# GranSample - Granular Sampler — Beat Pad, FX & Step Sequencer > Granular sampler with 16 pads, AUv3 plugin, and step sequencer. (iPhone/iPad app by Chih Han Lin.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gransample-granular-sampler/id6760527944 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Chih Han Lin](https://appshunter.io/developer/1800248325) - Category: Music, Entertainment - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 4.60/5 from 14 App Store ratings · 2 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 16.0 · 16 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2026-04-09 - Data updated: 2026-08-10 - Monetization: free with in-app purchases - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gransample-granular-sampler/id6760527944/reviews.md ## What is GranSample? A 16-pad sampler with a granular engine underneath. Standalone app + AUv3 plugin for GarageBand / Logic / AUM / Drambo / Loopy Pro. Tap pads, sculpt textures, sequence patterns, chain songs. Same instrument either way. Free to try. GranSample Pro ($3.99, one-time) unlocks all 16 pads, song mode, the modulation matrix, sample chop, kit export, custom backgrounds, and WAV/M4A export. No subscription, no ads, no telemetry. PATTERN BANK & SONG MODE — NEW IN 1.4 Eight patterns per project (A–H). Switch live — the change waits for the bar end so the groove never stumbles. Then chain patterns into a song: tap letters to build, set repeats per section, loop it or play it once (song mode is Pro). Patterns, song, and BPM now save with every project. MODULATION MATRIX (PRO) LFO + ADSR envelope on 8 destinations per pad: grain position / size / pitch / density, volume, pan, semitone pitch, playback start. Drag the envelope chart, set depth per lane — all host-automatable in AUv3. SAMPLE CHOP (PRO) Slice any sample across the pads — equal grid, transient detection, or manual markers you drag to move and flick off to delete. Audition before you commit; the grid shows where every slice lands. KIT SHARING Export any kit as a single .gskit file — samples, settings, effects, patterns, all of it. Send it anywhere. Importing is free for everyone; exporting is Pro. PAD NAMES & COLORS Name your pads, pick from 8 colors. AUv3 PLUGIN Load "Digilog: GranSample" under AU Instruments in any AUv3 host. Same 4×4 grid, same Kits, same engine. 900 host-automatable parameters. Sequencer locks to host transport; MIDI through the host; everything persists in the host project. LIBRARY Ten factory Kits + your Projects in one place — load, tweak, save, share as .gskit. GRANULAR ENGINE Eight knobs per pad. Position scans the sample; grain size + density set the texture from pebbles to glass. Pitch + jitter, spray + stereo spread, four window shapes, an ADSR cloud envelope, Freeze for infinite sustain. 128 grains per voice, lock-free render. CHROMATIC MODE Any pad becomes the root; the grid plays as a chromatic keyboard. STEP SEQUENCER Per-pad patterns at 16/32/64 steps, per-step velocity, drag-to-paint. Eight patterns per project with quantized live switching. Standalone runs its own clock; AUv3 syncs to host transport. SAMPLE EDITOR Waveform view — drag the grain region, trim playback range, loop, reverse, normalize per pad. LINEAR or GRAN preview. Works inside the AUv3 plugin too. EFFECTS Per-pad AND master bus. Reverb, Delay, Distortion, EQ, Compressor, Chorus, Filter — up to 8 per chain, automatable from any DAW. Hand-tuned factory presets; save your own. EQ + Filter draw their curves live. IPAD Pads bigger than a hardware MPC; recorder, properties, and sequencer get a dedicated right column. MIDI USB, Bluetooth (built-in browser), or virtual MIDI. MIDI Learn on every knob standalone, per-pad channel routing. The AUv3 plugin routes MIDI in through the host and emits MIDI out for pad taps. RECORDING 60 seconds from the mic straight into a pad with a live waveform (standalone). Master bounces to WAV/M4A (Pro). 10 FACTORY KITS, 16 SAMPLES Late Night Room, Outer Space, Neon City, Midnight Dub, Tape Machine, Crystal Cave, and more — each with bespoke granular settings. FREE TIER Pads 1–4 with the full granular engine, effects, pattern bank, mixer, MIDI in/out — same in standalone and AUv3. Kit import (.gskit) is free too. GRANSAMPLE PRO — $3.99, one-time All 16 pads unlocked everywhere — standalone AND AUv3 plugin Song mode — chain patterns into an arrangement Modulation matrix — LFO + envelope on 8 destinations per pad Sample chop to pads Kit export (.gskit) Per-pad ADSR envelope editor Custom backgrounds — wallpapers or your own photo, with dim and pad-opacity control WAV / M4A export Made by one person who wanted a granular beat pad that fit on a phone — and now in their DAW too. ## Key features - 16-pad granular sampler - AUv3 plugin support - Step sequencer - Modulation matrix - Sample chopping - Kit sharing - Per-pad effects ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | GranSample Pro | $3.99 | one-time | ## Recent user reviews (2 of 2) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gransample-granular-sampler/id6760527944/reviews.md ### 2/5 — Not working *2026-07-31* I pay for it when first came out and I been updating with every new update and don’t open up in full in Cubase and do open up only in Aum but I still have problems can put my own sample in and it won’t open up the sample packs at come with it at one time didn’t open up and in standalone still don’t work right can’t put my own samples in. Thank you have a blessed day in God and self on purpose. **Developer response:** Sorry for the trouble — you were right about both, and both are fixed in 1.4.1 (has already been sent to App store). Loading your own samples was broken and failed silently, worst of all from the GranSample folder in Files. The plugin window was separate: some hosts ask which window sizes a plugin supports and GranSample answered "none" — AUM never asks, which is why it was your one working setup. Email me at zhiii0x@gmail.com and I'll put you on TestFlight before it ships if you want. Thanks for the note at the end. It landed. ### 3/5 — I want to love this *2026-04-21* I get only 2 screens.. 16 pads with 6 cut in half, and a mixer. No record, nothing.. I have tried maximizing, nothing seems to give me access. I paid for a pro version.. still nothing. I’m using an iPad m5 13 2tb Update: The developer contacted me, and was very understanding.. That is rare on here! I will definitely give it another shot! **Developer response:** Hi Rick, You're right — I didn't specifically design the app for iPad at first, so the UI ends up limited like that. The next version has major updates and should be live in the next 2-3 days once Apple approves it. Hope you give it another try then! ## Frequently asked questions about GranSample ### What is GranSample? GranSample is a 16-pad sampler with a granular engine, available as a standalone app and an AUv3 plugin. It allows users to sculpt audio textures and sequence patterns. ### What features are unlocked in GranSample Pro? GranSample Pro, priced at $3.99, unlocks all 16 pads, the modulation matrix, sample chop functionality, kit export, and WAV/M4A export. It offers a one-time purchase with no subscription or ads. ### Can GranSample be used with other music apps? Yes, GranSample functions as an AUv3 plugin, compatible with hosts like GarageBand, Logic, AUM, Drambo, and Loopy Pro. It syncs its sequencer to the host transport and routes MIDI through the host. ### How does the granular engine work in GranSample? Each of the eight knobs per pad controls aspects of the granular engine, including position, grain size, density, pitch, jitter, spray, stereo spread, window shapes, and an ADSR cloud envelope for texture manipulation. ### Does GranSample have ads? No, GranSample explicitly states it has no ads. The free version is for trying, and the Pro version is a one-time purchase with no advertisements. ### What devices does GranSample support? GranSample is supported on both iPhone and iPad, with specific optimizations for iPad landscape mode to provide a larger pad area and dedicated control columns. ### How often is GranSample updated? The latest version, 1.3.1, was released on June 23, 2026, indicating recent development activity. New features like the modulation matrix and sample chop were added in version 1.3. ### What is the user sentiment for GranSample? Based on the provided data, GranSample has a high rating of 4.8 stars from 10 ratings, suggesting positive user sentiment regarding its functionality and features. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.4.1 — 2026-08-04 v1.4.1 — bug fixes, thanks to a reader who wrote in. • LOADING YOUR OWN SAMPLES — picking your own audio could quietly do nothing at all. Worst of all from the GranSample folder in Files, which is exactly where we tell you to put samples. Fixed, and a failed import now tells you why instead of just sitting there. • YOUR SAMPLES STAY PUT — an imported sample could disappear from its pad after you closed and reopened the project. It's now copied into the app, so it comes back every time. • SHARE AUDIO STRAIGHT IN — send a WAV, AIFF or MP3 from any app and pick GranSample from the share sheet; it lands on a pad. We never appeared in that list before. • AUv3 PLUGIN WINDOW — some hosts ask a plugin which window sizes it can handle, and GranSample answered "none" — so those hosts showed a plain parameter list instead of the real interface. It answers properly now. • iCloud samples that haven't downloaded yet now say so, instead of failing silently. ### 1.4.0 — 2026-07-29 v1.4.0 • PATTERN BANK (A–H) — 8 patterns per project, always ready. Tap to switch while playing — the switch politely waits for the bar end; tap again to cancel. DUP clones the current pattern to the next empty slot. • SONG MODE (PRO) — chain your patterns into a real song: tap letters to build, tap an entry to set repeats or remove it, drag sideways to reorder. Loop it, or play it once and stop. • PATTERNS NOW SAVE — they used to reset on reload (sorry!). Fixed for good — patterns, song, and BPM now stick with every project. • CUSTOM BACKGROUNDS (PRO) — wallpapers or your own photo, dim to taste, fade the pads so it shows through. Settings → Appearance. ### 1.3.1 — 2026-06-23 • MODULATION MATRIX — LFO + envelope on 8 destinations per pad (grain pos/size/pitch/density, volume, pan, pitch, start). • SAMPLE CHOP — slice any sample to pads via equal / transient / manual mode with draggable markers. Audition pads and preview where slices land while you chop. • PAD NAMES & COLORS — tap to rename, pick from 8 colors. • KIT SHARING — export any kit as a .gskit file and send it to anyone. Importing kits is free for everyone; exporting is Pro. • RECORD WITH A WAVEFORM — the mic recorder now shows a live waveform as you record, the full take when you stop, and a moving cursor on preview. • AUv3 STATE — your MIDI settings (channel, drum start note, velocity curve, pitch bend) now save and restore with the host project, and two instances in the same host keep their own settings. • Normalize is now true peak — loud samples no longer get turned down. • Hold the middle of the playback range to slide the whole selection. • Pro now includes the modulation matrix, sample chop, and kit export. Launch price $3.99 — rising to $5.99 on Jul 30; existing buyers get it all, no new purchase. ### 1.3.0 — 2026-06-16 v1.3.0 • MODULATION MATRIX — LFO + envelope on 8 destinations per pad (grain pos/size/pitch/density, volume, pan, pitch, start). • SAMPLE CHOP — slice any sample to pads via equal / transient / manual mode with draggable markers. Audition pads and preview where slices land while you chop. • PAD NAMES & COLORS — tap to rename, pick from 8 colors. • KIT SHARING — export any kit as a .gskit file and send it to anyone. Importing kits is free for everyone; exporting is Pro. • RECORD WITH A WAVEFORM — the mic recorder now shows a live waveform as you record, the full take when you stop, and a moving cursor on preview. • Normalize is now true peak — loud samples no longer get turned down. • Hold the middle of the playback range to slide the whole selection. • Pro now includes the modulation matrix, sample chop, and kit export. Launch price $3.99 — rising to $5.99 on Jul 30; existing buyers get it all, no new purchase. ### 1.2.4 — 2026-05-15 1.2.4 — musical granular. Scale-lock pitch jitter, per-grain organic randomization on size / rate / probability, and a fourth LFO destination for density. PITCH SCALE-LOCK (PRO) Per-grain pitch jitter now snaps to a scale: Major, Minor, Pentatonic Major, Pentatonic Minor, Chromatic, or Off (continuous detune, the historical behaviour). Jitter range expanded to 24 semitones so scale-lock has room to range a full octave — set jitter wide and listen to the cloud arpeggiate itself across the chosen mode. Same idea as Output's Portal — random pitch that stays musical instead of detuned. PER-GRAIN JITTER Three new knobs in the GRAN tab. Size Jit nudges each grain ± a fraction of nominal length. Rate Jit jitters the spawn interval for drunk timing. Prob is a 0-100% gate — each scheduled grain rolls a dice; misses become silent gaps. Combined at low density they turn a smooth wash into a Borderlands-style organic grain cloud, without changing the average rate noticeably. LFO — GRAIN DENSITY DESTINATION The Granular LFO gains a fourth destination: GRAIN DEN, bipolar ± 2-octave (logarithmic) sweep of density. Joins position / size / pitch. Sample-and-hold + density makes for stuttering rhythms that re-cast every beat. UNDER THE HOOD AUv3 hosts gain 80 new automation targets (5 per pad × 16). Pitch scale, grain size jitter, rate jitter, trigger probability, and density-destination LFO depth are all individually automatable from Logic / AUM / GarageBand / Drambo / Loopy Pro. 628 host-automatable parameters total. NEXT Still working on sample chop-to-pads (slice a long sample across the grid, transient-aligned). Bug reports and feature ideas welcome — email's open. An App Store review goes a long way too. — zhi ## More apps by Chih Han Lin - [GoodPill - Medicine Reminder](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/goodpill-medicine-reminder/id6759840986) - [KpopLike - Find Your K-Twin](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kpoplike-find-your-k-twin/id6760238854) - [Pocketext Scan](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocketext-scan/id6761661447) - [SoundMess Lab: SPL Meter](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/soundmess-lab-spl-meter/id6762592034) - [SpellSynth: Retro Vocal Synth](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spellsynth-retro-vocal-synth/id6762822700) All apps by Chih Han Lin: https://appshunter.io/developer/1800248325 ## Related topics [sampler](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sampler) · [granular synthesizer](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/granular-synthesizer) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-10.*