Sample Management

aerial works with your existing sample library on disk. You point it at folders, it scans and analyzes the contents, and everything appears on the scatter plot. No importing, no copying, no special file organization required.

Adding Folders

Click the + button in the folder browser to add a sample directory. aerial scans the folder recursively, picking up all audio files in subfolders as well. You can add as many folders as you like - your entire sample library, or just specific collections.

Supported Formats

Any sample rate and bit depth are supported. One-shot samples work best with aerial's analysis and scatter plot workflow, but any audio file in these formats will be picked up.

Background Scanning

When you add a new folder, analysis runs in the background. You will see progress indicated in the UI as files are processed. While analysis is running, you can continue browsing and auditioning samples that have already been analyzed - you do not need to wait for the full scan to complete.

Analysis Cache

Session Restoration

aerial remembers which folders you have loaded between sessions. When you reopen the plugin in your DAW, your folders and their analyzed samples appear automatically - no need to re-add them each time.

Removing Folders

To remove a folder from the browser, right-click it and select remove. The folder disappears from aerial's browser, but the cached analysis data is kept on disk. If you re-add the same folder later, analysis results load instantly from the cache.

Missing Folders

If a folder has been moved, renamed, or is on a disconnected external drive, aerial shows it as unavailable in the browser. To resolve this:

• Reconnect the external drive and aerial will detect the folder again.
• If the folder has moved, remove the old entry and add the new location.