Make 16-Slice WAV Drum Kits from Your Sample Packs, Automatically
Kit Maker turns the drum sample packs, Maschine Expansions and MPC Expansions you already own into folders of 16-slice WAV kits. Each pack makes many kits, and each kit is its own WAV file with 16 one-shots, one per slice, ready for any sampler that splits a sample into 16 equal parts.
Currently 16-bit, 44.1 kHz stereo WAV only. Check that your sampler accepts this format.
$39 — one-time purchase. No subscription.
As featured on Native Instruments blogFrom Sample Packs to 16-Slice WAV Kits
- 1
Drop in your packs
Drum sample packs, Maschine Expansions and MPC Expansions are all accepted.
- 2
Kit Maker builds the kits
Automatically, with 16 pad kits made in a consistent pad layout.
- 3
Your kits are ready to load
One WAV per kit, organized by pack and ready to load on your sampler.
16 one-shots in, one WAV file per kit
Each pack makes many kits, and every kit is saved as its own WAV file. Kit Maker places each sample at the start of its own slice. By default every slice is the same length, so when your sampler divides the file into 16 equal parts, each part plays one drum sound. Shorter sounds are followed by silence, so slice 9 is always pad 9.
Convert your Maschine Expansion kits to 16-slice WAVs, too
Kit Maker scans your Native Instruments Maschine Expansions and rebuilds their drum kits as 16-slice WAV kits, labeled and organized by Expansion.
What’s in each WAV file
Some samplers only accept certain sample rates or bit depths, so here’s exactly what Kit Maker makes.
- File
- One WAV file per kit, named after the kit. Each pack makes many kits, so you get a folder of them for every pack.
- Audio
- 16-bit PCM, 44.1 kHz, stereo.
- Slices
- 16, all the same length. The slice length follows your longest sample, up to the maximum you set in Preferences. Turn off Use Equal Slices and each slice is only as long as its own sound.
- Between slices
- A short silence at the end of each slice, so no sound bleeds into the next pad. Turn on Add silence between slices for samplers that find slices by listening for hits.
- Levels
- The whole kit is normalized together, so nothing clips and the balance between sounds stays as it was.
Every kit is a 16-bit, 44.1 kHz stereo WAV for now. Options for 48 kHz, 24-bit and mono files are coming in a free update in the next few weeks.
Set it up for your sampler
Every sampler slices a little differently. Three options in Preferences, under 16-Slice WAV, cover most of them.
Your sampler splits the file into 16 equal parts
Keep Use Equal Slices on. It’s on by default. Every slice is the same length, so each of your sampler’s 16 divisions lines up with one sound.
Your sampler finds slices by listening for hits
Turn Use Equal Slices off and turn on Add silence between slices. Each slice is only as long as its own sound, with a clear gap of silence after it, so your sampler can see where one ends and the next begins.
Your sampler has a time limit
Lower Max segment length. The whole file is 16 slices long, so divide your sampler’s limit by 16 to get a length that fits. Longer sounds fade out at that point, and short ones play whole.
Some samplers count stereo files twice, so you may need a shorter length.
As seen on
“A very useful tool, not just for converting NI stuff, but even your own custom packs.”
— Ave Mcree
“A super easy way to convert the expansions.”
— Sanjay C, Native Instruments Blog
“Very easy to use.”
— Jef Gibbons
Works with samplers that split a WAV into 16 slices
Kit Maker builds a standard .wav file with 16 equal slices. Load it into a sampler, groovebox or DAW that can divide a sample into 16 equal parts, and each part plays one sound.
macOS (Apple Silicon) · Windows
Samplers, grooveboxes and DAWs with an equal-slice or grid mode
Builds a standard WAV file. Not affiliated with Elektron, Ableton, Akai, Dirtywave or Native Instruments.
Questions, answered
What exactly does Kit Maker give me?
A folder of WAV files for each pack, one file per kit, named after the kit. Each pack makes many kits. In every file the kit’s 16 sounds are joined end to end in 16 equal slices, so slice 1 is pad 1, slice 2 is pad 2, and so on.
Does it chop up loops?
No. Kit Maker doesn’t cut a loop or a break into pieces. It takes single one-shots from your packs and joins them into one file, and your sampler spreads them back out across its pads.
What audio format is the WAV?
A 16-bit, 44.1 kHz stereo PCM WAV. Options for 48 kHz, 24-bit and mono files are coming in a free update in the next few weeks.
Which samplers does it work with?
Any sampler, groovebox or DAW that can divide a sample into 16 equal slices. For example the Elektron Octatrack’s slice grid, the Digitakt II’s Grid machine, Simpler’s Slice mode in Ableton Live, MPC Chop mode set to Regions, and the Dirtywave M8’s slice tools. Check your sampler’s manual for an equal-slice or grid option.
What if a kit has fewer than 16 sounds?
The empty slices are left silent, so every sound stays on its own pad and the slices still line up.
My sampler finds slices by listening for hits. Will it work?
Yes. In Preferences, turn off Use Equal Slices and turn on Add silence between slices. Each slice is then only as long as its own sound, with a clear gap after it, so samplers that detect transients can find where each slice starts.
My sampler has a short time limit. Will the kits fit?
Lower Max segment length in Preferences. The file is 16 slices long, so divide your sampler’s time limit by 16 to get a length that fits. Some samplers count stereo files twice, so you may need a shorter length.
Do I need to own the sample packs already?
Yes. Kit Maker organizes packs you provide; it doesn’t include sounds of its own. Drop in the drum packs (or Maschine Expansions) you already own and it builds the kits.
Can it convert my Maschine Expansions?
Yes. Kit Maker scans Native Instruments Maschine Expansions and rebuilds the drum kits inside them as 16-slice WAV kits. It lets you bring over sounds from packs you already own. Native Instruments has featured it as an option for Expansion owners.
Is it a subscription?
No. Kit Maker is a one-time purchase of $39. Buy it once, use it as long as you like.
Mac and PC?
Both. Kit Maker runs on macOS (Apple Silicon) and Windows.
Still have questions? Visit the Kit Maker FAQ.
Start making 16-slice WAV kits from packs you already own
$39 — one-time purchase. No subscription. · For Mac & PC