Sample Comparison: Ultimate Showdown: Loopcloud vs Splice (2025) 🏆 [Battleground of Music Libraries]

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Hashin' Samples: Which One's Got Your Back? Splice or Loopcloud?

You're a modern beat maker, and it's tough to choose between Splice and Loopcloud when starting out, ain't it? Let's break it down for you with this no-nonsense guide. Here's what we'll cover:

Features each service offers
Cost plans
Library depth and organization
Ease of use, DAW integration, and more

We'll end each section with a verdict on which service takes the crown. Remember, this is my personal opinion, so take it easy on the hate mail 😎

Let's dive in! 🤘

Get that vintage grit and haze on your tracks ⚡️

Our Analog Sample Pack features over 700 weird and wonderful sounds from iconic synths such as the Roland Juno-6, Roland Jupiter 8, Teenage Engineering Pocket Operators, and more!

A Brief History of Sampling 📜
What is a Sample Library? 🤔
Showdown #1: Who's Got the Most Bells & Whistles? ✅
- Loopcloud vs Splice Sample Packs
- Loopcloud vs Splice Preset Packs
- Loopcloud vs Splice MIDI Packs
- Loopcloud vs Splice Plugin Collection
- Extra Features
- The Victor: Splice 🏆
Showdown #2: Cost 💰
- The Victor: Loopcloud 🏆
Showdown #3: Sample Collection & Organization 📚
- The Victor: Splice 🏆
Showdown #4: DAW Integration
- The Victor: Loopcloud 🏆
Showdown #5: Loopcloud vs Splice - Final Thoughts 💭
More Sample Libraries
Loopcloud vs Splice - Your Pick! 🙏

The Sampin' Game Goes Longer Than You Think 📜

The roots of sampling are older than you might think. Back in the 40s, French composer Pierre Schaeffer pioneered musique concrete, the first time recorded audio was used as source material instead of a new recording.

In the 70s, engineers began rearranging and rebuilding tracks for different audiences, creating dub, riddim, and early hip-hop. Modern instruments like the Fairlight, Akai's MPC range, and others followed. But it was the MPC that had the biggest impact on the modern form of sampling we know today.

Got a hankering to learn how to sample? Check out our extensive guide 🔥

What is a Sample Library? 🤔

As the net took off and file-sharing became a thing, sample libraries started popping up. Here's the deal: Instead of sampling yourself, you get direct access to other artists' sampled material.

In a technical sense, these aren't really samples anymore. They are designed and built for a sample library instead of being sampled from an existing recording. But I'm splitting hairs here 😅

A sample library is a place where millions of samples — from drums, synths, vocals, and more — are collected, sorted, and categorized. Modern sample libraries, though, offer way more than that. Read on to see! 👇

Note: Finding a sample is only half the job. Processing is what turns any sample into something unique 🔥 Looking to process like a rockstar? Check out our ultimate guide 👈

Who's Porch Monkey Got More Flava? 📜

As mentioned earlier, sample libraries offer a kitbag full of goodies. Here's a showdown between Loopcloud and Splice to see which packs the most punch.

Note: This section will list the number of features available, not delve deep into the quality of each.

Sample Packs

Both Loopcloud and Splice boast huge sample collections 😅

Loopcloud claims over 4 million sounds. On the flip side, Splice doesn't specify the total, but a search for "808" yields more than 30k samples. With that in mind, you can assume the library is vast indeed.

Stay tunes for sections three and four to hear more about the pros and cons of both collections.

Preset Packs

In addition to samples, libraries sometimes throw in presets for popular synths like Serum, Vital, Massive, and Spire.

Splice serves up presets for Astra, Beatmaker, Serum, Sylenth1, Massive, and Spire. Loopcloud, however, doesn't offer any synth presets.

Need some free preset packs? We've got you covered for both Serum and Vital 🔥

MIDI Packs

Next up, MIDI packs! MIDI packs usually come in two options: chords and melodies. With MIDI, you can easily drag-and-drop to the piano roll and start tweaking individual notes, velocity, timing, and more!

Splice highlights MIDI-inclusive packs. Loopcloud, unfortunately, doesn't provide any MIDI packs at this time.

If you're on the hunt for the best free MIDI packs, we've done a roundup of *our faves lobby 😊*

Plugin Collection

Both services offer native plugins. Splice offers:

Astra: a swiss-army knife synth featuring FM, wavetable, granular, and analog synthesis.
Beatmaker: a drum sequencer that works seamlessly with the Splice interface.
Splice Bridge: their DAW integration plugin. More on that in the next section.

Loopcloud's plugin stable includes:

Loopcloud PLAY: Loopcloud's sample-based synth.
Loopcloud DRUM: Loopcloud's drum sequencer and editor.
Loopcloud: their DAW integration plugin (more on that in the next section).

In addition, Splice features a Try-Before-You-Buy section for plugins. You can rent a plugin as you go, and once the full price is covered, it's yours!

Looking for the top free plugins available? Take a gander at *our ultimate guide 🔥***

The Heavyweight: Splice 🏆

Splice is definitely more fully-featured than Loopcloud. The main attraction is Splice's plugin section. Not only do you get access to a range of free plugins, but the Rent-to-Own model is slick!

Splice also shines when it comes to searching for either presets or MIDI packs.

The only feature Loopcloud offers that Splice doesn't is cloud storage. Personally, it's not a game-changer for me, but some people might dig it.

Get that vintage grit and haze on your tracks ⚡️

Our Analog Sample Pack features over 700 weird and wonderful sounds from iconic synths such as the: Roland Juno-6, Roland Jupiter 8, Teenage Engineering Pocket Operators, and more!

What'll It Cost Ya? 💰

After checking out the feature list, it's fair to compare the prices, right? Here are Splice's price plans:

Splice Price Plans

And here are Loopcloud's price plans:

Loopcloud Price Plans

While Splice's credit model is simple, Loopcloud's can get a bit confusing.

With Splice, 1 credit = 1 sample/preset/MIDI file. With Loopcloud, samples can range from 1 to 4 points in general. Single shots are usually 1 point, while loops will be 2 points. Some loops can be 4 points due to their quality/length.

This means it can be trickier to compare both services, but even with an average of 2 points per sample for Loopcloud, the $10 plan still offers 50% more samples. At the $20 plan, you get 600 points with Loopcloud vs. 200 credits with Splice. Plus, Loopcloud's $7 starter plan makes it more wallet-friendly for newcomers.

Want a glimpse into the best way to sample? Check out this video from Aden:

The Victor: Loopcloud 🏆

Of course, this depends on the value you get. If money ain't a problem, then this section probably won't matter.

But with an entry-level cost of just $8/month, Loopcloud is definitely the more budget-friendly choice. And even at higher plans, you get more bang for your buck. Plus, you score two months free when paying for a year with Loopcloud, flavor! The only caveat? The depth and quality of the search in the library. Let's see how that shakes out next.

Library Collection & Organization 📚

Next, let's compare Loopcloud vs. Splice in terms of library organization.

With Splice, you can browse samples by:

Type (sample, preset, or MIDI)
Genre
Instruments
Label

Splice also features a massive Cinematic FX family, including various foley, ambiance, and everyday sounds.

Within browsing, you'll also find an assortment of tags to refine your search with precision.

With Loopcloud, you initially browse in a similar fashion, searching by:

Instrument
Genre
Label
Key and BPM

However, Loopcloud doesn't provide as many tags as Splice. Loopcloud does offer a more tailored browsing experience through its DAW integration (see the next section).

Another cool feature Splice offers is the "Similar Sounds" function:

Clicking on this icon will reveal suggestions for sounds with a similar sonic profile.

The Victor: Splice 🏆

Here, Splice takes the crown. The library is bigger, the search is precise, and the overall user experience is smoother. Keep reading to see how DAW integration compares! 👇

DAW Integration 🎛️

When you're making beats, you'll likely be using either Splice or Loopcloud inside a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). Let's see which plugin and desktop app take the cake.

Both services square off with a combo plugin and desktop application for browsing samples right inside your DAW environment. This lets you preview sounds in real-time to see if they're the right fit for your track.

Loopcloud offers a nifty "Audio Filters" section for easy browsing:

But Loopcloud's true ace is the sample editing section. Take a peep:

Here, you can cut, stretch, loop, and apply various effects like reverb, delay, compression, and EQ right on the fly without even purchasing the sample! Plus, you can create patterns with your one-shots.

For example, if you want to ensure your snare hits on the money beat.

In the Splice camp, the desktop app is more or less a carbon copy of what you'll find online:

The Splice desktop app ain't offering up many additional features. There's no way to manipulate samples, or even arrange them differently on the grid, for example. If you're previewing snares, they'll automatically hit on the first beat.

The Victor: Loopcloud 🏆

When it comes to sample manipulation and working with your DAW, Loopcloud's light-years ahead. Splice's desktop app is slick, but it doesn't bring many extra features to the table. Keep reading for some final thoughts! 👇

Final Thoughts 💭

There's a lot to mull over when choosing between Loopcloud and Splice for your sample library and workflow needs. Here are some extra considerations that might tip the scales for you:

Popularity: Most folks land on Splice. So there's a better chance of using the same sounds as other folks.
User Interface: I find Splice's UI much sleeker. How 'bout you?
Load Times: From what I've seen, Splice's site has quicker load times.
Free Samples: Each month at Loopcloud, different samples are available for free with the "Free Samples" filter.

More Sample Libraries 😃

If you're still in two minds, explore these other options:

Freesound: A mega-library of free sounds, encompassing instruments and everyday noises.
Looperman: A huge database of free samples, acapellas, and plugins.
Samplette.io: An unconventional method that scours YouTube for you, spitting out random sample suggestions.

The Final Word: Your Choice 🙏

That's all, folks! I'll keep my judgment to myself on this one 😅

Choosing between Loopcloud and Splice depends on your priorities. Both platforms have their strengths, so pick the one that speaks to your heart--or wallet. Let me know if I missed anything at simon@our website. Cheers!

The Analog Sample Pack available on the website is designed for those who want to incorporate vintage grit and haze into their tracks, featuring sounds from iconic synths such as the Roland Juno-6, Roland Jupiter 8, Teenage Engineering Pocket Operators, and more.
With the increasing popularity of gadgets and technology, these analog synths are often emulated using synthesis software or hardware, allowing producers to create unique sounds without needing the original hardware.

Sample Comparison: Ultimate Showdown: Loopcloud vs Splice (2025) 🏆 [Battleground of Music Libraries]