> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sampler.meiji.industries/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# FAQ

> Frequently asked questions about Meiji Sampler.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What is Meiji Sampler?">
    A keyboard-first sampler and groovebox that runs in your terminal. Browse samples, assign them to pads, record loops, arrange scenes, and mix — all without touching a mouse.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Who is it for?">
    Beatmakers and producers who want a fast, distraction-free sampling workflow. Two constraints — ditch the mouse and embrace the terminal — and the creative focus that comes with them.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is it free?">
    Yes. Meiji Sampler is free during early access. Advanced features and services may be available to Pro users in the future — the free version is designed to cover everything you need to make incredible music.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why a terminal UI?">
    **Speed:** Keyboard shortcuts and fuzzy search get you to sound fast.

    **Focus:** No menus, no toolbars, no visual noise — just pads and audio.

    **Feel:** The workflow mirrors hardware (Arm → Record → Play), so it plays like an instrument.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is it hard to learn?">
    There's a short learning curve — keyboard shortcuts replace menus and toolbars. Start with [Make Some Noise](/start-here/make-some-noise) and then move into [Learn](/learn/index).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What platforms does it run on?">
    **macOS**, **Windows**, and **Linux** are all official targets. macOS is the primary supported platform and the most stable day to day; on Linux, stability can depend on your audio backend and terminal setup.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I install it?">
    On macOS, download the DMG from [sampler.meiji.industries](https://sampler.meiji.industries) or install with:

    ```bash theme={null}
    curl -fsSL https://sampler.meiji.industries/install.sh | bash
    ```

    See the [Installation guide](/start-here/installation) for details.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What audio formats are supported?">
    WAV, AIFF, AIFF-C, MP3, AAC, M4A, FLAC, OGG, ALAC, and CAF.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does it work with my sample library?">
    Yes. Point it at any folder and use flat mode + fuzzy search to dig deep across directories. Factory packs are also available to get you started.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does it require an internet connection?">
    The core sampler runs entirely on your machine. Some features like updates and login need internet, but your samples stay local and you can make music offline.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does it send my audio anywhere?">
    No. All audio stays on your machine — nothing is uploaded.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I chop and slice samples?">
    Yes. See [Chopping And Slicing](/guides/chopping-and-slicing) for the current slicing workflow.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I record audio directly?">
    Yes. See [Sampling From Audio Input](/guides/sampling-from-audio-input) for the current recording flow.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I export my beats?">
    Yes. See [Exporting And Bouncing](/guides/exporting-and-bouncing) for the current export flow.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What are Scenes?">
    Scenes are arrangements of loops that can be cued and switched to build a full song structure. See [Scene](/learn/scene).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does it have built-in effects?">
    Yes. See [Mix](/learn/mix) and [Mixer And Effects](/guides/mixer-and-effects).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use it for live performance?">
    Yes. Real-time pad triggering, quantized scene transitions with countdown, and mixer control make it ready for the stage.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does it work as a VST/AU plugin?">
    No. Meiji Sampler is a standalone terminal application — plugin support is not possible at the moment.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use it alongside Ableton / Logic / FL Studio?">
    Meiji Sampler is a standalone workflow, but you can route its audio into your DAW via a loopback driver like BlackHole or Soundflower.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does it have MIDI support?">
    Yes. MIDI controller support is available with customizable mappings. See [MIDI Implementation](/reference/midi-implementation) and [MIDI And External Gear](/guides/midi-and-external-gear).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is there Splice integration?">
    Yes. Meiji Sampler connects to Splice through Splice MCP. Sign in with your Splice account to search, preview, license, and load Splice sounds.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does it use AI?">
    Yes — automatic stem separation (Demucs) isolates vocals, drums, bass, and other instruments. ML classification detects sample types. We do not train AI on your work.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is it open source?">
    No. Meiji Sampler is closed source.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I uninstall Meiji Sampler?">
    Delete the application, then remove these directories to clean up all data:

    **macOS:**

    * Config and data: `~/Library/Application Support/Meiji Sampler/`
    * Cache: `~/Library/Caches/Meiji Sampler/`

    **Linux:**

    * Config: `$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/meiji-sampler/` (default `~/.config/meiji-sampler/`)
    * Data: `$XDG_DATA_HOME/meiji-sampler/` (default `~/.local/share/meiji-sampler/`)
    * Cache: `$XDG_CACHE_HOME/meiji-sampler/` (default `~/.cache/meiji-sampler/`)

    **Windows:**

    * Config: `%APPDATA%\Meiji Sampler\`
    * Data: `%LOCALAPPDATA%\Meiji Sampler\` (includes the `cache\` subfolder)

    Packs are stored inside the data directory — deleting it removes them automatically. To free up disk space while keeping your config, delete only the Packs subfolder from the data directory.

    See [Storage Paths](/reference/storage-paths-and-project-structure) for the full path reference.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I get help or report bugs?">
    Email us at the address in the app footer, or start with [Troubleshooting](/troubleshooting/index).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>