Sample Company to Plugin Company
Turning years of cult sample libraries into a drum plugin with real depth and no clutter
“Working with The Audio Programmer on the Circles plugin was an incredible experience. This was our first time building a plugin, and they helped us figure out a ton along the way…"
Stefan Runstrom
Drummer and owner, Circles Audio
The Challenge: Create A Tailored Drum Engine
Stefan and Tyler of Circles Audio approached The Audio Programmer to partner on a platform for their vast library of drum samples. They wanted to move from Kontakt-based sample libraries to an ecosystem of their own.
The Circles plugin needed to be customised to their own sample pack format and to include a multichannel drum mixing engine, with support and internal tools to enable them to create and release expansion packs autonomously. It also had to be comprehensive without being cluttered, with deep control over every kit piece in something that stays quick to use when you're actually making music.
01 Discovery:
Getting To Know The Client
We started by working closely with Stefan and Tyler to understand the existing catalogue and exactly what they needed (and didn't need) from a system that would support expansion packs for years to come.
That meant thinking beyond simply loading samples into a plugin. This phase set out how the plugin should operate, which features were necessary, and a clear enough picture of the build to commit to it.
Those early conversations helped lay the foundation for the project and started a collaborative process that continued throughout development.
02 Development:
Alpha, Engine, Iteration
Once the core engine was working, we had something tangible to experiment with. Development became a creative back-and-forth between the Circles and TAP teams.
Iteration is a fun and important part of early development, as the client tries out features for the first time, gives feedback, and the development team responds with new builds and ideas.
Together we landed on a 16-track, multi-microphone mixer with built-in effects, individual kit-piece and kit browsing, and an integrated MIDI pattern playback system.
Stefan and Tyler were running a business and working as musicians throughout, so we built around their schedule. Development came in phases, with months of real-world use in between where they lived with the builds, used them on their own sessions and shared them with other players. The plugin is better for it.
“…On the development side, we focused heavily on which features actually mattered and how to make the plugin feel super intuitive, especially when navigating our massive library of drums.
During this process, we had many months of meetings around design, audio effects, and sample handling, which helped us build our dream drum plugin. Many thanks to Josh and Rhiannon and the whole Audio Programmer team!”
03 Delivery:
Beta, Testing, Tools
After the audio engine was complete, we switched to interface design and testing, working with industry giants Resonant Design to create a modern look that reflected the Circles brand.
Extensive beta testing and internal tool creation that allowed Stefan and Tyler to create and ship their expansion packs entirely in-house were also part of this important final phase.
Outcome: An Ecosystem, Not Just a Plugin
It wasn’t about simply delivering a plugin. It was about creating a lasting ecosystem. A future for the Circles brand. It’s a home for their products, past, present and future. One that makes the existing catalogue easier to explore while giving Stefan and Tyler a platform to continue building on. And of course, making great drum tracks along the way.
What we delivered
- Scoping & Specification
Turned the client's full wishlist into a development scope defining what to build first and what to leave room for.
- Alpha Programme
A series of playable builds for the client to test and feed back on, refining the engine scope before sign-off.
- Sampler & DSP Engine
Custom multi-sampled playback engine, including multi-mic handling and choke groups.
- Per-Piece Sound Design Tools
Independent pitch, width, velocity, mic level, tone, transient, delay, reverb and drive controls for every kit piece.
- Mixer & Routing
Per-channel volume, mic blend, pan and multi-output routing so kit pieces can be sent to external plugins.
- UI Implementation
Implemented the interface designed by Resonant Design and Circles, iterating until the workflow held up in real sessions.
- Licensing Integration
Moonbase licensing for secure activation of the plugin and its expansions.
- Pack Creator
A content conversion tool letting Circles build their own packs and ship libraries independently.
- Cross-Platform Builds
VST3, AU and AAX for both Windows and macOS.