops.

Exclusive Resampling - Some users would like the option to resample only a single pad, bus, or choke group—great for layering drums or isolating specific parts.

Auto-Trigger Recording - Enabling recording to start only when audio passes a certain volume threshold would help guitarists or vocalists who can’t hold down a pad to begin.

2. Sequencer & Patterns

Quantized Pattern Launch - Fans of Ableton-style workflows want Koala’s patterns to switch only at the end of a bar, making performance transitions smoother.

Song / Arrangement Mode - A common request is a dedicated page to arrange patterns in a timeline, allowing for intros, outros, and detailed structure without leaving Koala.

Multi-Time Signatures & Polyrhythms - Producers working in 3/4, 6/8, or more experimental time signatures need Koala to handle odd bars gracefully.

Step Sequencer & Advanced Grid - Users want a simpler way to program drum patterns—particularly popular with lo-fi hip-hop and trap producers looking to layer hi-hats with note repeat.

MIDI Export - Being able to export Koala’s patterns as MIDI files makes it easier to continue your project in a full DAW.

3. Effects & Performance

Per-Pad Effects / Individual FX Sends - Having separate effects on each pad or bus is high on everyone’s list—no more resampling just to add reverb to one snare!

Automation - Recording real-time knob movements or performance FX (e.g., stutter, filter sweeps) directly into sequences would simplify creative workflow.

Advanced Filter & EQ - A 3- or 4-band EQ, plus resonance control on LP/HP filters, is crucial for fine-tuning those sample pack sounds inside Koala.

Removable / Rearrangeable FX - Users of the standalone Koala FX app want to reorder or selectively toggle effects in Koala Sampler itself.

Master Volume & Metering - A global volume fader and visible output meter would help avoid clipping when layering multiple drum hits.

4. Mixer, Levels & Routing

Dedicated Mixer Page - A separate mixer tab for adjusting levels, panning, and mute/solo across all pads or groups would greatly speed up workflow.

Multiple Buses / Multi-Out - Having more bus outputs (e.g., 4–8 outs) lets you route drums, bass, and melody individually for external mixing or adding AUv3 plugins in AUM.

Parallel Processing / Sends - The ability to send only your hi-hats to a reverb bus is a big request—useful for building rich, professional-sounding mixes in-app.

5. MIDI & External Control

Full MIDI Learn - Users want every knob, slider, button, and pad to be mappable to external gear, including transport controls (Play/Stop/Record).

MIDI Out - Koala’s internal sequencer could drive external synths, drum machines, or other iOS music apps, making it a versatile hub for mobile music production.

QWERTY Keyboard Integration - For laptop or Chromebook users, mapping pads and functions to a simple keyboard can streamline everything from sample triggering to transport.

6. Sample Editing & Chopping

Refined Auto-Chop - Assigning slices directly to specific banks (A, B, C, or D) and offering “lock selection length” to easily explore new loops.

Loop Crossfades & Advanced Modes - Having forward/reverse/bounce loop modes plus crossfade for seamless looping of melodic samples (great for layered chords or bass lines).

Batch Edit - Producers want to adjust volume, pitch, or ADSR on multiple pads simultaneously—especially after importing a big drum kit.

Undo History in Sample Edit - Step-based undo for trimming, normalizing, and slicing would give you more confidence when editing precious sample recordings.

7. UI & Workflow - 

Pad Naming & Color Coding - Organizing huge sets of sounds gets easier when you can rename pads (Kick, Snare, etc.) and color-code them visually.

Transport on Every Page - A floating or fixed play/stop/record button so you don’t need to jump back to the main sequencer to stop playback.

File Browser Upgrades - Previewing samples, sorting by date/name, and searching across multiple folders is essential for producers juggling large sample libraries.

Template & Default Settings - Some users want to save a go-to layout with specific drum kits, bus settings, or default preferences (e.g., “Always use this timestretch algorithm”).

8. Platform Integrations & Versions

AUv3 / VST Compatibility - Many Koala fans would love a desktop plugin or a more robust AUv3 version with the exact features of the standalone app.

Advanced Stems on macOS & Windows - Full integration of Koala’s features (such as the new stems function) on laptops and desktops for a cohesive cross-platform experience.

Better AUM / Audiobus Sync - Smoother transport and clock sync let Koala become a streamlined part of a broader iOS production workflow.

9. Other Fun Requests

Song Notes & Metadata - A place to jot down BPM, key, or creative inspiration for each project.

DJ Mode - Crossfader or dual-deck approach for live sets, where you can load the next beat without stopping the first.

Randomization & Probability - Features like “chance” or “velocity randomization” for spicing up drum patterns on the fly.

Glide / Portamento - Great for 808 bass lines, letting producers create those signature pitch slides directly in Koala’s keyboard mode.

Official Merch & Stickers - Beyond features, some folks just want to show off their Koala pride with decals or T-shirts!

Final Thoughts

Koala Sampler’s minimalist approach is a core part of its charm, so there’s always a balance between new features and keeping it fast and simple. For many creators, it’s already a go-to tool for crafting lo-fi beats, hip-hop instrumentals, or full-blown bedroom studio productions. Whether you’re sampling vinyl, chopping loops for a sample pack, or layering live instruments, these wishlist items represent the community’s collective vision for making Koala Sampler the ultimate mobile music creation app.

Got your own ideas or want to discover fresh sounds to feed into Koala? Check out our curated sample packs at The Drum Broker. Whether you’re into dusty lo-fi textures or hard-hitting trap drums, we have something to spark your creativity—and work perfectly with Koala Sampler’s rapid-fire workflow.

Happy sampling!