Developer Chih-Han Lin has released version 1.2 of GranSample, addressing the two most requested features from the mobile music community. The addition of AUv3 support transforms this 16-pad granular engine from a standalone sketchpad into a professional plugin that can be hosted inside AUM, Loopy Pro, Logic Pro for iPad, and Drambo. This allows you to sync its 16-step sequencer to host tempo and route its per-pad effects through complex signal chains.
The second addition is the Library, a dedicated system for organizing your sonic palette. Previously, managing custom recordings and granular settings across projects could be cumbersome. The new Library streamlines this by providing a central location to save, preview, and load your favorite granular configurations and samples across the 16-pad grid. This is particularly useful for the app’s Chromatic Mode, where a single pad can be expanded across the grid to play melodies and chords.
The app remains centered around 16 MPC-style pads, each able to load its own sample. The pads are supposed to be velocity sensitive, but in our testing, as of current version, the velocity response is not working very well. Each pad can be changed into granular mode with basic granular controls of size, density, pitch, spray, spread, 4 preset envelope shapes and option to reverse grains. You can add per-pad effects: reverb, delay, distortion, EQ, compressor, chorus and filter.
You sequence the pads on a 16-step X0X-style step sequencer with per-step velocity. There is no AUv3 support or any other way to sync the playback to other apps or devices. You can only record audio clips in the app and then export them to use in your DAW of choice. As of the current version the audio output is very very low, which makes the whole experience feel underpowered right out of the box.
Free version is limited to 4 out of 16 pads. Pro version also unlocks Bass, Melody, Textures and Ambient sounds, and ability to export WAV and M4A.
Key features:
- 16-Pad Granular Engine: Independent control over grain position, size, density, pitch jitter, and window shapes.
- Full Effects Chain: Up to 8 reorderable effects per pad (and master bus), including Reverb, Delay, Distortion, and EQ.
- Real-time Recording: Capture up to 60 seconds of audio directly into any pad from the built-in mic.
- Per-Pad ADSR (Pro): Fine-tune the attack, decay, sustain, and release for every sound source.
- Pro-Grade Audio Path: Built on AVAudioEngine with zero-allocation render threads for minimum latency.
App price: Free.
In-app purchase: $3.99 Pro version unlock
Original release: April 2026 | Latest update: April 10, 2026 (v1.0.1)
