Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about getting involved with SampleRealm
What is an audio plugin?
An audio plugin is a piece of software that adds to a music program (called a DAW, or Digital Audio Workstation) such as Ableton Live, Logic Pro, or FL Studio. Plugins let you shape and create sound. Some are instruments that generate notes (synths, samplers, drum machines), while others are effects that process existing audio (reverb, EQ, compression, distortion). They're the building blocks producers use to design and polish their music. Everything on SampleRealm is an audio plugin you can download and load into your DAW.
How can I get involved with SampleRealm?
There are several ways to get involved! If you're a plugin developer, you can submit your audio plugins to be featured on our platform. If you're a music producer, you can download and test our plugins, provide feedback, and help spread the word. Just contact us on Instagram
I'm a developer. How do I submit my plugin?
To submit your plugin, reach out to us on Instagram or the Contact form. We'll work with you to package your plugin using our installer builder tools, and help you get it listed on SampleRealm. All plugins must be open-source to align with our community values.
Do I need to be an experienced developer to contribute?
Not at all! We welcome developers of all skill levels. If you're just starting out, you can contribute by testing plugins, reporting bugs, improving documentation, or working on smaller features. The community is here to help you learn and grow.
Do I have to pay to get involved?
No! We're a community-driven platform focused on making high-quality audio tools accessible to everyone.
How can I stay updated on new plugins and features?
Check back here regularly. We're constantly adding new plugins and improving existing ones based on community feedback.
What does ‘Notarized’ mean?
Notarization is Apple's security process that verifies software is free from malware and hasn't been tampered with. When you see the 'Notarized' badge on a plugin, it means Apple has scanned the installer and found nothing malicious, so macOS won't block it as coming from an unidentified developer.
Why does Windows warn me when I run the installer?
Our Windows installers aren't code-signed yet. Even a signed installer from a new publisher gets this warning until it has built up a download history, so for now Windows SmartScreen shows "Windows protected your PC". Click 'More info', then 'Run anyway', then 'Yes' when Windows asks about an unknown publisher. Every plugin is open source, so you can always check the code it was built from.
What does ‘
Verified by pluginval’ mean?
pluginval is a free, open-source validation tool. It loads a plugin outside a DAW and runs automated tests against the plugin format's specification: instantiating it, setting and reading every parameter, saving and restoring its state, opening and closing its editor, and processing audio across a range of sample rates and buffer sizes, including the awkward ones DAWs occasionally use. Every plugin carrying this badge passed at strictness level 10, the most rigorous setting. In practice it means the plugin is far less likely to crash your DAW, lose its own settings, or misbehave.
Ready to Get Started?
Join our community of developers and music producers today