discoDSP Bliss Sampler is a new iPadOS port of the desktop sampler plugin of the same name with the ability to auto-sample AUv3 plugins.
In 2015, discoDSP released the Bliss Sampler for macOS and Windows. At first glance, it appears to be an ordinary sampler. Its highlight and unique selling point at the time was the ability to sample VST plugins with just a few clicks. Back then I did a demo.
Eleven years later, the plugin still exists, but in an expanded form. The discoDSP Bliss Sampler is now also available for iPadOS.
discoDSP Bliss Sampler iPadOS
Bliss Sampler for iPadOS is a port of the desktop sampler plugin. discoDSP Bliss iPadOS comes with the same features as the desktop version plus refinements for the mobile platform.
The latter includes an ultra-optimized DSP engine specially for ARM and Apple Silicon architecture using NEON vector instructions. This gives you high polyphony, ultra-low latency, and high-order audio interpolation (up to 512-point SINC with 4x oversampling) without frying your iPad’s CPU.
Bliss Sampler is not a simple sample playback or rompler, but it’s an advanced AUv3 multi-sampler. The highlight of the desktop version has also made its way to the iPadOS version.
Here too, you can multi-sample plugins with just a few clicks. In this case, AUv3 plugins. To do this, select the plugin in the sampling menu and set the key range, velocity range, etc. And in a few moments, you have a multi-sampled instrument from this synth.
In addition, you can also automatically sample classic audio sources or external hardware via MIDI output. It’s also possible to import SFZ format instruments into the Bliss sampler, and created instruments can also be exported as SFZ patches, including full ADSR envelope mapping.
Editing & Shaping Samples
Full sample editing, including mapping, is also possible. To simplify this, discoDSP has added an interactive Visual Key Mapper to the Bliss Sampler for iPadOS.
It also has a piano-style grid where you can drag and drop key ranges, velocity layers, and root keys with instant visual feedback. There is also a wave editor with full undo history, sub-sample zoom, seven looping algorithms, and more.
Creating, editing, and shaping. Yes, it also houses various tools with which you can shape your samples. Onboard are dual state-variable filters with various types, as well as a built-in effects suite: stereo rotation, chorus, delay, reverb, bit-crusher, and more.
For movement, it also has a modulation engine with morphing capabilities, eight assignable macro controls, ADSR envelopes for amp and mod, and two tempo-synced multi-wave LFOs.
Expressive control is available via native MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) support, giving you independent per-note pitch bend, timbre (CC 74), and pressure mapping.
Bliss Sampler for iPadOS ships with a 1GB downloadable factory sound library directly within the application. Don’t expect super high quality stuff like in Kontakt or similar samplers. But it’s nice that there’s some content here.
First Impression
I’ve known the Bliss Sampler for a long time; it’s been part of my arsenal for 11 years. I’m pleased to see that it’s now available on iPadOS, with the ability to sample both plugins and external instruments via MIDI.
I was able to take a look at the iPadOS version via the open beta. It’s well implemented, but there are still a few things here and there that need fine-tuning.
It’s also important to know that this is a very comprehensive app, and you might not understand everything in 5 minutes. You’ll need to familiarize yourself with it a bit.
discoDSP Bliss Sampler is available now for $19,99 on the Apple App Store. It runs as a standalone and AUv3 plugin on iPadOS and macOS (native Apple Silicon).
More information here: discoDSP
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