I’m going to speak for all producers for a second: searching for samples absolutely sucks.

If you’re anything like me, you have a massive sample library with more stuff in there that you’ll never use than stuff in there that you may use once or twice. Searching through all of it when looking for just the right snare, clap, or vocal shout is a nightmare. It often takes me forever to find that perfect sample.

So, when I found out that the team at Output had a tool that could revolutionize the way that producers look for samples, I was fascinated.

Co-Producer is a subscription-based sample finding plugin. It claims that it’s fully able to find the best samples for your track by actually listening to the track, studying its melodic content, and pulling up several different options for you whenever you use it. What’s even better is that all of the samples are completely royalty free.

This sounded way too good to be true. Seriously, how does a plugin like this even exist? You’re telling me that I might be able to save the several minutes I spend searching whenever I need a sample? No shot. There’s no way.

Well, maybe there is a way. Let’s play with Co-Producer.

Editor’s Choice Award

Not to spoil the rest of my review for anyone, but this plugin is something truly special.

I’ll get into why I think so in just a few moments, but for now, I’ll just say this: I have never seen a tool that operates like this. I’ve never seen a tool that presents itself as every busy producer’s fantasy, only to fulfill on every one of the things it promised. I’m actually still in shock as I write this. And, considering how many plugins I see and use on a daily basis, that’s high praise.

When I think of things that deserve one of my precious Editor’s Choice Awards, I think of things that fit all three of these categories: they fulfill a desperate need, they’re easy to learn and fun to use, and they make me genuinely excited to use it more and more. Co-Producer does all of these things, and then some. I’m proud to be giving them an Editor’s Choice Award. Read on to see just why I love it so much.

The Layout

This is it. Seriously.

Here’s what you need to know: hit the button at the top center while your track is playing and it’ll analyze the track’s melodic content to ensure that it gives you the best possible samples. You also want to make sure you select your track’s key.

After you let it run for a few bars, it’ll be ready to go. You can then type in a prompt and be met with samples that you can just slot in like you would any other sample.

In this instance, I was looking for a nice, tight kick drum. All I did was type in “Tight kick drum” to that text box, hit “find samples”, and I was greeted by all of these wonderful options. They’re all loops here, but it’s easy to extract a single sound from a loop by cutting it down (if you’re like me and enjoy placing all your kicks manually, that is). I found one that I liked very quickly and dragged it in.

After that, I kept searching for more and more samples to fill out my demo track using prompts like those above me. A good practice when using this plugin, according to Output, is to include the instrument you want, the vibe you’re going for, and the genre you’re using when searching for samples. But, also note that I didn’t exactly do that in my prompt generation, so you’ll get great samples either way.

By the way, all the samples I’ve heard from this plugin are high quality and inspiring: there is truly something for every kind of music producer here. Never once did I think “oh, this doesn’t sound too great” – even if the sample I checked out didn’t exactly fit what I was looking for, I could have seen myself using it in a different context.

I also, to be fully transparent, forgot to have the plugin listen to the track I was working on while making this demo track. I had already generated several samples before I actually had it analyze my song, and it STILL gave me samples that fit, even before that!

Also, just to make sure it’s clear, if you want the plugin to work the best way that it could, make sure to put it on the master track of your Daw. Below is what that looks like in my DAW, Logic Pro. Doing this allows the plugin to listen to your track and find the absolute best samples.

Results

Below is a demo track that I’ve made, using my actual production process.

I usually start my tracks with piano chords, a sub bass, and a sidechain compressor. Then, I build around that. I’ve done the exact same thing in this demo track. Every sound that’s not a piano or sub is from Co-Producer’s sample library. I did some light EQ and processing on some of the samples, but nothing too out of the ordinary.

This, in no way, is meant to resemble a finished product. It took me about ten minutes, from start to finish. But, it’s still pretty impressive to see what Co-Producer can do in that short amount of time.

Not a bad start, right? With some more time (including all the time I would’ve spent searching for samples) and effort, this could be a pretty sick melodic/organic house tune! And, remember, all of those sounds came from text prompts. I’m so excited to continue using the plugin and see what else I can have it come up with.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

You are going to save so much time searching for samples.

Need I say more? You can put more and more of your time and effort into actually making your track by using this plugin, rather than burning out in your sample library.

The samples themselves are excellent.

Whether you’re a melodic house producer like me, a basshead, a hip-hop beatmaker, or any other kind of producer, you are going to be able to find high quality, inspiring samples at the click of a button.

It’s quick and easy to use.

I experienced no lagging or latency while using the plugin, and it brought me dozens of usable samples in seconds every time I put in a new text prompt. Plus, the layout is basically confusion-proof. Everything is right there for you, with little room to get lost. There’s also a tip guide that loads up the first time you use the plugin.

Cons:

It operates on a subscription model.

Some people love monthly subscriptions, but I personally prefer being able to fully purchase something from the start. I do understand why they do it, considering the fact that many online sample services operate on a subscription basis as well, so I can’t be too mad. And, for $10 USD a month (or $15 a month if you want all of Output’s plugins in one package), it’s a bargain. I’m just the kind of person who’s afraid of buying a subscription and then forgetting about it.

That’s my only con. For some people, it might be a pro, considering how 10$ for 10 months seems far more affordable than 100$ at once. Plus, if you ever stop needing it, you can very easily cancel.

Conclusion: Should you get it?

Undoubtedly yes. I’d call this a must-have.

If you hate searching for samples, then this plugin is perfect for you. If you love searching for samples, then this plugin is, also, for you. If you’re a music producer who wants to make the most of their time, this is for you. If you’re a music producer, period, this is something you should really consider adding to your plugin lineup. It’s truly one of the most innovative pieces of technology I’ve seen in quite some time. Well done.

Get Co-Producer here.

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