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User Interface Reference

The navigation bar is located at the top of the Sample Vault application and provides easy access to all major features and functions. The navigation adapts based on where you’re using Sample Vault - whether in the desktop app or on the web.

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Desktop App Navigation

When using the Sample Vault desktop application, the navigation bar contains everything you need to work with your samples efficiently. AI Assistant
  • Access the AI-powered chat assistant that helps you find samples, get recommendations, and answer questions about your music library
  • The assistant understands natural language queries like “find me some dark techno kicks” or “show me samples similar to this track”
Prompt Search
  • Find samples using natural language
Samples Browser
  • Browse and explore your entire sample library with advanced filtering options
  • View samples by genre, BPM, key, mood, and other AI-analyzed characteristics
Settings
  • Configure your account, subscription, preferences, and application settings
  • Manage your sample directories and processing options

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Utility Features

Directory Drawer Access
  • The folder icon opens a file browser showing your configured sample directories
Processing Status
  • See real-time updates when Sample Vault is analyzing your samples
  • Shows progress of AI tagging, cloud backup, and sample processing
  • Click to view detailed processing information and controls
Subscription Info
  • Displays your current plan (Free or Early Supporter)
  • Shows usage information including storage space and daily AI queries used
  • Provides quick access to upgrade options when approaching limits
Community Access
  • Direct link to join the Sample Vault Discord community
  • Get help from other users, share feedback, and stay updated on new features
Feedback
  • Share your thoughts and suggestions directly with the development team
  • Help improve Sample Vault by reporting issues or requesting features

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Playback Controls

Link
  • Enables Ableton Link to synchronize sample playback with your DAW
  • When active, samples loop in sync with the shared Link session tempo
  • Automatically enables Tempo Lock
Tempo Lock
  • Time-stretches all samples to a global BPM you define
  • Only affects samples with detected tempo
  • See Link, Tempo and Key Lock for details
Key Lock
  • Transposes all samples to a target musical key
  • Only affects samples with a detected key
  • See Link, Tempo and Key Lock for details

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Window Controls

Pin Window
  • Keep Sample Vault on top of other applications while you work in your DAW
  • Useful for quick sample searches without losing focus on your music production
  • When pinned, the navigation becomes more compact to save screen space
Window Dragging
  • When the window is pinned, you can drag it around your screen using the grip handle in the center of the navigation bar
  • Helps position Sample Vault exactly where you need it in your workflow

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Mobile and Small Screen Experience

On smaller screens or when the window is resized, the navigation automatically adapts:
  • Icons replace text labels to save space
  • Hover over any icon to see what it does
  • On very small screens, everything moves into a hamburger menu for easy access

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Website Navigation

When visiting the Sample Vault website, you’ll see a simplified navigation focused on learning about the product: Product Information
  • Features: Learn about Sample Vault’s capabilities
  • Pricing: View subscription options and features
  • FAQ: Find answers to common questions
Getting Started
  • Download links for your operating system (Windows, Mac)
  • Sign in to your account
  • Join the Discord community
Account Access
  • Sign in to manage your subscription and settings
  • Access your account information and billing

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Sample Context Menu

The sample context menu is your quick access hub for working with any sample in Sample Vault. Simply right-click on any sample throughout the application to reveal a comprehensive set of actions.

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Why This Helps Your Workflow

Instead of navigating through multiple screens or remembering complex keyboard shortcuts, everything you need for sample management is just a right-click away. This saves you time and keeps you in your creative flow.

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Available Actions

Sample Information & Management:
  • Sample Info: View detailed technical information, tags, and metadata
  • Edit Sample: Modify sample information (for samples you’ve uploaded or if you’re an admin)
  • Add/Remove from Favorites: Mark samples for quick access later
  • Copy to Clipboard: Copy the sample file to your system clipboard for pasting into other applications
  • Open File Location: Jump directly to the sample’s folder on your computer or in the Sample Browser
AI-Powered Actions: The context menu includes intelligent chat prompts organized by purpose:
  • Discovery: “Find similar samples,” “What genre is this,” “Suggest complementary samples”
  • Creative: “Create a beat using this,” “Suggest arrangement ideas,” “Help me layer this”
  • Analysis: “Analyze the musical characteristics,” “What key is this in,” “Describe the mood”
Collections Management:
  • Add/Remove from Collection: Organize samples into your custom collections

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Real-World Example

You’re working on a deep house track and find a perfect kick drum. Right-click → “Find similar samples” → the AI assistant opens with suggestions for complementary hi-hats, bass lines, and percussion that match your kick’s style and tempo.

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Common Questions

Why can’t I see all the navigation options? If you’re using a smaller screen or window, some navigation items might be hidden in the hamburger menu (three lines icon) or shown as icons only. You can hover over icons to see what they do. What does the processing status indicator show? This shows when Sample Vault is working on your samples - analyzing them with AI, uploading to the cloud for backup, or processing audio features. Click it to see detailed progress and control options. How do I keep Sample Vault visible while using my DAW? Use the pin button to keep Sample Vault on top of other windows. This is perfect for browsing samples while working on a track in your digital audio workstation. Can I resize or move the Sample Vault window? Yes! When the window is pinned, you can drag it around using the grip handle in the center of the navigation bar. You can also resize it like any other window. Where can I get help or report issues? Click the Discord link in the navigation to join our community, or use the feedback button to send suggestions directly to our team. Can I use the sample context menu on all samples? Yes! The context menu works on both local samples (from your computer) and cloud samples (from Sample Vault’s library). Some options like “Edit Sample” are only available for samples you own or if you’re an admin. Why do some samples take longer to play than others? Cloud samples need to be downloaded first. Once downloaded, they’re cached locally for instant playback. Local samples from your computer play immediately. Can I use keyboard shortcuts when typing in text fields? Keyboard shortcuts (like 1, 2, 3 for audio control) are automatically disabled when you’re typing in search boxes, chat messages, or any text field. This prevents accidental playback while you’re writing.