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For immediate release · October 2, 2026 · Free beta

Sampledex launches a professional beta tester program with a built-in Training Hub

The free beatmaker's DAW for macOS and Windows opens a structured testing portal, and has already created two paid opportunities for creators.

VACAVILLE, CALIFORNIA — October 2, 2026 — Sampledex, the DAW made by beatmakers for beatmakers, today announced its beta tester program. Testers now work through a dedicated portal to file bug reports, share feedback and reviews, suggest features and ask questions about each new build of Sampledex 0.19.0 for macOS and Windows.

Highlight

The Training Hub

Every tester gets access to a Training Hub inside the portal. It explains the software development life cycle (SDLC) — plan, design, build, test, release and maintain — and shows exactly where beta testing fits in. It also covers practical testing habits: noting the build number, reproducing a problem before reporting it, writing steps someone else can follow, separating expected from actual results and retesting fixes. It links to established learning resources, including the ISTQB glossary, the ISTQB Foundation certification and the Ministry of Testing community.

The goal is simple: testing Sampledex should also build real, transferable skills for the creators doing it.

Impact

Two paid opportunities for creators

2paid tester roles already created

The program has already led Sampledex to hire testers, creating two paid opportunities for creators. Paid testers put each build through real beatmaking sessions and report back through the portal, so every release is checked by people who make beats.

How the portal works

  • Bug reports. Testers record the area of the DAW, severity, platform, build and step-by-step reproduction.
  • Feedback and reviews. General feedback, star-rated reviews, feature ideas and questions, with an optional photo or screenshot.
  • Organized review. The test lead sorts every item by severity, status and tester, and replies directly in the portal.
  • Built-in guides. Step-by-step instructions for testers and for the test lead.

Availability

Sampledex 0.19.0 is available now as a free beta for macOS 14 or later on Apple Silicon, with a Windows x64 build in beta testing. Download it at sampledex.audio.

Media contact: sampledex@sampledex.com

Previous release

For immediate release · September 25, 2026 · Free beta

Sampledex 0.18.7 puts the beatmaker first with a leaner, faster DAW for macOS

A free beta DAW for Apple Silicon that puts sounds, steps, piano roll, arrangement and mixing in one focused workspace, now with track colors, drag-to-reorder tracks and a much smaller download.

Download press release (PDF)Read on KVR Audio

VACAVILLE, CALIFORNIA — September 25, 2026 — Sampledex is a macOS DAW built the way beats actually get made: sounds, patterns, arrangement and mixing first. Version 0.18.7 (Build 43) is available now as a free beta for macOS 14 or later on Apple Silicon.

The idea is simple: a DAW made by beatmakers, for beatmakers. Sampledex keeps the core loop close at hand, from choosing a sound and programming a groove to shaping a full song and bouncing the result.

A focused DAW, a smaller download

With 0.18.7, Sampledex removes its AI features entirely. The AI Coproducer, automatic song and loop generation, AI panels and AI settings are gone, along with the bundled AI engine and language model. This makes the download much smaller. The sound-design instrument stays as Sampledex Sound Lab, with manual controls, factory sounds and support for its saved instrument states. All other instruments, effects, the supplied Sampledex plug-ins, recording, mixing and export remain.

What's new since 0.18.3

  • Track names and colors. Name and color any track from the timeline or mixer. Colors show in the timeline, piano roll and mixer, save with the project and support Undo/Redo.
  • Drag-to-reorder tracks. Drag track headers to reorder single tracks or groups, and drag a header's edge to resize its lane.
  • Named MIDI clips. Rename individual clip placements without changing their linked patterns.
  • Better MIDI import. Overlapping notes no longer block editing, short imports keep their true length, and imported tempos from 4 to 1000 BPM play back correctly.
  • Tighter snapping and Repeat. Clips follow the visible grid from the first movement, new projects start with one-bar snap, and Repeat places the next clip right after the selected clip's visible end.
  • Smoother editing. Duplicating clips, repeating clips and editing large patterns stall less, and Undo uses less memory with large plug-in presets.
  • Wider plug-in support. Support for more mono-to-stereo effects and instruments with input requirements. Sampledex now stops and explains when plug-in settings can't be saved, rather than losing them without telling you.

Beatmaking tools for a complete song

  • Steps and piano roll. Program drums across 16 lanes from kick through clave, draw notes, edit velocity, import MIDI, highlight scales and work with the snap grid.
  • Mix and automate. Draw volume, pan and plug-in parameter automation, work with the mixer and audio clips, then export loops, stems or the whole song as WAV or AIFF.
  • Sampling and 808 tuning. Sample, tune and chop audio, trim and fade clips on the timeline, tune 808s and record takes with the live keyboard.
  • Sounds and plug-ins. Browse factory presets across drums, keys, bass and synths, use the bundled Sampledex collection and Sound Lab, and load VST3 and Audio Unit v2 instruments and effects.
  • Hover Help LCD. Point at any control to see an explanation, hold to freeze it, and open the complete user guide inside the DAW.

Built for beatmakers and producers

Sampledex is first and foremost a beatmaker's and producer's DAW. Recording works and is available today. Deeper vocal editing, refining and tuning are planned for a future version aimed at artists and executive producers.

Compatibility

Existing projects still open. Projects saved with the new track colors or MIDI clip names need Sampledex 0.18.7 or later. The DAW, installer and DMG are signed and notarized by Apple.

Availability

Sampledex 0.18.7 is available now as a free beta download for macOS 14 or later on Apple Silicon. The release includes an updated user guide and Hover Help built into the DAW.

Media contact: sampledex@sampledex.com