Samples From Mars

Samples From Mars creates downloadable sample libraries and software instruments from vintage electronic and vinyl machines. It is best suited to producers who want local files in several sampler and DAW formats, with individual purchases rather than a subscription. The main trade-off is a music-focused license that does not cover redistribution or software products without additional permission.

Overview

The Brooklyn company, founded in 2013, builds sample-based instruments from vintage and often rare hardware, using consoles, tape machines and vinyl in the capture process. Libraries arrive as ZIP archives containing 24-bit, 44.1 kHz WAV files. Downloads are for offline use, so this is a conventional local-library workflow rather than a cloud service.

The standard license allows royalty-free use in commercially released musical compositions. It prohibits redistribution, and putting the sounds into a website, application or software product needs a separate license. That makes Samples From Mars a sensible source for released tracks, but a poor fit for developers or anyone planning to republish the raw material.

Key features

• Broad format coverage: Product formats include Ableton, Battery, FL Studio, Kontakt, Logic EXS24, Maschine, MPC, Reason NN-XT, SFZ, REX and WAV. The 808 From Mars page lists 16 formats, including Ableton, Kontakt, Logic EXS24, MPC, SFZ and WAV. This can accommodate mixed setups, though formats vary by product and should be checked before purchase.
• DAW and sampler access: Installation guidance names Ableton, Kontakt and Maschine, while WAV files can be loaded into a user’s own sampler or DAW. Producers are not locked to one host, provided their software supports the chosen format.
• Substantial instrument content: The catalogue includes 18 multi-sampled instruments, 22 drum patterns and fills, vocal synths and trumpets. Vocal material is present, which broadens the palette beyond drums and melodic instruments.
• Download recovery: Each order provides two download attempts per file with no expiration. Support can reset exhausted attempts, and missed links can be reissued, usually within 12 hours. This is reassuring for long-term ownership, but the initial per-file limit is worth noting when managing a large archive.
• Payment and privacy: Checkout is handled by Shopify, described as Level 1 PCI DSS compliant, with PayPal also supported. The site collects personal and device information and may use cookies for preferences, analytics and advertising.

Pricing

The model is per-item: a free plan and individually priced paid libraries, with paid products starting at $9. There is no free trial, so the free collection is the practical way to assess the workflow before spending.

Plan	Price	Includes
101 Drums From Mars	free	60 drum hits; 60 MB unzipped
Cassette Drums From Mars	$29, paid once	430 one-shots; 16 pre-made kits; 488.5 MB unzipped
808 From Mars	$39, paid once	16 formats, including Ableton, Kontakt, Logic EXS24, MPC, SFZ and WAV

The free 101 Drums pack is a small, low-commitment starting point. Cassette Drums From Mars is the more useful choice for buyers wanting a defined drum library and ready-made kits, while 808 From Mars suits producers who need extensive host compatibility. Paid purchases are one-time charges rather than renewals. A seven-day money-back guarantee applies, with support handling full-refund requests within 24 hours.

Platforms

Samples From Mars supports macOS and Windows. Its instruments and samples cover Ableton, Battery, FL Studio, Kontakt 5, Logic EXS24, Maschine, MPC, Reason NN-XT, SFZ, REX, WAV and Apple Loops formats, subject to each product’s package.

Who it's for

This is for music makers who want vintage-machine character in modern production software, especially those moving between several DAWs or samplers and those who prefer owning offline files. It is not the right choice for a developer embedding samples in an app, a service that needs redistribution rights, or a buyer seeking an all-you-can-download subscription.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Vintage hardware, console, tape and vinyl capture gives the catalogue a clearly defined sonic focus.
• Multiple formats, including WAV and SFZ, reduce dependence on one sampler ecosystem.
• A free 60-hit drum pack provides a no-cost entry point.
• Non-expiring downloads and support resets help preserve access to purchases.

Cons

• Two download attempts per file can be restrictive when rebuilding a library across machines.
• The license excludes redistribution and requires separate permission for websites, applications and software.
• There is no free trial, and content and formats differ by product.

Alternatives

BandLab Sounds is better for Android, iOS and web users who want a freemium service with a three-day Pro trial and 20 free claims per week. Choose 99Sounds for free sound libraries and plugins on macOS, Windows and the web. ProjectSAM fits Kontakt users seeking orchestral libraries, including a free 14-instrument collection and a $349 Lineage Strings purchase. Wave Alchemy offers macOS and Windows products with a free Triaz Player containing 4,000 samples and 200 presets, though own-sample loading is disabled there. Cinesamples is an alternative for free Kontakt Player products. Orchestral Tools suits users wanting the free SINEplayer in standalone, VST, VST3, AU or AAX forms. Soundiron has a free Rainsong pack and a $39 Iron Pack Bundle. Samplephonics is preferable for web-based access, with a free 50MB membership and a $99-per-year unlimited plan.

Verdict

Choose Samples From Mars if you want individually purchasable, vintage-inspired libraries that work offline across a wide range of music-production formats. Its strongest advantages are the focused source material, free starter pack and 808 library’s compatibility. Look elsewhere if you need redistribution rights, software-embedding permission or a subscription that continuously supplies new sounds.