Testing Koala Sampler on a Budget Android Phone

[@ndguardian]

lol so you have some crazy timing here. I literally was just playing around with Koala today showing my SO how it works and stuff like that. She was wanting an app to act as a sound board, and while Koala is definitely overkill for that, it also does the job perfectly and is super simple to set up. Meanwhile, I was serenading her with "Musical Scott" by playing chords from a sample of a lady yelling "Scott" from some commercial or whatever. She was both impressed and unimpressed.

[@crnkmnky]

*Derik:* 🎛 “Scott! S-S-Sc-Sc- Scott!” *Lady of Derik:* 😕 🤣 “Frontier Psychiatrist!” “Th- That boy needs therapy.”

[@FreeBeat]

Hahaha that's awesome! So far my girlfriend has only really enjoyed the monitron delay, maybe I'll show her koala next!

[@rexcellencemagee6729]

Finally! This is my favorite sampler! Also Blease orbit is awesome and play well together! I’m afraid when talking budget stuff you can’t get away without apps!

[@FreeBeat]

I'll have to check that one out too, thanks for watching!

[@izraelservantofalmightygod]

There is no app as such

[@justintimemusic_]

Interesting timing FB - I have scripts written for a couple of videos on Koala. Interesting to see how the latency affects usability on cheaper Android phones though, thank you!

[@FreeBeat]

Right on, thanks so much for watching!

[@night_speed]

Thanks so much for this video I was just looking for some sort of mobile DAW or sampler for Android the other day and was really disappointed in the free ones that I tried and pretty much gave up but this looks totally worth it to me.

[@FreeBeat]

Be sure to check out FL studio as well as Caustic 3 too, they are all excellent.

[@kabsterMDA]

Awesome, I use it on a A71 Samsung and works great, zero latency. Saludos, great channel.

[@Mr.Tubster]

Looks nice! Thx for sharing 🙂 Cya mate!

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks for watching, see you in the next one 😁

[@h2o1969]

This was great. I have been curious about this very thing. I have an old Android I am trying to figure out a use for.

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah, as long as you don't mind the live playing latency it seems to be a pretty solid option!

[@forsale313]

Thanks for doing it on an Android phone so now I'll see if it will work on a "high end" phone from a couple of years ago. Crazy thing is now a good Android will cost just as much as an iPhone.

[@rlynker]

I am interesting in getting this app (I already have it for iPad) and would be curious to know your results and on which hardware. My experience has been that "high end" doesn't mean anything with Android. Latency is caused by many things and even a very expensive phone could have latency issues. Android simply was not designed for music in mind. Apple made a decision early on to develop tools for music making. They formed a standard and evolved it very well. Android does many things well....and while I WISH music was one of them, I have resigned myself to the fact that it won't happen.

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@imnotSHOR]

It was pretty cool to see someone go into debt with trying to hook up mini controllers phones and mobile devices been doing the same for a while just pushing the boundaries of how far I can take my controllers

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks for watching!

[@returnofthegoth2220]

Cool. I have never used Koala but looks good. I always recommend Band Lab which did add a similar sampler last year.

[@FreeBeat]

Good to know, thanks for watching!

[@jaydeepalmer]

Yea bandlab is awesome, and it's free!

[@Geekhobby]

The latency problem depends mostly on the phone makers hardware and software implementation. I have tried with a newer Huawei Mediapad and it sucked. My budget Samsung Galaxy Tab from 2015 works fine without issues. My old Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 works fine and so does of course my newer Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro. Try different brands!

[@FreeBeat]

Great advice, thanks for watching!

[@DopamineOverload]

Nice! I have loved Koala forever.

[@FreeBeat]

It's pretty cool!

[@rnottemusic]

nice one! you should also try flip sampler sometime; it’s super fun!

[@FreeBeat]

Unfortunately it's only available for iOS, maybe I'll try it on my girlfriend's iPad someday.

[@bobbytsunami3085]

Koala is amazing for song writing.

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah it's awesome!

[@christoroppolo8742]

I love this sampler. All it needs now is internal inter app and audio unit capabilities without audio buss or AUM because “all” sampler apps “should “and must have that to really shine . Unless of course app developers are actually sucking the AUM nipple/ crutch to avoid coding it in . I hope that’s not the case though it makes no sense an iOS sampler couldn’t sample other apps without a third party involved. That’s stupid . Koala is ready to get that super power to add to its amazing interface! Do it now ! Mr developer are you listening? 👽🙏

[@pianokeyjoe]

Oh boy.. well so much for my $29 and $44 budget Samsung Galaxy A01 and A22 respectively lol! Those are true budget unlocked phones! Gotta wait for a high end Android tablet. Maybe Santiclaus can provide? Maybe not :P. Cause yeah, Latency is a deal breaker. It is why I never thought to use a pad,tablet or phone for music.

[@christoroppolo8742]

The next update should and must be the ability to sample anything on the iPad “inter app “ or “audio unit “ internally without a third party host involved. That would separate it from everyone else’s sampler or host app and create an even better smoother workflow. Come on mr developer! 👽

[@thegroove2000]

I agree. Sample from anywhere would be handy for youtube sampling.

[@crnkmnky]

🐨 Great video! I’m inspired to get back on Koala, especially since I can use that piano roll instead of fighting the quantizer. 😤 Now that I have several decent options for iOS workflow, I just have to make time (and file storage, ugh) to be productive. I got a $40 Samsung Galaxy A01 to test as an extra camera. The touch response has random lag issues. Audio clipping/distortion is major problem, depending on the recording app. I’m currently procrastinating on setting up my new Pixel 5 and grieving my recently deceased Moto G 4. 😭

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah, having the sequencer is really nice if you're experiencing latency trying to play in life. Thanks for watching, sorry about your Moto!

[@RaverOperatorGeeza]

Thanks so much for this. I was intrigued and ended up downloading it, and then bought the in app purchase for piano roll and time stretch. I bought a USB C to USB B cable and plugged in a Korg Nano Key 2 keyboard, but it doesn't run up the scales properly. Has anyone else had this trouble? It plays 4 let's like I would expect, then the 5th is somewhere else in the scale or another octave altogether... It repeats in groups of four keys. I've tried changing to chromatic and other types but no success. It's there something I am doing wrong?

[@patrickbodine1300]

Learn something every day. 😉👍

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks for watching!

[@teddybearasaurus]

You should use a groovebox with it. I sometimes use a circuit tracks for midi controller and send the audio from koala into That to add two synth tracks and 4 drum tracks.

[@FreeBeat]

Maybe I'll give that a shot in the future, thanks for watching!

[@djofortunato5799]

Omg you just gave mean idea - Side Chaining my koala Loops + adding Circuits EFX (!!!)

[@sstrudeau]

I love Koala but felt limited by the need to live perform into my loops ... and somehow never knew you could double tap and get an actual piano roll 🤯

[@justintimemusic_]

The piano roll is only available with the in-app purchase, but it is cheap and I highly recommend it. I should mention that I have no affiliation with elf-audio and am simply a very happy Koala user.

[@crnkmnky]

🤯 {anime wow!}

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah, I definitely recommend getting the samurai expansion. For just a few dollars it unlocks so much more!

[@smashSpikeMC]

yes thank you a fire 10 on sail best time to buy with fire tool box to de amazon it is still best way so far but external midi devices do not work I think the best thing to do is resample using its build in effects

[@Kevhuman]

If your looking for a cheap android phone for music check out the Nokia G10. Big screen, 3 or 4 gigs ram, very long battery life and relatively bloatware free. Not sure I would trust android apps for live performance but I would not have any worries about the phone doing its job and you can pick up grade a returns on eBay for 75 -100 quid. Only downside I found is the crappy speaker, say compared to the Motorola E.

[@reidfamilydroid]

You can map midi controls in the settings for sliders and knobs!

[@FreeBeat]

I figured as much, that's awesome!

[@edtuckerartist]

Also you can sync to a Pocket Operator in the audio settings.

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah I completely forgot about that, what a great feature!

[@RaverOperatorGeeza]

What's the line in to USB C adapter thing called? I need one of those!

[@izraelservantofalmightygod]

Hey, I am building the same configuration (to sample to android via usb) but so far none of the adapters and splitters i got from amazon didn't work. Can you please share a link to the audio adapter you are using? Thanks in advance. Cheers Edit: Found the link in description. Thanks!

[@thekeysman6760]

There is no "latency", you need to zoom in to finely edit the start points! 😀

[@rlynker]

Thanks for making this video. While I know that results of Android hardware are all over the board (and not necessary a "newer/more-expensive is better" pattern), I have been interested in this app for a while. I have it for iOS already, but would like it on my Android phone....which is much more portable and always with me. The thing I'm wondering is what if you create samples and some sequences using Android, how do I move/access those on iOS. I have searched online, but I can't find if there is any cross platform transferring. Other than doing things manually. Have you tried using them between Android/iOS? Thanks.

[@FreeBeat]

I'm not sure if you can transfer between the the two versions of the app, hopefully someone can clarify!

[@johnnynorthern]

Change the .koala project name of your beat and rename the file extension to .zip, which just makes it extractable. 😀

[@klaytonvonkluge4905]

Do you have to pay for Koala twice ? I already bought it and Samurai on my iOS but would like it on my Android phone too

[@danbad1380]

How many samples at once can you trigger? Thanks a lot

[@reidfamilydroid]

There is a new update with midi mapping for effects, solo and mute, etc...

[@dhabardeofficial]

6:26 was very funny😂

[@FreeBeat]

Glad you liked it hahaha

[@esahm373]

Can you sample internally from other apps such as KZbin or Instagram?

[@thekeysman6760]

On a phone worth 3x more than the Motorola you used, but from 2020 a year earlier, any latency via pads is negligible and is able to be played over/adjusted to. Like an instrument. And I tried with Open SL turned on in Settings but it gives latency. It's fine turned off on a 2020 phone, so it must be for much older devices. Remember to zoom in to the waveform to snap to zero points. Can't do it without zooming in, hence sloppy edits making you think there's latency.

[@Nik.leonard]

OpenSL is enabled in the audio settings?. Also you should try caustic. Is old but is the best app for making music in budget android devices. Or SunVox.

[@FreeBeat]

I really enjoy Caustic as well, however the simple interface and immediacy of koala sampler earns it my number one recommendation. Thanks for watching!

[@wiggesobk]

Oh yeah i have to use my koala app more often 🐨

[@FreeBeat]

You should use it in your next free beat live entry!

[@WrightFlyer1903]

You just sold another copy of Koala (you should be getting a commission!). Just to point out that to get piano roll editing in the sequencer you have to get Koala AND the "Samurai" update but the whole lot is still < $10 so a great app for virtually nothing still.

[@Guckst_Du_hier]

thank you

[@noodlessoul8356]

Isn't it velocity sensitive with the Keystep?

[@spaceman103]

Koala is a great Android app. If you know of more good music making Android apps, let us know!

[@FreeBeat]

FL Studio and Caustic 3 are also great!

[@crnkmnky]

SunVox and Fractal Bits are interesting.

[@Kevhuman]

DRC synth and G-stomper rythym

[@edtuckerartist]

Been using Koala on my Motorola Edge for a while now no latency I can detect, however sampling from the phones microphone is a no go as the audio is inaudible. (checked phone permissions and koala is allowed access to the microphone)

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks for watching!

[@klaytonvonkluge4905]

Do you have to pay for Koala twice ? I already bought it and Samurai on my iOS but would like it on my Android phone too

[@FreeBeat]

Sadly, I believe you do :(

[@rexcellencemagee6729]

Correction on my last statement it’s the Blease Sampler, not orbit and I have no idea if it’s available in Android, but for $100 you can get an IPad 4 renewed through back market. Maybe even later, now. I got a 4 with SIM card capable for that about a year ago. I have a few Android tablets but don’t use them for music.

[@FreeBeat]

Noted, thanks!

[@johannesschneider2367]

I need help. I have a Android Phone with koala sampler with just one usb c Port. I need Power for the Phone and the Controller like the akai mpd and also the 3.5mm jack output to send the Samples to a p.a. or Mixer. What would be the best hub or cable solution? Has someone a setup like this that works fine?

[@FreeBeat]

I honestly have no clue, that's a bit outside my area of expertise, sorry!

[@fickfehler3866]

Can this app load wav or mp3 samples from the tablet's / phone's "download" folder ?

[@FreeBeat]

Yes you can!

[@kylelee8947]

Is there a way to screen record KZbin or anny app n then import the video to koala any time I screen record n go to import video then click on the screen recorded video I want to use it don't load is there a step I'm missing maybee u can help,love the videos

[@FreeBeat]

I honestly haven't really looked into internal audio recording on Android, sorry!

[@kylelee8947]

I figured it out just had to add a video audio recorder to the process ,now I can sample anything from Spotify to you tube n so forth

[@MosELtheSufi]

​@Kyle Lee How did you add the video audio processor? Thank you.

[@I.O.M.]

Love Koala for great software sampler but it will lead you to the dark side and you'll have a Sp404 in no time 🤓

[@FreeBeat]

Haha I think koala is enough for me!

[@lloydterborg6945]

How to fix the latency?

[@sammcdouall4849]

What bit rate & sample rate does Koala record at.

[@FreeBeat]

I'm honestly not sure. It says it can export at 16 or 24 though. Sorry, not exactly my area of expertise haha.

[@walnawk]

FreeBeat, how about the Flip app from Andrew Huang, it is a very intuitive app and you can inspire us.

[@justintimemusic_]

Flip is iOS only and doesn't run on Android, probably due to the latency that FB mentioned.

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah, unfortunately it's only on ios, and I hardly ever have access to the iPad (it's my girlfriend's and she usually takes it to work with her). I would definitely like to check it out someday though.

[@walnawk]

@@FreeBeat I wish I can see you on it. You will do amazing things with it.

[@baltimega]

I usually use koala on IOS but I am stuck somewhere and I literally just made a track on koala on android, albeit on a high end phone.

[@FreeBeat]

Nice, it's crazy how easy it is to work with I'm just about any device!

[@danbad1380]

How many seconds can you sample for each button? Thanks!!

[@teddybearasaurus]

Whole songs if you want. You can even sample from video

[@FreeBeat]

Yep, as long as you want. I guess technically as much storage as your phone has 😂

[@sergio_tempo]

Xiaomi it's a best device for koala, no latency..i plug my launchpad and it's amazing

[@FreeBeat]

Which xiaomi do you have?

[@sergio_tempo]

@@FreeBeat Redmi 9

[@GerenM63]

I might see about trying it on one of my $30 Walmart 7” tablets, just to see how horrible it is! LOL!

[@crnkmnky]

😬 Egad! “You know what I love about $30 tablets? I get older, and they find new ways to be bricks. Alright, alright, alright.”

[@GerenM63]

@@crnkmnky Mine all work fine, especially the two newest ones (Well, there is that one that got stepped on. It doesn't work so well anymore.). I bought about a half dozen when I was doing live sound and needed something to hand out to members of bands who wanted to do their own IEM mixes. I didn't want to give them anything good, because I didn't want to have to be upset when they go stepped on or got beer spilled on them.

[@FreeBeat]

Do it! I'd be very curious to know the results haha.

[@Fizzie_pops]

This totally isn't my setup 😶

[@FreeBeat]

Nothing wrong with that setup at all! Time to sample anything and everything :)