Plugin comparison
Specs, price and the Dubspot Score, side by side — with our verdict on which sampler to buy.
Independent score / workflow fit / buying signal
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Contenders
Chopgrid by Broekn Labs is a chance-based grid sampler that fills 16 cells from random files, with 14 synthesis engines, a drum machine, and glitch FX.
Portal is a granular synthesis FX plugin from Output that transforms any audio input into playable, musical granular effects.
Score verdict
On the Dubspot Score, Portal comes out ahead (8.4). That said, the right pick depends on your workflow and budget — read both reviews before deciding.
Technical matrix
| Signal | Chopgrid | Portal |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $29 intro / $49 full | $149 |
| Dubspot Score | 8.0 | 8.4 |
| Formats | Standalone, VST3, AU | VST, VST3, AU, AAX |
| Grid | 16 independent cells, two live banks (A/B), up to 128 files per session | — |
| Sound modules | SB301 monosynth, PIVOT (14 synthesis engines), CHIP, SEQ | — |
| Drum modules | DROM (8-part, 4,500+ one-shots), MASH, UTIL | — |
| Effects | CRUSH, DIRT, FUXT, DLYA, WERB, FILT, GATA | — |
| Randomization | 12-bit randomizers, 4,096 combinations per module | — |
| Plugin formats | Mac standalone app, Mac VST3/AU, Windows VST3 (no AAX) | — |
| macOS requirement | macOS 13 Ventura or higher (Intel or Apple Silicon) | — |
| Windows requirement | Windows 10 or higher | — |
| System | 8 GB RAM, 1280 x 800 display, ~350-500 MB disk, internet for authorization | — |
| Presets | — | 250+ presets for instant playability |
| Control | — | Circular XY control linked to granular parameters |
| Built-in FX | — | 7 built-in FX plus a master compressor and filter |
| Time manipulation | — | Powerful time manipulation engine with tempo-synced grain delay |
| Modulation | — | Scale-based pitch modulation, Time Stretch, Pitch Shift, and Humanize controls |
| Apple Silicon | — | Native Apple Silicon compatibility (M1, M2 and beyond) as of v1.2.0 |
See the full plugin database for more comparisons.