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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.samplevault.ai/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

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How It Works

When a sample is analysed, Sample Vault gives it a signature based on what it actually sounds like — not its filename, size, or tags. Samples whose signatures match are grouped into a duplicate cluster. Because the signature describes the audio itself, it catches copies a filename or file-size check never could:
  • The same sound saved as WAV, AIFF, or FLAC
  • Exported at 16- or 24-bit, or at 44.1 or 48 kHz
  • Normalised or otherwise gain-adjusted
  • Re-saved with different metadata or a different filename
One copy of each cluster — the kept copy — stays visible in the sample browser, search, and similar-sample results. The rest are hidden. Hidden copies are never deleted; your files on disk are left exactly as they are.
Duplicate detection works on samples that have been analysed. Older samples join in as their directories are re-scanned.

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Which Copy Is Kept

Sample Vault picks the best copy of each cluster to keep visible. A copy you’ve favorited or added to a collection always wins — Sample Vault never hides something you’ve deliberately organised. Otherwise it prefers the higher-quality file: lossless over lossy, higher bit depth and sample rate, real metadata over “Unknown”, and a tidier file path.

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Settings › Duplicates

The Settings → Duplicates tab shows what’s been collapsed and puts you in control:
  • Collapse duplicates — the master switch. Turn it off to see every copy again everywhere.
  • Match strictness — how alike two samples must be to count as duplicates:
    • Exact — the same decoded audio (the default).
    • Same sound — also catches lossy re-encodes and tiny edits.
    • Near-identical / Looser — progressively fuzzier. The loosest setting can group sounds that are merely very similar, so review the results before relying on it.
  • Scan now — re-check the library on demand. A scan also runs automatically after every directory scan.
  • Review — browse every duplicate group, flip individual copies between kept and hidden, and collapse groups as you clear them.
  • Move to Trash — reclaim disk space by sending the hidden copies to your system Trash. They stay recoverable there until you empty it; the kept copy is never touched.
Looking for samples that are similar rather than identical? That’s what Similar Samples is for — duplicate detection is about copies of the same sound.