Is Koala Sampler a Good PO-33 Alternative?

Is Koala Sampler a Good PO-33 Alternative?
Today I'm finally taking a look at Koala Sampler to see if it's an acceptable replacement for the PO-33 KO! You've been asking me to check out Koala Sampler for some time now, and I'm glad that I finally took the time to do so. It's a really simple app with some great features, much like the PO-33! With a price tag of just $4.99 US, I think it's a great option of the PO-33 is out of your price range. Enjoy the video :)
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[@seanl8195]

Thanks so much for making this video. I love the PO 33 but am constantly frustrated by its physical limitations. So a recent search for "PO 33 alternative" is what led me to this video. Koala is EXACTLY the alternative I was looking for, after a few hours I am in love with it. Thanks again!

[@GrahamGudgin]

I’ve been using Koala for a while. Very musical and intuitive. It’s a lot of fun to import a KZbin video (make a screen recording of the video, then import that recording) and chop up the sounds and rearrange them.

[@FreeBeat]

That does sound like a lot of fun, maybe I'll do that with one of my own videos haha.

[@swaginyourmouth]

being honest people.... money is tight for me currently and this sort of video gives me HOPE for the coming future/our artform as musicians.

[@FreeBeat]

No shame in that, from what I can tell you can make some pretty complete songs with this. Happy jamming!

[@docjoesweeney]

Based on this video, I grabbed koala. Wow. So much fun with a neat perfect UX. I copied over a few loop libraries and it is just a joy. Sure, my beatmaking is still terrible, but no tech can improve on incompetence.

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks for watching!

[@shix13]

Thanks for this video! I just learned about Flip a day ago and then immediately lamented as i'm not part of the apple crowd. This came at just the right time!

[@FreeBeat]

I'm in the same boat haha, enjoy!

[@I.O.M.]

I used this app for all the samples on my latest EP. Such a gem for the cost and even better with midi controller. resample and the samurai mode are really awesome!

[@FreeBeat]

I didn't even think about using it with a midi controller, I'll have to give that a shot. Thanks for watching!

[@DizzyMakavelli]

You made the beats on Koala?

[@howardanderson3061]

The effects are amazing, love the synth sound...

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah I was really impressed with the effect section.

[@wwddwi2183]

This app is a nice combination of my old mpc1000 and a sp404. I got the samurai update and koala efx . This app is so dope it made me get an iPad. The iPad and the apps afforded me the ability to not have to buy an mpc one or an sp404. Hail yeah!!!

[@FreeBeat]

Very nice!

[@FuZZbaLLbee]

I used this for sampling from a screen recorded KZbin video. Then trimmed and pitched the samples and sampled the result into the OP-Z.

[@FreeBeat]

That's such an awesome idea!

[@RaverOperatorGeeza]

This was such a good video and I hadn't heard about it before, but a month on of using it and REALLY loving it Mastering is a little more tricky and the piano roll with my large fingers, but this is an AWESOME app ♥️♥️♥️ Thank you so much!

[@FreeBeat]

Glad you like the video, thanks for watching!

[@martinhansen6466]

You can map it to a midi keyboard, or other midi controller. Tjek Playpm here on KZbin.

[@RaverOperatorGeeza]

@@martinhansen6466 thanks I'll give it another go but I have issues with it not working for my on my Chinese phone.

[@leewightman8619]

Band lab has a cool wee sampler plus other things and it's completely free and the sampler is actually identical to this plus there's 1000s of sample packs

[@ck-ck]

Nice one ! Lovely app, trying it now sending the output through the NTS-1 adding reverb and delay ,!!!

[@FreeBeat]

Awesome!

[@Philsy1971]

I recently got a Microgranny granular sampler/synth from Bastl, and I can't recommend it enough. It's not cheap, but you need to get one! You'd love it. Very cool and fun.

[@FreeBeat]

It's been on my list for a while, there's just so much gear out there!

[@trevormalcolm4328]

I (like many people) get the latest app then never use it! I’m using this video as a timely reminder!!!

[@FreeBeat]

Do it!

[@traildoggy]

Thanks. there are relatively few music apps for Android so this is a welcome app. I downloaded this a while ago but never really took to it. Will have to check it out again though. For $5 I was glad to help the developer out. If you get 1 tune recorded with it it's worth the money. I wish there was a way to externally sequence it, but so far I have found no way to do so. The Korg Kaosillator app is also worth a look for a loop based app. It's quite versatile, I think it's like $30 or so though. You can set up and edit loops and play melodically on and X/Y field similar to the kaosilator hardware. Honorable mention: I really like EtherPad, also called EtherSurface, which is a more melodic app, and is geared towards more drifting ambient sounds. You can choose scales and root key and octave ranges. It has 3 rather nice voices with lots of reverb on them, but no additional sounds. Play is non quantized. It is free. It is limited but does a specific thing very well. A similar app where you could load your own samples and control the effects a bit would be amazing.

[@FreeBeat]

I've done a video on Kaosillator as well, I had a lot of fun using it :)

[@RaverOperatorGeeza]

Definitely come back to it. I'm putting it through its paces as a programmable full sequence, but even with its limitations it's fantastic and can be resampled into itself out externally and can then be reworked. All in all for it's size and price (both of those alone even) this is a fantastic development!

[@patrickbodine1300]

Learn something every day!😀👍

[@FreeBeat]

That's just a great way to live life 😁

[@rlynker]

Koala is awesome. I'm glad you did a review on it. I have it for iPad (interestingly enough, the iOS version is $1 cheaper!). I've been debating whether I wanted to spend $4.99 to have it on my phone (a Pixel 4, like yours). I know many music apps work poorly on Android. I wrote a nice song on Roland Zenbeats (using the PC version) and my Android won't even PLAY it. Now I know, at least, that Koala works well on Android. Thanks.

[@FreeBeat]

I definitely say go for it, it's by far and away the best music app I've used on Android. Thanks for watching!

[@fisk0]

You should've tried the comb filter, they can sound great on drums, it's kinda hard to describe it but it's similar to a phase effect, kinda that effect you get with faulty headphones or if you've got two stereo channels out of phase with each other and them try to mash them together into mono.

[@FreeBeat]

I'll have to play with it some more, thanks for watching!

[@fuzbeats]

I bought it and the samurai edition. It has it's capabilities but I will stick to my pockets. Way faster and simplier workflow to flip something

[@FreeBeat]

I think I'm in the same boat as you haha.

[@WardStroud]

my PO KO lasted a week... rubbish... just picked up a 404m2:) thanks for all the videos man, i appreciate all the info!

[@FreeBeat]

Sorry that happened! I've had most of my PO's for almost 4 years with no real issues except the one I broke on my own. Hope you like the 404 :)

[@WardStroud]

super sad... lots of learning time but hopefully as a newb to sample/beat world it will be a good intro into the 404 and get me going:)

[@bobbyarchaic9649]

Thanks for making the video. I had kept meaning to look into koala but just hadn't gotten around to it yet. Now I know pretty much what I was curious about finding out.

[@FreeBeat]

I highly recommend it, the price is hard to beat!

[@bobbyarchaic9649]

@@FreeBeat It is certainly reasonably priced.

[@nigelreadon8381]

Yes I have this sampler, it can do a rainbow of stuff including Drums. Well you can get this for the price of a costa coffee at starbucks i think, don't know how it compairs to the Korg vocia sampler.

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks for watching!

[@howardanderson3061]

Killer app for sure. I made some cool loops that I have no clue how I made them lol

[@FreeBeat]

Those are the best!

[@howardanderson3061]

@@FreeBeat for sure!

[@BradfordRiots]

Man you should check out L Chopz chopbox he made to use with koala 👌🏼👊🏼

[@FreeBeat]

I'll take a look, thanks for the suggestion!

[@shoba7665]

I am a avid ios based musician these days and my only small gripe is the sheer vastness and ability of koala often becomes creativity hindering in comparison to sheer simplicity of the Po Ko, especially including the samurai upgrade, now along with the AUV3 compatibility to be able to load it as its own fricken plugin in a daw or vst host, the po ko doesn't even have a visible or obvious auto chop function, but it encourages you to use the work arounds to push your sound creatively, Id say Koala is mostly a valuable investment for most, IF you already own and iPhone atleast above the 6th, or and Android with a half decent soundchip to reduce the sometimes horrible latency that comes with using Android as a platform. I personally wouldn't suggest buying an iPhone exclusively for koala, unless your gonna eventually look into the the ios eco system as a whole for substantial music making tools.

[@Funkotronimus]

If you’re on iOS, The koalaFX AuV3 plugin is definitely worth grabbing as well! As with other plug-ins, it can help unlock totally new experiences with your POs (and other gear) The samurai mode upgrade within the koala app is also DEFINITELY worth grabbing-time stretch Is one of the main attractions. There’s also a PO sync mode in there somewhere.

[@FreeBeat]

I am not an iOS person, but it's good to know about samurai mode. I'll have to pick it up!

[@vel2118]

have you experienced the impc app ? how do you sample like an mpc in koala? it’s irritating to me that it’s sampling directly to every single pad instead of sampling on a separate scrren and the assigning it to the pad of choice....

[@FreeBeat]

I'm not sure if it can do that, sorry! Would be a very cool feature though.

[@242Gorch]

In Germany there is blackhole reverb on sale for ios 50%

[@FreeBeat]

That's awesome!

[@walnawk]

Love to see you using "FLIP" app.

[@FreeBeat]

One of these days I'll bring Lady Free Beat's iPad into the studio and give it a shot.

[@walnawk]

@@FreeBeat I was going to use the PO33 again, but FLIP took its place. I tried Koala in the past, I give this one to Andrew Huang. As robust as FLIP is, he made it manageable for regular non-tech person like myself. I SEE YOU DOING GREAT THINGS WITH FLIP. :-)

[@RaverOperatorGeeza]

@@walnawk is this available on Android yet? I remember getting excited about when it first dropped only to be disappointed it was then Apple only...

[@walnawk]

@@RaverOperatorGeeza No idea. I think it is on Andrew Huang's mind. The interface is really good.

[@walnawk]

@@RaverOperatorGeeza It is not available on Android. I just checked on my Android device. May be Andrew Huang just want to focus on ios instead; rightfully so.

[@kenfusion]

Looks groovy

[@SLPGroundSoundMusic]

if you have an iphone 8 and up you can actually replace any hardware sampler with just having Koala Sampler with all its new features together with Aum mixer Daw and about $40 worth of auv3 fx and processors plus together with some synths and romplers auv3 instruments, i guarantee you will have on your hands the most powerful potable professional audio and midi work station that you will ever find today ,, there are plenty of daw on ios which each do covers everything to making music, but you also have ability to insert hundreds of great auv3 plugins fx and instruments that can all work together just like a computer daw with vsts plugins,,,, and if you do you will realize how much better then any digital hardware samplers, groovebox or sequencer in the market, ios music app developers has gave ios the complete power to make your iphone into a complete professional work station, basically you can do everything that you would be able to do on an mpc, op1, sp 404 well everything you can do on any digital hardware sampler or groovebox but with a lot more flexibility in programming and creating your music ideas !

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks for watching!

[@jaym1889]

This is a koala-ty app!

[@FreeBeat]

I see what you did there

[@cheapnoise9014]

Nice video! It's a shame that it doesn't work with voice over.

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah that's a bit of a bummer.

[@RobertKnutzen]

Koala seems more like an SP-404 replacement than a po-33 replacement to me

[@FreeBeat]

I chose the po-33 because they are a lot similar price point wise haha, but you do raise a valid point.

[@swaginyourmouth]

you're the man dude! omg it's only 4 dollars???? again--the man

[@FreeBeat]

Haha thanks, enjoy the app!

[@KeyDyer]

Koala is superior IMO, the trimming is much easier. Sprinkle in koala FX, and boom.

[@UncleBoogieRF]

Not to mention no limits on space. The one thing that bugs me with the PO33, a device I love. Have bought Koala on both iOS and Android.

[@242Gorch]

Sprinkle??? Annie sprinkle? yeah she was dam great she sucked every sound of my rotten body

[@FreeBeat]

I have to agree about the sample trimming, it's probably the weakest part of the pocket operator. That being said I think both have their uses!

[@bjamminsincebirth3494]

SDS-X app is more like PO-33. Koala is more like the SP404.

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks for watching!

[@wiggesobk]

Oh yeah koala is definetly good.

[@FreeBeat]

I'm loving it so far!

[@RaquelFoster]

9:05 Sounds like you’ve never encountered a comb. Hope you have short hair. 😂 The effect must be a comb filter…

[@FreeBeat]

Hahaha yeah I just completely spaced it at the time for whatever reason lol. Thanks for watching!

[@RaquelFoster]

@@FreeBeat LOL comb is a crazy word without any context. Could be short for coulomb. Or slang for C-suite Tomb. Not sure if those would be Vanilla or Strawberry FX.

[@SaEvSampleEverything]

Yeah, Koala is a killer, but can't replace the sequencer of PO33 (yet)

[@FreeBeat]

I have to agree, plus having the physical buttons just makes it that much better.

[@bjamminsincebirth3494]

Totally disagree. If you learn Koala the sequencing abilities is endless. Also the fact that you can connect a midi controller kills the physical button thought too.

[@SaEvSampleEverything]

@@bjamminsincebirth3494 the point was: can you edit the sequence like on PO33 with ability to adjust each step manually?

[@bjamminsincebirth3494]

@@SaEvSampleEverything yes

[@bjamminsincebirth3494]

There is a piano roll that allows you to adjust it abilities

[@noaharkadedelgado2318]

Imagine being this down bad because you can’t own PO-33💀💀💀💀💀 I’m that down bad 😔 Is there any free alternatives?

[@slimpickins6007]

Koala is infinitely better than a pocket operator. So is flip/grooverider.

[@FreeBeat]

I think they both have their advantages, I wouldn't necessarily say that one is better than the other :)

[@vel2118]

po i way more portable and the battery life is almost endless

[@mbk337]

Perfect way to allow me to make a barf and fart sound sampler to make my adult self laugh at adult gatherings that I am never invited to.

[@FreeBeat]

Now there's a statement I think we can all relate to 😂

[@goonknox]

Koala is far stronger

[@FreeBeat]

I still prefer the physical controls of a pocket operator, but having a lot of that functionality in my pocket on the same device that I make calls on is pretty powerful.

[@goonknox]

@@FreeBeat agreed🤟 both are great that’s no denying:)