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Then Try This Samplebrain by Aphex Twin

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Page last updated Aug 11, 2025

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Description

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Dive into a world of sonic innovation with the Then Try This Samplebrain by Aphex Twin. This generator plugin is designed to transform audio samples into creative new textures and compositions, offering musicians and producers an expansive palette for musical exploration. Developed in collaboration with Aphex Twin, a pioneer in electronic music, Samplebrain prioritizes innovative sound manipulation, allowing you to break free from traditional sampling constraints.

Utilize its powerful algorithm to deconstruct audio and reassemble it into fresh patterns, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in music creation. Samplebrain supports a wide array of audio formats, making it seamlessly integrate into your existing workflow. Whether you're crafting ambient soundscapes, cutting-edge electronic tracks, or experimental pieces, this plugin provides the tools to stretch your creativity further.

Samplebrain's intuitive interface ensures that you spend less time navigating menus and more time experimenting with your sound. Its unique functionality enables you to convert any audio sample into a limitless array of musical possibilities, offering both novice and seasoned producers a playground for auditory innovation.

Key Features:

Generator plugin designed for innovative audio sample transformation
Developed in collaboration with Aphex Twin for cutting-edge sound manipulation
Intuitive interface for easy navigation and creativity-focused workflow
Supports a wide range of audio formats for seamless integration
Ideal for ambient, electronic, and experimental music production
Powerful algorithm for unique sound deconstruction and reassembly

Product specs

Downloadable

free

Videos

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uisato

[Walkthrough] Samplebrain, Aphex Twin's New Sound Design Tool

uisato

Aphex Twin's samplebrain - install, first look (it's insane)

Alessandro Mastroianni

Testing SampleBrain by Aphex Twin / Dave Griffiths

Bl1ndlight

Let's Make A Beat With Samplebrain

wowflower

Testing Samplebrain by Aphex Twin & Dave Griffiths

Stazma

samplebrain in action - Aphex Twin / Dave Griffiths / Then Try This

cdmtv

Aphex twin samplebrain tutorial - sound design sundaay

soffter

Samplebrain by Aphex Twin & Dave Griffiths

UPROAR 24

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Then Try This Samplebrain by Aphex Twin.

Software and compatibility

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Windows 11 users report the software window disappearing upon launch, though compatibility is better on Windows 10 after setting up the brain and target sound correctly.
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Some Windows users report the binary doesn't load, closing immediately upon opening.
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On M1 Macs, the Intel build runs more reliably than the M1-specific version, which may not function as intended.
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Some users found that the software's value controls display white on white, hindering visibility until parameters are adjusted.
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Mac users face issues with the Intel and M1 binaries: some report no audio output due to a bug with PortAudio, and the M1 version may appear damaged.
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Some users found the software uses excessive CPU, reaching 97% on idle, potentially indicating inefficiencies in the audio loop handling on Windows.
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Users report issues with the M1 Mac version, but the update to version 0.18.1 has resolved some compatibility problems.
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Use cases and applications

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Effective sound manipulation requires finding a good target with complementary brain bits, resulting in a "squelchy glitch" effect.
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Samplebrain allows creative sound mashups; one user successfully mixed an acid techno tune with 909 and 808 drum clips for a live jam session.
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Samplebrain excels with harmonically related samples but struggles with percussive samples; users advise starting with simple break samples for better results.
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Features and functionality

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The software operates as a standalone application, not a VST, which may limit integration with DAWs.
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The software functions as a "guided" granular synthesizer, with algorithmic playback defaults that enhance its sound manipulation capabilities.
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The mic input feature is currently disabled due to technical issues, limiting real-time sample capture directly within the software.
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Samplebrain functions like a vocoder with samples, allowing users to mash different samples by setting one as a 'brain' and another as a 'target'.
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Samplebrain primarily supports WAV files; attempts to load FLAC files were unsuccessful, requiring conversion to WAV for use.
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User experience

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Users recommend using small samples, as longer ones significantly slow down the "building synapses" process.
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Some find the default block size settings create a static sound, suggesting adjustments to achieve smoother results, such as setting block sizes to 1000 for smoother playback.
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Despite having a high-performance system, users report Samplebrain can be demanding, causing performance issues even on powerful machines.
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Some users experience extremely loud output from Samplebrain, which requires reducing the laptop volume significantly to avoid damage to earbuds or ears.
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Setup and maintenance

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Users recommend setting system audio to an external interface for stable audio output, as default MacBook sound settings may cause issues with playback.
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Critic Reviews

We spent a day playing with Aphex Twin's new "sample-mashing" app, SampleBrain - here's what we thought | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

SampleBrain by Aphex Twin showcases intriguing capabilities for sample manipulation, allowing users to create unique sounds by blending audio sources in real-time. However, the app is marred by usability issues, including slow processing times and inconsistent recording functionality. Its outdated interface and quirky design choices, like the use of Comic Sans, detract from the overall experience. While it holds potential for creative exploration in a studio context, the steep learning curve and unpredictability make it less viable for live performance. With some improvements, SampleBrain could evolve into a more reliable tool, but as it stands, it leaves much to be desired.

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Aphex Twin

Music Producer

The Tuss

Verified via Then Try This

Per a quote from developer Then Try This' own site, Richard James (aka Aphex Twin) commissioned the creation of this software for his own ends, then opted to let the rest of the world have a try:

"This idea came about a long time ago, not sure exactly when, 2002 ish but when mp3's started to become a thing, when for the first time there were a ton of them sitting on my hard drive and the brilliant Shazam had recently launched. Started thinking hmm all this music sitting there, maybe it can be used for something else other than just playing or dj'ing [hi Atomixmp3 & rudimentary max/msp patches] I had originally contacted the founders of Shazam to discuss further creative uses of their genius idea but they were busy making an automatic dj program, I still think Shazam could be re-purposed for something incredible but in the meantime we have Samplebrain. What if you could reconstruct source audio from a selection of other mp3's/audio on your computer? What if you could build a 303 riff from only a cappella's or bubbling mud sounds? What if you could sing a silly tune and rebuild it from classical music files? You can do this with Samplebrain. We soon realised after Dave had started to get things going that with a few cheaty sliders you could actually re-make anything from just one source file, so the options are all there to play with. Since funding this project I seemed to have found very little time to explore it properly and the time has now come to let you lot have a fiddle with it too." -Richard James.