/ 09 — FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers on scope, pricing, and how the AI actually works.
What is Sample Vault?
A local-first sample browser. Point it at your folders, it analyses every file for key, tempo, and sonic character, then lets you search by describing the sound you want. No generation, no marketplace.
Does Sample Vault generate sounds using AI?
No. It doesn't generate audio, and it doesn't train models on your samples. Its job is to make the library you already own searchable.
Does Sample Vault work offline?
Browsing, playback, key and tempo detection, filtering — all of it works offline. The AI runs in the cloud, so those features need a connection. An initial sign-in is required.
Why is there a subscription?
AI indexing and cloud sync cost real money to run. The paid plan pays for them and for ongoing development. That's the whole reason — there's no upsell, no dark pattern, no free-tier downgrade trick.
Will there be a paid plan without AI features?
We're considering one — a plan without AI indexing, for producers who just want a faster sample browser. If you'd pay for that, tell us. It shapes whether we build it.
What happens to my samples if I downgrade?
Your files stay where they are — on your disk — regardless of plan. What lives in the cloud is the AI-indexed metadata and any samples you explicitly synced. If you downgrade past your storage limit, cloud-side samples are held for 30 days before being removed. Nothing on your disk is touched.
Does the assistant give production advice?
Not yet. The assistant can find samples and organise your library, but it isn't a production coach. Trust your ears. We'll widen its scope as the models and our evaluations justify it — not before.
How does it understand the contents of a sample?
Each file is analysed locally for key, tempo, brightness, stereo width, and 40+ other characteristics. AI indexing adds genre, mood, instrument, creator, and pack labels on top. Prompt Search runs against that combined fingerprint, which is why "dark minor pad with reverb" ranks correctly instead of matching a filename.
Couldn't find the answer to your question? Check our documentation or ask the Sample Vault AI Assistant.